The House Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021, insurrection completed their work today. The Select Committee accused former President Donald J. Trump on Monday of inciting insurrection, conspiracy to defraud the United States, obstruction of an act of Congress and conspiracy to make a false statement. The charges were referred to the Justice Department for potential prosecution.
It is the first time in American history that Congress has referred a former president for criminal prosecution. The committee referred five other Trump allies — Mark Meadows, his final chief of staff, and the lawyers Rudolph W. Giuliani, John Eastman, Jeffrey Clark and Kenneth Chesebro — for potential prosecution for actions the committee said warranted Justice Department investigation. The Select Committee will release its finding to the public, where we can view it and draw our own conclusions.
The committee provided a great service to our country by digging deep and letting the facts tell the story. An ongoing theme throughout the investigation was that most of the information provided at the hearings was provided by the former president’s closest allies, using text messages, emails, voice messages and testimony provided under oath. The facts were the story.
Regardless of what happens with the Justice Department investigation, it is up to us, the citizens of the U.S., to review the information and allow the court of public opinion to decide the political fate of the former president. That is what we control. We need to get to work and do our homework prior to the next election cycle of 2024.
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The NY Times would like to have a mulligan on Sunday’s crossword puzzle. In this day and age when anything can become political, the NY Times is finding out the hard way that even something as simple as a crossword puzzle design can create a stir.
According to some, the design of Sunday’s puzzle resembles a swastika, and the NY Times was insensitive to the start of Hanukkah. I am sure there was no ill intent, but in today’s day and age, even the most innocent comments or actions can result in unintended consequences. A NY Times spokesperson told the DailyMail.com “This is a common crossword design: Many open grids in crosswords have a similar spiral pattern because of the rules around rotational symmetry and black squares.”
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Leah and I had a great weekend with Katy’s three kids, Alaina, Nolan, and Kaylen. It was an action packed 24 hours. Alaina, Nolan and I went to the U of M Basketball game on Saturday followed by pizza and a sleepover. We woke up Sunday morning and we all went to the gym. There is nothing better for young kids than being cooped up in a racquetball court, with a ball and a racquet, when you can hit the ball in any direction and it always comes back to you. They could yell and scream to their hearts content. Combine that with a few minutes on the heavy punching bag and we had some tired grandkids. Following a trip to Dom Bakery, it was soon time for mom and dad to show up and relieve us of our duties.
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During late morning on Sunday, I was tracking the World Cup final on my phone. After France tied it up 2-2, I decided I would watch the end of the game. I was glad I did. I saw more action in the last 10 minutes of regulation, the extra time, and the two 15-minute overtimes, than I saw in all the previous games combined. To top it off, the two stars Messi and Mbappe shined the brightest. Even the shootout was exciting. Finally, I was able to see what others see in soccer.
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Quote of the Day: “Oh Baby, how big is that?” Lions radio announcer Dan Miller after Brock Wright scored on a 51-yard catch and run for the Lions with less than two minutes remaining in the game versus the NY. Jets.
Orchid of the Day: The Detroit Lions, who else?
Onion of the Day: NY Times. See above.
Question of the Day: How about those Lions?
Video of the Day: Dan Miller as only Dan Miller can call it.