Florida Supreme Court Corrects Previous Decision on Death Penalty
January 24, 2020 2:22pm
Juries decide innocence or guilt. Judges impose sentences. It is wrong that ANYONE on a jury must recommend the death penalty for it to be imposed.
The death penalty should be mandatory for all murder, arson, and aggravated sexual battery.
https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2020/01/23/florida-supreme-court-reverses-itself-major-capital-punishment-decision/4558951002/?fbclid=IwAR0lmL70_dWYhm4g0ZM8GGU6p793li2xsitrAFM3UaPHheQ8Kj4rPU4Xrzo
Manuel Oliver's Dishonesty and Misbehavior at Last Night's Gun Violence Town Hall Was Disgraceful
January 22, 2020 9:57am
Most of the speakers at the town hall meeting were decent and respectful. But Manuel Oliver's dishonesty and misbehavior last night was disgraceful.
For instance, he said we have too many gun deaths because we have too many guns. THAT IS FALSE. In the last 50 years, the number of privately owned firearms in America has more than tripled, but the firearm homicide rate is at a near 50-year low.
He advocated for the hastily enacted 2018 Florida law that prohibits gun purchases by 18, 19, & 20 year-olds. What other Constitutional Rights can be denied to 18-20 year olds? NONE.
But the law does have an exemption for 18-20 year old military and law enforcement personnel, so they can purchase firearms. That means the law of Florida says Constitutional Rights are earned through one's employment.
After the event concluded, but while still in the church, Oliver lost his temper and began using several cuss words that really shouldn't be said in a House of God.
The loss of his son's life to a criminal does not grant him a free pass to misbehave or infringe upon the Rights of others. But Oliver is the same jackass who improperly and arrogantly interrupted a Congressional hearing by shouting down Matt Gaetz.
Video of his inappropriate spectacle is at https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-ne-gaetz-parkland-parent-conflict-20190206-story.html?fbclid=IwAR2KKuu2PAO6SvzDscJEv1JO22AIL9zvlNX_RDgIBxecacru1NNxSDIgZtM
I don't fault Oliver for his anger. And there is no way I can understand the extent of his grief. But for the same reasons family of a murder victim cannot sit on the jury at the killer's trial, his demands that we violate the Constitution must be rejected.
https://www.pnj.com/story/news/crime/2020/01/22/father-parkland-shooting-victim-tells-pensacola-residents-vote-politicians-who-support-gun-reg/4536167002/?fb_comment_id=2994620707236095_2994772810554218&comment_id=2994772810554218&fbclid=IwAR0Tojl9D0zCZpORQRKQiFM_j88O5RHt6lNw_luwBfOt8BqsCBKdyD_Mhl8
Common Unity Against Gun Violence Town Hall in Pensacola
January 21, 2020 9:08pm
Well, I just got home from the Common Unity Against Gun Violence Town Hall at Pensacola's Mount Canaan Baptist Church, which was sponsored by Moms Demand Action, Change the Ref, and other organizations that advocate more unconstitutional gun control laws.
One of the panelists was Manuel Oliver, the father of Joaquin Oliver, who was murdered in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Other panelists were Cindy Martin of Moms Demand Action, a representative of the Pensacola Police Department, and a member of the NAACP. I don't recall their names.
Earlier this evening, my wife told me it was going to be an echo chamber of gun banners doing a big circle jerk (those are my words paraphrasing her better words), and that I would be wasting my time to go. But I went anyway, knowing the conversation would be filled with anti-gun lies.
After the panel spoke, the microphone was brought into the audience by the moderator, and people were given the opportunity to stand up and speak with questions or comments. Almost everybody made comments and didn't actually ask many questions.
I sat quietly through the first dozen or so statements made in support of infringing upon the Second Amendment Rights of law-abiding citizens. Then I raised my hand to speak and was handed the microphone.
After expressing sincere condolences to Manuel Oliver and another woman whose son had been killed by firearms, I spoke of how infringing upon Constitutional Rights was not the proper way to address the problem of gun violence in America. I then went on to politely refute a few inaccurate points Oliver had made earlier in his presentation.
For instance, he said we have too many gun deaths because we have too many guns. I pointed out that, according to FBI statistics, in the last 50 years the number of privately owned firearms in America has more than tripled, but the firearm homicide rate is at a near 50-year low. Someone shouted out that that was not true. It is completely true, but I moved on to another point, since the event was not a debate format.
I brought up the recently enacted Florida law that prohibits gun purchases by 18, 19, & 20 year-olds unless they serve in the military or law enforcement. When I asked what other Constitutional Rights can be denied to 18-20 year olds, Manuel Oliver shouted out that his son had a right to life. I responded that, of course he had a right to life, but his life was taken unlawfully.
When I pointed out that the exemption for 18-20 year old military and law enforcement personnel means that the laws of Florida say Constitutional Rights are earned through one's employment, a few groans of disapproval filled the air.
As I continued to very politely refute some statements made earlier, several others in the room heckled my words. Then Oliver interrupted me by shouting, "You're lying!" At that point, although I had the microphone for less than half the time most attendees did, the moderator came up to me and said, "This is a House of God, and we are not going to allow you to lie in the Lord's House." Then he took the microphone from me.
A few subsequent speakers attacked me and attacked my words. I did not engage to defend myself because I was there to educate not to argue. That, and I needed to show proper decorum.
After the event concluded, another attendee approached me and very politely asked if the Second Amendment only protected single shot muskets. It was refreshing to be ASKED that question, since it is usually stated as an indisputable fact.
As he and I were having a very respectful dialogue, Oliver barged into our conversation, called me a liar, and told me that I was not really sad that his son was killed. He then said I don't like him because he is a naturalized citizen (from Venezuela). It brought to mind what Herman Cain said to me the night of the Orlando presidential debate in 2011: "Do you know why they play the race card? Because they've got no other cards to play."
Since he had raised his voice to make those accusations, a crowd gathered, and pretty much everyone there, including at least three people videotaping, were watching us. He again called me a liar, so I responded that I value the truth, and that if he would point out the lies I told, I would never repeat them again if they were really untrue, because I had no interest in being wrong.
He said his organization "doesn't want to ban guns." When I responded that he wanted to ban what he characterized as "assault weapons," and that was a type of gun ban, he got mad, raised his voice even louder, and told me that I was "full of shit," "everything (I) said was bullshit," and that "(I) don't know what the Hell (I'm) talking about." I gently responded that this is a House of the Lord, and he really should use better language than that. He raised his voice more and began to rant with additional psychobabble, anti-gun, drivel against me, including a few more words that really shouldn't be said in a church.
Yes, I understand I probably didn't change anyone's mind there tonight. But at least I had my say - until the microphone was seized anyway. I was the only speaker in support of the Second Amendment and the only speaker whose microphone was taken while still talking.
But I will go anywhere, anytime, to speak to anyone in defense our Second Amendment Rights, even when I know I will be the lone voice of reason in the wilderness of lies.
Schumer's Complaint About the Impeachment Trial
January 21, 2020 4:03pm
Democrats are complaining via Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer that the impeachment in the Senate is a trial with "no evidence, no existing record, no witnesses, no documents"
It's actually worse than that. It is a trial with no crime!
For what high crimes and misdemeanors was Trump impeached? Treason? Nope. Bribery? Nope. Extortion? Nope. Obstruction of justice? Nope. Quid-pro-quo? Nope. Fraud? Nope. Colluding with Russia? Nope. Cheating in the 2016 election? Nope. Violating the emoluments clause? Nope. Democrats have accused him of committing all those offenses. Yet not one of those was included in the Articles of Impeachment. Why not? Because they didn't happen.
Instead, Congress charged President Trump with "Abuse of Power" - a nebulous term that simply means "policy differences" and with "Obstruction of Congress," which is a non-existent crime conjured up by the Democrats.
The real abuse of power in this sordid affair is the Democrats attempting to use the impeachment process to do what the Constitution forbids - the recall of a duly-elected President due to partisan differences of opinion. It's disgraceful.
Dr. Martin Luther King's Birthday
January 20, 2020 7:47am
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. would have been 91 years old last Wednesday.
He accomplished more in 39 years than most people do in their entire lives. As we commemorate his birth today, reflect on how much better America is because he lived.
Why Such Urgency to Impeach?
January 15, 2020 5:32pm
Although Democrats claimed it was "urgent" that they impeach President Trump "without delay" to "save our country," Nancy Pelosi waited nearly a month to send the impeachment charges to the Senate for trial. Her delay was a disgusting, arrogant, and unconstitutional blackmail attempt to not only rule the House but to rule the Senate as well. She is a disgrace.
But what should happen now?
The Constitution very clearly states the House may impeach the president for "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors." Yet the Articles of Impeachment against Trump didn't allege any crime whatsoever. Not one. It was nothing but a partisan recall vote to undue the 2016 election.
Because the charges in the Articles of Impeachment are so nebulous and are not actual crimes, perhaps dismissing the impeachment case is the best course of action for the Senate to take.
But personally, I'd prefer to see a full trial where the House managers present their so-called "evidence," and the President mounts whatever defense he wants to present (including under oath - and thus subject to perjury - testimony from those who fabricated evidence, lied to the FISA courts, falsified affidavits, paid for the phony Steele dossier, and gave provably false "leaks" to the media designed to misinform the public and damage Trump).
The witness list should include former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, former FBI Directors Robert Mueller & James Comey, the so-called "whistleblower," and Congressmen Adam Schiff & Jerry Nadler.
Joe & Hunter Biden should also be called as witnesses if only to get them on the record under oath saying whether or not they enriched themselves via U.S. policy toward Ukraine, since what Trump wanted from Zelensky was an investigation in Ukraine that would answer that question.
It would also be fun to watch Barack Obama on the witness stand explaining his role in the spying that was done against the Trump Campaign during the 2016 election and subsequent transition.
It would be very worthwhile. But I won't hold my breath waiting for it.
Only two things are certain: 1) Trump will not be removed from office, and 2) Senate Republicans will completely botch their only opportunity to expose the Democrats' illegal conspiracy to frame Trump.
Congratulations to Ken Jennings, the Greatest Of All Time!
January 14, 2020 9:17pm
Congratulations to Ken Jennings, the Greatest Of All Time!
I always respected James Holzhauer's courage to go "all in" when he got Double Jeopardy questions. And while I'm not a fan of his bottom up clue selection strategy, I must acknowledge its effectiveness.
Ken Jennings had to up his wagering tonight to be aggressive against James. And it paid off for him. It helped that he had a one game cushion, however. So he could afford to take more risk than he otherwise would.
Brad Rutter choked on too many Double Jeopardy questions throughout the entire tournament.
As for me, the GOAT Tournament was very humbling. In regular Jeopardy games, I correctly answer 2/3 - 3/4 of the clues. In this GOAT Tournament, I was down to maybe 20%.
CLUE: "This man is obviously not as smart as he thinks he is"
ANSWER: "Who is Mike Bates?"
The Second Amendment is Under Attack in Tallahassee - By Republicans!
January 14, 2020 8:41 AM
The sixty day 2020 session of the Florida Legislature began this morning, and our Second Amendment Rights are under SERIOUS attack!
Senate President Bill Galvano's political committee has accepted $500,000 from Michael Bloomberg's deceptively-named "Everytown for Gun Safety" - an organization that advocates outlawing guns.
Don't erroneously think Bloomberg wants nothing in return for his money. In fact, the organization admitted that the half million dollar contribution was a reward for Galvano's aggressive help passing their favored gun control law in 2018, and they look forward to him enacting even stricter gun control laws this year.
As if 2018's blatantly unconstitutional SB 7026 wasn't bad enough, Galvano has announced that he intends to attack more of our Second Amendment Rights this year. He assigned the task of further infringing upon our Rights to Senator Tom Lee, (R-Thonotosassa) who eager accepted the role.
All who respect our Constitution MUST send a message to Tallahassee to keep their hands off our Rights. This event is part of that effort. It is a non-partisan rally in support of ONE ISSUE; our Second Amendment Rights.
The fight over gun control laws is a clear battle between those who support the Constitution of the United States and those who do not. Today's Democrats are dangerous enemies of our Republic. And Republicans are unreliable fair-weather friends. We cannot trust either party to protect our Rights!
Several elected officials and gun rights advocates are scheduled to speak. I will deliver a message in support of our Constitution and serve as Master of Ceremonies. This rally will happen rain or shine. If it's raining, we'll go indoors. It's this Saturday, January 18th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm at the Santa Rosa County Administrative Complex (6495 Highway 90 in Milton). I hope to see you there!
An article in the Pensacola News Journal about this event is at https://www.pnj.com/story/news/2020/01/09/santa-rosa-county-citizens-organize-second-amendment-rally/2825604001/?fbclid=IwAR3OYCQpWQmjk_M5B2nV4IWQrcLhwGctn7W2lbXVEN8lWwJ2roTRkFpQbfc
The last line in the story ("Firearms are not legally allowed to be carried on county property.") is not accurate. Guns ARE permitted on the property. We request that any firearms be properly holstered unless the need for their use arises, in which case judicious marksmanship would be appreciated.
We (the Public) Don't Yet Know the Results of this New Iranian Strike
January 8, 2020 12:58 AM
We (the public) don't yet know the results of this new Iranian strike. If it only damaged infrastructure, we can shrug it off and hope that's the end of the tit-for-tat exchange. But if the Iranians killed any Americans or allies, we must respond swiftly against them.
But the Democrats will denounce President Trump no matter what he does. If Obama had done exactly what Trump did, they'd be praising him. Such bitter partisanship by the Democrats is disgraceful. And dangerous.
People Don't Leave Bad Companies, They Leave Bad Managers.
January 7, 2020 9:39p
It is very true that "PEOPLE DON'T LEAVE BAD COMPANIES, THEY LEAVE BAD MANAGERS."
It doesn't matter how much an employee loves his job or loves his company; if the manager is horrible, it's time to leave. We spend too much of our lives on the job to remain in a toxic work environment where the manager is unethical, dishonest, oppressive, prone to arbitrary knee-jerk reactions, and imposes inconsistent application of so-called "policies."
There is a big difference between being a "boss" and being a "leader." A boss is obeyed by coercion. Employees follow a leader by choice.
Irrational tyrants should not run countries or companies.
https://www.facebook.com/StuderInstitute/photos/a.274221399445348/1404045653129578/?type=3&theater
Why Are Democrats Complaining About Soleimani's Death?
January 6, 2020 11:11a
Why are the Trump-hating, America-loathing, Muslim-sympathizing, Democrats complaining that President Trump killed General Soleimani?
In 2015, Soleimani told an Iranian news service, “Martyrdom is what I seek in mountains and valleys but isn’t granted yet.”
Well, President Trump just granted his wish.
Considering how Democrats love to appease Islamic terrorists, I would expect Trump to be celebrated for giving Soleimani what he desired.
No Decent American Wants War. And That Includes President Trump.
January 4, 2020 1:11p
No decent American wants war. And that includes President Trump. But the Iranians have been at war with us since 1979 when that weakling President Jimmy Carter pressured the pro-western Shah of Iran to abdicate power, aided Ayatollah Khomeini's return from exile in France, encouraged the Islamic Revolution, and then did nothing when our embassy in Tehran was invaded and our citizens taken hostage for 444 days..
In the past few months, the Iranians have harassed our ships, downed our drone, attacked a Saudi oil facility, killed an American defense contractor, wounded four servicemen, attacked our embassy in Baghdad, and more.
Responding without military force was clearly not deterring Iranian aggression. Hopefully, the death of General Soleimani will. But if it doesn't, we'll properly exchange tit-for-tat violence that is still well short of all out war.
Donald Trump did the right thing. How else should he have responded to Iran's acts of war? Do nothing like Jimmy Carter did? Or transfer billions of dollars to Iran like Barack Obama did?
If the Trump-hating Democrats had any decency about them, they'd be praising Soleimani's death to present a united front against our enemies. But since Democrats view Trump as the bigger enemy, they side with the Iranians; our actual enemy.
It's disgraceful. And dangerous.
General Soleimani Needed to Die
January 3, 2020 11:11p
General Soleimani needed to die. And President Trump's order to kill him was appropriate and lawful. Yet Democrats have criticized the attack as illegal, and the activists posing as journalists in the so-called "news" media have eagerly amplified Democrat lies.
For instance, it is widely reported that Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) tweeted that "America just assassinated" Soleimani "without any congressional authorization." That statement is an absolute lie.
Soleimani was in command of the Quds Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which is recognized as a terrorist organization under U.S. law. He was Iran's top terrorist.
Both houses of Congress authorized the use of military force against terrorists on September 14, 2001. That authorization (Public Law 107-40) has no expiration date. But don't take my word for it. Read it yourself at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-107publ40/pdf/PLAW-107publ40.pdf
I immediately knew Murphy's tweet was a deliberate lie. Why didn't the press? Actually, the press did know it was false. But they reported it anyway knowing it would hurt Trump because most people are too ignorant to know the truth and would lap up the lie as if it's the nectar of the gods.
To be clear, Murphy did tweet it, so this is not an example of fake news. But it is an example of dishonest propaganda masquerading as news. And it's disgusting.
Jimmy Carter is the Godfather of Modern Islamic Terrorism
January 3, 2020 2:22p
While the propagandists in the so-called "news" media are busy amplifying Democrat condemnation of President Trump for ordering the death of Iran's top terrorist, it is important to have some historical perspective on how this all began.
Jimmy Carter is the godfather of modern Islamic Terrorism. He pressured the pro-western Shah of Iran to abdicate power, aided Ayatollah Khomeini's return from exile in France, encouraged the Islamic Revolution, and then did nothing when our embassy in Tehran was invaded and our citizens taken hostage for 444 days.
It was Carter's complicity and weakness that emboldened the Islamic terrorists into believing the U.S. would not oppose them; not just Iranian terrorists but Islamic terrorists worldwide.
Donald Trump has many flaws. But at least he understands that Iran cannot be allowed to continue killing Americans without consequences.
Soleimani's death was in response to Iranian militias killing Americans in Iraq last week and storming our embassy in Baghdad this week. And it was completely appropriate.
The Difference Between Obama & Trump
December 20, 2019 10:33p
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBAMA & TRUMP:
Obama violated the Constitution but was not impeached.
Trump was impeached but did not violate the Constitution.
Today is a Sad Day for Our Country and Our Constitution
December 18, 2019 8:18p
Today is a sad day for our country and our Constitution.
Weeks ago, I predicted the House of Representatives would vote AGAINST impeaching President Trump. I believed at least 19 Democrats would put respect for our Constitution above their hatred of Donald Trump. I was wrong. This evening, Donald Trump will be impeached.
Donald Trump has many flaws. But he has done nothing to deserve impeachment. That the bitter partisan Democrats will impeach him is disgraceful.
For what high crimes and misdemeanors will he be impeached? Treason? Nope. Bribery? Nope. Extortion? Nope. Obstruction of justice? Nope. Quid-pro-quo? Nope. Fraud? Nope. Colluding with Russia? Nope. Cheating in the 2016 election? Nope. Democrats have accused him of committing all those offenses. Yet not one of those was included in the Articles of Impeachment. Why not? Because they didn't happen.
Instead, Congress charged President Trump with "Abuse of Power" - a nebulous term that simply means "policy differences" in the real world. Nothing Trump did vis a vis Ukraine or his response to the impeachment process was unlawful or beyond the constitutional authority of his office.
Trump was also charged with "Obstruction of Congress," which is a non-existent crime conjured up by the Democrats. While the crime of "Contempt of Congress" exists, it is not a crime the President committed. The legislative branch is not superior to the executive branch. There is no need for the President to comply with congressional subpoenas unless/until the courts direct him to do so (or judicial precedent has established the obligation). The Supreme Court has never addressed whether White House officials can refuse to testify in a criminal investigation potentially involving the President's conduct. But the Supreme Court just granted a writ of certiorari on this very issue vis a vis the impeachment, so perhaps we'll soon get a precedent to follow in the future.
To impeach the President for defending the executive branch's equality is actually the House Democrats shamefully committing real "abuse of power" and "obstruction of our Constitution." It is disgraceful and dangerous. Their short-term political gain will result in long-term damage to our system of government. But few Democrats care about that. They will score a few points against a man they hate. That they eviscerate our Constitution to do so is immaterial to them. They are motivated by only two things: hate and power.
Democrats will celebrate the impeachment. But it will be a Pyrrhic victory. It is certain that President Trump will remain in office until noon on January 20th. It remains to be seen whether that will be January of 2021 or 2025.
Democrats Keep Repeating the Same Lie
December 13, 2019 7:47p
When describing why the House should proceed with impeachment with less than a year to the next election and despite there being no "high crime or misdemeanor" committed by President Trump while in office, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff said, “The argument, 'Why don't you just wait?', amounts to this: Why don't you just let him cheat in one more election? Why not let him cheat just one more time?"
BUT TRUMP DID NOT CHEAT IN THE 2016 ELECTION!!!
This is a classic example of how the so-called "news" media acts as activist propagandists for the Democrats. Anyone with the slightest bit of honestly knows that what Schiff said was an outright and provably false lie. Trump defeated Hillary fair and square. Yet the dishonest press amplifies Schiff's lie as if it's the Nectar of the Gods.
Schiff did actually say those words, so this is not an example of "fake news." But it is an example of "dishonest news." And it's disgraceful.
Trump was correct when he said the press was “the enemy of the people." The Democrats and the media - but I repeat myself - are dangerous enemies of the truth, the people, and our Republic.
https://theweek.com/speedreads/883311/schiff-argues-waiting-impeachment-letting-trump-cheat-just-more-time
Quid Pro Quo? Uh, No.
November 23, 2019 9:39p
The so-called "news media" has been falsely reporting that the Ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, "testified under oath that there was a quid pro quo."
That biased claim is both true and false. Sondland did say there was a quid pro quo. But he also testified that it was HIS OPINION there was a quid pro quo despite also testifying that President Trump SPECIFICALLY TOLD HIM THERE WAS NO QUID PRO QUO.
So what's the truth? Well, facts trump - if you'll pardon the expression - facts trump opinion, so the FACT is there was no quid pro quo. The dishonest reports to the contrary are disgraceful. At the very least, the so-called "journalists" should have reported that it was Sondland's opinion, and that it contradicted Trump's statement.
But I suppose expecting truth from today’s “journalists” is asking too much.
The Impeachment is Really About Policy Differences
November 15, 2019 6:36p
Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the President. Any president may fire any ambassador for any reason he wants (absent bribery).
This entire impeachment charade is the Democrats trying to oust the duly-elected President of the United States over policy differences. And those policies are 100% within the constitutional jurisdiction of the Executive Branch.
In other words, Democrats are pursuing impeachment solely because they hate that Donald Trump is doing the job they believe Hillary should be doing.
Impeachment Theme Song
November 14, 2019 8:18am
This impeachment charade needs a theme song. I recommend "Take It on the Run" by REO Speedwagon.
For those of you unfamiliar with the lyrics, it begins with "Heard it from a friend who heard it from a friend who heard it from another you've been messin' around..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcKFtyy1FPM