Just One Thing: The 2020 election was lost (by Trump), not stolen
If you're someone who still holds a view or even a fear that the 2020 presidential election was stolen by fraud, please read this report by an incredibly impressive and credible group of life-long conservatives/Republicans including senators, a highly-respected judge and the former Solicitor General of the United States.
They examined all 64 lawsuits filed by the Trump team or supporters claiming election fraud in key swing states.
The short version: There is NO evidence to support the claims. Trump lost because many Republican voters (or Republican-leaning voters) voted for other Republicans but then didn't vote in the presidential race or voted for Biden. This has always been obvious to me, but maybe some of the folks who still think that the lunatic Ron Hanks and the criminal Tina Peters are on to something will now reconsider.
REMEMBER THIS for yourself or others
The national suicide hotline is changing to 988 starting Saturday - The Washington Post
I sure hope that people who make the call actually reach a call center that can help. Right now, readiness seems like a significant issue:
Preparedness for 988 Throughout the United States: The New Mental Health Emergency Hotline | RAND
Today's Guests
Rip Rawlings is a retired Marine Corps officer and James Vasquez is a retired staff sergeant in the US Army. They've each been to Ukraine repeatedly to help the Ukrainian fighters with training and supplies. They'll be returning to Ukraine soon but not before they join us to talk about their efforts.
Rawlings:
Ripley's Heroes (ripleysheroes.org)
https://twitter.com/RipRawlings
Vasquez:
https://twitter.com/jmvasquez1974
Norwalk veteran says he’s heading back to Ukraine (thehour.com)
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When we did our listener trip to DC, about two dozen listeners and I went to a restaurant in Chinatown called Tony Cheng's. Not only was it some of the best Chinese food I've ever had -- maybe worth going back to DC just to go there -- but Tony, who came to the US from Hong Kong, has some incredible stories about his career, including being invited to cook at the White House and frequently cooking for presidents and prime ministers of other countries.
We'll talk with Tony and get some of those stories. I'll warn you up front...his Chinese accent is pretty thick (and he knows it) but I think that will be part of the charm of the segment.
Tony Cheng's - Washington DC- Chinese & Mongolian Restaurant (tonychengmongolianrestaurant.com)
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I'm a big fan of the Denver Zoo and of odd animals, so naturally I gravitated toward this story: Denver Zoo, CPW Release Endangered Toads - Denver Zoo
We'll talk with a special guest from the zoo about their efforts to restore a population of endangered toads in Colorado
Other Stuff
Joe Manchin saves (what's left of) rational economic policy: POLITICO Playbook: Manchin delivers ‘crushing blow’ to Dem agenda- POLITICO
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Donald Trump is hinting that he might announce a presidential run this year. If he does so, that would be by far the biggest threat to Republican success in the 2022 elections. Trump is electoral poison at this point in essentially every purple state and swing district. A Trump announcement before this election could turn a "red wave" into a ripple. If you're a Republican or other form of Trump supporter and you think you want him to run again, remember that Democrats want that even more than you do. (And yes, I know that they felt that way in 2016 too...but this is NOT 2016.)
Trump signals 2024 decision has come down to timing of an announcement - CNNPolitics
Why Democrats are begging Trump to start 2024 right now - POLITICO
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When people tell you there's easy, free money available, just run away
Crypto lender Celsius Network reveals $1.19 bln hole in bankruptcy filing | Reuters
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Oh, you gotta read the paragraph that includes mention of a lemming...another great piece by Andy McCarthy
Biden Is the Confounder in Chief | National Review
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If I were she, I'd say this too but I think it's at least 50/50 that she's lying: Emmett Till accuser, in memoir, denies wanting teen killed (kxnet.com)
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Incredible first pictures from the Webb Space Telescope: First Images from the James Webb Space Telescope | NASA
More in the video below with explanations of the images
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This is Economics 101: Axios: Insulin caps would hike deficit, CBO says
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Van Gogh self-portrait found covered by cardboard on the back of another Van Gogh painting: In van Gogh’s hidden self-portrait, thrilling questions about the artist - The Washington Post
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This is EXACTLY what's wrong with Republicans and why they will do worse than they should: Indiana AG eyes criminal prosecution of 10-year-old rape victim's abortion doc - POLITICO
Today's Video
The first pictures from the James Webb Space Telescope with really interesting discussion/explanation