News of the Week for Dec. 15^th, 2019

• Gun Rights
• Hide the Decline
• Obamacare
• War & Terror
• National News
• Economy & Taxes
• International News
• Opinion

 

Gun Rights

 

The Michael Bloomberg Speech He Doesn’t Want You To Hear
Michael Bloomberg is out with a new online ad featuring his years of speechifying in support of more gun control laws, and debuted the clip with post on Twitter. As it turns out, there’s one very important speech that Bloomberg gave that’s not featured in the new ad. In fact, even though it was recorded, he refused to allow the speech to be released.

Huge Gun Control Advocate Appears To Not Understand How Gun Control Works
As part of the rollout of his newly minted presidential campaign (for some reason), Mike Bloomberg unveiled his gun control policy this week. As you can imagine, given his history of starting up “grassroots” gun-grabbing groups, it does not include a policy offering free ammunition with every fill-up at the service station. It’s not really all that different from the gun control proposals coming out of the rest of the Democratic field, except perhaps by being a bit grabbier.

No, Let’s Not Call Out the National Guard for Gun Control
Here in Virginia, 84 counties and cities have declared themselves “sanctuary counties/cities” from any gun control legislation passed by the state legislature in the coming year. Just as certain cities and counties have declared themslves sanctuaries that will not cooperate with federal immigration authorities because they deem federal immigration law unjust, these localities do not believe they are obligated to enforce gun laws they deem unconstitutional.

VA National Guard Issues Statement Over Calls To Enforce Gun Control
Democrat Congressman Donald McEachin’s comments about using the National Guard to enforce Governor Ralph Northam’s proposed gun control laws in Virginia has caused a storm of controversy in the state, to the point that the Adjutant General of the Virginia National Guard has issued a statement, after scores of phone calls and emails from concerned citizens and curious media figures. WSLS-TV in Roanoke was the first to report on the comments by Major General Timothy P. Williams.

 

Hide the Decline

Environment &
“Green Energy”

 

Give Up Pets to Save the Planet!
The animal rights movement wants to ban human ownership of any and all animals – including your beloved pets – although that is rarely advertised since it would cost AR groups donations from misguided pet lovers who conflate animal welfare organizations with those supporting “liberation.”

Greta Thunberg tells cheering crowd ‘we will make sure we put world leaders against the wall’ if they do not tackle global warming as she attends climate protest in Turin
The activist accused world leaders of ‘running away from their responsibilities’

 

Obamacare

Government in Healthcare

 

Students love Medicare for all…until learning what’s in it
Campus Reform’s Cabot Phillips went to George Washington University to ask students if they support Medicare for All.

More Bad News for Medicare for All
The hits keep coming for Medicare for All. Gallup’s annual health-care survey of adults found that Americans back a system based on private insurance rather than government provision by 54 percent to 42 percent. “This could create a challenge in a general election campaign for a Democratic presidential nominee advocating a ‘Medicare for All’ or other healthcare plan that would greatly expand the government’s role in the healthcare system,” writes Jeffrey M. Jones. That’s putting it mildly.

Children’s transgender clinic hit by 35 resignations in three years as psychologists warn of gender dysphoria ‘over-diagnoses’
A transgender clinic has been hit by 35 resignations in three years, as psychologists warn of “overdiagnoses” of gender dysphoria among children.

 

War & Terror

 

11 Christians pulled off bus, executed in Kenya for failing to recite Islamic Shahada
Suspected members of Somali Islamic extremist group Al Shabaab stopped a bus in northern Kenya on Friday, separating and killing those who were not local ethnic Somali Muslims.

 

National

 

Paul Volcker, RIP
News this morning of the passing of Paul Volcker, the chairman of the Federal Reserve during the key period from 1979 – 1987 when inflation was wrung out of the American economy, a painful though necessary move whose long-run benefits we are still experiencing today.

The Secretive Strategy Behind the Transgender Assault on Parental Rights
Last week, a British journalist unearthed a document laying out the transgender movement’s secretive strategy to seize control of governments, undermine parental rights, and target children for dangerous experimental drugs that lead to sterilization and genital mutilation. The document lays out a three-pronged strategy to victimize children when they are far too young to understand the ramifications of any hormone “treatment” or surgery.

Twitter Takes Down Fox News Host Tweets with Pensacola Shooter Manifesto
Pete Hegseth, co-host of the popular “Fox and Friends” morning show, had tweets removed for sharing the manifesto of Pensacola shooter Mohammed Alshamrani. That’s despite the fact, as Daily Wire’s Ryan Saavedra reports, that “Twitter let mainstream orgs share content that featured the manifestos of the New Zealand & El Paso terrorists to smear Trump.”

University accused of breach of contract for not recognizing conservative student group
“Yikes, nope, denied”

University departments ditch genderless term “alumni”…for genderless “alumnx”
Latin derived word is originally genderless

North Carolina Says “No” to Red Pedagogy
The Left is nothing if not persistent. If they spot any possibility for promoting “progressive” beliefs, they jump on it, especially if it involves government power and tax money. A recent case in North Carolina is illustrative.

North Carolina Dampens GOP Hopes of Retaking the House
Late last week, four-term representative George Holding became the 20th Republican House member to announce he was retiring from Congress this cycle. Holding said he would not seek reelection for several reasons, but a big one was that state lawmakers redrew his Republican-leaning district to become much more Democratic. A three-judge panel that had objected to the previous lines signed off on the new district lines a week ago.

Fight or switch? One Republican legislator ditches GOP, the other gets primaried
As Republican Party popularity plummets in California, two moderate legislators —Chad Mayes and Tyler Diep – take opposite tacks to try to keep their jobs. Politicos will be watching.

House Democrats Propose to Impeach Trump for Abuse of Power, Obstructing Congress
After a two-month investigation, House Democrats announced Tuesday that they have drafted articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on broad charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Iowa State promises major new diversity initiatives, including “cultural humility training”
School virtually silent on what new training will look like

Judge approves jury trial against university for alleged Title IX kangaroo court
“Put a significant burden on Doe to ascertain the details of the process”

No Questions, No Mueller: House Dem Presser Unveils Two Articles Of Impeachment
“We do not take this action lightly,” Jerrold Nadler intoned at the House Democratic presser unveiling two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump. Nadler, Adam Schiff, and three other chairs of House committees made their statement, in which Schiff claimed to be “reluctant” to impeach Trump until very recently. Voters might have a very different takeaway from the past three years of statements by Schiff and other House Democrats, but this at least was inevitable at some point

What’s creating thousands of craters off the California coast?
Just off the coast of California, thousands of craterlike depressions, some as big as buses, dot the sea floor. Now, scientists say they know what’s causing these mysterious features.

Short-sighted Mars colonists could find sex with Earth-based humans lethal
Talk about fatal attraction…

College Republican President Attacked at Sacramento State
“You’re going to end up f—ing dead!”

Supreme Court Declines Inmate’s Request for Sex Reassignment Surgery
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a convicted murderer’s appeal to receive gender reassignment surgery, leaving in place a lower court’s ruling in favor of the Texas prison officials who refused the inmate the procedure.

Farming Like It’s 1699
It’s cheaper to invest in congressmen than in automation

Joe Biden May Pledge To Serving One Term
Democratic presidential frontrunner Joe Biden is reportedly telling supporters and advisers he would be a one-term president if elected to the White House next fall, according to a new Politico report.

AOC Compares Mothers to Dogs in Paid Family Leave Hearing
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Grow Yucca in NYC) compared mothers to dogs in a paid family leave hearing, after treating a female Heritage Foundation expert with utter disdain for supporting free-market capitalism. AOC suggested that the free market considers human women as being of lesser value than dogs with their puppies.

Our Federal Student Aid System – Worse Than We Thought
Federal intervention into education began in earnest under LBJ and has had terrible consequences at all levels. Student aid for college has succeeded in raising the cost dramatically while lowering the standards just as badly. It is among the greatest blunders the U.S. has ever made.

L.A. City Council votes to create office of racial equity
The City Council voted unanimously, 14-0, to create the office, which will be in charge of monitoring data through a “racial equity impact tool,” creating ideas for civic engagement, examining government policies that could affect certain groups, and providing a report on inequities throughout the city.

Student gets exemption from gender-neutral language requirement by challenging professor
“Our opinion shouldn’t be discouraged or discredited”

Ole Miss professor proposes expulsion, criminal penalties for students reported for “bias”
Students would demonstrate less bias if they were threatened with expulsion or arrest, according to a professor at the University of Mississippi.

Truman State denies student org because of ’emotional risk’ to students
A committee of students and administrators rejected an animal rights club citing “emotional risk” to students.

PSU prof posts pic of ‘queer ecologies’ course that ‘rethinks the nature of nature’
Portland State University Professor Peter Boghossian tweeted a photo of a flyer advertising a “Queer Ecologies” course.

Student expelled by law school after posting “It’s OK to be white” flyers: report
An Oklahoma City University School of Law student was expelled after posting “It’s OK to be white” flyers on campus.

Revolt! Scientists Say They’re Sick of Quantum Computing’s Hype
A Twitter account called Quantum Bullshit Detector reflects some researchers’ angst about overhyped claims and other troubling trends.

“Kangaroo Court”: House Judiciary Boomerangs Back From Surprise Adjournment To Vote On Impeachment; Update: Two Articles Approved
This didn’t take long, which prompts the question (again) of why Nadler didn’t just take the vote last night. Both articles passed on a strict party-line vote

Semester of violence: physical attacks on conservative college students keep piling up
It’s not safe to be openly conservative on campus

Monks sue their own Catholic college to prevent “secularization” in governance dispute
School set to host Democratic primary debate

House Judiciary Committee Approves Two Articles of Impeachment Against Trump
The House will vote on the articles next week

Illinois Town Posts Job Opening… For Democrats Only
If you happen to live in or around Joliet Township in Illinois, located a bit to the southwest of Chicago, and you happen to be looking for work, there’s some good news coming your way. The Township is looking to hire a new clerk. If you’re interested, the job will entail many of the tasks you’d likely expect, including answering phones, filing and making copies. There is one special requirement, however. You have to be a Democrat to apply.

LAUSD Opening 50 Planned Parenthood Clinics in California’s Failing Public Schools
Newest California school district financial rankings show LAUSD one of the worst

Louisiana sues California over alligator ban
Louisiana is suing the state of California over its decision to ban the import and sale of alligator products, saying the ban will hurt an important Louisiana industry and ultimately could hurt the state’s wetlands.

Opponents warn of staff exodus as US breaks up lands bureau
Opponents of the Trump administration’s plan to break up the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the country’s public lands bureau are warning of a brain drain, saying many staffers who are being reassigned are opting to quit rather than move out West.

Former Kentucky Governor Under Fire for Pardoning Killer Whose Family Donated to his Campaign
Former Republican Governor of Kentucky, Matt Bevin was in a generous mood right before he left office last week. He ended up pardoning more than 400 convicted felons.

 

Economy & Taxes

 

Another California tax revolt
While 1773 and 1978 may seem like they have nothing in common, both years go down in history books as two famous taxpayer revolts.

Democratic Lawmakers Agree to Support North America Trade Pact
The pact will replace Nafta when ratified and contains provisions aimed at creating more manufacturing jobs

California’s new employment law has boomeranged and is starting to crush freelancers
California’s new AB 5 employment law takes effect Jan. 1, 2020, and freelancers are already feeling the squeeze with a decline in business and income.

 

International

 

Court sides with bank staffer who says he was denied promotion because he’s not gay
The Canadian Human Rights Commission improperly dismissed Aaren Jagadeesh’s discrimination complaint based on sexual orientation, the Federal Court of Canada has ruled

Book burning by Chinese county library sparks fury
Blaze complying with ministry directive meant for schools harks back to Qin dynasty and Nazi Germany, critics say

Not A Coup: Evo Morales Tried To Steal An Election And Failed
There was not a coup in Bolivia last month but you wouldn’t know it if you only listened to far left elected officials and media outlets in this country

12-Year-Old UK Boy To Begin Transitioning Gender, Taking Hormone Blockers: “When Is Someone Going To Chop My Winky Off?”
A 12-year-old boy from the United Kingdom will soon begin transitioning to become a girl, including taking hormone blockers, according to a new report.

In 1932, Australia Declared War On Emus—And Lost
The Great Emu War in Western Australia was a bizarre and futile effort.

BBC Segment on the Definition of “Woman”
Someone in Britain ought to buy Anna from Warwickshire a drink. On a BBC news segment “Your Questions Answered” with the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, Anna asked Swinson to define what a woman is.

Jeremy Corbyn resignation: Labour leader announces plans to step down as party suffers major election defeat
Jeremy Corbyn has announced he will stand down as Labour leader amid an election horror show for the party.

Boris Johnson After Landslide Victory: ‘Irrefutable, Irresistible, Unarguable Decision’ to Get Brexit Done
“With this mandate and this majority,” British Prime Minister Boris Johnson asked his supporters after his party won a landslide victory against Labour, “we will at last be able to do what?” “Get Brexit done!” the crowd responded. “You’ve been paying attention!” he answered.

UK Elections: Will Scotland And Northern Ireland Exit Next?
Nationalism might have won the day in British elections – but that may not be all good news for the Tories. Last night’s election returns all but guarantee that the UK will execute Brexit and leave the EU. It also all but guarantees that Scotland will pursue an exit of its own, and Northern Ireland may soon follow.

UK: Conservatives crush leftist Labour Party in massive election landslide
Labour supporters in shock as Prime Minister Boris Johnson asserts “powerful mandate to get Brexit done”

Can Boris Johnson Square the New UK Political Circle?
In my pre-election analysis of British politics yesterday, I suggested that Sedgefield, Tony Blair’s former district in the Durham coalfields, where I grew up, would test my thesis that British politics had realigned around identity rather than economics. As I suspected, it returned a Conservative MP – its first since 1931. Boris Johnson’s Conservative majority now includes many members of Parliament from formerly safe Labour working class districts. The question for Boris is: Can he keep them happy?

Ken Livingstone says it’s ‘the end’ for Jeremy Corbyn and blames ‘Jewish vote’
The former London mayor said Jeremy Corbyn would “have to resign tomorrow” – adding the “Jewish vote wasn’t very helpful”

The World Bank told Taiwanese staff to get Chinese passports
This year, the World Bank told current and prospective employees of Taiwanese nationality they must present Chinese travel documents in order to maintain or pursue employment.

All candidates Hugh Grant canvassed with during election campaign failed to win their seat
LABOUR and Lib Dems were ruing the “curse of Hugh Grant” after every candidate the actor campaigned with failed to win their seat.

 

Opinion

 

13 Things To Look For In The Inspector General FISA Abuse Report
Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s investigation was limited in scope and thus will leave unanswered many of the questions surrounding the FBI’s targeting of the Trump campaign.

The Danger Of Obscenity Laws
There is a new social conservative effort to start a war on pornography. Perhaps the “war” never ended and the advocates of stricter laws against sexual content simply waited for the right opportunity to bring out their slings and arrows again.

Not All Findings of Religious Freedom Index Are Encouraging
The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, a leading nonprofit law firm defending religious freedom, is taking an innovative approach to evaluate the current state of religious freedom in America.

Transgender Demands Are An Attack On Real Human Rights
It is not a human right for a grown man with male genitals to shower next to girls at the gym; it is a human right for girls to say “no” to this new brand of rape culture.

The Cost of America’s Cultural Revolution
Social-justice crusaders are stripping the future of everything that gives human life meaning: beauty, sublimity, and wit.

The Person Of The Year Is Not Greta Thunberg. It’s The Hong Kong Protestor
TIME magazine has named its Person of the Year, a teenager who skipped school to travel around the world telling people that they are horrible and the planet is doomed. It’s a living. Perhaps her Malthusian visions will be fulfilled by future experience. But it’s not very likely.

The Supreme Court Won’t Save Us From the Administrative State
Conservatives hope and liberals fear that the Supreme Court is going to return to pre-New Deal limits on how much authority Congress can delegate to the executive branch. But the Court has never been aggressive in imposing such limits, and there are reasons to doubt it is going to start now. My new Bloomberg Opinion column lays them out.

The American Political System Does Not Include a Magic Wand
In the past year, we’ve heard Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez propose retrofitting every building in America for energy efficiency, Beto O’Rourke propose a mandatory nationwide buyback of AR-15s, and four Democratic senators introduced a Constitutional amendment to eliminate the Electoral College.

Will Biden Promise to Be a One-Term President?
Making the click-through worthwhile: A report of Joe Biden contemplating a pledge to serve only one term and a deep dive into the ramifications; wondering which potential running mates would reinforce his strengths; a reminder that Bob Dole wasn’t that old in 1996 when seen through the lens of today; and an epic edition of the pop-culture podcast.

Virginia Suggests the GOP Can’t Establish a Non-Trump Image in the Suburbs
For those who would contend that Republican woes in the suburbs are merely a matter of bad candidates, bad campaigns, and bad luck, and are unrelated to the positions, statements, and behavior of President Trump, note this presentation about the 2019 elections in Virginia, prepared by the law firm Gentry Locke.

Can’t “Progressives” Discuss Conflicting Ideas without Impugning Motives?
Remember Duke historian Nancy MacLean’s odious book Democracy in Chains, a disreputable hatchet job on James Buchanan and public choice theory generally. Rather than trying to come to grips with Buchanan’s thinking and its implications – chiefly that if you believe government will solve problems, you’d better think again because government officials have their own self-interested agendas – MacLean manufactured a sleazy case that he was a racist who just wanted to create an excuse for opposing government action. That resonated with most leftists, who have been taught that exposing the supposed hidden motives of people who don’t want omnipotent government is all that’s necessary to win an argument.

Returning the future to individuals
The decisive defeat of the British Labour party strongly suggests that a fundamental shift in the politics of the world has taken place; that the non-ideological wave of unrest sweeping the world really has deeper roots than Donald Trump or Fox News. Glenn Simpson and Peter Fritsch, the founders of Fusion GPS, tried to blame the fall of Labour on Putin.

Boys actually need more masculinity
I’ve always been fascinated at the ease with which specious ideas spread. One day you’re living your life, and unbeknownst to you, someone who holds a reasonable measure of power has an idea based on his or her “research.” That person tells someone else, and then that person tells someone else, and the next thing you know, this new idea has spread like wildfire and people everywhere who are clamoring for answers to complex problems jump on board and say, “Yes, that’s it! That must be it!” All of a sudden, you start reading and hearing about it in the news. An idea has been born. It is now a fact.

The Invention of Hispanics
We have been celebrating the twentieth year of publication of the second coming of the Claremont Review of Books with its new (Fall) issue. The magazine has moved to a new site with a new URL (claremontreviewofbooks.com). The editors have made the new issue freely accessible for the next few days. They hope to entice readers to become subscribers (subscribe here). I am, as usual, previewing a few reviews and essays from the new issue on the understanding that they will remain accessible after the issue is placed behind a paywall next week or soon thereafter.

The Cost of America’s Cultural Revolution
Social-justice crusaders are stripping the future of everything that gives human life meaning: beauty, sublimity, and wit.