Speaker Johnson
I may not agree with Republican Speaker Johnson on most of his politics, but I have no problem giving him credit for standing up to the MAGA extremists and the former president. He did it again today as he partnered with House Democrats to pass a short-term spending bill to avert a government shutdown just ahead of the November elections, sending the legislation to President Biden’s desk but punting a bigger funding fight to the end of the year.
Former president 45 was very vocal about not approving any spending bills that did that did not include a requirement to show proof of citizenship to register to vote. Once again Speaker Johnson used Democrats support to pass the legislation. See the following from the NY Times.
In a pair of votes in quick succession, lawmakers in both chambers overwhelmingly voted to pass the measure to keep federal funding flowing through Dec. 20. The Senate vote was 78 to 18. All the “no” votes were Republicans.
Less than two hours before, the House approved the bill in a 341 to 82 vote, with a majority of the Republican conference and all Democrats present linking arms to pass the legislation.
Speaker Mike Johnson again turned to Democrats to supply the bulk of the votes after conservatives in his own conference said they would not support the legislation because it would not cut spending and did not include a measure imposing new proof-of-citizenship requirements on voter registration.
He brought the legislation to a vote using a special procedure to pass the bill that requires the support of two-thirds of those voting in an effort to circumvent any attempt by hard-liners to block consideration of the measure.
Israel
From Thomas Friedman, NYTimes Opinion writer.
What would you do?
There is no other question that Israel’s government has posed to the world more often since Hamas invaded Israel on Oct. 7 and Hezbollah attacked Israel on Oct. 8.
What would your country do if terrorists crossed your western border and killed, maimed, kidnapped or sexually abused hundreds of Israelis they encountered and the next day their Hezbollah allies sent rockets over your northern border, driving away thousands of civilians — all cheered on by Iran?
What would you do?
It is a powerful and relevant question and one that Israel’s critics often dodge.
But they aren’t the only ones dodging it.
This Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, wants you and me and every Israeli and all of Israel’s friends — and even enemies — to believe that there was always only one right answer to that question: Invade Gaza, hunt down every Hamas leader and fighter, kill every last one and not be deterred by the civilian casualties, then pummel Hezbollah in Lebanon — and do both without spending time planning an exit strategy for either.
I’ve argued from Day 1 that it was a trap, a trap I’m sorry to say the Biden administration was not firm enough in stopping Israel from falling into and not firm enough in insisting on a better road, a road not taken.
This is no time to be pulling punches. The Jewish state of Israel is in grave, grave danger today. And the danger comes from both Iran and the current Israeli ruling coalition.
Here is a link to the full article
Opinion | Why Everything Is Suddenly Spiraling for Israel – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Magic Number is Three
It has been a long time since Tiger fans have had a magic number to track. After tonight’s 7-1 win over Tampa, any combination of Tiger wins or Twins losses adding to three and the Tigers are in the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.
Project 2025-The opening paragraphs from A Note On Project 2025, page xiii.
We want you! The 2025 Presidential Transition Project is the conservative movement’s unified effort to be ready for the next conservative Administration to govern at 12:00 noon, January 20, 2025. Welcome to the mission. By opening this book, you are now a part of it. Indeed, one set of eyes reading these passages will be those of the 47th President of the United States, and we hope every other reader will join in making the incoming Administration a success. History teaches that a President’s power to implement an agenda is at its apex during the Administration’s opening days. To execute requires a well-conceived, coordinated, unified plan and a trained and committed cadre of personnel to implement it. In recent election cycles, presidential candidates normally began transition planning in the late spring of election year or even after the party’s nomination was secured. That is too late. The federal government’s complexity and growth advance at a seemingly logarithmic rate every four years. For conservatives to have a fighting chance to take on the Administrative State and reform our federal government, the work must start now. The entirety of this effort is to support the next conservative President, whoever he or she may be.
More to come on Project 2025.
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Quote of the Day: “I promise you I will be pragmatic in my approach,” she said. “I will engage in what Franklin Roosevelt called bold, persistent experimentation. Because I believe we shouldn’t be constrained by ideology, and instead should seek practical solutions to problems, realistic assessments of what is working and what is not, applying metrics to our analysis, applying facts to our analysis and stay focused, then, not only on the crises at hand but on our big goals, on what’s best for America over the long term.” “Look, I am a capitalist.” Kamala Harris, introducing her economic policy.
Orchid of the Day: Richard Goodall, the elementary school janitor, for winning the $1,000,000 prize on this year’s America’s Got Talent. See my Video of the Day.
Onion of the Day: Me. While golfing at Bay Harbor today, I paid $4.75 for a bottle of Smart Water. Obviously, it is not working.
Question of the Day: Did anyone in this area think the Lions would be taking a back seat to the Tigers as the talk of the town at this time of year?
Video of the Day:
Hey Biggsie, good job. All very serious topics that require our attention. And you know my politics.
I think you’re ready for syndication.
I especially loved the Smart Water comment.
boz