Bear Pit: now the sole domicile of politics at LuLa

[John Camp]

If you ever see me playing golf, please do the decent thing and shoot me.

I've said the same thing about bolo ties...

In any case, *most* people who put down golf are simply ignorant, IMHO, or people who think there is some kind of capitalist bias to the game (it's for rich folks.) In fact, most American golfers play on public daily-fee courses; I'm unsure of how it works in Britain. *Most* critics have never played, or only fooled around on a driving range, and have never understood the game. It's the only sport that I can think of that can be played and fully enjoyed solo. Further, it's the most intellectual of sports. It's been said that the best predictor of success in golf is success in poker or bridge, the ability to calculate and then act on your calculations rather than on hope. On the other hand, while you have to understand that risks should most often be avoided, sometimes, they must be taken. I believe this is why virtually all presidents play golf, because what the game insists on teaching you about risk and reward. The director of a Washington DC golf course most often played by Presidents before Trump said that Kennedy was the best Presidential golfer he'd seen. Since William Howard Taft near the turn of the century, the only US presidents who haven't played golf were Hoover, Truman and Carter. A golf magazine calculated that Obama played about once every nine days. Alan Shepard hit a golf ball on the moon. And so on. 

[digitaldog]

Back to helping out Americans and Covid-19, money spent under Trump etc. From "The Week" (Trumps Border Wall):

The administration has spent more than $8 billion of the $15 billion allocated so far, making the wall one of the largest infrastructure projects in American history. Only $4.5 billion was actually authorized by Congress, with the rest seized from Pentagon construction and counternarcotics funding and the Treasury Forfeiture Fund.

Over four years, he’s constructed 415 miles, although of that total, only about 25 miles cover areas that had no previous barriers. The rest replaced or reinforced existing structures

Does the wall work?
Trump says the wall is “virtually impenetrable.” But The Washington Post has documented that drug smugglers and migrants have been sawing through the bollards in minutes with a $100 household reciprocating saw. Some migrants have used ladders or simply shimmy up over the top of the wall. Massive drug trafficking continues, with much of it coming across the border hidden in trucks carrying commercial cargo.

President Trump continued to insist right up to the election that Mexico was indeed paying for the wall. “Mexico is paying,” he recently said at a campaign rally in Sanford, Fla. “They hate to hear that,” he reiterated in Johnstown, Pa. “But they’re paying.” He has also falsely claimed that a tax on money that immigrants send to their native countries is financing the wall, as well as a tax on cars and trucks crossing the border. These new taxes do not exist. On other occasions, he has claimed that the U.S-Mexico-Canada trade agreement, or USMCA, clawed back money from Mexico to pay for the wall. The White House has even published a position paper on all the ways that Mexico would be made to pay. None of that is true, said Tony Payan, director of the Center for the United States and Mexico at Rice University. “It is, so far, all American taxpayers’ money,” Payan said.

$8 billion of the $15 billion allocated to those suffering from Covid-19; money better spent that wasn't. Hopefully this will come soon (not soon enough): Hill leaders eye new round of stimulus checks as part of $900 billion Covid relief deal

President-elect Joe Biden has said “there will not be another foot of wall constructed in my administration,” although he’s indicated that he has no plans to tear down what’s been built already. Biden has said he prefers “smart” border security achieved by installing surveillance systems, sensors, and lighting, rather than barriers.

[Craig Lamson]

No. The Supreme Court of Wisconsin did not say that "votes were likely [cast] illegally". It issued a final declaration clarifying conflicting interpretations of statutory language as it related to an "erroneous" interpretation by a county that was corrected in March, at the beginning of pandemic restrictions, with a preliminary injunction from the Court prior to their April 7, 2020 primary election. That preliminary injunction remained in effect and no votes were effected in the November 3rd presidential election by the earlier "erroneous" county interpretation of the statutory language back in March.

The case revolved around a county's interpretation, in March when the first pandemic restrictions were ordered, of the phrase "indefinitely confined" as used in multiple Wisconsin election statutes, sections, and subsections. The December 14th declaration by the Wisconsin Supreme Court simply made final their interpretation of "indefinitely confined" as it was defined in their March preliminary injunction. The Court did what courts often do; it took statutory language in one statute that could be interpreted differently from the identical language in another statute and clarified the definition, interpretation, and application across all of the statues and their sections and subsections. The purpose of the declaration as stated in their opinion was to avoid repetition of any "erroneous" interpretation going forward.

You will find use of the word erroneous several times in the opinions and declaration of the Court. What you will not find are the words illegal or illegally anywhere in the document. You will also not find any mention of votes, vote, or voters in either the majority opinion or final declaration; although those words do appear several times in the dissenting opinions due to their concern over protection of voters rights.

The case is Jefferson v. Dane County which was decided separately from Donald J. Trump v. Joseph R. Biden both decided on the same day, December 14, 2020. In neither case does the Court say in their opinion, judgement, or declaration that "votes were likely [cast] illegally". The only time those words are used in either of the two cases is in Trump v. Biden and there only in discussing the claims and assertions made by the Trump campaign and NOT in any findings of the Wisconsin Supreme Court which affirmed the decision of the circuit court in rejecting those claims.

So let’s review.  The law says indefinitely confined does not include being afraid of Covid.  So some counties told voters they could vote by mail by claiming indefinite confinement because they were afraid of Covid.  Some did.  Of course the law says you can’t do that.  So what makes those votes, not illegal?   Nothing.

It’s fraud.

[digitaldog]

So what makes those votes, not illegal?

The ruling of Supreme Court of Wisconsin.
So let’s review.
As shown and of course ignored: What you will not find are the words illegal or illegally anywhere in the document.

[digitaldog]

Glad to see Trump is concentrating on the important aspects of our country after 300,000 dead from the pandemic, this make America Great again act just in:

In one of its closing acts, the Trump administration this week finalized two new rules rolling back water efficiency standards on showerheads and laundry machines.
For much of the past year, Trump has taken aim at the water standards governing toilets, showers and other household appliances as part of his broader efforts to roll back regulations.

Well sure, if you're as full of crap as this guy, having the toilet flush 10 gallons at the very least is necessary. 

[faberryman]

A slightly more in-depth analysis:

The US government changed the rules to allow more powerful showers after Trump complained about not getting enough water to wash his hair

"An Obama-era restriction on showerheads was rolled back on Tuesday, after President Donald Trump complained about showers not providing enough water to wash his hair."

"During a White House event back in July, Trump expressed a grievance with the water output of showerheads, according to Reuters."

"Trump complained that showerheads under the Obama-era rule put out too little water to do a good job."

"So what do you do? You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair  — I don't know about you — but it has to be perfect," he said at the event."

https://www.businessinsider.com/us-rolls-back-shower-restrictions-after-trump-complained-2020-12

Do you know how I know Trump is an idiot? He doesn't know that to get more water flow from your shower head, you simply unscrew the showerhead, remove the little perforated disc that has the fancy name "flow restrictor", and screw the showerhead back on. Even if he knew how, Trump would probably have a plumber come in and do it for him, and then stiff the plumber on the bill because it was such an easy fix.

That, and his hair is not, and has never been, perfect by any stretch of the imagination. A perfect comb-over is an oxymoron. And before you Trump supporters get all apoplectic about it, Biden's hair plugs aren't any better.

[Craig Lamson]

The ruling of Supreme Court of Wisconsin.
So let’s review.
As shown and of course ignored: What you will not find are the words illegal or illegally anywhere in the document.

“Furthermore, if individual electors did not follow the statutory mandate and continued to vote as indefinitely confined, despite no longer meeting the statutory requirements, they would cast their votes contrary to the statute. In turn, because compliance with the absentee ballot process is mandatory, their ballots would not count.”

Illegal votes....

[TechTalk]

So let’s review.  The law says indefinitely confined does not include being afraid of Covid.  So some counties told voters they could vote by mail by claiming indefinite confinement because they were afraid of Covid.  Some did.  Of course the law says you can’t do that.  So what makes those votes, not illegal?   Nothing.

It’s fraud.

You can claim anything that you like, just as the Trump campaign has. It most definitely is NOT what the Wisconsin Supreme Court said anywhere as you have asserted.

If you want to get into a dissection of the opinion and declaration of the Court, feel free. You may want to review it first along with reviewing the Wisconsin statutes and their language that were discussed in the background and opinion.

https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/Jefferson v. Dane

And nowhere in the law or Court opinion does anything remotely resembling "because they were afraid of Covid" or "The law says indefinitely confined does not include being afraid of Covid." appear because that was not the issue being resolved. It was vastly more legally complex and subtle than your understanding of it appears to be.

[JoeKitchen]

A slightly more in-depth analysis:

The US government changed the rules to allow more powerful showers after Trump complained about not getting enough water to wash his hair

"An Obama-era restriction on showerheads was rolled back on Tuesday, after President Donald Trump complained about showers not providing enough water to wash his hair."

"During a White House event back in July, Trump expressed a grievance with the water output of showerheads, according to Reuters."

"Trump complained that showerheads under the Obama-era rule put out too little water to do a good job."

"So what do you do? You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair  — I don't know about you — but it has to be perfect," he said at the event."

https://www.businessinsider.com/us-rolls-back-shower-restrictions-after-trump-complained-2020-12

Do you know how I know Trump is an idiot? He doesn't know that to get more water flow from your shower head, you simply unscrew the showerhead, remove the little perforated disc that has the fancy name "flow restrictor", and screw the showerhead back on. Even if he knew how, Trump would probably have a plumber come in and do it for him, and then stiff the plumber on the bill because it was such an easy fix.

This regulation was always stupid and easy to get around.  A shower head only needed follow this if it was a minimum height in the shower, which was pretty high.  Many rich homes I photographed got around this by placing two or three additional shower heads just below this level.  These additional heads could even be hooked to a flexible neck to be position above the shower taker.  Hence the commercials that we started seeing right after this with several shower heads going off at once; those showers actually existed. 

Insofar as removing that flow calibrator, this is not necessarily a solution.  In order to pass code and have a CO issued, things like this will be checked.  Contractors cant do it for the homeowner, and so homeowners, with lots of money to burn, just have them install more heads. 

[Craig Lamson]

You can claim anything that you like, just as the Trump campaign has. It most definitely is NOT what the Wisconsin Supreme Court said anywhere as you have asserted.

If you want to get into a dissection of the opinion and declaration of the Court, feel free. You may want to review it first along with reviewing the Wisconsin statutes and their language that were discussed in the background and opinion.

https://www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/Jefferson v. Dane

And nowhere in the law or Court opinion does anything remotely resembling "because they were afraid of Covid" or "The law says indefinitely confined does not include being afraid of Covid." appear because that was not the issue being resolved. It was vastly more legally complex and subtle than your understanding of it appears to be.

It’s not complex at all.

You can’t claim you are indefinitely confined because of Covid or any other declared health emergency, or a governors orders.   If you do and you vote, your vote is illegal.  People appeared to do so during the Presidential election based on the massive numbers of voters claiming indefinite confinement.

Wrap it in all the legalese you wish.  The above cuts to the chase.  Bloviate all you wish, it won’t change a thing.

[James Clark]

So let’s review.  The law says indefinitely confined does not include being afraid of Covid.  So some counties told voters they could vote by mail by claiming indefinite confinement because they were afraid of Covid.  Some did.  Of course the law says you can’t do that.  So what makes those votes, not illegal?   Nothing.

It’s fraud.

It's not fraud.     

[digitaldog]

You can claim anything that you like, just as the Trump campaign has. It most definitely is NOT what the Wisconsin Supreme Court said anywhere as you have asserted.

It is impossible to puncture the unreality bubble surrounding this fact denier. We can only attempt to explain the facts and the results those with open minds to facts and truth. All he's doing is screaming for attention, he's getting it, it's not doing him any good.
He is right in one respect only, facts and the results: It’s not complex at all.

[Craig Lamson]

It's not fraud. 

If you say so, but I’ll disagree.

[Craig Lamson]

It is impossible to puncture the unreality bubble surrounding this fact denier. We can only attempt to explain the facts and the results those with open minds to facts and truth. All he's doing is screaming for attention, he's getting it, it's not doing him any good.
He is right in one respect only, facts and the results: It’s not complex at all.

You really are clueless.  I think our new puppy has more intelligence than you.

[digitaldog]

This regulation was always stupid and easy to get around. 

Sure. It's the priorities of this admin, and what he's doing until pardon time (and what else?) that's sad.
January 20th can't get here fast enough. 
Meanwhile, poor Pompeo is quarantining, his party for 900 was a sham (hundreds didn't show up yesterday) and some for today were canceled. So shower heads and parties, what are these guys smoking?

[digitaldog]

You really are clueless.  I think our new puppy has more intelligence than you.

Ah, just another post from LuLa's own baby Trump. I'll add that to your paper trail of juvenile writings here. 
No, you're not thinking, you're just reacting. Poorly, immaturely, and as expected.

[faberryman]

Insofar as removing that flow calibrator, this is not necessarily a solution.  In order to pass code and have a CO issued, things like this will be checked.  Contractors cant do it for the homeowner, and so homeowners, with lots of money to burn, just have them install more heads.

I guess I am lucky. The building inspector hasn't made a random visit to my home to check my showerheads since I moved in in 1996. I guess it is possible that the building inspector has his agents staked out down in the plumbing aisle at Home Depot, and if you buy a showerhead, they could follow you back home, note your address, and then come back a few days later for a surprise inspection, and nail you if they find you have removed the disc. I guess I am not as risk adverse as I thought I was. On the one hand I wear a mask to minimize the risk that I contract or transmit COVID; on the other hand I take the flow restrictor out of my showerhead and risk a surprise visit from the building inspector. What can I say?

[Craig Lamson]

Ah, just another post from LuLa's own baby Trump. I'll add that to your paper trail of juvenile writings here. 
No, you're not thinking, you're just reacting. Poorly, immaturely, and as expected.

Too bad for you, I’m right.

You got nothing, dog.

[Frans Waterlander]

Glad to see Trump is concentrating on the important aspects of our country after 300,000 dead from the pandemic, this make America Great again act just in:Well sure, if you're as full of crap as this guy, having the toilet flush 10 gallons at the very least is necessary. 

Very classy, Andrew.

[digitaldog]

Too bad for you, I’m right.
You got nothing, dog.

Yes, you've illustrated you are a legend in your own minds.
🎻 I've got plenty of nothing, and nothing is plenty for me. ♭
Don't work yourself up too much bud, that aneurysm and resulting head explosion might spare a dose of vaccine for someone who could really use it.