News, Entertainment, Enlightenment
Universal deceit William Lawrence Sr Cryptowit 2-8-25
Grr skt’y soykxoky jkxobk lxus tuz hkotm ghrk zu yoz ot g waokz xuus grutk.
Hrgoyk Vgyigr
Answer to yesterday’s puzzle: In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
George Orwell (or not)
Here Are The Republican State Committepeople
By Joe Mirarchi
A right- to-know-request seeking the names of the Pennsylvania GOP’s state committeepeople — among other things — brought forth two partial responses.
It is now clear an inner-party election fight is set more like a Championship Boxing Match at the Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, PA. Or even like the Super Bowl LIX matchup in New Orleans, Louisiana, between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. The elections are now two days away on Saturday, Feb. 9.
The main voting event is for chairman of the board. The contenders are: businessman Bill Bachenberg and State Senator Greg Rothman. The home field advantage goes to Mr. Rothman.
And since that RTK request was issued and received on Feb. 3, the state committee member list became revealed magically by way confidential informants. Other informants of the same stature revealed that on late Feb. 5, the PAGOP’s General Counsel issued a formal statement addressing the validity of any secret or paper ballot option, and the possible suspension of the Bylaws for voting purposes during the coming meeting.
Simply, such options are not consistent with the PAGOP’s Revised Rules and Bylaws. A set of rules and bylaws which are older than the PAGOP nonprofit corporate structure itself. In each circumstance, the informants are now protected by the “reporters’ privilege”.
Adding to the meeting events, Mr. Rothman and Vice Chair Bernie Comfort, who is also running for re-election, announced a last minute, free gala-like event for the PAGOP’s voting State Committee Members. It is located in not one, but two rooms of the same Penn Harris Hotel. The GOP’s regional caucuses will be held there also in the following morning, followed by the elections in the afternoon. The gala is scheduled for Friday evening, right after the GOP Dinner with no end time for the event. It could very well end when the hotel bars close between 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m less than six hours before the caucuses.
The gala is a private party offering drinks, desserts, and live music. As far as Mr. Bachenberg’s grass roots supporters, they have not been invited. They are not even sure if Mr. Bachenberg is invited.
In light of the forgoing, the anonymous state committee list is attached below. So is the Opinion Statement of the PAGOP general counsel. Even the invitation of Mr. Rothman and Ms. Comfort is attached.
Every registered PA Republican should step up and be heard for these elections–just like they did for President Trump and U.S. Senator Dave McCormick. Now is the time to do so. Their votes are supposed to be for who you want to be elected to lead and fix PA’s GOP and PA.
Email each and every county committee representative on the list for your county. Let them know who you want as your elected officials and why. Then email as many other committee members that you can. Ask your Republican friends and family to do it too. These are statewide matters. They affect and effect every city and county, big and small. They also effect the future lives of your community and family.
Besure you let them know it is time for a change in PA, and that PA should be fixed like President Trump is now fixing America. And think about that latest budget proposed by Governor Shapiro while doing so.
Do you think that Mr. Bachenberg is the proven, Trump-Loyal, and successful businessman who can do that? Or, do you think State Senator Rothman–as a longstanding party-line member–could do better with a set of rules and bylaws that have not been updated in more than ten-years?
Let’s face it, in PA politics things need to be fixed. The next PA fights are quickly approaching. The primary elections and the general elections are on May 20, and Nov. 4, respectively.
In these crucial elections the PAGOP has the chance to rid Philadelphia of its’ extremely liberal Democratic District Attorney Larry Krasner, and to say “No” to retaining three Democratic State Supreme Court Justices who reshaped PA’s Election and Voting Laws while on the Bench.
If removed, Philadelphia can return to Law and Order policies. The court would also return to having Republican Majority in a Commonwealth where almost every branch of government (state and local) are controlled by a now extremely liberal Democratic Party.
With these questions in mind kindly consider if these next fights are ones that should be led by someone who is proven to be loyal to President Trump’s Teams, and not to an old agenda.
It is not just the next four years of Pennsylvania and America that we need to fix, it is our future that we all hope shall go well beyond.
May God Continue to Bless Pennsylvania and America.
Here is the list of state committeepeople:
Below is the opinion regarding the ballot process.
Below is the invitation to the party
Considering The Tenth Amendment
By Bob Small
What does the Tenth Amendment mean?
Constitutional Scholars, of which I am not one, can have discussions about various aspects of the Constitution including the Tenth Amendment. To Quote “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
This led Michael Boldin to start theTenth Amendment Center as we learned about while at The Bill of Rights Banquet. TAC (Tenth Amendment Center) lists various articles but one of the most important,
in our eyes, is the nullification article.
The principles of nullification were first formalized by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison “in the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions of 1798. “This actually was a pre-revolutionary idea;
Congress used nullification as a way to force the UK Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act.
There is further discussion under the Nullification section.
See also A Founding Father in Dissent.
Most recently Maryland Defend the Guard Act Would Set Foundation to …
There is a movement to prevent “the governor from releasing any unit or member into ”active duty combat” unless an official “act of war” was declared.
See their Blog for other examples.
Now it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t delve into some critics of Michael Boldin and the Tenth Amendment Center. But these critics need their own facts checked.
Media Bias/Fact Check says the the TAC has a “use of strong appeals in wording” to which we’d reply ” well yeah isn’t that what writers do”.
The SPLC (Southern Poverty Law Center) has an article on Michael Boldin. “Michael Boldin is an ideologue who has spent years promoting the idea that states can “nullify” federal legislation they don’t like — the very same argument pushed by defenders of slavery and segregation, and just as baseless now as it was then,” they say.
However, we also have Abortion Rights Ballot Measures Pass in Seven States – which we haven’t found the SPLC railing against.
Let’s leave us with this question; When is states’ rights rights right and when is states’ rights wrong?
Sleep that nourishes wisdom William Lawrence Sr Cryptowit 2-7-25
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Ljtwlj Twbjqq
Answer to yesterday’s puzzle: Silence is the sleep that nourishes wisdom.
Francis Bacon
Why Is The PA GOP Hiding Its State Committee People?
By Joe Mirarchi
Well the 2024 Presidential Elections are over. President Trump won by a landslide and is working just as he promised.
Many grass roots Republican people who volunteered to help President Trump win his latest election remain ecstatic about the victory and are now seeing the results of their efforts. The party-lined Republicans are also, just as all the disingenuous and opposing Democrats are seeing.
In PA, Senator Dave Mccormick also won the U.S. Senate race defeating incumbent Senator Bob Casey. But in a Commonwealth populated by approximately 8,838,935 registered voters, his victory was by a slim margin of about 15,000 votes.
He also had President Trump’s volunteers help. There is no doubt of the positive impact which these people had in swaying that victory.
But now the fight in PA continues. From the federal level, into the states and cities, and even into their nonprofit, private and political committees, clubs, and networks. For PA’s Republican Party, that fight wages on internally within its nonprofit corporation: The PAGOP.
Inner-Party “Elections of Officers”, including but not limited to the Chairman of the Board, are scheduled for this coming Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, PA. Party endorsements for various Commonwealth judicial positions are also on the Agenda.
As to the Chairman position, two candidates came forward: Businessman Bill Bachenberg and State Senator Greg Rothman.
Mr. Bachenberg is a successful businessman like President Trump; a grassroots inspired Trump supporter; who proved himself loyal as far back as 2020. He fits in the mold of the President’s Cabinet Officers, Nominees, and other hires.
Mr. Rothman is a party-line politician of the Commonwealth serving as a state senator; also a claimed supporter of the President.
And as to this coming Meeting Agenda repeated negative allegations erupted across the Commonwealth. They include: Bribery, Harassment, Intimidation, and Defamation. Also made were demands for paper and secret ballots. Not necessarily by the candidates, but by the endorsees and from the PAGOP’s own State Committee Members.
Let’s face it, in PA Politics people have a way of messing things up for their own reasons.
So it is reasonable for PA Republicans to ask questions, right?
And it is even more reasonable for them to receive honest responses, correct?
Well then why is it impossible for them to get answers before this coming Meeting?
Many PA Republicans asked for a list of their representatives. Social Media is flooded with their communication struggles and rejections.
But what about when questions are posed pursuant to PA’s “Right to Know Law, (2008)”, 65 P.S. §§ 67.101, et seq.?
The people have a right to contact their State Committee Representatives to be assured they are voting for the candidates of their choice, and that they are voting in accordance with their instructions.
That’s what a “Representative” does, right?
It is not a vote of who the representative thinks is best.
The PAGOP has a list of those representatives. It uses the list to issue Notices of Meetings such as the coming one.
So why does the PAGOP refuse to provide it to the people upon simple request?
Does any refusal violate the laws that govern it?
The answers that resolve most–if not all–of the peoples’ concerns leading up to this Meeting can be found in the PAGOP’s Rules and Bylaws. Or any amendments thereto.
By way of PA’s Election Code, 25 P.S. §§2600, et seq., the PAGOP is a State Committee required to be formed as a nonprofit corporation. The RTK law applies to it.
Its’ governing documents must be filed with PA’s Secretary of State to be effective.
Hence, these documents should be available for public access by simple search or request, and most especially by a RTK request.
Any refusal further raises questions as to whether the PAGOP is formed properly, and running effectively and lawfully.
It also raises the question as to whether the coming Officers Election Meeting is valid since the voice of PA’s people are being ignored.
Attached is an RTF Request now pending before the PAGOP for everyone’s review.
With these questions in mind kindly consider whether this next fight is one that should be led President Trump’s someone proven loyal to his Team.
It is not just the next four years of Pennsylvania and America that we need to fix, but our future well beyond.
And if the forgoing is incorrect in any way, I stand corrected.
But at least it provoked a response.
May God Always Bless Pennsylvania and America.
Here is what Mr. Mirarchi was seeking in his right to know request:
Why Is The PA GOP Hiding Its State Committee People?
Wmpirgi mw xli wpiit xlex rsyvmwliw amwhsq.
Jvergmw Fegsr
Answer to yesterday’s puzzle: Reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the organ of meaning.
Legislatures Are Home To The Elderly
By Bob Small
One of my favorite “modern” composers, Philip Glass, turned 88 on January 31 and continues to compose.
Listen to here: Philip Glass • Piano Concerto No. 3 (complete).
Having said that, someone of that age might not be nearly as qualified to continue serving in the US Congress, making decisions that affect our lives. Does that qualify as ageism. Possibly.
There were almost 20 members of the US Congress who are at least 80 years old.
We all have to make concessions to age and legislators are not any different from the rest of us.
Then it occurred to me that we should be able to review the same data for Pennsylvania. However when you use Google, Duck Duck Go, or even Perplexity A. I. By the way Perplexity A.I> was perplexed and replied“Based on the provided search results, there is no specific information about Pennsylvania legislators over the age of 70.”
One response was to review every listed member for date of birth,which sounded extremely tedious.
Finally, we received a response from a staffer (who shall remain anonymous) from our local state Sen. Timothy P. Kearney. The staffer left the names by phone. The two oldest legislators are Tina Pickett and Gene Yaw (81) if my source is correct.
My deeper question is “Why was this information so damn difficult to find”?!
This doesn’t apply to New Jersey. See Maps: Ages of New Jersey legislators,
However, Perplexity A.I. is similarly perplexed about Delaware legislators “ Based on the available search results, there is no specific information provided about Delaware state legislators over the age of 70 “
Shouldn’t there be a discussion of term limits for federal and state legislators?Discussion yes. Legislation no
Peronal disclaimer; At my age of three score and fifteen, this writer will be running in the Judge of Election slot as a Swarthmore Republican.
Coda: As a Republican, one probably loses, here.
Legislatures Are Home To The Elderly
Perfect job for a gamer William Lawrence Sr Cryptowit 2-5-25
Tgcuqp ku vjg pcvwtcn qtfgt qh vtwvj; dwv kocikpcvkqp ku vjg qticp qh ogcpkpi.
E. U. Ngyku
Answer to yesterday’s puzzle: I had the perfect job for a gamer. From February to October, I’d get up at 7 in the morning with nothing to do but play games until I had to be at the park around 1 or 2 o’clock. When I got back after the game, I played until 3 or 4 in the morning.
Curt Schilling
Emmett Ashford Was First Black Umpire
By Joe Guzzardi
For Emmett Ashford, Major League Baseball’s first black umpire, his many challenges to succeed might have deterred others. But Ashford overcame, did an outstanding job, and entertained fans with his colorful, animated on-the-field calls. Los Angeles-born in 1914, Ashford was on his Jefferson High School track and baseball teams. Ashford, the senior class president, graduated in 1933 and then attended Los Angeles Junior College and Chapman College. After graduating, Ashford aced a civil service exam and landed a post office clerk’s job as a clerk where he remained for about 15 years.
In his essay, baseball historian and author Mark Armour wrote that as a young man, Ashford was skilled enough to play semi-pro baseball, but he mostly rode the pine. In 1941, the scheduled umpire didn’t show up, and the players asked Ashford to fill in. Ashford complied— “kicking and screaming.” As the season continued, Ashford established himself as a better umpire than a ball player. “I gave them a little showmanship and the crowd loved it,” he later remembered about his flashy style behind the plate.
After he finished a three-year U.S. Navy stint during World War II, Ashford umpired regularly, moving up to topflight college baseball. Ashford took a leave of absence from his post office job in 1951 for a two-month Southwestern International League trial and became organized baseball’s first black umpire. Les Powers, the league president, observed that “Ashford has the making of a big-league umpire.” After the season, SIL offered Ashford a full-time job; he quit the postal service, thereby forfeiting 15 years toward his pension.
Ashford moved up to the Western International League in 1953, before his promotion to the Pacific Coast League in 1954. During his 12 years in the PCL, Ashford became the minor leagues’ best-known umpire, sprinting down the right field line, constantly interacting, and doffing his cap. Before his first MLB season, Ashford reflected, “I feel proud being an umpire in the big leagues. Not because I am the first Negro, but because umpires in the major leagues are very select people. Right now, I just want to vindicate Mr. Cronin’s [American League president] faith in me… But first, I’ve got to buy me a pair of eyeglasses,” he joked.
Ashford’s first regular-season game occurred on April 11, 1966, in Washington D.C’s Griffith Stadium, the traditional American League opener which pitted the Cleveland Indians against the woe-be-gone Senators. His first major-league challenge was getting into the ballpark. Vice-President Hubert Humphrey attended so he could throw out the ceremonial first ball, but the skeptical Secret Service doubted that a black man could have been assigned to the umpiring crew. Humphrey later kidded Ashford, who had worked at third base, that he had not had any plays to call. “No plays, no boots,” kidded Ashford, “but it was the greatest day of my life.” Cronin told his new employee, “Emmett, today you made history. I’m proud of you.”
Even Ashford’s peers were often hostile. Pitcher Jim Bouton described Ashford’s travails in Ball Four, his 1969 season baseball expose: “Other umpires talk behind his back. Sometimes they’ll let him run out on the field himself and the other three who are holding back in the dugout will snigger…. It must be terrible for Ashford. When you’re an umpire and travel around the big leagues in a group of four and three of them are white…well, it can make for a very lonely summer.”
By the time Ashford made his MLB debut, he was over fifty and some of his questionable calls enraged American League managers, many of whom, The New York Times George Vecsey wrote, had “rarely been confronted with black authority in their lives.” After umpiring in the 1970 World Series, Ashford retired, officially because he was past the mandatory 55-year-old retirement age although some in the media speculated that he had been nudged out.
In his post-retirement years, Ashford worked as a public relations adviser to then MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, he umpired an occasional minor-league or college game, called old-timers’ games in Dodger Stadium and, for three years, was umpire-in-chief for the Alaskan summer league. Ashford also earned money doing TV commercials and occasional screen appearances. Looking back on his pioneering role, Ashford said: ““It wasn’t easy being an umpire, let alone being a Negro umpire. But since the game is the ballplayer’s bread and butter, all he wants is for you to make the right calls. He doesn’t care if you’re white or black, Eskimo or Indian. In turn, I worked like hell. I was an umpire, not a black umpire.”
After a heart attack Ashford, age 76, died in 1980 in Marina Del Ray, Calif. Ashford’s body was cremated, and his ashes are interred at Lakeview Cemetery in Cooperstown, New York.
Joe Guzzardi is an Institute for Sound Public Policy analyst. Contact him at jguzzardi@ifspp.org
Emmett Ashford Was First Black Umpire
Visits should be short William Lawrence Sr Cryptowit 2-4-25
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Answer to yesterday’s puzzle: Visits should be short, like a Winter’s day.
American Folk Saying (Ben Franklin)