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Thursday 12-21-23 Bill Meyer Show Guest Information
(Podcasts on www.BillMeyerShow.com)
6:35 Writer Annie Holmquist who writes often for The Epoch Times and her substack “Annie’s Attic” at www.AnnieHolmquist.substack.com . Annie writes a lot on traditional values and I really think you’d enjoy her thinking. A couple of her pieces we discussed today:
https://annieholmquist.substack.com/p/recreating-old-fashioned-christmas
https://annieholmquist.substack.com/p/how-a-charlie-brown-christmas-symbolizes-293
7:10 Michael O’Neil, VP of Legal Affairs at the EXCELLENT Landmark Legal Foundation. Read more at www.LandmarkLegal.org . Michael discusses his take on the removal of former President Trump from the Colorado ballot.
Courts aren’t buying private parties’ arguments that Trump is ineligible to serve as President
Late last week, a Michigan appeals court affirmed a lower court’s ruling that former-President Trump could remain on the presidential primary ballot. This is the latest in a string of state court decisions denying requests from private groups seeking to declare Trump ineligible under Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment.
The Michigan Court of Appeals agreed with the lower court’s conclusion that the decision to place an individual’s name on a primary ballot is a political question and therefore not justiciable. In other words, at the present time, courts in Michigan lack jurisdiction to decide the matter. Election officials do not have the authority to determine whether Mr. Trump engaged in an insurrection and is therefore ineligible to serve as President.
Like the lower court, the Michigan Court of Appeals declined to substantively determine whether Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment applies. It is important, however, to continue to file briefs addressing this constitutional issue because of the possibility a court’s ruling may – at some point – turn on this matter.
In the near term, parties have indicated they are appealing this decision to the Michigan Supreme Court. Also, a decision from the Supreme Court of Colorado in a similar case is expected soon. Former President Trump’s eligibility has also been challenged in state courts in Maine and Oregon.
Landmark will continue to argue in courts throughout the country that Section 3 of the Fourteenth Amendment does not disqualify former President Trump from serving as President.
8:15 Dan Schneider, Vice President of MRC Free Speech America talks Big Tech’s worst cases of censorship this year.
Here are the WORST cases of censorship in 2023 based on reporting from the MRC:
(1) Google is 2023’s WORST censor, having engaged in alarming election-interfering censorship.
(2) Communist Chinese government-tied TikTok goes on censorship spree during Israel-Hamas conflict.
(3) Twitter censors tried to stamp out speech running counter to the left’s narrative on “transgenderism.”
(4) Meta platforms (Instagram and Facebook) targeted critics of the left’s climate change agenda.
(5) X’s Community Notes constitute censorship by another name.
See more detail about each of the worst cases of censorship for 2023 here: https://censortrack.org/worst-2023-google-leads-pack-worst-censor-year
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Wednesday 12-20-23 Bill Meyer Show Guest Information
(Podcasts on www.BillMeyerShow.com)
6:35 Eric Peters, auto journalist at www.EpAutos. Here’s a couple of the articles we discussed today:
https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2023/12/20/stalked-by-a-tesla/
https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2023/12/19/abusive-relationships/
7:10 State Senator Dennis Linthicum updates the legal fight in the anti-Measure 113 lawsuits that could keep him from running for re-election.
8:15 Tom ClavinAuthor and Columnist of THE LAST OUTLAWS: The Desperate Final Days of the Dalton Gang
tomclavin.com ~ tomclavin.substack.co
Author: http://tomclavin.com
Publisher: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250282385/thelastoutlaws
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Outlaws-Desperate-Final-Dalton/dp/1250282381
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Tuesday 12-19-23 Bill Meyer Show Guest Information
(Podcasts on www.BillMeyerShow.com)
6:35 Dr. Jane Orient MD, Executive Director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons – www.aapsonline.org and to view the AAPS journals head to www.jpands.org
Today Dr. Orient and I discuss a number of medical stories both local and statewide indicating a growing stress in the medical industry…numerous problems cropping up.
7:35 Josephine County Commissioner Herman Baertschiger talks the Library District withdraw issue, they’re putting the brakes on it and will have an update soon on proper procedures.
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Monday 12-18-23 Bill Meyer Show Guest Information
(Podcasts on www.BillMeyerShow.com)
7:10 Steve Goreham, Speaker and Author of Green Breakdown: The Coming Renewable Energy Failure www.stevegoreham.com
We’ve reached a new level of climate change frenzy. Climate scientists call for world leaders to declare a “climate emergency, Hillory Clinton proposes a daily tracking of “climate deaths,” and California children are suing the EPA. But despite the alarm, there is no evidence that a switch to renewable energy can control global temperatures.
Steve’s new book, Green Breakdown: The Coming Renewable Energy Failure, shows why the Net Zero agenda—a forced transition to renewable energy—is costly, dangerous, and destined for failure. Using science, economics, and in-depth analysis, the book exposes the weaknesses in the planned green energy transition and predicts a coming renewable energy failure. This week, Green Breakdown again reached #1 in Amazon’s “Energy Policy” category.
7:35 Adam Andrzejewski, CEO/Founder, www.OpentheBooks.com;
Adam Andrzejewski (say: Angie-eff-ski) is CEO/Founder, OpentheBooks.com.
LINK: Naughty List
LINK: Adam Andrzejewski and Sen. Ernst joint Newsweek editorial
In the season of giving—and transparency, OpenTheBooks CEO, Adam Andrzejewski, unwraps Senator Joni Ernst’s “Naughty List” that highlights the concerning issue of underutilized federal office space, raising questions about the effective use of taxpayer dollars.
Senator Joni Ernst and Adam Andrzejewski provided detailed findings in this joint Newsweek editorial here.
Key Findings:
- The report showcases alarming occupancy rates, with examples such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Social Security Administration having mere 7% office occupancy rates.
- The variation in office occupancy rates among federal agencies, ranging from 7% to 49%, underscores the need for a comprehensive examination of the factors contributing to these discrepancies.
- The Wall Street Journal highlighted that the federal government waste $7 billion annually on these near-empty buildings.
Senator Ernst’s “Naughty List” Highlights:
- Senator Joni Ernst recently released a “naughty list” of government agencies with high no-show rates, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue.
- Andrzejewski’s research complements Senator Ernst’s concerns, providing a data-driven perspective on the extent of the problem and the associated financial implications for taxpayers.
- The Federal Gov’t spent more than $3.3 billion on swanky new office furniture, during the pandemic, when almost all staff worked from home.
- Such egregious spending habits of the US government included almost $250K on solar-powered picnic tables for the CDC, and $120,000 on plush Ethan Allen leather chairs.
“Our research highlights a critical issue that demands immediate attention – the underutilization of federal office spaces and its implications for taxpayers,” said Adam Andrzejewski, CEO of OpenTheBooks. “It’s time for a comprehensive review of policies and a commitment to maximizing the efficiency of government resources.”
About OpenTheBooks: OpenTheBooks is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to providing transparency and accountability in government spending. Through rigorous analysis and data-driven research, OpenTheBooks strives to empower citizens with the information they need to hold government accountable. For more information, please visit www.openthebooks.com.
8:15 Dr. Dennis Powers, www.DennisPowersBooks.com with today’s “Where Past Meets Present”
A Rogue Valley Christmas
By Dennis Powers
Christmas Eve and Day in pioneer days were simpler, important–but difficult. Winters in cold cabins were tough, as sleet and snow weren’t that merry. Nor driving in a “one-horse-open sleigh.” Remote families decorated their small cabin with freshly-cut boughs. If a small tree fit inside, then strung with popcorn, small wax candles (a bucket of water kept handy), and red Madrone berries; the families sang Christmas carols and read from the Bible.
Days ahead, women cooked the special Christmas Day meal. With preserved fruits and vegetables, cooked fresh meat (ham, beef, or venison), and even with a plum pudding to age, gifts were homemade (carved wooden toys, sachets, footstools, and corn-husk dolls). If a good year, children might find that Santa had left candies, nuts, or cookies in their stockings.
If living in a small town as Gold Hill, people joined together. Children helped decorate the town Christmas tree at their church or gathering place. They cut out cardboard stars, wrapped them in silver tinfoil, and hung them to join the strung popcorn, wax candles, and small gifts on the tree. Larger gifts were placed underneath.
On Christmas, the families attended church, returned home for their traditional meal, and spent the day visiting with friends. A larger “city” like Medford could have a “Grand Christmas Ball.” One newspaper ad read: “A Grand Ball will be in Byers’ Hall, Medford. On Christmas Night–December 25, 1885. A fine Supper and the best of Music will be provided. The services of a first-class caller have been engaged… A good time is anticipated. Come one! Come all! Tickets, $2.50.”
When we fast forward to today, the holidays have become more commercial. Although many families enjoy the festive and religious times, the stress of jobs, family responsibilities, and how much to spend cut away at this over time. Add in the COVID-19 pandemic and an indifferent administration, times have certainly changed.
Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus, however, continued its tradition of expensive fantasy gifts. First brought out in 1959, it donates a small portion from most fantasy gifts to nonprofits. The company, after being in and out of bankruptcy, is now owned since September 2021 by a group of investment companies (Davidson Kempner Capital, Sixth Street Partners, and others).
Neiman Marcus’ fantasy gifts are just that, from a $20 million submarine (2000) to a $10 million racing stable (2008) and a $7.1 million solar yacht (2018). For 2022, there was the 1935 Cartier art-deco-designed necklace with 520 single-cut diamonds (42 carats), plus 92 baguette diamonds (8 carats) for $3.2 million.
The car for 2022 was the brand-new Barbie x Maserati Grecale Trofeo SUV in Barbie pink with only three in the world made and the only one with a Neiman Marcus-branded finish (for $330,000); otherwise, the four-cylinder Grecales retail for $65,000. For $200,000, Neiman’s Sweet Tooth Hotel will build a space-themed mini golf course in your backyard, complete with “whimsical sculptures” and 20 “custom” putters and golf balls.
For 2023, the gifts didn’t have the multi-million “fantasy.” However, for $510,000 you can have your own animated Disney character. For you and three guests: You (or a guest) will voice your own character, enjoy a private tour of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, and have special meet-and-greet/photo opportunities. Then, a personalized animated short video will be created of you becoming an animated character (no more than two minutes long) with a digital copy and invitation to a Disney film premiere in Hollywood for its included showing.
The fantasy car is the EV Carmen Cadillac Celestiq for $975,000. (Note: the Celestiq’s normal base price is $350,000 before customization.) You’ll watch the car being designed and hand-built, including “choreographed” lighting and a smart glass roof customized for each passenger’s preference. There is hands-free driver assistance, 55-inch-diagonal HD display in front, two 12.6-inch displays on the front-seat backs, and “600 horsepower on tap from the dual-motor setup that gets juice from a massive 111-kilowatt-hour battery.” Now to see where the DC fast chargers are.
For $485,000, you and five friends will fly to Bali and board a 137-foot sailing yacht for a nine-day adventure through the Indonesia islands, concluding with a beach party beneath the stars. There will be spa treatments, candlelit dinners in caves, scuba diving, jungle hikes, and a treasure hunt to discover a $150,000 voucher for Neiman Marcus jewelry.
The cheapest fantasy (a mere $75,000) is crafting your own “Baccarat Crystal Masterpiece;” flying first-class to the Baccarat Hotel–New York, you’ll later “enjoy a private shopping experience at the Baccarat 53rd Street Boutique,” then jet to Paris to work with “artisans to craft a Baccarat crystal masterpiece just for you”.
For the rest of us, we are simply looking forward to a family-oriented Merry Christmas and New Year.
Sources: See “Legends of America–A Pioneer Christmas” at A Pioneer Christmas; Wikipedia: “Neiman Marcus” at History; Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts at 2022 Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts and at 2023 Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts.