May 21, 2019

More Propaganda Designed To Undermine The Constitution Here On DU

If you think you are being cute or witty by pointing out that Judge Merrick Garland is on the DC Court of Appeals so that, yes, a lot of appeals from the DCDC end up in that appellate court, and that this is somehow an opportunity for "karma" or "payback" of some kind, I'd like to suggest you are neither cute nor witty.

What you are, in fact, is a useful idiot in the continuing campaign to advance the notion that the institutions of the Constitution are thoroughly corrupted by petty self-interest, and that federal judges in particular are primarily motivated by personal vendettas.

This is a constant theme on DU. I can only guess as to why.

More recently, the judge in California presiding over the glyphosate litigation was confirmed, by many DUers as being a corrupt corporate tool on the basis of an evidentiary ruling he made months ago. When the plaintiffs actually won the trial, somehow it wasn't as interesting to the DU "corrupt federal judge" contingent.

I can only guess as to why.

I doubt that Judge Merrick issues rulings for the purpose of advancing his personal emotional satisfaction. In fact, I'm pretty sure he doesn't.

If you would like others to believe that he does, then I would like to know why (a) you believe bullshit like that, and/or (b) why you want others to believe bullshit like that.

I don't think that Judge Garland is corrupt. But it is obvious that a whole bunch of DUers want you to believe he is. Ask yourself why.

May 21, 2019

Are you familiar with the Belt and Road Initiative?

Coming soon, to a world near you from which we have retreated...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belt_and_Road_Initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global development strategy adopted by the Chinese government involving infrastructure development and investments in 152 countries and international organizations in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. "Belt" refers to the overland routes for road and rail transportation, called "the Silk Road Economic Belt"; whereas "road" refers to the sea routes, or the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.

...

A report from Fitch Ratings suggests that China's plan to build ports, roads, railways, and other forms of infrastructure in under-developed Eurasia and Africa is out of political motivation rather than real demand for infrastructure. ...

The Belt and Road Initiative is believed by some analysts to be a way to extend Chinese influence at the expense of the US, in order to fight for regional leadership in Asia. China has already invested billions of dollars in several South Asian countries like Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan to improve their basic infrastructure, with implications for China's trade regime as well as its military influence.

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May 21, 2019

Can you identify this tune?

This is a propaganda video produced by the the Chinese government, using Chinese pop stars to promote the new "social credit" system with the theme "be as good as your word". The video shows how being a good citizen allows perks like libraries, bike share, business advancement, and so on.

The melody is awful, but the chorus at around 47 seconds in reminds me of a tune I just can't put my finger on.

May 16, 2019

Michael Avenatti Secures Private Counsel After Asking for Public Defender

(Not sure if he's still a favored primary candidate among his devoted DU fans, but posting in General anyway)

https://www.thedailybeast.com/michael-avenatti-wants-public-defender-for-his-fraud-and-embezzlement-case

A federal judge rejected Avenatti’s request for a public defender on Tuesday without providing a reason. Public defenders are usually appointed for defendants who cannot afford a lawyer, but can also be appointed for defendants who prove the cost of defending the case exceeds their living expenses. Avenatti argued “that he falls into the latter category of eligibility and requests an opportunity to contribute to his representation,” according to court filings.

Prosecutors wanted Avenatti to fill out financial forms to show he can’t afford an attorney. The Public Defender asked that Avenatti not be required to disclose his finances as it “would be a demanding and time-intensive effort,” the motion reads.

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The story is somewhat inaccurate in stating that the judge rejected Avenatti's public defender request "without providing a reason."

Avenatti wanted special treatment to obtain a public defender without providing a sworn financial disclosure. As anyone familiar with the charges against him, and his financial shell games played with Tully's Coffee and the IRS, his divorce proceeding, and his bankruptcy court shenanigans, providing a statement under oath about his financial condition is a particularly challenging and hazardous thing for this two-bit scumbag grifter to pull off without engaging in further crime.

On the upside, it's good to see he's still pursuing the things he loves, and regularly engaging with everyday people. He's made "Avenatti-baiting" a thing on Twitter.

May 8, 2019

Pan Mass Challenge 2019

The Pan Mass Challenge is one of the largest and oldest charity rides in the US. Held the first weekend in August since 1980, the PMC has raised over $660 Million for research programs and patient treatment at the Dana Farber Cancer Center. There are treatments and research programs which literally would not exist but for the generosity that supporters of the PMC have shown over the years.

Last year more than 6,000 riders raised $56 Million, and every rider-raised dollar goes directly to research and treatment programs detailed here: https://www.pmc.org/what-we-do

I rode with a friend of mine in 2017, and together we raised just under $20,000. Other commitments kept me from riding last year, but will be joining the ride again this August on a two-day, 160 mile route from Wellesley to Provincetown, and am personally aiming for $10,000.

I'd like to invite you to ride along with us again this year. If you would like to donate to the effort, my fundraising page for your tax-deductible contribution in any amount is here: http://profile.pmc.org/JB0722

If you are in southeastern MA or the Cape, we'll be looking for you along the road... followed by the world's craziest ferry ride..

May 8, 2019

Avenatti Given 8 Days to Hire Defense in Bank Fraud Case

https://www.courthousenews.com/avenatti-given-8-days-to-hire-defense-in-bank-fraud-case/

Prosecutors want U.S. District Judge James V. Selna to either order Avenatti to hire a lawyer or have him fill out a statement about his finances that explains his need for a public defender. They said they don’t want to delay the estimated 15-day trial, set to begin June 4, and added Avenatti’s alleged victims have a right to speedy proceedings.

Avenatti has a “pattern and practice of using delay tactics to avoid responsibility for his conduct,” prosecutors said.

But Selna gave Avenatti until May 15 to retain counsel.

April 22, 2019

Avenatti accused of embezzling $1.5M from NBA player Hassan Whiteside

This is brilliant.

Whiteside's former girlfriend had some kind of legal claim against Whiteside, so she hired Michael Avenatti. They reached a confidential settlement under which Whiteside paid $2.75M to Avenatti, from which he was to deduct his fees and disburse the rest to her.

Instead, he kept it all, and doled out small payments to her while claiming Whiteside wasn't paying.

The best part is that when confronted, Avenatti tweets this:

https://thehill.com/homenews/news/439933-avenatti-accused-of-embezzling-15m-from-nba-player-hassan-whiteside-report


"I look forward to ALL of the details coming out regarding Hassan Whiteside’s settlement, the money received by the client, the money deducted for fees and costs, etc. and the reason why he paid the money. I especially look forward to the inquiry by the @NBA and its commissioner," he said on Twitter.

After he allegedly embezzled the money from Whiteside, Avenatti told Gardner he would pay out the money she was owed in monthly installments over eight years, the Times reported.

Avenatti ultimately made 11 payments to Gardner that totaled about $194,000 before the payments stopped in June 2018, prosecutors allege, according to the Times. Avenatti then began deceiving Gardner, claiming that Whiteside was skipping payments, prosecutors say.

Because, yeah, nothing says "confidential settlement" better than one of the lawyers threatening to reveal all of the details on his own.

April 18, 2019

Why is Elton John announcing the release of the Mueller Report?

April 18, 2019

ActBlue Still Raising Money For Michael Avenatti

Michael Avenatti's "The Fight PAC" needs your donations now more than ever.

His first 2019 quarterly filing is bleak:

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http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00685966/1326566/

Cash on hand at Beginning of Reporting Period 10157.96
Total Receipts 17879.43
Subtotal 28037.39

Total Disbursements 21151.00

Cash on Hand at Close of Reporting Period 6886.39

Debts and Obligations Owed BY the Committee 36224.78

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As you know, Michael Avenatti is the only "fighter" in the ring. He's said repeatedly that none of the Democratic candidates so far have the determination to fight that he does.

Now, you may have heard that federal prosecutors, the FBI, the IRS, his former coffee business partners, his former law practice partners, his former clients, Nike, a bankruptcy judge, and one of his former two wives, have all teamed up to spread outrageous lies about him.

Even the Federal Election Commission has gotten in on just making up stuff about him:



But, thank goodness ActBlue is still standing by Michael Avenatti, and you can still donate through ActBlue to keep his boat floating (assuming he had a boat, and assuming the feds haven't seized it like they did with his airplane):

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/the-fight-pac-1

Now, I know that when I've posted that link before, DUers have stood up and proudly donated to the only fighter in the ring. I expect no less now that he is in his hour of need.

April 16, 2019

DoJ cites "ongoing investigations" in Manafort filing

https://www.axios.com/paul-manafort-special-counsel-mueller-justice-department-c75a84ae-1dc9-45ee-b199-ebaeefd1abad.html

DOJ won't unseal Manafort records due to several "ongoing investigations"

The U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia argued in a court filing Monday that the Washington Post's request to release sealed and redacted records related to Paul Manafort's case should be rejected because of the existence of several "ongoing investigations."

"The redactions at issue were undertaken and approved recently — from December 2018, through March 2019. No material changes have occurred in these past months. Although the Special Counsel has concluded his work, he has also referred a number of matters to other offices. The ongoing investigations that required redactions — many of which were already being conducted by other offices — remain ongoing."