{"id":64835,"date":"2018-11-20T22:31:37","date_gmt":"2018-11-21T03:31:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thedailygouge.com\/?p=64835"},"modified":"2018-11-20T22:31:44","modified_gmt":"2018-11-21T03:31:44","slug":"the-daily-gouge-archive-monday-november-19th-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thedailygouge.com\/?p=64835","title":{"rendered":"The Daily Gouge Archive, Monday, November 19th, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

It’s Monday, November 19th, 2018…but before we begin, here’s a story from PhillyMag.com\u00a0<\/em>via\u00a0Drudge<\/em> which not only demonstrates the ultimate object of any Progressive policy or pronouncement is always<\/em><\/span> power…political<\/em><\/span> power, but also highlights the PC police are alive and well in corporate America:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Comcast Fires Employee Targeted Over Reported Ties to Hate Group<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h1>\n

Andrew Kovalic, an alleged member of the Proud Boys,\u00a0was the\u00a0subject of a petition by the Philadelphia-based Media Mobilizing Project<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/h3>\n

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“Comcast\u00a0on Wednesday fired\u00a0Andrew Kovalic,\u00a0a 10-year employee who earlier this week became the target of a\u00a0viral petition\u00a0alleging that he is a member of a hate group. The petition that called for Kovalic\u2019s termination, which had garnered 373 signatures by Wednesday morning, was created and sponsored by the Philadelphia-based nonprofit\u00a0Media Mobilizing Project, which often scrutinizes media and telecommunications companies like Comcast.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

…In a statement to\u00a0Philadelphia<\/em>\u00a0magazine, Comcast said, \u201cThere\u2019s no place for disrespectful, offensive behavior in our culture.<\/span> The individual is no longer employed by Comcast.\u201d When asked how<\/em><\/span> Comcast made its determination to fire Kovalic and what specific behavior led to the company\u2019s decision, a spokesperson said they could not comment on the situation beyond the statement<\/span><\/em>.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The now-former Comcast employee, the petition alleges<\/em><\/span>, is\u00a0a member of the\u00a0Harrisburg Proud Boys chapter.<\/span> The petition also alleges<\/em><\/span> that Kovalic will work as a member of security<\/em><\/span> at Saturday\u2019s rally \u2014\u00a0which, the<\/em> petition argues<\/em><\/span>, is sufficient grounds<\/em><\/span> for firing<\/em><\/span> him.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Media Mobilizing Project petition also calls attention to a photo of Kovalic in his Comcast uniform, holding up the \u201cOK\u201d hand gesture that\u2019s simultaneously a trolling tactic of the alt-right and considered a symbol of white power.<\/strong> <\/span>More on that<\/strong>\u00a0here<\/a><\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Proud Boys Harrisburg chapter responded to\u00a0Philadelphia<\/em>\u00a0magazine\u2019s request for comment with the following emailed statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe like beer. We still<\/span> like beer.<\/span> Have a Dick pic. Sincerely, The Greatest Fucking Fraternity in the History of Mankind.<\/span><\/em>\u201d<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

A Media Mobilizing Project\u00a0representative told\u00a0Philadelphia<\/em>\u00a0magazine that \u201cComcast has done the right thing by not continuing to employ a person planning<\/em><\/span> a rally focused on hate for Black, Brown, immigrant, Jewish and many other communities.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

They added<\/em><\/span>, \u201cBut if Comcast truly wants to erase the hate<\/em><\/span>, 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<\/em><\/span>.\u201d<\/strong>“<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

“Never tolerate<\/em><\/span>…organizing<\/em><\/span> by its employees<\/em><\/span>“?!?\u00a0 Gee, whatever happened to Progressive support for unions?!?\u00a0 Nothing like a backdoor attempt to stifle speech with which you don’t agree.\u00a0 We’re “left” to assume certain<\/em><\/span> labor organizations are more equal<\/em><\/span> than others<\/em><\/span>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Prior to today, neither we nor<\/em><\/span> TLJ knew the “okay” hand sign meant anything more than…”okay”.\u00a0 Regardless, what we do know<\/em><\/span> is, to believe it signifies support for White Supremacy, one must assume every SCUBA diver on the planet<\/em><\/span>…<\/strong><\/p>\n

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…is a white supremacist<\/em><\/span>, along with anyone who uses the “okay” emoji<\/em><\/span>…<\/strong><\/p>\n

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…in text messages.\u00a0 We<\/em><\/span> plead guilty<\/em><\/span>…on both<\/em><\/span> counts, your Honor!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here’s the bottomline: we have no idea<\/em><\/span> from the news account whether Andrew Kovalic is a White Supremacist or not.\u00a0 What we do<\/em><\/span> know is firing long-term employees on the basis of unsupported charges from nameless non-profits is hardly the way to run a business.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Two things give us pause for thought: one, the article makes no mention whether Kovalic filed suit for wrongful discharge.\u00a0 Were he disputing the basis for his termination, the report should have mentioned it.\u00a0 Two, it’s hard to believe, in his 10 years of employment, Kovalic’s support of White Supremacy wouldn’t have previously surfaced.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just sayin’.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a related item of questionable discrimination, as\u00a0FOX News<\/em>\u00a0reports…<\/strong><\/p>\n

‘Master race’ comment by Kansas county commissioner draws calls for his resignation<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h1>\n

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\u201cKlemp\u2019s comment came as Triveece Penelton was making a road development presentation during the Nov. 13 meeting,\u00a0FOX 4 of Kansas City reported<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/span>. He was not happy with the options being presented by her and a colleague.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t want you to think I am picking on you because we are part of the master race,\u201d Klemp told Penelton. \u201cYou have a gap in your teeth. We are part of the master race. Don\u2019t you forget that.\u201d…”<\/p>\n

FOX 4 cited the correct quote<\/em><\/span><\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“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<\/em><\/span>.<\/strong><\/span> Don\u2019t ever forget that.”<\/p>\n

Curiously, only the U.K.’s Daily Mail offered this somewhat exculpatory evidence<\/em><\/span><\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“…<\/span>In Klemp’s defense, Leavenworth County’s administrator Mark Loughry tried to explain the way the official attempted to use the words.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

‘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.<\/span> ‘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.’<\/strong>…”<\/span><\/p>\n

And this isn’t the first time Klemp has sounded off in a fashion unacceptable to the PC Police:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“…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<\/span><\/strong>…”<\/p>\n

Sorry, but Klemp’s some 80-years-old, and may not be<\/em><\/span> in total possession of his faculties<\/em><\/span>.\u00a0 Besides, his support of States’ Rights and Secession notwithstanding, we too admire the life and accomplishments of Marse Robert.\u00a0 Furthermore, the inclusion of himself<\/em><\/span> in the same<\/em> characterization<\/em><\/span> of any “master race” as Triveece Penelton indicates he meant it as more of an honor than a slight.<\/strong><\/p>\n

All of which, we can only assume, elevates Stacey Abrams…<\/strong><\/p>\n

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…to a more exalted position than the good citizens of Georgia saw fit to grant her.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In a related item,\u00a0<\/strong>from FOX News<\/em>…<\/strong><\/p>\n

Broward election boss says racism may be behind clamor against her<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/h1>\n

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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<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/a>:<\/strong><\/p>\n

“…Gov. Jeb Bush removed Snipes\u2019 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.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

…The removal of Oliphant had been a political firestorm, with a Republican governor removing Broward\u2019s only countywide black Democratic official.<\/span> Bush replaced her with another black female Democrat, possibly defusing some of the tension<\/em><\/span>.<\/strong><\/span>“<\/p>\n

Thus does another ineptly dishonest Dimocrat, when all else has failed, play the race card.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oh,…and does anyone really believe THIS<\/em><\/span><\/a> is what those who drafted and passed the 14th Amendment…<\/strong><\/p>\n

“Meet Emma Coronel Aispuro, the 29-year-old wife of Joaqu\u00edn \u201cEl Chapo\u201d Guzm\u00e1n, and the mother of their twin seven-year-old daughters.<\/p>\n

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

…had in mind?!?<\/strong><\/p>\n

P.S.\u00a0 Though we haven’t followed the NFL since the league decided to endorse disrespect, we saw that the\u00a0Redskin’s quarterback Alex<\/em><\/span><\/a>…<\/strong><\/p>\n

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“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.”<\/span><\/strong><\/span>…”<\/p>\n

Joe’s right…though the difference is, fans were thrilled to see Theismann (actually pronounced “Theesmann”) in such pain!\u00a0 Break a leg, Joe…another<\/em><\/span> leg!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now, here’s\u00a0The Gouge<\/em>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

First up, writing at the WSJ<\/em>, Kim Strassel details how Dimocrats appear to be…<\/strong><\/p>\n

Doubling Down on Mueller<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/h1>\n

What will Democrats (and Jeff Flake) do if the probe finds no collusion evidence<\/span><\/a>?<\/span><\/h3>\n

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“With the midterms over, Washington returns to its regular programming: Russia<\/em><\/span>. Trump critics should consider the risk of betting their political fortunes on special counsel Robert Mueller.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The Mueller probe has lost its political potency, as Democrats acknowledged on the midterm trail. They didn\u2019t win House seats by warning of Russian collusion. They didn\u2019t even talk about it<\/span><\/em>.<\/span> Most voters don\u2019t care<\/span><\/em>, or don\u2019t care to hear about it<\/span><\/em>. A CNN exit poll found 54% of respondents think the Russia probe is \u201cpolitically motivated\u201d; a 46% plurality disapprove of Mr. Mueller\u2019s handling of it.<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

…As a practical matter<\/em><\/span>, Mr. Mueller should have been brought to heel some time ago<\/em><\/span>.<\/span> As a political<\/em><\/span> matter, that won\u2019t happen<\/em><\/span>.<\/strong><\/span> The administration has always understood that such a move would provoke bipartisan political blowback, ignite a new \u201ccoverup\u201d scandal, and maybe trigger impeachment. It\u2019s even more unlikely officials would risk those consequences now, as Mr. Mueller is said to be wrapping up.<\/p>\n

…Democrats are nonetheless doubling down on the probe for political advantage.<\/strong><\/span> 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.<\/p>\n

Mr. Schumer\u2019s last shutdown\u2014a year ago\u2014was 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.<\/span> Mitch McConnell should be<\/em><\/span> so lucky.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mr. Flake, should he run for president, will struggle to explain to conservative voters his obstruction of Trump judicial nominees<\/em><\/span>, who\u2019ll be confirmed in 2019 anyway<\/em><\/span> when the Republicans expand their Senate majority.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Democrats\u2019 other<\/em><\/span> problem is that this strategy hinges in large degree on an expectation that Mr. Mueller ultimately finds<\/em><\/span> something.<\/span> There\u2019s no reason to believe he has<\/em><\/span> turned up any evidence of Trump-Russia collusion.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n