The Frankish Reich

I haven't commented about the other pardons because (sadly) they're really not that shocking anymore. But this one is utterly inexplicable to me. The guy was an international drug dealer on an epic scale. I read this a couple years ago, and anyone who cares about crypto, drug smuggling, and law enforcement should read it too: https://www.porchlightbooks.com/product/american-kingpin-the-epic-hunt-for-the-criminal-mastermind-behind-the-silk-road--nick-bilton/isbn/9781591848141 Here's a quick passage from an article that the author turned into the book: Green [one of Ulbricht's henchmen] forwarded one troubling customer service complaint from a woman whose brother overdosed on heroin from Silk Road and noted that under the current system, children could use the site. Perhaps that was a hair too much freedom, Green said. DPR [Ulbrich's adopted codename] erupted: “THAT’S MY WHOLE IDEA!” Any constraints would destroy the fundamental concept, he said, and refused any assistance for the grieving sister. And yet Green stayed on, despite the insensitivity and ethical contradictions, becoming one of Silk Road’s most trusted employees. https://www.wired.com/2015/04/silk-road-1/ A mega drug bazaar. A fantastic law enforcement investigation. A righteous conviction of a guy who is on record as not caring one whit that the poisons hawked on his marketplace were killing people and even could be accessed by children. Today he stands free and pardoned of any offense. Just because, you know, crypto. Remember that the next time Trump talks about fentanyl and Mexico and whatever other "tough on drugs" talk he wants to distract you with. He just pardoned the CEO of the biggest illegal drug marketplace the world has ever known.

Not a Roman Salute, an Asperger Salute!

The part about states suing the government. Ill-considered? Well, because the creep who killed Laken Riley had previously committed a petty theft, the law became "theft = mandatory detention." If Laken Riley's killer had previously committed a tax fraud, would it be "tax fraud = mandatory detention?" What does theft have to do with him being a rapist killer? And there's categories of offenders who are left out who may pose more of a risk to future Laken Rileys. In other words: poorly thought-out/knee-jerk reaction laws.

Let's watch that in full motion video, shall we? Now watch how Il Duce did it!

Could we please change the damn map to call Greenland "America's Land" already? And make sure to use that Mercator projection that makes it look really really big. How he can sit there in the Oval Office, look at the map of NYC, and live with the fact that he was born in Queens is beyond me.

I haven't toured Virginia wineries in quite some time, but they were just getting really good when I was there in the 90s. Glad to see that trend has continued! Congrats (again)

It is done. But unfortunately (dare I say like most victim-named legislation?) parts of the law are ill-considered. Because, well, they weren't really "considered" because everyone's afraid of "being against Laken's law" I'd read the Reason article. The one thing that is utterly unworkable is the provision that would allow a state to sue the federal government. There's also the fact that as written the statute would seem to apply to someone charged and found not guilty of a minor shoplifting offense, or even someone who was charged with the charges subsequently dropped because the cops found out they had the wrong guy. Just not well thought-out at all.

Remember, Babylon Bee is run by some kind of fundamentalist Christians who probably eschew alcohol. What kind of dolt would think it's insulting to say that she's Wine Enthusiast's Person of the Year? I would give my left nut to be Wine Enthusiast's Person of the Year.

funny thing, that ignoring by paying attention and responding

Well, here's one that I think was a bad law, sold on an apparently false premise. And guess what? You'll probably agree about this one with respect to the first name. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard_and_James_Byrd_Jr._Hate_Crimes_Prevention_Act

See, that's because it was a Roman (Fascist) Salute, not a Nazi salute! I think those are o.k. in your world, right?

https://reason.com/2025/01/18/the-laken-riley-act-reminds-us-if-a-law-is-named-after-someone-its-probably-bad/#:~:text=Usually pegged to a victim,don't get on board. I think Reason (a hard libertarian site) first noticed this.

Damn, you missed your chance to change your screen name to "Karen Bass Is New to the Job."

Here's what google's AI had to say about legislation named after a person: While not always "bad," legislation named after a crime victim is often considered problematic because it can be driven by strong emotions rather than careful policy analysis, potentially leading to laws that are overly punitive or poorly crafted, with the emotional weight of the victim's story used to bypass critical scrutiny; essentially, using a victim's tragedy to push through legislation without fully considering its implications. Exactly.

I love how you catalog my old posts. Like having my own personal AI.

18 states sue to enjoin the "no birthright citizenship" EO. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2025/01/21/donald-trump-birthright-citizenship-aclu-lawsuit/77844980007/ Filed in Mass., where they probably think they have the best chance of drawing a favorable judge and federal circuit. Look, the Trump Admin expects it to be enjoined. That's what they want. They want an injunction, an appeal, an appeals court decision, and then a trip to the Supreme Court. Trump's legal advisors think that with this Supreme Court they have a good chance of winning this. It may be a "Day One" dictator order, but in reality they're playing the long game. They want to make sure it hits the Supreme Court while Trump (or Vance, if Trump drops dead) is President. I disagree with the argument, but Trump 2.0 has this tee'd up for the Supreme Court in a pretty clever manner. EDIT: filed in New Hampshire. (looks like the mainstream media story got that wrong! Imagine that) A quick check of the NH federal judges shows Obama/Biden/Bush 41/Bush 43 appointees. Notice what's missing? A Trump appointee! So ... strategically filed there for the best chance of getting an injunction.

Yep, one that's had "a little work done" too! Fox News style = Trump style. Apparently no cat, but the only man in her life now is apparently a St Bernard.

And that's not the worst of it. He also nominated a CHILDLESS 59 YEAR OLD WOMAN to be his Attorney General. How can such a barren cat lady understand us?

Funny how the Italian far right definitely recognizes the "Roman salute." https://www.unionesarda.it/en/world/musk-gives-roman-salute-twice-at-trump-inauguration-controversy-ensues-k7a9op2m And I love the "its his autism" excuse.

I follow the general rule that all legislation named after a person is almost always bad.

Funny how the "Ruling Global Elites" seemed to be perfectly ok with the speech. Markets up about 1% today. That's the way to stick it to the man!

Sorry, Roundy. So Mr. JDHillFan: would you say it is kind of important that the Secretary of Defense know something about what ASEAN is and what it does?

Indeed. As Trump is known to say: Where's my Black?

I'll call your Trump and raise you a Hegseth.

Welcome back @JDHillFan. Respect for not updating your screen name fanboy reference. Six months in exile?