This may the most important week in 80 years, at least 40. On December 7, 1941, America was attacked; on June 6, 1944, America confronted an existential threat; on January 20, 1980, America regained moral footing, inaugurated Ronald Reagan.  What now?  Three big things.

First, January 5th is the last line of defense – against one-party government.  We either hold the line or lose it in Georgia, an all-or-nothing battle for two Senate seats.  If one Republican Senator is not elected, Senate control goes to the left.

As Democrats control the House and expect the White House, that would be a trifecta.  Biden-Harris-Pelosi-Schumer socialism would run the table – mandates rivaling FDR’s emergency authority in WWII, confirmation of leftists, court packing, spending headed for Weimar-like hyperinflation.  Students of history understand the stakes.  Pray Georgia voters do.

Second, on January 6th at 1:00, a joint session of Congress convenes to “count” – and challenge – electoral votes.  Never in modern history, at least since 1876, has so much depended on this day.

With fraud allegations rampant – relating to unprecedented use of tens of millions of mail-in ballots, Democrat electoral practices, questions of electoral constitutionality (including violations of the12th Amendment), and possible machine tampering – the day will be spellbinding.

The process boils down to this.  Multiple slates of electors, certified by governors, will be challenged, probably one by one.  In some states, dueling slates exist – one certified by a governor, one not.  If one member of the House and one Senator challenge a state’s slate, the joint session disbands – reconvening separately to debate and vote.

Notably, state legislatures – under Article II of the Constitution – are the final voice on electors.  A move is afoot – which AMAC has supported – to remind state legislatures to exercise their constitutional authority where irregularities put efficacy of a state’s vote – and thus selected electors – in question. A state legislature can pass a “reclamation resolution,” appointing electors to reflect the legislature’s view of the election, rather than acceding to the governor’s signature.

The precedent for slate-shifting is sparse. While 1876 represents an unusual year, it is taking on new meaning. Several Senators want to establish a commission like one that decided the election that year – in the House.  Four states were “in dispute,” enough to shift the outcome – like now.

While a vote of House delegations could have decided the 1876 election, they instead created a commission.  The Commission reached an unlikely, complicated compromise.  This year, the commission would have a different mission.  It would assess whether challenged state slates were tainted by fraud, by some standard.  If enough were found tainted to keep Biden below 270 electoral votes, the election would go to the House, for a delegation vote (favoring Republicans).

Is a commission likely?  Not really – as both chambers would need to agree, although no constitutional rules exist.  A Democrat-controlled House would hesitate, even if Senate did not.  What about Senate rejection of state slates – based on fraud – in several states?  Yes, that is possible, but does not deliver the election to Trump – or even into the House.

Why?  Because – to reject a state’s electoral slate, both Senate and House must agree the slate does not count.  That is what the statute – implementing the 12th Amendment – says:  3 U.S.C. Section 15 requires that “two Houses concurrently may reject the vote or votes,” not one.

Might this happen?  Not likely, unless overwhelming evidence of fraud shows up, maybe confirmed by the Supreme Court.  If such evidence were presented, a few House Democrats might switch.  If that happened, given the slim Democrat majority, it is possible – not likely.

How about a different endgame – what if the Senate rejected enough state slates to push Biden-Harris below 270.  Could the Senate appeal to the US Supreme Court, force a ruling on whether the statute should be followed in the face of proven fraud?  Yes, but the Court must accept appeal, and support the Senate.  Given enormity of the Constitutional question, they just might.

What is likely?  Most likely is a major league dust up, split votes in Senate and House, leading to a great question mark over this election.  In the end, assuming no further fireworks, the count would proceed with both chambers not able to agree on rejecting a single slate.

What – if anything – happens then?  The Vice President announces the electoral count.  He could conclude – although this has never been done – that evidence presented does not permit him to count some States, leaving them “in dispute.”  If both candidates ended below 270, that would force the election into the House – for a delegation vote.

On the other hand, that decision would be challenged at the Supreme Court, for sure.  They would try to stay away, but again this is a mammoth constitutional issue.  How might they rule?  They could say it was textually right.  But that would mean a Vice President – acting as President of the Senate – could rule for himself.  What would keep future Vice Presidents from doing so?  It gets sticky fast – although the counter:  It is already sticky, with fraud.

What is most likely? Likeliest is a heated debate and announcement that, barring a judicial ruling to the contrary, the electoral count favors Biden-Harris.  Is it then over?  Surprisingly, no.

The Constitution’s framers were a brilliant bunch.  They knew three branches created balance.  They knew the House would rough and tumble, Senate deliberative, Courts sage. The Framers could not imagine all contingencies but did foresee a lot.  This year tests their foresight – and our capacity to hold this Republic together. The real issue is whether we can wrestle fraud allegations to a consensus – since they undermine faith in the outcome.  If Congress does not shift the outcome, only the Supreme Court can tell us how we treat mass fraud allegations.

Third, expect a mass show of citizen rage, distrust, and general anger in Washington DC.  Public reports say January 6th will see a mass rally – and not for Biden-Harris. Whatever the final numbers, national sentiment will be noticed by Congress – maybe also the High Court.

Net-net stay tuned.  This may the most important week in 80 years, at least 40.  We live in consequential times. The battle is not at Pearl Harbor or Normandy, but right here.  It is one of ideas, defending integrity and freedom.  This battle will stay joined well beyond January 20.

Category: Friends

The truly important things of life however, are those which cannot be encountered by the physical senses, purchased with money, or placed on a shelf.

Accept life daily not as a cup to be drained but as a chalice to be filled with whatsoever things are honest, pure, lovely, and of good report. Making a living is best undertaken as part of the more important business of making a life.

Give the best you have received from the past to the best that you may come to know in the future.

Every now and again take a good look at something not made with hands A mountain, a star, the turn of a stream. There will come to you wisdom and patience and solace, and about all, the assurance that you are not alone in the world.

Meditate on the "intangibles" as you spend this time alone with your otherself,. Take a moment to stare out a window or sit in a garden, and undertake the important business of making a life.

Oni Noquisi  *aka*  JD

The Power of Responsibility
                   
                        The Power of Responsibility
                        It's been said that the line between childhood and
                        adulthood is crossed when we move from saying "It got
                        lost" to "I lost it." Indeed, being accountable - and
                        understanding and accepting the role our choices play in
                        the things that happen - are crucial signs of emotional
                        and moral maturity. That's why responsibility is one of
                        the main pillars of good character.
                        Many people have been seduced by the Peter Pan
                        philosophy of refusing to grow up and avoiding the
                        burdens implied in being accountable. Yes,
                        responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that
                        are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry
                        our own weight, prepare and set goals, and exercise the
                        discipline to reach our aspirations.
                        But the benefits of accepting responsibility far
                        outweigh the short-lived advantages of refusing to do
                        so. No one makes his or her life better by avoiding
                        responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of
                        self-imposed servitude - to circumstances and to other
                        people.
                        Responsibility is about our ability to respond to
                        circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions, and
                        reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power
                        that puts us in the driver's seat. The grand panorama of
                        the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when
                        we begin to be accountable and self-reliant.
                        Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but
                        show others that they can be depended on. This breeds
                        trust, and trust is a key that opens many doors.
                        If you want more control over your life and the
                        pleasures, prerogatives, and power of freedom and
                        independence, all you have to do is be responsible.
                        It's been said that the line between childhood and
                        adulthood is crossed when we move from saying "It got
                        lost" to "I lost it." Indeed, being accountable - and
                        understanding and accepting the role our choices play in
                        the things that happen - are crucial signs of emotional
                        and moral maturity. That's why responsibility is one of
                        the main pillars of good character.
                        Many people have been seduced by the Peter Pan
                        philosophy of refusing to grow up and avoiding the
                        burdens implied in being accountable. Yes,
                        responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that
                        are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry
                        our own weight, prepare and set goals, and exercise the
                        discipline to reach our aspirations.
                        But the benefits of accepting responsibility far
                        outweigh the short-lived advantages of refusing to do
                        so. No one makes his or her life better by avoiding
                        responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of
                        self-imposed servitude - to circumstances and to other
                        people.
                        Responsibility is about our ability to respond to
                        circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions, and
                        reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power
                        that puts us in the driver's seat. The grand panorama of
                        the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when
                        we begin to be accountable and self-reliant.
                        Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but
                        show others that they can be depended on. This breeds
                        trust, and trust is a key that opens many doors.
                        If you want more control over your life and the
                        pleasures, prerogatives, and power of freedom and
                        independence, all you have to do is be responsible.