Ukraine battles to restore power after brutal Russian missile attack

Electricity slowly began to be restored to Kyiv and several other Ukrainian cities Thursday, a day after Russian missiles pounded Ukrainian energy facilities.

https://nypost.com/2022/11/24/ukraine-battles-to-restore-power-after-russian-missile-attack/

Biden says he will push for assault weapons ban after recent mass shootings

President Joe Biden said Thursday that he would work with Congress to “try to get rid of assault weapons” after a recent spate of shootings in the US.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/24/politics/biden-assault-weapons-mass-shootings/index.html

Elon Musk says he will begin restoring previously banned Twitter accounts next week

Elon Musk said Thursday that he will begin restoring most previously banned accounts on Twitter starting next week, in his most wide-reaching move yet to undo the social media platform’s policy of permanently suspending users who repeatedly violated its rules.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/24/tech/elon-musk-amnesty-poll/index.html

Socialism Sounds Good On Paper But It Was Deadly For The Pilgrims

Socialism Sounds Good On Paper But It Was Deadly For The Pilgrims

Authored by Michael Maharrey via SchiffGold.com,

When I was a kid, we used to say some things only “sound good on paper.” In other words, they seem like good plans, but there is no way they’re going to work in the real world.

That’s socialism in a nutshell.

The Pilgrims found this out the hard way during their first couple of years in North America. Their experiment in socialism turned out deadly.

Turns out, you can’t just ignore economics and human nature.

Socialism really does sound good on paper though, right? We’re all going to own everything together and take care of each other. “From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

It sounds so nice. And we all want to be nice, right? People are emotionally drawn to socialism because it sounds so good. It sounds fair. It sounds — nice.

But do you know what’s not nice?

Corpses.

That’s exactly what happened the Pilgrims got when they took a stab at socialism.

Most Americans don’t know that the Plymouth colony was originally an experiment in socialist utopianism and were it not for a complete 180 a couple of years in, we probably wouldn’t have enjoyed the bountiful feasts most of us will indulge in today. There would have been no Thanksgiving because there would have been nobody left to give thanks.

When the Pilgrims arrived in Massachusetts on November 11, 1620, they placed all their food and provisions in a “common store.” These folks were forward thinkers. They didn’t even have Marx’s scribblings to appeal to. They set things up on the socialist principle of, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.”

Things got off to a bad start in the new world. Conditions were miserable, as William Bradford described them.

That which was most sad and lamentable was, that in two or three months time half of their company died, especially in January and February, being the depth of winter, and wanting houses and other comforts; being infected with the scurvy and other diseases, so as there died sometimes two or three of a day, in the aforesaid time; that of 100 and odd persons, scarce 50 remained.”

Now, the Pilgrim’s initial struggles didn’t really have anything to do with socialism. They just had the misfortune of landing in Massachusetts at the onset of winter. If you live in New England, you understand their pain.

But even after their first summer, things didn’t improve much. The following fall, the Pilgrims harvested their first crops and again, they all went into the common store.

Now, wasn’t that nice? No greed. Nobody getting any more than they should. Of course, nobody was getting much of anything at all – but still – they had to feel good about themselves, right? Because, after all, the system was fair.

So, in November the ship Fortune arrived with more than 30 new settlers, mostly young men. More manpower was welcome, but according to accounts, they brought “not so much as a bisket-cake” with them. Now they had a meager supply of food in the common store and even more mouths to feed. The future looked bleak as food supplies ran out and the “planned socialist” community faced starvation yet again.

The following year, the harvest was poor in spite of the added manpower. Nevertheless, the pilgrims again put the meager harvest in the common store. Because, you know, it’s going to work this time!

It didn’t.

That winter, they starved.

The colonists were learning economics the hard way.

Richard Grant in his book The Incredible Bread Machine wrote:

“For two years the Pilgrims faithfully practiced communal ownership of the means of production. And for two years nearly starved to death, rationed at times to “but a quarter of a pound of bread a day to each person.” Governor Bradford wrote that “famine must still ensue the next year also if not some way prevented.” He described how the colonists finally decided to introduce private property:

[The colonists] began to think how they might raise as much corn as they could, and obtain a better crop than they had done, that they might not still thus languish in misery. [In 1623] after much debate of things, the Gov. (with the advice of the chiefest amongst them) gave way that they should set down every man for his own … and to trust themselves … so assigned to every family a parcel of land. This had very good success; for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been by any means the Gov. or any other could use, … and gave far better content. The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little-ones with them to set corn, which before would allege weakness, and inability; whom to have compelled would have been thought great tyranny and oppression.”

Reflecting on the experience of the previous two years, Bradford goes on to describe the folly of communal ownership:

“The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years, and that amongst godly and sober men, may well evince the vanity of that conceit of Platosand other ancients, applauded by some of later times; — that the taking away of property, and bringing in community into a common wealth would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God. For this community (so far as it was) was found to breed much confusion and discontent, and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort. For the young-men that were most able and fit for labor and service did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men’s wives and children, without any recompense. The strong, or man of parts, had no more indivision of victuals and cloths, than he that was weak and not able to do a quarter the other could; this was thought injustice…”

Woah! Some people resented doing all the work? They didn’t work as hard when they knew they weren’t going to directly benefit?

Shocking.

Actually, it’s not shocking at all. It’s human nature. And we all know it.

Now, we can lament the fact. We can say it shouldn’t be that way. We can finger-point and talk about greed. We can get all holier-than-thou and say we wouldn’t act that way (in other words lie). But people will still be people.

Here’s a harsh truth: good intentions and feel-good policies can’t trump basic economics. You can dream of unicorns and lollipops all day, but it won’t change reality.

Scarcity. Human behavior. Incentives. The experience of the Pilgrims vividly demonstrates basic economic principles. Their good intentions could not overpower the cold hard realities of economic principles. They never have. They never will.

Tyler Durden
Thu, 11/24/2022 – 15:40

https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/socialism-sounds-good-paper-it-was-deadly-pilgrims

Canadian paramedic unknowingly tried to save daughter’s life after horrific car crash

A Canadian paramedic treating a car crash victim so badly injured she was left unrecognizable later learned that her patient — who died from her injuries — was her 17-year-old daughter.

https://nypost.com/2022/11/24/paramedic-unknowingly-tried-to-save-daughters-life-after-crash/

Particle politics revisited

Republicans nominated House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., to become Speaker of the House when the GOP seizes control in January.

But it’s far from clear that McCarthy can attain the votes to become Speaker. McCarthy has spent the past few days making not-so-subtle promises which may help him become Speaker. McCarthy demanded that Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas resign or face potential impeachment during a trip to the southern border. McCarthy also promised that “next year, Republicans will start every day of Congress with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. No exceptions.”

Republicans can adopt any rule they want as it pertains to House operations when the GOP claims control in January. But the House routinely begins each session with the prayer and pledge anyway. In fact, House rule XIV dictates “the daily order of business…shall be as follows: First. Prayer by the Chaplain. Second. Reading and Approval of the Journal, unless postponed under clause 8 of rule XX. Third: The pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.”

Of course, Republicans could always alter the rule to ensure that the “Approval of the Journal” doesn’t interrupt the prayer and pledge. But that’s pretty minimal.

MCCARTHY CALLS ON MAYORKAS TO RESIGN OR POTENTIALLY FACE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY: ‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’

This underscores that McCarthy is doing all he can to command enough votes to become Speaker. Making promises to bounce Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., from committees. Hinting at impeachment to sate the appetite of the right over the border. Appealing to religious conservatives.

It may work. But so far, the math isn’t in favor of McCarthy when the floor vote hits in January. Reps. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., and Bob Good, R-Va., are unlikely to support McCarthy. That could be enough votes right there to sink McCarthy’s bid for the gavel.

But if not McCarthy, who? 

House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La.? House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.? Rep. and incoming House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn.? Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio? Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C.?

It wasn’t that long ago that McCarthy was supposed to succeed former House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio as Speaker. And then former Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., took the job – despite an adamant claim a few weeks before that he didn’t want the gig. 

There were times over the past 15 to 20 years that the next GOP leader or House Speaker was supposed to be former House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. Cantor lost his primary. Former Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y. was considered as a potential successor to former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Tex., tinkered with a leadership bid a few years ago.

Other names who have gone by the wayside: Rep. Daniel Webster, R-Fla., and former Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah.

This brings us to one of my most enduring theses about Congress. Who winds up in or out of Congressional leadership posts is contingent upon “particle” politics. In other words, infinitesimal, minute, sub-atomic political particles decide who emerge as Congressional leaders. It was hard to see how McCarthy wouldn’t become Speaker seven years ago. Yet he didn’t claim the gavel. It was hard to see how Ryan would become Speaker in 2015. Yet he did.

Right now, McCarthy is the odds-on favorite to become House Speaker on January 3 next year. But McCarthy lacks the votes – so far. Thus, does someone else actually become Speaker through means which aren’t yet clear?

Possible.

ILHAN OMAR, ERIC SWALWELL HIT BACK AT MCCARTHY OVER PLEDGE TO BLOCK THEM FROM HOUSE COMMITTEES

It’s all because of “particle politics.” 

A similar phenomenon unfolded on the Democratic side of the aisle to succeed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as the leader of the party.

The ascension to succeed Pelosi is a Washington parlor game played for years. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., helped Pelosi form three legs of a stool representing all wings of the House Democratic Caucus. In other words, if you subtract one of the legs, the stool collapses. It was often thought that once Pelosi goes, all three go. That kind of happened with Pelosi and Hoyer stepping away from leadership roles. Clyburn remains – but with a lower-profile leadership post. 

But figuring out who was to succeed Pelosi was a mystery which went on for a decade-and-a-half.

Pelosi and Hoyer have had a rivalry dating back to when they interned together in the office of late Sen. Daniel Brewster, D-Md., in the 1960s. Pelosi often blocked Hoyer’s leadership bids. Pelosi endorsed the late Rep. Jack Murtha, D-Penn., for Majority Leader in 2006. Yet Hoyer prevailed. And Hoyer would never directly challenge Pelosi for the Democrats’ top leadership post. Hoyer lacked the votes and would lose. However, over the years, Republicans privately conceded they feared Hoyer more as Pelosi as Speaker. That’s because of Hoyer’s stellar reputation of working across the aisle and not presenting the GOP with a liberal foil.

But that opportunity never came for Hoyer. Or Clyburn, for that matter.

There was even a time many years ago when some factions in the Democratic Caucus believed that former Rep. Jane Harman, D-Calif., could pose a threat to Pelosi. The two had a chilly relationship for years. Harman never lodged a challenge to Pelosi. 

Nor was Harman around long enough to outlast Pelosi, should the opportunity avail itself.

Meantime, speculation churned for years as Pelosi ushered in a series of other Democratic lieutenants who aspired to succeed her – but never got the chance because of the Speaker’s longevity.

First in the queue was current Ambassador to Japan and former Chicago Mayor, White House Chief of Staff and Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill. But after helping Democrats win control of the House chairing the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) in 2006 and becoming Democratic Caucus Chairman, former President Obama drafted Emanuel to serve as Chief of Staff.

Then came Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md. Van Hollen was in the House at the time, but eventually moved to the Senate.

Focus turned to former Rep. Steve Israel, D-N.Y., for a time. Then current Health and Human Services Secretary and former Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif. Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., was in the mix. But Crowley – like Cantor – eventually lost his primary to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

Schiff may have been the latest potential Pelosi successor. In fact, Schiff began a not-so-stealthy campaign to possibly succeed Pelosi. Several House Democrats told Fox that Schiff wouldn’t have launched such an effort unless he had a either an implicit or explicit blessing from Pelosi. That’s partly because Pelosi and Schiff have always enjoyed a special relationship. That was on exhibit when Pelosi tasked Schiff to serve as the lead manager during former President Trump’s first impeachment trial. Schiff chairs the Intelligence Committee. The House Judiciary Committee chairman had customarily been the lead “prosecutor” in such impeachment proceedings. Not the chairman of the Intelligence Committee.

However, Schiff ultimately lacked the votes to succeed Pelosi. And House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has all but wrapped up the deal to succeed Pelosi by acclamation.

This is notable. Just two hours before Pelosi announced her retirement from the leadership, Jeffries didn’t respond to a question from yours truly as to if he had “a plan in a drawer somewhere” to campaign for the Democrats’ top leadership post. 

This is why it comes down to “particle politics.” 

No one could have foreseen circumstances years ago that Jeffries would be the one who might succeed Pelosi – back when all of the focus was on Emanuel or Van Hollen.

Who gets into leadership positions boils down to hard work. A bit of magic. A bit of luck. And really good timing.

Kevin McCarthy is now going for the gavel again. Rarely does anyone get a second chance at such a prime leadership post as Speaker. But that’s the opportunity which has now come in McCarthy’s direction.

But McCarthy’s fate hinges on subatomic, political particles, now racing around the political supercollider.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/particle-politics-revisited

Internet doesn’t hold back after Mariah Carey’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performance

Donning a massive pink dress with an umbrella, Mariah sang her iconic tune “All I Want for Christmas” while flanked by dancers.

https://nypost.com/2022/11/24/mariah-carey-performs-at-the-macys-parade-and-the-internets-reaction-is-hilarious/

Internet doesn’t hold back after Mariah Carey’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performance

Donning a massive pink dress with an umbrella, Mariah sang her iconic tune “All I Want for Christmas” while flanked by dancers.

https://nypost.com/2022/11/24/mariah-carey-performs-at-the-macys-parade-and-the-internets-reaction-is-hilarious/

College football: The six best games to watch and stream Saturday

Week 13 of the college football season features several high-profile matchups. Here’s a look at six games worth your time this holiday weekend.

https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2022-11-24/college-football-best-games-watch-stream

Stellantis to restructure European dealer network in July 2023

Stellantis, the parent company to brands like Jeep, Dodge, Fiat, Maserati and Peugeot, said Thursday it would reorganize its European dealer networks in July 2023 in an effort to cut costs and support its investment into electrification.

Starting next summer, Stellantis said it would end all current sales and services contracts with dealers in Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, with the rest of Europe to follow, for all 14 of its brands. Stellantis will move towards an agency model that gives carmakers more control of sales transactions, prices and contracts with customers, and dealers will exist to help with deliveries and servicing.

This would lead to an “increased assumption of costs by Stellantis and the reduction of exposure to the risks of our distributors,” according to a statement released by the company.

“Stellantis’s vision is to promote a sustainable Distribution model and all involved stakeholders will benefit from these changes with the customer experience at the core,” said Uwe Hochgeschurtz, Stellantis chief operating officer in Europe, in a statement. “Customers will be able to take advantage of a multi-brand and multi-channel approach with a wider range of services. Dealers will have a new and efficient business model aimed at benefitting from Stellantis’ 14-brand portfolio, creating synergies, optimizing distribution costs and offering additional sustainable mobility solutions. Our partners play an important role by being the representatives of our brands in the field.”

Light commercial vehicles under the Stellantis umbrella are expected to enter the new distribution structure from January 1, 2024, a spokesperson told Reuters.

The move is part of Stellantis’s Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, which aims to reach carbon net zero emissions by 2038. Included in the plan is a goal to achieve 100% passenger car battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales mix in Europe by the end of 2030. By 2025, Stellantis aims to launch only BEVs in the luxury and premium segments before electrifying its entire portfolio. In Europe, all launched will be BEVs from 2026 and beyond, the company said.

Stellantis also recently launched a strategy for its business unit dedicated to circular economics, which involves reaching sustainability and profitability through the tried and true method of remanufacture, repair, reuse and recycle. Dealerships will still come in handy for Stellantis’s brand of circular economics — for example, any car parts that the company remanufactures can be distributed and sold across dealership networks.

Stellantis to restructure European dealer network in July 2023 by Rebecca Bellan originally published on TechCrunch

https://techcrunch.com/2022/11/24/stellantis-to-restructure-european-dealer-network-in-july-2023/