Capitol Riot: The Musical! - WSJ Opinion

Readers probably don’t recall a 2002 congressional effort to mark the first anniversary of 9/11 with a catchy musical number from a Broadway smash hit. And perhaps that says it all about the Democrats’ Thursday production to mark one year since the Capitol riot of 2021. Two decades ago, no one had to sell the idea that America had suffered a devastating attack. Today the political appetites of incumbent Democrats require pretending that last year’s riot was an insurrection. On Thursday the show had to go on.

Why the Jan. 6 ‘Big Lie’ Narrative Will Fail - WSJ Opinion

The American experiment remains sturdier than we may realize, but a challenge is our media’s painful adjustment to internet economics. In the 1980s, ad-stuffed news outlets were flush and able to fill their staffs with non-idiots.

I agree, journalism economics are causing most of the media self-immolation. The hotter the flame, the more clicks they get.

Saturday evening fire.

The Best Investment for This Coming Crazy Year - WSJ

All this explains why discipline is the greatest investing virtue. When you drastically change your long-term course based on what feels like a short-term sure thing, you’re likely to end up caught by surprise—and racked with regret.

Coincidently, the best advice for every year.

Why Young Adults Are Delaying Parenthood - WSJ

More tell me they’re waiting until their finances—and, accordingly, their lives—feel more stable. 

The root cause of our demographic winter: children are an accessory, not an essential part of life.

This is an incredibly destructive worldview.

Much of the conversation around the drop in birthrate has been to pearl-clutch at “entitled” millennial stereotypes or to pontificate on the joys of child-rearing. But for many of my female friends contemplating future parenthood, the pandemic highlighted longstanding inequalities and challenges faced by women with children: wage stagnation, the high cost of child care, inadequate paid leave for parents—not to mention the ever-increasing stress of an already stressed population.

My thanks to the reporter for proving my point. The logic of these excuses are so weak that it exposes the true intention: pure, unadulterated selfishness.

It’s not that child-rearing is full time joy, but rather the ultimate fulfillment and purpose of the human person. It’s to give freely and totally of yourself to another who can never possibly hope to repay your generosity and love.

Boston Marathon Bomber’s Prison Funds Are Seized - WSJ

He received a $1,400 Covid-19 relief payment in June

The American Rescue Plan in action! Thanks, Joe!

Dichotomy

Many were shocked that the riots finally made their way to the Capitol, but we’ve watched the slow march over the past 10 months. Businesses, the homes of local politicians, and even Federal courthouses came under threat from riotous mobs last year. Remember the riot of Inauguration 2016? Dozens arrested, all charges dismissed, no consequences. 2020 was the summer of love, didn’t you hear? Not rioters, just mostly peaceful protesters. (January 7, 2021)

I was going to write a new post about how dumb this “anniversary” is, but after re-reading this post, it said everything that I wanted to say.

The problem is, the riot fits so well into the narrative that some people will never let it go.

It was a serious security lapse, overwhelming and deadly force should’ve been employed, and punishing these serious violations of law is now within the purview of the courts.

Biden Assails Trump Over Jan. 6 Riot, Efforts to Overturn 2020 Election Results - WSJ

Mr. Biden’s remarks opened a day of remembrances on Capitol Hill. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will lead a moment of silence on the House floor before participating in a conversation with historians and later a series of testimonials from lawmakers. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer will join her on the Capitol steps in the early evening for a candlelight vigil.

Even the NFL has rules against excessive celebration.

‘I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever,’ Worship Leader Threatens - The Babylon Bee

Church insiders speculate the worship leader’s motives were anything but pure, with some suggesting it was an attempt to filibuster the Pastor’s planned lesson on faithful financial giving.

Chrysler Plans All-Electric Vehicle Lineup by 2028 - WSJ

Chrysler, which was founded in 1925, now sells just two models to consumers—one minivan and a large sedan

Good luck to the team, pulling off two EVs in seven years shows just how ambitious Chrysler is. They want to earn your business!

Chicago Public Schools Cancel Classes After Teachers Vote Against In-Person Instruction - WSJ

City leaders called the vote by the Chicago Teachers Union an illegal job action and said teachers who didn’t report to work wouldn’t receive pay. The administration promised to provide parents with a plan later Wednesday for how it would resume operations in the face of the walkout.

It must be super embarrassing for these government officials to be so publicly humiliated. In case there was any real doubt about who was in control.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Tuesday that the shift to online learning last year had been very difficult on working families and hurt many students. “Achievement gaps are real and they are affecting kids of color at an exponential rate,” she said.

And what has she done about it? Nothing.

How about authorizing some new charter schools, Lori?

Toyota Overtakes GM as Bestselling Auto Maker in U.S. - WSJ

GM had been the No. 1 auto seller in the U.S. since 1931, according to trade publication Automotive News.

This is unlikely to be repeated, and Toyota had some strategic advantages this year.

The basic fact remains: Toyota makes a really great vehicle and Americans have noticed.

Overturning the Next Election - WSJ Opinion

Democrats keep saying Jan. 6 must never happen again, but their main goal seems to be to use the memory of that day against Republicans in 2022.

Joining The Fight Against Misinformation: Applebee’s Announces They Have Banned Marjorie Taylor Greene From To-Go Online Ordering - The Babylon Bee

“We have made the decision to ban the representative for her repeated violations of the platform’s prohibition against spreading misinformation about our delicious Applebee’s Riblets Platter™,” said Applebee’s founder and CEO, Bob Applebee. “Our terms and conditions are clear, that any individual disparaging our delectable and reasonably-priced appetizers, salads, or entrees, will suffer the consequences.”

Build Back Better Takes Back Seat to Democrats’ Election-Law Push - WSJ

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration was in step with Mr. Schumer regarding the elections push. “We’re gonna work with him on getting that done. But that doesn’t change our commitment to Build Back Better,” she said.

And our hope is that by time this futile attempt to engineer a federal takeover of elections for the first time in American history fails, everyone will have forgotten the phrase “Build Back Better.”

Manchin Deflates Democrats’ Hopes of Changing Filibuster, Passing Election Bills - WSJ

“Any way you can do a rules change to where everyone’s involved and basically that’s a rule that usually will stay—that’s what you should be pursuing,” Mr. Manchin told reporters on Tuesday.

Our system has so many fail-safes designed to lower passions and foster debate. I don’t understand the desire to take a sledgehammer to all of them.

Entitlements Always Grow and Grow - WSJ Opinion

When Medicare hospital insurance was enacted, cost projections were made to 1990. The projected cost for that year was $9 billion. The actual cost was $67 billion.

Start your engines!

Monthly Child-Tax-Credit Payments Cease, Ending Cushion for Family Budgets - WSJ

Families are bracing for bank balances to suffer when the middle of January comes and the monthly child-tax-credit payment doesn’t.

They think that’s bad, wait until they file their taxes.

Many, many Americans rely on a giant to refund to cover debt payments or other major purchases. Thanks to Washington’s “help,” half of it is already come and gone.

This was a gimmick, and a terribly hurtful one at that.

After over a decade, I’m coming back to using pencils on a regular basis.

Up early.