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Tangent: Mr. Barrack Ordered NOT To Spend More Than $2 Million At One Dinner, Unless Pre-Trial And AUSAs Approve, In Advance: At Least ONE Felony Indictee’s Life

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Yes — presumed innocent, until proven guilty (and all that rot). But in this case, the proof is pretty much… overwhelming, already.

I write though, more to remark that it is a rare day. . . indeed, when one sees a felony indicted accused be allowed to modify his bail conditions, such that he may spend up to $2 million in one sitting, in cash — without anyone’s approval, on anything he likes — starting today. There is no limit on how much of his fortune he may liquidate, here.

Recalled that he posted $250 million in bond ($25 million bail money), and that too was eye-popping. This is proof that the wealthy see a different face of the criminal justice system, than the poor do. He’s allowed to shuttle freely between NY, LA and Aspen — without any serious prior approval. He’s allowed to run a business, despite the fact that he will be unable to spend his wealth (reputed to be over $1 billion) in many life-times (doubly so, given that he is already 74 years of age). Of course, if he’s found innocent of graft involving Trump influencing (secretly on behalf of the UAE monarchy / government), he should be allowed to continue his businesses. But I am not clear as to why this (in lieu of being in pre-trial lockup)… is equitable:

. . .As needed, with prior approval from Pretrial, the defendant shall be permitted to temporarily reside at a fixed location, to be approved by Pretrial Services, in the Central District of California for the purpose of visiting with his children [Ed. Note: his “children” are in their 30s] and attending meetings with his lawyers and otherwise preparing for trial in this matter.

As needed, with prior approval from Pretrial, the defendant shall be permitted to travel to New York and to temporarily reside at a fixed location, to be approved by Pretrial Services, for the purpose of attending meetings with his lawyers and otherwise preparing for trial in this matter, and to attend business meetings.

Defendant shall not engage in any domestic financial transactions in excess of $2 million (excepting normal and customary payment of attorneys’ fees, and including but not limited to any transactions involving publicly held securities of any description) without
the prior written consent of the government.

For transactions between $1 million and $2 million, the defendant shall give notice of the transaction to the government within 48 hours, including information related to the transaction date, amount and recipient. . . .

In sum, just like the regular Southwest Airlines’ denizens — he is now “free, to move about the country.” And spend $1 million on a party, without anyone in the AUSAs offices being able to ask. . . “Hey — how will Uncle Sam get its fines and restitution?“, assuming (of course!) he’s found guilty.

Onward. . . that’s a nutty state of affairs, sez me.

नमस्ते

[Tangent:] Signatures Of Biologically-Pure Carbon, Embedded In Nearly 3 Billion Year Old Ruby — Discovered In Greenland: Ore Geology Reviews Vol. 138

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Do read this geology / ore journal / paper. . . or. . . more than likely — you won’t. Heh. It is thick with all the usual science jargon. The punchline though, is that the kind of carbon embedded in this ruby likely could only have formed in a biological (microbial) process. While life is thought by many scientists to have existed even over 3 billion years ago, that notion is debated — mostly for lack of more concrete evidence.

This paper would seem to put the debate largely to rest. This carbon finding, assuming that there are no subsequent problems with the dating of the ruby ore itself, is pretty good evidence of life — more than 2.5 billion years in the past, in what became Greenland. Here is a popular magazine’s take on it all:

. . .The planet’s oldest rubies, sparkling red gemstones made up of a transparent red mineral called corundum, are found in Greenland. While searching for rubies in the North Atlantic Craton of southern Greenland, a group of researchers discovered a hidden surprise in one of them: graphite, a pure form of carbon, that may be the remains of ancient microbial life.

“The graphite inside this ruby is really unique,” Chris Yakymchuk, a professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, said in a statement. “It’s the first time we’ve seen evidence of ancient life in ruby-bearing rocks. . . .”

Onward, grinning: “life, life, life. . . isn’t it. . . grand?” — as the boyish miner in me returns to the under-belly of the high Rockies, in memories as thick as milk-weed seeds, on a fall morning. . . .

नमस्ते

I Won’t Repeat His Headline — But I Will Note This Lunacy, For The Record.

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Poor lil’ Hinderaker (the delusional, addled and increasingly bitter codger) is still butt-sore that his racist, misogynist views were out of sync with the 2020 electorate. And his views will also be out of sync, with the voting majorities in 2022, 2024 and 2026… in fact, likely for the rest of US history. But he — and people like him — will die off soon enough.

In the mean time, they will win no more national elections.

Period. He writes about a lawsuit that aims to tell parents how they may run their public schools, but only in blue districts — all while (just one day earlier, in red districts) Hinderaker said that parents cannot be stopped from running their local school districts.

I know — right?! Not the model of coherence one would expect from a former white shoe law firm’s litigation partner.

But all it confirms is that racists have no coherent logical views — they can only divide camps into people who support a false white x-tian culture, to the exclusion of all others, and those who… do not.

What a sad lil’ moron. From my vantage point, he (and people who tell racist lies, like him) can’t pass away… soon enough — he is no longer someone to reason with. At all.

So we will wait for his eventual… obituary.

Out.

[U — Friday Trivia Tangent:] Coinstar / Wal-Mart: Just So… “100% ON-BRAND” — For The Two

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See Part Two below, for an update.

I cannot resist the observation (like the one Colbert made last night, regarding Trump’s supposed media site being hacked, in the first hours of its existence — see last paragraph below!) that — throughout the nation, every Coinstar machine I’ve ever seen in any retail location… is simply a one armed bandit.

For the unfamiliar, one brings lawful coin of the realm, and pours it into the counting hopper, provided by Coinstar. The machine whirs and clicks… and spits out a fraction of what you put in, in paper Federal Reserve notes.

So the company charges you real money, for the “service” — of accepting your money.

Charming.

Skip ahead to yesterday: Coinstar and Wal-Mart announced that Bitcoin “ATMs” will be placed in at least 200 outlets, on a trial basis. [One of my local gas stations, a Citgo franchise, for the now 19 months of COVID-19, has sported a Bitcoin ATM — disgusting. It collects… dust — “the lights are on; no one is home” — the gas station owner / franchisee tells me (but he gets paid a small amount of rent to leave it inside, in the corner).]

In any event, here’s that Wal-Wart story:

…Wal-Mart said on Thursday customers at some of its U.S. stores will be able to purchase bitcoin using ATM-like machines installed by Coinstar.

Coinstar, known for its machines that can exchange physical coins for cash, has partnered with digital currency exchange CoinMe to let customers buy bitcoin at some of its kiosks.

There are 200 Coinstar kiosks located inside Walmart stores across the United States that will allow customers to buy bitcoin, a Walmart spokesperson said….

So again, Coinstar — with the same model: have people who shop at Wal-Mart convert their USD holdings (i.e., non-existent — in the main) to… Bitcoin(?!) — to go shopping?

Huh?!

And they get charged, as the “depositer” — an otherwise usurious fee, I am dead-bang certain.

Yet another case of trying to sell fish… bicycles, in the crypto-evangelism sphere.

But yes — 100 per cent on brand for both names. Fleecing the have-nots, in the main.

Which brings me to Colbert, last night. He laughed about Trump being hacked (someone created a fake account in his name on his own platform — and posted the matter at left).

And then Colbert said (more or less) — “are we SURE it is not REALLY Tangerine? I mean… crapping on your own scrotum… sure seems… 100% on brand, for him.”

Indeed it does, in both cases [click the left image — a comment on Candace Owens’ latest libel of Alec Baldwin].

Updated — Part Two: Just when I thought no one could be more callous, stupid and unblinkingly evil than Candace Owens (calling it “murder”)… Hinderaker comes along to say Mr. Baldwin is (wait for it!) in worse shape, legally — than Derek Chauvin. You know, the cop who killed Mr. Floyd by kneeling on his neck (while he was handcuffed face down on the pavement) — for over seven minutes? Yes. That’s John’s… “take.”

Hinderaker seems to think (like Owens) that Mr. Baldwin intended a killing. It was a horrific accident (nothing more); if anyone is responsible it is the prop master, or perhaps — the manufacturer of the blank round.

That is where this will end. John defended Dick Cheney when he blasted his lawyer in the face with a shotgun, hunting. But he strains to blame… an actor whose caricature of Tangerine… he resents.

INSANE. But he may be unintentionally right, from a legal point of view — right, since the Supremes again this week failed to reign in qualifified immunity for killer cops — like Chauvin. But Chauvin will do close to 30 years (if not more) behind bars.

Mr. Baldwin? Not a chance. It was an accident.

Out — grinning, with my Friday trivia assignment now completed.

We, The Taxpayers, Have Now Agreed To Pay All Lawyers’ Fees (Caused By Lawless Tangerine Tantrums), In WeChat Case — In California’s Northern District…

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As I said last month, it would not be unreasonable to expect that all in, in legal fees alone, Tangerine has cost US taxpayers over $100 million in his four years. Much more, once we start tallying the settlements paid to victims of his lawless border policies.

But overnight, there is a final dismissal order, in the WeChat First Amendment challenge, in Oakland. Tangerine had tried to ban US citizens, on US soil, from communicating on a private network with one another. Moron. So that case is now at an end.

. . .The parties have executed an agreement settling Plaintiffs’ claim for attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses in connection with this litigation, thereby resolving the last remaining issue in the case. Accordingly, it is hereby stipulated and agreed by and between the undersigned counsel pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 41(a)(1)(A)(ii) that this action is dismissed with prejudice. . . .

Ironically, in view of the above, he and Jared Kushner are reportedly finally launching an Owellian titled social media site that they will call Truth Social. Somehow, the 1984 phrase “War is Peace” sounds more. . . believable, given that it is these chuckle-heads offering “truth” — definitely small t. . . onward, smiling just the same.

नमस्ते

[U] Merrick Garland’s Solidly-Argued Application, Re Texas SB-8 (At The Supremes) Is Now Available…

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Updated @ 10 PM EDT: In another challenge to SB-8, the Supremes have agreed to hear expedited appeals. This bodes well for Mr. Garland (and ill, for Texas). Texas owes its reply in that other case by Noon this Thursday. End, updated portion.

We will let you read it for yourself, and not quote it extensively. But it is absolutely a correct statement of the applicable law.

In any sane world, Texas should lose, as the below is what this is all about:

. . .For half a century, this Court has held that “a State may not prohibit any woman from making the ultimate decision to terminate her pregnancy before viability.” Planned Parenthood of Se. Pa. v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833, 879 (1992) (plurality opinion); accord Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113, 163-164 (1973). S.B. 8 defies those precedents by banning abortion long before viability — indeed, before many women even realize they are pregnant. . . .

The United States respectfully requests that this Court vacate the Fifth Circuit’s stay of the district court’s preliminary injunction. . . . The district court correctly held that the United States is likely to prevail on the merits of its two claims that S.B. 8 violates the Constitution. . . .

Onward, with a new spring in my step, this fine Monday afternoon, after biking along the lake. . . grinning.

नमस्ते

Colin Powell, A Great American, Has Passed. But The Idea That Anti-Vaxxers Abuse His Private Health Information… Is Appalling.

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I genuinely cannot believe I need to type this — here in the 21st Century. But when a US Secretary of State needs to hold even a part of press briefing to dispel some anti-vax lunacy — and along the way, explain that Powell was immuno-compromised from his cancer treatments. . . and that his death from COVID-19 does not undercut the sensibility of getting a vaccine. . . I am dumbfounded.

I will note that vaccines work. And that the legacy of Colin Powell [with whom I had many disagreements on policy], is being dragged into this sort of nonsense. . . well, it undercuts the true nature of the man. He was a Great American. Full stop.

Please, Anti-Vax Luddites: take a seat. This is NOT about you. This is about the passing of a great man. Out.

नमस्ते

[U] College Football Rarely Sees Such [White] Thuggery — But Since Start Of 2021 — It Is At Perhaps An All-Time High. Why?

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Updated Monday Afternoon: The conference has fined the University of Tennessee $250,000 — after only 17 people were arrested in the bottle throwing incident. Clearly hundreds, if not thousands. . . participated. Disgusting. End, updated portion.

I don’t want to make too much of this, but when the older white parts of the alumni (not student!) sections — in several southern state college stadiums start a chant of “F*** Joe Biden“, well. . . that seems beyond the pale. [I suppose the last time it was close to this bad, was when college football first integrated, among the races — 70 years ago now.]

Moreover, at the worst of Tangerine time (2019), the most that happened was some sporatic booing — when he attended the Army / Navy game live (one that should have been a slam dunk for him). No, this is. . . different, in tenor and tone. Mr. Biden is not there, but the MAGAts chant. . . impotently (mostly). Until yesterday. The fans at Tennessee likely had reason to complain about the calls on the field — but what happened after that. . . was in a word, deplorable. You may read about it, here (pre-game) — and here, post game.

. . .Lane Kiffin was ready for just about anything Saturday night in his first return to Neyland Stadium as a head coach.

But dodging an endless sea of bottles, both plastic and glass, along with an assortment of other projectiles, including a golf ball, in what was an ugly ending to Ole Miss’ 31-26 victory over Tennessee wasn’t on his play sheet.

“It’s an emotional game and fans are emotional, but you never expect something like that, to see all that stuff come flying out of the stands,” Kiffin told ESPN. “I got hit with a golf ball, but at least whoever threw it was smart enough to throw a dirty range ball. . . .”

I do wonder why — the obvious thuggery. . . seems to be most wide-spread, in the 30- to 40-something year old white males, in Ruby Red state stadium jurisdictions this particular college football season. Why? [Hint: we know why.] Out.

नमस्ते

In Which A 28 Year Old Jan. 6 Felony Accused Tells A Judge He Responds Better To “Positive Reinforcement”. Hilarious.

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This is tangential — true — but it is widely related (bear with me, here): we saw it with Virgil Griffith (then 32; now 38). We saw it with Martin Shkreli (then 31; now 38). We saw it with Elizabeth Holmes (then 28; now 37).

A fully-grown, 28 year old Jan. 6 accused, now in jail awaiting trial (after three prior chances — saw his bail revoked, for refusing to cooperate with the judge’s bail conditions) just told USDC Judge McFadden, on the record, in DC yesterday that he would do better with the courts, and the BoP — if they’d just use more… “positive reinforcement.” He’s learned that he personally doesn’t like… negative reinforcement, as a motivator.

And, he said it — with a straight face. He said he cried the day that Pre-Trial Services and the BoP fitted him with the earlier ankle monitor. But he proceeded to called a NY State judge’s home, in an attempt to get the judge(s) to recuse themselves (apparently after his court appointed lawyer told him that was no get out of jail “loophole” — that he would “100% certainly” be arrested for trying to “judge shop,” by successive supposed… DQs).

As you may see, I am not naming him — but trust me, he is a 01/06 defendant. He went through a broken window. But he then claimed a cop told him if he didn’t go past the interior hall of statues, he would “not be trespassing”. R-i-i-i-ight. Climbing through a broken window in the Capitol building, with people holding baseball bats and zip ties and batons… is per force… trespassing (in any sane world).

So my punch-line: USDC Judge McFadden said it was “nice” that the felony defendant before him liked “positive reinforcement“. But he quickly added “This is not community college. You are credibly accused (on video) of serious felonies — you engaged in a pattern that shows contempt to our criminal justice system, to this Court. I have no confidence you would follow my orders….

I find that no set of conditions will guarantee you will appear for trial, absent incarceration. You are remanded.”

So — while I share Ms. Smythe’s frustration with much of the incarceration complex… some people simply will never get the message… from positive reinforcement. In fact, I might argue that it is the molly-coddling helicopter parenting and “excuse-makings” of their parents, elders and to a lesser extent — even their teachers… their whole lives long, that leads these thirty somethings to think… offering such nonsense — when facing dead-bang proof of felonies… is a proper (and winning) response.

I’m out.