“Of course size matters. No one wants a small glass of wine.”
–The Tao Of Frank.
The federal government is proceeding to yet another Democrat caused partial shutdown. The sticking point is funding for the Department of Homeland Security. This would include ICE and the Border Patrol, as well as the Secret Service, FEMA, TSA, and the Coast Guard. Democrats, realizing the havoc would cause if an agency such as TSA was not funded, now want to fund everything but ICE and the Border Patrol. No. Republicans should reject any attempt to isolate ICE and the Border Patrol.
President Trump announced a new discount prescription medicine marketplace, where Americans can buy their drugs at significantly lower prices. Naturally, the Democrats are against it. They would prefer Americans to continue to pay high prices for prescription drugs than give the President any credit for lowering prices. TDS.
“Harvard is woke. The War Department is not.”
–Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, explaining why the federal government is cutting all military education programs and ties with Harvard University.
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that the federal government could hold illegal aliens in detention while they fight deportation. Common sense. WINNING!
“It’s a completely lawless agency right now with no accountability. And she is just outright lying to the American people repeatedly, and has demonstrated herself to be completely unqualified and incompetent.”
–Representative Dan Goldman (D. N.Y.), criticizing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
Congressional Democrats are demanding massive changes in exchange for funding the Department of Homeland Security, including:
- Requiring judicial warrants before entering private homes or property.
- Banning agents from wearing masks and mandating clearly visible identification.
- Restricting enforcement operations near “sensitive locations” like hospitals, schools, churches, and polling places.
- Prohibiting profiling based on race, ethnicity, language, accent, job, or neighborhood.
- Tightening use‑of‑force standards and suspending agents involved in shootings while investigations are pending.
- Requiring greater cooperation with state and local authorities and investigators.
- Guaranteeing access to legal counsel and congressional oversight visits in detention facilities.
- Mandating body‑worn cameras with limits on how footage can be used.
- “Demilitarizing” ICE by standardizing and toning down uniforms, gear, and weapons so routine operations look less like paramilitary raids.
These changes are not going to happen. But Democrats have added another big demand, that is definitely not going to happen–Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem must go. Even if President Trump wanted to fire her, he cannot do so now.
Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D. N.Y.) called the requirement of a photo ID and proof of citizenship, as proposed by Republicans, amounts to “voter suppression”. How is it “voter suppression” to keep aliens from voting?
Representative Maxine Watters (D. Ca.) announced that she would “not honor” President Trump by attending the State of the Union address. She will not be missed.
Representative Ilhan Omar (D. Mn.) praised Cuba, and condemned the United States for exerting economic pressure on Cuba. Why does she not move there?
Senator Mark Warner (D. Va.) went on NBC News and attacked Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, claiming that she was “sitting on” an explosive whistleblower complaint. Senator Warner did not specify what the complaint involved, citing only a vague news account with only anonymous sources. It was clear that Senator Warner was just enjoying himself, slinging mud at Director Gabbard, and making baseless allegations.
Director Gabbard responded to Senator Warner’s bluster, denying that she was “sitting on” any whistleblower complaint. She went on to explain that all whistleblower complaints went straight to the department’s Inspector General. Something Senator Warner should, and does, know.
Senator Jon Ossoff (D. Ga.) is adamantly opposed to a photo ID requirement for voting. But if you wanted to attend Senator Ossoff’s campaign rally last weekend? You needed to present a valid photo ID.
Florida now requires all drivers to take their drivers license test in English. The usual suspects are outraged at this “exclusionary” policy. It is insufficiently diverse! But they are overlooking the obvious; all traffic signs in Florida are in English. Not Spanish.
San Francisco, California is being sued over its reparations to black folks ordinance. Who did not see this coming?
“I always tell people that the day that the Latino, African-American, Asian, and other communities realize that they share the same oppressor, is the day we start winning. Because we are the majority in this country now. We have the ability to take over this country and to do what is needed for everyone, and to make things fair. But the problem is that our communities are divided, they’re completely divided.”
–Texas State Representative Gene Wu (D.). Mr. Wu was born in Red China. He acts like he is still there.
Ohio State Representative Ismail Mohamed (D.) introduced a bill to restrict ICE from enforcing federal law in certain “sensitive” places within the State. The bill is unconstitutional, of course. But it is interesting that Representative Mohamed, while a U.S. citizen, was born in Somalia.
Virginia State Senator Adam Ebbin (D.) proposes that the Commonwealth tax the revenues earned from fantasy football leagues. Leagues would have to register with the Commonwealth, and then obtain a permit, prior to operating. The Virginia Lottery Commission would regulate the leagues. Sigh. Is this “affordability”? Is there anything that the Democrats do not want government to regulate or tax? Anything?
Eddie Bauer’s U.S. retail operations filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. A liquidation sale is planned in the near future.
At the Super Bowl, a concessionaire sold a 3 1/2 pound braised beef shank burger, on a brioche bun. It was topped with Point Reyes blue cheese sauce. The cost? $180.00, fries not included. It sold out by halftime.
The Eastern Amateur Championship, played at Portsmouth, Virginia’s Elizabeth Manor Golf Club since 1957, is no more. Sad. Very sad.
Past champions at The Eastern Amateur include Jon Hurst, Tom McKnight, Ben Crenshaw, Lanny Wadkins, Andy Bean, Curtis Strange, Vinny Giles, and Deane Beman. Forest Park’s Steve Smith finished 2nd in 1979. A lot of great golfers made a mark in Tidewater.
Some American Olympians are bashing their country, much to the delight of Democrats and foreign Leftists. Sigh. These are the same people who oohed, aahed, and swooned over the mere appearance of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un’s sister at the Seoul Olympic Games.
Brad Arnold, lead singer for the band Three Doors Down, has died at age 47. R. I. P.
Former New York Giants head coach Ray Handley died at age 81. R. I. P.
GFK
Observations From The Fifth Estate 