Could Trump Go 91-0 In His Criminal Cases?

When the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would hear defeated, former President Donald Trump's appeal of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals unanimous ruling that he does not have presidential immunity concerning the January 6th case, it made me think that there is a chance that he could go 91-0 against the criminal charges against him in both federal and state court. 

I'm not suggesting that Trump will necessarily be acquitted. But rather these cases will either never go to trial, or the case will be dismissed before a verdict is heard. 

After all, the Supreme Court's decision has caused considerable consternation. Even if the Court upholds the D.C. Circuit Court's decision, it will delay the start of the trial until at least September. If Trump returns to the White House, the case will evaporate as fast as what's left of our democracy. 

The other federal case against Trump concerns the top secret classified documents in the Southern District of Florida. While the January 6th might eventually go to trial, if Judge Aileen Cannon has her way, Special Counsel Jack Smith will never present his opening arguments before the November election. At this rate, he might get to make his case on February 30th. 

As for the Georgia case, while several of the defendants have plead guilty, Fulton County DA Fani Willis' affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade may torpedo the case. While the facts of the case establish Trump was leading a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 Georgia election, if it can be established that Willis and Wade lied about when their affair began then Willis' office could be disqualified from pursuing the case. If this comes to pass, then don't expect anyone else in Georgia to pick up where she left off. 

This leaves Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's 34-count indictment against Trump for falsifying business records as the only criminal proceeding likely to go to trial and possibly render a verdict before election day. Jury selection is scheduled to commence on March 25th. If convicted, Trump could face up to four years in prison. Of course, there is no guarantee Trump will be convicted and if he is there will be a prolonged appeal in which he could ultimately prevail.

But if Trump is convicted more than half of all swing-voters have indicated they will not give him their vote. So even if the New York criminal case does go to trial, Trump and his attorneys have every incentive to do everything in their power to delay, delay, delay and they could succeed. 

Then again if Trump goes to the Big House in New York that might not stop America deciding to return him to the White House. In which case, it would be an indictment of America itself and we would deserve everything that is coming to us.

My View of Brian Mulroney Evolved From Contempt to Admiration

About an hour or so ago, I learned that former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney passed away at the age of 84. 

Mulroney led the Progressive Conservative to a massive majority government in September 1984 winning 211 out of 282 seats. His passing comes only seven weeks after the death of Ed Broadbent, who led the NDP in that election to 30 seats. 

In 1988, Mulroney's Tories would be re-elected to a second term albeit with a reduced majority campaigning on Canadian entry into the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement which would later become the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Mulroney forged a close relationship with both Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush. Indeed, Mulroney was among the eulogists chosen to speak both of their funerals in 2004 and 2018, respectively. 

During his second term, Mulroney twice unsuccessfully attempted to have Quebec ratify the Canadian Constitution through the Meech Lake Accord and the Charlottetown Accord. These efforts divided his delicate coalition of conservative Western Canadians and social democratic Quebec nationalists. Mulroney didn't help matters by introducing a deeply unpopular Good and Services Tax (GST) amid a recession.

Mulroney would resign as Prime Minister in February 1993. Kim Campbell would succeed Mulroney and the Tories went from having 156 seats to 2. While Campbell was at the helm, the vote was directed against Mulroney. Canada's conservative movement was divided for more than decade as the Liberals under Jean Chretien won three consecutive majority governments. 

I must admit that during my formative years, I loathed Brian Mulroney. He came across to me as arrogant, smug, self-centered, nouveau-riche and with little regard for others. I remember a story in the Ottawa Citizen in which he laughed at people in an unemployment line. How much of this is actually true I cannot be certain. But it confirmed my gut instincts about him. 

I was hardly alone in feeling this way. After I had moved to Ottawa to attend university, my maternal grandparents paid a visit to my aunt and uncle in nearby Nepean. On their way from the airport, my grandfather told us, "We saw a sign which read, 'Honk if you think Mulroney is an asshole!' The noise was deafening." Grandad laughed as hard as I ever heard him laugh. 

Nevertheless, Mulroney was not without his virtues. He was among the most vocal world leaders in support of sanctions against Apartheid-era South Africa which was reflected in his appointment of former Ontario NDP leader Stephen Lewis as Canadian Ambassador to the UN much to the consternation of his ideological comrades in President Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. 

Mulroney was also a staunch supporter of Israel. I had the opportunity to hear Mulroney's views on Israel first-hand when he was the keynote speaker to the Canada-Israel Committee Annual Dinner along with former and soon to be again Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres in September 1993. 

What I remember about Mulroney's speech was his praise of Israel for airlifting Bosnian Muslims amid the conflict in the former Yugoslavia and admonished the world for lecturing Israel when it was in no position to do so. Frankly, I had no idea that Israel had done such a thing and would probably never have known if not for Mulroney. Shortly after, Hamas attack against Israel last October, Mulroney yet again went to bat for Israel.

My view towards Mulroney also softened as I became more conservative in my ideological outlook, and the longer he had been away from political power. There was also the fact that as controversial as both free trade with the United States and the GST were, the Liberals not only kept these policies intact but expanded them. 

Mind you, Mulroney was no saint when it came to government graft in the Airbus affair. But neither is Justin Trudeau. 

Like most heads of government, Brian Mulroney wasn't all good. But he wasn't all bad either. In this day in age, being not all bad is better than most. R.I.P.

Mitch McConnell is Awful & His Successor Will Be Even Worse

Longtime Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell will step down from his position in November after serving in the role since 2007. McConnell, who was re-elected to his seventh term by Kentucky voters in 2020, plans to serve out his term.

To put it plainly, McConnell is just awful. He is without principle and scruples. In 2016, McConnell saw to it that Merrick Garland never received a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, much less a vote on the Senate floor nearly 300 days after he was appointed on the grounds that President Obama ought not make a Supreme Court appointment during an election year. However, when President Trump appointed Amy Comey Barrett following the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, it was McConnell who ensured she was confirmed to the High Court in five weeks and less than two weeks before the 2020 election. 

McConnell also refused to impeach President Trump despite making some of the best arguments in favor of doing  It is only a matter of time before McConnell endorses Trump once more even though he has repeatedly referred to his wife Elaine Chao as "Coco Chaw"McConnell is not now, nor has he ever been a profile in courage. 

McConnell demanded corporate America stay out of politics while gladly accepting their donations. He also showed his contempt for working Americans. I specifically remember when in July 2022 when McConnell complained too many Americans were "flush" with COVID relief and expressed hope that Americans would "run out of money" so they could get back to work. Mind you, at the time McConnell made his complaint, the unemployment rate was 3.6%. It's 3.7% nearly 18 months later. 

I write all of this knowing that McConnell's successor will be even worse especially if Republicans recapture control of the Senate. He or she will likely be a Trump toady who will refuse to certify President Biden's re-election, abandon Ukraine or enact a six-week abortion ban whether it's John Thune, John Cornyn or John Barrasso. 

When it comes to President Biden and defeated, former President Trump, the choice is between good and bad.

When it comes to Mitch McConnell and the next Senate Republican leader, the choice is between bad and worse.

Rashida Tlaib & Michigan Democratic Voters Who Are "Uncommitted" To Biden Have Made Their Commitment to Trump

Although President Biden handily won last night's Michigan Democratic Primary garnering 81.2% of the vote there is much attention concerning the fact that 13.2% of Democratic voters in the Wolverine state voted uncommitted. 

They did so at the behest of the virulently anti-Semitic Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib and her younger sister Layla Elabed who organized the Listen to Michigan campaign both of whom are angry with President Biden's stalwart support for Israel since Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Over at The Bulwark, Jonathan V. Last, a noted pessimist, thinks the uncommitted vote is much ado about nothing as he compared last night's results to the results of Michigan's 2012 Democratic Caucus:

In Michigan there was a concerted, organized effort to get Democrats to vote “uncommitted” as a protest against Biden. This effort resulted in 13.3 percent of the vote for “uncommitted.”

In 2012, with no organized movement and no dissatisfaction with Obama, 10.69 percent of Michigan Democrats voted for “uncommitted.”

So a jump from 10.69 percent uncommitted to 13.3 percent uncommitted is a “notable showing”?

Well, I wish I could share Last's newfound optimism. Last night's showing is notable for a couple of reasons. First, while President Biden received 81.2% last night from Michigan Democrats, President Obama received close to 90% (89.3%). Second, although 10.7% of Michigan Democrats were uncommitted to President Obama in 2012 they numbered just over 20,000 voters (20,833). Last night, there were nearly five times as many uncommitted voters numbering over 100,000 (101,436) many of whom are part of Michigan's large Arab and Muslim population. 

Mind you, President Biden won Michigan in 2020 over defeated, former President Donald Trump by more than 150,000 votes. While Biden will probably take a big hit in Michigan this November, he might have sufficient wiggle room to pull out another victory. But it will come at an enormous price.

It is worth noting that vote for uncommitted was large enough to earn 2 delegates at the DNC. Perhaps those seats could be filled by Congresswoman Tlaib, her sister or someone like Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud who recently wrote in the New York Times, "I worry Biden will be remembered not as the president who saved American democracy but as the president who sacrificed it for Netanyahu." Keeping in mind the turbulent nature of the Biden-Bibi relationship, it is hard to see how President Biden's support for Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, undermines American democracy. The only conclusion at which I can arrive is that Hammoud says Netanyahu, he means Jews. 

In the grand scheme of things, two delegates might be small beans, but it might be sufficient to embarrass President Biden in front of a worldwide audience and do him untold damage in the 2024 election. The result of which would be Donald Trump's return to the White House. Tlaib, Hammoud and others are doing everything they can to deny President Biden a second term. As I have previously argued, this is something the Democratic Party cannot tolerate. 

Because make no mistake. The 100,000 plus Michigan Democratic voters who would not commit to President Biden are committing to Donald Trump. That doesn't mean they'll necessarily pull a lever for Trump, but they certainly won't pull one for President Biden. By not choosing Biden, you are choosing Trump. 

If Congresswoman Tlaib believes President Biden is supporting genocide now, it is hard to imagine she will change that view in November. One uncommitted Michigan voter put it like this to MSNBC, “Why is our democracy more important than thousands of men, women, and children being killed?  Mind you, Hamas has no trouble murdering men, women and children but I suspect this voter and many others would be more than happy to justify the murder of Jews as has been done publicly and visibly since October 7th. 

I'm also not sure how the abandonment of American democracy will save Palestinian lives. What I am sure of is the return of Donald Trump will bring about tyranny. If Trump does return, we will have Congresswoman Tlaib, Mayor Abdullah and hundreds of thousands of "uncommitted" Democratic voters in Michigan and elsewhere to thank.

Jose DeLeon Was a Much Better Pitcher Than His Record Indicated

(Source: SABR)

I was saddened to hear of the passing of former MLB pitcher José DeLeon. He succumbed to cancer yesterday at the age of 63. 

The Dominican born DeLeon is not to be confused with current free agent pitcher José De Leon who hails from Puerto Rico. 

At first glance, DeLeon's career appear less than impressive. His lifetime won-loss record was 86-119. However, his career ERA was a decent 3.76. 

Given that DeLeon pitched in the big leagues for 13 seasons some context is in order. 

DeLeon moved with his family to New Jersey when he was 12 and soon became a standout pitcher in high school. The Pittsburgh Pirates had their eye on DeLeon as early as 1977 and would make him their third-round draft pick in 1979. 

In the middle of the 1983 season, DeLeon would make his big-league debut earning NL Player of the Week honors in his very first week in the show. In 15 starts, DeLeon went 7-3 with a 2.83 ERA striking out 118 batters in 108 innings pitched along with two complete game shutouts. DeLeon pitched well enough to finish 7th in NL Rookie of the Year balloting. 

In his first full season in the bigs in 1984, DeLeon's record was 7-13 but maintained a decent 3.74 ERA.

Then the wheels came off in 1985. That year, DeLeon had a won-loss record of 2-19 along with a 4.70 ERA. To be certain, DeLeon had some rough outings. However, DeLeon pitched 5 or more innings in 22 of his 25 starts that season. In six of his 19 losses that year, DeLeon had six quality starts in which he pitched a minimum of 6 innings giving up 3 earned runs or less. His toughest loss of the year came on September 3rd against the Atlanta Braves in which he threw a complete game striking out 10 batters. However, the Bucs would lose 2-0 as DeLeon gave up two runs in the 7th inning on a passed ball by catcher Tony Pena and a sacrifice fly - the latter of which was unearned. Towards the end the season, DeLeon was put into the bullpen, and he would earn 3 saves before being tagged with 19th loss during the second game of a doubleheader with the Philadelphia Phillies. 

The Pirates were an awful team in 1985 with a record of 57-104 far removed from their "We Are Family" days during their 1979 World Series title. But the Bucs played their worse while DeLeon wason the mound. In 16 of his 19 losses, the Pirates scored three or fewer runs and were shutout 7 times. 

DeLeon began the 1986 season working out of the bullpen with the Pirates before making one last start with the team against that year's World Series champion the New York Mets. The Mets tagged DeLeon for 8 earned runs on 8 hits in 3.2 innings pitched surrendering home runs to Mookie Wilson and the opposing starting pitcher Rick Aguillera. It would be his last appearance in a Pirates uniform.

That July, the Bucs would trade DeLeon to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for a young outfielder named Bobby Bonilla who would become the nucleus of an outfield which included Barry Bonds and Andy Van Slyke en route to three consecutive NL East titles from 1990-1992. While DeLeon didn't set the world on fire, he didn't set himself on fire either. 

Actually, DeLeon made a splash as he bested Roger Clemens in back-to-back starts on July 30th and August 4th. Of course, 1986 was Clemens' breakout season with the AL champion Boston Red Sox. Prior to hooking up against DeLeon, Clemens was 17-2. After losing consecutive starts to DeLeon, Clemens never lost again during the regular season racking up seven straight decisions en route to a 24-4 season and the first of seven career Cy Young Awards. 

DeLeon finished 1986 with the Chisox with a 4-5 record with a sterling 2.96 ERA. In 1987, DeLeon went 11-12 with a 4.02 ERA in 31 starts with Chicago. Following the 1987 season, the Chisox traded DeLeon to the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Lance Johnson and reliever Ricky Horton. 

His tenure in St. Louis started out well. In 1988, DeLeon went 13-10 with a 3.67 ERA. DeLeon would then have the best year of his professional career in 1989 when he won a career high 16 games against 12 losses posting a 3.05 ERA. He would lead the NL in strikeouts with 201, one ahead of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tim Belcher.  

At 29, DeLeon had every reason to believe he had turned the corner and put the misery of 1985 into the rear-view mirror. However, to paraphrase Yogi Berra, 1990 was a case of deja vu all over again. Unlike 1985, DeLeon got off to a decent start. Whereas DeLeon began 1985 losing his first seven decisions, DeLeon was 4-2 with a 2.85 ERA over his first nine starts in 1990. Then over the next four months, DeLeon would lose 17 of his final 20 decisions. DeLeon lost seven consecutive decisions between June 29th and August 14th. After besting the Houston Astros on August 19th, DeLeon then lost his final seven decisions. DeLeon pitched quality starts in 8 of his 19 losses. 

As was the case with the Bucs in 1985, the Redbirds didn't score when DeLeon took the rubber. St. Louis scored three runs or less in 16 of his 19 losses. The Redbirds didn't score a run for DeLeon in four of his losses and scored one run or less in 8 where he was tagged with a L. 

DeLeon did rebound somewhat during the 1991 season. Although his won-loss record was a so-so 5-9 he posted a 2.71 ERA which ranked him 6th in the NL that year. However, by 1992, DeLeon was largely relegated to the bullpen and would be traded by the Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies towards the end of the campaign. In 1993, DeLeon began the season in Philadelphia but would return to the South Side of Chicago for his second stint. The Chisox would win the AL West and DeLeon would see his only post-season action making two appearances in the ALCS. 

After spending all of 1994 with the White Sox, DeLeon was traded to the Montreal Expos towards the end of the 1995 season where he made his final seven big league appearances. Despite his 86-119 record, he posted a 3.76 ERA and struck out 1594 batters while walking 841 in 1897.1 innings pitched over 415 appearances including 264 starts. 

For better or for worse, José DeLeon got to live his big-league dreams and he was a much better pitcher than his record indicated. R.I.P.

Haley Loses By 20 Points To Trump In Her Home State

On Saturday night, Republicans in South Carolina rebuked their former Governor Nikki Haley in favor of defeated, former President Donald Trump. In fact, Haley lost by 20 points to Trump (60% to 40%). 

To put this number in perspective, Haley "only" lost to Trump in New Hampshire last month by 11.2% (54.4% to 43.2%). Yet Haley has vowed to keep her campaign going through Super Tuesday scheduled to take place on March 5th. 

If she thinks something will happen to Trump between now and then which will affect his standing among Republican voters, then she is grasping at straws. If Republicans in her home state don't want her then why would Republicans in any other state? If she is staying in to prep for a run at the White House in 2028 then she will inevitably drop out and kiss Trump's ring once more despite her recent tougher rhetoric against him. 

As I argued earlier this month, Trump can get away with insulting Haley's husband because he knows she will endorse as Ted Cruz endorsed him despite demeaning his wife's physical appearance and linking his father to the JFK assassination. A few days ago, Haley reiterated her position that she would pardon Trump if he was convicted of any the charges currently pending against him. 

Notwithstanding the contempt I have for Trump, Haley is doing more harm to herself than to Trump by staying in the race. We know she is going to endorse him. She is merely forestalling the inevitable. Just get it over and done with and stop wasting everyone's time. 

More Trouble at Harvard: Anti-Semitism Is The Driving Force Behind Palestinian Liberation

Yesterday, Harvard University announced that it is investigating an anti-Semitic social media post made by two pro-Palestinian pro-Hamas student groups. From the Harvard Crimson:

The image, which appeared to come from a June 1967 Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee newsletter, depicted a hand branded with the Star of David with a dollar sign at the center of the star holding a noose that circles the necks of two men who appear to be Muhammad Ali and former Egyptian President Gamal Nasser.

The phrase “third world” appears on the left side of the image and “liberation movement” is written on a machete in the background.

Sunday’s post, which explained the history of Black and Palestinian solidarity, was taken down and reposted Monday afternoon without the antisemitic image by both AFRO and the PSC. The groups wrote that the earlier version of the post “shared an image that was not reflective of our values as organizations.”

“Our mutual goals for liberation will always include the Jewish community - and we regret inadvertently including an image that played upon antisemitic tropes,” the caption stated. “Antisemitism has no place in the movement of Palestinian liberation, and we wholeheartedly disavow it in all its forms.”

Who the hell are they are kidding?

Anti-Semitism is a central principle of Palestinian liberation which not only denies any Jewish connection to Israel but actively seeks the annihilation of the Jewish people. They might wish to consult the Hamas charter which reads in part:

Moreover, if the links have been distant from each other and if obstacles, placed by those who are the lackeys of Zionism in the way of the fighters obstructed the continuation of the struggle, the Islamic Resistance Movement aspires to the realisation of Allah's promise, no matter how long that should take. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him salvation, has said:

"The Day of Judgement will not come about until Moslems fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Moslems, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. Only the Gharkad tree, (evidently a certain kind of tree) would not do that because it is one of the trees of the Jews."

 Hamas spokesperson Ghazai Hamad made it abundantly clear:

Israel is a country that has no place on our land. We must remove it because it constitutes a security, military and political catastrophe to the Arab and Islamic nation. We are not ashamed to say this.

We must teach Israel a lesson, and we will do it twice and three times. The Al-Aqsa Deluge is just the first time, and there will be a second, a third, a fourth. Will we have to pay a price? Yes, and we are ready to pay it. We are called a nation of martyrs, and we are proud to sacrifice martyrs.

We are the victims of the occupation. Period. Therefore, nobody should blame us for the things we do. On October 7, October 10, October one-millionth, everything we do is justified.

Indeed, when Harvard Palestine Solidarity Committee declared hours after the October 7th attacks, "We, the undersigned student organizations, hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all the unfolding violence," they were echoing Hamad's statement, "We are the victims of the occupation. Therefore, nobody should blame us for the things we do."

As I wrote at the time:

In holding Israel solely responsible for Hamas' acts of evil, they approve Hamas's violent barbarity by absolving it of any acts of kidnapping, rape and murder committed in the past 72 hours while also absolving Hamas of any such future acts. 

In holding Israel solely responsible for Hamas' acts of evil, they demonstrate they do not consider Jews to be worthy of human dignity and have no sympathy towards those who were killed just for being Jews or for those non-Jews visiting the Jewish state. 

In holding Israel solely responsible for Hamas' acts of evil, they have the temerity to demand the Harvard community "to take action to stop the ongoing annihilation of Palestinians" at the very moment Hamas is doing everything it can to annihilate Jews in Israel.

So, you'll have to forgive me if I don't take claims of, “Antisemitism has no place in the movement of Palestinian liberation," seriously. Anti-Semitism is the driving force behind Palestinian liberation.

Tlaib Must Face a Primary Challenger After Calling On Democrats To Vote Against Biden in Michigan Primary

Michigan Democratic Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib is calling upon Democratic voters to vote against President Biden in the Michigan Democratic Primary scheduled to take place on February 27th. 

Tlaib has been furious with President Biden over his support for Israel following Hamas attack against Israeli civilians on October 7th of last year. She erroneously stated that Israel had bombed a hospital in Gaza even after it had been established that Israel had done no such thing. Tlaib's younger sister Layla Elabed has organized a campaign called "Listen to Michigan" urging Democratic voters to write "uncommitted" on their ballots in response to Biden's pro-Israel position. 

Let us assume that Biden's position on Israel does not change sufficiently for Tlaib. Does this mean she will call upon Democrats to vote "uncommitted" in November? In so doing, Tlaib is providing aid and comfort to defeated, former President Donald Trump. Considering that Michigan is among the most crucial of swing states, her actions could not only hand Michigan to Trump but the White House as well. 

Michigan Democrats must not tolerate this behavior and ought to find someone who will challenge Tlaib in the Democratic primary. It won't be easy considering that Tlaib has raised $3.7 million since her censure back in November for her anti-Semitic statements. This certainly might discourage challengers. But given that Tlaib is openly telling Democrats not to vote for President Biden, her actions cannot go unchallenged.

Trump Likens Himself To Navalny (I Doubt Yulia Navalnaya Would Agree)

Defeated former President Donald Trump made his first public comment concerning the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and naturally he made it about himself. On Truth Social, Trump wrote:

The sudden death of Alexei Navalny has made me more and more aware of what is happening in our Country.

It is a slow, steady progression, with CROOKED, Radical Left Politicians, Prosecutors, and Judges leading us down a path to destruction. Open Borders, Rigged Elections, and Grossly Unfair Courtroom Decisions are DESTROYING AMERICA. WE ARE A NATION IN DECLINE, A FAILING NATION! MAGA2024.

The idea that Trump has endured anything resembling what Navalny had to endure up to and including death is absurd. Trump does not believe our laws apply to him. Thus, his misfortunes are of his own making. Nevertheless, he is getting his day in court receiving full due process. People in this country are free to support Trump. Those who express sorrow for Navalny's passing are being jailed. 

Trump is blaming everyone for Navalny's death. Everyone that is except Vladimir Putin. 

Navalny's widow, Yulia Navalnaya, has no such problem holding Putin responsible for her husband's death. Navalnaya released a video pledging to carry on his work. She said:

By killing Alexei, Putin killed half of me - half of my heart and half of my soul. But I still have the other half, and it tells me I have no right to give up.

When Yulia Navalnaya thinks of her husband and what he endured, I highly doubt she gives Donald Trump a moment's thought.  

As for Navalnaya, the question remains as to whether she carries on her husband's fight for a free Russia in exile or if she plans to return to Russia knowing she too might meet the same fate as her husband. 

As with her late husband, Yulia Navalnaya's work will require great courage. Something defeated, former President Trump knows nothing about.

On Presidents Day (and Every Day) I'm With Biden All The Way

With today being President's Day, I cannot help but think of the choice facing us in November. 

Whether Jon Stewart likes it or not, we will either choose to re-elect President Joe Biden or we will choose to give defeated, former President Donald Trump another chance. 

Then there are Never Trumpers like Bill Kristol who think Biden should not run and Special Counsel Robert Hur characterizing Biden as "a well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory" has done nothing to discourage him. 

For me, the choice is clear, unambiguous and not a tough call.

I want four more years of President Biden regardless of how old he is. 

If the Bill Kristol's of the world are so concerned about President Biden's age, then how come he nor anyone else proposes an amendment to Article II, Section I of the U.S. Constitution proscribing an age limit on presidential eligibility? It's because he and others are not serious. Nor are Trump supporters who wish that Trump be a dictator, never mind serve another four years. 

When it comes right down to it, President Biden is a moral person and defeated, former President Trump is an immoral person.

President Biden governs for all while defeated, former President Trump spews grievances (real and imagined) against the many. 

Even Kristol and others who think Biden should not run again acknowledge he has governed well be it through the American Rescue Plan which provided COVID relief including vaccine distribution, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act which is the most significant upgrade in infrastructure in a half century, the Inflation Reduction Act which has enabled Medicare to negotiate drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, the CHIPS Act which enables American companies to become competitive with China on the manufacture and production of semiconductors, forgiveness of billion dollars in student loans and the passage of the first gun safety legislation in nearly 30 years. Oh yeah, the unemployment rate has been under 4% for nearly two years as inflation falls.

And lest I forget, Biden has rebuilt the NATO alliance in support of Ukraine against Russian aggression and has stood with Israel in a way no other President has in the wake of Hamas' attack against Israeli civilians last October 7th. 

Of course, there will be those who complain about the U.S.-Mexico border. Well, President Biden was prepared to compromise with Republicans and agreed to new legislation. That is until Trump said jump and Republicans asked, "How high?" So, I don't ever want to hear Republicans complain about the border.

Life in the United States is not perfect, and it never will be. But it is pretty good. Since we have it good then why would we want to return someone to power who presided over the deaths of over 400,000 Americans due to COVID, attempted to prevent the peaceful transfer of power while openly seeking retribution and dictatorial powers? Defeated, former President Donald Trump wants to be Vladimir Putin. If he is to be an American Putin, then who are the American Navalnys who follow into imprisonment and death for daring to disagree with Trump?

In the grand scheme of things if President Biden's accomplishments during his first term don't warrant a second term, then no President deserves a second term in office. 

If we do give President Biden another term in office, he will leave that office on January 20, 2029 no ifs, ands or buts. The same cannot be said for defeated, former President Trump. 

The choice is ours. For now.

Brazilian President Lula Comparing Israel to The Nazis is Rich Considering He Embraced Holocaust Deniers

While speaking to reporters during the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva likened Israel to the Nazis:

What is happening in the Gaza Strip with the Palestinian people has no parallel in other historical moments. In fact, it did exist when Hitler decided to kill the Jews.

Aside from the fact that Lula's statement is defamatory and grotesque, it is also rich considering that he welcomed then Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Brazilian soil with open arms during his first tenure as President nearly 15 years ago. The following year, in 2010, Lula returned the favor by paying Ahmadinejad a visit in Tehran while also having an audience with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. That would be the same Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who both openly denied the Holocaust while advocating that Israel be wiped off the map. Any man who welcomes another who denies the Holocaust while advocating for the genocide of Jews while accusing Israel of genocide is telling us he possesses a deep-rooted hostility and hatred of Jews. 

Although I welcomed the defeat of Jair Bolsonaro amid his pitiful response to COVID in 2022, I did not relish Lula's return to office. I deemed both of them a couple of Brazil nuts. Today, Lula reminded us why he is every bit as perverse as Bolsonaro who palled around with neo-Nazis notwithstanding his public support for Israel. If Lula and Bolsonaro are the best Brazil has to offer then G-d help us all.

Will The $355 Million Judgment Against Trump Actually Hurt Him?

Yesterday, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that defeated, former President Donald Trump $355 million for fraudulent business activities namely inflating the value of his properties and other assets to secure favorable loans. Trump is also prohibited from running any business in New York for three years. Trump's sons, Donald, Jr. and Eric, were also fined $4 million apiece while former Trump CFO Allen Weisselberg was fined $1 million. The civil charges were brought against Trump by New York Attorney General Letitia James. 

Although Judge Engoron's penalty is more than four times the amount Trump owes E. Jean Carroll (perhaps five times when interest is taken into account), will it actually hurt him?

Trump has 30 days to pay but is certain to appeal the ruling. An appeal would likely reduce the penalty. Whatever the disposition of the case, Trump knows he can count on his supporters to part with their life savings rather than pay anything out of his own pocket. After all, there is a significant portion of the country who thinks Trump did nothing wrong and can do no wrong. Ever. 

This November what it will come down to is if people are more offended by Trump's civil and criminal transgressions or by President Biden's age.

Thoughts on Alexei Navalny's Extraordinary Bravery and Sacrifice

When I learned that Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny had died in captivity, my first thought was about the late John McCain. Specifically, this excerpt that the late David Foster Wallace wrote in Rolling Stone about McCain while covering his first White House bid in 2000:

He was delirious with pain for weeks, and his weight dropped to 100 pounds, and the other POWs were sure he would die; and then after a few months like that after his bones mostly knitted and he could sort of stand up they brought him in to the prison commandant’s office and offered to let him go. This is true. They said he could just leave. 

They had found out that McCain’s father was one of the top-ranking naval officers in the U.S. Armed Forces (which is true – both his father and grandfather were admirals), and the North Vietnamese wanted the PR coup of mercifully releasing his son, the baby-killer. McCain, 100 pounds and barely able to stand, refused, The U.S. military’s Code of Conduct for Prisoners of War apparently said that POWs had to be released in the order they were captured, and there were others who’d been in Hoa Lo a long time, and McCain refused to violate the Code. The commandant, not pleased, right there in the office had guards break his ribs, rebreak his arm, knock his teeth out. 

McCain still refused to leave without the other POWs. And so then he spent four more years in Hoa Lo like this, much of the time in solitary, in the dark, in a closet-sized box called a “punishment cell.” Maybe you’ve heard all this before; it’s been in umpteen different media profiles of McCain. But try to imagine that moment between getting offered early release and turning it down. Try to imagine it was you. Imagine how loudly your most basic, primal self-interest would have cried out to you in that moment, and all the ways you could rationalize accepting the offer. Can you hear it? It so, would you have refused to go? You simply can’t know for sure. None of us can. It’s hard even to imagine the pain and fear in that moment, much less know how you’d react.

But, see, we do know how this man reacted. That he chose to spend four more years there, in a dark box, alone, tapping code on the walls to the others, rather than violate a Code. Maybe he was nuts. But the point is that with McCain it feels like we know, for a proven fact, that he’s capable of devotion to something other, more, than his own self-interest. 

Yes, we know McCain would be freed and would live a full life spending decades in public service nearly attaining the highest office in the land. Navalny died at the age of 47 in what should have been the prime of his life. Nevertheless, there is a thread of commonality which unites McCain and Navalny.

Just as McCain refused an early release from the Hanoi Hilton, Navalny refused to live his life in exile. It must be remembered that Navalny survived a poisoning attempt in August 2020 because he was evacuated to Germany. Given how the Putin regime nearly took his life, Navalny could have easily remained in Germany or perhaps migrated elsewhere in Europe or the U.K. or to the U.S. 

Instead, Navalny chose to board a plane from Germany back to Russia less than five months later. He did this knowing full well he would be immediately imprisoned and never see another day of freedom for the rest of his life. Just as McCain felt an obligation to the U.S. Military Code, Navalny felt a duty to the Russian people. I have no doubt Navalny's captors inflicted all forms of physical and psychological torture until his final days in the Polar Wolf north of the Arctic Circle. Yet judging by the last known photograph taken of Navalny a month ago, it does not appear they broke his spirit. Alas, it appears Navalny's spirit was stronger than his body.

Alexei Navalny's greatest legacy will be his bravery and his sacrifice. Because how many of us in his position would have voluntarily returned to a place we knew where our fate was imprisonment and death? 

With that said, will Navalny's death inspire Russians to take to the streets? That all depends on how many Russians are prepared to lose what little freedom and comfort they have so that complete strangers can live free. 

As for this country, there are a critical mass of Americans who would rather be a Russian than a Democrat. This critical mass is devoted to Putin and Trump while having disdain for McCain and Navalny. Those who express such devotion know neither of bravery nor sacrifice. R.I.P.

Don Gullett Remains a Baseball "What Could Have Been"

Yesterday I learned of the passing of former MLB pitcher Don Gullett at the age of 73. 

Although Gullett only pitched in the majors for nine seasons, he enjoyed a remarkable career. In those nine seasons, the teams he played for made the World Series six times. Gullett pitched in five of those World Series - four with the Cincinnati Reds (1970, 1972, 1975 & 1976) and one with the New York Yankees (1977). He actually won four consecutive World Series rings between 1975 and 1978 with the Reds and Yankees. 

Unfortunately for Gullett, a shoulder injury would sideline him mid-way through the '78 season before the Yankees made their remarkable comeback against the Boston Red Sox in the AL East. Not only would he not appear in that year's World Series, but he would also never again pitch in the majors. Although he would remain with the Yankees through the 1980 season, his career was over at the age of 27. 

Gullett ought to have been entering the prime of his career. It is worth noting that Gullett did briefly pitch again for the short-lived Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. If Gullett had stayed healthy and pitched 20 seasons in big leagues, he could have been a Hall of Famer. While I don't think he would have won 300 games or struck out 3000 batters, I don't think 200 plus wins with 2,000 plus strikeouts and a couple of more World Series rings would not have out of the question. Those World Series rings might have been enough to earn him a plaque in Cooperstown.

In the career Gullett did have, he went 109-50 with a 3.11 ERA during his tenure with the Big Red Machine and the Bronx Bombers. His .686 career winning percentage is 11th in MLB history just behind Pedro Martinez. Among lefthanded pitchers, only Clayton Kershaw (.695) and Whitey Ford (.690) fared better. 

As it stands, I'm sure Don Gullett was very proud of his baseball career. Nevertheless, given the manner in which his career ended, Gullett also remains a baseball "what could have been." R.I.P.

A Triumphant Day in K.C. Turns Tragic As 1 Person Shot Dead, 22 Injured Including 9 Children

Today ought to have been a triumphant day in Kansas City as the Super Bowl champions were being honored in a parade. 

Instead, there was tragedy as shots rang out resulting in the death of one woman while 22 others were injured including 9 children. The woman killed was a local DJ named Lisa Lopez-Galvan. It could have been worse if not for several Chiefs fans tackling one of the suspects. 

Three suspects are in custody. They have not been identified nor has a motive for their actions been brought to light. Not knowing naturally raises questions. Were these people terrorists? Were they just criminals who just wanted to kill everyone in sight or did they target the victim? 

Whatever the circumstances which led to today's tragic events, I cannot help but wonder if this will affect how Kansas City and other cities organize victory parades when their teams win championships. 

During my first stint in Boston, I went to three World Series parades, a Stanley Cup parade, and a Super Bowl rally. Of course, amid all this there was the terrorist attack at the 2013 Boston Marathon. That event is locked down tighter than Fort Knox. 

One thing I can be sure of is that no legislative action will be taken to prevent gun violence. If Congress couldn't be moved to act when 20 children were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012 or when 19 children were killed at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas a decade later, then 9 wounded children won't make a ripple. 

Why House Republicans Impeached Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas

By a vote of 214-213, the House voted to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. The vote comes a week after Republicans failed to impeach Mayorkas. 

Mayorkas becomes the first cabinet secretary to be impeached since 1876 when Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached by the House for corruption. Unlike Belknap, Mayorkas did not stand accused of corruption, bribery, treason nor any other high crime or misdemeanor. Republicans simply disagreed with Mayorkas as a proxy to President Biden concerning border policies. 

While one might disagree with the Biden Administration's set of policies on the southern border, the implementation of those policies or any other set of public policies are not impeachable offenses. If they were then every President and Cabinet member would be subject to impeachment on any policy.

Yet I believe this is precisely the point. In impeaching Mayorkas (and possibly down the road President Biden) Republicans are trying to minimize the two impeachments against defeated, former President Donald Trump. Should Democrats bring up Trump's two impeachments, Republicans can simply say, "Your team is just as bad," or "Everyone is corrupt," even though it couldn't be further from the truth. But the bottom line is both Trump and Mayorkas have been impeached and perhaps President Biden, too. To many voters, an impeachment is an impeachment regardless of the circumstances.

Of course, the Senate will not convict Mayorkas. But the Senate didn't convict Trump either time. Fair or not, Mayorkas will wear the impeachment scarlet letter for the rest of his life. 

Trump is Criticizing Haley's Husband Because He Knows She'll Endorse Him Just Like Ted Cruz

While defeated, former President Donald Trump is comfortably ahead of Nikki Haley in South Carolina, this does not deter him from personally attacking her family.

Over the weekend, Trump took aim at her husband Michael who is deployed in Africa with the South Carolina Army National Guard. Trump said, “Where’s her husband? Oh, he’s away. He’s away. What happened to her husband? Where is he? He’s gone.”

For her part, Haley responded, "If you mock the service of a combat veteran, you don’t deserve a driver’s license, let alone being President of the United States.”

But we've all been here before. In 2016, Trump famously mocked the physical appearance of Ted Cruz's wife Heidi and also claimed his father Rafael was involved in the JFK assassination. Cruz demanded that Trump, "Leave Heidi the hell alone!!!" Regarding his father Cruz said, “Donald Trump alleges that my dad was involved in assassinating JFK. Now let’s be clear. This is nuts. This is not a reasonable position. This is just kooky.”

Yet by September 2016, Cruz was willing to forgive and forget. Today, Cruz enthusiastically endorses Trump. 

Nikki Haley will follow suit. Because like Cruz and virtually all Republicans, she has no dignity. 

Trump knows it and it is why he'll keep attacking Haley's husband.

Chiefs Win Back-to-Back Super Bowls in OT Victory Over 49ers

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in OT in Super Bowl LVIII to become back-to-back Super Bowl champions and earn their third title in five seasons. The Chiefs previously bested the 49ers in 2020 and defeated the Philadelphia Eagles a year ago. 

The Chiefs are the first team to win back-to-back Super Bowls since the New England Patriots did it nearly 20 years ago in 2004 and 2005. It was also only the second ever Super Bowl to go into overtime. It last happened 7 years ago when the Pats earned an improbable comeback victory against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LVI. 

After a scoreless first quarter, the 49ers took a 10-0 lead in the second quarter on a Super Bowl record 55-yard field goal by Jake Moody and a trick touchdown pass by wide receiver Jauan Jennings to running back Christian McCaffrey. The Chiefs got on the board at the end of the second quarter on a field goal by Harrison Butker.

The Chiefs would cut the lead to 10-6 in the 3rd quarter when Butker eclipsed Moody's brief Super Bowl record with a 57-yard field goal. Kansas City took its first lead of the game when Chiefs quarterback Pat Mahomes threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to make it 13-10.

The 49ers would regain the lead in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass by quarterback Brock Purdy to Jennings. However, Moody's attempt to kick an extra point was blocked. The Chiefs would tie the game at 16-16 on Butker's third field goal of the game. Moody would answer with a field goal to give San Francisco a 19-16 lead but Butker would kick his fourth field goal of the game to tie the game at 19-19 and send it into OT.

San Francisco had possession of the ball for nearly half of OT, but it would only result in another field goal from Moody giving the 49ers a 22-19 lead. This gave Mahomes an opportunity to engineer a 14-play 75-yard drive resulting in a touchdown pass to Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman, Jr. to give the Chiefs a 25-22 victory to the delight of Taylor Swift, her entourage and all of Missouri. 

Mahomes would earn his third Super Bowl MVP and become the first player to win back-to-back Super Bowl MVPs since Terry Bradshaw did so with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XIII and XIV in 1979 and 1980. 

On a personal note, I was rooting for the 49ers and it had nothing to do with Taylor Swift. The reason for this was because it has been nearly 30 years since they last won a Super Bowl title. I remember their last Super Bowl victory in 1995 because I watched it in London with the game starting at 11:30 p.m. Conversely, when the two teams faced each other four years ago I was pulling for the Chiefs because it had been 50 years since their last Super Bowl triumph. Now the Chiefs are in the midst of a dynasty.

Meanwhile, defeated former President Donald Trump and MAGA have yet again proven themselves silly, unserious people claiming the Super Bowl was rigged in the Chiefs favor so she could endorse President Biden. Today, Trump claimed that Swift would not endorse President Biden for a second time because he made her so much money. Um, I think she managed to do that on her own and without bankrupting several casinos. It is remarkable that Swift (along with her boyfriend Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce) managed to get MAGA voters to root for a San Francisco team. 

Conspiracy theory or no conspiracy theory, pop star or no pop star, the Chiefs earned their championship.

Trump Would "Encourage" Russia To "Do Whatever The Hell They Want" To NATO Allies If They Don't "Pay Up"

During a speech in Conway, South Carolina last night, defeated, former President Donald Trump told the MAGA faithful that he would let Russia "do whatever the hell they want" to NATO allies if they don't "pay up.". Per The New York Times:

Mr. Trump has previously expressed his belief that support for NATO is overly burdensome on the United States, saying the alliance drains its financial and military resources. His campaign website says that the country must re-evaluate the organization’s purpose.

He has in the past recalled privately telling NATO members that the United States would not defend them from Russian attacks if they were in arrears. Last year, he claimed during a campaign speech that “hundreds of billions of dollars came flowing in” to NATO after he made that threat.

On Saturday, he again brought up that anecdote, saying that he told European leaders they had to “pay up.”

Then, he said, the president of “a big country stood up and said, ‘Well, sir, if we don’t pay and we’re attacked by Russia, will you protect us?’”

Mr. Trump said he asked the other president if the country was “delinquent” in its payments. The leader responded, “Yes. Let’s say that happened,” Mr. Trump said.

“No, I would not protect you,” Mr. Trump recalled responding. “In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want. You’ve got to pay. You got to pay your bills.”

For starters, Trump is acting like a mob boss and is treating NATO as if it were a protection racket. But it is much worse than that. The key word here is "encourage". Not only would Trump not protect a NATO ally from a Russian attack but he would actively "encourage" Russia to attack a NATO ally which displeased him. 

The upshot of Trump's encouragement is to give Russia carte blanch do as it pleases where it concerns Europe. It demonstrates Trump has no commitment to a military alliance of Western democracies because he does not believe in democracy.

While it is true there is longstanding pledge for NATO members to commit 2% of their GDP to military spending it has been argued that it is an artificial yardstick which does not reflect the military capabilities of NATO allies in question. 

Although Trump's words have undoubtedly heightened already an already anxious Europe their implications could have resonance on this side of the Atlantic as Canada and Russia have had a longstanding dispute over sovereignty in the Arctic Ocean. Last year, the UN gave Russia most of what it sought. But let us say Russia wanted more, didn't get what it wanted from Canada or the UN and saw fit to invade Canadian territory? Given that Canada spends about 1.2% of its GDP on its defense as well as his enmity towards Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, I think we know what side Trump would take if this came to pass. 

Then again even if Canada did exceed 2% of its GDP on its defense, I wouldn't count on Trump coming to Canada's defense against Russian aggression. Ditto for Europe. Because in Trump's eyes, his oath isn't to the U.S. Constitution, it is to Vladimir Putin. Trump might be a mob boss, but Putin is the Godfather.

10 Questions For President Biden On His Claim That Israel's Response in Gaza is "Over The Top"

On Thursday night, while addressing the report of the Special Counsel into his handling of classified documents in his personal possession, President Biden was also asked a question about the status of negotiations concerning hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.

In his first sentence, President Biden declared, "I’m of the view, as you know, that the conduct of the response in Gaza — in the Gaza Strip has been over the top."

This represented the President's harshest criticism of Israel since claiming they had engaged in "indiscriminate bombing" in December 2023. Biden Administration officials John Kirby and Matthew Miller had to do damage control. At the time, I commented:

The best one can hope for is that Biden won't repeat such remarks again. The fact that White House personnel like John Kirby and Matthew Miller are trying to clean up what Biden said might be an encouraging sign. Indeed, Miller went as far as to say "indiscriminate" "is not an assessment we've made". But Biden did use the word indiscriminate, and the damage has been done. In which case, it probably won't be a last time they'll be called upon as a cleanup crew.

Well, there's been another spill. Of course, much of the Biden Administration's attention over the past couple of days has been on the Special Counsel's report. Although the Special Counsel declined recommending President Biden be charged in the handling of classified documents, the report does not cast him in a good light. For his part, Special Counsel Robert Hur characterized President Biden as "an elderly man with a poor memory." 

While Hur's language could be described as inflammatory and reflecting a personal opinion rather than a legal one, President Biden did not help his cause during the press conference. Immediately after declaring that Israel's actions in Gaza were over the top, he called Abdel Fattah el-Sisi the President of Mexico. The problem is that el-Sisi is the President of Egypt. With that said, let's not forget that defeated, former President Donald Trump recently referred to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as the "leader of Turkey". 

Nevertheless, the fact that President Biden has characterized Israel's response in Gaza as "over the top" warrants questions. Here are 10 of mine.

1. In which way are Israeli military operations "over the top"? 

2. Do you believe Israel is deliberately targeting Palestinian civilians or committing war crimes?

3. When Hamas invaded Israel and took its people hostage you likened them to ISIS. Is this still your assessment?

4. If you still believe that Hamas is the equivalent of ISIS, do you agree with Israel's objective of eliminating Hamas?

5. If you agree with Israel's objective of eliminating Hamas while also believing that Israeli military operations are "over the top" what strategies does your administration recommend to Israel regarding its military campaign against Hamas?

6. If you do not believe Hamas is the equivalent of ISIS, do you think Israel has to live with Hamas despite its pledge to launch more October 7th style attacks until Israel is destroyed?

7. Regarding humanitarian assistance to Gaza, what evidence do you have that aid is not falling into the hand of Hamas?

8. If U.S. humanitarian assistance does fall into the hands of Hamas, does it stand to reason that Hamas would use these funds to launch another attack against Israeli civilians?

9. You have also said that you are seeking a "sustained pause in fighting". Does this mean you now support a ceasefire?

10. If you do support a ceasefire, do you not recognize the fact Hamas will use the ceasefire as an opportunity to rebuild its military infrastructure and launch another October 7th style attack against Israeli civilians?

I pose these 10 questions with the understanding that President Biden is probably more sympathetic to Israel than any other world leader. Indeed, Israelis themselves hold President Biden in higher esteem than they do defeated, former President Trump. It is all the more reason for me to pose such questions when President Biden gives the appearance he is going wobbly on Israel.

How Anti-Semites Operate in Bad Faith

Last month, The Capitol Hill Club (a Republican social club) hosted Max Blumenthal and Miko Peled. Although both are Jewish, they are vehemently anti-Semitic as they deny Hamas committed any atrocities on October 7th while calling for Israel to be dismantled. 

The event was sponsored by The Committee for the Republic. Its vice-chairman, Bruce Fein, contacted the conservative Washington Free Beacon by email to defend the event:

"While the Committee for the Republic does not endorse statements made by speakers, we are committed to optimal factual accuracy. In that spirit, we invite you to provide sourced documentation of any Hamas rape of an Israeli woman on October 7," wrote the Committee for the Republic vice chairman Bruce Fein in an email to the Free Beacon. "We invite you to provide us documentation that Hamas killed Israeli babies on Oct. 7."

The group also asked the Free Beacon to "provide documentation that the 'Israel lobby' does not control members of Congress."

What exactly does Fein mean by "sourced documentation"? Which sources? Whatever the answer, it is safe to say that Fein will not accept the firsthand account of former Israeli hostages who witnessed Hamas captors raping their fellow hostages.  

Fein, a one-time DOJ official in the Reagan Administration, truly gives the game away when his organization asks for "documentation that the 'Israel-lobby' does not control members of Congress." Well, how about Congress rejecting a $17 billion aid package to Israel? That aside, it is a question only an anti-Semite would pose. Indeed, Fein might as well have asked The Beacon to provide evidence The Holocaust claimed the lives of 6 million Jews. 

When questions such as those are posed then there is no amount of evidence one could supply to persuade Fein or his organization to the contrary because their agenda is to render Israel an international pariah while promoting hatred against Jews. Yes, Fein is Jewish but has little affinity for his fellow Jews.

By making demands to provide evidence which Fein knows full well he will not accept demonstrates that he, like all anti-Semites (even if nominally Jewish), operate in bad faith.

There's Still Anti-Semitic Graffiti at Harvard

A couple of weeks back, I wrote about the anti-Semitic graffiti discovered at Harvard on posters bearing the names of hostages held by Hamas. 

Sadly, but not surprisingly, the anti-Semitic graffiti remains. 

While walking through Harvard Yard, I came across a couple of defaced posters of hostages. 

The first belongs to Arbel Yehud, a 28-year-old Israeli woman who was abducted from her home on Kibbutz Nir Oz along with her boyfriend Ariel Cunio on October 7th. 

Her poster was defaced with two statements, "Israel has murdered 25,000 + in 4 months," and "Are Palestinian lives less valuable?"

The former is a self-serving lie promoted by Hamas. While I do not dispute the fact that Palestinian civilians have been killed, they have not been wantonly removed from their homes taken captive, sexually assaulted and killed. As to the latter question, it is predicated on a false premise. It is Hamas which regards Jews as subhuman. The fact one would deface the poster of a woman held in captivity while posting such a question means that one is condoning Hamas actions while placing no value on the lives of Jews. 

The other hostage poster I saw defaced was that of 24-year-old Eden Yerushalmi who was kidnapped by Hamas during the Super Nova Sukkot Gathering outdoor music festival. Her poster was defaced with the statement, "When Palestine is free - we all are." In reality a Free Palestine means no Israel and no Israel means dead Jews including Eden Yerushalmi, Arbel Yehud along with 130 other hostages - Jew and non-Jew alike.

Anti-Semitism is the world's most ancient hatred. Thus, it is a given that it has always existed here in Cambridge. The difference now is that it is out in the open and their hatred of Jews is expressed with pride and confidence. All of which means is that life for Jews be it in Cambridge, the United States, Israel and beyond is going to get much worse before it gets better.