The GOP goes "fact-free"

House Republicans have gone "fact-free."

The House GOP tries
its new "fact-free" diet

After more than a year of investigations into their fanciful allegations of Joe Biden malfeasance, they have formalized an impeachment inquiry of President Biden--only the sixth one in the history of our country--without the slightest evidence of any "high crimes or misdemeanors" that are required for an actual impeachment. 

Instead, they've uncovered evidence of a loan repayment from Biden's brother, and about $4000 in payments connected to his son Hunter's truck.

They've heard witnesses, under oath, declare they didn't think the President ever had anything to do with the financial business dealings of his son.

They've had their own members, such as earlier Senate Biden investigator co-chair Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, say there's no "hard proof" connecting Joe to any wrongdoing (Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland gave a thorough and scathing response to earlier GOP accusations here).

It's not the same as a previous formal inquiry when Trump was first investigated/impeached for (documented) withholding of Congressionally-approved aid to Ukraine, asking a foreign government for the "favor" of campaign assistance through announcing an investigation into his chief political opponent.

It's not even like when Bill Clinton was investigated/impeached for lying under oath about having an affair with a staffer.

Nope.

To be accurate, no evidence is required to launch an impeachment inquiry.

But it highlights some important GOP priorities--not for the country, but for itself.

Inmate #P01135809

It deflects the actual malfeasance (and two impeachments and 91 felony indictments and liability for sexual assault and defamation and business fraud) of the GOP's frontrunner (unbelievably so) for its 2024 presidential run, Donald Trump. 

And it should take their members' minds off pesky issues such as supporting allies around the world or funding the government before its January default date or having discussions about gun laws or immigration reform. 

So, a GOP-led House--that removed its own Speaker (for the first time in history) and expelled one of its own members (only previously done five times ever)--has now formalized an impeachment inquiry for only the sixth time in the history of our nation.

And this one is fact-free.

Stephen Colbert's take:

Throw Hunter From the Train

Is Hunter Biden being railroaded (with an assist from the GOP) for his tax crimes?

After all, evidence apparently points to his guilt of cheating the US of 1-2 million dollars in taxes.

The GOP's impeachment train
 is ramping up to leave the station

So, prosecution would be expected, with or without GOP pressure, right?

Not so fast.

Biden's attorney, says charges would not have been brought "if Hunter's last name was anything but Biden." 

To be honest, that's pretty hard to argue against.

Let's just look at numbers. In 2019, for example, 148,000,000 individuals filed tax returns. That same year, the IRS recommended tax crime prosecution for just 942 people, primarily for unpaid tens of millions or schemes to bilk other people (and Biden's was neither).

Even so, 942 people?

That's a "whopping" .0006%.

Point zero, zero, zero, six percent.

What are the odds?

Actually, you're ten times more likely than that to get hit by lightning.

A Vanderbilt University tax expert says in an AP article that "the average American has almost as good a chance of winning the lottery as being criminally prosecuted for tax fraud."

But, alas, Hunter Biden is not an "average" American (and he certainly is not winning the lottery). Instead, he's the son of a sitting US President for whom the GOP has a passion to bring down, in an attempt, it appears, as revenge for criminal indictments against their favorite despot, former President Trump. 

Make no mistake, though, this isn't a "witch hunt." There appears to be evidence of criminal activity (just as in Trump's indictments). However, the threat of 17 years of incarceration is unbelievable. Penalties for such tax crime convictions--such as in the cases of Willie Nelson and Nicolas Cage--are most often settled through payment of back taxes and penalties. 

But, um, Biden's already done that.

So, what about the DOJ plea deal with Biden that was reached this past summer?

Um, it was denied by a Trump-appointed judge, coincidentally(?) after the GOP raised a stench about Biden's "sweetheart" deal (although the deal seemed pretty consistent with others in his position). And, following the GOP hue and cry, the DOJ miraculously came up with additional charges without having even gathered more evidence.

So, is Hunter Biden being railroaded (with an assist from the GOP) for his tax crimes?

All a-BOARD!!

Here's a great take by former DOJ Deputy Assistant Attorney General Harry Litman (LA Times):

Litman: Hunter Biden isn't being accused of any new wrongdoing. So why was he just indicted again? (yahoo.com)

Is the GOP even for real?

The latest GOP news reads like it's from the satirical "Onion" (or this site's "None-yun")

"The Onion" certainly can't top the GOP

Florida Senator Rick Scott is clamoring for investigations of college football because his Florida State was excluded from the four-team playoff (a discussion of the reasoning can be found here).

So, as GOP Congressional members duck discussions of gun control in the wake of continual mass shootings, push off decisions about funding the federal government, virtually shut down any legislation, hurry to catch up from their own Tommy Tuberville refusing military promotions, threaten/perform violence in the Capitol,  and create fantastical stories of millions of bribery dollars being funneled to Joe Biden (in the guise of two loan paybacks and $5000 in car payments for his son) to fuel a, literally, incredible impeachment effort...

...they want to investigate why Rick Scott's favorite team wasn't picked to play in a college football game?

It's GOTTA be a joke...right?

UPDATE: Rick Scott's #5 ranked Florida State was throttled by number 6 Georgia in the Orange Bowl, 63-3, the "biggest blowout in bowl game history."

There was no further comment from Senator Scott.

George Santos and Even More Terrifying Things

The recent House expulsion of NY GOP US Representative George Santos highlights three disturbing things: Santos's lies and alleged crimes, the trashing of the presumption of innocence, and the immense hypocrisy of the GOP, which continues to back its own indictment-laden leader, of which the last is the most terrifying.

First the good news: Santos is now free to pursue his other interests.

Perhaps he could investigate his "Jew-ish" heritage (including his OJ Simpson-style promise to prove that his Brazilian-born grandparents fled Hitler) or the "kidnapping" of his niece by Chinese Communists (law enforcement, which found no evidence, said, "I'd lean into, 'he made it up.'").

He could parlay into a new career his volleyball stardom from Baruch College or maybe a promotion at Goldman-Sachs.

He could go back to fundraising (he seems to have a soft spot for veterans and their sick dogs).

He could even explore his penchant for alternate identities (whether that of his donors or that of Anthony Devolder or Kitara Ravache).

As vile (and, in some cases, incredibly sadly comical) as Santos's alleged actions are, they pale in comparison to two others.

The first is the expulsion itself. Virtually all of the Democrats and nearly half the Republicans voted to expel Santos. It's disturbing that he hasn't been convicted of a crime. Our country prides itself on the belief that we are innocent until proven guilty. The US House of Representatives apparently no longer believes that. 

(It's notable that the US Senate hasn't expelled its own alleged king of corruption, New Jersey's Democratic Senator Bob Menendez, who is currently facing conspiracy and bribery charges--federal charges he also faced under different circumstances back in 2015--before he's tried in court)

With the Santos expulsion--only the sixth ever in the House, and ostensibly for accused crimes--the US House has thrown under the bus the presumption of innocence (although any decent politician would have likely resigned if they were in Santos's position). Although an ethics committee report was damning, the crimes are still only alleged, and no member of the House has been expelled without a conviction (of the previous five, three had fought for the Confederacy, and two were convicted of federal crimes). 

Despite the lies and alleged criminal actions of George Santos, we should all be disturbed that a precedent has been set for the country that doesn't bother to wait for the determination of the courts. And such a precedent can be the start of a slippery slope for the presumption of innocence.

But it gets worse.

Of the 220 GOP members in the House, 105 GOP members (48%) voted to expel Santos, not because he was a serial liar, but because of his alleged crimes. The House Committee of Ethics found that the NY Congressman “placed his desire for private gain above his duty to uphold the Constitution, federal law, and ethical principles.”

Which brings us to this: amazingly, most of these 105 GOP members who voted to oust a man accused of 23 felonies and who "placed his desire for private gain above his duty to uphold the Constitution, federal law, and ethical principles," ardently support for the US Presidency a serial liar, a man facing 91 felonies--backed by a thorough House investigation with virtually all GOP witnesses, as well as accusations and evidence laid out in his four indictments--a man who has pledged retribution, a man who has greenlighted using the DOJ for revenge, a man who has discussed invoking the Insurrection Act, and a man who wanted to seize voting machines (Maryland Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin called them out here).

Despite this ousting, in supporting Trump's continuing candidacy, these GOP members also quixotically back a man who, in fact, “placed his desire for private gain above his duty to uphold the Constitution, federal law, and ethical principles.”

And that is more terrifying than anything George Santos could have ever dreamed up.

House Expulsion Factoid: The previous last member of the US House of Representatives (of now only 6) to be expelled, in 2002, was Ohio's Democrat Jim Traficant, whose charges included racketeering and bribery.

Just before the expulsion, he said, "I'll go to jail before I resign and admit to something I didn't do."

Traficant served seven years in federal prison.

Speaking of Expulsions: The House didn't even expel Kentucky's William Graves after he killed Maine's Representative Jonathan Cilley in a duel using rifles, in 1838.

Giving Thanks

 

We give thanks for this wonderful country, even with its numerous flaws.

We give thanks for those that seek, speak, and believe the truth.

We give thanks for those who strive to help humankind, both here and throughout the world.

We give thanks for our democracy, that has withstood threats throughout its history to become a hope for Americans and a beacon to the world.

We give thanks for the wonderful spectrum of fellow citizens that provide new ideas, fresh energy, and a reminder that our nation has welcomed those who others once termed “the wretched refuse”--just as when my own immigrant ancestors, or those freed from enslavement, or those whose land was taken from their people, battled for their rights (and still do) for their homes and for their families, helping to make this a stronger, better nation.

We give thanks for the kindnesses shown every day, from inclusion of others with differing viewpoints and lifestyles to those exhibiting civility every day in their words and actions.

We give thanks for our self-determination to choose freely the path of compassion and cooperation over that of selfishness and division.

We give thanks for this remarkable, fragile planet, and for those who work tirelessly to protect and honor it.

And we give thanks for the undying belief that we can continue to make this nation, this world, a better place.

Thank you.

"Thank God It Was Only Incitement..." (from the None-yun)

(The None-yun is LeftBrainedPolitics satire--the first section is real news, the rest, not so much)

(TheHill, 11/18)

An attorney for former President Trump celebrated Friday's ruling that Trump could remain on the (Colorado) ballot. "We're pretty satisfied with the outcome," attorney Scott Gessler...said in an interview with CNN's Kaitlan Collins...His comments came after District Judge Sarah Wallace said that while she agreed with plantiffs that Trump "incited" the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the Capitol, that 14th Amendment wording means it does not apply specifically to the presidency. Thus, she ruled in Trump's favor.          

"Phew, what a relief," continued Gessler, "the judge only ruled Trump incited an insurrection."

Noting Collins's perplexed look, Gessler clarified, "With all the other crimes Trump's committed--business fraud, illegal hush money payments, sexual battery, defamation, withholding aid from Ukraine, witness intimidation, obstruction of justice, classified documents, political harassment, and this whole "overturning the election" thing, we were thinking it could have been a lot worse."

"So," asked Collins, "what's next?"

Gessler chuckled. "To be honest, we're hoping to turn this into more fundraising; his gullible base will eat it up if we can come up with a catchy phrase, such as we did with "collusion delusion." So far, though, the only rhyme we can come up with for "incitement" is "indictment," and Jack Smith's already spoken for that one."

"In the meantime," said Gessler," we'll have to just go with the old "tried and true" slogans that have always worked for us: "Witch Hunt!" "They're coming for you!" and "Hunter's laptop!" All the greatest hits..."

Trump, reached outside some courtroom somewhere, pronounced he had been "TOTALLY exonerated."

 

The GOP is a Mess

Well, it's official.

The GOP is a mess.

"Clean-up on the GOP aisle!"

As the House GOP FINALLY passed a Continuing Resolution to fund the government until January/February and headed off to their Thanksgiving break (thanks to support from, I'm guessing, disgusted and disbelieving Democrats), it's time to see where, exactly, the "Grand Old Party" now stands.

And it ain't pretty.

Regarding the House of Representatives, where the GOP holds a majority, some have called their current tenure a "clown car," while others have offered a challenge on the floor to "explain to me one material, meaningful, significant thing the Republican majority has done." 

And these comments, amazingly (and tellingly) are from their own members!

Seemingly forever bogged down in the morass of Speaker drama, it took 15 votes (and numerous back-door dealings) for long-time favored candidate Kevin McCarthy to earn enough votes to take the gavel, only to have it wrenched away from him--the first time that ever happened in the history of Congress-- just nine months later. And, for three weeks--as wars around the world raged and domestic issues such as inflation consumed the minds of the voting public--the GOP floundered, trotting out Speaker candidate after candidate--Jordan, Emmer, Scalise--who weren't able to secure enough votes despite having received their own caucus's recommendation.

Let that sink in.

GOP members met, debated, and, after careful consideration, voted to advance their recommended choices for Speaker. And, then, time after time, decided, "Eh, maybe not."

And it's only gotten worse since then.

It turns out (as highlighted in an article by the Huffington Post), this Republican-led House has passed only 21 bills this session--the fewest this deep into a session in more than 90 years--that include world-changing imperatives such as minting a commemorative coin and naming government offices after people. And then, FINALLY passing a resolution to continue to fund the government.

And, believe it or not, the mess has STILL gotten worse.

On Tuesday, GOP Rep. Tim Burchett, was "sucker punched" in the kidney by former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

Fighting for you!

Coincidentally(?), Burchett was one of the House GOP who voted to oust McCarthy from the Speakership. 

In his own defense, however, McCarthy--who, as Speaker, had been second in succession to become US President--proclaimed, "If I kidney punched someone, they would be on the ground."

And, later in the day, a Senate hearing included panel member Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin (yes, that's his name) challenging a witness to a fight right there in the chamber.

In Mullin's defense, he later said, "This isn't anything new. Andrew Jackson challenged nine people to a duel when he was President (my note: Jackson served from 1829-1837), and he also knocked one guy out at a White House dinner. There's been canings before in the Senate, too. Maybe we should bring some of that back."

The caning Mullin refers to took place in 1856, when a pro-slavery Representative attacked (and bloodied) an abolitionist one. 

If this isn't a mess, then I don't know what is.

Well, come to think of it, it IS even worse.

The GOP-led House is spending much of their "effort," not on important issues, but on trying to pin impeachment on anyone in Biden's administration (that of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas was already voted down). The current "investigation" into Biden's own "misdoings" has yielded a $200,000 check to Biden from his brother for a "loan repayment" (notably, when Biden wasn't in office). If the GOP actually cared about facts, though, um, they'd note that the same subpoenaed bank records list a $200,000 check Biden loaned to his brother six weeks earlier.

Interestingly enough, the head of that "investigative" committee, Representative Jim Comer, apparently loaned his own brother some $200,000. When Comer was questioned about it, he called Democratic Representative Jared Moskowitz a "liar" and, for some reason, a "Smurf."

Say hi to the new GOP! 

So, that's where the GOP is.

Of course, their presumptive nominee to run for President in 2024 is a twice-impeached, four-time-indicted-facing-91-felony-charges, sexual-assaulting, defaming, fraudulent businessman from Florida.

So, um, yeah, that's a mess.

And there doesn't seem to be one GOP member in their own house/House that is capable of cleaning it up.