A Perfect Choice for Attorney General
When you are a convicted felon, who has also been found guilty of rape and sexual assault in a civil court, choosing Mark Gaetz is the perfect choice to be Attorney General. Gaetz, who was investigated for child sex trafficking and is currently under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for a whole host of improprieties, will be the perfect AG for Trump.
Per the NY Times, Mr. Gaetz, who has been one of Mr. Trump’s fiercest attack dogs on Capitol Hill, has routinely used his position on the House Judiciary Committee to question the motives of Justice Department officials and rail against what he has called the “deep state.” He was also investigated by the Justice Department for child sex trafficking, though Mr. Gaetz was never charged with any crimes.
But Mr. Gaetz, who was just re-elected to a fifth term, remains under ethics investigation for his conduct, which includes allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug use; sharing inappropriate images or videos on the House floor; misusing state identification records; converting campaign funds to personal use; and accepting impermissible gifts under House rules. Mr. Gaetz has denied the allegations as political payback and said they are built on lies.
Senate Republicans reacted with alarm and dismay to President-elect Donald J. Trump’s decision to nominate Representative Matt Gaetz, Republican of Florida, for attorney general, and several said they were skeptical that he would be able to secure enough votes for confirmation.
“He’s got his work really cut out for him,” Senator Joni Ernst, Republican of Iowa, said, chuckling as she spoke.
Senator John Cornyn, Republican of Texas, raised his eyebrows when reporters informed him of Mr. Trump’s choice. “I’m still trying to absorb all this,” he said, adding: “I don’t really know him, other than his public persona.”
“I was shocked by the announcement — that shows why the advise and consent process is so important,” said Senator Susan Collins, a Maine Republican, who has sometimes clashed with Mr. Trump. “I’m sure that there will be a lot of questions raised at his hearing.”
“I don’t think he’s a serious candidate,” Senator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican who also has broken with Mr. Trump frequently, said of Mr. Gaetz.
Even some of Mr. Trump’s stalwart supporters declined to offer support.
Senator John Barrasso, Republican of Wyoming, refused to speak specifically about Mr. Gaetz’s candidacy, repeating that he was looking forward to all of Mr. Trump’s nominees receiving confirmation hearings and getting the president-elect’s cabinet in place.
Senator Chuck Grassley, Republican of Iowa and a former chair of the Judiciary Committee, stood expressionless as reporters asked him if he had any concerns about Gaetz, refusing to answer.
Is it any wonder, Mr. Trump has called on Senate Republicans to allow him to circumvent the confirmation process by calling recesses during which he could install personnel without Senate approval?
Note: As I am proofreading this blog, Gaetz has resigned from his position as a member of the House of Representative. This resignation ends the House investigation.
Quote of the Day
Excerpts from Joyce Vance’s Civil Discourse: “For many people, the rule of law has become a laughingstock, a joke. But hear me out on this—abandoning the rule of law is not the path forward for us. Insisting on it, demanding that it still apply, is.
We don’t know for certain what the district attorney or the special counsel will do yet. It seems very likely these developments signal the end of the criminal prosecutions of Donald Trump, although one or both of them may still have a final move. Either way, it’s the start of a long four years—hopefully that’s all it will be. We have to hold tightly to as many of our laws, norms, and democratic values as we can, because we’re going to need them to get through this. So, let’s acknowledge that the rule of law has been bloodied by Donald Trump and that we don’t like it. It’s unfair, and it’s un-American. But instead of abandoning principle, let’s make sure everyone understands what a travesty this is. And as we gear up for the near-certainty Trump will pardon January 6 rioters, let’s understand what that means. It’s a stain upon justice. It’s unacceptable.”
The next four years are going to be a major test for our country. Are we going to be a country ruled by laws, or are we going to be a country where the rule of law is applied selectively and the president and those closest to him are above the law? It is my Question of the Day.
Online Gambling
This should not be a surprise. If you make it easy people will come.
Per Bridge Michigan today, playing casino games and placing sports bets from phones, computers and tablets is not just convenient; it’s a boon to the state’s tax coffers, to the tune of $354 million last year.
Michigan leads the nation in online gambling revenue, with $6.8 billion bet last year. That’s the equivalent of $822 per adult, dwarfing the $1.2 billion wagered in-person in Michigan’s casinos and $4.9 billion on lottery purchases.
For some residents, though, the personal cost is high. Calls to a state problem-gambling helpline have tripled since Michigan legalized online casino games and sports gambling in 2021. The state has boosted spending on programs to help, but advocates say more is needed.
My $50 bet on the Tigers and my $50 bet on the Pistons over the course of their seasons seems paltry when compared to the average of $822 per adult.
College Athletics is a Big Time Business
As a season ticket holder for U of M football, I receive M Magazine, a quarterly publication by the U of M Athletic Department. This quarter’s magazine had the Athletic Department’s financial statements for the recently completed June 30, 2024, fiscal year. Here are some highlights.
Ticket Sales $73.2 million
Conference Distributions (TV, NCAA, Bowl Game) $75.4 million
Corporate Sponsorship and Media Rights $22.6 million
Total Revenue $255.5 million
Salaries and Wages $ 95.8 million
Financial aid to student athletes $ 35.0 million
Team and Game Expenses $ 49.7 million
Debt Service Payment $17.5 million
Total Expenses $253.6 million
Surplus $ 2.1 million
Michigan is one of only a handful of college athletic departments who consistently have a surplus from year to year. There are over 1,000 college athletic departments in the U.S. who are not self-supporting and require support from the colleges’ general funds to cover their annual shortfalls.
Quote of the Day: See above from Joyce Vance
Orchid of the Day: Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced he will be stepping down at the end of his fourth term. Duggan has done so much to help rebuild Detroit. We can never forget that he won his first term as a write-in candidate.
Onion of the Day: The Rule of Law if Matt Gaetz gets confirmed as AG.
Question of the Day: Are we going to be a country ruled by laws, or are we going to be a country where the rule of law is applied selectively and the president and those closest to him are above the law?
Video of the Day: Lions’ Brian Branch: Dan Campbell makes us want to run through a brick wall | PSNFF | NFL on NBC
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