It’s Monday, November 19th, 2018…but before we begin, here’s a story from PhillyMag.com via Drudge which not only demonstrates the ultimate object of any Progressive policy or pronouncement is always power…political power, but also highlights the PC police are alive and well in corporate America:

Comcast Fires Employee Targeted Over Reported Ties to Hate Group

Andrew Kovalic, an alleged member of the Proud Boys, was the subject of a petition by the Philadelphia-based Media Mobilizing Project.

 

“Comcast on Wednesday fired Andrew Kovalic, a 10-year employee who earlier this week became the target of a viral petition alleging that he is a member of a hate group. The petition that called for Kovalic’s termination, which had garnered 373 signatures by Wednesday morning, was created and sponsored by the Philadelphia-based nonprofit Media Mobilizing Project, which often scrutinizes media and telecommunications companies like Comcast.

…In a statement to Philadelphia magazine, Comcast said, “There’s no place for disrespectful, offensive behavior in our culture. The individual is no longer employed by Comcast.” When asked how Comcast made its determination to fire Kovalic and what specific behavior led to the company’s decision, a spokesperson said they could not comment on the situation beyond the statement.

The now-former Comcast employee, the petition alleges, is a member of the Harrisburg Proud Boys chapter. The petition also alleges that Kovalic will work as a member of security at Saturday’s rally — which, the petition argues, is sufficient grounds for firing him.

The Media Mobilizing Project petition also calls attention to a photo of Kovalic in his Comcast uniform, holding up the “OK” hand gesture that’s simultaneously a trolling tactic of the alt-right and considered a symbol of white power. More on that here.

The Proud Boys Harrisburg chapter responded to Philadelphia magazine’s request for comment with the following emailed statement:

“We like beer. We still like beer. Have a Dick pic. Sincerely, The Greatest Fucking Fraternity in the History of Mankind.”

A Media Mobilizing Project representative told Philadelphia magazine that “Comcast has done the right thing by not continuing to employ a person planning a rally focused on hate for Black, Brown, immigrant, Jewish and many other communities.”

They added, “But if Comcast truly wants to erase the hate, it has to make a stronger statement in support of communities under threat in these precarious times, and note that it will never tolerate racist, fascist, anti-Semitic and white supremacist words, actions, and organizing by its employees.”“

“Never tolerate…organizing by its employees“?!?  Gee, whatever happened to Progressive support for unions?!?  Nothing like a backdoor attempt to stifle speech with which you don’t agree.  We’re “left” to assume certain labor organizations are more equal than others!

Prior to today, neither we nor TLJ knew the “okay” hand sign meant anything more than…”okay”.  Regardless, what we do know is, to believe it signifies support for White Supremacy, one must assume every SCUBA diver on the planet…

…is a white supremacist, along with anyone who uses the “okay” emoji…

…in text messages.  We plead guilty…on both counts, your Honor! 

Here’s the bottomline: we have no idea from the news account whether Andrew Kovalic is a White Supremacist or not.  What we do know is firing long-term employees on the basis of unsupported charges from nameless non-profits is hardly the way to run a business.

Two things give us pause for thought: one, the article makes no mention whether Kovalic filed suit for wrongful discharge.  Were he disputing the basis for his termination, the report should have mentioned it.  Two, it’s hard to believe, in his 10 years of employment, Kovalic’s support of White Supremacy wouldn’t have previously surfaced.

Just sayin’.

In a related item of questionable discrimination, as FOX News reports…

‘Master race’ comment by Kansas county commissioner draws calls for his resignation

 

“Klemp’s comment came as Triveece Penelton was making a road development presentation during the Nov. 13 meeting, FOX 4 of Kansas City reported. He was not happy with the options being presented by her and a colleague.

I don’t want you to think I am picking on you because we are part of the master race,” Klemp told Penelton. “You have a gap in your teeth. We are part of the master race. Don’t you forget that.”…”

FOX 4 cited the correct quote:

“I don’t want you to think I’m picking on you because we’re part of the master race,” Klemp told Penelton. “You know you got a gap in your teeth. You’re the masters. Don’t ever forget that.”

Curiously, only the U.K.’s Daily Mail offered this somewhat exculpatory evidence:

“…In Klemp’s defense, Leavenworth County’s administrator Mark Loughry tried to explain the way the official attempted to use the words.

‘Commissioner Klemp has a gap in his front teeth and so did the person presenting to the Commission on Tuesday,’ Loughry wrote in a statement. ‘On several occasions over the past year Mr. Klemp has made reference that those with a gap in their front teeth are members of the master race.’…”

And this isn’t the first time Klemp has sounded off in a fashion unacceptable to the PC Police:

“…At this time last year, Klemp also drew fire for comments during another public meeting about holidays in which he admired Confederate General Robert E. Lee…”

Sorry, but Klemp’s some 80-years-old, and may not be in total possession of his faculties.  Besides, his support of States’ Rights and Secession notwithstanding, we too admire the life and accomplishments of Marse Robert.  Furthermore, the inclusion of himself in the same characterization of any “master race” as Triveece Penelton indicates he meant it as more of an honor than a slight.

All of which, we can only assume, elevates Stacey Abrams…

…to a more exalted position than the good citizens of Georgia saw fit to grant her.

In a related item, from FOX News…

Broward election boss says racism may be behind clamor against her

 

This takes a certain amount of chutzpah, coming from an individual whose skin color was the only reason she got the job in the first place:

“…Gov. Jeb Bush removed Snipes’ predecessor, Miriam Oliphant, in 2003 after a disastrous 2002 election in which polls opened late and closed early after experienced senior staff had been fired by Oliphant and replaced by friends and acquaintances with little or no experience.

…The removal of Oliphant had been a political firestorm, with a Republican governor removing Broward’s only countywide black Democratic official. Bush replaced her with another black female Democrat, possibly defusing some of the tension.“

Thus does another ineptly dishonest Dimocrat, when all else has failed, play the race card.

Oh,…and does anyone really believe THIS is what those who drafted and passed the 14th Amendment…

“Meet Emma Coronel Aispuro, the 29-year-old wife of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and the mother of their twin seven-year-old daughters.

…Those twins, by the way, were both born American citizens, since Aispuro crossed the Mexican border and gave birth to them at a hospital in Lancaster, Calif. – without filling in the paternal name on either birth certificate. Aispuro and her husband may have gotten that idea from her own experience since she, too, was born in Northern California, even though her father was a known member of the Sinaloa drug cartel.“

…had in mind?!?

P.S.  Though we haven’t followed the NFL since the league decided to endorse disrespect, we saw that the Redskin’s quarterback Alex…

“Smith’s injury occurred 33 years to the day after former Redskins quarterback Joe Theismann’s leg was broken on a sack by New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor during a nationally televised game. Theismann, who was in attendance Sunday, tweeted that Smith’s leg looked “exactly like mine 33 [years] ago.”…”

Joe’s right…though the difference is, fans were thrilled to see Theismann (actually pronounced “Theesmann”) in such pain!  Break a leg, Joe…another leg!

Now, here’s The Gouge!

First up, writing at the WSJ, Kim Strassel details how Dimocrats appear to be…

Doubling Down on Mueller

What will Democrats (and Jeff Flake) do if the probe finds no collusion evidence?

 

“With the midterms over, Washington returns to its regular programming: Russia. Trump critics should consider the risk of betting their political fortunes on special counsel Robert Mueller.

The Mueller probe has lost its political potency, as Democrats acknowledged on the midterm trail. They didn’t win House seats by warning of Russian collusion. They didn’t even talk about it. Most voters don’t care, or don’t care to hear about it. A CNN exit poll found 54% of respondents think the Russia probe is “politically motivated”; a 46% plurality disapprove of Mr. Mueller’s handling of it.

…As a practical matter, Mr. Mueller should have been brought to heel some time ago. As a political matter, that won’t happen. The administration has always understood that such a move would provoke bipartisan political blowback, ignite a new “coverup” scandal, and maybe trigger impeachment. It’s even more unlikely officials would risk those consequences now, as Mr. Mueller is said to be wrapping up.

…Democrats are nonetheless doubling down on the probe for political advantage. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer declared members of his caucus will demand that language making it more difficult to fire Mr. Mueller be included in a spending bill that needs to pass before the end of the current legislative session. Mr. Flake is offering an assist, saying that he will block any judicial nominees in committee until a Mueller protection bill gets a Senate floor vote. Over in the House, incoming Democratic committee chairmen, led by soon-to-be Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, are vowing an investigation blitz focused on collusion with Russia.

Mr. Schumer’s last shutdown—a year ago—was a bust even though it was waged over the emotionally compelling issue of Dreamers, illegal aliens brought to the U.S. as children. He now proposes shutting down the government over a probe few people outside of Washington care about. Mitch McConnell should be so lucky.

Mr. Flake, should he run for president, will struggle to explain to conservative voters his obstruction of Trump judicial nominees, who’ll be confirmed in 2019 anyway when the Republicans expand their Senate majority.

Democrats’ other problem is that this strategy hinges in large degree on an expectation that Mr. Mueller ultimately finds something. There’s no reason to believe he has turned up any evidence of Trump-Russia collusion.

The president will have a field day. He will claim vindication and mercilessly drive home that the investigation was a waste and a witch hunt. And he will have a point. Two years of Democratic hyperbole will be undercut by the special counsel they’ve held out as the ultimate sleuth. They’ll have to decide whether to deride Mr. Mueller’s findings as insufficient to justify continuing their own probes.

Maybe Mr. Mueller has something. We’ll see. But if the reporting is correct that he’s wound up high and dry, Democrats will end up there with him.“

Turning from Dimocrats who may end up high and dry to those currently high on drugs, in a follow-up to our item detailing the Amazon giveaway, courtesy of his Morning Jolt, Jim Geraghty opines on what history will put on a par with the Russians selling Seward his icebox for $7.2M:

“…New York City doesn’t need to be a national or world leader in the tech sector. It’s already among the world leaders in financial markets, banking, mass media and publishing, advertising, real estate, health care, higher education, garments, chemicals, specialty foods, transportation and shipping, and entertainment, and I’ve probably forgotten a bunch of other industries.

Washington is a government town, and that business is never going to relocate. With that industry comes defense contractors, civilian contractors, nonprofits, media, lobbying firms, trade groups, higher education, health care, embassies, and international organization. And of course, both Washington and New York are among the country’s biggest tourist destinations.

That’s what’s really bonkers about the Amazon choice. The company had dozens of cities begging them to relocate and bring 50,000 tech jobs, and where the relocation would be hailed as an economic blessing. But somehow the company managed to pick the two cities that needed them the least, where the existing residents wanted them the least, and the two places where the local idiot lawmakers didn’t need to give away the store — and those idiot lawmakers went ahead and did it anyway.“

As Phineas Taylor Barnum supposedly observed, there’s a sucker born every minute.  Evidence suggests they’ve been born in the Big Apple and Arlington much more frequently.

Since we’re on the subject of idiot lawmakers and the preposterous policies they promote, also writing at the WSJ, Max Gulker highlights the latest Progressive threat to the American Way:

The Dangerous Fantasy of a ‘Jobs Guarantee’

The latest progressive brainstorm would upend the labor market and be impossible to administer.

 

“Forget for a moment about “Medicare for All.” A proposal is gaining steam on the left that would overhaul the U.S. economy in a far more radical way. Known as a federal job guarantee, the plan would require the government to provide work on demand to any American at a minimum of about $12 an hour plus full benefits.

Three senators and rumored 2020 presidential candidates, Kirsten Gillibrand, Cory Booker and Bernie Sanders, have publicly supported the idea…The plan’s authors estimate an annual price tag of about $543 billion. Defense is the only discretionary federal expense comparable in size, at about $639 billion last year. Some funding for the job program would be offset by cuts to other government programs. But there’s good reason to believe the authors significantly underestimate the number of participants it would draw, a major component of its cost.

The proposal estimates that about 11 million people would opt into the job guarantee. That would already be several times as large as the world’s next largest employers, such as Walmart and the U.S. and Chinese militaries. But it could get a lot bigger. The authors assume virtually nobody currently employed would leave his job and join the program. That seems unlikely, given that 41 million workers currently earn less than the program’s $11.83 minimum wage. They also base their projections on today’s historically low unemployment rate. A future recession would send displaced workers fleeing to government jobs for relief.

Beyond its cost, the job guarantee would turn the fundamental logic of work on its head. Generally, people work for employers, whether private organizations or government agencies, because employees add enough value to sustain their wages and still benefit the employer. Under a job guarantee, creating value is an afterthought. The program’s potential is limited further by additional rules the authors propose, such as barring competition with existing private or public jobs and requiring that the positions be low-skilled.

Finding enough work for more than 10 million people would be a herculean task. The authors have a kind imagination: Among their ideas are caring for children and the elderly, clearing vacant lots and building community theaters. But they make no attempt to show how or even if the work could be assigned. The proposal suggests that these decisions should be made at the local level, which begs the question.

The program’s administration, virtually ignored by the authors, would present numerous opportunities for corruption, such as businesses bribing officials for free labor…

…Public policy should aim at helping unemployed people in ways that strengthen their potential, rather than making them lifelong dependents. For a fraction of a job guarantee’s cost, public and private programs could help people develop new skills to bring to the job market.

A federal job guarantee would cost more in its first two years than the entire New Deal, in today’s dollars. Americans can do far better by our struggling neighbors without ripping up the fabric of America’s economy.“

Unless, like the Progressives, your goal is ripping up not only the fabric of America’s economy, but that of America herself.

And on The Lighter Side:

Then there’s this classic meme from our sister-in-law Amy…

…this memorable remark from Balls Cotton…

…and this equally-memorable meme forwarded from Fielding Cocke:

Finally, we’ll call it a day with another heart-wrenching tale of a cold-hearted airline humiliating a member of the professionally sensitive class, as a…

Paraplegic passenger claims airline forced him to urinate in a water bottle

 

“…Darren Belling was flying from Dubai to Helsinki on his way to represent his country in the World Para Ice Hockey Championships in October when the incident occurred.

Belling said he asked flight attendants about a wheelchair to use the restroom three hours into the journey but the flight attendant told him they “don’t carry on-board wheelchairs” and he would have to hold it for the seven-hour journey, BBC reports. It was then that airline staff decided to bring Belling an empty water bottle as a means for him to relieve himself while seated. He claims, however, that they tried to charge him for a blanket to cover up with.

“I was just in disbelief over the level of treatment,” Belling told the BBC. “It just throws up in your face that you’ve got a disability and some people and businesses don’t have an empathetic view of it and treat you differently.”

FlyDubai told the BBC they are unable to provide wheelchairs onboard. Some airlines have special narrow wheelchairs that fit down the aisle for instances like this, though often the lavatories are too small to accommodate them.

To make matters worse, Belling had further difficulty on his return trip home to Australia on an Emirates flight. When he landed, the airline informed him his wheelchair had been left behind. “They told me there was no room for it in the hold so they didn’t put it in,” he said. Belling said he was left “humiliated” by the experiences…”

As is so often the case, several thoughts come to mind; and we should note none of them arose out of disrespect for the disabled.  First, as Mr. Belling was flying to Helsinki for the World Para Ice Hockey Championship, one would think flights into the Finnish capitol would be carrying a significant number of passengers requiring similar service.  But not FlyDubai.  The story even states only “some airlines have special narrow wheelchairs”; “some”, by definition, means not all.

We’re forced to wonder why Mr. Belling didn’t confirm FlyDubai had the appropriate equipment for his needs prior to booking his flight.  Given his physical limitations, it would seem logical. 

Second, wake up and smell the wheelchair, Mr. Belling, you’re disabled!!!  Hells bells, why do you think the bill requiring handicapped access to/accommodations in public buildings was named the Americans with Disabilities Act?!?  It’s not a crime, it’s not a sin, it doesn’t make you any less a man or person, it’s just a reality!  The sooner you come to grips with that fact, the sooner you’ll be able to differentiate between people throwing your disability “up in your face” and those simply trying to make the best of a bad situation.  Furthermore, your comment to the contrary notwithstanding, it’s possible to empathize with the handicapped while at the same time treating them differently.  Consider handicapped parking spaces: they not only empathize with the challenges faced by the disabled, but recognize their special needs, thereby according them different treatment. 

Lastly, you want to talk humiliation?  Let’s talk humiliation!  Imagine you’re lying on an operating table about to have your kiester hoisted up in the air for surgery on your sphincter, only to find your wife’s friend will be the attending nurse; heavy on the anesthesia, please!  Or, only after your cryoablation, you discover going in through the groin requires literally every nurse and otherwise unoccupied personnel in the hospital to examine the incision whilst baring your Irish-German manhood to the world, not to mention…oh, the humiliation…having to urinate…shudder…in a bottle, ‘cuz you can’t move for six hours after the procedure! 

Sorry, Mr. Belling, but it’s time you began taking responsibility for areas you control (such as traveling only on airlines which provide in-flight wheelchairs), and grinning and bearing the inevitable snafus you encounter in those you don’t.

And might we also recommend next time you travel, avoid flying on any airline operating out of Dubai.  They obviously have it in for the handicapped.

Magoo