“The U.S. government conditioned a plea agreement with a defendant stipulating they sign a secret form, which was not authorized through Congress and has been slammed as “unconstitutional” by Republican lawmakers, that stripped their rights to buy, own, or use firearms, documents show.
Between 2011 and 2019, the FBI, Secret Service, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement coordinated to obtain signatures on an internal form from at least 60 U.S. citizens that stripped their gun rights, according to newly obtained records and multiple Washington Examiner reports. In at least one instance, the bureau and Secret Service worked behind closed doors with what appears to be a government prosecutor who conditioned signing of the form as part of a legal case, the Washington Examiner has learned.
“Dear Agent [redacted],” reads a June 10, 2019, letter written by a lawyer to a Secret Service agent in West Palm Beach, Florida. “You will find enclosed the NICS firearm form which has been signed by my client and his doctor. This is being provided in compliance with [redacted] plea agreement. Yours sincerely.”
It’s unclear what the 2019 defendant was being charged with or why the FBI and Secret Service had involvement. The FBI redacted the case number on the document, which was obtained by the firearms rights group Gun Owners of America through the Freedom of Information Act and shared with the Washington Examiner.
Secondly, it’s unclear why the government used the form, which registered people into the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System and asked signatories to identify as a “danger” to themselves or others or also lacking the “mental capacity adequately to contract” their lives. Second Amendment lawyers, including GOA’s outside counsel, Robert Olson, told the Washington Examiner that U.S. citizens can’t legally forfeit their gun rights.
The person who signed the plea agreement was evidently not barred from owning guns until voluntarily signing the FBI’s form and the government asked the defendant to agree to a punishment comparable with a different type of crime, said Olson. Lawyers have previously honed in on how the form did not go through public comment through the Office of Management and Budget, which is required before the government collects information from the public.
“There’s a bit of a contradiction,” Gilbert Ambler, a constitutional attorney who specializes in firearms law, told the Washington Examiner. “They’re having you agree you’re incompetent. If you’re incompetent, how is that a binding agreement?”
Ambler added, “It’s an example of something more nefarious, which is individuals within the government pursuing a goal of disarming people. That is not something supported by our legislature. In fact, it is contrary to what our legislature has done because there are set forth conditions on when somebody can be disarmed.””
Our hired security guard tried to grab the crooks (I’m glad he didn’t get hurt!) but he got this picture of the getaway car. To the jerks who stole our stuff— I hope someone on this site sees your plate and you get caught pic.twitter.com/k7VL0J9JHJ
.@TSA officer Boongaling at Oakland is really helping me out today. Thank you to her! Also, if you fly out of Oakland, know the gas stations are being hit around the airport. Teams here in Oakland say passengers show up crying bc their bags are all stolen, all in seconds pic.twitter.com/BQIwqtW53y
It’s no surprise the Trump ‘perp walk’ nonsense has started – three Biden’s caught receiving money from China, Hunter admitting the laptop is indeed real, the bank crash(es), train derailments, COVID info starting to leak out, #J6footage released.
The economy is in shambles, we’re literally being invaded on the Southern border, inflation is so high people can’t afford groceries, Americans are tired of sending billions to Ukraine when they can’t afford to buy gas so definitely it’s time to arrest Trump for something. https://t.co/cEqmUS2eG0
California is run by imbeciles. I mean most states are, but damn they set the bar low. Years of constant droughts and buying water from neighboring states… this is still their solution. https://t.co/1wWyoha6Jk
This is why my beautiful state of #California is INSANE! Been in SEVERE DROUGHT conditions for what, 20+ years and when we finally get enough rain & snow to make up for the dry years & prep for future droughts… NO new water storage in CA since New Melones was completed in 1980! https://t.co/ZKQlNrsTe9
Exactly what I would expect to hear from the water carrying lap dog class.
First, reality….
Ranking Member Jamie Raskin “mischaracterized” the Walker transactions as “Papa John’s”&“coffee at Starbucks” but omitted that Robinson Walker, LLC, got $3 million from a Chinese company in March 2017, <2 months after VP Joe Biden left office, then xferred > $1M to Biden accounts
@GOPoversight says the Biden family members paid from Walker’s account are: o Hallie Biden $35,000 in 2017; o James Brian Biden Sr. (James Biden); o Robert Hunter Biden (Hunter Biden); and o A bank account identified as an unknown “Biden.”
@JudiciaryGOP is investigating: (1) why the Chinese energy company waited less than two months after VP Biden left office to send $3M wire; (2) why Walker’s account got the Chinese payment instead of Biden family members’ companies; (3) why Biden payments were structured…
@GOPoversight is “concerned about the national security implications of a President’s or VP’s immediate family members receiving millions of dollars from foreign nationals or companies without any oversight. Current financial disclosure laws” are inadequate.
CNN on the Biden family receiving $3 million from the CCP: "Republicans are digging into this issue, they are trying to make this a political liability for President Joe Biden, but so far they have not provided any evidence of wrongdoing" pic.twitter.com/HWv1EdKyYi
This reminds me of Trump's interview with what's-her-name, Leslie Stahl? Trump said the media is covering up for Hunter and Stahl said something like "There's no corroboration of the laptop belonging to Hunter"
THAT'S BECAUSE YOU MEDIA GOONS REFUSE TO DO YOUR JOB AND INVESTIGATE
What a difference a letter after your name can make.
If it was an R, he’d be the next Bernie Madoff. But since he’s a D, he gets a pass, and the media stares at it’s feet like good little subserveints.
Picture, if you will, a 16-term congressman who plays a major role in overhauling the nation’s regulation of banks. He then retires & joins the board of directors of a New York-based national bank traded on NASDAQ, a bank with assets of about $50 billion.https://t.co/dESoRYk85opic.twitter.com/n3PCsEfghH
Imagine that two years after the congressman joined the bank’s board, the New York state attorney general put the congressman’s bank atop her list of banks that loaned the most money to the landlords on the state’s Worst Landlords Watchlist.https://t.co/dESoRYk85opic.twitter.com/88SaRO4Xgj
Imagine that a former executive claimed that employees at the congressman’s bank kept their jobs despite being accused of a $1 million wire-fraud scheme.https://t.co/dESoRYk85opic.twitter.com/d6zircNMHl
Then, imagine that in an interview with the Financial Times, the congressman explained he joined the bank’s board because “I need to make some money.” He received nearly $2 million in cash for serving on the bank’s board over 8 years for a part-time gig.https://t.co/dESoRYk85opic.twitter.com/EHgg2GGkfA
You see, my friends, you don't have to imagine any of this, because it all actually happened, in the form of former Democratic congressman Barney Frank and his role on the board of the now-shuttered Signature Bank. https://t.co/dESoRYk85opic.twitter.com/MNoB234qsB
But you and I know that if Barney Frank were a Republican, he would be the face of the current banking crisis. He would already be on the covers of magazines and major newspapers, on television all the time, and the subject of condemning profile pieces.https://t.co/dESoRYk85o
Frank’s contention is that New York state regulators shut down Signature Bank for no good reason other than to send a warning to the rest of the financial community to get as far away from cryptocurrency as possible.https://t.co/dESoRYk85opic.twitter.com/Q0sGUYxaKq
No doubt the cryptocurrency enthusiasts believe they’re unfairly demonized, but it’s a little tough to believe that the NY state government would shut down the 36th largest bank in the country just to send a signal to other banks to get out of crypto.https://t.co/dESoRYk85o
So what you see here is Hunter’s lawyers admitting the laptop is his, and so is what was on it.
Breaking news: Hunter Biden countersues computer repair shop owner who had laptop with provocative data and images, alleging invasion of privacy https://t.co/K1uYMHmjWC
The action comes at a sensitive time with House Republicans ramping up their investigation of Hunter Biden and the president nearing a likely announcement on a reelection bid. https://t.co/ytUo5x4Tpf
Hunter Biden just sued the Delaware repair shop where he left his laptop for invasion of privacy and distributing his data.
The obvious premise is that the laptop was real and it came from that store – the exact opposite of what all corporate media claimed for the 2020 election: https://t.co/eL92l3QDuN
There has been a mountain of evidence proving all the materials used by the NY Post to report on Joe Biden were authentic. Now Hunter Biden admits it and that it came from this store.
**Not one outlet** that spread the pre-election "Russian disinformation" lie has retracted it. pic.twitter.com/PowgvarFpp
Why aren't you Washington Post journalists going crazy with anger over the fact that Hunter Biden has effectively admitted that the regime story that you all stood behind was a complete lie from top to bottom? https://t.co/IEhajeIhVa
The NY Times is credulously citing fmr. FBI official Clint Watts even though journalist @mtaibbi exposed his scam to smear dozens of Twitter users as Russian bots, thanks to his access to the Twitter Files https://t.co/AkshczDRwB
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) March 16, 2023
These paragraphs appear to be aimed at laying the groundwork for Watts, Microsoft, NYT, Biden, et al. to attack anyone who criticizes the war as a potential Russian agent, even though Biden himself blamed higher energy costs on the war.
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) March 16, 2023
As such, there are good reasons to distrust what Watts, Microsoft, and the NYT are claiming. They may be carrying out a disinformation campaign like the other disinformation campaigns we have uncovered. Please consider inoculating yourself:https://t.co/pzuRcgifUI
— Michael Shellenberger (@ShellenbergerMD) March 16, 2023
Debra; we’ll probably agree to disagree but I have to add…..
Initially, this was not a border dispute but regime change. The idea was a quick drive into Kiev, chase Zelensky out, and place a puppet Ukrainian. The plot failed because the military took too long, the special agents in Kiev failed, and Zelensky refused to leave. The conspiracy part of my brain believes that the offer for a ride out of Kiev by Biden was known in advance by Putin. At this point, there was no western support for a resistance. The “bio labs” weren’t mentioned nor were the US/NATO concerned about it.
Once regime changed failed, the West/NATO became more involved. Biden’s response is quite cautious compared to many in NATO – Poland, the Baltics, Slovakia, and Romania as border countries are the leaders along with non NATO members Finland and Sweden. Germany and France for historical and geographic reasons are more reluctant. Meanwhile the UK and Canada are more supportive than the US; Canada has one of the largest and most active Ukrainian communities in the world.
The failure of regime change led to a more limited focus – annex four-five oblasts, land connection to Crimea, secure water supply to Crimea and if possible cut Ukraine out of the Black Sea (Odessa). Isolationists in the West now call it a border dispute which should be negotiated. However, Russia claims border disputes all along its western frontier and a Russia disporia in the Balitics which they claim needs their protection. Eastern Europe fears a negotiated peace with concessions to Russia will only encourage Russia. Already there is a move to annex Belarus and a long standing dispute with Moldova.
My Polish friends along with many other Poles have completely changed their perception of Ukraine politics. They were very critical of the Maidenhead revolt viewing it as instigated by Ukrainian nationalists from the Lvuv; a group whose grandparents ethnically cleansed the area of Poles and Jews. From 1944 to almost the 50s, a nationalist group fought the Poles and the Soviets in the mountains and forests and would attack any non Ukrainian villages (CIA funded of course) . However, Poles now view Russia as the issue and believe the Zelensky government is not part of the Lviv nationalists. Given he’s actually a Jew and speaks Russian as his first language, its fairly obvious.
If it’s a border dispute, it probably won’t be the last and no one wants to open the wound that is the post 1991 borders. Zelensky isn’t the post Maidenhead president, he was elected as a centrist against his more nationalist opponenet.
It’s quite common here to add a “no firearms” clause to probation and parole stipulations. Isn’t that the norm in some US states? I know in some US states, felons even after release can’t vote. If they can be deprived of the right to vote (a constitutional right) why not the right to bear arms? Is the right to bear arms so sacrosist that it’s more important than voting? Do you want released murderers, bank robbers, etc be allowed to own weapons?
Who leaves stuff in their back seat when there’s a perfectly good trunk? Who leaves IDs in their suitcase? It’s with you or with your carry-on bag or in the trunk i.e. locked. I usually travel in much safer locations than US cities and I’m not that dumb with my stuff.
With the exception of South Africa, the most violent cities in the world are all in the US and Latin America. Its not the political parties running these cities but long term historical social issues they all have in common — slavery, economic exploitation, native genocide, etc.
Some things are just coincidences not a “squirrel”. The investigations into Trump, his family and his corporations have been going on for years. The left side of the internet has been following it for years and the coming indictments etc have been in the works for months only delayed by Trump’s lawyers.
Hunter Biden now claiming the laptop is probably done on legal advice. By abandoning the laptop he gave up his right to the laptop only not any programs, information or software included within. Thus any information obtained through the laptop will not be permissible in a court room. He’s probably better off claiming the laptop even if its not his.
The Biden presidency isn’t the %#^ show the right side of the internet wishes you to believe. It’s fairly decent – lowered insulin prices, infrastructure spending, record low unemployment, etc. Some things are beyond his control – supply chain inflation although made worse by the Fed’s reaction for example. His border policies aren’t much different than Trumps (he’s heavily criticized by the left). Sometimes I wonder if Republicans crying the border is wide open becomes an advertisement for more illegal migration.
Inflation is slowing down; probably quicker than the so-called experts thought since it was caused by supply chain issues and green not monetary expansion. In many cities, inflation has been reduced to mostly increased shelter costs.
Ukraine is not losing; it’s not winning but the Russia winter offensive was more or less a failure. It remains to be seen whether the Ukraine response matches their success last fall.
The same people who told you Donald Trump was a direct threat to American democracy are about to indict the chief political rival of their party and try to put him in jail. This has never happened before in American history. The Democrats under Joe Biden — and their media allies… https://t.co/Xq49xd7gNN
It doesn’t stop here. Once one political party charges the other political party leader with crimes, everyone will be charged by both parties when they have the power to do so. It’s inevitable. This is how actual democracy crumbles, when the rule of law is subservient to the… https://t.co/ujjMpCReK3
Barney Frank is a poster child for corruption. However, the entire Congress has similar issues. Paul Ryan – who rolled back the Dodd-Frank banking rules – joined the board of directors of Frank almost immediately after finishing his political career. I’m sure more are moving from the congress to the corporate pipeline.
Given all this corruption, it’s extremely likely Russia is already involved in the 2024 election process. The media does need to understand the difference between cyber attacks and an information/influence campaign. The more isolationist DeSantis and Trump will be heavily supported by Russia in various ways and Putin may see it as his one way of the quagmire he has walked into.
George Soros spent over $1 million to elect Alvin Bragg DA of Manhattan. He is now pleading down the charges of violent criminals and letting them back on the street while trying to put Trump in jail on total politically motivated charges. Soros is getting what he paid for.
Water storage issues in Ca are frustrating and need to be addressed.
________________
Why It’s Hard for California to Store More Water Underground
California has more storage space in aquifers than in reservoirs, but getting storm water there is proving difficult.
Despite the storms that have deluged California this winter, the state remains dogged by drought. And one of the simplest solutions — collecting and storing rainfall — is far more complicated than it seems.
Much of California’s water infrastructure hinges on storing precipitation during the late fall and winter for use during the dry spring and summer. The state’s groundwater aquifers can hold vast quantities of water — far more than its major reservoirs.
But those aquifers have been significantly depleted in recent decades, especially in the Central Valley, where farmers have increasingly pumped out water for their crops. And as Raymond Zhong, a New York Times climate journalist, recently reported, the state’s strict regulations surrounding water rights limit the diversion of floodwaters for storage as groundwater, even during fierce storms like the atmospheric rivers this winter. …
… This issue of using storm water to recharge groundwater sounds very simple, and it’s a solution that people have been interested in for a long time. But getting infrastructure, getting the money to do that and, in California, navigating the bureaucracy around water rights, is a big complication.
HRW & Debra, I appreciated your back-and-forth discussion late yesterday on Ukraine. I still lean more toward HRW’s approach — there also was a good discussion today on “The Journal” (fox) with WSJ reporter/commentator perspectives.
It was good to read the two perspectives from both of you, along with some points I hadn’t thought about.
~ Of course we all have to wait and see the evidence, but based on the publicly-available information, I’m skeptical of the Manhattan DA’s case, as outlined below. “Untested” legal theories should not be used to prosecute anyone, including former presidents ~
Conservatives lecture their own side for being too rude and mean while Democrats arrest their political opponents and throw them in jail. If you haven’t learned by now that we have no choice but to fight fire with fire, you’re hopeless.
There was never any serious effort by Republicans to investigate who funded and organized and participated in the BLM riots of 2020 and bring them to justice. They were willing to let it go. Then the Dems spend two years chasing down January 6ers.
It is inconceivable to me what is happening. Our nation's bureaucracy has been weaponized for political purposes and our justice system is being reduced to a joke before the whole world. The leftist marxists don't care what it takes to destroy our nation and they use their useful… https://t.co/3nsEqsin9Zpic.twitter.com/wfIgCb8eNv
Not a single J6-related hearing held or scheduled. Police brutality by Bowser, Pelosi stormtroopers ignored by House GOP (actually rewarded). 18 Senate Republicans voted to give DOJ more funding to investigate, prosecute Trump supporters. List goes on… https://t.co/6j4s9xgKiZ
We are watching Democrats interfering with the 2024 election in real time. Banana republic style. But be wary of protests to “take our nation back”. We saw how that worked out on J6. Trump supporters slain, persecuted, still suffering in pre trial detention. @julie_kelly2https://t.co/nss9hTB06k
There’s hundreds of videos and pictures of Hunter Biden on his laptop smoking crack, weighing huge amounts of crack, waving around an illegal firearm, and having sex with hundreds of girls who look “extremely” young.
Along with DJ’s point – does melting snow have to be political?
The reservoirs are full from the spring melt off in the mountains; some reservoirs are full for the first time in years as there was above average snowfall. Hence water went down the river. Perhaps they can create larger reservoirs but the river below needs water too. Down river from at least one reservoir, the river ecological system is breaking down; salmon and other fishing stock are depleted as rivers become too small for habitation. Its a balance – human need for water and down stream fishing, tourism, and the environment in general.
Managing water properly is incredibly difficult (if you ever had a leak in your home you know water is hard to trace and manage) ; I would propose California hire Dutch water engineers as the Netherlands manages its water in mind numbing detail. They monitor just about any water movement. During a FIFA semi-final, they estimated over 70% of Dutch people flushed a toilet during halftime simply based on the information they routinuely have while monitoring the water.
The Trump saga has been winding its way through the court system for years. The Biden saga has just begun. Perhaps it will result in charges perhaps not. I doubt the Trump charges will stand up – the burden of proof is huge in a case like this. Normally corporations and CEOs settle out of court and pay a fine for anything appearing illegal but I think Trump likes the attention and playing victim.
As for the DA allowing plea bargains – isn’t that the norm in the US judiciary system?
I’m always amused at angry tweets proclaiming the world is laughing at us and calling American bureaucrats and democrats leftist Marxists. When you engage in hyperbole, it may work to get attention or a laugh but sometimes it’s just sad. The world has been laughing or criticizing the American judicial system long before today. America is notorious for excessive prison sentences and biased judges and prosecutors. Electing Trump also amused the chattering classes of Europe. And no, Democrats are not leftists Marxists; not even close.
Not sure what video and pictures of Hunter Biden smoking crack and having sex has to do with the Biden adminstration. The laptop may contain other relevant information but if you lead off with crack smoking and porn, nobody is going to take the political accusations seriously. Given the laptop has been passed around with no chain of custody and information taken from it without a warrant, whatever is in the laptop will never see a courtroom.
HRW, yes we will have to agree to disagree on Ukraine. And I will just have to hope that DeSantis wins the election, and more humble, less bloodthirsty men and women accompany him in Congress next term.
My own senator, Marsha Blackburn (R), is probably losing my vote next time she’s up for re-election. She not only favors warring in Ukraine, but she made a trip to Taiwan shortly after Pelosi did last year, showing her willingness to fight China there too.
It is really mind-boggling to me. We seem determined to create WWIII one way or another. And it may come eventually, but not with my vote if I can help it.
Interestingly I would agree with you on Taiwan and probably any non European country with the exception of the Anglo American world and maybe Japan/South Korea.
It might be my European background with friends and relatives. With Europe, I might have cultural bias and a tendency to see the dispute as between authoritarian vs liberal democracy. A dispute I wouldn’t see elsewhere. Maybe this makes me Eurocentric – my leftist friends would not be impressed.
DeSantis doesn’t impress me; he seems to be willing to say and do the things needed to get attention and a reaction. This would mean he’s not too humble and his behaviour in Florida doesn’t strike me as peaceful. Obviously I don’t like his policies but that’s neither here nor there for now. His approach to foreign policy is similar to many Americans (and some Canadians) who view the foreign through the domestic. The historical and cultural rationale behind alliances and support do not occur to DeSantis or most North Americans.
Are we a violent species prone to war? My Calvinist heritage sometimes whispers to me; total depravity of man.
“Here we go again — an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump.
I’m directing relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions.”
Here we go again — an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump.
I’m directing relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by… https://t.co/elpbh7LeWn
NYT Reporter & IC Operative who won a Pulitzer for pushing a fabricated narrative on behalf of Hillary Clinton is in favor of politically motivated prosecutions.
Curious what you think of Hillary hiding payments for the Steele Dossier as legal fees for her campaign? https://t.co/s4H8oLloAF
…Bragg is struggling to twist state laws to effectively prosecute a federal case long ago rejected by the Justice Department against Trump over his payment of “hush money” to former stripper Stormy Daniels.
While Bragg is cooking new charges against Trump, FBI is sitting on Jeffrey Epstein’s Client List since 2020 and Hunter Biden’s Laptop From Hell since 2019.
Not one person was raided or charged with a single crime yet Trump is the only one who is being dragged… https://t.co/XrAkmnAJ4A
Just remember milquetoasters, you’re enabling him by your silence.
You know I'm 100% Trump 2024 but I still love DeSantis as my Governor – but if DeSantis doesn't come out soon and make a bold statement against this political witch hunt against Trump – the primary is already over.
Trump gets charged for BS, this scum shot and killed an unarmed 95lb woman and he walks free.
Black or white officer shoots or beats a Black person, the liberal media goes into a melt down, ANTIFA & @Blklivesmatter go rioting, and it’s called peaceful demonstrations by media. But a White female unarmed veteran shot and killed by a police officer on J6, #crickets, because… https://t.co/viJhWwMWljpic.twitter.com/QN07UkxXCq
They’ll arrest Trump to humiliate him. They know it’s abuse of power. They want you enraged so you’ll protest so they can Jan 6th you. It’s always been about labeling half the country as “terrorists” so they can violate our rights because we reject their Marxist ideology.
Because the establishment is full of useless invertebrates…..
Utter madness. On no planet is a private legal settlement a felony campaign finance violation. The rule of law is dead in this country. Meanwhile, Republicans in Washington are laser-focused on funneling more more money into Ukraine, because of course they are. https://t.co/mnRebSGmyH
Yes it’s a total farce and a disgrace. They let violent criminals roam the streets but then spend a year and millions of tax payer dollars trying to nail Trump on a frivolous misdemeanor charge. https://t.co/tzv3OWe66I
“We discussed this on the Triggered Podcast this week, but this can’t be legal. This sounds like something out of North Korea, Hussein’s Iraq, or Castro’s Cuba. We have a person detained for nearly 90 days without an indictment. Why? Well, this person was around the Capitol Building during the January 6 riot. Leslie McAdoo Gordon of Redstate, who served as a special agent for the Department of Defense Investigative Service and is now an attorney, detailed this sordid tale of prosecutorial misconduct. Being an attorney who has gone through the motions involving cases at the federal level, Gordon details how the government botched this arrest and detention from the beginning starting with the fact that there was no preliminary hearing. It’s a lengthy post but a step-by-step recount of how this man has been detained illegally without trial or charge:”
Wandering Views 
The Dems and their brown shirts newest attack on your rights.
Thru the backdoor.
“FBI and Secret Service behind covert agreement stripping citizen’s gun rights, documents show”
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/fbi-secret-service-plea-agreement-stripping-defendant-of-gun-rights-secretly
“The U.S. government conditioned a plea agreement with a defendant stipulating they sign a secret form, which was not authorized through Congress and has been slammed as “unconstitutional” by Republican lawmakers, that stripped their rights to buy, own, or use firearms, documents show.
Between 2011 and 2019, the FBI, Secret Service, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement coordinated to obtain signatures on an internal form from at least 60 U.S. citizens that stripped their gun rights, according to newly obtained records and multiple Washington Examiner reports. In at least one instance, the bureau and Secret Service worked behind closed doors with what appears to be a government prosecutor who conditioned signing of the form as part of a legal case, the Washington Examiner has learned.
“Dear Agent [redacted],” reads a June 10, 2019, letter written by a lawyer to a Secret Service agent in West Palm Beach, Florida. “You will find enclosed the NICS firearm form which has been signed by my client and his doctor. This is being provided in compliance with [redacted] plea agreement. Yours sincerely.”
It’s unclear what the 2019 defendant was being charged with or why the FBI and Secret Service had involvement. The FBI redacted the case number on the document, which was obtained by the firearms rights group Gun Owners of America through the Freedom of Information Act and shared with the Washington Examiner.
Secondly, it’s unclear why the government used the form, which registered people into the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System and asked signatories to identify as a “danger” to themselves or others or also lacking the “mental capacity adequately to contract” their lives. Second Amendment lawyers, including GOA’s outside counsel, Robert Olson, told the Washington Examiner that U.S. citizens can’t legally forfeit their gun rights.
The person who signed the plea agreement was evidently not barred from owning guns until voluntarily signing the FBI’s form and the government asked the defendant to agree to a punishment comparable with a different type of crime, said Olson. Lawyers have previously honed in on how the form did not go through public comment through the Office of Management and Budget, which is required before the government collects information from the public.
“There’s a bit of a contradiction,” Gilbert Ambler, a constitutional attorney who specializes in firearms law, told the Washington Examiner. “They’re having you agree you’re incompetent. If you’re incompetent, how is that a binding agreement?”
Ambler added, “It’s an example of something more nefarious, which is individuals within the government pursuing a goal of disarming people. That is not something supported by our legislature. In fact, it is contrary to what our legislature has done because there are set forth conditions on when somebody can be disarmed.””
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Doh!
It’s a virtual Utopia in Dem run cities.
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The persecution continues.
And this is clearly incitement on the part of partisan Dems seeking to provoke a response from his followers.
This is all they have left to distract you from the @#$% show that is the Biden presidency.
https://twitchy.com/dougp-3137/2023/03/18/trump-posts-on-truth-social-that-hell-be-arrested-next-week-dem-squirrel-moment-detected/
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Speaking of @#$% shows….
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Exactly what I would expect to hear from the water carrying lap dog class.
First, reality….
—–
Then the spin from Dem propagandists….
Evidence you say?
Pffftttt…..
——-
Lather, rinse repeat.
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What a difference a letter after your name can make.
If it was an R, he’d be the next Bernie Madoff. But since he’s a D, he gets a pass, and the media stares at it’s feet like good little subserveints.
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Media hardest hit….
So what you see here is Hunter’s lawyers admitting the laptop is his, and so is what was on it.
I’m sure the retractions will be coming along any minute now….
Yep, any minute….
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Lather, rinse, repeat….
Next verse, same as the first….
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Debra; we’ll probably agree to disagree but I have to add…..
Initially, this was not a border dispute but regime change. The idea was a quick drive into Kiev, chase Zelensky out, and place a puppet Ukrainian. The plot failed because the military took too long, the special agents in Kiev failed, and Zelensky refused to leave. The conspiracy part of my brain believes that the offer for a ride out of Kiev by Biden was known in advance by Putin. At this point, there was no western support for a resistance. The “bio labs” weren’t mentioned nor were the US/NATO concerned about it.
Once regime changed failed, the West/NATO became more involved. Biden’s response is quite cautious compared to many in NATO – Poland, the Baltics, Slovakia, and Romania as border countries are the leaders along with non NATO members Finland and Sweden. Germany and France for historical and geographic reasons are more reluctant. Meanwhile the UK and Canada are more supportive than the US; Canada has one of the largest and most active Ukrainian communities in the world.
The failure of regime change led to a more limited focus – annex four-five oblasts, land connection to Crimea, secure water supply to Crimea and if possible cut Ukraine out of the Black Sea (Odessa). Isolationists in the West now call it a border dispute which should be negotiated. However, Russia claims border disputes all along its western frontier and a Russia disporia in the Balitics which they claim needs their protection. Eastern Europe fears a negotiated peace with concessions to Russia will only encourage Russia. Already there is a move to annex Belarus and a long standing dispute with Moldova.
My Polish friends along with many other Poles have completely changed their perception of Ukraine politics. They were very critical of the Maidenhead revolt viewing it as instigated by Ukrainian nationalists from the Lvuv; a group whose grandparents ethnically cleansed the area of Poles and Jews. From 1944 to almost the 50s, a nationalist group fought the Poles and the Soviets in the mountains and forests and would attack any non Ukrainian villages (CIA funded of course) . However, Poles now view Russia as the issue and believe the Zelensky government is not part of the Lviv nationalists. Given he’s actually a Jew and speaks Russian as his first language, its fairly obvious.
If it’s a border dispute, it probably won’t be the last and no one wants to open the wound that is the post 1991 borders. Zelensky isn’t the post Maidenhead president, he was elected as a centrist against his more nationalist opponenet.
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It’s quite common here to add a “no firearms” clause to probation and parole stipulations. Isn’t that the norm in some US states? I know in some US states, felons even after release can’t vote. If they can be deprived of the right to vote (a constitutional right) why not the right to bear arms? Is the right to bear arms so sacrosist that it’s more important than voting? Do you want released murderers, bank robbers, etc be allowed to own weapons?
Who leaves stuff in their back seat when there’s a perfectly good trunk? Who leaves IDs in their suitcase? It’s with you or with your carry-on bag or in the trunk i.e. locked. I usually travel in much safer locations than US cities and I’m not that dumb with my stuff.
With the exception of South Africa, the most violent cities in the world are all in the US and Latin America. Its not the political parties running these cities but long term historical social issues they all have in common — slavery, economic exploitation, native genocide, etc.
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Some things are just coincidences not a “squirrel”. The investigations into Trump, his family and his corporations have been going on for years. The left side of the internet has been following it for years and the coming indictments etc have been in the works for months only delayed by Trump’s lawyers.
Hunter Biden now claiming the laptop is probably done on legal advice. By abandoning the laptop he gave up his right to the laptop only not any programs, information or software included within. Thus any information obtained through the laptop will not be permissible in a court room. He’s probably better off claiming the laptop even if its not his.
The Biden presidency isn’t the %#^ show the right side of the internet wishes you to believe. It’s fairly decent – lowered insulin prices, infrastructure spending, record low unemployment, etc. Some things are beyond his control – supply chain inflation although made worse by the Fed’s reaction for example. His border policies aren’t much different than Trumps (he’s heavily criticized by the left). Sometimes I wonder if Republicans crying the border is wide open becomes an advertisement for more illegal migration.
Inflation is slowing down; probably quicker than the so-called experts thought since it was caused by supply chain issues and green not monetary expansion. In many cities, inflation has been reduced to mostly increased shelter costs.
Ukraine is not losing; it’s not winning but the Russia winter offensive was more or less a failure. It remains to be seen whether the Ukraine response matches their success last fall.
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We are officially the Banana Republic of America.
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Barney Frank is a poster child for corruption. However, the entire Congress has similar issues. Paul Ryan – who rolled back the Dodd-Frank banking rules – joined the board of directors of Frank almost immediately after finishing his political career. I’m sure more are moving from the congress to the corporate pipeline.
Given all this corruption, it’s extremely likely Russia is already involved in the 2024 election process. The media does need to understand the difference between cyber attacks and an information/influence campaign. The more isolationist DeSantis and Trump will be heavily supported by Russia in various ways and Putin may see it as his one way of the quagmire he has walked into.
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Banana Republuc.
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Water storage issues in Ca are frustrating and need to be addressed.
________________
Why It’s Hard for California to Store More Water Underground
California has more storage space in aquifers than in reservoirs, but getting storm water there is proving difficult.
Despite the storms that have deluged California this winter, the state remains dogged by drought. And one of the simplest solutions — collecting and storing rainfall — is far more complicated than it seems.
Much of California’s water infrastructure hinges on storing precipitation during the late fall and winter for use during the dry spring and summer. The state’s groundwater aquifers can hold vast quantities of water — far more than its major reservoirs.
But those aquifers have been significantly depleted in recent decades, especially in the Central Valley, where farmers have increasingly pumped out water for their crops. And as Raymond Zhong, a New York Times climate journalist, recently reported, the state’s strict regulations surrounding water rights limit the diversion of floodwaters for storage as groundwater, even during fierce storms like the atmospheric rivers this winter. …
… This issue of using storm water to recharge groundwater sounds very simple, and it’s a solution that people have been interested in for a long time. But getting infrastructure, getting the money to do that and, in California, navigating the bureaucracy around water rights, is a big complication.
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HRW & Debra, I appreciated your back-and-forth discussion late yesterday on Ukraine. I still lean more toward HRW’s approach — there also was a good discussion today on “The Journal” (fox) with WSJ reporter/commentator perspectives.
It was good to read the two perspectives from both of you, along with some points I hadn’t thought about.
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David French:
~ Of course we all have to wait and see the evidence, but based on the publicly-available information, I’m skeptical of the Manhattan DA’s case, as outlined below. “Untested” legal theories should not be used to prosecute anyone, including former presidents ~
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Banana Republic.
Aided by the usual suspects.
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Truth.
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More truth.
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Dj,
The blind squirrel found a nut.
Even he gets it.
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Along with DJ’s point – does melting snow have to be political?
The reservoirs are full from the spring melt off in the mountains; some reservoirs are full for the first time in years as there was above average snowfall. Hence water went down the river. Perhaps they can create larger reservoirs but the river below needs water too. Down river from at least one reservoir, the river ecological system is breaking down; salmon and other fishing stock are depleted as rivers become too small for habitation. Its a balance – human need for water and down stream fishing, tourism, and the environment in general.
Managing water properly is incredibly difficult (if you ever had a leak in your home you know water is hard to trace and manage) ; I would propose California hire Dutch water engineers as the Netherlands manages its water in mind numbing detail. They monitor just about any water movement. During a FIFA semi-final, they estimated over 70% of Dutch people flushed a toilet during halftime simply based on the information they routinuely have while monitoring the water.
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The Trump saga has been winding its way through the court system for years. The Biden saga has just begun. Perhaps it will result in charges perhaps not. I doubt the Trump charges will stand up – the burden of proof is huge in a case like this. Normally corporations and CEOs settle out of court and pay a fine for anything appearing illegal but I think Trump likes the attention and playing victim.
As for the DA allowing plea bargains – isn’t that the norm in the US judiciary system?
I’m always amused at angry tweets proclaiming the world is laughing at us and calling American bureaucrats and democrats leftist Marxists. When you engage in hyperbole, it may work to get attention or a laugh but sometimes it’s just sad. The world has been laughing or criticizing the American judicial system long before today. America is notorious for excessive prison sentences and biased judges and prosecutors. Electing Trump also amused the chattering classes of Europe. And no, Democrats are not leftists Marxists; not even close.
Not sure what video and pictures of Hunter Biden smoking crack and having sex has to do with the Biden adminstration. The laptop may contain other relevant information but if you lead off with crack smoking and porn, nobody is going to take the political accusations seriously. Given the laptop has been passed around with no chain of custody and information taken from it without a warrant, whatever is in the laptop will never see a courtroom.
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HRW, yes we will have to agree to disagree on Ukraine. And I will just have to hope that DeSantis wins the election, and more humble, less bloodthirsty men and women accompany him in Congress next term.
My own senator, Marsha Blackburn (R), is probably losing my vote next time she’s up for re-election. She not only favors warring in Ukraine, but she made a trip to Taiwan shortly after Pelosi did last year, showing her willingness to fight China there too.
It is really mind-boggling to me. We seem determined to create WWIII one way or another. And it may come eventually, but not with my vote if I can help it.
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Interestingly I would agree with you on Taiwan and probably any non European country with the exception of the Anglo American world and maybe Japan/South Korea.
It might be my European background with friends and relatives. With Europe, I might have cultural bias and a tendency to see the dispute as between authoritarian vs liberal democracy. A dispute I wouldn’t see elsewhere. Maybe this makes me Eurocentric – my leftist friends would not be impressed.
DeSantis doesn’t impress me; he seems to be willing to say and do the things needed to get attention and a reaction. This would mean he’s not too humble and his behaviour in Florida doesn’t strike me as peaceful. Obviously I don’t like his policies but that’s neither here nor there for now. His approach to foreign policy is similar to many Americans (and some Canadians) who view the foreign through the domestic. The historical and cultural rationale behind alliances and support do not occur to DeSantis or most North Americans.
Are we a violent species prone to war? My Calvinist heritage sometimes whispers to me; total depravity of man.
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“Here we go again — an outrageous abuse of power by a radical DA who lets violent criminals walk as he pursues political vengeance against President Trump.
I’m directing relevant committees to immediately investigate if federal funds are being used to subvert our democracy by interfering in elections with politically motivated prosecutions.”
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But lying NT clowns see threats everywhere.
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“Legally pathetic”
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Just a reminder once again, some pigs are more equal than others.
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Don’t hold your breath.
This would require cojones, something sadly lacking from the establishment types.
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Just remember milquetoasters, you’re enabling him by your silence.
Still gonna sit quietly are you?
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Trump gets charged for BS, this scum shot and killed an unarmed 95lb woman and he walks free.
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Yep.
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Because the establishment is full of useless invertebrates…..
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2 years, no trial, not even a date yet. All for misdemeanor charges. All allowed by a corrupt DC judge.
“Wait…That’s How Long a Jan. 6 Defendant Has Been Detained With No Indictment”
https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2022/03/11/wait-thats-how-long-a-jan-6-defendant-has-been-detained-with-no-indictment-n2604457
“We discussed this on the Triggered Podcast this week, but this can’t be legal. This sounds like something out of North Korea, Hussein’s Iraq, or Castro’s Cuba. We have a person detained for nearly 90 days without an indictment. Why? Well, this person was around the Capitol Building during the January 6 riot. Leslie McAdoo Gordon of Redstate, who served as a special agent for the Department of Defense Investigative Service and is now an attorney, detailed this sordid tale of prosecutorial misconduct. Being an attorney who has gone through the motions involving cases at the federal level, Gordon details how the government botched this arrest and detention from the beginning starting with the fact that there was no preliminary hearing. It’s a lengthy post but a step-by-step recount of how this man has been detained illegally without trial or charge:”
—–
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