Update no.1076

 Update from the Sunland

No.1076

22.8.22 – 28.8.22

Blog version:  http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/

 

To all,

 

NASA is scheduled to launch Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) on Monday morning, 29^th August, just after Update no.1076 hits the Web. The planned mission will send the unmanned Orion spacecraft to orbit the moon and return to earth 42 days later. Adverse weather is forecast with an estimate of 30% launch criteria exceedance. When it goes, I will be watching.

 

The follow-up news items:

-- Just to remind everyone, [the person who shall no longer be named] [705] is the subject of criminal investigations in New York, Florida, Georgia, and Washington, District of Columbia, for a wide variety of crimes. Two letters related to the fellow’s malfeasance were publicly released this week and noted below.

-- On 22.March.2019, former captain of Marines, former FBI director, and Special Counsel Robert Swan Mueller, III, [804] submitted his Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election to the Department of Justice [898]. Two days later, then attorney general William Pelham ‘Bill’ Barr issued a four-page summary of the special counsel’s report that largely dismissed the report because it made no prosecutorial recommendations. With public outcries mounting, the AG released a redacted version of the special counsel’s report on 18.April.2019 [902], which brings us to the memorandum released this week.

At the request of AG Barr, Justice Department Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) Assistant Attorney General Steven Andrew Engel submitted the subject memorandum; subject: Review of the Special Counsel's Report, dated: 24.March.2019. The review was confined to only Volume II and sought to answer the question, “whether the facts recited therein (Volume II) would support initiating or declining the prosecution of the President for obstruction of justice under the Principles of Federal Prosecution, without regard to any constitutional barrier to such a prosecution under Article II of the U.S. Constitution.” [emphasis mine] Engle’s conclusion and recommendation was, “. . . under the Principles of Federal Prosecution, the evidence developed during the Special Counsel’s investigation is not sufficient to establish that the President committed an obstruction-of-justice offense.”

I recognize and acknowledge that the prosecutor’s decision to prosecute is an extraordinarily difficult one to make with objective elements (evidentiary facts) and subjective components (juries, judgments, interpretations, and such). The deference displayed in the OLC memorandum for the president is staggering. I have far more questions than answers. Why was the AG review request confined to only Volume II? Why was the prosecutorial judgment limited to only obstruction of justice? There were no answers. I am left at the bottom line with an observation that [the person who shall no longer be named] may well be correct. The law does not apply to him. He (not the presidency) is above the law. Lastly, there is zero doubt in my mind that if any of us had done a mere fraction of what he had done as documented in graphic detail in the special counsel’s report, we would already be in prison enjoying the hospitality of the federal government.

-- On Friday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce E. Reinhart of the Southern District of Florida released the government’s redacted version of the FBI search warrant affidavit used to justify the search of the residence and office of [the person who shall no longer be named] at Mar-a-Lago [1074]. The document was heavily redacted and rightly so. After reviewing 15 boxes of retrieved documents by the National Archives in February 2022 that recovered “184 unique documents bearing classification markings, including 67 documents marked as CONFIDENTIAL, 92 documents marked as SECRET, and 25 documents marked as TOP SECRET. Further, the FBI agents observed markings reflecting the following compartments/dissemination controls: HCS, FISA, ORCON, NOFORN, and SI.” Several of the recovered documents had handwritten notes on them in what appeared to be the president’s hand. Subsequent testimony by what appears to be numerous direct witnesses indicated there were many more classified documents in the president’s residence and office. Judge Reinhart determined that the FBI had shown sufficient evidence to establish probable cause and thus signed the warrant.

Of particular note here, [the person who shall no longer be named] does NOT enjoy deference afforded him as a “sitting president” as in the 24.March.2019 memorandum noted above. Even the redacted version of the affidavit offers damning factual evidence that the fellow at issue here disobeyed and disregarded the law, and I will add wantonly defied the law.

The sheer hypocrisy by [the person who shall no longer be named] is mind boggling. He personally condemned and excoriated Hillary Clinton for her eMail fiasco [710]. I joined in the chorus against Clinton’s foolish, cavalier and injuriously poor judgement in the whole eMail affair [760]. Clinton made a dreadful mistake in mixing her personal and professional eMails that included what would normally be classified material. But, to my knowledge, she did not remove or attempt to hold marked classified documents of any level. Thus, to me, what [the person who shall no longer be named] has done is far more egregious and potentially injurious to the national defense of this once grand republic. And yet, these felonious crimes are only a fraction of the crimes he has committed against We, the People. No president in history, and hopefully ever again, has been accused of so many crimes before, during, and after he held office. Richard Nixon’s crimes pale in comparison to [the person who shall no longer be named], who deserves the notoriety of infamy for the rest of history.

 

An interesting and thought-provoking opinion article appeared in our local newspaper this week.

“When did America start to go to hell? A decade-old film has the answer – Opinion: 'Margin Call' is the story of the first small cadre of Americans to learn that the world was going to end.”

by Phil Boas

Arizona Republic

Published 7:00 a.m. MT Aug. 21, 2022 | Updated 9:21 a.m. MT Aug. 21, 2022

https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/philboas/2022/08/21/america-decline-margin-call-pinpoints-when-began/10343970002/?utm_source=azcentral-OpinionsNewsNow&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=baseline&utm_term=hero&utm_content=PPHX-1531AR-E-NLETTER39

As noted in the article, the author contends that the milestone occurred in 2008 during the banking collapse and beginning of the Great Recession. I cannot and will not argue with the premise. However, I will argue the milestone could easily pushed much earlier. From my perspective and knowledge, I would peg that terrible marker at 10.August.1964, when President Johnson used the Gulf of Tonkin resolution [PL 88-408; 78 Stat. 384] to send U.S. military forces into direct combat in the Republic of Vietnam, or perhaps more specifically 8.March.1965, when the president sent the 9^th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (9MEB) into Vietnam. We, the People, did not learn until the Pentagon Papers were published in 13.June.1971, the president’s justification was based on a stack of falsehoods that betrayed our trust in the president and cost the lives of 58,000 precious citizens. I might also put that infamous date at 1971 and the establishment of the Committee to Re-elect the President (popularly known as CREEP) coupled with Nixon’s inherent paranoia. The combination resulted in the felonious crimes of the Watergate Scandal [17.June.1972], and another president betrayed the Constitution and We, the People. We began to distrust the United States Government (USG). Since that era, far too many citizens have distrusted the USG. The last president made matters far worse when he sanctioned and encouraged white supremacist and fascist factions among us to come out of the shadows and into the mainstream. As much as I would like to blame [the person who shall no longer be named] for all of his chaos, deterioration, and disregard for the U.S. Constitution and the law, I cannot do so; he only exploited the adverse forces that have existed for decades.  President Biden is trying to restore the presidency to its appropriate status, but we have a long way to go to rebuild what has been destroyed. So, no, I do not agree with the author’s premise, but he offers good points.

 

Comments and contributions from Update no.1074:

Comment to the Blog:

“I get a NYT summary of the news each day and read an article about Liz Cheney that really gives me hope and inspires me. I would love to get a bumper sticker that says, “Liz for Prez!” Liz Cheney is a person who gets it. She recognizes that this is her moment in history to stop the Trump train. (redaction mine) It’s each person’s moment in history to do his/her part. Here’s an excerpt from the article:

‘…What’s not complicated is Ms. Cheney’s view of this moment and her role. She not only believes that the country is at risk, but also that it can be pulled from its downward spiral only by those who answer history’s call.’

She says she is a firm believer in the ‘great man theory’ of history — the notion that America has been sustained by leaders who emerged at critical times to lead.

“‘It’s absolutely clear that the only thing that makes a difference is individuals,’ Ms. Cheney said in an interview this month. ‘It’s the only thing that makes a difference.’”

My response to the Blog:

While I agree with Liz Cheney’s position on some issues, I emphatically disagree with her on virtually all of her moral projection positions. That said, I have highlighted her stance in this humble forum against the tyranny and destructiveness of the BIG LIE from the outset of this fiasco. Cheney has stood, nearly alone, to the mark and not been found wanting. Her courageous actions will be recorded appropriately in the annals of history. As much as I admire her efforts to find justice in the January 6^th investigation and praise her for the defiant opposition to her party to find justice for the latest criminal president we have endured, Cheney would have to significantly dampen her moral projection political positions to gain my vote for president. There is hope after she changed her hard right stance on LBGT matters to reconcile with her sister.

 

Comments and contributions from Update no.1075:

“All arrived this side Cap. Do you think the day may come when you will not need to comment on ‘he who cannot be mentioned?’”

My reply:

I pray for that moment every single day. I want to be rid of him more than most. His malignant narcissism craves attention—good, bad, or ugly. He needs to be the headline—again, good, bad, or ugly. Prison will mute him, but his infected believers will make him a martyr, so it will likely take a generation and perhaps many generations to expunge him and his destruction from contemporary thought. Just look at the number of his believers who been selected by the fBICP to be the party candidates in the upcoming general election. He was, is, and still will be a clear and present danger to the very fabric and foundation of this once grand republic. In that capacity, I am obligated by my oath to oppose him and his movement to the best of my ability. The story continues.

 . . . Round two:

“Yes Cap-I did of course perceive that would be your opinion and your hope for the future. But optimism you must have, it is a very essential essence of the future. 

“Whilst searching through a rather large collection of books old and new in my possession I have come across a large and heavy volume that you will be I’m sure familiar with.

‘MEDAL OF HONOUR RECIPIENTS 1863-1978.’

Published on Feb 14^th 1978.

“It came to myself through an auction for many books and is marked ‘STATION LIBRARY, U.S. NAVAL SECURITY GROUP ACTIVITY FPO NEW YORK 09518.’

It is without any doubt a recording of the stunning bravery by your armed forces and is 1113 pages in length.

“I expect if you needed to see such document you could find one but if you can’t give me a shout.”

 . . . my reply to round two:

Wow! Fantastic! I have not seen the book, but what a great compilation. Such a book is akin to a book of Victoria Cross recipients. Stunning bravery indeed. I know or have known some of those fellows. I will have to look in our local library, but it may well be an internal government document. Also, there have been more recipients since 1978. I hope they update it annually or at least periodically.

 . . . Round three:

“Yes all part of this auction I did once bid through. It was blind, everything just listed in groups. I don’t recommend doing it again, unless you have a manor and a personal library!

“We’re still dry here, what over two months without rain-somewhat unusual for this neck of the woods. That may change tomorrow.”

 . . . my reply to round three:

Sounds like something we might find at one of the many bookstores in Hay-on-Wye. I do not recall ever hearing of such an auction. Your find was a welcome success. Congratulations. BTW, are you aware of a comparable compilation of Victoria Cross recipients?

We are still in the monsoon season in the desert southwest. Rain is far too spotty. Yesterday evening, a good cell stalled and dumped its load of rain on our reservoir district. We could watch it, but we got nary a drop directly.

 . . . Round four:

“Strange that you should mention rain because we are having a dampish day over here-well overdue.

“No I’m not aware an answer to your question. There certainly should be so I have started by asking the RAF museum.

“Hay-on-Wye. Never made it there, perhaps I should set up a stall!”

 . . . my response to round four:

Excellent. Rain should keep England green. We are in a break of our Monsoon season. We are probably not done.

Please let me know if such a Victoria Cross compilation exists.

We spent a day in Hay-on-Wye and only touched a fraction of the village’s offerings. It was fascinating. We found several historic books. We wanted to go back to a longer exploration, but we never made it . . . at least not yet.

 

Comment to the Blog:

“Allen Weisselberg, the former CFO for the Chump, may change his mind about testifying against the Chump after he does a few months in jail. The culture shock is rather severe going from corner-office level to Rikers.

“Why is the largest consumer of the Colorado River, California, not restricted?

“The Manchin version of Build Back Better is too little, too late, with too much left out for the acclaim it’s receiving.

“The CHIPS Act is an outright bribe to Intel. There has to be a better way.

“I’m still very concerned with emergency preparedness. Not only COVID but various grid failures, floods, and heat/drought/wildfire events have exposed our vulnerabilities.

“I’ll note that the violent crazies such as the KKK have always had quiet financial support from a few oligarchs.”

My response to the Blog:

I sure hope you are correct on Weisselberg. His cooperation would make prosecution and likely conviction of the real culprit much easier and quicker. Rikers Island would be culture shock for anyone and especially an old guy used to the good life.

Very good question! I do not know. The Bureau of Reclamation did not offer an explanation. Until last week’s announcement, I would have though proportional reductions would have been appropriate. Hopefully, the next step will not be necessary. Even Bernie Madoff did not suffer that shock.

I understand and appreciate the criticism, but something is better than nothing. We need many of the features of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 [PL 117-169; 136 Stat. xxx]. I am grateful for what we got.

Again, another necessary start. It is not just Intel. Hopefully, the new law will break the logjam.

Oh my, you are not alone, my friend. I share your serious concern. We tend to focus on the good, because the bad costs more to be prepared. The failure of the last administration to simply stock N95 masks cost a million innocent citizens their lives. At least the current administration is trying to ensure preparedness, but we are not where we should be.

Your note is spot on and quite appropriate.

 . . . Round two:

“The problem with bribing the likes of Intel is that the money comes from higher priorities. We are having a teachers’ strike here, and the highest-priority demand is for HVAC in all school buildings. In the 21^st Century. The county and state, as well as the CHIPS Act, have given away money we need for better purposes to corporations and developers that are already making money hand over fist. That’s not how FDR made the economy work.”

 . . . my response to round two:

Well said, and quite appropriate. The challenge in any democracy is the balance between conflicting forces. I cannot debate the needs within our education system for improvement, updating, refinement, and support for those who sustain education. Some of what we witness in Arizona is an embarrassment, e.g., teachers paying out of pocket for essential school supplies. It is not a question of this or that. We can do both but that depends upon who we elect to Congress. This is one of myriad reasons every citizen must vote and vote for candidates who share our priorities for spending.

That said, I think the CHIPS Act was necessary and worthy. We are far too vulnerable to the whims of the CCP & PRC.

 . . . Round three:

“Indeed! All of those items and more argue for manufacturing and storage in the USA. It's appropriate to ask, though, what is the best way to make it happen. We can't really afford bribery for all the necessary items.”

 . . . my response to round three:

Quite so! Most appropriate. The tension of conflicting or opposing forces is good to produce a reasonable compromise. I will note here that the internecine tribal combat so common to Congress of the last couple of decades has dramatically reduced pork-barrel mark-ups . . . at least that I am able to detect.

 

My very best wishes to all.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers,

Cap                  :-)