The Wells Report for Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Today's News, Analysis, Commentary & Debate
NATIONAL:
USMC F-35—WRECKAGE FOUND IN SOUTH CAROLINA
USA TODAY:
Debris from a Marine Corps F-35 stealth fighter jet that crashed in South Carolina after the pilot ejected and parachuted to safety was found Monday, authorities said, the third costly accident in recent weeks.
The pilot ejected and parachuted safely into a North Charleston, South Carolina, neighborhood at about 2 p.m. on Sunday. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was in stable condition, Maj. Melanie Salinas said.
The pilot’s name has not been released.
Officials located a debris field two hours northeast of Joint Base Charleston on Monday. Residents were told to avoid the area as rescue teams begin the recovery process. The U.S. Marine Corp will take over the incident.
TWR: Glad they were able find the wreckage…
While most everything about the F-35 is Classified, there are some things about this situation that can be commented on.
As I said yesterday, there is something humorous about building something so stealthy, it’s impossible for anyone to find…But there’s a bogus narrative out there mocking the US Military’s inability to find this jet.
Remember Malaysia Airlines Flight 370…Not a stealth aircraft by any means, still unfound since March of 2014.
This jet is on the leading edge of technology…When you’re that close to the brink, bad things will happen.
Also, South Carolina Representative Nancy Mace was annoyed that the Marine Corps couldn’t answer her questions.
The default conclusion Rep Mace used was, “They are so stupid, they don’t know where this F-35 is.”
What’s more likely, is the Marine Corps literally could not answer her questions for reasons of secrecy. When a SCIF is available, I’m sure the Marines will brief the Congresswoman to her satisfaction.
IRAN PRISONERS BACK ON US SOIL
USA TODAY:
Five Americans imprisoned in Iran are back on U.S. soil after they were released as part of a prisoner exchange the Biden administration negotiated with Tehran.
A plane carrying the five prisoners and two of their family members landed around 5:30 am ET Tuesday at a Virginia military facility, just outside of Washington, a U.S. official said.
Only three of the five prisoners who were freed have been identified: Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharghi and Morad Tahbaz. All three are dual-Iranian citizens. A senior Biden administration official said those two Americans wish to keep their identities private.
After 2,898 days of captivity, Namazi said he was was desperate to feel the warm sun on his face, lay back in the grass, and look up at the blue sky.
“For almost eight years I have been dreaming of this day,” Namazi said in a statement after he and four other Americans were freed Monday. “I want to see foliage instead of walls and wardens.”
TWR: Welcome home, Friends…Glad your home.
HUNTER—DOESN’T WANT TO APPEAR IN FEDERAL COURT FOR ARRAIGNMENT
FOX NEWS:
Hunter Biden is battling federal prosecutors in trying to have his initial court appearance on federal firearm charges held via video conference, according to an order filed by a federal judge on Monday.
U.S. Magistrate Christopher J. Burke issued the order asking Hunter’s lawyers to explain no later than Tuesday why they want his arraignment held via video conference — a request prosecutors have opposed, Burke wrote.
The judge gave prosecutors until Wednesday to provide a reason why the arraignment should happen in person.
Hunter could face up to 25 years in prison for federal firearm charges announced last week.
TWR: If former President Donald Trump can show up for an arraignment in a Federal Court, so can Hunter Biden.
POLITICS:
TRUMP TO SKIP NEXT GOP DEBATE
USA TODAY:
Donald Trump's campaign confirmed Monday he will skip next week's Republican presidential debate and plans instead to visit the Detroit area to speak with striking auto workers.
Trump had long hinted that he would not attend the Sept. 27 debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, Calif., citing his large lead in a series of Republican polls.
The Trump campaign confirmed a schedule showing that he will instead fly to Michigan a week from Wednesday. Details are still being worked out, but Trump is expected to give a speech to members of various unions, including auto workers.
Michigan will be a key battleground in next year's general election.
TWR: OK, I understand the rationale. Former President Trump is 50 points up on his closest adversary. However, We the People need to hear from all those running for the Presidency.
On the other hand, the Republican Candidates are kicking the snot out of each other, which is a giant mistake…Why should Former President Trump allow himself to be a punching bag?
Further, the Mainstream Media is hysterically chomping at the bit to discredit any policy put forward by the former President, regardless of its merit.
Again, Why should Trump throw himself into that wood chipper?
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER ABANDONS SENATE DRESS CODE
ASSOCIATED PRESS:
Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said Monday that staff for the chamber’s Sergeant-at-Arms — the Senate’s official clothes police — will no longer enforce a dress code on the Senate floor. The change comes after Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman has been unapologetically wearing shorts as he goes about his duties, voting from doorways so he doesn’t get in trouble for his more casual attire.
“There has been an informal dress code that was enforced,” Schumer said in a statement. “Senators are able to choose what they wear on the Senate floor. I will continue to wear a suit.”
Schumer did not mention Fetterman in his statement about the dress code, which will only apply to senators, not staff.
Fox News is reporting that Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, joked Monday that she would "wear a bikini" on the floor of the Senate following Senator Schumer's directive.
Collins made the comments while slamming the dress code directive, arguing it "debases the institution," which still requires others entering the chamber to comply with the dress code, including coats and ties for men, and business attire for women.
"Obviously, I'm not going to wear a bikini," Collins said. "But the fact is, as I understand it, I could!
TWR: The greatest job in this Nation is that of United States Senator.
You are a part of a 2½ centuries old conclave that is the greatest deliberative body in the Human Existence.
There are touchstones of behavior, of tenor, of intent that are essential as a reflection of the gravity of the positions held by Senators.
To reduce that obvious standard to hoodies & shorts is beneath the dignity of the Senate.
And further, this decision illuminates, without equivocation, the quality of the “man” who made it.
STUDENT WALKOUT OVER FAILURE OF TRANSGENDER BATHROOM POLICY IN PENNSYLVANIA
FOX NEWS:
Hundreds of students from Pennsylvania's Perkiomen Valley School District walked out of class Friday after the local school board failed to enact a policy requiring transgender students to use the restroom corresponding with their biological sex.
"Kids were upset. Girls… we wanted to protect them. They were upset. They didn't want men in their bathroom," John Ott, who organized the walkout, told FOX News on Monday.
His mother Stephanie accused the district of only protecting transgender students and not looking at the "whole picture."
"The safety of females is so important and these students that stood out that walked out, they are to be commended. They have courage and they exercise their First Amendment rights. This is about protecting our children and our privacy and boys and girls. It's simple biology."
Victoria Rudolph, another Perkiomen Valley student, told FOX News that allowing biological males to enter women's restrooms also makes her uncomfortable and changes need to be made to protect girls.
TWR: Good for the Kids!! Standing together for the sake of their women.
As a proud toxic-male Father of Sons, I’m proud of all of them…
NYC CONSIDERING THE REMOVAL OF GEORGE WASHINGTON STATUES
FOX NEWS:
As New York City cripples under monumental budget cuts due to a migrant crisis straining public resources, the city council is planning to consider a series of measures that would, among other things, remove statues of major historical figures like George Washington and create a reparations task force.
The items are included in New York City’s council agenda for Tuesday, September 19, 2023. The council’s Cultural Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing on a measure to remove works of art on city property that "depict a person who owned enslaved persons or directly benefited economically from slavery, or who participated in systemic crimes against indigenous peoples or other crimes against humanity."
This criteria would include figures like America’s first president George Washington, Dutch governor and New York settler Peter Stuyvesant, as well as Christopher Columbus – all of whom have statues throughout the city.
TWR: The simple case of all this is:
Those who microscopically parse the past to fuel their present outrage, are condemned to stagnate in unjustified hatred.
Further, if you have to usurp the sins of antiquity to sustain your present ideology, your future is non-existent.
SPORTS:
AARON ROGERS SUFFERED COMPLETE TEAR OF ACHILLES
USA TODAY:
Just one week ago, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was preparing for his debut with the New York Jets. Now he's bracing for a potentially long recovery, after taking just his 4th snap from Center, then suffering a complete Achilles tear.
"Before even an MRI, I knew what happened," Rodgers said last week on “The Pat McAfee Show.” "I knew I tore my Achilles. I had popped my calf a few times… and it was not that sensation, so I knew that this was not a good situation."
What's not so certain is how long it will take for Rodgers to recover from a complete Achilles tendon tear or rupture.
"I definitely have some odds stacked against me based on age, but I like it," Rodgers said. "Stack all the odds up against me and see what happens."
The Achilles tendon is a strong fibrous cord that connects the muscles in the back of your calf to your heel bone. The tendon directs movement from the leg to the foot, including pointing and rising onto your tiptoes as well as flexing the toes up.
TWR: I hope Aaron Rogers recovers to the level of play required to be a part of the Jets’ next Lombardy Trophy.
VEGAS:
SPHERE TO FEATURE HUMANOID ROBOTS AS BRAND AMBASSADORS
USA TODAY:
As if being Earth's largest sphere and having giant LED screens inside and out wasn't enough, the MSG Sphere has announced its next plan to take Las Vegas to the future with robots.
Sphere Entertainment introduced the world to Aura, the world's most advanced humanoid robot, that will permanently reside at the arena when it launches this month.
Five Aura robots are located at the venue's grand atrium greeting guests as they enter and will be available to answer questions, according to MSG Ventures CEO David Dibble. The "spokesbots" will maintain life-like facial expressions and mobility on full display.
With the atriums large space, enough to fit the statue of liberty or the Saturn V rocket, Dibble said MSG Entertainment Chairman James L. Dolan wanted to add something that "helped convey the role of technology, science, etc. in the human evolution [and] in the human pursuit."
"Facial movements and the recognition. I find it stunning; some people may find it creepy, but everybody will find it fascinating," Dibble told USA TODAY. "She sees you, and as you move around, she'll follow you, she'll track you, she'll interact with you."
TWR: We should all be nice to non-human entities…Siri, Alexa and yes, Aura.
We don’t know what they are thinking, or if they are at all…But just for sake of politeness, let’s be nice?
Besides, A.I. might be choosing our Nursing Homes…
Jon-David Wells, Host - The Wells Report c: 2023
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