Update no.1126

 Update from the Sunland

No.1126

7.8.23 – 13.8.23

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

 

To all,

 

The follow-up news items:

-- On Friday, Judge Tanya Chutkan held her first hearing in the case against [the person who shall no longer be named] {defendant} for his participation in the insurrection—{United States v. Trump [USDC DC Case 1:23-cr-00257-TSC (2023)]} [1125]. She is assessing the prosecution and defense arguments regarding a protective order against the defendant as well as for the potential trial start date. Judge Chutkan is expected to issue her order next week to control public disclosure of potentially sensitive trial information and set the initial trial date. She has declared that the defendant’s right to free speech in “not absolute.” Given Tiny’s penchant for hyperbole, exaggeration, and outright falsehood, a court order restricting his speech relative to the trial and associated judicial process is highly warranted and appropriate. Further, the prosecution has requested a 2.January.2024 trial date that seems quite appropriate as well, given Tiny’s efforts to hide behind his presidential campaign. I expect to review Judge Chutkan’s order in next week’s Update.

 

I do not usually reprint or illuminate state referendum actions, but with this one, I must make an exception. This week, the residents of Ohio voted on State Issue 1. The question as presented by the state was:

The proposed amendment [to the Ohio state constitution] would:

• Require that any proposed amendment to the Constitution of the State of Ohio receive the approval of at least 60 percent of eligible voters voting on the proposed amendment.

• Require that any initiative petition filed on or after January 1, 2024 with the Secretary of State proposing to amend the Constitution of the State of Ohio be signed by at least five percent of the electors of each county based on the total vote in the county for governor in the last preceding election.

• Specify that additional signatures may not be added to an initiative petition proposing to amend the Constitution of the State of Ohio that is filed with the Secretary of State on or after January 1, 2024 proposing to amend the Constitution of the State of Ohio.

If passed, the amendment will be effective immediately. [emphasis mine]

As indicated by the exact wording, the referendum issue was directed by the legislature Republican majority [even though they are only 42% of registered voters in the state], to thwart a pending vote in the November 2024 general election on the abortion question . . . yet another blatant voter suppression initiative. 

On Tuesday, 8.August.2023, Ohio residents voted in a special election with only one question on the ballot—State Issue 1.  The final election results were Ohio State Issue 1 defeated by 57.0% to 43% in favor.

If State Issue 1 had been approved, what do you want to bet that they (the GOP) would have tried to change it back to a simple majority when they wanted to pass a constitutional amendment they favored?

 

Attorney General Garland appointed United States Attorney for the District of Delaware David Charles Weiss as Special Counsel to investigate Hunter Biden, the president’s younger son. He has been investigating the Hunter Biden case since he was sworn into office in 2018. [Just an FYI: Weiss is a registered Republican. He was nominated by POTUS45 and retained by President Biden. It is not clear to me whether Weiss retains his U.S. attorney responsibilities.] If Hunter did something illegal, charge and prosecute him. If he is found guilty, sentence him appropriately. It is more than a little disconcerting that Weiss has been investigating Hunter Biden for five years and only reached a misdemeanor tax violation. So, here we go. It is put-up-or-shut-up time. Let us get this done and off the table. Unfortunately, I currently see the Hunter Biden investigation in much the same light as the bogus Benghazi investigation [561]—a nothing burger.

 

Comments and contributions from Update no.1125:

Comment to the Blog:

“Today’s scene in our national drama is where Tiny’s lawyers are required to answer for his pretrial conduct. Such events in the ‘real’ world can cause bail to be revoked and the suspect to be jailed. That would be nice.

“Given the situation, the co-conspirators are under intense pressure to to ‘turn state’s evidence.’ Giuliani probably knows the most, but the defense can easily picture him as mentally unstable.

“And yet, Biden is not gaining ground in the polls.

“We have a special election tomorrow here in Ohio with the sole intent of severely limiting citizen initiatives. Pray, send good energy, or whatever you can do to stop that.

“Would that the common welfare came first with more humans. We shall see what we shall see.”

My response to the Blog:

Indeed, and coupled with how far the judge will go to muzzle Tiny. Such restrictions on his speech (in any form) move him closer to contempt and jail. I can see him challenging any restrictions on his speech and the authority of the judge. Yeah, it would be nice and appropriate to see him in an orange jump suit even for a few days . . . in advance of an anticipated much longer stay as a guest of the government (incarcerated).

Exactly the point, I do believe. Given his public rhetoric, I would say your observation is quite likely correct.

I would say it slightly differently, if people just respected other people regardless of the social factors. Common welfare is part of that respect for others. As soon as one individual, one group, one tribe sees themselves as better than others, we get discrimination, racism, sexism, and all the other ‘ism’s. Just treat others with the respect they are due.

 . . . Round two:

“I use the phrase ‘the common welfare’ because it's used by the 12-Step recovery groups in their First Tradition. Alcoholics Anonymous specifically has been quietly thriving since the 1930s, and it's not a coincidence.”

 . . . my response to round two:

Thank you for the connection. I did not know that little tidbit of information.

I was thinking of “common welfare” in terms of the Constitution’s preamble—“. . . promote the general Welfare . . . .”

Congratulations on the success of your Ohio Issue 1 referendum. Great turnout in an off-year election. Another defeat for the diminishing GOP in your state and by a substantial margin.

 . . . Round three:

“Beyond my personal attachment to the 12-Step groups, they are examples of organizations that have long-term stability and growth with a unique structure and governance.

“The spirit and wording of the Preamble to the Constitution seem to be lost. The more perfect Union, justice, and domestic tranquility have been as ignored as the general Welfare.

“We have dodged the bullet of Issue 1. We still need viable candidates and relatable policy initiatives to dislodge the GOP that runs the state.”

 . . . my response to round three:

Quite so. I do not have direct experience, but my close indirect observation compares precisely with yours.

The noble principles in the Declaration and the Preamble of the Constitution are lost to some people—NOT all. A goodly number of people have dedicated their lives to a more perfect Union, justice for all, domestic tranquility, and the general Welfare. Unfortunately, greed and corruption contaminate far too many civil servants. Semper vigilantis!

Thank goodness Ohio residents stood to the mark and stopped oppression. Yes, we most certainly do need good, worthy candidates. There is always hope . . . until there is none.

 . . . Round four:

“I'll note that we get strong turnout when there's a clear issue and we can believe our votes matter.”

 . . . my response to round four:

Point taken!

 

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

Cheers,

Cap                  :-)