Eleventh Anniversary of My Blog; Blogger Pageview Report

           As it the eleventh anniversary of my blog, I take the opportunity to thank all of you who visit it and to give a brief report on the pageviews as tracked by the blog host, Blogger.

            Blogger has been tracking far more pageviews than StatCounter, but with much less specificity.  There continue to be 1-2,000 pageviews per month.  The United States and Europe are the two main sources of visits, with South Korea also being one of the leading origins.  There were visits from every major part of the inhabited world.  Unlike StatCounter, which has been tracking more visits landing on the blog homepage than on posts, Blogger has been tracking multiple visits to every post.

            I plan to continue to post at a similar pace as I have been because stating the truth and defending liberty and representative government is all the more essential during this rise of authoritarianism.

           Again, thank you for visiting, following, and commenting offline.

Happy Thanksgiving; Be Grateful to God and Native Americans

           Happy Thanksgiving.  As we Americans express our gratitude to God for His blessings, we recall the first celebration of this harvest feast in the early Seventeenth Century, shared with the Native Americans in appreciation for their teaching the English settlers of the Plymouth colony about raising local crops, which was the first fruit of the bounty of America. 

            I think of how there were always good relations with the Natives of Pennsylvania, the Lenape or “Delaware” tribe, with no genocide of any kind or treaty violations.  The only hostilities with Native Americans in Penn’s Woods occurred when another tribe invaded Lenape territory from New York and kidnapped or killed settlers along the frontier of the Blue Mountain in the mid Eighteenth Century, and also during the American Revolution, most infamously when Native allies of the British slaughtered settlers in the Wyoming Valley Massacre.  Although there are no federal or state reservations for the Lenape in the Commonwealth, they have maintained their presence around the Northeastern States, including with state reservations in other States, as well as their heritage.

           As I have noted previously, Columbus Day is appropriate for celebrating the binding of the two Hemispheres together through the Discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492, whereas Thanksgiving is the time to thank God and to be particularly grateful for the friendship of the Native Americans and their many contributions to America.

Common Misunderstandings about Impeachment

There are several common misunderstandings about the impeachment and removal from office provisions of the United States Constitution.  This post corrects them with a brief general explanation of impeachment.

The House of Representatives has the power to impeach (bring forth charges for removal from office) the President, all civil officers and judges and the Vice President for “high Crimes and Misdemeanors,” which means maladministration, not necessarily actual crimes, because impeachment is a political, not a criminal process.  Upon impeachment, the Senate then hears cases of impeachment and votes to convict or acquit.  An official is removed from office by conviction.

What is impeachable is the prerogative of the House of Representatives and what is removable from office is that of the Senate.  The original intent of the Framers of the Constitution was that impeachment would be for maladministration, not policy differences.  Policy and popularity are, therefore, irrelevant.  A precedent has been established over the centuries for impeachment in the cases of Presidents and federal judges.  Although no President has been convicted, one was forced to resign to avoid impeachment and several judges from the early days of the Republic up to recent years have been removed from office.

Impeachment by the House and removal from office by the Senate, often referred collectively as “impeachment,” is neither a coup d’etat or overthrow of the government, nor does it overturn a popular election or violate the will of the American people.  A coup is a violent overthrow of the government.  Impeachment of a President is not even a non-violent overthrow of government because the Vice President, who is usually of the same party as the President, would accede to the office of President of his removal, not a member of the opposition party.  But even if it did lead to a change in control of the faction in government, impeachment is a constitutional process that defends the Constitution and the rule of law from violations and abuses of office, thereby defending independence, liberty and representative government and deterring maladministration.  It enforces the Constitution against threats, not undermines it.

           

            Removal from office is not a punishment, as the official is not in jeopardy of life or liberty.  The only punishment that can be considered after removal by the Senate is a permanent ban on serving in office.  But because service is a privilege, not a freedom or right, a ban on service is not akin to a criminal punishment or civil penalty. 

           Impeachment and removal of a president does not overturn a popular election because the election for President is not a popular election, as the President is elected by the Electoral College, not the people who elect the Electors.  Impeachment of president does not overturn the will of the people because the presidential election is not necessarily reflective of the will of the people, as Electors can be appointed directly by State Legislatures or elected to be free to exercise their best judgment in good conscience, as intended by the Framers of the Constitution.

Foreign Digest Updates: China, Iran, Syria and Bolivia

China

            There have continued to be protests and mass arrests in Hong Kong, the special territory of China that Peking promised would remain autonomous and free when it reverted from British rule in 1997.  Communist China has been encroaching on the city-state’s liberty, which has led to the protests.  The mass demonstrations have been successful in blocking a proposed law to allow extradition to the mainland, which could have been used against dissidents.   The United States Congress has declared its support for the freedom of Hong Kong, but authoritarian-loving Donald Trump has sent mixed signals. 

The pro-autonomy candidates have won the elections for the legislature today, which is dominated by the Peking-appointed government.  There was a record high turnout.  Previous democratic winners were blocked from taking their seats because of their objections to the oath of office that requires loyalty to Communist China.

Iran and Syria

            The protests across the Islamic Republic of Iran have been met by the Islamist tyrannical government with mass arrests and many deaths.  The theocratic regime has blocked the Internet.  Iran is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism.  It foments Islamic revolution across the Arab world and backs the Syrian tyrant Bashar Assad in that country’s civil war.  A recent massive Israeli raid in Syria hit Iranian and Syrian targets because of their support for Lebanese Shi’ite terrorists Hezbollah.

Bolivia

           The interim President of Bolivia has promulgated a law for presidential elections in January after the resignation earlier this month of the previous President, an increasingly-authoritarian Chavist whose Government made dubious claims that he had been re-elected to a fourth term, despite a constitutional two-term limit.

Foreign Digest: Bolivia, Venezuela, China, Iran, Russia and Ukraine

Bolivia and Venezuela

            After the authoritarian Chavist (inspired by Venezuelan tyrant Hugo Chavez) President of Bolivia resigned and fled the country, he has been fomenting a counter-revolution against the Bolivian people, which has turned deadly.  His government had made dubious claims that he had won a fourth term, despite a constitutional two-term limit. 

            The interim President of Venezuela, Juan Guaido, has called for a mass protest, one year after invoking a constitutional provision to declare himself president.  The tyrannical Chavist Socialist Venezuelan President had supplanted the national legislature after the democratic opposition had won a supermajority with his own loyalist assembly.  Guido, the leader of the original assembly, is recognized as the legitimate President by the United States and many Latin American and European States.

China

Mass protests continue in Hong Kong, the special territory of China, which are being met with violent deadly repression by the Peking-backed territorial government.  Communist China had promised the city-state autonomy and freedom when it reverted from British rule in 1997, but has increasingly reneged on those promises.  The territorial government of Hong Kong rescinded a proposed law to extradite residents to mainland China, which could have been used as a tool to crush dissent.  The proposal sparked the recent protests, but other demands have not been met as the people of Hong Kong fear the loss of their freedom, citing Chinese repression of Buddhist Tibet and Muslim Xinjiang. 

Iran

            The most widespread protests in a decade have broken out in Iran against the Islamist regime, which has responded with lethal force, killing at least one protester.  The tyrannical Iranian theocracy is the largest state sponsor of terrorism in the world.  It is currently backing rebels in Yemen, the Syrian Assad regime, and Lebanese and Palestinian terrorists, among others.

Russia and Ukraine

           A Dutch-led international inquiry has found more evidence of coordination between the Russian Federation, led by tyrant Vladimir Putin, and Russian-backed ethnic Russian separatists, in the shoot-down of a Malaysian civilian airliner that originated from the Netherlands over Ukraine in 2014.  Russia denies responsibility, using a variety of conspiracy theories to shield itself from blame.  Just as Putin blames Ukraine for the shoot-down that he is responsible for, he blames Ukraine for his interference in the 2016 United States Presidential election that helped elect Donald Trump, despite overt propaganda and disinformation from state-owned Russian media and all the conclusive proof from American and other intelligence agencies and other cybersecurity experts to the contrary.  Russia invaded the former Soviet Republic of Ukraine in 2014, seizing part of its territory, despite treaties recognizing Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Switch Veterans’ and Memorial Days

           I wish all the American veterans a Happy Veterans’ Day, in gratitude for their service to keep the United States independent, safe and free. 

            As I have noted every Memorial Day, I have been concerned that Memorial Day, which is intended to be a day of mourning for those who died in service to the United States, has become too celebratory, observed informally as the “unofficial start of summer” and typified by picnics and the opening of public pools.  I have lamented the wishes of “Happy Memorial Day” and the like.  Veterans’ Day, observed on the anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War, instead of celebrating the sacrifices and achievements of living veterans, has become more somber.  As it is observed in mid-autumn and often as a mid-week holiday instead of the legally required three-day weekend for Memorial Day, November 11 is less inviting of the kind of celebrations that are typical of Memorial Day.  As the last Monday in May is not an historical anniversary, it is as fitting a day as any to thank veterans for their service.  And as a day in late spring, it would better allow for veterans parades in most American cities than the current date for the observation of Veterans’ Day.

Therefore, I propose to switch the two federal and state holidays, celebrating Veterans’ Day on the last Monday in May and Memorial Day on November 11, so that the former will be less somber and the latter less celebratory.

Either way, it is a good practice to thank veterans any day, but especially on the holiday of Veterans’ Day, and to remember those who sacrificed their lives, especially on Memorial Day.

Update: The Chavist Bolivian President Has Resigned

           The Chavist President of Bolivia has resigned and fled the capital after mass protests against the questionable election results announced by his election tribunal declared him the winner of a fourth term, despite a constitutional two-term limit.  The Bolivian people had rejected a referendum in 2016 to end presidential term limits, but the court loyal to the President allowed him to serve another term.  The leaders of the tribunal are among those who have been arrested.  Inspired by Venezuelan Socialist dictator Hugo Chavez, who was elected and then became tyrannical, the left-wing anti-American Bolivian President had become increasingly authoritarian.

           May Bolivia enjoy peace, liberty and representative government based upon free and fair elections.

Foreign Digest: United Kingdom and Bolivia Updates; Warnings from Pope Francis and Lech Welesa

United Kingdom

            The Conservative British Government called for elections in December to break the impasse over the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union, after the referendum in favor of leaving was approved in June of 2016.  At the request of the UK, the departure deadline was extended by the EU from then end of October to the end of January after the British Parliament was unable to reach a majority on the withdrawal agreement the minority Government had re-worked with the EU and after Parliament had already rejected leaving the EU without any deal.  Opposition from the junior coalition partner, the Northern Irish unionists, was pivotal in the rejection.  The attainment of a Conservative majority in favor of the deal would break the impasse.

Bolivia

            The President of Bolivia announced today that the presidential election will be re-voted by the end of the term on January 22 and that he may not be a candidate, after protests continued against the dubious election results announced late last month by the Government of the Chavist President of his re-election to a fourth term.  The Bolivian Constitution establishes a two-term limit and the people rejected a referendum to amend the constitution to repeal term limits, but he was allowed by his appointed judges to be elected to a third term and to seek a fourth.  The left-wing President has become increasingly authoritarian, in the mold of Socialist Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.  The protests have been met with violence from the Government. 

Pope Francis and Lech Welesa

           Two European leaders gave warnings last week that were related about current politics, Pope Francis and former Polish opposition leader under Communism and later President of Poland, Lech Welesa.  Pope Francis warned against xenophobia and nationalism.  Welesa warned against populism and demagoguery.  

Conservative Analysis of the Pennsylvania Election Reform of 2019

A major election reform was approved by the Republican-led Pennsylvania General Assembly and signed into law by the Democratic Governor late last month.  As a bipartisan compromise in which the major parties try to use the law to advantage themselves, it is of mixed result in terms of representative government, but is overall a good reform.

The reform bans the straight-party ballot option, whereby a box can be checked or a button pushed to vote for all of a party’s nominees at once instead of choosing each individually, making yesterday’s General Election the last to allow this option.  Only eight other States in the American Union have such an option.  It is more representative for candidates to earn individual votes through the serious consideration of electors instead of through excessive partisanship, or the encouragement of laziness and ignorance.  Democrats, who are more reliant on the straight party option in areas with less educated or responsible voters, opposed this reform that was insisted upon by Republicans.

Other reforms include the extension of the voter registration deadline from 30 to 15 days before the election and the deadline to return absentee ballots to 8:00 PM on Election Day, instead of 5:00 PM the Friday before, which was the earliest deadline in the American Union.  These reforms were not controversial. 

The election reform bill also allows no-excuse absentee ballots, instead of for disability or absence from the municipality, which, although it would make voting more convenient for some, will make it easier than it already is for voters to be unduly influenced by others, especially considering that Pennsylvania is one of the States that permit the mentally incapacitated to vote, or to vote under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  Therefore, unlike the other parts of the election reform, this measure, which was advanced by Democrats, weakens representative government.

            Opening primary elections to participation to all voters, or at least those who are registered non-partisan, which was an idea that had some support in the Legislature, was not part of the election reform.  Although party members should choose their own candidates, because primary elections are funded by the taxpayers, instead of by the parties themselves, some Pennsylvania voters argued they should have a choice in whose names appear on the ballot, as nominations are often effectively determinative of the general election outcome.  A better idea would be not to have names printed on the ballot at all, as was the practice in the early Republic.  The parties, especially the major parties, who have given themselves easier ballot access requirements through legislation, would thus not have the force of law to advantage themselves, and the taxpayers would not be funding their (major) party primaries.  There has also been no effort to expand voter identification requirements beyond first-time voters to prevent voter impersonation.  Reform for federal and state legislative redistricting is being addressed separately.

The election reform law also authorizes the borrowing of $90 million for helping Pennsylvania’s 67 Counties to upgrade their voting machines to ones that are less vulnerable to hacking by having paper backup and being auditable, as per federal recommendation because of Russian hacking into state and some county election systems in 2016.  As I had noted after its passage, the budget approved earlier this year authorizes the spending, but specific legislation is necessary to effectuate the fiscal blueprint.  The Commonwealth has received $14 billion in federal funds for the upgrade, as the hacking is a foreign attack on the United States.  Counties in Pennsylvania are responsible for conducting elections.  Some Counties have already upgraded to the new voting machines, but the upgrade would have been financially burdensome for poorer counties. 

There are many other election reforms Pennsylvania should consider, but the elimination of the straight party option was necessary and improving election security was essential.

Conservative Analysis of the 2019 Pennsylvania General Election

           The 2019 Pennsylvania General Election confirmed recent political trends in the Keystone State. 

In a close statewide election, there was a split between the two major parties for two seats on the state Superior Court.  Democrats continue to dominate elections in urban areas of Pennsylvania and Republicans in rural ones.  Several flips of party control in County leadership contests confirm the trend in the Philadelphia suburbs towards Democrats and in the Pittsburgh suburbs toward Republicans.  Opposition to Donald Trump increased Democratic turnout especially in the Southeast.

There were some notable victories for non-major party candidates.  After Republicans defeated a non-Trumpist incumbent Philadelphia City Councilman and nominated a Trumpist candidate, a leftwing third party candidate won the at-large minority seat.  A Democrat-turned independent was elected Mayor of Scranton, running on an anti-corruption platform.

The 2019 election was the last in Pennsylvania using the straight-party ballot option, as has been prohibited by the new election reform approved by the Republican-led General Assembly and recently signed into law by the Democratic Governor.  The reform authorizes borrowing to help Counties upgrade to new voting machines that are less vulnerable to hacking, as per federal recommendation because of Russian hacking into state and some county election systems in 2016.  Some Counties have upgraded to the machines.  My County, Berks, used them for the first time yesterday.  I shall analyze the reform in more detail in my next post.

The proposed constitutional amendment for victims’ rights was favored by Pennsylvania voters by a million votes, a nearly two-to-one margin, even though a Commonwealth Court judge had issued a ruling prohibiting the certification of the results because of a dispute about the constitutionality of the amendment’s scope and because of the adequacy of the explanation of the amendment on the ballot.  Nonetheless, the vote total indicates strong support for guarantee victims’ rights, which are safeguarded in law, but trumped by constitutional protections for the accused.

Pennsylvania will likely continue to be a competitive state for the two major parties and will be especially contested in the 2020 election for presidential and vice presidential Electors.

The 2019 Pennsylvania General Election

           Tuesday, November 5 is General Election Day in Pennsylvania.  There are state judicial, county, magisterial district judge, constable, municipal and school district offices on the ballot, as well as a statewide ballot question.  This municipal election is of great significance because these offices affect people most directly and in many ways. 

            There are two State Superior Court seats being contested.  As the appellate court for all criminal and most civil cases, the Superior Court is of critical importance, especially because the State Supreme Court hears relatively few cases, thus making the Superior Court the court of final judgment in most appeals.  There is a Superior Court Judge on the ballot for retention for another ten years, as are two Commonwealth Court Judges.  That court hears all cases in which the Commonwealth is a party.

            Pennsylvania’s Counties elect their Councils or Commissions.  Magisterial District Judges and Constables in some districts will be chosen.  The Commonwealth’s municipalities (cities, boroughs and townships) will elect officials.  In each of the state’s school districts, except Philadelphia, voters will choose school directors to serve on school boards.

            There are conservative and pro-life candidates on the ballot for many of these offices who are not necessarily Trumpist.

            Pennsylvanians will be able to cast ballots on a constitutional referendum to amend the Commonwealth’s Constitution to include a bill of rights for crime victims, such as notification rights, the right to provide an impact statement and to seek restitution.  These rights are codified in law, but not in the Constitution.  Having them as part of the Constitution would better guarantee these rights.  The proposed rights do not effectively take away any rights of the accused, despite what opponents are arguing.  A legal challenge to the scope of the amendment and to the adequacy of the explanation that appears on the ballot has led to a Commonwealth Court-imposed injunction whereby the votes will be tallied, but not be effective.  Nevertheless, a strong vote in favor would signify support for constitutional protection for the rights of crime victims.

            In some counties, voters will be using new voting machines that were upgraded to prevent better against hacking, as per federal recommendation because of Russian hacking of state election systems in 2016.  The machines have paper backup to ensure a vote was cast and to allow the results to be audited.  Other counties will be making the transition by the 2020 election, when certain election reforms that were enacted last week will also go into effect. 

           Votes in lower-turnout municipal elections count for more proportionally than when there is a higher turnout, such as when there are federal elections.  The polls are open from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM.  Make your plans today to vote on Tuesday.

Abolish Daylight Saving Time to Decrease Crime

           The evidence that Daylight Saving Time is harmful to society keeps mounting.

           In addition to all the reasons I have observed before, such as the expense, the increase in accidents and damage to health, another reason to abolish Daylight Saving Time is the increase in violent crime in the Fall after the clocks are turned back an hour which causes the darkness to seem to appear an hour earlier, according to the latest academic study to add to the growing body of evidence of the negative affects of the useless practice.  There are more robberies, for example, under cover of dark, after clocks are turned back to Standard Time at the end of Daylight Saving Time.

           See my post from March of 2011 Abolish Daylight Saving Time: https://williamcinfici.blogspot.com/2011/03/abolish-daylight-savings-time.html and my post from March of this year, Abolish Daylight Saving Time in Pennsylvania: https://williamcinfici.blogspot.com/2019/03/abolish-daylight-savings-time-in.html.