Category: random

The Romeike family, originally from Germany, sought refuge in the United States nearly 15 years ago in pursuit of a fundamental human right: the ability to homeschool their children.

Fleeing Germany and its stringent compulsory education laws, the Romeikes, devout evangelical Christians, made the life-altering decision to leave their homeland in 2009. The heart of their objection lay in the public school curricula, which clashed with their religious beliefs, particularly in sex education, evolution, and fairy tales.

In Germany, homeschooling remains illegal, though enforcement can vary by district. Their commitment to their convictions led to severe consequences; in 2006, they faced substantial fines and even had their children escorted to school by the police. This relentless pursuit of their ideals ultimately led them to the United States.

Upon their arrival in Morristown, Tennessee, the Romeike family sought asylum, citing religious persecution in Germany. Their case sparked a contentious debate surrounding homeschooling as a human right and whether denying a family the opportunity to homeschool for faith reasons amounted to persecution.

Their journey through the U.S. legal system was fraught with challenges. Despite an initial victory in a Tennessee court in 2010, subsequent appeals before the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals were unsuccessful, with the court saying, “There is a difference between the persecution of a discrete group and the prosecution of those who violate a generally applicable law.”

The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals maintained that there was a distinction between the persecution of a specific group and the enforcement of a generally applicable law. Deferred action, while not providing a path to citizenship, granted the Romeike family a reprieve, allowing them to remain in the U.S., falling short of a permanent solution.

They have followed the letter of the law since entry to the U.S., including keeping weekly appointments with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Further, none of them have had so much as a traffic ticket.

Recently, during a routine check-in with immigration officials, the Romeike family received an ultimatum: secure passports and return to Germany within four weeks. This imminent threat of deportation hangs heavily over a family deeply rooted in the United States, with two of their children having married U.S. citizens, one of the couple having a child, and the mother and father of the original five children having two more since coming to the U.S.

Realize that a foreign-born who marries a U.S. citizen is often granted U.S. citizenship after a lengthy process, and a child born on U.S. soil is automatically a U.S. citizen. That was the argument leveled at the system in 2018 when there was a congressional call to alter the 14th Amendment to deport children born in the U.S. to illegal alien parents.

Their plight is a stark juxtaposition to what is happening along the southern border.

There is an established visa application process, including comprehensive vetting, interviews, and adherence to immigration law. However, the Biden administration parole program allows entry without the standard prerequisites and allows other asylees, refugees, people with Temporary Protected Status, and even other parolees to become sponsors.

We are no longer a nation of rules or lawful standards but in the throes of a form of Fascism, better known as Nazism. Further, this is not a Democrat or Republican thing but a pure evil aimed at destroying our Constitutional Republic.

Recent events in Michigan and Nevada have ignited discussions surrounding transparency, accountability, and due process in cases related to alleged voter fraud. Despite differing circumstances, both instances underscore the critical need for evidence handling and a commitment to constitutional principles.

In Michigan, the FBI has assumed control of an investigation into alleged voter registration fraud during the 2020 presidential election. Records pertinent to the case continue to be withheld, invoking an exemption based on the ongoing nature of the investigation. Additionally, a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was denied on similar grounds, prompting inquiries about the transparency and accountability of the investigative process.

Meanwhile, in Nevada, separate cases involving claims of voter fraud saw judges opting not to unseal specific documents. The rationale behind these decisions remains undisclosed, giving rise to concerns about the transparency of legal proceedings, particularly in matters as pivotal as safeguarding electoral integrity.

Though the particulars of the Michigan and Nevada cases may vary, a shared concern emerges about the need for transparency and unfettered access to information. In both situations, there is the question of whether the legal system remains unbiased.

These parallel concerns serve as a reminder of the vital importance of preserving public trust in the electoral process. Advocacy for open and transparent legal proceedings, along with constructive conversations about potential court reforms, holds the potential to play a pivotal role in addressing these pressing issues. Any challenges to the integrity of electoral processes must find resolution within the framework of the legal system.

As the legal proceedings in Michigan continue to evolve, transparency, accountability, and due process must remain steadfast priorities. Ensuring that all parties involved have unfettered access to a fair and impartial review of the evidence is necessary to uphold the integrity of our electoral systems.

The other day, I got invited by four women to sit and have a cup of coffee with them at the Roasting House in Virginia City. I agreed.

Sitting there, I listened to them talk about guns, cigars, and trucks. I sat quietly, which is unusual for me, nursing my coffee and listening to what they had to say.

Somehow, the topic of birth control came up, and what each woman was on or using. Again, I kept my pie hole shut, knowing I had no horse in this race.
Suddenly, one of the women said she uses the Circadian Rhythm Method.

My ears perked up, and I had to ask, “The what?”

The Circadian Rhythm Method,” she answered.

“I don’t understand,” I returned. “Circadian has to do will sleep.”

“Men never do.”

“Explain, please.”

“I roll over on my side and pretend to be asleep — the Circadian Rhythm Method.”

In a move fraught with geopolitical implications, the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center (LRMC,) a cornerstone of the U.S. Army’s presence in Germany, has been ordered to take a covert step toward admitting wounded Ukrainian Army soldiers, predominantly comprised of American volunteers, paving the way for the U.S. to begin accepting all fighter’s siding with Ukraine for medical care.

The stark tableau at the LRMC underscores an unsettling reality: the U.S.’s inextricable entanglement in a conflict steadily spiraling out of control. The tally stands at 14, but one cannot discount the potential for this number to swell as the situation evolves.

The decision to treat wounded Americans fighting in Ukraine underscores the Biden Administration’s growing commitment and amplifies concerns about the precarious path we tread. With each passing day, the specter of a global conflagration, World War III, looms larger, driven by an ever-misleading entanglement of interests and alliances.

As the LRMC assumes an unexpected role in this geopolitical drama, it unwittingly serves as a harbinger of potential cataclysm, a stark reminder that the precarious balance of international relations teeters on a knife’s edge, with the world holding its breath, hoping for restraint in the face of escalating tensions.

A blog by an association of SS Galichina veterans called “Combatant News” in Ukrainian includes an autobiographical entry by Yaroslav Hunka that says he volunteered to join the division in 1943. In posts to the blog dated 2011 and 2010, Hunka describes 1941 to 1943 as the happiest years of his life.

More on Hunka in a bit, but first, some historical groundwork.

The 14th Waffen SS Division, also known as SS Galichina or the First Ukrainian Division, left behind a chilling legacy of atrocities committed during World War II. Among these heinous acts, one of the most horrifying was the Huta Pieniacka massacre, where the unit burned 500 to 1,000 Polish villagers alive.

Formed in 1943 and comprised of recruits from the Galicia region in western Ukraine, it played a role in implementing Nazi genocidal policies, including the “final solution.” During its existence, SS Galichina was visited by the head of the SS, Heinrich Himmler, in 1944, who praised the division for its willingness to slaughter Poles, underscoring its complicity in the Nazi agenda of extermination and domination.

The Nuremberg Trials, a watershed moment in the pursuit of justice after WWII, unequivocally condemned the Waffen-SS as a criminal organization responsible for a litany of heinous acts, including the persecution and extermination of Jews, brutalities in concentration camps, and the murder of prisoners. During the trials, the International Military Tribunal declared the Waffen-SS to be a criminal organization responsible for mass atrocities, including the “persecution and extermination of the Jews, brutalities and killings in concentration camps, excesses in the administration of occupied territories, the administration of the slave labor program, and the mistreatment and murder of prisoners.”

Despite the damning verdicts, thousands of SS Galichina veterans were allowed to resettle in the West after the war, with approximately 2,000 finding refuge in Canada. The fact that monuments honoring this division still stand in Canada, Australia, and the suburbs of Philadelphia and Detroit has sparked justified outrage among Jewish groups, who have called for their removal.

On Friday, September 22, the Speaker of the House of Commons, Anthony Rota, described Hunka as a WWII veteran who fought for Ukrainian independence against the Russians but did not address the deeply troubling aspects of Hunka’s service. The Canadian Parliament ovation for Hunka, a veteran of SS Galichina, led by Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy, further highlights the urgent need for a candid examination of U.S. support for their war against Russia.

Again, what side are we on?

It is always a joy to discover something new, at least to me, about Virginia City, Nev. Hobart Cavanaugh was a true gem in Hollywood’s golden age.

Born on Wednesday, September 22, 1886, in Virginia City, Cavanaugh left an indelible mark on the film industry with his impeccable portrayal of downtrodden and nervous characters. With a career spanning the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, Cavanaugh was a familiar face, often playing the roles of clerks, mailmen, minor officials, undertakers, shopkeepers, and bank tellers.

His performances were often marked by an uncanny ability to convey vulnerability and bewilderment, making him the quintessential victim on screen. However, he was equally adept at portraying sneaky or vaguely sinister characters, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

Cavanaugh’s journey into acting came after a stint as an engineering student at the University of California. He made his stage debut on Broadway in 1916, marking the beginning of a remarkable career that would leave an indelible imprint on Hollywood.

His foray into films commenced with a modest B-picture produced by the independent Gotham Company in New York. It wasn’t until five years later that Cavanaugh found his footing, signing with First National/Warner Brothers.

He remained under contract until 1936, after which he ventured into freelancing. Over the years, he accumulated an impressive 190 screen appearances, though many went uncredited.

Beyond his prolific filmography, Cavanaugh’s personal life was married to Florence Heston, and they had one daughter, Patricia. His family provided him with the support and love that allowed him to excel in his craft.

Cavanaugh’s contributions to cinema extended beyond his performances. He graced the screen with five Best Picture Oscar nominees, including classics like “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (1935), “Captain Blood” (1935), and “A Letter to Three Wives” (1949). Moreover, three of his films, “State Fair” (1933), “Gold Diggers of 1933” (1933), and “Footlight Parade” (1933), were recognized by the Library of Congress and inducted into the National Film Registry for their cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.

Sadly, Hobart Cavanaugh passed away on Thursday, April 27, 1950, following complications from an operation for late-stage stomach cancer at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, Cal. He found his final resting place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, Cal., leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate audiences.

As we remember Hobart Cavanaugh, let us celebrate his enduring contributions to the world of cinema and honor the memory of this remarkable character actor.

Let me point out that it is easier to rid an enemy in a foreign land than to do the same to an enemy in our home nation. We act so civilized inside our borders but become uncontained between the lined lands that are not ours.

The enemy is always the same: the government of the United States, with its host of politicians, bureaucrats, and elites. We go abroad to do their killing so we do not think or remember to kill them, the tyrants that sent us away.

Race is not trinary
Color is a spectrum

Midnight Black
Just plain Black
Semi-Black

Tan
Beige
Off-White

Cremeux
Bleached goth White
Unbelievably super-duper White

Each group must be
Proportionately represented
Otherwise oppression

And you can identify as
Unbelievably super-duper White
Even if you’re Black

Logic has gone to shit
No objections

A recent Douglas County School Board meeting saw intense discussions, accusations, and contentious exchanges surrounding the legal fees of newly hired Reno-based attorney Joey Gilbert for his inaugural month of service.

Gilbert, hired to help halt a push to force the district to teach diversity, equity, and inclusion, including a transexual and gay and lesbian sex component to students, faced some members who were thwarted by the majority as they tried to stop Gilbert’s hiring.

Invoices presented by Trustees Linda Gilkerson and Carey Kangas revealed that Gilbert billed the board approximately $35,000, surpassing his agreed-upon monthly retainer of $7,500. Also at issue is the nature of the billed services.

Among the invoices was over $21,000 attributed to work carried out by Kiera Sears, an employee of Gilbert’s law firm, who played a significant role in research, policy drafting, and billing activities during the month. Of particular concern was the billing rate for Sears, set at $325 per hour, a price tag typically reserved for licensed lawyers. While Sears possesses a law degree, she lacks current licensing to practice law in the state.

Gilkerson also questioned the necessity of billing thousands for researching the Open Meeting Law (OML), a topic she believed should be well-known to board members.

Gilkerson also contended that Gilbert’s contract was neither approved nor voted on by the entire board, and many members had not even seen the final contract. Allegations also came to light about removing Superintendent Keith Lewis’s signature line from the agreement.

Some trustees called for a renegotiation of Gilbert’s contract and a pause on his expenses until proper negotiations could happen. However, a majority of board members voted to approve Gilbert’s expenses.

Can anyone else see the apparent obfuscation?

In an incident at the Nevada Gold Mines site located between Leeville and Gold Strike, a rollover crash claimed the life of one individual and left another hospitalized shortly after 1:50 a.m. on Sunday, September 17.

A coordinated response was immediately launched, with Nevada Gold Mines, NGM Mine Rescue, Eureka County Sheriff’s Office (ECSO), Carlin Police, and Carlin Fire and EMS rushing to the scene. Emergency responders found a Tona Tec Exploration truck had overturned while descending a hill.

The driver of the vehicle was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passenger, who sustained injuries in the crash, was transported to Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital for medical attention.

ECSO investigators have initiated an investigation, working with the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and Nevada State Mine Inspectors, to determine the circumstances that led to the event. Additionally, ECSO deputies are working alongside the Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office in conducting a coroner’s investigation to establish the cause of death.

Authorities have not released the names of the driver or the passenger.