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Monday, October 31. 2022

Monday morning links


 Why 60 years of feminism has not made women any happier


 On Second Thought, Just Throw Plastic Away. Even Greenpeace now admits the obvious: recycling doesn’t work.


 I Thought ‘Book Bans’ Were a Threat to ‘Our Democracy’?


Black Americans must stop voting Dem by default to see change in this country


 Herschel Walker's Hilarious and Honest Response to Obama Is Pure Gold


 Paul Pelosi Attack – Follow The Evidence, Not The Media Spin


 Are Socialists Taking Over? Interview With Whole Foods' John Mackey


 Juan Williams: Democracy hangs in the balance in the midterms


Economist:  Xi Jinping: the making of a dictator. The story behind the world’s most powerful man

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 08:40 | Comments (43) | Trackbacks (0)

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A quick google search for Juan Williams writing about James T. Hodgekinson attempting to kill the republican softball team didn't turn up anything. A gunman tries to kill as many republican congrestional members as he can and democracy is just fine. Our Democracy is code language for Democrats with absolute power. As long as democrats are in power Our Democracy is just fine. However, when Paul Pelosi gets himself beatup, over what is looking more and more like a drug deal gone bad, why Our Democracy has taken a serious turn towards instability.

Spending trillions of funny money on who knows what, why that is just fine. Our great grand childern can pick up the tab. Allowing goons to burn loot and muder all summer long, democracy in action baby. Don't forget that dissent, against Republican rule, even though they are fairly elected, is the highest form of patriotism. Left wing lunitics threating the lives of Supreme Court justices, why do you ask? The good citizen targeted the conservitives. That doesn't even rise to the level of enforcing federal law againt protesting homes of, or threating public officals. Democracy in action, baby.

Save our Republic and just say no to all democrat canidates November 8th.
#1 B. Hammer on 2022-10-31 10:31 (Reply)
When Juan Williams talks about a 'stable Democracy' what he really means is, a stable full of good, reliably-voting jackasses. He's protecting 'our' Democracy, because that's another little play on word meanings intended to shift the Overton window a little more. We don't live in a Democracy, but if we did, chances are you wouldn't be part of the 'our' group he mentions.

We live in a stable constitutional representative Republic. We vote in a democratic way to choose our representation, with an electoral college process for choosing a President. Juan often has lame, poorly thought-through arguments that only work when there's nobody there to counter them.
#2 Aggie on 2022-10-31 10:38 (Reply)
Juan Williams.
Is he still some kind of ^influencer"?

Bwaha!
#2.1 Zachinoff on 2022-10-31 12:17 (Reply)
re On Second Thought, Just Throw Plastic Away. Even Greenpeace now admits the obvious: recycling doesn’t work.

QUOTE:
The environmental price has also been high because the plastic in American recycling bins has gone to developing countries with primitive waste-handling systems. Much of it ends up illegally dumped, burned (spewing toxic fumes), or reprocessed at rudimentary facilities that leak some of the plastics into rivers. Virtually all the consumer plastics polluting the world’s oceans comes from “mismanaged waste” in developing countries. There’d be less plastic polluting the seas if Americans tossed their yogurt containers and water bottles into the trash, so that the plastic could be safely buried at the nearest landfill.


IOW, if you really want to protect wildlife, send your plastic to a landfill.

That's an argument I will make to The Smug who feel so good about recycling plastic.

However . . .

I suspect this argument will still fall on deaf ears.

It is my opinion that this Greenpeace report will be viewed as heresy as it runs counter to the dogma that recycling is ALWAYS the correct solution, no matter the cost, and that one will be a better person for participating.

I suspect this report will either be attacked or ignored by the zealots and true believers.

Plus, there are tax dollars to be harvested by the well-connected in recycling plastic .

I don't expect the staus quo to change.
#3 feeblemind on 2022-10-31 10:50 (Reply)
The Pelosi story is getting more bizarre every passing hour. The police are withholding information to protect the Pelosi's but it is likely they can only keep the truth hidden until after the election. Who was the third person in the house who let the police in? That is a dead giveaway that this wasn't a home invasion. Who heard the "perp" say "where's Nancy"? If that's such a big part of the story why is it shrouded in mystery? Was it made up? Why are the "perp" and Paul in their underwear? Why does Paul have a hammer? Why is Paul's cell phone on a charger in the bathroom? If, as the police say, this was a welfare check then Paul didn't call 911 someone else did. Who? Why? Why did this "crime" happen coincidently at the same time all the gay bars close and the gays hookup and go to someone's home? Was Paul at a gay bar? Did he pick up his "friend" David? Was the fight over drugs or special requests? Surely the police know most of these answers and generally the police are eager to step up to the microphone to provide some evidence that they have the right guy. Why does this case seem to mirror the events in Paul's DUI? Also who was the young unidentified man in the car with Paul when he was drunk and hit another car? Was it David???
#4 OneGuy on 2022-10-31 11:20 (Reply)
OneGuy: Who was the third person in the house who let the police in?

QUOTE:
At the time that the suspect, Mr. DePape, entered the Pelosi home ... he was in fact looking for Ms. Pelosi. The other thing is we want to make it clear that there were only two people in the home at the time that the police arrived -- Mr. Pelosi and the suspect. There was no third person present." — San Francisco district attorney Brooke Jenkins

OneGuy: That is a dead giveaway that this wasn't a home invasion.

The alleged perpetrator broke into the home, presumably using the same hammer with which he attacked the resident. He also had zip ties and asked, "Where is Nancy?"

OneGuy: Why are the "perp" and Paul in their underwear?

The alleged perpetrator was not in his underwear. The resident was sleeping at the time of the break-in.
#4.1 Zachriel on 2022-10-31 11:32 (Reply)
Interesting how much glass is OUTSIDE the house in that picture.

Now Depape had zip ties that he wasn't in his underwear and there was no (unidentified) third person. I've even heard he had a list of victims. What's the story of how the police got in now? How did a ne're do well like Depape circumvent the defenses of probably the best guarded house in San Franfeces? Where is the video tape of him braking in? Was no alarm set? (The police answered to a "well being check" not a break in.) Is the story that Pelosi's attacker, Depape allowed his victim to have a bathroom break where he called the police, offering Depape's first name and that he was a friend. That's the best part. I can see it now:

Depape: Good evening Mr. Pelosi. I'm David. Where's Nancy.
Pelosi: Hi David. Nice to meet you! How did you get in? Nancy's not here at the moment. Mind if I duck into the men's room for a minute?
Depape: I don't mind at all. I'll just wait here with my (or was it Pelosi's) hammer.

I'm looking forward to other changes in the narative.
#4.1.1 mudbug on 2022-10-31 13:25 (Reply)
mudbug: Interesting how much glass is OUTSIDE the house in that picture.

That's exactly what is expected from impact glass. Layers of glass are sandwiched with laminate. When struck, the outside glass is stopped by the laminate, so it falls on the outside, while the interior glass falls on the inside. In this case, it's clear the glass was struck multiple times to force entry, presumably by the same hammer used in the assault.

mudbug: (The police answered to a "well being check" not a break in.)

That's consistent with the 911 call. The dispatcher wasn't sure what was going on, but thought it advisable to send help on an "emergency" basis.
#4.1.2 Zachriel on 2022-10-31 13:39 (Reply)
How is it that no security alarms were triggered? There was clearly a lot of noise made and glass broken.

The affidavit states:
"DEPAPE stated that they went downstairs to the front door. The police arrived and knocked on the door, and Pelosi ran over and opened it. Pelosi grabbed onto DEPAPE’s hammer, which was in DEPAPE’s hand."

Why did Pelosi come out of the bathroom after making the 911 call (Pelosi stated he "was able to go into the bathroom")? I would have stayed there behind a locked door untilt the cops came. Why did they go downstairs to the front door, seeing as the police had not yet arrived? Did Pelosi and DePape run over to the door together when the police did knock (was doorbell broken?)? Or did Pelosi run over, open the door and then run back to grab the hammer in DePape's hand? Earlier in the affidavit, the officer writing the affidavit wrote:

"When the door was opened, Pelosi and DEPAPE were both holding a hammer with one hand and DEPAPE had his other hand holding onto Pelosi’s forearm"

So which was it, one or both of them holding the hammer? Body cam footage is mentioned elsewhere in the affidavit, so the answer to that is clearly known.

Also in the affidavit, it is stated "Witness 1 (an individual working provate security nearby) then heard what sounded like banging on either a door or car and then heard the sirens within a minute or two." Not sure what relevance this has as the 911 call came in at 2:23 a.m and the cops arrived eight minutes later, at 2:31 a.m., with DePape appearing in the Pelosi bedroom at least several minutes before the 911 call.

Are there two hammers or one? Affidavit states:
"...law enforcement searched DEPAPE’s backpack at the Pelosi residence, and they found, among other things, a roll of tape, white rope, one hammer, one pair of rubber and cloth gloves, and a journal."
Did DePape put the hammer back in the backpack after hitting Pelosi with it? Admittedly a small point.

Clearly DePape is a disturbed individual, but there are still several questions that need to be answered, and the constant changing of the story doesn't inspire confidence.
#4.1.3 RJP on 2022-10-31 17:05 (Reply)
RJP: Clearly DePape is a disturbed individual, but there are still several questions that need to be answered, and the constant changing of the story doesn't inspire confidence.

The official story hasn't changed, and most of the conspiratorial stories originated in the usual places. It was obviously a break-in (window, hammer) and the police say the attack was targeted at the Speaker of the House.

There are often unanswered questions in any investigation. That in itself doesn't indicate a problem with the indictment. In any case, all of this will be tested in a court of law.
#4.1.3.1 Zachriel on 2022-10-31 17:20 (Reply)
Then what happened to DePape being described by Pelosi as "a friend"? Listen to the police dispatch recording here.

NBC News reporter Tom Winter seems to think the police first said there were three people in the house: Tom Winter Twitter.

So, yeah, the official story has changed over time. This is of course to be expected. I just want so-called journalists to ask some hard and direct questions for once and would like the police to be more open with the evidence, such as body cam footage.
#4.1.3.1.1 RJP on 2022-10-31 20:27 (Reply)
RJP: Then what happened to DePape being described by Pelosi as "a friend"?

That’s not a change in the official story. That’s an example of people misinterpreting the event. Pelosi was trying to keep the intruder calm, while providing information covertly to the dispatcher.

RJP: NBC News reporter Tom Winter seems to think the police first said there were three people in the house

Again, that’s not a change in the official story, but an example of people misinterpreting the event. The police said a person unknown to them opened the door. It was only later that the person was identified.

RJP: So, yeah, the official story has changed over time.

No. Misreporting then correcting the misreporting of the official story is not a change in the official story. The facts were plain to anyone who cared to look at them. There was a broken window and a hammer. It’s not that hard to figure. Just look in this thread at the distortions required to make those facts fit the preconceived narrative.

The police say the man has admitted he was intent on taking the Speaker hostage. He’s been federally charged, and he will also face state charges. And all of this will be tested in court.
#4.1.3.1.2 Zachriel on 2022-10-31 22:21 (Reply)
QUOTE:
That’s an example of people misinterpreting the event. Pelosi was trying to keep the intruder calm, while providing information covertly to the dispatcher.


Since you were not actually there, you can't possibly know exactly what was said and why. What we know for a fact from the police dispatch recording is that DePape was referred to as a friend (a detail the affidavit curiously omitted).
#4.1.3.1.2.1 RJP on 2022-11-01 00:20 (Reply)
RJP: Since you were not actually there, you can't possibly know exactly what was said and why.

We have a sworn police affidavit and a summary of DePape's recorded interview confessing to an attempt to take the Speaker hostage. As the recorded interview will almost certainly be introduced as evidence in court, there's very little possibility that the police are lying about its contents. That's stronger evidence than unfounded speculation.
#4.1.3.1.2.2 Zachriel on 2022-11-01 09:06 (Reply)
Your blind and unquestioning faith in the authorities investigating this incident is truly touching. Those of us who live in the real world will maintain our skepticism until we have reason not to. I have no interest in any more of your comments.
#4.1.3.1.2.2.1 RJP on 2022-11-01 19:15 (Reply)
RJP: Your blind and unquestioning faith in the authorities investigating this incident is truly touching.

Our position is not blindly held, but is based on a consilience of evidence. As this is a criminal matter, the evidence will be tested in court.
#4.1.3.1.2.2.2 Zachriel on 2022-11-02 15:59 (Reply)
David DePape, 42, was charged with one count of “attempted kidnapping of a US official,”
 
#4.2 Zachriel on 2022-10-31 15:40 (Reply)
Again I'' say that the irrational exuberance by Zach tells you all you need to know about the official story. With so many unknowns why would you choose to defend the official story which has changed 3 or 4 times already? Why? Because Zach is a Democrat bot and THAT is his job. It would be incredibly easy to stop the speculation: Release the video. Give a complete and definitive statement as to who's hammer it was, who called the police, who was the third person, who was Paul's passenger in the DUI... But no! Why? Because it is a massive coverup.
#4.2.1 OneGuy on 2022-10-31 16:48 (Reply)
OneGuy: With so many unknowns why would you choose to defend the official story which has changed 3 or 4 times already?

The official story hasn't changed.
#4.2.2 Zachriel on 2022-10-31 17:05 (Reply)
"The official story hasn't changed."

OK, so was there a third person or not? Did Paul call 911 or were the police asked by someone else to do a welfare check? Was it David's hammer or Paul's? Did David say "were is Nancy" or "we will wait for Nancy"? Did David walk t he 20 miles to Pelosi's house in his underwear? Who was the guy in Paul's car when he had his DUI? Was the argument over sex or drugs?
#4.2.2.1 OneGuy on 2022-10-31 23:33 (Reply)
OneGuy: OK, so was there a third person{?} Did Paul call 911{?} Was it David's hammer{?} Did David say "where is Nancy"{?} {Did David say} "we will wait for Nancy"? Did David walk the 20 miles to Pelosi's house in his underwear?

No. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. No.
#4.2.2.2 Zachriel on 2022-11-01 09:07 (Reply)
Cockamamie story...

https://kunstler.com/clusterfuck-nation/cockamamie-story/
#5 indyjonesouthere on 2022-10-31 12:38 (Reply)
indyjonesouthere: Cockamamie story... "That is to say, David DePape was let into the house by Mr. Pelosi."

Oh, gee whiz.
#5.1 Zachriel on 2022-10-31 13:23 (Reply)
You always need to pretend.
#5.1.1 indyjonesouthere on 2022-10-31 13:56 (Reply)
Random editing by the (((Quibble-DickZ))).
They make up their own narrative.
#5.1.1.1 Zachinoff on 2022-10-31 15:16 (Reply)
indyjonesouthere: You always need to pretend.

Huh? The claim is that DePape was let into the house, when it is apparent (glass, hammer) it was a break-in.
#5.1.2 Zachriel on 2022-10-31 14:31 (Reply)
Pretend harder.
#5.1.2.1 indyjonesouthere on 2022-10-31 15:16 (Reply)
So what ever it is that you are trying to argue about, is it still the DNC position that Our Democracy is in dire straits from the MAGA people? Even though, darn it, it wasn’t a rethuglican that took a hammer to Paul Pelosi’s head. Should it be against the law vote against a democrat? Why won’t Paul Pelosi come out of the closet, admit he is gay and has drug and alcohol addictions? That would be so brave. After all, wouldn’t all of us have these problems if we lived with Nancy for three decades? I pity the poor man.
#5.1.2.2 B. Hammer on 2022-10-31 16:21 (Reply)
That's a lousy security system, that's for sure. I can't believe it's not automatically armed every night.
#5.1.2.3 RJP on 2022-10-31 16:23 (Reply)
B. Hammer: So what ever it is that you are trying to argue about

Misinformation, such as in the Kunstler article and as propagated by commenters here.
#5.1.2.4 Zachriel on 2022-10-31 17:08 (Reply)
Now do theTrump-Putin collusion misinformation campaign in 2016.

Y'all still promoting that one?
#5.1.2.4.1 Zachinoff on 2022-10-31 19:39 (Reply)
DePape stated that he was going to hold Nancy hostage and talk to her
 
#5.2 Zachriel on 2022-10-31 16:01 (Reply)
Well! That settles it! They have now come up with the final official story. Let's see how long it lasts.

So who was that third person?

Did David walk all the way from his school bus in his underwear?

Who made the call to the police for a welfare check?

Still a lot of loose ends. Surely they will release the surveillance video to clear it all up.
#5.2.1 OneGuy on 2022-10-31 17:04 (Reply)
OneGuy: They have now come up with the final official story. Did David walk all the way from his school bus in his underwear? Who made the call to the police for a welfare check?


The police say there was no third person. The alleged perpetrator was not wearing just underwear. Paul Pelosi initiated the call, though he did not speak to the dispatcher, but tried to provide information by speaking with the intruder.
#5.2.2 Zachriel on 2022-10-31 17:11 (Reply)
Herschel Walker's response to Obama is as good as Clint Eastwood's comments to the empty suit in the chair.
#6 indyjonesouthere on 2022-10-31 12:46 (Reply)
Hot Rod Herschel was allowed a retort to the immaculate Barry Soetoro? (the ONE!)
The times they are a changing even if highway 61 is a long way away.
Fun Trivia-Herschel is one of a handful of No Fans Left players with an 80+ yard run from scrimmage, pass reception, kick/punt return.
Paul Pelosi is somewhere getting hammered on some cold cockamamie concoction and I'll have a Cointreau please.
Three cheers for JHK who has been warning of this time for years.
#7 Jonestown Democracy on 2022-10-31 13:15 (Reply)
I stopped recycling when China stopped buying our trash. In fact, I stopped believing in the whole "make the earth pure" religion quite a while ago. Our air, water, and surroundings are far cleaner than they were just a hundred years ago, and that's due to people finding market-friendly ways to make them so, not to some misfit bunch of soup-throwers. Besides, George Carlin had an interesting thought: what if the earth wants plastic?
#8 RebeccaH on 2022-10-31 13:46 (Reply)
I got off the environmental/NWO bus when the government installed Earth Day dialog in public schools. That began the hardcore propaganda push by the marxist mandarins of government intervention.
#9 indyjonesouthere on 2022-10-31 14:03 (Reply)
Pauly P usually makes out pretty well on his stock trading, but sometimes he may run into some rough trade. Maybe Nancy needs to keep a better eye on him.
#10 Jerryskids on 2022-10-31 15:24 (Reply)
So to pull the Pelosi thing together; Paul went to bed, and the third person (good support here, don't butt heads) went to the bars, picked up DePape and brought him to the Pelosi residence for whatever. A trick of a trick, maybe? Bar talk takes the chance out it. DePape went on from there by plan or by impulse.

Will Cliff's Variety sell more hammers?
#11 SF jeff on 2022-11-01 00:18 (Reply)
SF Jeff: Paul went to bed, and the third person

There is no evidence of a third person, nor is there evidence that Paul Pelosi picked up DePape at a bar. There is evidence that DePape targeted the Speaker for abduction, including the broken window, asking for Nancy, the duct tape, rope, zip ties, hammer, the assault on Paul Pelosi, his social media postings, and his recorded confession.

It really is amazing how strongly people will support their conspiracy theories in the face of facts. Humans are a credit to the club.
#11.1 Zachriel on 2022-11-01 09:16 (Reply)
Police report; "unidentified person"
Winter twitter
Third person brought in DeDape, DePape had a plan.
Pelosi turned off the alarm; absurd.
Pelosi home alone, very unlikey.
Elections are never adjusted; let Jimmy Carter answer that.
Nothing is covered up, at least since Watergate, conspiracy.
#11.1.1 SF jeff on 2022-11-01 11:34 (Reply)
SF jeff: Police report; "unidentified person"

What San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said was “When the officers arrived and knocked on the front door of the residence this morning the door was opened by someone inside and the officers observed through the open door, Mr. Pelosi and the suspect Mr. DePape inside the entryway of the home." Later, the police clarified that only two persons were in the home when officers arrived.
#11.1.2 Zachriel on 2022-11-01 12:04 (Reply)

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