Happy Festivus! Let’s air some grievances.
I know we still have more than a week left in December, but if Congress can break for the holidays, so can I. Let's get started with the news:
We begin with a mass shooting episode in Prague. As of now, fourteen are dead with another twenty-five injured. It's always said these events only happen in the United States, but now we have a major one in Europe. Before gun advocates start jumping on this bandwagon, let's count the numbers and compare. Yeah, that's what I thought.
On July 4, 2022, there was a mass shooting at a parade in Highland Park, Illinois. Accused shooter, Bobby Crimo III has asked for an expedited trial that is now expected to begin this coming February. He also said that he would represent himself. This rarely ends well. My first thought was this would again be a trigger for the residents of the community, but at least it should be over by the Spring. People can then get on with their lives, but we will never forget.
Let's move to the nation’s capital:
George Santos was expelled from the House of Representatives. No big deal for him because George started a Cameo account. There’s probably more money in for him. He’ll need it for attorney’s fees.
Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy resigned from the House. Earlier this week, he sent in his formal resignation paperwork stating he will be done at the end of the year. The story was buried deep in every newscast if it was even mentioned at all. Kevin tried to appease everyone to get power and he ended with nothing. Well deserved!
Hunter Biden was subpoenaed to appear before a House committee. He said he would if the hearing was public. That wasn't good enough for chairman James Comer. When Hunter had a meet and greet with reporters instead of appearing for questioning, Comer said he was in contempt of Congress. We’ll see if they actually file charges in January and if they do, will they go any further with the Department of Justice? By the way, where are those charges for Jim Jordan, Andy Biggs, Kevin McCarthy and others who blew off the House subpoenas? Just asking.
On to the world of Donald Trump, because what would a month of news be without him?
At one of his rallies, he used these words to describe the situation at the border and the immigrants trying to get into the U.S., “They’re poisoning the blood of America. They're destroying the blood of our country. They're destroying the fabric of our country.” His racist language led to him being accused of using Nazi rhetoric. I won't go quite that far but it’s apparent Don is hoping for a White Christmas.
You know that call that ‘the Donald’ made to Brad Raffensberger trying to find some votes? That wasn’t his only one. We knew that he called Michigan delegates trying to get them not to certify the vote in that state. What we didn’t know was that the call was taped. It’s led to an investigation by the State’s Attorney department. Will this lead to indictment number five? Will the total amount of counts against the former reality show host reach triple digits? Stay tuned!
In Colorado, the state’s Supreme Court took the step of barring him from the ballot in their upcoming primary. They stated that he was ineligible because anyone who was involved in an insurrection couldn't be an officeholder. That led to multiple claims of election interference from Republicans. I have yet to hear any of them mention that the original case was brought forward from…wait for it…Republicans. Yeah, I know, they're RINOs.
The responses to the Colorado situation have been laughable. My favorite one comes from disgraced former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. He dismisses it because it came from “a dishonest court in Colorado.” Well, if anyone knows about dishonesty it’s Rod. He's an expert.
One more response came from Marjorie Taylor Greene because she has a response for everything. Her thought is Republicans can now keep President Joe Biden off ballots in red states because he’s now under an impeachment investigation and also, treason. Maybe Margie and so many others, including Democrats, need to pick up a dictionary and learn the definition of treason. The word pops out of their mouths too easily.
Remember John Schneider from The Dukes of Hazzard? He’s another one that maybe should keep from using the word treason. After appearing as a singing duck on The Masked Singer, he had a lovely tweet for Joe Biden: "Mr. President, I believe you are guilty of treason and should be publicly hung. Your son, too. Your response is..? Sincerely, John Schneider." He took down the tweet but it triggered a Secret Service probe into his statements. It’s been a rough year for the former Dukes star. His wife died of breast cancer, in February and now this. You know it’s not good when the highlight of your last twelve months is getting dressed up as a duck and singing on a Fox reality show.
Another of Don’s buds, Rudy Giuliani was on trial for defaming Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and her daughter, Shaye Moss. The jury returned a verdict that will cost America’s Mayor $146,000,000!! Rudy can't even appeal this because he needs to have the entire amount to do it. But, it gets worse. He doubled down on his accusations against them. So… they sued him for defamation again. Rudy didn't learn a damn thing from the Trump-E. Jean Caroll defamation trial. I think Rudy is going to need a job. Do you think Four Seasons is hiring…and not the hotel?
Remember Kellyanne Conway. It wouldn't be a surprise if you didn't because we haven't heard much from her in the last few years. The only time she’s been in the news atmosphere has been when she subs for Sean Hannity on FoxNews and announced her divorce from her husband George. But, remember when she said outrageous things while working in the White House, such as “alternative facts?” Here’s her latest, “I just think the Democrats wake up every morning and look at the calendar. The iPhone says Jan 6, 2021. The date never changes. And then they get in an electric vehicle and go get an abortion.” Oh Kellyanne, I think that may be an alternative fact.
Let’s lighten things up a little: There’s a new restaurant in Idaho. In-N-Out Burger has opened up a location in Meridian, just outside of Boise. The line to get some food was estimated at seven to eight hours! Try to imagine anything you would want to wait that long. When I lived in Tustin, California almost three decades ago, they built an In-N-Out less than a five-minute walk from my home. I didn’t think it was worth that amount of time much less spending an entire workday waiting in line…although I hear getting your food done animal style is special.
The start of the month was dampered by the losses of television executive Norman Lear and the first woman Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. We’ll leave you with quotes from them both. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and we’ll see you with more news in January.
“We don't accomplish anything in the world alone and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry off one's life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that create something.”~Sandra Day O’Connor
“Life is about having a good time and it was a good time”~ Norman Lear
No one says it like you do, Howard! Thanks.