Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Much Sorry with Delays
Birth, Death and All That Stuff in Between
How to Honor Labor Day, Every Day
My Yom Kippur Miracle (Repost from 2010)
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Easy for you to say: To the elites on mass immigration
For NYC on 9/11, Sailors' Snug Harbor
Pickled Peaches
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Labor Costs in U.S.
Your "identity"
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Uses of Hot Pepper Jelly/Sauce, Chutneys, and Jams
A Saturday Drive to Litchfield County, CT
How to Pick a Kayak
Civilized: Fruit forks and knives
Loads of kayaking on Cape Cod
Psychology Experiments' Questionable Results

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Friday, August 21. 2020

Friday morning links

 'They're owned by all Alaskans': salmon free-for-all draws throngs


 How did the stock market hit a record amid COVID-19 fueled recession? Here's what experts say about the rebound


School Reopenings Linked to Union Influence and Politics, Not Safety. New data suggest that school districts in states with stronger teachers unions are significantly less likely to reopen in person this fall.


 Classes at some elite universities will carry a warning label this fall: This course may cover material considered politically sensitive by China. 


Fordham University Sent Cops To Investigate A Student For Criticizing Communist China And ‘Black Lives Matter’ On Instagram


 Socialism: Jerry Brown crabs at sweltering Californians to 'turn up your damn thermostats'


 Emotional breakdowns after Trump ads appear on the Washington Post’s website


 Democrats Promise to Bring California-Style Blackouts to Everyone


Why did Steve Bannon destroy his life?


 Obama State Department Official Destroyed Records At Christopher Steele's Request


 Cuomo Says It’s Time To “Reimagine Policing” As Shootings Spike In NY’s Capital City


 Dear Biden Supporters: We Can Read, You Know


 The Israel-UAE deal proves the one-state solution is delusion


 Don't buy into UN fearmongering on the Iran deal

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 06:44 | Comments (21) | Trackbacks (3)

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"Some have noted these reopening decisions often appear to be driven by politics rather than public health. Unfortunately, many teachers groups are contributing to this appearance..."

'Contributing to this appearance'?? How about 'providing comprehensive and conclusive evidence across the country that this is indeed the case, and almost exclusively in Democratic-led school districts.'
#1 Aggie on 2020-08-21 09:13 (Reply)
I hope the case against We Build The Wall principals turns out to be false. I have contributed (several times) to them. So sad if true!
#2 Stargazer on 2020-08-21 09:43 (Reply)
Read 'Three Felonies a Day'

I suspect there were shenanigans that could be spun up into charges with the right lighting, and I am pretty confident there are examples on the other side of the partisan divide that are much worse and also invisible - with the right lighting.

Like a certain gigantic foundation raking in millions in foreign campaign donations and also applying Haiti Earthquake Relief funds toward paying for daughter's wedding, and so forth. I don't want to mention any names, but the initials are Hillary Clinton.

Buy the ticket, take the ride.
#2.1 Aggie on 2020-08-21 09:58 (Reply)
If Steve Bannon did indeed commit crimes then bring him to trial. I assume that the good lawyers in NY City and the DOJ will also bring charges against the Clintons who have clearly committed these same crimes. I will wait and see if that happens.

I question the timing and the target. I am not sure this is a common thing that the DOJ and the federal DAs choose to prosecute. It smells like politically motivated lawfare to me.

By the way there is ample evidence that
Ilhan Abdullahi Omar committed felonies and the DOJ is silent on these crimes. This kind of thing sounds more like something that the DOJ would be interested in. But they seem more concerned with how money was spent by a NGO.

There is also evidence that Rashida Tlaib has done what Steven Bannon is accused of, that is misspending money donated to her organization. I'm sure that the DOJ is working on that right now and felony charges will be released any moment.
#2.2 OneGuy on 2020-08-21 10:14 (Reply)
Audrey Strauss, the acting US Attorney in the SDNY, is a partisan Democrat and this indictment is a political hit job directed at Trump and timed to inflict maximum damage. Anti-Trump PoS RINO US Attorney Berman (of I won't resign fame) hired her in 2018 and immediately put her in charge of this case. So let's see, subversive Republican US Attorney hires partisan Democrat to direct criminal investigation against Trump's former Chief of Staff. Yeah, this looks legit.

The indictment itself is a joke. There's no mention of the US Attorneys office receiving a single complaint from the public. It appears the US Attorneys office initiated the investigation entirely on their own accord and without any basis in fact to motivate an investigation. This is not surprising, as Berman devoted significant resources to initiating investigations of Trump's associates without any basis in fact.

The thrust of the indictment is that one of Bannon's associates (KOLFAGE) shuffled some money around through shell companies so he could pay himself a salary of $20k/month, which was contrary to his statements on whatever crowdfunding sight they used to raise their money. The government alleges that, in total, the defendants milked approximately $1MM from the nonprofit. This is peanuts. The investigation has cost way, way more than $1MM. There's just no way the US Attorneys office in NY makes a federal case over shaky allegations of fraud with no consumer complaints and less than $1MM at stake. This is political.

Regardless who wins in November, AG Barr should publicly fire Strauss, direct the office to drop the case, and announce that the US Attorneys Office is not going to be the Patreon Police.
#2.3 Guest on 2020-08-21 10:50 (Reply)
I am skeptical about this whole suite of indictments. And the overt politicization of SDNY invites suspicion. In the case of Bannon, he's been around the block and I would be a bit surprised to discover he made it easy for his enemies to get back at him through lawfare.
#2.4 WalkingHorse on 2020-08-21 13:10 (Reply)
The same Southern District of NY that has been going after Trump for more than three years is going after Bannon and Kolfage ahead of the 2020 elections. I'm more than a little skeptical.
#2.5 mudbug on 2020-08-21 15:34 (Reply)
School reopenings...Do either the education establishment or the medical establishment consider users to be the customer or do they view the government regulators/controllers to be their customer. It seems they spend more of their time and money grooming government for more money and benefits.
#3 indyjonesouthere on 2020-08-21 09:46 (Reply)
Still waiting for the Southern District of New York to go after the Clinton Foundation. Suspect I'll have a long wait.
#4 John Fisher on 2020-08-21 09:54 (Reply)
The stock market rebound doesn’t reflect small businesses and jobs gone forever.
#5 Mark on 2020-08-21 10:14 (Reply)
Emotional breakdowns after Trump ads appear on the Washington Post’s website: THE HORROR!! The horror... Thbthbthbthbt.

Democrats Promise to Bring California-Style Blackouts to Everyone: Because WE have to suffer, YOU have to suffer. Thbthbthbthb. No, I don't.

Obama State Department Official Destroyed Records At Christopher Steele's Request: Well, of COURSE they did. Can't leave EVIDENCE lying around!

The Israel-UAE deal proves the one-state solution is delusion: Well, the Palis never EVER miss a chance to miss a chance.

Don't buy into UN fearmongering on the Iran deal: The UN does not have our concerns at heart.
#6 Sam L. on 2020-08-21 10:34 (Reply)
It would appear that the teachers union plans to delay and distract the issue of opening schools so that the districts have no other choice but to continue paying teachers. IMHO the districts should decide now open or don't open and if they choose to open any teachers who will not show up should be released from their contract. If they decide to not open then the teachers should be given notice and the taxpayers should be given refunds. Somehow I suspect that the fix is in and the politicians and administrators are part of this scam to pay the teachers full salary but give the citizens zippo.
#7 OneGuy on 2020-08-21 10:38 (Reply)
“The fix is in.” That is correct. One of the biggest contributions to the democrats is the the teachers union. I pay taxes for schools. The tax money pays for teacher’s salaries. Teachers contribute to the teachers union. Teachers union contributions go to democrats. My tax dollars fund my destruction. How wonderful.
#7.1 B. Hammer on 2020-08-21 11:33 (Reply)
The current brouhaha over the post office is an effort by the Democrats to sow the seeds of doubt about the outcome of the election. It would seem that they expect Biden to lose and want ammunition to take to the 9th circuit or other friendly court. I believe that on December 1st we will still not know who won or perhaps worse know who won but the final decision will be made by a few judges.
#8 Anon on 2020-08-21 11:28 (Reply)
Washington Post Trump ad: I have a picture of people throwing toys across the office and screaming, "I'm going to hold my breath until I die."
#9 SgtBob (Link) on 2020-08-21 12:43 (Reply)
"Some have noted these reopening decisions often appear to be driven by politics rather than public health. Unfortunately, many teachers groups are contributing to this appearance..."

Our local union worked with the district all summer on a plan to bring kids in on a split shift. Then with 2 weeks to go, the school board and administration did an about face and decided to start all distance. It was not union driven. It caught us by surprise. I'm having to completely redo all my plans for first quarter and am pissed.
#10 Alaskateacher on 2020-08-21 12:48 (Reply)
"School Reopenings Linked to Union Influence and Politics, Not Safety."

Here in Washington state, I drove by a playground the other day while doing errands. At least 50-60 kids playing with a few adults supervising. No social distancing. No masks. Just a bunch of kids playing on the toys .... not 50 feet from the school that will be closed this fall.
#11 jimg on 2020-08-21 14:49 (Reply)
This highlights one of the fallacies of keeping schools closed. The children are far more likely to be exposed to covid if they do not go to school. Admittedly the teachers have a decent argument. But the solution is not to shut schools anymore than the solution for grocery stores was to shut down. For some 6 months now grocery store employees have been working their regular shift. Are they any less valued as humans than teachers are? I assume too that teachers have shopped a few times in the last 6 months but yet they can't go to work!

The correct plan is to open all schools. Those teachers who choose not to teach can stay home and those who want/need to work can work. Ditto for the children, those families that want to send their kids to school can do so and those who want to keep their children home can make other arrangements for their children's learning. Unless you advocate that we should shut all the stores there is no reason to shut the schools.
#11.1 OneGuy on 2020-08-21 15:34 (Reply)
The grandbrats will be returning to school this fall, a much desired event but which will be interesting. One family does have back-up in the form of a nanny; the other does not.

I am now of an age to be at risk (and this was as serious shock to spouse and I and we hadn't thought we were THAT OLD), but am prepared to look after the other pair of grandbrats should this be necessary. The family is going to have to organinze a good N95 mask for me, and I won't be the usual comforting Granny one would expect but will limit my visits to the afflicted grandbrat. I'm willing to take my chances, but will be taking a lot of Vitamin C plus Zinc pills in the near future.
#11.2 Frances on 2020-08-21 22:25 (Reply)
Re: Salmon in Alaska

“The fish are owned by all Alaskans equally,” said Rick Green, special assistant to the commissioner of the Alaska department of fish and game."

I don't know where the "Commissioner" got his information, but ocean fish which enter Alaskan waters to spawn are not the "property" of the Alaskan people. Do the people of Alaska also own the whales, and the turtles, and the dolphins? Of course not. All ocean creatures are under the protective legal codes which govern fishing. The Alaskan government has got to be the biggest bunch of morons that I have ever seen. First, they let the Indians over-fish. Then, they build a bunch of unnecessary concrete dams which make it impossible for the Salmon to get upstream. Then they tell everyone to go ahead and catch the remaining fish. These people take stupidity to a whole new level. But government employees can't be fired. They have perfect job protection.

If we're going to save the Salmon from the fools who are trying to make them go extinct, we'll have to take drastic action. First, ban all Salmon products. No more Lox, or Salmon filets. Switch the country over to catfish. Then revoke all Indian fishing rights. Those guys are the biggest assholes in the world. They are not nature-loving people who are trying to preserve the wild. They will kill and sell anything they can. Did you ever see an Indian reservation? Mountains of garbage, and a lot of drunk people.

Then we have to destroy all the concrete dams, so that the fish can go upstream normally. We need to return those streams to their original condition, if we can. And finally, we have to make Salmon fishing illegal on a global basis. Nobody, including the Chinese, the Russians, and the Japanese may use trawlers to catch Salmon. Right now, Salmon stocks have dropped by 95%. That's as far as it can go. From this point forward, we must protect the Salmon so that over the next fifty years, they will return to their normal population size. We have a duty to the Earth, and to our children.
#12 Ron Liebermann on 2020-08-21 15:49 (Reply)
Bird Dog: The "Submitted comments will be subject to moderation before being displayed." flag has been set on the Saturday Morning links.
#13 Aggie on 2020-08-22 09:31 (Reply)

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