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August 29, 2025
Sunrise — 5:47, 6:10, 6:21.
Write about whatever you like in the comments.(And please support the Althouse blog by doing your Amazon shopping going in through the Althouse Amazon link.)
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68 comments:
I see where JD Vance was in WI today.
Our next President.
I think that it's pretty funny that "Republicans Against Trump" has their panties in a knot over Harris's SS protection. Maybe they should just change their name to "Life Long Republicans Against Trump."
Hummingbirds still here today. Three different at least…they were bent out of shape when we sat out on the porch this evening- it was nice enough to do that but we were too close to the feeder apparently. Much defensive displays. My pleas of ‘but I’m THE guy’ were ignored…
Six months after leaving office is the norm. President Autopen gave her extra
Democrats purposely sabotaged Trump's SS protection while he was a candidate.
Any Democrat that complains about Trump doing what every other president in history is done are just evil people.
Beautiful sunrise photos. How would the sunset look from this location?
"Federal Circuit, 7-4, rejects Trump’s tariffs under the IEEPA, affirming the lower court’s decision against Trump."
As expected. Doubtful the Supreme Court will allow the executive branch to enact the largest tax increase in American history without Congressional approval.
If Trump has any sense of economics and politics, he would use this as an opportunity to walk away from his incoherent tariff/trade policies. He could then take credit for the ensuing economic growth.
"If Trump has any sense of economics and politics, he would use this as an opportunity to walk away from a third of a trillion dollars per year in revenue."
Fixed your post for you.
In interesting Arizona news, jaguars are returning to the state from Mexico, with two new sightings just this month. It's thought there are four or five of them now on our side of the border.
Doubtful the Supreme Court will allow the executive branch to enact the largest tax increase in American history without Congressional approval.
You think so? From what I have read, the plain language of the law that was approved by Congress delegates tariff policy to the President, to be set as he sees fit.
"a third of a trillion dollars per year in revenue."
Who pays for tariffs?
As I wrote -- Largest tax increase in American history without Congressional approval.
"Who pays for tariffs?"
Somebody's gotta pay (and, in fact, there is only one source of revenue; us).
I thought you were a big deficit guy. (Actually, I know you're not; you're just a carper.)
Unless you've got big spending cuts you endorse …
According to the Yale Budget Lab, the average effective tariff rate in this economy right now is 18.2%
Let me put that another way.
Trump has raised taxes on American businesses and consumers by -- on average -- 18.2%
"Let me put that another way."
Let me say it again; you're a big deficit hawk.
Right?
Oh, Kaka got spammed. That's too bad.
Just saw Citizen kane in a theater, and last month saw Casablanca in the same place. Kane filled about 1/2 the theater, Casablanca was packed to the rafters. Kane was mostly film nerds and mostly white. Casablanca was much more diverse. With a greater range in age.
Suggeted Reason for difference:
Casablanca - Mass entertainment. Has it all. Music, romance, and humor. Plus action and mystery. Engaging characters. Two great stars. Memorable supporting actors doing their shtcik.
Citizen Kane - More Art film than entertainment. Amazing photography, editing, and direction. Maybe the best ever. Great performance by Welles, and interesting script. Good acting by others. But no emotional "Hook" to engage the masses. Requirement to know background of story and politics to truly appreciate and enjoy.
Citizen Kane is full of incredible scenes of imagination and energy. Scenes one can watch again and again and marvel at the Technique and skill. But emotional impact is low compared to Casablanca. Citizen Kane not really a "story". Its a biopic with his life described by four people, one of whom (Susan Alexander) is somewhat unlikable. No heroes or villians.
Casablanca crowd clapped at end, and went out on a high. Citizen Kane audience? Just filed out, confident they'd seen a masterpiece of filmmaking.
Tough for President Trump to take credit for economic growth in India, China and the Eurozone. But of course, the Neo-liberals are happy to see American blue collar workers return to consuming fentanyl (Made in Mexico, from Chinese ingredients!)
Hassayamper said...
Doubtful the Supreme Court will allow the executive branch to enact the largest tax increase in American history without Congressional approval.
You think so? From what I have read, the plain language of the law that was approved by Congress delegates tariff policy to the President, to be set as he sees fit.
8/29/25, 8:02 PM
———— ———————————-
You are wrong. The IEEPA does not mention the word “tariff” or a synonym such as “duty”.
The majority opinion used the same reasoning it used when it rejected Biden’s student debt forgiveness.
Trump used the phrase “regulate importation”, however, the courts have long held that regulate is different from taxation. The is just like Biden using the phrase “waive or modify” as a justification for waiving student debt.
It’s funny that minority opinion was authored by an Obama appointee, especially since Donald Trump “Juan Peron” Trump ranted against a “highly partisan appeals court”.
It was a great day for the separation of powers and a great day for the economy.
Original Mike said...
"If Trump has any sense of economics and politics, he would use this as an opportunity to walk away from a third of a trillion dollars per year in revenue."
Fixed your post for you.
8/29/25, 7:48 PM
————————————-
This number does not take into account the tax revenues that will be forgone due to a slowing economy that would result from Trump’s retarded tariffs.
"This number does not take into account the tax revenues that will be forgone due to a slowing economy that would result from Trump’s retarded tariffs."
Alleged slowing economy.
I love that Kaka is mute right now.
Been there, buddy.
As I said yesterday- find one issue and make it non negotiable.
Young Republicans of Texas
@YRsOfTexas
As of our most recent board meeting, the Young Republicans of Texas will only endorse national candidates who oppose the H-1B visa program. We call on Congress to take action on this key issue.
We look forward to endorsing strong America First candidates in 2026 and beyond.
AMDG, it seems to me - given that many countries employ tariffs both as protectionist and as revenue source - that there's a sweet spot where tariff revenue, domestic prices, and tax revenue are optimized (none of them maximized). Will we hit it? I don't know. But neither does anyone else, as far as I know.
Yesterday comments all over net about killers mom should be punished for aiding and abetting transition etc.
Today news is killer didn't live with mom, mom tried her best to dissuade killer from transitioning, told him he would regret it. Killer pissed at mom for not believing he was a she.
Net is full of profuse apoligies from people who spit on mom for not talking to hysterical media and for hiring a lawyer to talk for her.
"AMDG, it seems to me - given that many countries employ tariffs both as protectionist and as revenue source "
Yeah, they're allowed to, we're not. We must pursue the cheapest price, period. Meanwhile, our pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, defense procurements, and God knows what else are sourced by our potential enemies.
Great plan.
Libtards just won't accept reality when it doesn't serve them. But you have to have a shitload of chutzpah to spew Democrat Party talking points that were put to bed 6 months ago.
Here's libtard rag Politico in May admitting Trump's tariffs made the USA Billions:
https://www.politico.com/interactives/2025/trump-tariff-income-tracker/
That money is coming from foreign countries who are paying extra just to place their products in the USA because, unlike libtard shithead Democrat Party members, they know that it pays.
Jamie said...
AMDG, it seems to me - given that many countries employ tariffs both as protectionist and as revenue source - that there's a sweet spot where tariff revenue, domestic prices, and tax revenue are optimized (none of them maximized). Will we hit it? I don't know. But neither does anyone else, as far as I know.
8/29/25, 9:13 PM
—————————————
So think that it is within the realm of possibility that brain trust of Donald “Juan Peron” Trump, Peter Retardo, and Howard Nutlick carefully calibrated the tariffs to arrive at this optimization that you refer to?
I have my doubts . . . . . .
Anyway, the idiocy of the tariffs is besides the point. They could cure cancer and simultaneously give Putin, Xi, Kim Jong Un, and Khamenei stage fatal Monkey Pox and they would still be wrong because the President cannot enact taxes. That is the job of Congress.
If tariffs are so great why doesn’t Trump get one of his congressional cultists to put forward legislation to enact them. It would be great issue to base the 2026 campaign on.
Yup it still looks like the magas still dont know who pays for the tax increases on everything .tariffs. "You cant graft a new idea on a closed mind an opening must be made somehow"(blue book)
Original Mike said...
"AMDG, it seems to me - given that many countries employ tariffs both as protectionist and as revenue source "
Yeah, they're allowed to, we're not. We must pursue the cheapest price, period. Meanwhile, our pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, defense procurements, and God knows what else are sourced by our potential enemies.
Great plan.
8/29/25, 9:19 PM
—————————-
The court did not rule on whether tariffs are good or bad. It ruled that the President does not have the power to enact them.
See my 8:5M post for an explanation why.
For those who believe that it is okay for Trump to ignore the separation of powers think about how that plays out going forward.
“William Roper: “So, now you give the Devil the benefit of law!”
Sir Thomas More: “Yes! What would you do? Cut a great road through the law to get after the Devil?”
William Roper: “Yes, I'd cut down every law in England to do that!”
Sir Thomas More: “Oh? And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned 'round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? This country is planted thick with laws, from coast to coast, Man's laws, not God's! And if you cut them down, and you're just the man to do it, do you really think you could stand upright in the winds that would blow then? Yes, I'd give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety's sake!”
― Robert Bolt, A Man for All Seasons: A Play in Two Acts
"For those who believe that it is okay for Trump to ignore the separation of powers think about how that plays out going forward."
I hear you. But the problem is, the democrats won't pass ANYTHING that Trump puts forward. It doesn't matter if it's good, bad, or indifferent; it's a non-starter.
I know where I put the blame for this clusterfuck. YMMV.
Six months after leaving office is the norm. President Autopen gave her extra ... without telling anybody.
That should be the story here. Who and why?
Casablanca and Citizen Kane are two of my favorite movies- top 20 for sure. I actually saw both movies about a week apart for the first time when I was 18 years old and in a theater, too. I have rewatched them several times since but not in a while now- probably more than 15 years for both.
The vile corrupt evil D-LEFT show sympathy for a male shooter who murdered innocent children.
Sick a-holes.
I think it about 50/50 SCOTUS upholds the tariffs. The problem for the anti-tariff people is that the langage of the act Trump invoked seems very broad to me- it isn't unreasonable to argue that regulated trade can include tariffs since sanctions are explicitly also in the act. Congress that passed the act should have been more explicit about what isn't possible under the act. SCOTUS could very well say the tariffs are legal under the act and the emergency declaration and that it really is up the Congress to clarify the matter. This would fit well with John Roberts' philosophy. A better attack on this would be to say that Congress delegated far too much power to the executive in this regard but that would mean starting over.
AMDG @9:30, excellent and measured argument against Trump!
I mean the last part. The rest was crap - and prurient crap, always so welcome on an otherwise pleasant evening. I agree that tariffs ought to be enacted by Congress. I also agree with Original Mike @9:45 that your side has decided that their only policy is "I stand against Trump!" which makes it darn hard to pass a bill. I sincerely hope that the "NYT voter registration crisis for Democrats" and the redistricting wars, in which Republicans have the advantage according to my understanding, have the unorthodox effect of a party in power gaining seats in the midterm so the Republicans in Congress can get something done.
But I understand why Trump is trying to do so much by EO immediately, I think. He knows that the likelihood is he only gets about 18 months of effective action, followed by back-to-back-to-back impeachment bullshit as before. And as we all know, we are headed for a fiscal cliff. To mix my metaphors, the boat is taking on water; bailing with a paper cup isn't ideal, but it's better than pouring more water in, as too many members of Congress seem apt to do.
Furthermore - while he is (or possible was - we'll see) able, Trump could negotiate using tariffs in a way that a bill in Congress almost certainly wouldn't allow. It's a shortcut but one that apparently our vaunted judicial system has a good handle on... wouldn't you agree?
I will have to bookmark this thread, however, since Kakabich has made another hard prediction with no doubt expressed whatsoever. Just based on Kakabich's record one might predict a 9-0 vote upholding the tariffs. However, I think he has a chance of getting a prediction right for the first time ever.
To lighten the mood.
There was a gal ...
When I met her, she was living in Married Student Housing, because she was Married to a Student. But he was down at the Institute of Marine Biology, at Charleston, and she was living in Eugene. I had to get back to NYC, for various reasons, but I told her I would fly her out to New York if she wanted to come. This would have been the mid-80's.
So. She told her husband some lie, about winning a supermarket lottery, and I flew her out to NYC. She was about 6' 1", not gorgeous, but striking. Dark, slender. A little hair on her upper lip, in the Spanish fashion, which I always found sexy as Hell. Sexy as Hell.
So, I had to work. But I gave her $50, and said, "Look, this is cabfare, and lunch. Go see all the museums you have always wanted to see. Come back here by nightfall. We'll have some steaks, and mashed potatoes and peas, and salad, with a nice cabernet, and then we'll go up on the roof and fuck like minks in the warm Summer rain."
And that's exactly what we did. She showed up around six, wearing a big button that said "Yes, I am a model!" People had been asking. She had had a wonderful day, and she proceeded to have a wonderful night. God, it was all so wrong. God, it was all so right.
I see that Senator Tins Smith has joined the politically tone deaf Democrats who are offended by normal people who happen to be devout Christians and therefore she calls on them to cease with the prayers. The only religion Democrats seem able to tolerate is Islam, probably become the Muslims will kill you in a heartbeat if you mock their religion.
As for me, I offered up a prayer for the soul of the killer — that it spends eternity burning in some pit deep in the innermost bowels of Hell.
William Pulte has contined investigating Lisa Cook’s mortgages and discovered a third case of fraud by Cook. Scratch a Democrat, and you will find a bully who thinks laws are for the little people.
Democrats worship themselves.
“Just saw Citizen kane in a theater, and last month saw Casablanca in the same place. Kane filled about 1/2 the theater, Casablanca was packed to the rafters. Kane was mostly film nerds and mostly white. Casablanca was much more diverse. With a greater range in age.”
Kane has Orson Welles. Casa has Ingrid Bergman. Go figure.
New Dem Fight Song…
D-E-M-S, we rise!
Stronger together, blue skies!
Lift your voice, we’re bold and true
Onward, Democrats - we shit blue!
You go, you BigSillies…
“Cry 'Gavin!', and let slip the jazz hands of war."
For those mocking “thoughts and prayers “, Jesus prayed …… on the cross as he was about to die. But then those who mock thoughts and prayers don’t believe in Jesus anyway. That he died and was resurrected, even though it is recorded that He was seen by over 500 people. Scoff away.
I would think going great lengths to boink a woman married to another man would be something best left in the rearview mirror… after a contrite prayer, Jupiter… but different strokes for different folks I guess.
Trump fatigue may be settling in: "President Trump’s approval rating dropped to a new low for his second term in the latest Quinnipiac University poll.
"In the five-day survey, which concluded last Monday, 37 percent of registered voters say they approve of the president’s handling of his job, compared to 55 percent who disapprove. Another 7 percent say they don’t know.
"The president’s net negative 18-point approval rating is his lowest recorded since January 2021. It also marks a net 4-point decline since the July survey, when his approval was 14 points underwater, with 40 percent approval and 54 percent disapproval.
The August poll shows a 21-point shift since Trump took office in January, when 46 percent approved of the president and 43 percent disapproved."
Never, ever forget ... Lonejustice is a True Conservative.
He's as pure as the driven snow.
People should hold him to the highest standard ...putting his best foot forward to carry on the message of conservative Republicans.
And btw, Mr. Inga?
Try the RCP average, and get back to us.
Hint: It's higher than his first term.
It's also higher than Obama's second term at this time.
Perhaps William John Pulye should turn his attention to the thousands of housing deals executed by Donald John Trump over the years.
Donald Trump has already been convicted in New York for falsifying business records, which included banking violations related to inflating asset values to secure better loan terms. He faced a total of 34 counts in this case, which was part of a broader investigation into financial misconduct by the New York Attorney General's office.
Broad-based taxes (income, VAT, or BAT) or carbon taxes are more efficient than Trump’s tariffs for raising revenue. They offer greater stability, less economic distortion, and lower risk of trade wars. A BAT or modest corporate tax increase could match tariff revenue with less harm, while a carbon tax adds environmental benefits. Tariffs may serve specific policy goals (e.g., protecting industries), but for pure revenue generation, they are inferior due to their regressive nature and economic costs.
Both Trump and OG Mike live in a parallel universe and bullies everyone to inhabit it as well. The problem is: while they can bully people they cannot bully reality. Reality has a 100% track record of winning against wishful thinking.
"Who pays for tariffs?"
Who pays for lack of tariffs, since we are going to go meta here. Americans whose good paying jobs got shipped overseas. What is Kaka's definition of economic inefficiency? "Good paying American jobs." Well only if those good paying jobs are going to working people.
Not to mention, we have weapons systems, for example, that we can't build without imports of rare earths from China. The US has plenty of rare earths in the ground, in fact, they are not "rare" at all, it's more like they are sparse, you don'f find them in rich veins, like you might find gold, or potash. It's just cheaper to get them from China.
The irony in Kaka <- He longs for the Biden Kakistocracy, the irony in his position is that he is balls to the wall for wars with Russia and China, but the idea of biasing the economics in such a way that strategic industries will operate in the US is anathema to him. There is, after all, the issue of having to pay good wages to the mothers and fathers of the boys he loves being sent to fight wars. He chokes on that.
"Broad-based taxes (income, VAT, or BAT) or carbon taxes are more efficient than Trump’s tariffs for raising revenue..."
tl;dr: "I don't like taxes that cramp my style of seeking 'race to the bottom' wages overseas to maximize my own profits."
"Reality has a 100% track record of winning against wishful thinking."
Like when we handed over the production of rare earths to China, and all they had to do to force Trump's hand on, for example, thwarting his threat of sanctions over the Ukraine war, was cut them off. Trump's phone rang off the hook with "captains of industry" whose manufacturing was being shut down, because we discourage, through economic policy, the production of rare earths in North America. Canada could pump them out in massive quantities too, but there's the issue of paying working men high wages... Always the sticking point!
aki believes that if Person 'A' makes 100 times of 100 person 'B's and then person 'A' makes 200 times more, and the person 'B's make 80% of what they used to make, total, let's call it GDP has nearly gone up by half, so the class of people who are 'B' types must all be richer! So they should vote for policies that makes Person A even richer yet, even if it makes their paycheck shrink, because, like Milo Minderbender said in Catch 22 "Everybody has a share!" Except, well, you know, nobody ever collected any money on those shares.
Trolls workin' the Chorus line.
--- That he died and was resurrected, even though it is recorded that He was seen by over 500 people. Scoff away.
Says Paul, the only de facto apostle who had probably never seen Jesus alive.
The appearances are the most mysterious of all the New Testament passages. Yet this one is not in a single one of the Gospels; why?
When the apostles saw Jesus in Galilee (Matthew), they worshiped him, "but some doubted." Why?
I'd say I wish they were one singular sensation, but I know that quickly becomes a cacophony of people with the help of smoke and mirrors.
Just watched the video of the British police arresting the 13-year-old girl that was filmed by a stalker trying to protect herself. That video is why Keir Starmer needs to go, and why the never-Trumpers aren't convincing with their moral superiority.
Jim at said...
Never, ever forget ... Lonejustice is a True Conservative.
He's as pure as the driven snow.
People should hold him to the highest standard ...putting his best foot forward to carry on the message of conservative Republicans.
--------------
Ludwig Wittgenstein stated that "the world is the totality of facts, not of things" in his Tractatus Logic-Philosophicua. The world is made up of facts, not your personal opinions.
"The world is made up of facts, not your personal opinions."
Yes, like the fact that lonejustice can deduce, not even infer, but deduce Trump's motivations from lonejustice's own projections.
"I would think going great lengths to boink a woman married to another man would be something best left in the rearview mirror… after a contrite prayer, Jupiter… but different strokes for different folks I guess."
I am reaching that age, at which the scenes in the rearview mirror come to seem more real than those glimpsed through the windshield.
The situation in question was called to mind by "She was married when we first met, soon to be divorced." I am remembering her. Fondly. What can I say? I hope, that if she is still alive, her memories of me are fond as well. I suppose I could try to look her up. I think not. That was then. Sadly, this is now.
8/30/25, 12:22 AM
"A contrite prayer", eh? I guess that's the point. I knew what I wanted then, and so did she, and we were both pleased that our plans worked out. But that was forty years ago. What do I want now? Do I wish it had never happened? No, I don't wish it had never happened. So, what would that prayer sound like? "Give me chastity and continence now, but not forty years ago, when it would have made a difference"?
I'm afraid contrition is still bullshit.
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