News and Commentary
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Numbers don't shoot
A few facts about "the problem" of "criminal alien" residents. Consider "the worst of the worst" to mean those who kill other inhabitants, the term by which the Contitution describes those who live in the USA, eschewing "citizen" because crime is crime. In fact the Constitution says very little about crime, leaving public safety primarily to the states.
Casting Pearls
I asked Perplexity: "Has Tommy Tuberville ever spoken a complete sentence extemporaneously?" having never heard him do so.
Tr$mp Poll Tax Favored by Many
What is the cost of the Save America act for a woman? We asked Perplexity a few questions.
R: Estimate the "all-in" cost of a US passport for a woman who has no driver's license or birth certificate, has been married three times with consequent name changes, and has no utility bills or credit cards in her current name.
R: Estimate the "all-in" cost of a US passport for a woman who has no driver's license or birth certificate, has been married three times with consequent name changes, and has no utility bills or credit cards in her current name.
Truth Anti-social
From our The Buck Stops Here Dept.:
Surprise! Fearless Leader has denied responsibility for the scurrilous trope posted on his Truth Anti-Social account Feb. 5 that depicts former President and Mrs. Obama as animals. He claimed that he decided to post it based on "the first part," which he did not define by content or time signature, and the purpose of which "first part" no one has separately identified, explained or praised. He then assignedblame for the "mixup" to an unnamed staff member.
]There would appear to be several possibilities.
1. He's lying.
2. The staff member does not exist.
3. The staff member exists and has not come forward to accept responsibility.
4. One or both of them is a cowardly racist with no scruples or personal honor.
The possibilities are not mutually exclusive.
It remains to be seen if some low-ranking toady will be thrown to the wolves by name or if some true believer will throw him/herself on the pyre of this self-igniting administration and sacrifice his or her reputation forever by taking the blame.
Surprise! Fearless Leader has denied responsibility for the scurrilous trope posted on his Truth Anti-Social account Feb. 5 that depicts former President and Mrs. Obama as animals. He claimed that he decided to post it based on "the first part," which he did not define by content or time signature, and the purpose of which "first part" no one has separately identified, explained or praised. He then assignedblame for the "mixup" to an unnamed staff member.
]There would appear to be several possibilities.
1. He's lying.
2. The staff member does not exist.
3. The staff member exists and has not come forward to accept responsibility.
4. One or both of them is a cowardly racist with no scruples or personal honor.
The possibilities are not mutually exclusive.
It remains to be seen if some low-ranking toady will be thrown to the wolves by name or if some true believer will throw him/herself on the pyre of this self-igniting administration and sacrifice his or her reputation forever by taking the blame.
Ignorance is Bliss Presidential
In case you're trapped in an elevator with a Make America Groan Again friend or relative, someone we know asked a popular AI application:
How many violent crimes were committed by non-citizens in the USA during the most recent ten years for which numbers or rates are available?
The response suggests the reason why so many citizens have been arrested by ICE: It is they (we?) and not the aliens who are the principal perpetrators. The app said...
There is no national U.S. data series that cleanly reports “violent crimes committed by non‑citizens” each year for the last ten years, so the number you are asking for cannot be directly calculated from official statistics.[1][2][3]`
Why the number is not available
- The main national sources (FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports and the Bureau of Justice Statistics’ National Crime Victimization Survey) do not routinely publish offender citizenship for all violent crimes, only limited demographics such as age, sex, and race/ethnicity.[2][1]
- Citizenship data started to appear in NCVS microdata only recently and in a way that focuses on victims’ status (citizen vs non‑citizen), not a full annual count of non‑citizen offenders.[3][4][5]
- A 2021 BJS report covers “Non‑U.S. Citizens in the Federal Criminal Justice System, 1998–2018,” but this is limited to federal cases and mixes immigration and non‑immigration offenses; it does not translate into a comprehensive annual national count of violent crimes by non‑citizens.[6]
What we can say from existing research
- Studies using state‑level data with citizenship information (for example, Texas arrest records) find that U.S.‑born citizens are more than twice as likely to be arrested for violent crimes as undocumented immigrants, with legal immigrants in between.[7][8]
- Analyses of NCVS data show that foreign‑born people (including non‑citizens) have lower violent victimization rates than U.S.‑born individuals, implying lower exposure to violent crime both as victims and, indirectly, as offenders.[4][5][9][10]
Practical bottom line
- For the last decade, there is no official nationwide table or report that gives annual counts or rates of violent crimes committed by non‑citizens, so any precise ten‑year number would be speculative.[1][2][3][6]
- The best available research that does disaggregate by citizenship or immigration status consistently finds that non‑citizens (including undocumented immigrants) are *less* likely, not more likely, to be arrested for or otherwise involved in violent crimes than similarly situated U.S.‑born citizens.[8][10][11][7]
Some might conclude that ICE is just picking low-hanging fruit, with the primary purpose not of expelling violent offenders but of instilling fear. What do you think?
A flash in the pond
Don't be led astray by Tr$mp's peregrination into polar politics. As shown in a recent meme, the (R)s don't know where or how big Greenland might be. He was only told that it's big and belongs to another kid and that he cannot have it, so of course he threw a tantrum.
PS: If you think this is an accurate map of the arctic region, you really need to go back to geography school. Click the link below the map for a polar primer.
PS: If you think this is an accurate map of the arctic region, you really need to go back to geography school. Click the link below the map for a polar primer.
Today's Body Count Unreported by ICE
Those old enough to remember the Vietnam War will recall that the Pentagon issued daily "body counts" implyig that the ratio of dead Vietcong to dead Americans was somehow an index of success. The apparent assumption was that second-hand Russian AK-47 rifles were equal in firepower to US tanks and B-52s.
The White House and ICE have neither confirmed nor denied that they will soon use that format to report daily ICE activities across the USA.
The ajacent photo of Gen. Wm. Westmoreland has no relation to this story.
The White House and ICE have neither confirmed nor denied that they will soon use that format to report daily ICE activities across the USA.
The ajacent photo of Gen. Wm. Westmoreland has no relation to this story.
Greenland Ground Grab Grows Gradually
The White House has not denied that Steven Miller is circulating a plan to relocate the roughly 55,000 indigenous Greenlanders in randomly selected groups to small corners of several of the other native reservations on the US mainland. The Danes and others now living on the island will be allowed to leave (Miller is said to have joked that those choosing not to leave would have to deal with ICE, or ice).
Each person will be allowed to take everything they can carry. Each indigenous person will receive a week's food and a blanket from WWII surplus (yes, we still have some). Originally each household was to be given a Toyota pickup truck, but the Tr$mp tariffs have made them so expensive that they will no longer be distributed.
The resulting empty territory will then be awarded by lot, half to the valiant MAGA loyalists who bravely stood up for freedom at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and half to US mineral extraction firms that either pay a fee to participate in the intended lottery (or who have contributed at least $100 million to the Tr$mp campaign). All will be required to certify that they have no intent to foster diversity, equity or inclusiveness in their use of the land.
Anonymous sources said that Miller has modeled the plan on the highly successful relocations of other indigenous peoples in US territories in the 19th Century, the emotional historic home of his Party's philosophy.
Each person will be allowed to take everything they can carry. Each indigenous person will receive a week's food and a blanket from WWII surplus (yes, we still have some). Originally each household was to be given a Toyota pickup truck, but the Tr$mp tariffs have made them so expensive that they will no longer be distributed.
The resulting empty territory will then be awarded by lot, half to the valiant MAGA loyalists who bravely stood up for freedom at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and half to US mineral extraction firms that either pay a fee to participate in the intended lottery (or who have contributed at least $100 million to the Tr$mp campaign). All will be required to certify that they have no intent to foster diversity, equity or inclusiveness in their use of the land.
Anonymous sources said that Miller has modeled the plan on the highly successful relocations of other indigenous peoples in US territories in the 19th Century, the emotional historic home of his Party's philosophy.
Don't hold your breath for action on health care
Once again the House of Rs is today dinking with trivia concerning public health.
Meanwhile, it is clear to most that only a comprehensive healthcare system covering all Americans can resolve the rampant inequities that block us from fully enjoying the benefits of modern medicine. The insurance model, which is now over 400 years old, just doen't work, and will only get worse if the present trend toward increasing concentration of wealth and income continues. Someone in your town will die this year, while someone else nearby is out buying his fourth large-screen TV, which will hang unwatched in the guest room of his rarely visited vacation home.
The reason we don't have universal healthcare is not about cost savings or fear of losing access. In no uncertain terms it's about the continuing effort to maintain "carve-outs" for executives and nefarious middlemen (aka "donors") throughout the system (or non-system if we're being honest). "Shareholder value"— both in health-related sectors and at the company making that unwatched TV—are clearly more important to lawmakers than health outcomes, as that marginal cash flow enables donations to those who willngly block progress, so that they might hang onto their perks a bit longer.
Meanwhile, it is clear to most that only a comprehensive healthcare system covering all Americans can resolve the rampant inequities that block us from fully enjoying the benefits of modern medicine. The insurance model, which is now over 400 years old, just doen't work, and will only get worse if the present trend toward increasing concentration of wealth and income continues. Someone in your town will die this year, while someone else nearby is out buying his fourth large-screen TV, which will hang unwatched in the guest room of his rarely visited vacation home.
The reason we don't have universal healthcare is not about cost savings or fear of losing access. In no uncertain terms it's about the continuing effort to maintain "carve-outs" for executives and nefarious middlemen (aka "donors") throughout the system (or non-system if we're being honest). "Shareholder value"— both in health-related sectors and at the company making that unwatched TV—are clearly more important to lawmakers than health outcomes, as that marginal cash flow enables donations to those who willngly block progress, so that they might hang onto their perks a bit longer.
The Epstein Files May Dominate Trump Legacy
Jeffrey Epstein's famous island lies within the US Virgin Islands, giving the US absolute jurisdiction. Any failure to prosecute individuals for crimes committed there lies entirely at the peril of the US Justice Dept., and there is no statute of limitations (viz: The Mann Act (18 U.S.C. §§ 2421–2423) is subject to federal statutes of limitations, with some important exceptions for cases involving death or certain child‑victim provisions). It would be interesting to assess the culpability, including impeachment, of a DOJ official who so failed in "her" duty (Attn: Pam Bondi). Any prosecution of a "high ranking government official" for crimes committed under such law prior to "his" assuming office would presumably not be impeded by any grant by any court of immunity during such tenure of office.
MTG: If the shoe fits, run away home
Before you watch CBS "60 Minutes" tonight and sit weeping at Marjorie Taylor Greene's sad tale of her victimization by the MAGA crowd, consider this exchange with Perplexity.ai.
Query
Act as a modern history researcher. Create a list of gratuitous, ad hominem attacks by Marjorie Taylor Greene while a sitting member of the US Congress in which she verbally assaulted or humiliated private individuals or called them by false names or monickers.
Response
Marjorie Taylor Greene has repeatedly used personal, ad hominem insults and derisive monickers while serving in Congress, often drawing criticism for targeting both colleagues and private individuals or activists by name.[1][2][3] Below is a concise, sourced list of notable examples that fit your criteria.
Harassment of Parkland survivor David Hogg (private individual)
- In 2019, after the Parkland shooting and before her election, Greene followed survivor-turned-activist David Hogg near the U.S. Capitol, filming herself as she aggressively confronted him, accusing him of being “paid,” implying he was a puppet, and mocking his activism; this video resurfaced and was widely reported after she took office in 2021, at which point it was condemned as a sitting member of Congress harassing a private individual.[2][4]
- In a separate 2019 interview that remained public during her time in Congress, she described Hogg as an “idiot,” compared him to a “trained” animal, and belittled the young women working with him as “clueless,” language that continued to circulate and be defended by her after she was sworn in.[1][5]
Appearance-based attack on Rep. Jasmine Crockett
- During a May 2024 House Oversight Committee hearing, Greene interrupted a Democrat’s questioning with a jab at Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s physical appearance, sneering about her “fake eyelashes,” which immediately provoked objections as a gratuitous and personal insult unrelated to the subject of the hearing.[6][7]
- The exchange escalated as Democrats moved to strike her words from the record, and Greene refused to apologize, instead doubling down with mocking, sarcastic retorts when colleagues labeled the attack as unacceptable.[6][8]
Mocking and belittling Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- In the same May 2024 hearing, Greene turned from Crockett to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, questioning her intelligence and taunting her with diminutive nicknames such as “baby girl,” which AOC characterized as disrespectful and unserious in the context of a formal proceeding.[6][7]
- The back-and-forth devolved into shouted insults about intellect and professionalism, with Greene using dismissive, gendered language that watchdogs and commentators flagged as a pattern of ad hominem rather than policy-based criticism.[7][8]
Use of derisive labels and false monickers
- Greene has frequently referred to political opponents and ideological targets with sweeping epithets such as “groomers,” “communists,” and similar labels in social media posts, speeches, and interviews catalogued in running lists of her controversies; these terms are applied broadly rather than tied to specific conduct and are criticized as defamatory-style slurs rather than substantive argument.[9][3]
- In a notorious television appearance, she attempted to describe security and investigative functions under then–Speaker Nancy Pelosi using a mangled phrase that sounded like “gazpacho police,” which commentators highlighted both as an ignorant misuse of “Gestapo” and as part of her habit of affixing inflammatory, mocking labels to opponents rather than engaging their positions.[10][11]
Pattern of bullying rhetoric as a member of Congress
- News outlets and compendia of her record describe Greene’s style in office as characterized by direct personal attacks, including mocking colleagues’ appearance, intelligence, or gender, and amplifying conspiracy-laden nicknames for perceived enemies within government.[8][3]
- Critics, including other Republicans, have publicly argued that this pattern of insults toward both private individuals (like Hogg) and fellow officeholders undermines institutional norms and is more akin to online trolling than to conventional legislative debate.[1][3]
Ed.: We note that Reps. Crockett and Ocasio-Cortez are members of Congress and political opponents and may not qualify as "private individual," however, Greene did subject them to ad hominem insults on multiple occasions as a substitute for actual examination of political differences.
Sources
[1] Marjorie Taylor Greene mocked Parkland survivor in unearthed video https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/marjorie-taylor-greene-mocked-parkland-survivor-unearthed-video-idiot-who-n1256516
[2] Resurfaced video shows Marjorie Taylor Greene confronting ... https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/resurfaced-video-shows-marjorie-taylor-greene-confronting-parkland-survivor-david-hogg-in-2019
[3] A running list of Marjorie Taylor Greene's controversies https://theweek.com/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-controversy
[4] Congresswoman confronts Parkland survivor - BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-55849877
[5] Video surfaces of Marjorie Taylor Greene confronting Parkland ... https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/27/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-david-hogg-video
[6] House committee meeting devolves into chaos amid personal insults https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-committee-meeting-devolves-chaos-personal-insults-marjorie-taylo-rcna152698
[7] Reps. Greene, AOC, Crockett get into insult-filled House hearing fight https://19thnews.org/2024/05/house-hearing-fight-insults-greene-crockett-aoc/
[8] 'Oversight After Dark': Lawmakers Hurl Insults at Session https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/17/us/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-insults-crockett.html
[9] Marjorie Taylor Greene - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjorie_Taylor_Greene
[10] Marjorie Taylor Greene Slams Pelosi’s “Gazpacho Police” & Republicans Downplay January 6th Violence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J20tOqet7oI
[11] Marjorie Taylor Greene Claims 'Gazpacho' Police Backed By Nancy Pelosi Are After Her https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5VjFONQeIE
[12] Personal insults, Greene vs. Boebert and alleged drinking ... - Politico https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/05/17/congress/oversight-descends-into-chaos-00158632
[13] Congress erupts into chaos with Marjorie Taylor Greene ... - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll-ZrNtX3XU
[14] Reps. Jasmine Crockett and Marjorie Taylor Greene spat highlights ... https://www.npr.org/2024/05/23/g-s1-519/reps-crockett-and-greene-hearing-racial-gender-tensions
[15] Insults by the right-wing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene led ... - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7FV73WvPcn/
[16] Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene insults colleague's appearance on ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okafqwnDC24
[17] Sun Sentinel: Video surfaces showing QAnon-promoting ... https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2578
[18] Lawrence: Rep. Greene’s ‘Gazpacho Police’ Rant A ‘Stunning Display Of Stupidity’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqg2S8fthMw
[19] Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) was confronted about ... https://www.facebook.com/HuffPostPolitics/posts/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-r-ga-was-confronted-about-condoning-one-of-the-presid/1248924787100853/
[20] After years of stoking partisan fights, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene ... https://www.facebook.com/cnn/posts/after-years-of-stoking-partisan-fights-rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-tells-cnns-dan/1218563370136312/
Query
Act as a modern history researcher. Create a list of gratuitous, ad hominem attacks by Marjorie Taylor Greene while a sitting member of the US Congress in which she verbally assaulted or humiliated private individuals or called them by false names or monickers.
Response
Marjorie Taylor Greene has repeatedly used personal, ad hominem insults and derisive monickers while serving in Congress, often drawing criticism for targeting both colleagues and private individuals or activists by name.[1][2][3] Below is a concise, sourced list of notable examples that fit your criteria.
Harassment of Parkland survivor David Hogg (private individual)
- In 2019, after the Parkland shooting and before her election, Greene followed survivor-turned-activist David Hogg near the U.S. Capitol, filming herself as she aggressively confronted him, accusing him of being “paid,” implying he was a puppet, and mocking his activism; this video resurfaced and was widely reported after she took office in 2021, at which point it was condemned as a sitting member of Congress harassing a private individual.[2][4]
- In a separate 2019 interview that remained public during her time in Congress, she described Hogg as an “idiot,” compared him to a “trained” animal, and belittled the young women working with him as “clueless,” language that continued to circulate and be defended by her after she was sworn in.[1][5]
Appearance-based attack on Rep. Jasmine Crockett
- During a May 2024 House Oversight Committee hearing, Greene interrupted a Democrat’s questioning with a jab at Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s physical appearance, sneering about her “fake eyelashes,” which immediately provoked objections as a gratuitous and personal insult unrelated to the subject of the hearing.[6][7]
- The exchange escalated as Democrats moved to strike her words from the record, and Greene refused to apologize, instead doubling down with mocking, sarcastic retorts when colleagues labeled the attack as unacceptable.[6][8]
Mocking and belittling Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
- In the same May 2024 hearing, Greene turned from Crockett to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, questioning her intelligence and taunting her with diminutive nicknames such as “baby girl,” which AOC characterized as disrespectful and unserious in the context of a formal proceeding.[6][7]
- The back-and-forth devolved into shouted insults about intellect and professionalism, with Greene using dismissive, gendered language that watchdogs and commentators flagged as a pattern of ad hominem rather than policy-based criticism.[7][8]
Use of derisive labels and false monickers
- Greene has frequently referred to political opponents and ideological targets with sweeping epithets such as “groomers,” “communists,” and similar labels in social media posts, speeches, and interviews catalogued in running lists of her controversies; these terms are applied broadly rather than tied to specific conduct and are criticized as defamatory-style slurs rather than substantive argument.[9][3]
- In a notorious television appearance, she attempted to describe security and investigative functions under then–Speaker Nancy Pelosi using a mangled phrase that sounded like “gazpacho police,” which commentators highlighted both as an ignorant misuse of “Gestapo” and as part of her habit of affixing inflammatory, mocking labels to opponents rather than engaging their positions.[10][11]
Pattern of bullying rhetoric as a member of Congress
- News outlets and compendia of her record describe Greene’s style in office as characterized by direct personal attacks, including mocking colleagues’ appearance, intelligence, or gender, and amplifying conspiracy-laden nicknames for perceived enemies within government.[8][3]
- Critics, including other Republicans, have publicly argued that this pattern of insults toward both private individuals (like Hogg) and fellow officeholders undermines institutional norms and is more akin to online trolling than to conventional legislative debate.[1][3]
Ed.: We note that Reps. Crockett and Ocasio-Cortez are members of Congress and political opponents and may not qualify as "private individual," however, Greene did subject them to ad hominem insults on multiple occasions as a substitute for actual examination of political differences.
Sources
[1] Marjorie Taylor Greene mocked Parkland survivor in unearthed video https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/marjorie-taylor-greene-mocked-parkland-survivor-unearthed-video-idiot-who-n1256516
[2] Resurfaced video shows Marjorie Taylor Greene confronting ... https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/resurfaced-video-shows-marjorie-taylor-greene-confronting-parkland-survivor-david-hogg-in-2019
[3] A running list of Marjorie Taylor Greene's controversies https://theweek.com/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-controversy
[4] Congresswoman confronts Parkland survivor - BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-55849877
[5] Video surfaces of Marjorie Taylor Greene confronting Parkland ... https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/27/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-david-hogg-video
[6] House committee meeting devolves into chaos amid personal insults https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-committee-meeting-devolves-chaos-personal-insults-marjorie-taylo-rcna152698
[7] Reps. Greene, AOC, Crockett get into insult-filled House hearing fight https://19thnews.org/2024/05/house-hearing-fight-insults-greene-crockett-aoc/
[8] 'Oversight After Dark': Lawmakers Hurl Insults at Session https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/17/us/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-insults-crockett.html
[9] Marjorie Taylor Greene - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marjorie_Taylor_Greene
[10] Marjorie Taylor Greene Slams Pelosi’s “Gazpacho Police” & Republicans Downplay January 6th Violence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J20tOqet7oI
[11] Marjorie Taylor Greene Claims 'Gazpacho' Police Backed By Nancy Pelosi Are After Her https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5VjFONQeIE
[12] Personal insults, Greene vs. Boebert and alleged drinking ... - Politico https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/05/17/congress/oversight-descends-into-chaos-00158632
[13] Congress erupts into chaos with Marjorie Taylor Greene ... - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll-ZrNtX3XU
[14] Reps. Jasmine Crockett and Marjorie Taylor Greene spat highlights ... https://www.npr.org/2024/05/23/g-s1-519/reps-crockett-and-greene-hearing-racial-gender-tensions
[15] Insults by the right-wing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene led ... - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7FV73WvPcn/
[16] Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene insults colleague's appearance on ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okafqwnDC24
[17] Sun Sentinel: Video surfaces showing QAnon-promoting ... https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2578
[18] Lawrence: Rep. Greene’s ‘Gazpacho Police’ Rant A ‘Stunning Display Of Stupidity’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iqg2S8fthMw
[19] Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) was confronted about ... https://www.facebook.com/HuffPostPolitics/posts/rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-r-ga-was-confronted-about-condoning-one-of-the-presid/1248924787100853/
[20] After years of stoking partisan fights, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene ... https://www.facebook.com/cnn/posts/after-years-of-stoking-partisan-fights-rep-marjorie-taylor-greene-tells-cnns-dan/1218563370136312/
Just deify me now to save time
The USA seems to have a president who wants to be our ruler, unencumbered by law or by a desire to reconcile justly the inevitable conflicts that arise among citizens of a free republic. One cannot but conclude that he thinks of himself as the modern model of the Roman emperors and the inheritor of the mantle of great Christian leaders, so let's look at the extremes of those ancient souls.
Just for fun, we asked Perplexity about the best and worst of the emperors who followed the end of the Roman Republic.
Just for fun, we asked Perplexity about the best and worst of the emperors who followed the end of the Roman Republic.
Making up law as one goes along...
One J. Sweeney commented this week on a Farcebook post regarding Pres. Tr$mp's recent high dudgeon over his call for punishment of certain congresspersons who have reminded military personnel of their obligation to follow both their oaths of service and the UCMJ under which they serve. Sweeney asserts that the penalty for "sedition" is—and apparently should be—death.
Actually, that's only true in theory and only for serving military personnel under very narrow criteria. No one has ever been executed for sedition alone in the history of the USA, thanks mainly to the First Amendment. A few persons have been imprisoned for "seditious conspiracy" in which calls for violence were a contributing offense.
Since Mr. Sweeney calls for "Facts," here are some that would appear to be relevant.
The typical criminal sanctions for sedition in the United States depend on whether the accused is a civilian or military personnel. For civilians, the closest federal offense is "seditious conspiracy" under 18 U.S. Code § 2384, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, fines, or both[1][2][3][4][5][6]. For military personnel under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), mutiny or sedition can be punishable by death, although the death penalty is extremely rare and generally reserved for the most serious cases[7][8].
Civilian Sanctions Under Federal Law
- Maximum prison sentence: Up to 20 years for seditious conspiracy[1][2][3][5][6][4].
- Fines: Can be substantial, ranging from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the case[5].
- The actual charge of "sedition" does not exist as a standalone crime in U.S. law; prosecutions are generally for "seditious conspiracy"[9][10].
- Examples: Recent convictions related to the January 6 Capitol attack involved seditious conspiracy charges with multi-year sentences, though these did not reach the maximum possible penalties[11].
Military Sanctions Under UCMJ
- Punishment for sedition or mutiny may include the death penalty or other penalties as determined by court-martial[7][8].
- Execution is extremely rare, requiring substantial bureaucratic and presidential approval; historically, prison sentences are more common for less severe cases[7].
Additional Consequences
- Convicted individuals face long-term civil disabilities, including loss of certain civil rights, employment difficulties, and reputational harm[5].
- Asset forfeiture may apply for related crimes, such as rebellion or insurrection[4].
Summary Table
| Offender Type | Possible Penalty | Citation |
|---------------------|----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Civilian | Up to 20 years' imprisonment, fines | [1][2][3][4][5][6][9] |
| Military (UCMJ) | Death penalty or court-martial directed | [7][8] |
In practice, maximum penalties are rarely imposed, and most sedition-related prosecutions result in substantial—but not maximal—prison terms[11][6].
Sources
[1] 'Punishable by death': Trump decries Dems as seditionists. What does he mean? https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/11/20/sedition-death-trump-democrats/87379339007/
[2] 18 U.S. Code § 2384 - Seditious conspiracy - Cornell Law School https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2384
[3] 18 U.S. Code CHAPTER 115 - Office of the Law Revision Counsel https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=%2Fprelim%40title18%2Fpart1%2Fchapter115&edition=prelim
[4] Las Vegas Treason, Sedition, and Subversive Activities Defense ... https://www.legalmann.com/las-vegas-treason-sedition-and-subversive-activities-defense-lawyer/
[5] Sedition Charges? What You Need to Know for Defense https://www.mastersonhall.com/sedition-charges-what-you-need-to-know-for-defense/
[6] A Civilian's Guide to Insurrection Legalese | The Marshall Project https://www.themarshallproject.org/2021/01/08/a-civilian-s-guide-to-insurrection-legalese
[7] Uncommon Knowledge: Trump Shouts ‘Sedition,’ But Troops Don’t Agree https://www.newsweek.com/uncommon-knowledge-trump-sedition-death-troops-11085969
[8] Trump says 'seditious' Democrats urging US troops to refuse illegal orders should face death https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-democrats-who-told-us-military-refuse-illegal-orders-deserve-death-2025-11-20/
[9] No, Democratic Lawmakers Didn't Commit Sedition - The Free Press https://www.thefp.com/p/no-democratic-lawmakers-didnt-commit-sedition
[10] Trump calls for arrest of Democrats who told troops to refuse illegal orders https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-arrest-democrats-troops-illegal-orders-b2869176.html
[11] Seditious Conspiracy: What to Make of the Latest Oath Keepers ... https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/seditious-conspiracy-what-make-latest-oath-keepers-indictment
[12] What US Law Says About Sedition and Troops Defying Illegal Orders https://www.newsweek.com/what-us-law-says-sedition-troops-defying-illegal-orders-11084527
[13] Trump accuses Democrats of 'seditious behavior, punishable by death,' for urging military to ignore illegal orders https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-democrats-death-penalty-sedition-military-orders-rcna245003
[14] Democrats file police complaints over Trump’s posts accusing them of sedition https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/11/21/congress/democrats-trump-sedition-police-complaint-00665862
[15] Trump: Telling troops to refuse illegal orders is 'seditious behavior' https://www.govexec.com/defense/2025/11/trump-accuses-lawmakers-seditious-behavior-encouraging-troops-refuse-illegal-orders/409710/
[16] Sedition - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedition
[17] Trump says Democrats’ message to military is ‘seditious behavior’ punishable by death https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-traitors-sedition-illegal-orders-c5fc3c5bd2fbc6b1204550e4203c24b2
[18] ‘Punishable by DEATH’: Trump threatens Democrats with sedition charges https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/20/punishable-by-death-trump-threatens-democrats-with-sedition-charges
[19] Here's a brief look at what sedition is under U.S. law, the penalties ... https://www.facebook.com/KCRA3/posts/heres-a-brief-look-at-what-sedition-is-under-us-law-the-penalties-and-whether-th/1290437416456910/
[20] Federal Treason, Sedition, & Subversive Activities Criminal Charges https://www.lvcriminaldefense.com/usc/treason-sedition-and-subversive-activities/
No one has ever been executed in the United States purely for the crime of sedition. While sedition carries severe penalties under both civilian and military law—including the possibility of the death penalty in military cases—historically, individuals prosecuted for sedition or seditious conspiracy have received prison sentences or fines, not execution[9][3].
Several high-profile sedition and seditious conspiracy cases in U.S. history, such as those involving Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman in the 1990s, Puerto Rican nationalists in the 1950s, and even earlier prosecutions under the Alien and Sedition Acts, resulted in imprisonment, not capital punishment[9][4][3]. The last executions related to treason or similar crimes have typically involved espionage or treason, not sedition itself[3].
Sources
[1] 'Punishable by death': Trump decries Dems as seditionists. What does he mean? https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/11/20/sedition-death-trump-democrats/87379339007/
[2] What US Law Says About Sedition and Troops Defying Illegal Orders https://www.newsweek.com/what-us-law-says-sedition-troops-defying-illegal-orders-11084527
[3] A primer on treason, seditious conspiracy, and the Constitution https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/a-primer-on-treason-seditious-conspiracy-and-the-constitution
[4] Alien and Sedition Acts - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_and_Sedition_Acts
[5] Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) | National Archives https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/alien-and-sedition-acts
[6] Notable treason and sedition cases in American history - WPMI https://mynbc15.com/news/nation-world/notable-treason-and-sedition-cases-in-american-history
[7] The Sedition Act, 1798 - Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History | https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/sedition-act-1798
[8] May 16, 1918: The Sedition Act of 1918 Enacted https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/sedition-act-1918/
[9] Notable sedition, treason cases in American history | AP News https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-government-and-politics-capitol-siege-809273dd6e90d08a5109dd5a451a5c09
Actually, that's only true in theory and only for serving military personnel under very narrow criteria. No one has ever been executed for sedition alone in the history of the USA, thanks mainly to the First Amendment. A few persons have been imprisoned for "seditious conspiracy" in which calls for violence were a contributing offense.
Since Mr. Sweeney calls for "Facts," here are some that would appear to be relevant.
The typical criminal sanctions for sedition in the United States depend on whether the accused is a civilian or military personnel. For civilians, the closest federal offense is "seditious conspiracy" under 18 U.S. Code § 2384, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, fines, or both[1][2][3][4][5][6]. For military personnel under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), mutiny or sedition can be punishable by death, although the death penalty is extremely rare and generally reserved for the most serious cases[7][8].
Civilian Sanctions Under Federal Law
- Maximum prison sentence: Up to 20 years for seditious conspiracy[1][2][3][5][6][4].
- Fines: Can be substantial, ranging from thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the case[5].
- The actual charge of "sedition" does not exist as a standalone crime in U.S. law; prosecutions are generally for "seditious conspiracy"[9][10].
- Examples: Recent convictions related to the January 6 Capitol attack involved seditious conspiracy charges with multi-year sentences, though these did not reach the maximum possible penalties[11].
Military Sanctions Under UCMJ
- Punishment for sedition or mutiny may include the death penalty or other penalties as determined by court-martial[7][8].
- Execution is extremely rare, requiring substantial bureaucratic and presidential approval; historically, prison sentences are more common for less severe cases[7].
Additional Consequences
- Convicted individuals face long-term civil disabilities, including loss of certain civil rights, employment difficulties, and reputational harm[5].
- Asset forfeiture may apply for related crimes, such as rebellion or insurrection[4].
Summary Table
| Offender Type | Possible Penalty | Citation |
|---------------------|----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------|
| Civilian | Up to 20 years' imprisonment, fines | [1][2][3][4][5][6][9] |
| Military (UCMJ) | Death penalty or court-martial directed | [7][8] |
In practice, maximum penalties are rarely imposed, and most sedition-related prosecutions result in substantial—but not maximal—prison terms[11][6].
Sources
[1] 'Punishable by death': Trump decries Dems as seditionists. What does he mean? https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/11/20/sedition-death-trump-democrats/87379339007/
[2] 18 U.S. Code § 2384 - Seditious conspiracy - Cornell Law School https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2384
[3] 18 U.S. Code CHAPTER 115 - Office of the Law Revision Counsel https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=%2Fprelim%40title18%2Fpart1%2Fchapter115&edition=prelim
[4] Las Vegas Treason, Sedition, and Subversive Activities Defense ... https://www.legalmann.com/las-vegas-treason-sedition-and-subversive-activities-defense-lawyer/
[5] Sedition Charges? What You Need to Know for Defense https://www.mastersonhall.com/sedition-charges-what-you-need-to-know-for-defense/
[6] A Civilian's Guide to Insurrection Legalese | The Marshall Project https://www.themarshallproject.org/2021/01/08/a-civilian-s-guide-to-insurrection-legalese
[7] Uncommon Knowledge: Trump Shouts ‘Sedition,’ But Troops Don’t Agree https://www.newsweek.com/uncommon-knowledge-trump-sedition-death-troops-11085969
[8] Trump says 'seditious' Democrats urging US troops to refuse illegal orders should face death https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-says-democrats-who-told-us-military-refuse-illegal-orders-deserve-death-2025-11-20/
[9] No, Democratic Lawmakers Didn't Commit Sedition - The Free Press https://www.thefp.com/p/no-democratic-lawmakers-didnt-commit-sedition
[10] Trump calls for arrest of Democrats who told troops to refuse illegal orders https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-arrest-democrats-troops-illegal-orders-b2869176.html
[11] Seditious Conspiracy: What to Make of the Latest Oath Keepers ... https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/seditious-conspiracy-what-make-latest-oath-keepers-indictment
[12] What US Law Says About Sedition and Troops Defying Illegal Orders https://www.newsweek.com/what-us-law-says-sedition-troops-defying-illegal-orders-11084527
[13] Trump accuses Democrats of 'seditious behavior, punishable by death,' for urging military to ignore illegal orders https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/white-house/trump-democrats-death-penalty-sedition-military-orders-rcna245003
[14] Democrats file police complaints over Trump’s posts accusing them of sedition https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/11/21/congress/democrats-trump-sedition-police-complaint-00665862
[15] Trump: Telling troops to refuse illegal orders is 'seditious behavior' https://www.govexec.com/defense/2025/11/trump-accuses-lawmakers-seditious-behavior-encouraging-troops-refuse-illegal-orders/409710/
[16] Sedition - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedition
[17] Trump says Democrats’ message to military is ‘seditious behavior’ punishable by death https://apnews.com/article/trump-military-traitors-sedition-illegal-orders-c5fc3c5bd2fbc6b1204550e4203c24b2
[18] ‘Punishable by DEATH’: Trump threatens Democrats with sedition charges https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/20/punishable-by-death-trump-threatens-democrats-with-sedition-charges
[19] Here's a brief look at what sedition is under U.S. law, the penalties ... https://www.facebook.com/KCRA3/posts/heres-a-brief-look-at-what-sedition-is-under-us-law-the-penalties-and-whether-th/1290437416456910/
[20] Federal Treason, Sedition, & Subversive Activities Criminal Charges https://www.lvcriminaldefense.com/usc/treason-sedition-and-subversive-activities/
No one has ever been executed in the United States purely for the crime of sedition. While sedition carries severe penalties under both civilian and military law—including the possibility of the death penalty in military cases—historically, individuals prosecuted for sedition or seditious conspiracy have received prison sentences or fines, not execution[9][3].
Several high-profile sedition and seditious conspiracy cases in U.S. history, such as those involving Sheikh Omar Abdel-Rahman in the 1990s, Puerto Rican nationalists in the 1950s, and even earlier prosecutions under the Alien and Sedition Acts, resulted in imprisonment, not capital punishment[9][4][3]. The last executions related to treason or similar crimes have typically involved espionage or treason, not sedition itself[3].
Sources
[1] 'Punishable by death': Trump decries Dems as seditionists. What does he mean? https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/11/20/sedition-death-trump-democrats/87379339007/
[2] What US Law Says About Sedition and Troops Defying Illegal Orders https://www.newsweek.com/what-us-law-says-sedition-troops-defying-illegal-orders-11084527
[3] A primer on treason, seditious conspiracy, and the Constitution https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/a-primer-on-treason-seditious-conspiracy-and-the-constitution
[4] Alien and Sedition Acts - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alien_and_Sedition_Acts
[5] Alien and Sedition Acts (1798) | National Archives https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/alien-and-sedition-acts
[6] Notable treason and sedition cases in American history - WPMI https://mynbc15.com/news/nation-world/notable-treason-and-sedition-cases-in-american-history
[7] The Sedition Act, 1798 - Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History | https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/sedition-act-1798
[8] May 16, 1918: The Sedition Act of 1918 Enacted https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/sedition-act-1918/
[9] Notable sedition, treason cases in American history | AP News https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-government-and-politics-capitol-siege-809273dd6e90d08a5109dd5a451a5c09
TrumpRx — Another scam a'borning
Dear True Believers: If you think DJT has only your best interests at heart, consider the response to the following AI-assisted query. Spoiler alert: To paraphrase P.T. Barnum, there's a MAGA born every minute.
"Will Donald Trump, 'The Trump Organization' or any other trump family controlled entity profit from the proposed 'TrumpRx' platform?"
Response from Perplexity.ai:
Yes. Donald Trump, The Trump Organization, and Trump family-controlled entities are positioned to profit, both directly and indirectly, from the proposed TrumpRx platform.
While TrumpRx is promoted as a government-run website meant to reduce prescription drug costs by connecting consumers with discounted direct-to-consumer offers from pharmaceutical companies, investigative reporting and disclosures point to several business ties and financial interests that link the Trump family to potential profits from this initiative[1][2][3][4].
Trump Family Connections and Financial Interests
- Donald Trump Jr. sits on the board of BlinkRx, an online prescription drug delivery service that will likely benefit from increased traffic and sales generated by referrals through the TrumpRx platform[1][2][4].
- Trump Jr. and the investment firm 1789 Capital, known for backing "parallel economy" MAGA-branded businesses, are significant stakeholders in BlinkRx, giving the Trump family a direct financial interest in the success of companies positioned to profit from TrumpRx[1][2].
- Exclusive summits and events for pharmaceutical executives are being organized at Trump Jr.'s private club, potentially resulting in lucrative business opportunities for entities associated with the Trump family[1][2].
- Multiple reports confirm that family members of Donald Trump and even other administration officials (such as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s family) are set to profit from the new pharmaceutical market and regulatory overhaul enabled by TrumpRx and related policy shifts[3][4].
Platform Structure
- TrumpRx does not itself sell medications; it routes users to drug manufacturers’ or partners’ sales platforms, facilitating transactions without insurance intermediaries and amplifying direct-to-consumer sales[5][6].
- The restructuring of the market favors companies like BlinkRx, which provides these direct fulfillment and pricing solutions, furthering the financial interests of its board members and major investors—including Trump family members[1][2].
Expert Commentary
- Multiple analysts and reporters highlight significant ethical concerns over the Trump family's business entanglements and the potential for personal profit from a government-backed prescription drug marketplace[2][3][4].
- While some Trump family representatives claim there is no improper promotion or conflict of interest, independent observers suggest that alignment of government policy and private business interests is poised to benefit Trump family-controlled companies[1][2][3].
In summary, the Trump family, through both direct stakes and related business ventures, is likely to profit from the implementation and success of the TrumpRx platform[1][2][3][4].
Sources
"Will Donald Trump, 'The Trump Organization' or any other trump family controlled entity profit from the proposed 'TrumpRx' platform?"
Response from Perplexity.ai:
Yes. Donald Trump, The Trump Organization, and Trump family-controlled entities are positioned to profit, both directly and indirectly, from the proposed TrumpRx platform.
While TrumpRx is promoted as a government-run website meant to reduce prescription drug costs by connecting consumers with discounted direct-to-consumer offers from pharmaceutical companies, investigative reporting and disclosures point to several business ties and financial interests that link the Trump family to potential profits from this initiative[1][2][3][4].
Trump Family Connections and Financial Interests
- Donald Trump Jr. sits on the board of BlinkRx, an online prescription drug delivery service that will likely benefit from increased traffic and sales generated by referrals through the TrumpRx platform[1][2][4].
- Trump Jr. and the investment firm 1789 Capital, known for backing "parallel economy" MAGA-branded businesses, are significant stakeholders in BlinkRx, giving the Trump family a direct financial interest in the success of companies positioned to profit from TrumpRx[1][2].
- Exclusive summits and events for pharmaceutical executives are being organized at Trump Jr.'s private club, potentially resulting in lucrative business opportunities for entities associated with the Trump family[1][2].
- Multiple reports confirm that family members of Donald Trump and even other administration officials (such as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick’s family) are set to profit from the new pharmaceutical market and regulatory overhaul enabled by TrumpRx and related policy shifts[3][4].
Platform Structure
- TrumpRx does not itself sell medications; it routes users to drug manufacturers’ or partners’ sales platforms, facilitating transactions without insurance intermediaries and amplifying direct-to-consumer sales[5][6].
- The restructuring of the market favors companies like BlinkRx, which provides these direct fulfillment and pricing solutions, furthering the financial interests of its board members and major investors—including Trump family members[1][2].
Expert Commentary
- Multiple analysts and reporters highlight significant ethical concerns over the Trump family's business entanglements and the potential for personal profit from a government-backed prescription drug marketplace[2][3][4].
- While some Trump family representatives claim there is no improper promotion or conflict of interest, independent observers suggest that alignment of government policy and private business interests is poised to benefit Trump family-controlled companies[1][2][3].
In summary, the Trump family, through both direct stakes and related business ventures, is likely to profit from the implementation and success of the TrumpRx platform[1][2][3][4].
Sources
Local Citizens Terrified by Seasonal Display
Shrieking and running away in terror, residents of one local community...
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- TrumpRx — Another scam a'borning
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