Clarence Thomas Family Value$

As an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Clarence Thomas makes a measly $230,000 a year, so naturally he needs all the financial help he can get. And he gets lots of it, chiefly from his billionaire pal Harlan Crow, friend of the Court and renowned collector of Nazi memorabilia. A true believer in family values, Mr. Crow:

Paid the $120,000 salary of Mrs. Ginni Thomas and propped up her far-right Liberty Central lobby;

Paid Justice Thomas for his elderly mother’s house, fixed it up, and allowed her to live there rent-free; and

Paid the private school tuition of Mr. Thomas’s legal ward, his grandnephew Mark Martin.

Justice Thomas didn’t disclose any of this to the Court in his required annual financial disclosure reports. He also didn’t reveal his trips on Harlan Crow’s private jet or megayacht or their luxury vacation excursions.

Most of these issues were uncovered bythe non-profit ProPublica newsroom and the New York Times.

More:

“A brief timeline of Clarence Thomas, Harlan Crow and ethics questions,” Aaron Blake, Washington Post

“Billionaire Offered Tuition to Send Ginni Thomas to Law School for Second Time,” Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker

Related:

“Clarence Thomas has for years claimed income from a defunct real estate firm,” Shawn Boburg and Emma Brown, Washington Post

“More ethics questions rise for Supreme Court justices,” Sareen Habeshian, Axios

“Judicial activist directed fees to Clarence Thomas’s wife, urged ‘no mention of Ginni,’” Emma Brown, Shawn Boburg and Jonathan O’Connell, Washington Post

The real reason for the Supreme Court’s corruption crisis,” Ian Millhiser, Vox

Updates:

“CREW files civil and criminal complaint against Clarence Thomas,” Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) [Read the complaint]

“Clarence Thomas Promises To Adopt Code Of Ethics For The Right Price,” The Onion

“Thomas’ Monsanto years offer window into justice’s enviro roots,” Pamela King, E&E News

“The strange story of Clarence and Ginni Thomas,” Lauren Mechling, The Guardian

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Boris Quit, But Won’t Leave. Here’s Why.

Tory buffoon and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson quit, but he’s staying on as a “caretaker”until his Conservative Party chooses a new PM in September or October. When a PM quits, he or she may choose a senior party member to act as interim PM so the stench of a rotting administration doesn’t waft out of Number 10 and pervade Downing Street.

And many Tories have been proposed as caretaker Prime Ministers, and the list ranges from Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab to Theresa May to Peppa Pig, but Mr. Johnson insists on extending his odious administration into autumn. The reason? He’s scheduled a lavish wedding reception for himself and Carrie, the mother of his last two children, on July 30th at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s official country estate. And we all know Boris loves a good party.

More:

“Boris Johnson plans July wedding party with Carrie at Chequers,” Jessica Elgot, The Guardian

“UK Conservatives say ‘toxic’ Boris Johnson should be replaced now,” Andrew Macaskill, Reuters

“Boris Johnson’s plans to remain as PM are ‘unwise’ and ‘unsustainable’, warns Sir John Major,” Sky News

“Boris Johnson will cause ‘carnage’ if allowed to stay on as caretaker prime minister, Dominic Cummings says,” Mary Bulman, The Independent

“Boris staying on until October would be like PM ‘working with own firing squad,’” Josh Layton, The Scotsman

Related:

“Who wants to be UK prime minister? Just about everyone.” Cristina Gallardo, Politico

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UPDATED: Monty Python Clown PM Boris Johnson Scrambling

After his boozy parties at 10 Downing Street during COVID lockdown, turning a blind eye to sexual misconduct allegations against one of his top Tory officials, and the mass resignations of his administration’s cabinet ministers and officials, Boris Johhnson refuses to resign. If you’re asking why, you’ve mistaken Mr. Johnson with someone with an ounce of shame.

More:

“Boris Johnson’s tenure has been defined by scandal. Here are some of the biggest ones,” Ivana Kottasová and Tara Subramaniam, CNN

“Boris Johnson Freaks Out After Giuliani Arrives in London to Help Him,” Andy Borowitz, The New Yorker

“Boris Johnson and wife Carrie to host lavish Chequers wedding party while he clings on,” Pippa Crerar, Daily Mirror

UPDATE:

Saying “Them’s the breaks,” Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson joined the ranks of unemployed New-York-born television novelty performers. Maybe he’ll move to Mar-a-Lago.

“Boris Johnson resigns as UK prime minister,” Jen Kirby, Vox

“Boris Johnson resigns: Five things that led to the PM’s downfall,” Owen Amos, BBC News

“British Lawmaker’s Live Analysis of Boris Johnson’s Resignation Drowned Out by ‘Benny Hill’ Theme Music,” Dan Ladden-Hall, Daily Beast

Speaking of peaceful transition of power … whatever happens next for Boris Johnson, there is literally zero chance that he will organize a mob to sack Parliament or incite his supporters to try to hang the heir to the throne.

— David Frum (@davidfrum) July 6, 2022

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Sarah Palin’s Libel Lawsuit Thrown Out of Court

Sarah Palin, former Miss Wasilla and once part-time Temp-Governor of Alaska, had her libel suit against the New York Times thrown of of court. In an editorial, the Times erroneously linked Ms. Palin’s rhetoric to specific incidents of political gun violence, but quickly issued a correction. The judge found that the plaintiff’s case did not rise to the level of harm established as libel by the Supreme Court. In an unusual move, the judge made his ruling while the jury was deliberating, and the jury, independently, reached the same conclusion.

Sarah Palin, the proto-Trump, will probably appeal.

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The Party’s Over: No. 10’s COVID BYOB Affair

Above: Dame Shirley Bassey delivers the news.

Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson, British/American stand-up comedian, cricketer, and former London Lord Mayor, the Monty Python character currently serving as UK Prime Minister, is well in it for a spingtime garden party at his current abode, No. 10 Downing Street. It was a “bring your own bottle” party for staff. Very plesant-sounding. So why is everyone giving him stick?

The boozy party was on May 20, 2020, during a COVID lockdown strickly limiting outdoor gatherings and imposing fines up to £10,000 ($13,715) on violators. On that same day, there were 328 COVID-related deaths in the UK.

Mr. Johnson apologized before Parliament, but “Partygate” might be the scandal that finally gets BoJo made redundant and booted from office.

More:

“‘The party’s over, Boris’: what the papers say about Johnson’s No 10 crisis,” Graham Russell, The Guardian

“What next for Boris Johnson after his party apology?” Laura Kuenssberg, BBC News

Updates:

“Boris Johnson’s staff accused of more rule-breaking parties inside No 10,” BBC News

“On eve of Prince Philip’s funeral, Downing Street held lockdown parties,” Karla Adam, Washington Post

“Met police accused over failure to investigate No 10 lockdown parties,” Vikram Dodd, The Guardian

“Nobody warned me drinks event was against rules – Boris Johnson,” BBC News

“‘In the Name of God, Go’: Boris Johnson Told to Resign Over Boozy Lockdown Parties,” Jamie Ross, Daily Beast

Updated Updates:

“Boris Johnson ‘birthday bash’ added to list of alleged lockdown parties,” William Booth, Washington Post

“London police to investigate Downing Street parties during lockdown, raising stakes for Boris Johnson,” William Booth, Washington Post

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Gaetz Ex-Girlfriend Talks to Federal Grand Jury

The ex-girlfiend of Florida Man and well-known congressional sleazebag Matt Gaetz (R, FL-1) testified to a federal grand jury investigating him on underage sex-trafficking and other charges. The young woman has been in talks for months with prosecutors about an immunity deal, NBC reports, hoping to avoid prosecution for obstruction of justice in return for testifying as to whether Gaetz paid a 17-year-old female for sex and violated a federal law prohibiting people for paying for prostitutes overseas. This testimony is seen as a sign that the grand jury is moving closer to indicting Trump idolator Gaetz.

More:

“Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend testifies to grand jury in sex trafficking probe,” Marc Caputo, NBC News

Update:

“Matt Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend granted immunity before testifying in sex trafficking probe,” Michael Kaplan, CBS News

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Sex-Scandalized Matt Gaetz to Meet with Women at Trump Resort

Scandal-plagued Matt Gaetz will emerge from hiding this weekend to address the Save America Summit, a gathering of Trump’s diehard female supporters, held at Trump National Doral Miami, probably because the ex-president needs the money. The event is produced by Women for America First, the ladies whose post-election bus tour and January 6th Save America Rally culminated in the mob assault on the U.S. Capitol, deaths, and hundreds of arrests.

Matt Gaetz at a women’s event boggles the mind, as he is under investigation by the Justice Department for transporting a 17-year-old woman across state lines for purposes of sex. Mr. Gaetz is also known for showing nude photos of his sexual conquests to colleagues on the floor of Congress and back when he was a Florida legislator. Matt Gaetz was the only “no” vote on the 2017 human trafficking bill, and opposed a Florida bill outlawing “revenge porn.” He’s making Donald Trump’s Access Hollywood escapade look like a women’s rights rally.

More:

“Amid federal probe, Matt Gaetz will speak to conservative women’s group at Trump golf course,” Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post

“Gaetz Will Speak At Trump Doral For Summit Hosted By Jan. 6 Rally Planners,” Matt Shuham, TalkingPointsMemo

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Sarah Palin Rants for Republicans in Georgia, Denies Trump Lost

Sarah Palin, former Miss Wasilla and Alaska TV sportscaster, once part-time Temp-Governor of Alaska, failed reality TV star and Fox News commentator, and John McCain’s biggest mistake, is now campaigning in Georgia alongside QAnon-embracing Congress-creature-elect Marjorie Taylor Greene. She’s in the Peach State in support of corrupt conservative GOP Senate candidates David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, now in close races ahead of  the January 5th runoff election. Ms. Palin echoed false claims that Trump didn’t lose the presdential election, and spoke Friday as part of the “Save America Tour,” funded by the right-wing  Club for Malignant Growth. which also booked conservative ciruit celebs Ted Cruz, Rick Scott, Jim Jordan, and Lee Greenwood.

More:

“Sarah Palin hits campaign trail in Georgia, denying Trump lost alongside QAnon-supporting Republican,” Stuti Mishra, The Independent

“Palin campaigns in Georgia for Loeffler, Perdue,” Celine Castronuovo, The Hill

“Sarah Palin Returns to the Movement She Started in Georgia Runoff Campaign,” Sam Brodey, Daily Beast

Related:

“’A Serial Liar’: How Sarah Palin Ushered in the ‘Post-Truth’ Political Era in Which Trump Has Thrived,” Patrice Taddonio, Frontline

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Firm Behind Turning Point’s Teen Trolls Booted From Facebook

Right-wing youth indoctrination outfit Turning Point USA (known to us as Trump-Jugend) has been paying teenagers sub-minimum wages to fill social media platforms with attacks on Democratic candidates and disinformation about coronavirus. Twitter and Facebook noticed and shut down the adolescents’ accounts last month. Yesterday, Facebook removed more “inauthentic accounts”and banned Rally Forge, the political marketing firm that helped Turning Point’s Charlie Kirk turn out the teen trolls. Rally Forge is owned by Arizona Republican official Jake Hoffman, who is also behind a phantom campaign called “Navajos for Trump.”

More:

“Facebook bans marketing firm running ‘troll farm’ for pro-Trump youth group,” Isaac Stanley-Becker, Washington Post

“Facebook bans firm behind Turning Point’s election troll farm,” Steven Overly, Politico

“Facebook removes hundreds of fake profiles tied to pro-Trump group,” Kari Paul, The Guardian

“Facebook bans troll accounts linked to conservative group Turning Point USA,” Adi Robertson, The Verge

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Turning Point USA: Teen Trolls for Hire

Astoundingly, “on-shoring,” one of Donald Trump’s political promises, is happening. His 2020 campaign’s troll farms have moved from Russia to Arizona. A branch of right-wing youth indoctrination outfit Turning Point USA (known to us as Trump-Jugend) has been paying teenagers sub-minimum wages to fill social media platforms with attacks on Democratic candidates and disinformation about coronavirus. Twitter and Facebook finally noticed and shut down the teen accounts this week.

Turning Point Action, an arm of the nominally-nonprofit Turning Point USA, contracted right-wing social media company Rally Forge (get it?) to coordinate the teen trolls’ spamming. Funding may have flowed through shadow political action groups Turning Point PAC and/or RallyPAC. Turning Point USA, Turning Point Action, and Students for Trump are all headed by Charlie Kirk. Rally Forge and RallyPAC are both run by Jake Hoffman. Turning Point Action and Rally Forge are also behind a phantom campaign called “Navajos for Trump.”

More:

“Pro-Trump youth group enlists teens in secretive campaign likened to a ‘troll farm,’ prompting rebuke by Facebook and Twitter,” Isaac Stanley-Becker, Washington Post

Related:

“Turning Point USA co-founder dies of coronavirus-related complications,” Daniel Lippman and Tina Nguyen, Politico

“Pro-Trump super PAC backed solely by bank executive used donations to fund Facebook conspiracy meme campaign,” Brian Schwartz, CNBC

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