Highlights of the News

Someone send a Waahmbulance to pick up Chief Justice John McCain Roberts. The other 8 justices gave him a wedgie over a First Amendment case.

ITEM 1: The Hill reported, "Chief Justice John Roberts, in a dramatic first solo dissent, said a Monday ruling by his fellow justices would radically expand the court’s power and threatened to turn judges into advice columnists.

"Roberts took aim at an 8-1 Supreme Court decision siding with a former Georgia Gwinnett College student who sued his school for $1 after it barred him in 2016 from discussing his faith on campus, violating his religious rights.

"In dissent, Roberts argued that the minor pittance sought by the student, Chike Uzuegbunam, was not substantial enough to sustain a federal lawsuit, especially since the plaintiff was no longer a student and his former school had lifted the offending speech code.

"Permitting the case to move forward, Roberts said, even though a legal victory would not change Uzuegbunam’s 'status or condition at all,' amounted to a 'radical expansion' of the judiciary."

The case actually had Supreme Court written all over it.

ABC reported, "The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday sided with a former Georgia college student who sued his school after it prevented him from expressing religious views in a free-speech zone on campus.

"The 8-1 decision, authored by Justice Clarence Thomas, said that Chike Uzuegbunam -- who was silenced by Georgia Gwinnett College officials even after he had obtained a permit to proselytize and handout religious literature -- can seek nominal damages despite the fact that the school ultimately changed course and Uzuegbunam subsequently graduated."

Free speech is just that.

8 justices decided to side with a student whom the college tried to silence.

If standing up for free speech makes you an advice columnist, please replace the chief justice with Ann Landers.

ITEM 2: Zero Hedge reported, "Europe recorded more than 1 million covid 19 cases last week, an increase of 9% from the previous week and a reversal in a six-week decline. There are fears of new variants spreading around the continent. So it comes as no surprise that members of Royal Caribbean International's newest cruise ship, Odyssey of the Seas, recently tested positive for the virus, forcing the vessel to remain docked at Bremerhaven, Germany, reported NDR German news site. 

"Several German newspapers reported that two employees on the Odyssey of the Sea tested positive for the virus on March 3 and were confirmed on March 4 via PCR tests. The estimated 500 crew and workers have been quarantined on the ship."

Would the name of one of those employees happen to be Al B. Tross?

ITEM 3: The National Pulse reported, "Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and her appointees have repeatedly met with and hosted leaders from a leading organization in the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front.

"The United Front functions as China’s premier influence and propaganda organization, raising flags with the U.S. government’s Economic and Security Review Commission.

"It seeks to 'co-opt and neutralize sources of potential opposition to the policies and authority of its ruling Chinese Communist Party' and coerce American leaders 'to take actions or adopt positions supportive of Beijing’s preferred policies.' "

I wonder how much Bowser and her Band of Beggars collected from Red China at these meetings. Was the money laundered through relatives like in Biden's case? Or was the money laundered through a fake charity like Hillary's?

ITEM 4: The Sacramento Bee reported, "Leaders of the effort to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Sunday they've collected 1.95 million signatures a little more than a week before the deadline, a number they believe will be more than enough to trigger a special recall election.

"County and state elections officials still need to verify that nearly 1.5 million are valid signatures from registered California voters before the recall can qualify for the ballot. But recall supporters said Sunday that they're confident they've collected enough.

"The most recent signature verification numbers from the Secretary of State's Office found that about 83% of the signatures counted by early February were valid. There's no guarantee that validity rate will hold for the remaining signatures, but if it does, proponents would reach the threshold needed to trigger a special recall election."

That 83% validity number should drop. No way Democrats are going to allow a recall, especially if they believe a recall will make Ric Grenell governor. They do not want a conservative to be the highest gay elected official in the land.

ITEM 5: The Associated Press reported, "Fully vaccinated Americans can gather with other vaccinated people indoors without wearing a mask or social distancing, according to long-awaited guidance from federal health officials."

Duh.

ITEM 6: The Washington Examiner reported, "The Wall Street Journal editorial board came out in favor of potentially revising Section 230 protections for social media companies after an op-ed it published was the subject of a “phony" fact-check, resulting in its reduced distribution on Facebook.

" 'We’ve been leery of proposals in Congress to modify Section 230 protections that shield internet platforms from liability,' the editors wrote. 'But social-media giants are increasingly adding phony fact checks and removing articles flagged by left-leaning users without explanation. In short, they are acting like publishers in vetting and stigmatizing the content of reputable publishers. The legal privileges that enable these companies to dominate public discourse need to be debated and perhaps revised.'

"The news comes after a Wall Street Journal op-ed written by Johns Hopkins surgeon Marty Makary argued that the United States could approach reaching herd immunity from covid 19 in April. But Facebook’s group of fact-checkers took issue with the story, calling it misleading while claiming Makary’s argument was unsubstantiated."

Well, well, well.

What do we have here? A bunch of six-figure editors finally figured out why you defend the free speech of QAnon and Alex Jones and Donald John Trump. Now the Wall Street Journal staff faces the censors. They don't like it. Boo hoo hoo.

ITEM 7: The Jerusalem Post reported, "Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has canceled his expected visit to Israel after it turned out he has not been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, N12 reported Friday.

"According to the channel, Bourla, as well as members of the delegation that was meant to accompany him during his visit, have not received the second dose of the vaccine."

If the cook won't eat in his own restaurant, why should you?

He said he did not take the second shot because he did not want to cut in line. He feared that would be bad publicity.

This publicity is soooooooo much better.

ITEM 8: Kane at Citizen Free Press reported, "Possible ‘early retirement’ for Mitch McConnell…"

The senator is 79. That's a late, late, late retirement.

Many Republican senators are retiring next year. Looks like they want to throw the midterm to the Democrats, just as Paul Ryan threw the House in 2018.

ITEM 9: The Washington Examiner reported, "It’s starting to look like a Trump will be on top of the 2024 presidential ticket even if former President Donald Trump doesn't challenge President Biden.

"That’s because Donald Trump Jr. has surged to the head of the GOP pack in a new survey of challengers in a race that is minus his father.

"Among GOP primary voters, Don Jr. has gone from sitting 10 points behind former Vice President Mike Pence in November to 6 points ahead, 21%-15%, in the McLaughlin & Associates survey."

Hmm.

Time for a little Name That Tune, Highlights Style.

Contestant 1: I can name the reason why that's a bad idea in 10 words.

Contestant 2: I can name the reason why that's a bad idea in 5 words.

Contestant 3: I can name the reason why that's a bad idea in one letter.

Game show host: OK, Contestant 3, name the reason why that's a bad idea.

Contestant 3: Dubya.

ITEM 10: Zero Hedge reported, "After bumbling through a public appearance last week - at one point mumbling 'What am I doing here?' while forgetting the names of key Democrats, the President of the United States on Monday couldn't remember the name of the Pentagon, or his own Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin -- who spoke minutes before Biden took the stage to offer remarks during International Women's Day."

His was not a senior moment.

He is living in a senior decade.

Deer caught in headlights show more animation.

ITEM 11: I was puzzled over the infatuation with Meghan Markle and the cuckold prince. Then I read Maureen Callahan's column in the New York Post, "Meghan Markle needs to out the racist royal."

Ah, that's it.

Everyone gets to feel superior to the House of Windsor because it is rayyyyycist.

It is rayyyyycist because it treated Markle as an outsider because -- brace yourself -- she is from outside the world of royalty.

Never mind that she is the daughter-in-law from hell. Never mind that Markle barred her own father from her wedding. Never mind that she has made many extreme demands that the royals have acquiesced to. The royals are rayyyyycist. Hate them and feel good about yourself.

Meanwhile, Democrats just appropriated $1.9 trillion to spend on their donors and supporters as they wish, and no one in the press is much interested in where the money is going.

ITEM 12: Red State reported, "Brian Stelter Appears Pants-Less on His Own Show, and It's More Than Just a Joke."

Who knew potatoes have legs?

ITEM 13: Joel Abbott reported, "The NBA has issued no statement on a Chinese court's ruling this month that homosexuality can be classified a psychological disorder, despite a professed commitment to human rights, social justice, and the LGBT platform in the United States.

"The league canceled its All-Star Game in North Carolina in 2017 after the state passed a law banning transgender individuals from using the restroom that did not correspond to their biological sex."

When you sign on with Red China, you sell your soul as well.

ITEM 14: National Public Radio reported, "Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill postponed the start of Derek Chauvin's trial in the killing of George Floyd on Monday, after an appeals court ordered him to reconsider his original decision to dismiss a third-degree murder charge against the former Minneapolis police officer. The decision came as a pool of potential jurors waited to start the selection process.

"The delay comes as Chauvin's defense attorney, Eric Nelson, said he is finalizing an appeal asking the Minnesota Supreme Court to review the question of whether Cahill should consider reinstating the murder charge."

You have to settle on what the charges are before you hold a trial, even in a kangaroo court.

ITEM 15: The Post Millennial reported, "The incoming editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue is facing accusations of racism after old tweets of hers have resurfaced that expressed anti-Asian sentiments."

She apologized in November 2019 but the tweets keep popping up.

You can have a future in journalism, or you can have a Twitter account.

Your choice.

ITEM 16: Today's chuckle.

Fox reported, "The publisher of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s book on leadership during the coronavirus pandemic said Monday it has paused active support of the title due to a federal investigation of his administration’s handling of the state’s nursing home crisis, according to a report.

"Cuomo has faced mounting calls to resign in recent weeks following revelations that New York significantly underreported the number of  covid19 deaths at nursing homes. Bipartisan criticism intensified after several former members of Cuomo’s administration accused the governor of sexual harassment.

"Sales of Cuomo’s book, American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the Covid-19 Pandemic, have noticeably declined in recent weeks as scrutiny of the governor intensified."

Do tell.

ITEM 17: The Daily Wire reported, "The amorous French skunk Pepe Le Pew won’t be making an appearance in the upcoming sequel to Space Jam.

"The news comes shortly after a New York Times columnist claimed the animated skunk featured in Loony Tune cartoons 'perpetuates rape culture,' according to Deadline."

Ah, the power of the press. The Times held a cartoon skunk accountable. Will it ever get around to getting Obama for using the FBI to spy on political opponents? 

Oh, and there is no rape culture. It's a capital crime.

ITEM 18: The Intercept reported, "Not long after Judith Whitmer won her election on Saturday to become chair of the Nevada Democratic Party, she got an email from the party’s executive director, Alana Mounce. The message from Mounce began with a note of congratulations, before getting to her main point.

"She was quitting. So was every other employee. And so were all the consultants. And the staff would be taking severance checks with them, thank you very much.

"On March 6, a coalition of progressive candidates backed by the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America took over the leadership of the Nevada Democratic Party, sweeping all five party leadership positions in a contested election that evening. 

"Whitmer, who had been chair of the Clark County Democratic Party, was elected chair. The establishment had prepared for the loss, having recently moved $450,000 out of the party’s coffers and into the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s account. The DSCC will put the money toward the 2022 reelection bid of Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a vulnerable first-term Democrat."

Pass the popcorn and enjoy the show.