Our mission, as God-fearing and God-loving patriots, is to defend this Constitutional Republic and to increase its greatness, in all good things and ways, by using our voices in free but courteous speech, by discussing the happenings of the world and coming to a profound understanding of those things, and by sharing and promulgating these Truths on both this platform and others.
Welcome to the Open Thread! Wow, December is flying by quickly. We’ve decorated, wrapped gifts for friends and family, and we’ve partied with our buddies. This weekend, right before Christmas, is our most holy. Take a moment for remembrance and charity. Give of your time or your money. It means so much.
This Justice Is Coming December open thread is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody to post whatever they feel they would like to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the MAGA / KAG! / KMAG world.
Please feel free to comment. We have a new policy, starting 20191110. Keep it SOMEWHAT civil. Our rules began with the civility of the Old Treehouse, later to become the Wolverinian Empire, except of course that Q discussion is not only allowed but encouraged, and speech is considerably freer in other ways. Please feel free to argue and disagree with the board owner, as nicely as possible.
Please feel free to comment. We have a new policy, starting 20191110. Keep it SOMEWHAT civil. Our rules began with the civility of the Old Treehouse, later to become the Wolverinian Empire, except of course that Q discussion is not only allowed but encouraged, and speech is considerably freer in other ways. Please feel free to argue and disagree with the board owner, as nicely as possible.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here in the January 1st open thread. Let’s not give the odious Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven.
We have a new board – actually a new SITE – called The U Tree – where people can take each other to the woodshed without fear of censorship or moderation. NOT HERE. This board will remain a REFUGE for those who need civility, either some or all of the time.
Please keep the President, his family and team in your thoughts and prayers. If you run into the President, SPEAK THE FIVE WORDS BOLDLY. “I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!“
TIME TO….
DRAIN THE SWAMP
Our movement
Is about replacing
A failed
And CORRUPT
Political establishment
With a new government controlled
By you, the American People.
Candidate Donald J. Trump
Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:
No food fights.
No running with scissors.
If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.
Years ago, I joined a Fortune 100 company. As the newbie, I was drafted to head the toy drive for a migrant camp for the following year, but first, I had to attend the ceremony for the present year. Our office brought in SIX gifts. What? That’s right, six gifts – not even wrapped – from over 500 people, plus a big check. Standing next to the Annual Drive Chairman, at the ceremony, I was humiliated in front of the Marines, who were Toys For Tots. My Dad was a Marine. Next year, we had over 8000 gifts, and we wrapped them all. It was supposed to be about the kids, Christmas, and giving, …..not just a check.
The Marines do a terrific job with Toys for Tots
Have a girlfriend who does this every year. It’s become a family tradition.
And don’t forget to chip in your handiwork at Church. Order a poinsettia and help decorate.
One year, a very adept church member put my grandmother and my mother-in law in charge of Christmas decorations. Yeah, I got the call, but it was respectful, gorgeous, and we had a great time.
Please be patient with our Police and Fire Departments this year. They’re kind of busy with the crazy people.
And yes, I know, I know, but it would not be Christmas without a little bit of Elvis. You can sing along, it won’t hurt too much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9-ifPTvy0M
Merry Christmas, QTreepers, from our house to your house!
Pushed to make a stand by rabid behavior of Lawfare Dems and Nancy Pelosi, Mitch sheds his RINO NeverTrump skin, and takes to the podium in the well of the Senate. What followed was the speech of a Statesman.
McConnell Remarks on House Democrats’ Impeachment of President Trump
‘This is by far the thinnest basis for any House-passed presidential impeachment in American history… The prosecutors are getting cold feet in front of the entire country and second-guessing whether they even want to go to trial… It will be an unprecedented constitutional crisis if the Senate agrees to set the bar this low forever.’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks today on the Senate floor regarding House Democrats’ impeachment vote:
‘Last night House Democrats finally did what they decided to do long ago: They voted to impeach President Trump.
‘Over the last 12 weeks, House Democrats have conducted the most rushed, least thorough, and most unfair impeachment inquiry in modern history.
‘Now their slapdash process has concluded in the first purely partisan presidential impeachment since the wake of the Civil War. The opposition to impeachment was bipartisan. Only one part of one faction wanted this outcome.
‘The House’s conduct risks deeply damaging the institutions of American government. This particular House of Representatives has let its partisan rage at this particular President create a toxic new precedent that will echo into the future.
‘That’s what I want to discuss now: The historic degree to which House Democrats have failed to do their duty — and what it will mean for the Senate to do ours.
‘Let’s start at the beginning. Let’s start with the fact that Washington Democrats made up their minds to impeach President Trump since before he was even inaugurated
‘Here’s a reporter in April 2016. Quote, “Donald Trump isn’t even the Republican nominee yet… [but] ‘Impeachment’ is already on the lips of pundits, newspaper editorials, constitutional scholars, and even a few members of Congress.”
‘On Inauguration Day 2017, this headline in the Washington Post: “The campaign to impeach President Trump has begun.” That was day one.
‘In April 2017, three months into the presidency, a senior House Democrat said “I’m going to fight every day until he’s impeached.” That was three months in.
‘In December 2017, two years ago, Congressman Jerry Nadler was openly campaigning to be ranking member on House Judiciary specifically because he was an expert on impeachment.
‘This week wasn’t even the first time House Democrats have introduced articles of impeachment. It was the seventh time.
‘They started less than six months after the president was sworn in.
‘They tried to impeach President Trump for being impolite to the press… For being mean to professional athletes… For changing President Obama’s policy on transgender people in the military.
‘All of these things were “high crimes and misdemeanors” according to Democrats.
‘This wasn’t just a few people. Scores of Democrats voted to move forward with impeachment on three of those prior occasions.
‘So let’s be clear. The House’s vote yesterday was not some neutral judgment that Democrats came to reluctantly. It was the pre-determined end of a partisan crusade that began before President Trump was even nominated, let alone sworn in.
‘For the very first time in modern history we have seen a political faction in Congress promise from the moment a presidential election ended that they would find some way to overturn it.
‘A few months ago, Democrats’ three-year-long impeachment in search of articles found its way to the subject of Ukraine. And House Democrats embarked on the most rushed, least thorough, and most unfair impeachment inquiry in modern history.
‘Chairman Schiff’s inquiry was poisoned by partisanship from the outset. Its procedures and parameters were unfair in unprecedented ways.
‘Democrats tried to make Chairman Schiff into a de facto Special Prosecutor, notwithstanding the fact that he is a partisan member of Congress who’d already engaged in strange and biased behavior.
‘He scrapped precedent to cut the Republican minority out of the process. He denied President Trump the same sorts of procedural rights that Houses of both parties had provided to past presidents of both parties.
‘President Trump’s counsel could not participate in Chairman Schiff’s hearings, present evidence, or cross-examine witnesses.
‘The House Judiciary Committee’s crack at this was even more ahistorical. It was like the Speaker called up Chairman Nadler and ordered one impeachment, rush delivery please.
‘That Committee found no facts of its own and did nothing to verify the Schiff report. Their only witnesses were liberal law professors and congressional staffers.
‘There’s a reason the impeachment inquiry that led to President Nixon’s resignation required about 14 months of hearings. 14 months. In addition to a special prosecutor’s investigation.
‘With President Clinton, the independent counsel’s inquiry had been underway for years before the House Judiciary Committee dug in. Mountains of evidence. Mountains of testimony from firsthand fact witnesses. Serious legal battles to get what was necessary.
‘This time around, House Democrats skipped all of that and spent just 12 weeks.
‘More than a year of hearings for Nixon… multiple years of investigation for Clinton… and they’ve impeached President Trump in 12 weeks.
‘So let’s talk about what the House actually produced in those 12 weeks.
‘House Democrats’ rushed and rigged inquiry yielded two articles of impeachment. They are fundamentally unlike any articles that any prior House of Representatives has ever passed.
‘The first article concerns the core events which House Democrats claim are impeachable — the timing of aid to Ukraine.
‘But it does not even purport to allege any actual crime. Instead, they deploy this vague phrase, “abuse of power,” to impugn the president’s actions in a general, indeterminate way.
‘Speaker Pelosi’s House just gave into a temptation that every other House in history had managed to resist: They impeached a president whom they do not even allege has committed an actual crime known to our laws. They impeached simply because they disagree with a presidential act and question the motive behind it.
‘Look at history. The Andrew Johnson impeachment revolved around a clear violation of a criminal statute, albeit an unconstitutional one. Nixon had obstruction of justice — a felony under our laws. Clinton had perjury — also a felony.
‘Now, the Constitution does not say the House can impeach only those presidents who violate a law.
‘But history matters. Precedent matters. And there were important reasons why every previous House of Representatives in American history restrained itself from crossing this Rubicon.
‘The framers of our Constitution very specifically discussed whether the House should be able to impeach presidents just for “maladministration”— in other words, because the House simply thought the president had bad judgment or was doing a bad job.
‘The written records of the founders’ debates show they specifically rejected this. They realized it would create total dysfunction to set the bar for impeachment that low.
‘James Madison himself explained that allowing impeachment on that basis would mean the President serves at the pleasure of the Congress instead of the pleasure of the American people.
‘It would make the President a creature of Congress, not the head of a separate and equal branch. So there were powerful reasons why Congress after Congress for 230 years required presidential impeachments to revolve around clear, recognizable crimes, even though that was not a strict limitation.
‘Powerful reasons why, for 230 years, no House opened the Pandora’s box of subjective, political impeachments.
‘That 230-year tradition died last night.
‘Now, House Democrats have tried to say they had to impeach President Trump on this historically thin and subjective basis because the White House challenged their requests for more witnesses.
‘And that brings us to the second article of impeachment.
‘The House titled this one “obstruction of Congress.” What it really does is impeach the president for asserting presidential privilege.
‘The concept of executive privilege is another two-century-old constitutional tradition. Presidents starting with George Washington have invoked it. Federal courts have repeatedly affirmed it as a legitimate constitutional power.
‘House Democrats requested extraordinary amounts of sensitive information from President Trump’s White House — exactly the kinds of things over which presidents of both parties have asserted privilege in the past.
‘Predictably, and appropriately, President Trump did not simply roll over. He defended the constitutional authority of his office.
‘It is not a constitutional crisis for a House to want more information than a president wants to give up. It is a routine occurrence. The separation of powers is messy by design.
‘Here’s what should happen next: Either the President and Congress negotiate a settlement, or the third branch of government, the judiciary, addresses the dispute between the other two.
‘The Nixon impeachment featured disagreements over presidential privilege — so they went to the courts. The Clinton impeachment featured disagreements over presidential privilege — so they went to the courts.
‘This takes time. It’s inconvenient. That’s actually the point. Due process is not meant to maximize the convenience of the prosecutor. It is meant to protect the accused.
‘But this time was different. Remember: 14 months of hearings for Richard Nixon… years of investigation for Bill Clinton… but 12 weeks for President Trump.
‘Democrats didn’t have to rush this. But they chose to stick to their political timetable at the expense of pursuing more evidence through proper legal channels.
‘Nobody made Chairman Schiff do this. He chose to.
‘The Tuesday before last, on live television, Adam Schiff explained to the entire country that if House Democrats had let the justice system follow its normal course, they might not have gotten to impeach the president in time for the election!
‘In Nixon, the courts were allowed to do their work. In Clinton, the courts were allowed to do their work. Only these House Democrats decided due process is too much work and they’d rather impeach with no proof.
And, they tried to cover for their own partisan impatience by pretending that the routine occurrence of a president exerting constitutional privilege is itself a second impeachable offense.
The following is something that Adam Schiff literally said in early October. Here’s what he said:
“Any action… that forces us to litigate, or have to consider litigation, will be considered further evidence of obstruction of justice.”
‘Here is what the Chairman effectively said, and what one of his committee members restated just this week: If the President asserts his constitutional rights, it’s that much more evidence he is guilty.
‘That kind of bullying is antithetical to American justice.
‘So those are House Democrats’ two articles of impeachment. That’s all their rushed and rigged inquiry could generate:
‘An act that the House does not even allege is criminal; and a nonsensical claim that exercising a legitimate presidential power is somehow an impeachable offense.
‘This is by far the thinnest basis for any House-passed presidential impeachment in American history. The thinnest and the weakest — and nothing else comes even close.
‘And candidly, I don’t think I am the only person around here who realizes this. Even before the House voted yesterday, Democrats had already started to signal uneasiness with its end product.
‘Before the articles even passed, the Senate Democratic Leader went on television to demand that this body re-do House Democrats’ homework for them. That the Senate should supplement Chairman Schiff’s sloppy work so it is more persuasive than Chairman Schiff himself bothered to make it.
‘Of course, every such demand simply confirms that House Democrats have rushed forward with a case that is much too weak.
‘Back in June, Speaker Pelosi promised the House would, quote, “build an ironclad case.” Never mind that she was basically promising impeachment months before the Ukraine events, but that’s a separate matter.
‘She promised “an ironclad case.”
‘And in March, Speaker Pelosi said this: “Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless there’s something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I don’t think we should go down that path, because it divides the country.” End quote.
‘By the Speaker’s own standards, she has failed the country. This case is not compelling, not overwhelming, and as a result, not bipartisan. This failure was made clear to everyone earlier this week, when Senator Schumer began searching for ways the Senate could step out of our proper role and try to fix House Democrats’ failures for them.
‘And it was made even more clear last night, when Speaker Pelosi suggested that House Democrats may be too afraid to even transmit their work product to the Senate.
‘The prosecutors are getting cold feet in front of the entire country and second-guessing whether they even want to go to trial.
‘They said impeachment was so urgent that it could not even wait for due process but now they’re content to sit on their hands. It is comical.
‘Democrats’ own actions concede that their allegations are unproven.
‘But the articles aren’t just unproven. They’re also constitutionally incoherent. Frankly, if either of these articles is blessed by the Senate, we could easily see the impeachment of every future president of either party.
‘Let me say that again: If the Senate blesses this historically low bar, we will invite the impeachment of every future president.
‘The House Democrats’ allegations, as presented, are incompatible with our constitutional order. They are unlike anything that has ever been seen in 230 years of this Republic.
‘House Democrats want to create new rules for this president because they feel uniquely enraged. But long after the partisan fever of this moment has broken, the institutional damage will remain.
‘I’ve described the threat to the presidency. But this also imperils the Senate itself.
‘The House has created an unfair, unfinished product that looks nothing like any impeachment inquiry in American history. And if the Speaker ever gets her house in order, that mess will be dumped on the Senate’s lap.
‘If the Senate blesses this slapdash impeachment… if we say that from now on, this is enough… then we will invite an endless parade of impeachment trials.
‘Future Houses of either party will feel free to toss up a “jump ball” every time they feel angry. Free to swamp the Senate with trial after trial, no matter how baseless the charges.
‘We would be giving future Houses of either party unbelievable new power to paralyze the Senate at their whim.
‘More thin arguments. More incomplete evidence. More partisan impeachments.
In fact, this same House of Representatives has already indicated that they themselves may not be done impeaching!
‘The House Judiciary Committee told a federal court this week that it will continue its impeachment investigation even after voting on these articles. And multiple Democratic members have already called publicly for more.
‘If the Senate blesses this, if the nation accepts it, presidential impeachments may cease being once-in-a-generation events and become a constant part of the political background noise.
‘This extraordinary tool of last resort may become just another part of the arms race of polarization.
‘Real statesmen would have recognized, no matter their view of this president, that trying to remove him on this thin and partisan basis could unsettle the foundations of our Republic.
‘Real statesmen would have recognized, no matter how much partisan animosity might be coursing through their veins, that cheapening the impeachment process was not the answer.
‘Historians will regard this as a great irony of this era: That so many who professed such concern for our norms and traditions themselves proved willing to trample our constitutional order to get their way.
‘It is long past time for Washington D.C. to get a little perspective.
‘President Trump is not the first president with a populist streak…Not the first to make entrenched elites uncomfortable. He’s certainly not the first president to speak bluntly… to mistrust the administrative state… or to rankle unelected bureaucrats.
‘And Heaven knows he is not our first president to assert the constitutional privileges of his office rather than roll over when Congress demands unlimited sensitive information.
‘None of these things is unprecedented.
‘I’ll tell you what would be unprecedented. It will be an unprecedented constitutional crisis if the Senate hands the House of Representatives a new, partisan “vote of no confidence” that the founders intentionally withheld, destroying the independence of the presidency.
‘It will be unprecedented if we agree that any future House that dislikes any future president can rush through an unfair inquiry, skip the legal system, and paralyze the Senate with a trial. The House could do that at will under this precedent.
‘It will be unprecedented if the Senate says secondhand and thirdhand testimony from unelected civil servants is enough to overturn the people’s vote.
‘It will be an unprecedented constitutional crisis if the Senate agrees to set the bar this low — forever.
‘It is clear what this moment requires. It requires the Senate to fulfill our founding purpose.
‘The framers built the Senate to provide stability. To take the long view for our Republic. To safeguard institutions from the momentary hysteria that sometimes consumes our politics. To keep partisan passions from boiling over.
‘The Senate exists for moments like this.
‘That’s why this body has the ultimate say in impeachments.
‘The framers knew the House would be too vulnerable to transient passions and violent factionalism. They needed a body that could consider legal questions about what has been proven and political questions about what the common good of our nation requires.
‘Hamilton said explicitly in Federalist 65 that impeachment involves not just legal questions, but inherently political judgments about what outcome best serves the nation.
‘The House can’t do both. The courts can’t do both.
‘This is as grave an assignment as the Constitution gives to any branch of government, and the framers knew only the Senate could handle it. Well, the moment the framers feared has arrived.
‘A political faction in the lower chamber have succumbed to partisan rage. They have fulfilled Hamilton’s prophesy that impeachment will, quote, “connect itself with the pre-existing factions… enlist all their animosities… [and] there will always be the greatest danger that the decision will be regulated more by the comparative strength of parties, than by the real demonstrations of innocence or guilt.” End quote.
‘That is what happened in the House last night. The vote did not reflect what had been proven. It only reflects how they feel about the President.
‘The Senate must put this right. We must rise to the occasion.
‘There is only one outcome that is suited to the paucity of evidence, the failed inquiry, the slapdash case.
‘Only one outcome suited to the fact that the accusations themselves are constitutionally incoherent.
‘Only one outcome that will preserve core precedents rather than smash them into bits in a fit of partisan rage because one party still cannot accept the American people’s choice in 2016.
‘It could not be clearer which outcome would serve the stabilizing, institution-preserving, fever-breaking role for which the United States Senate was created… and which outcome would betray it.
‘The Senate’s duty is clear. The Senate’s duty is clear.
Heads up, we have another Horowitz Committee Hearing in the Senate to Ron Johnson’s Committee. This hearing might be far more interesting than ShamPeachment in the House.
Note: This testimony comes after Rosemary Collyer’s strong rebuke of FISA Process AND after Devin Nunes has called for a complete shutdown of FISC Court in the interim.
Did someone say Christmas Rally? You mean we can hang garland and lights on my Red MAGA Hat? Never been to a MAGA Merry Christmas Rally, have you? Who wants to go to Michigan tomorrow? I’m ready! Where exactly is Battle Creek?
Battle Creek is about halfway between Chicago and Detroit, within striking distance of Lansing, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Ann Arbor + Ohio and Indiana
Our crew is currently in route to Battle Creek, Michigan, to cover President @realDonaldTrump's 'Merry Christmas' rally tomorrow! 🌟🎄🌟
Join us for coverage of the president's remarks, all speakers uninterrupted, and interviews with patriots 🇺🇸https://t.co/LEc8equd9b
You know WHY the rally is at the Kellogg Arena???? Because Battle Creek, Michigan is known all over the WORLD as CEREAL CITY, USA. Home to Kellogg’s and Tony the Tiger.
Since we’re traveling the country, virtually, with the President, we need to know a little bit more about Michigan before we get there. It’s okay, I’ll read to you while you drive….
The state of Michigan is composed of two peninsulas. One looks like a mitten, and the other, like a seagull (people who live on the upper peninsula(U.P.) are called “Yoopers”). The two are divided by the Straits of Mackinac, about 5 miles across. The state, with both land masses, is surrounded by 4/5 fresh water Great Lakes and 64,980 inland lakes and ponds. Natural freshwater is found in abundance in MI. In fact, every one of the 10 million people (10th largest by population) who live in MI are no more than 6 miles from a fresh water natural resource.
Michigan is home to The Detroit Lions, Octopus on the Ice for the RedWings, America’s Auto Industry, and Motown music. Michigan changed the world and exported American Culture. From Cairo to Bangladesh, there was once a time when we all sang the same songs…… and many were written by Smokey Robinson. And the pinnacle of American freedom and capitalism was an American muscle car…… still is.
No one can compete with Detroit!
State of Michigan is 456 miles x 386 miles, median income is $54,909 (ranked 34th)- but that stat is from Dec of ’16, before President Trump’s economy. Michigan was settled/controlled by Indians, the French, Brits, and finally became a state in 1837 (26th one). The Indians were a mix of Algonquian peoples, which include the Anishinaabe groups of Ojibwe (referred to as “Chippewa” in the United States), Ottawa, and the Bodéwadmi. The three nations co-existed peacefully as part of a loose confederation called the Council of Three Fires………. which is WHY we find, close to Battle Creek, a FireKeepers Casino on Indian Land.
I cannot tell you how beautiful the town of Battle Creek Michigan is at Christmas. It’s perfect and could have been the live set from the Movie “A Christmas Story”. Stay a few days and do some last minute shopping.
Here’s the pic from 1939, Battle Creek Christmas, very little has changed.
It’s Christmas Magic in Battle Creek.
There’s a big balloon festival.
And the old Train Depot is all lit up for the season.
Storefronts are decorated with special Christmas toys.
“Battle Creek” is kind of an unusual name, right? The city got its name from a skirmish that occurred between a government survey party and two Native Americans during the winter of 1823/24. The altercation led settlers to name a nearby waterway the “Battle Creek River,” which itself inspired the naming of Battle Creek. With all the lakes and ponds in Michigan, the local settlers needed bridges.
Joshua’s Crossing, all dressed up for Christmas. Throughout the region every vista is a photographer’s dream.
Town locals decorate the bridges.
The whole state looks like a Christmas Card.
Ohhhh, and did I forget to mention….. Ford Motor Company just announced a 1.5 BILLION dollar investment in Detroit plants. We’re building trucks and SUVs in Detroit again! Another 3,000 Auto Workers. Michigan is getting their groove back and the proof is in the numbers. In 2016, the GDP of Michigan was 460 billion, but by the end of 2018, they hit 527 BILLION (according to St Louis Fed). The very definition of an economic boom – thanks to this guy! Passage of USMCA will only make it better for those in Michigan! MOAR car parts Made in the USA.
OUR President is so cool, he looks like a Secret Service Agent.
The entire political leadership of Michigan is Dem, their Gov, the Lt. Gov, their Senators, 7 Congressmen (6 are Repubs and 1 Indie). MI was always a stronghold for Dems because of Union voting. BUT, times are changing, union rank and file don’t trust leadership and Donald Trump is the one delivering for them. Be on the lookout for this guy….. John James. He’s a Repub, West Point grad, Army Ranger, Businessman, and Conservative. No doubt, he will be at the rally tomorrow.
And the very BEST part about Michigan??? You know, Michigan has a few nicknames, “The Great Lakes State” is one, but the official nickname is THE WOLVERINE STATE.
I mean, how can we NOT love a state filled with Wolverines!
Suddenly, I’m in love with Michigan! So, let’s all hop into the Caddie and take a road trip….. we’re going to Battle Creek for a MAGA Merry Christmas Rally! Plug in some Motown and we’ll be there in no time. Thank you, President Trump. Godspeed.
Perfect for a road trip to Battle Creek!
This rally will be one for the ages.
PS. I’ll post the live links in the morning as soon as the outlets release them.
It’s been said, “Everything I ever needed to know, I learned in high school.” Well, maybe not everything, but it is surprising how much we learn about social interaction as teenagers, and it is disturbing how much the rest of our lives are based on lessons learned in high school. Let’s see what you all think.
The guys, hanging out.
Yesterday morning, GrandmaInTexas posted an article about the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Madrid. Officially, it’s the 2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP25. The problems of group dynamics in Madrid are no different than when we were all in high school. It’s probably why they like Greta so much.
For the past two weeks, representatives from almost 200 countries have been meeting in Madrid to solve the problem of Climate Change. Contrary to US policy, Nancy Pelosi and an entire US Delegation made the trip to Madrid, addressed the member nations, and Pelosi pronounced, “We are with you.”, even though we’re not. Here’s a list of those who went: https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/113019
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Chairman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Committee on Energy and Commerce
Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), Committee on Science, Space, Technology
Chairman Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Committee on Natural Resources
Chairwoman Kathy Castor (D-FL), Select Committee on the Climate Crisis
Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN)
Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Congressman Jared Huffman (D-CA)
Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA)
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI)
Congressman Mike Levin (D-CA)
Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL)
Congressman Joe Neguse (D-CO)
Cheerleaders got to go on the special trip to Madrid.
Greta Thuneberg also made an appearance to much fanfare.
The tattletale kid that no one likes. The kid who really does want to turn the lights out at 10:00pm when we’re on a team trip.
We’ve been watching the news coming out of the Madrid Conference. It’s not about climate at all. It’s a money grab, pure and simple, with no decisive leaders. They reached no conclusion, except to spend another two weeks of vacation, in Glasgow next year, for another conference. After two weeks……. nothing. It’s been almost five years since the Paris Accords, yet still…….. nothing.
And then it hit me. My high school classmates were more effective when it comes to decision making. Committees….. yikes! We learned all about committees in high school, remember? Our school had almost 5,000 students, the size of most small colleges. Strangely, our high school problem was/is remarkably similar to the Madrid Conference. Watch ……
As a sophomore, somehow I ended up on a committee to decide whether or not we needed a school uniform. Our group was to meet once a week, for a school year, develop a report with recommendations to be adopted the subsequent school year. Similarities to Madrid = Handpicked people, fairly well respected within their own sphere of influence, either ignorant and well intentioned or malicious and aware of the real motives of superior power …… sounds like Madrid Climate Conference. The players are the same since high school.
We were a bunch of young kids who didn’t know any better, right? Chances are, as teenagers, we were well intentioned. Let’s assume COP25 attendees were mostly well intentioned. At our first meeting, we vigorously discussed the topic in great detail = high energy in the beginning, a lot like Madrid. Discussions were pretty hot, and our meeting went far longer than we anticipated = Madrid went two days beyond schedule. Yet, we took several votes, compromised, and resolved the problem = no uniform but a guideline of what was/was not acceptable altering past handbook = UNLIKE like Madrid, we reached conclusions. I was tasked to write up the results and send to school admins. Sure, no problem. Within a few days, I was done and recommendations submitted.
Few days later, I was notified to appear to School Administration office to “report” for a panel discussion later that month. In the days leading up to the meeting, several other students approached me and warned me to “to a good job”. I got the impression it was more important than I originally thought. But I was a dumb young kid, right? I wore a suit, reviewed mine and others notes, wrote down our main points in short outline and thought I was ready. How bad could it be?
Five Administrators on the panel and I was questioned like Joan of Arc with Administrators who were giddy, building a fire for my imminent demise. Similarities to Madrid = I was the USA who refused to pay billions/trillions to other countries for an ill-defined definition and promotion of climate change, let alone a financial marketplace like a stock exchange trading carbon credits.
First revelation: It became apparent the panel didn’t like the idea that students came to conclusions so quickly. Well, that was a surprise. We were supposed to take A WHOLE YEAR to decide. They expected us to meet once a week for an hour…. all year long. Does this sound like Brexit to you? Or Climate Change? We don’t like your answer, so we think you need to study it more until you agree with our desired outcome. We don’t like efficiency, we need another vacation at another European capital? Scary similarities.
In reality, our classmates first meeting went almost five hours long at a local pizza joint. We stayed, ate, and drank beer (we could back then) until we figured it out. We were far more effective than those in Madrid. Consensus reached, no pretense. When is the last time it was so easy for the United Nations? When people are left to their own devices, even self-absorbed teenagers don’t like to waste time.
I attempted to counter the panel’s invalid objection as to “proper gestation length” for examination of the problem, discussion, and how fast we could expect a baby – a set of solutions. A “time” objection was false on merit but it’s almost impossible for a teen to tell an adult they’re incorrect. I assured the panel our conclusions would be no different in the spring as they were at the time, and that we were saving time. Be proud of us, please, the problem was solved! Similarities to Madrid = there are valid objections to spending billions/trillions of dollars on models which have previously been proven false, “estimates” of success to any human attempt to change results, undermining our economies, especially with dubious commitment from China/India.
In high school, a problem arose which was clearly defined to us at the time. We were tasked to solve the problem, and we stayed until we reached agreement — like business people do in a contract negotiation. Paraphrasing, “What would be the benefit of a delay once an agreement has been reached? We have resolved the issue.”
Second revelation: The panel was concerned we had not spoken to our classmates, to see “how they feel”. Well, that wasn’t true. The whole school, particularly the girls, knew the dress code was up for grabs and we were all talking about it. I had, in fact, taken an unofficial poll of my class before I went into the first meeting. I produced my notes to the panel. Standard objections and answers, part of any panel discussion, right? I countered all objections but the panel remained unsatisfied. Why? “Feel”?
“How they feel”……. something about this objection did not ring true, as if the panel had knowledge I did not have. They were condescending towards me, even dismissive and mean. Yet, their assumptions were imaginary, not valid….. and I knew it…. and they were trying to tell me I was wrong….. and I wasn’t wrong. Scary similarities, but the first time I recall this tactic being used. Then, working off false assumptions, the panel made it worse….. They presumed to know how students would feel in the future…… by some arbitrary decision the panel made today, “Everyone will FEEL so much better when they don’t have to compete.” What????? I took a job so I could afford to go to proms. Similarities to Madrid = Working from a series of questionable projections, COP25 presumes an economic solution for a desired outcome. If this doesn’t sound familiar to today’s political battles, we’re not paying attention.
I wasn’t feeling like they felt. Nope, not at all.
As a 15yr old, I was fairly confused. What was happening? We were the elected student reps and made decisions based on what we thought other classmates would want. We had no malintent and ignorant of the fact that anyone would presume malintent. One panel member rolled her eyes and implied she did not believe me. Similarities = It’s the exact same thing which happens on Twitter today.
At the time, I was shocked. Why would I lie? Why would I want an overly restrictive dress code if I must follow the same rules? Was the panel implying SOME people didn’t have to follow the rules? How could that happen? Gee whiz, everyone not following the same rules would not be fair, right? How could THAT happen?
Third revelation: The panel wanted uniforms. I learned our decision would likely be replicated across district and state – our’s was the biggest high school in the state and being used as an example. Suddenly, it wasn’t only “my people”, it was potentially the whole state full of teenagers just like me. I was on my feet by that point but precise, cold, and calm. If I lashed out, at adults with an ulterior motive, I would be thrown out….. a defacto loss. The idea that students had any choice was an illusion. Similarities to Madrid = Sound familiar?
We were being railroaded, but if I was mad, we would lose our independence to dress as we wanted. “Saddle Oxfords in 1978? You’ve got to be kidding me!”, I thought. Why ask for our input if they did not want it? (Voting) And not only that, you wanted us to meet for a year, wasting MORE time, on the false premise that we had input into the decision? (We made up our mind) When you’ve already reached a decision? (The elites had decided) Therefore, asking for our input was false, fake, a lie? (Yes) Similarities to Madrid = Why does this discussion sound so much like a preordained outcome for the USA and EU before Brexit and the election of President Trump?
Again, I was the stupid kid, right? Yet, something strange happened along the way, everything turned on a single moment. I began to question the panel, standing, walking, addressing members individually. Please tell me, Why do YOU think we need uniforms? What would be the benefits? What is the potential for downside? What would be the cost? What about cost for large families? What about school spirit Fridays where students wear team/club t-shirts and jackets and what would be the financial loss to all teams/clubs? Doesn’t a “one size fits all” dress code inhibit personal expression? And if we’re really concerned with how students FEEL, then how can we possibly be so disrespectful to presume all students FEEL the same way? I was low, monotone, open palmed without realizing it.
The panel stuttered and stammered, unprepared for questions. Momentum shifted. I pressed and closed in. As seconds and minutes ticked by, I spoke with greater conviction. My voice became deeper, coming from my gut, more powerful, like 5,000 voices. I could feel that power, and trust me…. It wasn’t coming from me…….It came from someplace else…… Similarities to those in Madrid/Brexit/USA Congress = Ruling class is NOT prepared for challenges to authority when they make bad decisions.
We have far more power than we think we do.
And finally, innocently, I lobbed a bomb, “Who among you would benefit financially from a uniform shop?” It was an innocuous question, an afterthought. I threw it out like a fisherman would cast a net, and it hung in the air………… no answer. Silence. Yet,…. I caught something, unknown to me. At the time, I was naive. I had no belief anyone on the panel had bad motives. I was far too young and dumb. Looking back, it was precisely when our panel abruptly ended the meeting. Decision was tabled. There was no more discussion/announcements from the administration. Similarities to Madrid = The media stopped covering it.
The Administration adopted our small changes for the next year, no big deal, practically a rubber stamp. No uniforms for at least another 15yrs. Similarities = At all times, hide the money trail to who benefits. I didn’t expect to get everything we wanted. Cuz, from the Rolling Stones and President Trump, we know, “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”. Right? I thought, maybe, “Two Outta Three Ain’t Bad”……….
But in the late 70’s, we were “doubly blessed”.
Lessons learned = Sometimes, it’s not the calculus and chemistry we remember from high school. Sometimes, it’s more.
Stated objections are often intentional distractions.
Define the REAL problem and clear definitions, otherwise, time is wasted.
People who are free to govern themselves, and who are forced to live by the same set of rules, make good decisions…… and quickly resolve problems.
Follow the money for hidden motives.
Committees are not always bad………
The people have more common sense than rulers are willing to admit.
He looks just like Dr. Carvajal, my physics teacher.
Isaiah 35 The Future Glory of Zion 1 The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, nd the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.” 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. 7 The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water; in the habitation of jackals, where each lay, there shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8 A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; it shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
Psalm 146:5-10 The Happiness of Those Whose Help Is the Lord 5 Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 Who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; Who keeps truth forever, 7 Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry. The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners. 8 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord raises those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous. 9 The Lord watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; But the way of the wicked He makes crooked. 10 The Lord shall reign forever—Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!
Luke 1:46-55 The Song of Mary 46 And Mary said: “My soul declares the greatness of the Lord, 47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. 48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. 49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. 50 And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. 51 He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. 54 He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, 55 As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.”
James 5:7-10 Be Patient and Persevering 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.
Matthew 11:2-11 John the Baptist Sends Messengers to Jesus 2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” 7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
This homily is prepared by Reverend Monsignor Russell G. Terra, Pastor Emeritus of Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Redding, CA. http://www.stjosephredding.org/parish-homilies.html
3rd Sunday of Advent December 15, 2019 “Facing the Future”
Is 35:1-10 Jas 5:7-10 Mt 11:2-11
My Brothers and Sisters in the Lord –
Everywhere on our planet there seems to be problems. There seems to be no nation, state, or locale that is not experiencing problems on some level. Armed conflict; acts of terrorism; political unrest; drought, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, warmed oceans; oppressed, disenfranchised, and persecuted people – and millions of displaced refugees – all these attest to the sad state of our world today!
Unfortunately, for all of this, there seems to be no answer. Any change seems to be beyond what our leaders are willing to undertake. Furthermore, if we add to this, homelessness, growing income disparity, a housing shortage – as well as the struggles that every person and family face – then we might begin to wonder how we can face what the future will bring!
700 years before the time of Jesus, Isaiah spoke to a nation that had been divided politically and had split into two separate kingdoms: Israel on the north – and Judah on the south. Their leadership had become corrupt – and most of the people had become unfaithful to God as well. Because Israel had chosen to fight Assyria, they were conquered and led into exile. Judah, for its part, sought an alliance with Assyria, but then had to live under its oppressive rule.
Nevertheless, Isaiah spoke words of hope. Isaiah wished to give the faithful few, a remnant really, a reason to hope and to remain faithful in trust. Consequently, he spoke in beautiful words of a future that seemed impossible – The desert would be changed into a garden land – The plains, forested with the cedars of Lebanon and the pines of Carmel and Sharon.
Moreover, people would be delivered from every ailment and affliction – from blindness, deafness, speechlessness, lameness, and any other disability – And the song of joy would be in every heart!
Of course, Isaiah spoke of a future beyond when they lived – a future which began with the birth of God’s Son among us.
The Gospel of Matthew reveals that Jesus began that future which continues to unfold only gradually. Jesus came to inaugurate the Kingdom of God, the Reign of God, in our world. Certainly, it can begin for us now, at least in our hearts.
However, Matthew’s Gospel also tells us that there was doubt and uncertainty about Jesus and his role. Did the Baptist really doubt – or was he trying to help his own disciples move beyond their hopes for a political Messiah to a liberator of our souls and spirits? For, clearly, Jesus was fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy about a promised future that would come to pass.
And, yet, Jesus only began God’s Reign for us to experience. He, himself, would have to suffer and die before his human nature could enter into the fullness of eternal life with God.
We are, indeed, blessed beyond belief to live in the time of God’s Reign as brought to us by Jesus. We are blessed, because as Jesus said, we are born into the Kingdom of God, which is already there in the hearts and souls of true disciples! However, we must remain faithful. The Reign of God co-exists with all the sin, evil, and hardship in our world today. This is the reason St. James urges us to be patient. We must be patient and our hearts must remain steadfast despite a bankrupt culture and a broken world.
God continues to come to us in every moment. Even the hardships we experience on so many levels are opportunities to grow in God’s life of love. But we must face every suffering as Jesus did, as part of the cross we must carry.
Brothers and Sisters, Christmas is only 10 days away. Our pagan culture continues to take Christ out of Christmas in every way that it can. Therefore, it’s no wonder that people feel let down afterwards – when they face the world on the next day!
So, let us pray – that we never forget that Jesus is God’s Son born to us – That Jesus inaugurated the Reign of God in our hearts and lives – and that we can gain all that he has promised if we remain patient and faithful, despite living in our broken world!
This 3rd Sanctuary Sunday of Advent Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.
It is also a place to read, post and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.
In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.
We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.
Please show respect and consideration for your fellow QTreepers.
Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure you’re addressing the issue only, and not trying to confront the poster.
If you feel the need to bare your fangs, we have a companion site – called The U Tree – where you can run wild and free with the Wolfpack where all legal free speech is allowed.
But NOT HERE in The Q Tree. Personal attacks, name calling, ridicule, insults, baiting and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.
In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here. Let’s not give the Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven that Wolf has created for us.
With the Storm upon us…please remember to Pray for our President.
AND WHAT TIME IS IT? TIME TO….DRAIN THE SWAMP!!!
Our movement is about replacing a failed and CORRUPT political establishment with a new government controlled by you, the American People. ~ Candidate Donald J. Trump
Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:
No food fights.
No running with scissors.
If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.
On this day and every day –
God is in Control . . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . . Keep Looking Up
Hopefully, every Sunday, you can find something here that will build you up a little . . . give you a smile . . . and add some joy, very much needed in all our lives.
“This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” . . . “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
3rd Sunday of Advent ~ Joy
Joy should be a characteristic that permeates through all facets of a Christian’s life: every day, in troubles and trials, in hope, in giving, in prayer, in praise, in worship, in thanksgiving . . . in everything . . . for the joy of the Lord is our strength.
During this Advent season, we look to the past to recognize and celebrate the effects of Christ’s 1st coming, and we look to the future in anticipation and a peaceful assurance of what Christ’s 2nd coming will bring.
The 3rd Sunday of Advent . . . Gaudete Sunday . . . Joyful Sunday. The Christmas season is well upon us. Christmas trees, lights, carols, and soon will come presents, friends, family, food . . . the most wonderful time of the year!
As we should do during Advent, on this Joyful Sunday, we look back: Joy . . . should be an easy topic with all the joy surrounding the birth of Jesus.
Mary rejoiced in God her Savior. An angel of the Lord brought good tidings of great joy to the shepherds and to all people. All those who heard, marveled at what the shepherds told them. The shepherds joyfully returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen. Simeon got to see the Messiah. The promised Messiah had come to Israel.
But there is some joy, looking back, that is more difficult, if not impossible, for us to truly grasp. Jesus wasn’t born just so He could walk around the countryside healing people and telling people they needed to get right with God. He came to die, to be the perfect sacrifice to reconcile our inherent sin nature and our sins with the righteousness of God.
And not just to die. He knew He would be flogged beyond recognition, nearly to the point of death, before they pounded the metal spikes into Him. His bones would be out of joint. He knew He would die by the most painful and torturous method of execution ever devised. He knew He would become sin.
The night before, Jesus’ anguish was so great that the blood capillaries surrounding His sweat glands ruptured and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
We have now gone far from our topic of joy. But what would make Jesus go through this for us?
The answer to that is His love for us, agape love . . . love that puts our best interests ahead of His own welfare. Love? Not joy? Well, here it is. “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame”.
And what was the joy that was given Him? God gave Jesus authority, that He shall give eternal life to as many as God has given Him. Jesus’ joy, greater than the physical agony of crucifixion and being forsaken by God, since Jesus had become sin, was the joy that came from being the means through which believing mankind would be reconciled to God and given eternal life to know God, the only true God, and Jesus, our Messiah.
Most of the time we fail at discovering joy in some difficult present circumstances. And that’s because we’re looking at what we consider troubles and trials from our earthly perspective, and we overlook how these troubles and trials can and do result in changes to our Christian life . . . which is God’s perspective.
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
As part of Advent, we look forward to find joy. And again, we find joy, but, again, a joy that we can’t entirely fathom. For “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” “In Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”
Although we don’t know the details of the things that God has prepared for us, we do know they will be wonderful, undoubtedly beyond our present capacity to comprehend, but will bring us to levels of peace and joy that we have never experienced or imagined.
Philippians 4:1 Rejoice in the Lord always. And again I say, rejoice!
Psalms 47:1-2 Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.
1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
O happy day, that fixed my choice On Thee, my Savior and my God! Well may this glowing heart rejoice, And tell its raptures all abroad. Happy day, happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away! He taught me how to watch and pray, And live rejoicing every day: Happy day, happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away! ~ Philip Dodderidge, published 1755
. . . that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name.” And again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles Laud Him, all you peoples!” And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; and He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him the Gentiles shall hope.” Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
This Sanctuary Saturday Open Thread is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody to post whatever they feel they would like to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the MAGA/KMAG/KAG world (with KMAG being a bit of both).
Free Speech is practiced here at the Q Tree. But please keep it civil.
Discussion of Q is not only allowed but encouraged. Imagine that! We can talk about Q here and not get banned.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here. Let’s not give the odious Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven that Wolf has created for us.
With the Storm upon us…please remember to Pray for our President.
Wheatie’s Rules:
No food fights.
No running with scissors.
If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………
For your listening enjoyment, I offer this composition from Infraction, titled simply ‘Epic Cinematic Background’:
Visual Descriptions for our dear Zoe, and for anyone else who may find them helpful: Header Image: A young lady warrior is standing in a field of tall grasses, looking over her shoulder at us. Behind her in the distance, an enormous Tree dominates the landscape. Her long white hair and the tall grasses, are blowing in the wind. Her dark green velvet embroidered tunic has a band of metal armor at the hips, which comes to a V in the front and back. She has metal armor on her shoulders and forearm, and the wind is blowing the long dark green cape that is attached at her shoulders. She is holding a sword in her right hand and in her left hand is a round metal object that appears to be giving off a soft blue glow.
The enormous Tree is in the valley below her and there are gigantic arched structures built into the side of it’s trunk. White birds are flying out from the Tree, towards us. A few small structures dot the landscape around the base of the Tree, along with a forest of smaller trees. Beyond the valley, there are rays of the sun casting light on the Tree and the warrior, as the sun emerges from a distant mountain range. There are white clouds moving through a blue sky. Second Image: A stone pathway leads up to tall double doors, built into the side of an enormous tree trunk. The doors are arched and covered in ornate carvings. There are a few small points of light in the doors, giving off a slight blue glow. Rays of sunlight illuminate the path in front of the doors. Third Image: Is an interior room with a high ceiling and a large stone fireplace. There is an open sided sleigh couch with throw pillows and a fuzzy throw. There are stuffed chairs nearby and a coffee table. A staircase made of logs and large branches is on one side of the room. Fourth Image: Is President Trump, with a solemn look on his face, looking intently at someone or something.
………………………………………………………………
Congratulations to our British cousins on their Brexit Vote! There is hope for the UK after all.
Still hoping that the Storm knocks out some of the Enemedia crapweasels!
Welcome to the OPEN THREAD! Ouch, it is Friday the 13th, but that’s okay. As we continue through Justice is Coming December, with the Decorations UP, Presents Wrapped, This weekend is Party TIME. Gents, it time to polish up your shoes and find the festive tie. Ladies, drag out the sequins and your Cinderella slippers. (Special tribute for ARMY at the bottom)
Last night was the Congressional Christmas Ball at the White House. Guess Nadler’s invitation was lost in the mail. Melania stole the show and looked like a Snow Queen. President was full of vim and vigor.
This Justice Is Coming December open thread is VERY OPEN – a place for everybody to post whatever they feel they would like to tell the White Hats, and the rest of the MAGA / KAG! / KMAG world.
Please feel free to comment. We have a new policy, starting 20191110. Keep it SOMEWHAT civil. Our rules began with the civility of the Old Treehouse, later to become the Wolverinian Empire, except of course that Q discussion is not only allowed but encouraged, and speech is considerably freer in other ways. Please feel free to argue and disagree with the board owner, as nicely as possible.
Please also consider the Important Guidelines, outlined here in the January 1st open thread. Let’s not give the odious Internet Censors a reason to shut down this precious haven.
We have a new board – actually a new SITE – called The U Tree – where people can take each other to the woodshed without fear of censorship or moderation. NOT HERE. This board will remain a REFUGE for those who need civility, either some or all of the time.
Please keep the President, his family and team in your thoughts and prayers. If you run into the President, SPEAK THE FIVE WORDS BOLDLY. “I AM PRAYING FOR YOU!“
Time to —– DRAIN THE SWAMP
DRAIN THE SWAMP
Our movement
Is about replacing
A failed
And CORRUPT
Political establishment
With a new government controlled
By you, the American People.
Candidate Donald J. Trump
Also remember Wheatie’s Rules:
No food fights.
No running with scissors.
If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.
Get your jingle going. It’s time to play. Be happy. It’s Christmas! You can’t sit still to this song. Let’s dance around the tree!
Have to share this story: Twitter Girlfriend’s daughter enlisted in the ARMY. Overprotective Mom has been a nervous wreck throughout basic training. Finally, graduation day arrived. She and husband went to “Family Day”, hoping her “baby” survived. Mom even packed a little first aid kit to doctor bumps and scrapes, and brought with her the daughter’s favorite snacks…… the ones she used to pack in her lunch for school. Everyone was situated in the grandstands when the ceremony began………
Well…….You HAVE to see the video ——– make grown men puff up their chest and cry at the same time. ARMY laid down smoke on the whole Parade Ground. From out of the smoke…….. came FIVE BATTALIONS………
Dear Lord, I’m crying like a baby while writing, heart bursting with pride!!!!!! They’re not babies anymore. Go ARMY!!!!!!! Pride of the USA!
By 2:00am in New York, The UK will be waking up to the first national election during December since 1923. Voting starts at 7:00am in UK or 2:00am Eastern time in the USA. Polls don’t close until 10:00pm, which is 5:00pm Eastern time. It’s a big day and the world will be watching. This election is a full two years ahead of schedule, but this election is for all the chips. All 600+ seats are up for grabs and even the liberal icon “The Guardian” claims the Conservatives lead Labour by 3-14 points.
Today is the day to vote!
Our cousins in England and north Ireland are tired of messing around with Brussels.
Brexit, deal or no deal concept. United Kingdom and European Union flags on dice, black background. 3d illustration
As Americans, even though we are veterans of our great political wars, we don’t pay too much attention to what happens in The UK. Well, maybe we should start listening. The Brexit vote was the great crack in the control of Globalists. That vote bolstered President Trump’s election in 2016, and the populists, or real resistance to globalist control, has spread from Iran to Chile, from Myanmar to Romania. Ask Hong Kongers, they know.
Yet the citizens of the UK were ignored by their leaders and still have not left the EU. The controversy led to the resignation of PM Theresa May and the rise of Boris Johnson.
The LAST POLLING allowed, taken only a few minutes before midnight in London showed the following:
The final poll of the day gives the Tories an 11 point lead over Labour.
Released in the final seconds before midnight, the Survation study has the Conservatives on 44.5 per cent, Labour on 33.7 per cent and the Lib Dems on 9.3 per cent.
The Tories figure remains the same from the last Survation poll with Labour gaining 3 points. But that seems to be at the expense of the Lib Dems, who slip down two. That’s it for polls and the real thing gets underway at 7am tomorrow.
The polls will close at 10:00pm in The UK, which is 5:00pm Eastern Time in the USA. The pubs from London to small towns in Scotland are stocked and ready. It’s going to be one heck of a day………
Still think one man can’t make a difference? Talk to this man.
Confession — UK politics is NOT my wheelhouse. Asking for help from the group from anyone who has tidbits to share. Our UK and EU friends are most welcome and should be writing this post. Please contribute and help to make us all a little bit smarter.
