Author: condor

John Hinderaker: “No Other Preznut…?! “…

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Well, this is precious… Hinderaker tonight tells us that he is aware of no other prior occupant of 1600 Penn, who has ever “complied with“ the Impound Control Act.

Gee, John… That would be because no other president has ever tried to close a federal agency with no notice, no comment, and no consultation with his coordinate branch of government: Congress.

You see, you moron, Congress has the power of the purse strings. Congress has the power to close agencies it creates.

And the Impound Control Act was written specifically to make it clear to would be dictators like Tangerine, that he has no role in closing an agency — not without Congressional say so.

So yes, there is now a TRO against closing USAID.

Anyone who can read the English language would understand all of this… But I guess we all now know that population excludes you, and obviously excludes Marco Rubio, and the Tangerine 2.0 — and his minions as well.

Cheers, chucklehead.

[U] Now We Are Tracking The Federal TRO Hearing: Against Closing Down USAID In Total This Evening(!)… Here’s the Latest, Out Of DC.

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Updated @ 5 PM EST: USDC Judge Nichols has entered an administrative stay, whilst he considers a motion for a TRO! This is a win, for USAID workers — and all the international communities that depend on their efforts. End update — motion and briefing schedules to come over the weekend — but no one is fired, as of tonight. Woot!

And we now add a new one — on our watch-list: Tangerine and Marco Rubio have been sued — and a motion for a TRO is pending, in DC federal court, because these goofs are directly violating a Congressional Appropriations Act, in trying to close USAID without the required very public hearings and showings mandated by the Congress.

The lot of them are… snot nosed lil’ hooligans. And ignorant ones, at that. Here’s the latest memo of law explaining the violations, and an order (below)– in DC:

…The 2024 Appropriations Act explicitly restricted the authority to reorganize USAID, providing that “funds appropriated by this Act, prior Acts making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs, or any other Act may not be used to implement a reorganization, redesign, or other plan… by the Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development, or any other Federal department, agency, or organization funded by this Act without prior consultation by the head of such department, agency, or organization with the appropriate congressional committees….”

The Act also specified that no funds shall be available for obligation to “suspend or eliminate a program, project, or activity,” “close, suspend, open, or reopen a mission or post,” or “create, close, reorganize, downsize, or rename bureaus, centers, or offices” unless “previously justified to the Committees on Appropriations or such Committees are notified 15 days in advance of such obligation….”

This past week, the onslaught on USAID has continued. Elon Musk and members of the so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) reportedly demanded access to classified USAID systems without requisite security clearances; USAID officials who attempted to block them were placed on administrative leave. Musk posted on February 3 that he spent the previous weekend “feeding USAID into the wood chipper,” and that same day, USAID headquarters shut down. More than 1,000 employees — including some in war zones — were locked out of their computer accounts and work systems necessary for monitoring issues critical to safety domestically and abroad. The usaid.gov website now indicates that “all USAID direct hire personnel will be placed on administrative leave globally” by Friday, February 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm….

Medical clinics have stopped distributing HIV medication in South Africa, as well as drugs used to stop hemorrhages in pregnant women and treat life-threatening diarrhea in toddlers in Zambia. Soup kitchens that feed nearly a million people in famine-stricken Khartoum were shut down. Humanitarian operations at refugee camps in Syria ceased operations, leaving thousands vulnerable to instability and violence at the hands of ISIS….

[We seek a TRO.]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MINUTE ORDER

The parties are hereby ORDERED to appear for an in-person hearing on the [9] Motion for Temporary Restraining Order on February 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM in Courtroom 17.

Plaintiffs shall notify counsel for defendants of the contents of this Minute Order and the time and place of the hearing.

So ORDERED by Judge Carl J. Nichols on 2/7/25….

Now we wait to hear how the able DC District Court Judge rules, but he made some very narrow rulings, three years ago — about whether and how, the J6 indictees might be prosecuted. Still — this provision of law is clear, and there is no dispute that Tangerine 2.0 is violating the Act of Congress, when it granted these funds. No consultation with Congressional Committees, by public hearings, has even been scheduled. Full stop.

नमस्ते

It Turns Out Those Powerful May ’24 Solar Storms Caused Relatively Long-Lasting Changes — At The Van Allen Belt, Here… Whoah.

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We mention all of this about every four months — even in non-Solar Max years.

Today’s NASA dispatch brings us the news that the discovery of these new “mini-belts” was made possible by NASA’s Colorado Inner Radiation Belt Experiment (CIRBE) satellite and published Feb. 6, 2025, in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics. This is particularly important for protecting spacecrafts launching into geostationary orbits, since they travel through the Van Allen Belts several times — before reaching their final orbits. Here’s the story, in full:

…The largest solar storm in two decades hit Earth in May 2024. For several days, wave after wave of high-energy charged particles from the Sun rocked the planet. Brilliant auroras engulfed the skies, and some GPS communications were temporarily disrupted.

With the help of a serendipitously resurrected small NASA satellite, scientists have discovered that this storm also created two new temporary belts of energetic particles encircling Earth. The findings are important to understanding how future solar storms could impact our technology.

The new belts formed between two others that permanently surround Earth called the Van Allen Belts. Shaped like concentric rings high above Earth’s equator, these permanent belts are composed of a mix of high-energy electrons and protons that are trapped in place by Earth’s magnetic field. The energetic particles in these belts can damage spacecraft and imperil astronauts who pass through them, so understanding their dynamics is key to safe spaceflight….

Okay — when you look up in the bright morning sunshine… and feel its warmth remember that we live in a precarious balance, for billions and billions of years on end here. We are exceedingly lucky, to be here — at all.

Me? I try to remain mindful that a single misfire, of sufficient size… could sterilize all life on our planet, in under seven minutes’ time. Nah, it won’t happen for another two billion years or so… but it could.

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The Mpox Drumbeat Goes On — First Irish Case, Now In Hospital In Dublin… Clade 1b, After Visiting DRC [With A Chaser Of: Are We Giving Copper Away — To China?!]

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The slow drip — drip — drip of these cases is to be expected — as that is how viral/biological transmission works.

What is (for me, at least) most alarming is. . . that without USAID, and with the US stopping funding for WHO, the EU international public aid sources are going to be severely taxed. This opens a door for China, and Xi — to become deeply trusted partners, on the African continent. I would expect no less of Xi — he will donate to relief efforts and curry lasting favor, to access mineral riches that are just awaiting exploitation there (the raw materials for ion/lithium batteries, and raw copper ores, specifically — in the now Mpox-afflicted DRC).

Even though the immediate narrative is about arresting the spread of Mpox Clade 1b, out of Africa — the longer arc has Tangerine 2.0 weakening the USA’s chances for building a supply chain for these very rare (and extremely valuable) modern battery elements. The guy can’t see his own enlightened self-interest. And so, demonizing the rest of world is his answer… to essentially everything. Damn.

Here’s the latest, from the Beeb:

…The first case of a newer, more spreadable variant of mpox has been detected in the Republic of Ireland, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said.

The Irish resident, who was infected with the Clade 1b variant, had recently returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The virus — formerly known as monkeypox — was declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization last August….

The individual is now receiving specialist care in a hospital in Dublin. The HSE added that those who have received two doses of the mpox vaccine, or previously had the virus, are considered to have protection against severe illness caused by the newer variant….

These are thus both strange — and sad — times, in some ways, indeed. Onward just the same. Go you Philly Iggles… Heh.

नमस्ते

Yawn. Minor Update: Mr. Shumate (For Tangerine 2.0) Appealed To The Ninth Circuit This Evening, After Completely Losing — On Inj. / Birthright Case — In Seattle…

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Well… all this really means is that the injunction against Tangerine’s lawlessness stays in place for several months minimum (and likely… forever) — until after the Ninth Circuit case is briefed and argued.

Just as we predicted — this morning. Tangerine 2.0 is dead in the water, on these truly unhinged claims about people born here not being “subject to US jurisdiction.” Lunacy, that be — in any event here’s the notice of appeal, as filed tonight:

…PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that Defendants hereby appeal to the United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit from the Court’s February 6, 2025 Order (ECF No. 114) granting Plaintiffs’ motions for preliminary injunction.

DATED this 6th day of February, 2025….

So, just like last time in 1.0, Tangerine is about 0-6, in the courts now — in just three weeks. No winners. Not. A. One. Hilarious.

नमस्ते

And… Now, Suni and Butch May Not Get That “Ride Home”, Until… After St. Patrick’s ’25.

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At one point last year, the promise was that the pair would be home for Valentine’s Day ’25. Not so. Now St. Paddy’s looks to be the earliest possible return home, to see their kids. [It was to be seven to nine days, back in June of 2024. Wow.]

This is tough — but both are seasoned veterans of space life. This is how it goes. And, Suni got to go on her what? Eighth space walk a couple weeks ago? One of only a handful of women to have multiple EVAs under her belt. So there’s that — but I am still sure both of them are ready to come home to their own, ground based beds. Here’s the latest, styled as a speedier schedule, but it is a delay, compared to what that earlier word was, as of last August:

…NASA should soon announce a new plan for the return of two of its astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, to Earth as early as March 19. This is about two weeks earlier than the existing public timeline for their flight home from the International Space Station.

Bringing the two astronauts back to Earth next month will require some shuffling of spacecraft here on the ground and a delay of the privately operated Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station to later in the spring….

So, I smile widely… and for a few more weeks, at least… “Walk your (Zero G) walk, grrrrlfriend!”

नमस्ते

[U] In About 30 Minutes — The Added Conference On Birthright Citizenship, In Western Washington State’s Federal Courts… Will be Broadcast, Below.

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Updated: Preliminary injunction — granted. It continues, nationwide — until and unless an appellate court says otherwise. The able judge had particularly harsh words for Tangerine 2.0’s disrespect for the law and the US Constitution. He said “these are not games to be played for simple political points.” Ouch. That will leave… a mark. End, update.

The whole notion of needing a hearing, to establish this… is wildly… off-putting. The leader of our nation should know better than this.

The feed should start playing automatically at 1 pm Eastern, Noon Central, 11 am Mountain and 10 am Pacific….

But if it doesn’t, just click the triangle (play the YouTube!)… to listen in. Audio only; no video though.

I suspect the status quo (a TRO against Tangerine’s unconstitutional Black Sharpie marks!) will be extended, as the hearing concludes. I also suspect the able USDC Senior Judge will ask about whether Team Trump intends to take an interlocutory appeal, such that a full trial may be put off, in the near term. Here’s the latest. It is now a very public hearing, in the people’s trial courts:

Onward, grinning….

नमस्ते

For A While John & Scott Have Been “Sparring” — About What The Local MN GOP Should Do…

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…as regards the “standoff” — as they style it — in the state wide house of reps.

Hinderaker wants to have his golden boy rabid right think tankers in the limelight soon, so he supported what he calls “a deal” — to end the standoff.

In point of fact, as John now admits — (but Scott, to this will day NOT admit!) — the “standoff” was actually the GOP refusing to obey court orders, as to who had won an election (the winner was a Democratic candidate, by 14 votes).

So — all of this is… AGAIN! about GOP lawlessness.

Here’s John’s own take on it — of this very morning:

“…[The GOP] agreed [Ed. Note: “agreed”?! The court ordered it — this is typical Hinderaker/GOP thuggery!] to seat Brad Tabke, a Democrat who won last November with a 14-vote margin. It developed that election authorities in his district threw away 20 ballots without counting them, so Republicans called for a new election. The election contest was tried, and the judge ruled in Tabke’s favor, holding that he had legitimately won, and no new election was required. (Democrats called witnesses whose ballots had allegedly been destroyed, who testified that they voted for Tabke)….“

Again — to anyone paying attention… the extent to which both Johnson and Hinderaker have lied about this state of affairs — to make it appear as though the poor hapless GOP was being victimized… is disgusting.

They were being “victimized” solely because their candidate LOST the election.

They were defying fully final court orders.

Kinda’ like what we saw, on J6… huh?! Damn, boys.

Sit down, and shut up.

In any event, come St. Paddy’s (if I understand the remaining special election probabilities) — the Democrats are likely back in control by a margin of 68-66 anyway, after special election results.

So it is really the GOP… just trying to run the clock until it knows it is completely out of ammo.

Cheers.

Well… Except John… That The GOP And World Leaders ALL Are Laughing “AT Him”, Not “With Him”.

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Tonight‘s Hinderaker Reality Distortion Bubble tries to blunt/soften Tangerine — the barking loon we saw yesterday with Bibi, live — by saying he was… joking. Sure.

In the same breath though John thinks he’s widened the “Overton Window” (as to what’s NOT beyond the pale, for serious adults)… so it’s apparent that John believes Tangerine 2.0 was serious.

The problem with any notion that this idea has currency in any circle (other than in the Trump nuclear family!) is the rest of the GOP, and all of the thinking world… sees Trump for who he is: a barking madman.

Everything I said this morning — about Scott’s comments — now applies doubly to John’s.

These boot lickers… are truly disgusting.

Out.

[U] I Guess We Need To Say It AGAIN: Tangerine 2.0 CANNOT Change Federal STATUTES With His Mere Black Sharpie Scribbles(!). Title IX Edition…

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Updated: 02.06.2025 @ 9 AM — Here a day later, Scott Johnson openly admits this is… impotent. Sterile. Meaningless, as a matter of law. But it makes good camera — for the idiot MAGA base. And it stokes hatred; the gang’s entire raison d’être. So much for ever being a… lawyer, eh, Scott?

End updated portion.

While this may be my first and last mention of the trans-athlete cases… and while the Jackson case now through the Fourth Circuit below… may ultimately reach the US Supreme Court (and might even be overruled) — at the moment, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals states the controlling US law, on Title IX — a federal statute. Note that it was Justice Gorsuch who six terms ago penned the majority opinion in Bostock, which held the statutory term “on the basis of sex” plainly forbid discrimination in same sex marriage rights. [Because the exact same phrase is in play in Title IX, that same logic is likely inescapable here, wiping Tangerine’s nonsense, insofar as it falls under Title IX (i.e., federal funding).]

Now, as we’ve demonstrated (and every court to consider it has held) in the “Freeze” and “Birthright” cases — and last time (Tangerine 1.0) in the “no Defense funds earmarked by statute” were allowed to be used for Tangerine’s “build a wall” despite his putative executive orders (all as upheld by the Supremes in 2019)… these Trumpy mere Black Sharpie marks / purported executive orders cannot override federal statutes. He cannot undo Congressional acts, all on his own… he needs new laws, from Congress — what a malign loon, See this case, and a bit of it, out of West Virginia:

…[W]e conclude the district court erred in granting summary judgment to the defendants. But we also conclude B.P.J. has shown applying the Act to her would violate Title IX, and the district court thus erred in denying her motion for summary judgment. For that reason, we reverse this portion of the district court’s order and remand with instructions to enter summary judgment for B.P.J. and conduct remedial proceedings on her Title IX claim.

Title IX says “[n]o person… shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” 20 U.S.C. § 1681(a).

The defendants do not dispute that middle school sports are an “education program or activity….”

The only remaining question is whether B.P.J. has “on the basis of sex, be[en] excluded from participation in,” “denied the benefits of,” or “subjected to discrimination” in connection with middle school sports. 20 U.S.C. § 1681(a). We conclude the answer is yes….

So — that is conclusive: Trump’s latest “trans athlete” exec. order is. . . meaningless. Any entity getting federal funding for athletics MUST comply with Title IX’s clear statutory language, and all court orders construing that language. Period.

Onward. There will be a case filed in federal court by the ACLU shortly to make all this iron clad. Cheers. Hushing now.

नमस्ते