[U] Chicago Sez: “This IS What Democracy Looks Like!” We Are… Resolute, And Ready.

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 ~ condor ~ Leave a comment

Look. The advice is good — and I concur. However, I wish to note that no one (who is not driving a vehicle, at the moment of stop), and who is not causing a disturbance, is ever required to show papers, of any sort, on a public sidewalk or street — or in their place of employment or… most of all, one’s own home. [Update: Some early Monday NYT reporting suggests just the normal, relatively low level of ICE enforcement movements are being seen inside city limits… no National Guard seen anywhere, nor swarming ICE agents, of dozens at a time.]

Just the same, if ICE is reputed to be rolling through your city/ward… it is smart to carry lots of official ID, and paperwork, if you are here lawfully — in any form (as you might have it).

Now, these Noemite ICE agents may not respect it, but you’ll create a very large damages award, with proof in your own hands/phones… if they do detain you for more than a few minutes. They will clearly be violating your rights. So do heed the Pilsen neighbors’ advisory at right, if your city is one targeted by Tangerine/Noem.

Yes, we are ready — and the Seventh Circuit federal law (notably, covering Chicago)… is clearly on our side:

…Our role in this case is not to assess the optimal immigration policies for our country; that is not before us today. Rather, the issue before us strikes at one of the bedrock principles of our nation, the protection of which transcends political party affiliation and rests at the heart of our system of government — the separation of powers….

If the Executive Branch can determine policy, and then use the power of the purse to mandate compliance with that policy by the state and local governments, all without the authorization or even acquiescence of elected legislators, that check against tyranny is forsaken….

[Tangerine 1.0] in this case used the sword of federal funding to conscript state and local authorities to aid in federal civil immigration enforcement. But the power of the purse rests with Congress, which authorized the federal funds at issue and did not impose any immigration enforcement conditions on the receipt of such funds. In fact, Congress repeatedly refused to approve of measures that would tie funding to state and local immigration policies. Nor, as we will discuss, did Congress authorize the Attorney General to impose such conditions.

It falls to us, the judiciary, as the remaining branch of the government, to act as a check on such usurpation of power….

On the other side of the coin, the Supremes just this morning left standing (for now) the federal authorities’ (lawless) use of apparent ethnicity as a primary basis for short investigatory stops — but not for longer detentions, without more “articuable suspicions” — beyond just skin color (or apparent ethnicity). Ugh. It is an interim opinion only, but regrettable. [Do read the dissent. It correctly states the “on the merits” legal contours. Ones upon which these plaintiffs will ultimately prevail.] In time, on the merits, we will return to the bedrock “no racial profiling” jurisprudence the Supremes have long endorsed. But it will take a minute or two. Damn. Onward.

नमस्ते

No Surprise. And He Will Lose At The SCOTUS, This Fall, On It As Well: $83.3 Million In A Libel And Slander Verdict, And Rising.

September 8, 2025 ~ condor ~ Leave a comment

We note this, just to keep an accurate accounting: Tangerine 2.0 has lost more money judgment verdicts than any preident — and likely, any politician in the history of the United States — over $600 million, and growin’.

Most involve commercial frauds of one form or another. This one ($83 million, plus interest, still accruing) is for libel and slander. He sexually assaulted her — as the jury found, and then proceeded to lie about it, on the campaign trial (in Trump 1.0)… over and over, again. Damn.

Doesn’t anyone who voted for this sociopath (even once, as opposed to thrice). . . regret their miscalculation? In any event, here is Reuters, on it all (and, to be clear, he has until November 2025, to get a brief on file for cert., at the Supremes on it — but he will lose there, too):

…A federal appeals court on Monday refused to throw out an $83.3 million jury verdict against U.S. President Donald Trump for damaging the reputation of the writer E. Jean Carroll in 2019 when he denied her rape claim.

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan rejected Trump’s argument that the January 2024 verdict should be overturned because he deserved presidential immunity from Carroll’s lawsuit….

Onward. Suck that — dotard.

नमस्ते

DRC Begins Ring Vaccinations — Along With Vaccinating Health Care Workers In Kasai Province: Ebola Response Underway.

September 8, 2025September 8, 2025 ~ condor ~ Leave a comment

We mentioned this new DRC outbreak on Thursday past, then it clearly was overtaken (on our pages), by local (and loco) political events. We return to Kasai developments now. As we would expect, WHO has begun ring vaccinations, and vaccines for all health care workers — in Kasai province DRC. That is solid bio-science at work.

Here’s the latest, from local reporting in DRC:

…The World Health Organization said it dispatched its experts alongside Congo’s Rapid Response Team to Kasai province to strengthen disease surveillance, treatment and infection prevention and control in health facilities. It is also delivering supplies including personal protective equipment, mobile laboratory equipment and medical supplies.

Congo has a stockpile of treatments and of the Ervebo Ebola vaccine, WHO said.

“We had previously prepositioned 2,000 doses of Ebola vaccine in Kinshasa, which we are releasing to vaccinate contacts and health workers,” said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

It’s the 16th outbreak of Ebola in Congo, and Health Minister Samuel-Roger Kamba said the fatality rate, estimated at 53.6%, showed the gravity of the situation….

And in some ways, this too is an echo of the “loco” GOP political events — as USAID remains hamstrung in the region — in its former role, funding the fight against the dread ebola virus.

Now-a-days, about one of two who contract the virus die from it. That is a significant improvement, over 2014 — when nearly nine of ten who got it were quickly fatalities — but this 2025 outbreak would likely already be over, had USAID funding been available on the ground. As it is, 15 are confirmed dead — and that number will grow in the coming weeks. Damn — onward, resolutely, just the same.

Post Scriptum: I am monitoring the local “block reports” [privately vetted, and locally administered apps (with end-to-end secure comms), run by the (312) legal aid societies. . . with input from the fine workers at the Catholic charities] — inside Uptown, Humbolt Park and Pilsen, for any sign that I need to roll over there, on a moment’s notice. I have a go bag all set, at the front door — we are beyond ready. Know that, Manchurian Cantaloupe.

नमस्ते

Power Alley: More Encouraging News — From Barcelona Cancer Confab — On Merck/Daiichi Oncology Candidate, In SCLC…

September 8, 2025 ~ condor ~ Leave a comment

With a breakthrough therapy designation already under its belt on another immuno oncology candidate at FDA, the joint venture in discovery and development here is humming along nicely.

Here’s that latest bit, from the beaches at Barcelonetta (in the former Summer Olympics village) — via the expert coverage provided by Fierce staffers:

…Partners Daiichi Sankyo and Merck & Co. are sharing new phase 2 data for their investigational antibody-drug conjugate, findings the partners think will help score accelerated approval in pretreated small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

“The important take-home message is that this is our registrational trial for the first approval of the drug I-DXd,” Daiichi’s R&D head Ken Takeshita, M.D., told Fierce Biotech Friday.

The primary analysis reveals an objective response rate (ORR) of 48.2% among 137 patients receiving 12 mg/kg of I-DXd, also known as ifinatamab deruxtecan, according to a late-breaking presentation shared at this year’s World Conference on Lung Cancer in Barcelona, Spain.

The ORR is down slightly from the rate seen in an earlier stage of the trial, in which the B7-H3-directed ADC was tied to a 54.8% ORR among 42 patients on the same dose level. Daiichi and Merck reported results from the dose-optimization stage of the phase 2 trial, dubbed IDeate-Lung01, a year ago….

Now you know — onward, smiling… ever, smiling.

नमस्ते

A Supplemental Independent Monitor’s Report — On Juvenile Conditions — In The Flores Litigation (An Open Case Since 1985)…

September 7, 2025 ~ condor ~ Leave a comment

The good news is that, at the moment, these Flores facilities are in substantial compliance with what the law and the settlement agreement require — for the treatment of children in their custody.

Here’s that independent monitor’s supplemental report, and a bit:

…The Settlement requires that CBP provide children in custody with age-appropriate meals and snacks. CBP continues to routinely provide adequate water and snacks to children soon after apprehension through their entire time in custody. Infant formula, bottled water, and mixing instructions are also readily available in both the JPFs and other BP stations in the RGV and El Paso sectors that could potentially hold children, even if on a temporary basis. The JCM Final Report documented that the JPF transition in El Paso from the large, soft-sided facility to the current CPC location was associated with the elimination of young-child meals; only adult meals were being provided to young children. In addition, the daily menu never changed, even for children who were in custody for extended periods of time.

Since the extension, JCM visits to the El Paso CPC observed that meals appropriate for young children were routinely being provided. These meals consisted of fruit, chicken or turkey, eggs, served in sandwich or burrito form that has been cut up in child-sized pieces. Milk, juice, granola bars, and fruit puree pouches were also readily available. The menus have been revised to include acceptable daily variety….

That’s all I’ve got. Onward.

नमस्ते

This Is — Again, As In 2018-19 — A Time For Choosing: Which Side Of History’s Line Will You Fall On?

September 7, 2025September 7, 2025 ~ condor ~ Leave a comment

I do not want the Cheetolini’s stupid graphic to be the top of my narrative for even one more instant.

No — I want the readership to reflect on the humility (and majesty) of Dr. King’s narrative, from the Birmingham jail, in 1963 — this Sunday morning. I’ve quoted the most salient parts — in view of last night’s threats against the law-abiding people of the City of Big Shoulders — in my masthead, at bottom. [I believe that is Bull Connor in the photo I’ve altered and used (as commentary), but I’ve layered the image with a CGI lens-flare, as I cannot be certain — and I do not wish to unduly embarrass the likely still-living grandchildren of whomever that Jim Crow South police officer is, in the Getty-sourced photo.]

So today, I also want to re-run the Seventh Circuit analysis that holds Chicago (and many other cities) are absolutely on solid grounds, in enforcing their sanctuary city ordinances (or “Welcoming Ordinance”, as ours in known here — another of my backgrounders, here). So, this was my column from late 2018, reposted:

[Original Dateline: Late 2018] Today’s appelate ruling in the Second Circuit only means that — eventually — the case will have to go to the Supremes… long after Trump is voted out of office.

That is so, because the Illinois federal courts had, in early 2018, enjoined his lawless notion — and the Seventh Circuit has affirmed that nationwide injunction. Nothing in New York changes that. So he remains… hamstrung. Here’s a re-print of my report, on that day, from April of 2018:

Just as we said he would, he lost — at trial. and now on appeal. Chucklehead.

I note the 7^th Circuit’s opinion for the very severe language used — language unseen in several decades (since Nixon was in that office, at least). Three able federal appellate judges, both republicans and democrats, have penned a 47 page opinion that characterizes Mr. Trump’s administration as evincing “a disturbing disregard for the separation of powers…” Not a good look, here 45/47:

….In considering on appeal the likelihood of success on the merits, it is necessary to focus narrowly on the dispositive question and to avoid the invitation of the parties to weigh in on broader policy considerations. For instance, the Attorney General repeatedly characterizes the issue as whether localities can be allowed to thwart federal law enforcement.

That is a red herring. First, nothing in this case involves any affirmative interference with federal law enforcement at all, nor is there any interference whatsoever with federal immigration authorities. The only conduct at issue here is the refusal of the local law enforcement to aid in civil immigration enforcement through informing the federal authorities when persons are in their custody and providing access to those persons at the local law enforcement facility. Some localities might choose to cooperate with federal immigration efforts, and others may see such cooperation as impeding the community relationships necessary to identify and solve crimes.

The choice as to how to devote law enforcement resources — including whether or not to use such resources to aid in federal immigration efforts—would traditionally be one left to state and local authorities….

In fact, throughout the briefs in this case, the Attorney General is incredulous that localities receiving federal funds can complain about conditions attached to the distribution of those funds. But that repeated mantra evinces a disturbing disregard for the separation of powers. The power of the purse does not belong to the Executive Branch. It rests in the Legislative Branch….

As the Supreme Court has repeatedly held, “’Congress. . . does not alter the funda- mental details of a regulatory scheme in vague terms or ancillary provisions — it does not, one might say, hide elephants in mouseholes.’” Gonzales, 546 U.S. at 267, quoting Whitman v. American Trucking Assns., Inc., 531 U.S. 457, 468 (2001)….

Indeed. Forty Seven 45 is — as I said he would be, repeatedly — a loser, again. Sleep well, all you of good will, and good cheer… and yes, here in 2025 — I am committing: if Trump rolls into Chicago — I personally will be in the streets, escorting people to the nearest Catholic church. I have a heat map, for every neighborhood, and know the quickest car routes — mostly through alleys — to the churches. My spacious, well appointed (with very highly tinted back seat windows!) hybrid Lexus SUV will come in quite handy (in electric mode, it runs completely silently!), should Trump / Noem be so stupid as to even try it.

And, of course, I will also serve as these passengers’ pro bono lawyer, as well.

Onward, resolutely.

नमस्ते

It Really Won’t Matter — Because We Are Ready For Him… But He Is An Impotent Embittered Old Coot — With A 13 Year Old’s Sense Of Humor — And Zero Decorum…

September 6, 2025September 7, 2025 ~ condor ~ Leave a comment

This evening, the demented guy who’s supposed to be a leader of the free world posted the crap at right — about ALL Chicagoans. [And the mental midget John Hinderaker wallows in licking Donnie Dotard Trump’s boots — for it. Hinderaker apparently slept through the Chicago Welcoming Ordinance litigation — which Trump soundly LOST — during his first tour.]

Not even just “criminals” — as some headlines now mis-state the issue, on Saturday night, late.

I am loathe to give this more oxygen — but rest assured, you Manchurian Cantaloupe… we are more than ready for your wrinkly old a$$.

We have a Welcoming Ordinance, that allows all of us to give shelter and aid to anyone you target — just as multiple courts ruled is our right, in Tangerine 1.0.

So bring it on, with you — and your impotent wanna-be’s. We are ready. More than ready, actually. Bank on it, you malign dotard. We will peacefully take you to school, you sad, embittered old man — just as we did during Tangerine 1.0.

नमस्ते

Here’s A Taste — Of The Baseless Noem / Miller Claims Made, To Try To “Bootstrap” Summary Deportations — Of Guatemalan Children Without Guardians In The US… Damn.

September 6, 2025September 6, 2025 ~ condor ~ Leave a comment

As the fast moving case protecting the Guatemalan kids rolls forward in DC, we read a silly Saturday declaration filing — by the Noemites.

The agent purports to say that she (alone?) is tasked with deciding “due process” rights for under age people on US soil.

That is transparently silly.

Article III judges are the ones empowered, exclusively, to make those determinations — about the “best interests of the child” found on US soil. Guatemala doesn’t decide that — and the guardians in that nation do not decide that. If either wishes to assert interests in the due process proceedings, they may travel to the US, and appear in a US District courtroom, to make their claims. Short of that, there is not much else to be said.

In very unusual situations, a diplomatic solution might arise, for (say) the child of a foreign president or king. But even then, the arrangement must be blessed in a federal district court. So, this all is just mostly. . . non responsive:

…ORR is statutorily responsible for the care and placement of unaccompanied alien children. [Ed. Note: “placement” does NOT include deportation decision-making!]

With respect to Guatemala’s request for repatriation of UACs, ORR made individualized determinations based on a review of its records to identify children who met the above criteria. These children do not have a parent or legal guardian in the United States who can sponsor them, meaning they will either need to remain in ORR care and custody in a group care setting, or be released to non-parent sponsors. Further, ORR verified based on its records that each of the identified children do have a parent or legal guardian in their home country of Guatemala and their government is requesting that the children be returned to their parent or legal guardian in Guatemala. ORR’s statutory authorities contemplate reunification with a parent abroad in appropriate cases, and in ORR’s view, given these facts and the other criteria identified above, it is appropriate and in the best interests of these children to reunite these children with their parent or legal guardian in their home country….

[Ed. Note: It is absolutely clear that ORR LACKS that power — to decide removal of unaccompanied minors on US soil, without an Article III judge holding a true due process hearing. Damn.]

Based on the aforementioned criteria, as of August 29, 2025, ORR initially identified a total of 457 Guatemalan UAC in ORR care and custody as potentially appropriate for reunification with a parent or legal guardian as requested by the Government of Guatemala. After individualized case review, 91 children were removed from eligibility for reunification. ORR reviewed the children’s cases for claims of fear of persecution with DHS’s verification, as well as whether there were any pending asylum applications. Moreover, any child with other pending forms of immigration relief or human trafficking indicators were also removed from consideration. DHS also performed its review of the same case files for fidelity with their records. Any child under 10 years of age was further removed from consideration. 327 children were determined to be ultimately eligible in the end. Based on available information and belief, five of the ten named plaintiffs were included among these 327 UACs….

Again — Trump/Noem/Salazar here pretend that they are allowed to serve as the cop, the judge, the jury — and effectively, the executioner — all in one moment. That is precisely what the Founders wrote we would never again accept: no “Star Chambers“.

Every person (young or old) present on our soil has full 14^th Amendment rights. Full stop.

नमस्ते

While The Global Concern Is Abating — Mpox Clade 1b Remains Of Significant Concern On The Continent Of… Africa: WHO

September 6, 2025September 6, 2025 ~ condor ~ Leave a comment

This is good news, to be certain.

And there will still likely occasionally be cases, dotting the globe — from recent travels to or from Africa. But the pandemic concern — internationally, is now abated. Africa — specifically, sub-Saharan Africa still faces a daunting epidemic of Mpox Clade 1b. Here’s the latest, from PBS reporting:

…The World Health Organization no longer considers the mpox outbreak in Africa to be an international health emergency, the U.N. agency’s director said Friday.

The new form of mpox emerged in early 2024 in Congo and neighboring African countries, spread through close contact including sex. WHO declared it a global health emergency in August of last year.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters Friday that an emergency panel created after the outbreak has advised that the situation is no longer an international emergency, and “I have accepted that advice….”

The international emergency declaration, the agency’s highest level of warning about threatening health issues, triggers the release of resources and enhanced public awareness campaigns, among other measures.

“Of course, lifting the emergency declaration does not mean the threat is over, nor that our response will stop,” the WHO chief said….

Now you know. Onward, resolutely — all of the above, after an appeals court ruled yesterday (agreeing with the trial court / USDC Judge Amir Ali) that Trump’s gutting of USAID was unlawful.

This is ANOTHER one that will have to ultimately be decided in the Supremes. Out.

नमस्ते