XTC - Paper and Iron

Money, or lack of it, has been in the news a lot this week.

So of course here's a tune about filthy lucre, XTC's "Paper And Iron (Notes And Coins)."

Trump says quality of Democratic candidates having impact on markets

I believe our president means lack of quality of the Democratic presidents.

Biden: "I’m looking forward to appointing the first African American woman to the US Senate"

Yes, Sleepy Joe Biden really did say, “I’m looking forward to appointing the first African American woman to the US Senate."

Mainstream media is ignoring Buttigieg's plagiarism: Trish Regan

Mayor Pete should be called Mayor Thief.

Buttigieg is plagiarizing.

Mark Levin talked about this overlooked story on his show last night.

Tucker: Are we sure America won't elect a socialist?

Unlikely, yes, but if Bernie Sanders is the Democratic nominee he could win.

(PragerU) Californians fleeing the state for Texas

Interesting. In this short clip about the upcoming PragerU documentary "Fleeing California" the commentator remarks about Californians who say they "didn't vote for these policies and they didn't vote for these people."

Except they did.

It's just that most Democratic politicians aren't like Bernie Sanders. For all his faults, and they are indeed many, Sanders is somewhat honest. He wants to dramatically raise your taxes and add burdensome job-killing regulations.

Most Democrats offer banal platitudes when campaigning and when in power, they do what Bernie says he'll do. The result is California. And Illinois. And New York State.

Biden says Georgetown, DE was founded in the 1600s when it was actually founded in 1791

You would think that Sleepy Joe Biden would know something about his home state of Delaware. Well while in South Carolina recently he said that the town of Georgetown there was founded in the 1600.

But the village was actually founded in 1791

Chicago Public Schools drops Columbus Day for Indigenous People's Day

Columbus Park, Chicago

Chicago Public Schools, that jobs program for people with education degrees and the politically connected, just dropped Columbus Day for Indigenous People's Day.

Chicago is hemorrhaging population--one of the main drivers of that exodus are the atrocious CPS schools.

But at least some leftists feel better now.

From NBC Chicago:

Thanks to a decision reached at the Chicago Board of Education meeting Wednesday, students and faculty will now observe the second Monday in October as Indigenous People’s Day rather than as Columbus Day.

Until now, Chicago Public Schools had celebrated both holidays, but Wednesday;s decision means that only Indigenous People’s Day will be celebrated.

"I think it’s great, changing the name of the holiday. That's what (the celebration) is really all about," Chicago charter school teacher Erin Walker said.

The change marks a significant change in a city that celebrates Christopher Columbus in a variety of ways. From the annual October parade that celebrates Italian heritage to a six-lane street that runs through the heart of downtown Chicago, the city celebrates the explorer in a variety of ways.

Related post:

(PragerU) Goodbye, Columbus Day

Warren refuses to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital: Still need to "determine the capital"

Israel, excuse me Elizabeth Warren, says its capital is Jerusalem. So does President Trump.

Elizabeth Warren is not so sure.

Mark Dice on the Democratic debate: A total mess

There was a shout-fest in South Carolina last night. But Mike Bloomberg nearly said he "bought" a Democratic majority in Congress.

(PragerU) Is Voter Fraud Real?

Investigative reporter Eric Eggers looks at vote fraud in America. There are three main tactics--and they all benefit the left.

Investigative reporter Eric Eggers

Investor says Bernie Sanders is a 'severe threat' to US econmy

Annandale Capital chairman George Seay tells Fox Business' Stuart Varney that a Bernie Sanders presidency presents a "severe threat" to the American economy.

Mark Dice: Is This Some Kind of Joke?

Dice takes a look at a British youth who is stressed out over whether he should visit a barber or a salon to get his haircut.

Also, the flop movie Birds of Prey gets a name change.

Five killed and at least 17 wounded over weekend in Chicago; also, carjackings on the rise

Violence never takes time off in Chicago. Over the weekend five people were shot to death in Chicago at least 17 others were wounded.

There has also been an uptick in carjackings in Chicago. There have been 110 since the beginning of the year, that's about two a day. There have been only four arrests so far.

From Da Tech Guy: I oppose Trump’s commutation of Blagojevich sentence

Yes, I'm against the president on this one. From my post at Da Tech Guy: I oppose Trump’s commutation of Blagojevich sentence.

Nick Lowe - All Men Are Liars

Nick Lowe, at least in the United States, is best known for his production work with such artists as Graham Parker and Elvis Costello.

But he's also a witty songwriter. Evidence? How 'bout these lyrics from "All Men Are Liars."

All men, all men are liars.
Their words ain’t worth no more than worn out tires.
Hey girls, bring rusty pliers.
To pull this tooth.
All men are liars and that’s the truth.

Gingrich: Bernie Sanders is the true Democratic Party

Newt Gingrich is correct: Bernie Sanders is the true Democratic Party.

Ingraham: Obama didn't build that

How do I know that the Trump economy is successful?

Democrats are trying to claim credit for the current president's success.

Portnoy: Bloomberg got 'absolutely executed' during debate

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy joins the political pundits in condemning Mike Bloomberg's Las Vegas debate performance.

Somali community leader: "Squad" member Ilhan Omar married her brother in immigration ruse

A simple DNA test can resolve this question.

From the Daily Mail:

'Squad' congresswoman Ilhan Omar told friends years ago that the man who went on to become her second husband was in fact her brother, DailyMail.com can confirm.

And now for the first time one of those friends has come forward to reveal exactly how Omar and Ahmed Elmi scandalized the Somali community in Minneapolis.

Abdihakim Osman is the first person to go on record to speak of how Omar said she wanted to get her brother papers so he could stay in the United States, at a time when she was married to her first husband Ahmed Hirsi.

But hardly anyone realized that meant marrying him.

Mark Dice: That Wasn't What Bloomberg Expected

Michael Bloomberg had a very rough night, beginning with getting scalped by Elizabeth Warren

Mark Dice: He's Heeere!

Mike Bloomberg hits the debate stage in a few hours.

Now that Blago is a free man he should discuss what he knows about Madigan

Count me as someone in the minority who opposes President Trump's commutation of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich's prison sentence. He's a free man this morning--but still a convicted felon.

As I've remarked many times on Marathon Pundit, one way to clean up Illinois is to impose long prison sentences on public officials, particularly elected ones, who break the law.

Fear of a ten, twenty, or in the case of former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, a twenty-eight year sentence might scare some tempted folks straight.

As Illinois is in the midst of a widespread corruption investigation, there should be opportunities to frighten budding crooks in government.

As for Blago, now that he's out of prison, perhaps he can talk about what he knows to federal investigators about Boss Michael J. Madigan, the speaker of the Illinois House for 35 of the last 37 years and the chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party since 1998. The two were never close. Of course what Blago might know is of little use directly to the feds--the statute of limitations on any crimes he's aware of during his time as governor has likely passed, but he can tell investigators that this crony of Madigan, or that hanger-on of the boss might be someone they can talk to.

If Blagojevich provides useful information to the feds, then I might change my mind about the commutation.

(PragerU) Why the West Won

There are many reasons why nations in the West are more successful than others,

And it's not about racism and colonialism as you will learn in this PragerU video.

Stossel TV: Sanders' scary history of socialist praise

Bernie Sanders calls himself a Democratic socialist. But he has a very troubling history of praising repressive communist regimes, such as Cuba, Nicaragua, and the Soviet Union.

Mark Dice on Mike Bloomberg: It’s Way Too Obvious!

Mike Bloomberg is trying to buy hipness.

That usually doesn't work.

3 killed over weekend in Chicago, 25 wounded, including 11 kids

It was a very bad weekend in Chicago. There was a mass shooting in Parkway Gardens on the South Side Friday night where six people were shot, three of them were teenagers.

Over all three people were shot to death over the weekend. At least 25 others were wounded and among those were 11 kids. Some of them were shot accidentally.

From Da Tech Guy: Who is Mike Bloomberg?

Is Mike Bloomberg a Republican? A Democrat? An independent? A phony?

Read my post at Da Tech Gut to see: Who is Mike Bloomberg.

Ramones - Time Has Come Today (Official Music Video)

Of course the Ramones have a truck load of great original songs. But the guys from Queens were a superb covers band too.

Watch and listen to them cover the Chambers Brothers' hit, "Time Has Come Today."

Joe Biden: Illegal immigration is "a gift" to the USA

Time for a lie-down, Joe Biden.

Despite your claim, Sleepy Joe, illegal immigration is not a gift to the U.S.

Dems target Trump's economy after impeachment fail

The Democrats are getting even more desperate. President Trump has many strengths--the performance of the US economy during his watch is perhaps his greatest one.

Yet the Dems want to attack him on that.

Bernie Sanders: He will stop construction of all border barriers

If Bernie Sanders is elected president he'll be handing out freebies to anyone with a pulse.

Even if they arrive in the United States illegally, which, since the socialist will end border barrier construction.

Mark Dice: It's Happening!

Mark Dice mops up the New Hampshire Primary.

Dems In disarray: protester seizes mic at Bloomberg event, "This is not democracy"

The Democrats are tearing each other to pieces. Recently at a Michael Bloomberg rally in Tennessee a rude protester stormed the platform and said, "This is not democracy."

CNN’s Tapper: Bernie has pulled Dems left, socialist ideas are now the Democratic mainstream

Bernie Sanders of course won yesterday's New Hampshire Primary. Which of course means that the Dems are now firmly ensconced in the political far-left. Last night CNN's Jake Tapper said that socialist ideas are now mainstream in the Democratic Party.

CNN Dem contributor on low turnout, infighting: "There’s a lot for Democrats to be nervous about"

Turnout for yesterday's Democratic primary in New Hampshire was light, which leads CNN Democrat contributor Jess McIntosh to bemoan, "There’s a lot for Democrats to be nervous about."

America's greatest president--and its first Republican president--born on this day in 1809

Abraham Lincoln, America's first Republican president, was born on this day in 1809. He was also America's greatest president.

Lincoln statue at Abraham Lincoln

National Cemetery

Mark Dice on the Oscars: Here We Go Again!

There was a debacle shown on television Sunday night, the Academy Awards.

Mark Dice reviews the leftist political rally masquerading as an awards show.

Americans believe economy is the best it has been since late 1990s

There is so much winning happening.

From (gasp!) the Washington Post:

Americans increasingly rate this as the best economy since the late 1990s, with a recent surge in optimism, even though many economic metrics show striking similarities to the final years of the Obama administration.

Fifty-nine percent of Americans say they are better off financially today than they were a year ago, the highest since 1999, according to a Gallup survey released last week. And nearly three-quarters predict they will do better a year from now, the most optimistic reading that Gallup's annual "Mood of the Nation" survey has ever recorded.

Other polls and surveys aren't quite as ebullient, but nearly all show that Americans are far less worried about the economy and their personal financial situations than they were during the last presidential election.

Upbeat sentiment is critical for the U.S. economy because it motivates consumer spending, the most important driver of U.S. economic growth. And President Donald Trump is counting on a strong economy to motivate voters to turn out at the polls and reelect him.

9 killed and at least 14 wounded in Chicago weekend shootings

It was a bad weekend in Chicago. Nine people were shot to death over the weekend--four of them within a twelve hour period--and at least 14 others were wounded.

The shootings occurred all over the city. Two of the murders happened in Chinatown--where shootings are less common--they were killed during an armed robbery.

Biden to voter asking about why he lost Iowa “You’re a lying dog faced pony soldier"

Joe Biden's campaign has an air of inevitibilty around it. It's inevitable he will lose. Today in New Hampshire Sleep Joe, after being why he lost big-time in Iowa, told her, "You’re a lying dog faced pony soldier."

From Da Tech Guy: Andrew Jackson’s censure was expunged, what about Trump’s impeachment?

History needs to repeat itself here. From my post at Da Tech Guy: Andrew Jackson’s censure was expunged, what about Trump’s impeachment?

Days ~ The Kinks

Valentine's Day is next week to it's a good time for a love song. The Kinks didn't record that many of them, but one they did, is of course one of the greatest love songs ever--"Days."

Trump campaign video: 34 great things for America that Democrats refused to applaud

The culture war continues despite the acquittal of our president.

In this Donald Trump campaign video, 34 great things for our country are named--that the Democrats refused to applaud.

Shop by way of Marathon Pundit for your Valentine's Day gifts

Valentine's Day is a week away!

If you purchase that gift now for you loved one, then you won't worry about forgetting Valentine's Day.

I earn a small commission--and going through the Blogger Laureate of Illinois site costs you nothing extra.

Click on the ad and start browsing!

Joe Walsh ends presidential run

Joe Walsh endured some rocky years, then in an upset in 2010, won a US House race in Illinois. Boss Michael Madigan, the chairman of the Democratic Party, gerrymandered him out of Congress, but he seemed to find his place as afterwards as a Chicago-based afternoon talk radio host.

But then Walsh caught the #NeverTrump bug, made his show unlistenable, then he decided to challenge President Trump for the Republican nomination.

Dumb.

He dropped out of the race today. He says he'll support the Democratic nominee for president this fall.

But now Walsh has to find a job. It will be hard to envision a return to radio, Republicans see him as a joke, Democrats will remember that he claimed that Barack Obama is a Muslim, but he recently backed off that last one.

Walsh is his own worst enemy. When will he learn that?

Gaetz files ethics charges against Pelosi for ripping up Trump's SOTU speech

Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) filed an ethics complaint against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for tearing up her copy of President Trump's State of the Union address.

Partial Illinois red-light camera ban makes it out of House committee

The ban on red-light cameras, if it becomes law, would only effect smaller Illinois communities that don't have home rule powers. But I believe that means Morton Grove, where I live, will be compelled to remove its sole red-light camera.

From NBC Chicago:

Red-light enforcement cameras, at the center of an ex-state senator's guilty plea last week on federal bribery charges, would be banned in some suburban Chicago communities under legislation a House committee approved Wednesday.

Rep. David McSweeney's plan is identical to one that died in the Senate four years ago. Court papers indicate that then-Sen. Martin Sandoval began taking bribes that year to be a legislative “protector” for a red-light vendor supplying the technology to cities throughout the Chicago area.

Sandoval, a Chicago Democrat who was chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Chicago to accepting about $250,000 in bribes in part from a camera vendor and for filing a false tax return. He could face about 12 years in prison but is cooperating with federal officials in an ongoing investigation.

“These cameras are nothing more than a get-rich scheme for the companies that install the cameras and the politicians who profit from protecting the companies behind this scam,” said McSweeney, a Barrington Hills Republican.

Yes, a Republican sponsored the bill.

My posts at Da Tech Guy:

Illinois red-light camera probe provides convincing evidence why they should be banned

Illinois corruption investigation breaks wide open with guilty plea of state senator for bribery over red-light cameras and more

On this day in 1911 Ronald Reagan born

Reagan mural in Tampico on February 6, 2011

The greatest president of the 20th century was born on this day in 1911 in Tampico, Illinois--Ronald Reagan.

Remember the Gipper on his birthday!

Related posts:

Report from Tampico, Illinois on Reagan's 100th birthday

Marathon Pundit's Ronald Reagan Trail

GOP resolution calls to condemn Pelosi for ripping up SOTU speech

Nancy Pelosi needs to be reprimanded for her snit of tearing up President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech in view of the television cameras.

John Stossel: Everyone's A Criminal

There are a lot of petty, useless laws the criminalize silly, and yes, innocent things, John Stossel tells us.

(Video) House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tears up State of the Union speech

"Thank you, God bless you, and God Bless, America, thank you very much," is how President Trump ended last night's State of the Union speech.

As he was saying that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ripped up a transcript of the president's speech.

(PragerU) We Need to Talk About Public Pension Liabilities

State and local governments have been doing what too many of us do. Run up the charge card bill, open the bill to find out what the minimum payment is, and then forget about it.

Only these government agencies are doing that with unionized public-sector worker packages. Who will bail them out?

You will.

From PragerU:

Sanders leads in latest New Hampshire poll

Perhaps socialist Bernie Sanders doesn't need an Iowa Caucuses bounce.

From the Boston Globe:

Days ahead of the nation’s first presidential primary, Senator Bernie Sanders has opened up a six-point lead over former vice president Joe Biden, according to a new Boston Globe/WBZ-TV/Suffolk University poll of likely New Hampshire Democratic primary voters.

Sanders, the Vermont independent who captured a convincing victory in New Hampshire four years ago, garnered 24 percent in the survey, buoyed by strong support from younger voters and independents. Biden took 18 percent.

Senator Elizabeth Warren had 13 percent, followed by former South Bend, Ind., mayor Pete Buttigieg, at 11 percent. The rest of the field was in single digits, while 12 percent of those surveyed said they were undecided eight days ahead of the Feb. 11 vote.

After crushing Iowa Caucuses defeat, Joe Walsh says, "Clearly, I don’t belong in Trump’s Republican Party"

There were two Iowa Caucus contests Monday night. The Republican one went swimmingly, both in regards to the counting of votes and for Donald Trump. The incumbent collected over 97 percent of the vote. Hovering around one-percent--and collecting no delegates were former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld and former talk radio host and ex-Illinois congressman Joe Walsh.

As for Walsh, it looks like he's throwing in the towel, saying just now on Twitter, "For 5 months, I’ve told tens of thousands of Republicans why I believe Donald Trump is unfit to be President. Last night, I stood in front of 3,000 Iowa Republicans & said the same thing. Almost all of them disagreed with me. Clearly, I don't belong in Trump's Republican Party."

For 5 months, I’ve told tens of thousands of Republicans why I believe Donald Trump is unfit to be President. Last night, I stood in front of 3,000 Iowa Republicans & said the same thing. Almost all of them disagreed with me.

Clearly, I don’t belong in Trump’s Republican Party.

— Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) February 4, 2020

Well Joe, this has been Trump's GOP for four years now. You are just now learning this fact?

Iowa Blackeye, failed vote tabulation app tied to staffers from the 2016 Hillary campaign

The Democrats want to run the country but they can't run a caucus. The Iowa Caucuses came and went last night and results are somewhere in the cloud--or sitting on hundreds of smartphones and tablets because of the failure of a vote tabulation app.

To be fair, the caucus system if fundamentally flawed. Do you remember 2012 when Mitt Romney won the Republican Iowa Caucuses? Except he didn't, two weeks after further counting it turned out Rick Santorum did.

The failed app apparently was created by former staffers of--wait for it--the 2016 Hillary Clinton campaign.

Mark Dice: They Just Won't Stop!

The diversity frenzy continues.

4 dead and at least 19 wounded over weekend in Chicago

Warm weather returned to Chicago over the weekend--and that apparently brought out hot tempers. Four people were shot to death over the weekend and at least 19 others were wounded.

Of the fatalities, a man was killed while riding in the back seat of a car in Little Village. A woman also sitting in the back seat of that car was wounded. Several hours earlier, in that same Southwest Side neighborhood, a man standing on the corner was shot in a drive-by.

A South Chicago man was also shot dead.

In Englewood, a 15-year-old boy was killed in a shooting.

Among the others wounded is a Chicago firefighter who was shot in the leg in Albany Park while responding to a car fire.



`

From Da Tech Guy: Illinois corruption investigation breaks wide open with guilty plea of state senator for bribery over red-light cameras and more

The plot thickens as I illustrate at Da Tech Guy: Illinois corruption investigation breaks wide open with guilty plea of state senator for bribery over red-light cameras and more.

The Rainmakers - Long Gone Long

Tomorrow is Super Bowl 54, the San Francisco 49ers play the Kansas City Chiefs. For my Saturday musical selection I present to you another song by Kansas City's greatest band, the Rainmakers.

Here's a the band--in Kansas City--performing "Long Gone Long."

Go Chiefs!

Tucker: Democrats defeated and humiliated

The taste of victory is indeed sweet.