Federal Judge Rules In Favor Of NC Churches, Saying “There Is No Pandemic Exception To The Constitution”

By William Teach May 17, 2020 – 8:11 am

We already know that multiple North Carolina Sheriff’s departments have said they would not enforce the governor’s restrictions against inside worship, because they don’t see much difference between some worshipers meeting from hundreds of people going to Home Depot. Or all the people in the grocery store. People get way too close while riding their bikes on the greenways (via Sister Toldjah)

Federal judge says ‘There is no pandemic exception to the Constitution’

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order preventing the enforcement of Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive orders that restrict church worship in North Carolina. A group founded by pastors and churches sued Cooper over his executive orders alleging they violate the U.S. and N.C. constitutions.

U.S. District Court Judge James C. Dever heard arguments on Friday from a group of plaintiffs who challenged Cooper’s authority to restrict religious activities. Saturday, the judge said the plaintiffs are “likely to succeed on the merits of their Free Exercise claim concerning the assembly for religious worship provisions in Executive Order 138, that they will suffer irreparable harm absent a temporary restraining order, that the equities tip in their favor, and that a temporary restraining order is in the public interest.”

The judge said unequivocally that “There is no pandemic exception to the Constitution of the United States or the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment.” (snip)

In his ruling, Judge Dever said that the restrictions placed on religious groups “represent precisely the sort of ‘subtle departures from neutrality” that the Free Exercise Clause is designed to prevent.”

Exactly. Now, I understand why many governors, county executives, and mayors did what they did: they were scared and concerned (and some were power mad). Cooper has mostly been reasonable, but, it’s time to allow people to live their lives. It would have been better had he requested that churches do their best to social distance and have service outside and such, getting the folks leading the churches behind him (same with mosques and synagogues and such). But, remember, everything was rushed at all levels. That said, after the initial rush there was time to consider and discuss. That did not happen. Hence, lawsuits.

Dever also scrutinized Cooper’s statement that inside worship would only be allowed if outside services were “impossible” and that county sheriff’s and local police would enforce the provisions. “A leader of a religious entity or a worshiper, under pain of criminal prosecution for a Class 2 misdemeanor, has to answer to a sheriff or other local law enforcement officer whether it is ”impossible’ to worship outside. Who could answer that question, ‘Yes. It is impossible.’?” asked Dever. “After all, in the overwhelming majority of cases, members of a religious entity would have gathered to worship from somewhere else.”

The judge said there were “glaring inconsistencies between the treatment of religious entities and individuals” and that “the Governor’s counsel conceded that there is no public health rationale for allowing 50 people to gather inside at a funeral, but to limit an indoor religious worship service to no more than 10 people.”

Dever said he did not doubt that Gov. Cooper desired to protect North Carolinians and that it did not ”make a difference that faith-based bigotry did not motivate” the governor’s actions. “The Constitution makes the bar higher than that,” said Dever. “A law is not neutral and generally applicable unless there is neutrality between religion and non-religion.”

One thing that bothers me about this ruling and many others is that they all seem to forget that each state has its own Constitution with a section on Rights, because, originally, the Bill Of Rights applied to the Federal government, with amendments 9 and 10 leaving everything not mentioned to the states and citizens. The NC Constitution is very clear on religion (section 13) “All persons have a natural and inalienable right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences, and no human authority shall, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience.” That couldn’t more clear, eh?

Dever did also admonish worshipers to observe social distancing and other protocols. If they are smart, they will. Further, the judge was wise in not slamming Governor Cooper, and even praising him. That’s the best way to get cooperation, right? Even when you don’t necessarily need it. Hence

This kind of ruling will potentially lead to similar rulings in other states, especially the more restrictive ones.

Read: Federal Judge Rules In Favor Of NC Churches, Saying “There Is No Pandemic Exception To The Constitution” »

Posted in 1st Amendment, NC News | 1 Comment | Trackback URL

Bummer: California To Kill Off Billions In Climate Change (scam) Spending

By William Teach May 16, 2020 – 3:04 pm

Look, Californian’s, if you really care, you’ll bite the bullet and just deal with the increased cost of living, increased taxes, and reduced services elsewhere

California’s budget cuts include canceling billions in climate change spending

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget cuts include canceling billions of dollars in climate change spending, a blow to environmental advocates who look to the state as a stopgap for the Trump administration’s weakening of federal protections.

In January, Newsom proposed a $12 billion “climate budget” that, over the next five years, would offer incentives for companies to convert to electric vehicles, give low-interest loans to businesses to clean up their practices and spend billions on projects preparing for floods, droughts and wildfires.

But Thursday, Newsom proposed eliminating most of the foundation for those programs to balance a budget that will have an estimated $54.3 billion deficit. The economic downturn has been brought by a statewide stay-at-home order to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The order has closed most businesses for two months, putting more than 4.5 million people out of work and sending state tax collections plummeting. (snip)

The Newsom administration says the cuts represent “unprecedented times” that have forced the state to “make sacrifices that we didn’t think six months ago we would have to do.” The administration chose to protect programs to clean up the air in disadvantaged communities and to provide safe drinking water.

So, spending money on real issues, rather than made up ones. Action on ‘climate change’ is popular when things are going well. Once the sh*t hits the fan, people don’t have the luxury of dealing with 1st World Issues.

Read: Bummer: California To Kill Off Billions In Climate Change (scam) Spending »

Posted in Collapsing Science, Global Warming | 3 Comments | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach May 16, 2020 – 1:00 pm

…are horrible big beach houses causing climate change, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Datechguy’s Blog, with a post on We The People decide what’s normal, not the government.

Doubleshot below the fold, so, check out Irons In The Fire, with a post on a fine description on too many governors and mayors.

Read More »

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 24 Comments | Trackback URL

Michigan Citizens Decide To Go To Drive In Movie, Making Governor Unhappy

By William Teach May 16, 2020 – 10:33 am

They’re totally defying her un-Constitutional order

Moviegoers pack Michigan drive-in theater, defying Whitmer’s stay-home order

Cars were lined up for an estimated quarter mile or more to get into the Capri Drive-in Theater Friday, May 15, when it opened in defiance of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order.

Battle Creek resident Ashley Rathbun was among those that ventured out to catch a movie.

“We’ve been cooped up in the house for the last couple months,’’ she said. “We heard the drive in was going to be opening and we said that’s a nice way to get out and spend some family time.”

While Tom Magocs, who co-owns the theater with his wife, Susan, was getting ready for the first movie screenings of the year, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was answering a question about the Coldwater-area business and others defying her executive orders to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.

“I think the vast majority of people in our state get it and they’re doing the right things,” Whitmer said during her COVID-19 press conference in Lansing. “For those who aren’t, you know, we take this serious. This is not a suggestion. These are not thoughts about how you can protect yourself. This is the force of law. And we expect to people to follow the law.”

The family drive-in theater is in a category of businesses that the governor’s office says is temporarily prohibited as part of an executive order. Whitmer’s order to shelter in place and all non-essential businesses be shuttered isn’t set to expire until May 28.

If everyone is in their cars and staying 6 feet away from those not in the household, what’s the problem? That’s what they told us, wash your hands, don’t touch your face, and social distance. It’s not like other people are sitting right next to each other. Some people are just drunk on power and like telling others how to live their lives. Speaking of her order

A Michigan Court of Claims judge is tasked with determining if Gov. Gretchen Whitmer acted beyond her legal authority when she extended the coronavirus state of emergency on April 30 without the approval of the Legislature.

If she did, that could mean every subsequent executive order Whitmer issued throughout the coronavirus pandemic, including extension of the stay-at-home order until May 28, wasn’t valid.

If she loses, will she comply?

Read: Michigan Citizens Decide To Go To Drive In Movie, Making Governor Unhappy »

Posted in Bat Soup Virus | 22 Comments | Trackback URL

Climate Cultists Say Sea Rise Is Now Only Caused By Mankind, Not Earth’s Orbit

By William Teach May 16, 2020 – 7:56 am

Of course they do

New Research Affirms Modern Sea-Level Rise Linked to Human Activities, Not to Changes in Earth’s Orbit

New research by Rutgers scientists reaffirms that modern sea-level rise is linked to human activities and not to changes in Earth’s orbit.

Surprisingly, the Earth had nearly ice-free conditions with carbon dioxide levels not much higher than today and had glacial periods in times previously believed to be ice-free over the last 66 million years, according to a paper published in the journal Science Advances.

“Our team showed that the Earth’s history of glaciation was more complex than previously thought,” said lead author Kenneth G. Miller, a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences in the School of Arts and Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. “Although carbon dioxide levels had an important influence on ice-free periods, minor variations in the Earth’s orbit were the dominant factor in terms of ice volume and sea-level changes — until modern times.”

Sea-level rise, which has accelerated in recent decades, threatens to permanently inundate densely populated coastal cities and communities, other low-lying lands and costly infrastructure by 2100. It also poses a grave threat to many ecosystems and economies.

See, everything before 1850 was nature. Everything after was because you and your forebears ate a burger and lived a modern lifestyle. Further, it’s strange how none of these cult articles every really mention how much the sea is rising nor how much it is supposedly accelerating. Because the rise is average and there is no acceleration.

“We demonstrate that although atmospheric carbon dioxide had an important influence on ice-free periods on Earth, ice volume and sea-level changes prior to human influences were linked primarily to minor variations in the Earth’s orbit and distance from the sun,” Miller said.

But, now, it’s your fault. And they helpfully provide what the future will look like

And the caption “Scientists boarding the D/V JOIDES Resolution off New Jersey in 1993. The sea level in an ice-free world would be 66 meters (216.5 feet) higher than now — shoulder-high to the Statue of Liberty. Credit: Kenneth G. Miller, James V. Browning, and Gregory S. Mountain.” These people are nuts.

Read: Climate Cultists Say Sea Rise Is Now Only Caused By Mankind, Not Earth’s Orbit »

Posted in AGW Scaremongering, Global Warming | 5 Comments | Trackback URL

House Passes Insane $3 Trillion Bat Soup Virus Bill On Party Line Vote

By William Teach May 16, 2020 – 7:44 am

It’s chock full of unrelated measures and pork for the liberal base

House Passes $3 Trillion, 1,815-Page Coronavirus Bill

The House passed H.R. 6800, the Heroes Act, with 208 votes in favor of the bill and 199 votes against the measure.

Before the vote, House Democrats blocked Rep. Denver Riggleman’s (R-VA) motion to recommit. The motion, if passed would attach a House Republican amendment to the Heroes Act that would prevent illegal immigrants from receiving the stimulus checks contained in the bill.

The Heroes Act contains many leftist provisions. The bill would order that felons and illegal aliens be freed from prison. The bill would also allow businesses to hire illegal aliens over 33 million unemployed Americans. Breitbart News wrote a primer on the House Democrat Heroes Act. (snip)

House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) said on the House floor on Friday that Democrats continue to use Americans’ suffering as leverage for their progressive ends.

“America is in a serious crisis — but House Democrats see it as “leverage” to pass their socialist agenda,” he said. “Republicans reject Democrats’ liberal wishlist and will continue to focus on getting Americans back to work safely and defeating this virus,” McCarthy said.

The only Republican who crossed over was NY Rep Peter King, while fourteen Democrats said “nope, this is nuts” and voted against it. And they are trying to give money to illegals and non-citizens

Riggleman noted that among other “progressive agenda items hidden amongst these poison pills is a provision that would change the ID requirement in the CARES Act rebate checks from Social Security number to Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN).”

“This switch would allow illegal immigrants and noncitizens to get checks they aren’t eligible for,” Riggleman said. “I didn’t think that a global pandemic meant it was time to stop helping American citizens who are desperate for assistance.”

There is more crazy stuff

Dubbed the HEROES Act, the legislation includes $915 billion in state and local aid that could prevent layoffs of public workers, like first responders and teachers; a new $200 billion “heroes” fund for hazard pay for essential workers; $100 billion for K-12 and higher education and $75 billion for coronavirus testing.

While it seems normal, it is basically a payoff to the government employees who vote Democrat

But tucked into the legislation are provisions that rankled the Republicans, including expanding $1,200 checks to certain undocumented immigrants, restoring the full State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT) that helps individuals in high-taxed blue states, a $25 billion rescue for the U.S. Postal Service, allowing legal marijuana businesses to access banking services and early voting and vote-by-mail provisions.

And it would forgive up to $10,000 in student loan debt. You know, the student loan debt chalked up thanks to Democrat run colleges.

It has exactly zero percent chance of passing the Senate. It most likely won’t even be brought up. Pelosi thinks it is a starting point for negotiations. This is the new Mitch McConnell, who stays strong.

Democrats can’t let a good crisis go to waste, you know.

Read: House Passes Insane $3 Trillion Bat Soup Virus Bill On Party Line Vote »

Posted in Bat Soup Virus, Democrats | Comments Off on House Passes Insane $3 Trillion Bat Soup Virus Bill On Party Line Vote | Trackback URL

European Commission Thinks This Is Totally The Best Time To Enact Hotcoldwetdry Policies

By William Teach May 15, 2020 – 3:05 pm

Nothing like taking advantage of sickness, death, misery, people losing their businesses, savings, loved ones, etc, to push their cultish beliefs

Climate change: Now is the moment to rebuild better

The urgency of actions to recover from the COVID-19 crisis must not deter long-term climate objectives. The recovery efforts must seize the opportunity to increase the resilience of our society, especially to climate impacts.

All you darned scared, sick, and dead people out there just need to check your privilege, sit down, and just listen to your political masters

The COVID-19 crisis will put a dent in the climate targets if the restoration efforts are focused on returning to a pre-crisis status quo.

Now is the time to “rebuild better”. This is the moment to introduce ambitions climate mitigation and adaptation measures in the recovery policies.

The European Commission has launched an open public consultation to seek stakeholder views for the design of the new adaptation strategy. (big snip)

The European Green Deal is a response to these challenges. With the Green Deal for Europe, the EU strives to keep our planet healthy and aspires to become the first carbon-neutral continent in the world by 2050.

The European Commission has already set out a clear vision of how to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

What they mean is, this is a clear vision of how Government will make Europeans act and live, but not the big wigs, of course. The EU’s GND version is just as Modern Socialist as the Democrat’s version. The Socialists And Democrats, a seriously Modern Socialist group (meaning authoritarian/Fascist), is all in favor of it.

Read: European Commission Thinks This Is Totally The Best Time To Enact Hotcoldwetdry Policies »

Posted in AGW Socialism, Global Warming | Comments Off on European Commission Thinks This Is Totally The Best Time To Enact Hotcoldwetdry Policies | Trackback URL

If All You See…

By William Teach May 15, 2020 – 1:00 pm

…is an inland area flooded from carbon pollution, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Not A Lot Of People Know That, with a post on a solar farm being able to explode like a small nuclear bomb.

Since I have a bunch of tan line photos left, double shot time, so, check out Blazing Cat Fur, with a post on Canada turning against trade with China

Read More »

Read: If All You See… »

Posted in If All You See | 3 Comments | Trackback URL

What’s Next For Bat Soup Virus? A Massive Wave Of Bankruptcy Filings

By William Teach May 15, 2020 – 10:30 am

The longer this continues the worse it will be

Wave of COVID-19 bankruptcies poses next threat to US economy

Larger companies have generally survived the initial blow from the coronavirus crisis, but still face existential challenges to get through what will probably be a long and grinding recovery.

Since COVID-19 shuttered much of the global economy, airlines, major retail chains, oil companies and other hard-hit businesses have been able to tap bank facilities and public debt markets for the funds they need to keep paying the bills and stay afloat.

But many firms now bleeding cash are in for a tough ride until the economy fully rebounds, which likely will come only after a vaccine is developed and broadly employed.

That has raised worries about a much bigger wave of bankruptcies beyond the handful of retailers that have sought to restructure through the US process known as “Chapter 11.”

The US Congress moved with remarkable speed to approve rescue measures for small businesses, large industries and workers, amounting to nearly $3 trillion.

But that infusion simply “bought time… it postponed” bankruptcies, David Kotok, cofounder of Cumberland Advisors, said of the massive federal push to support the economy.

Kotok — who thinks it will take around five years for the US economy to fully recover — expects casualties in other sectors, including travel, leisure, real estate, energy and “more that haven’t surfaced yet,” he told AFP this week.

Federal Reserve Chief Jay Powell warned Wednesday of a potential “wave of bankruptcies” that could cause lasting harm to the world’s largest economy, and said more fiscal support may be needed to prevent the devastation, despite the massive cost.

Big companies, small companies, you name them, they are in deep trouble. Look, I understand the concern and even panic that COVID-19 caused among citizens and government (employees, appointees, and elected officials): we were seeing a massive dropoff in customers in early February, which only got worse, before government even could consider measures. People were worried. There were enough people who wanted MASSIVE government responses, which many government officials were more than happy to supply. Things were moving too fast, too many voices all over the place, and too many voices of doom. Hey, it’s easy to Monday morning QB. Cooler heads needed to prevail, but, easier said than done. So what happens now? Too many businesses will not survive.

You’ll see reduced employment at companies, who do not need as many employees. There could be an increase in low wage employment for restocking, cleaning, shipping, and such. Those who took voluntary furlough might be permanently laid off or offer positions elsewhere, both in job or location. And if schools do not come back, what are parents to do? Especially if child care centers remain closed and/or go out of business?

Restaurants will need a miracle to survive this

Restaurants, especially independent ones, have been decimated by the pandemic. Without access to the same financing options as large corporate chains, restaurant owners like me have to figure out whether and how to stay open — or just quit the business altogether. (snip)

Though we restaurateurs have faith in our creativity and resilience, the prognosis is dire. Some 1,400 of us responded to a recent survey by the Beard Foundation and the Independent Restaurant Coalition. It predicted that months of closings, mounting debt and diminished capacity will kill perhaps 80% of America’s independent restaurants.

Two-thirds of America’s restaurants are independent small businesses. They employ 11 million of the 15 million workers in this sector. Millions of them are now unemployed and facing permanent job loss.

Who survives?

Read: What’s Next For Bat Soup Virus? A Massive Wave Of Bankruptcy Filings »

Posted in Bat Soup Virus | 19 Comments | Trackback URL

AOC Says Her Green New Deal, Which She Won’t Demand A Vote On, Would Cost $0 If Passed

By William Teach May 15, 2020 – 8:27 am

The Green New Deal was released in February of 2019. To reiterate, every single Democrat in the Senate, including sponsor Ed Markey, voted present when it was put up for a vote. AOC became mad over holding a vote, wondering why the Senate was voting on HER House legislation, forgetting that Markey was the Senate sponsor. And since that time, AOC has yammered about it in various forms, but, still has not demanded a vote

Ocasio-Cortez Hits Critic For Not Reading Green New Deal Bill, Says It ‘Costs $0 If Passed’

Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ripped one of her critics Thursday for suggesting the Green New Deal would cost Americans a fortune and require the government to confiscate every penny from billionaire and multimillionaires.

Ocasio-Cortez scolded conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg Thursday for saying in a tweet that taking every dollar from the likes of Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and others would not “cover a fraction of your Green New Deal fantasy.”

“Totally get it if you’ve never bothered to read the legislation you’re commenting so authoritatively on,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote in reply before noting that the GND is a “non-binding resolution of values” and “costs us $0 if passed.”

Ocasio-Cortez’s signature legislation calls for several progressive proposals, including moving the United States off of fossil fuels within a decade, providing universal health care, basic income programs and job guarantees, as well as a slew of other ambitious plans. The GND would cost $0 if it remained a non-binding resolution and was not coupled with legislation satisfying the deal’s agenda.

Well, that’s true, it would cost zero if passed as a non-binding resolution, like many other resolutions. It begs the question, if that’s the case, why won’t the Democrat controlled House pass it? Heck, why won’t they even bring it up for a vote? Why won’t AOC demand a vote?

Several reports have determined that legislation actually enacting the GND would be an expensive boondoggle. The GND would cost households an average of between $74,287 and $76,683 in Colorado, Michigan and Pennsylvania, a February report from the Competitive Enterprise Institute noted.

The American Action Forum figured it would cost around $93 trillion over 10 years. Democrats definitely do not want to even bring it up for a vote because it is beyond the far, far left wish list, and it would not serve them well with the non-crazy leftist Democrats when voting time comes around. Just telling citizens that they want to enact these major, monster sized big government initiatives could cause major electoral problems.

Read: AOC Says Her Green New Deal, Which She Won’t Demand A Vote On, Would Cost $0 If Passed »

Posted in AGW Socialism, Democrats, Global Warming | 1 Comment | Trackback URL
Pirate's Cove