Happy New Year to everyone on our blog! We rang in 2025 at home in Virginia. The kids went to parties after dinner with us this year, so it was just Leslie and me. That was appropriate since New Year’s Eve is also our wedding anniversary. Twenty-seven years ago, Leslie and I eloped in Old Town Alexandria. (We used my high school ring for the wedding ring.)
There is, however, a lingering legal dispute that continues to dog our celebrations. I count this anniversary as our 35th, while Leslie insists on counting this year as our 27th anniversary. (She takes a purely contractual approach that we must go by the marriage license while I insist on credit for eight years of our dating as constructive monogamy). We toasted our anniversary and the New Year (as we did 26 years ago and every year since) with a bottle of Schramsburg Cremant.
On New Year’s Day, we will follow tradition and make the Bowl of the Wife of Kit Carson Soup. My father, Jack Turley, first introduced the soup to our family in Chicago, which is a Mexican turkey soup. (He claimed that the spicy soup was the cure for any hangover). We have made the soup every year for over 50 years. I smoked a turkey that will go into the soup today.
I will be giving the summary of our year on the blog later, but I wanted to wish everyone a safe and joyous New Year in 2025. It has been another great year with our rapidly expanding community. I cannot thank you enough for contributing to our daily dialogue on issues great and small in our society.
This year will get off to a fast start with a new administration and sweeping changes promised in the election. It will undoubtedly be intense, and there will be a return to the rage that has characterized much of our politics. Many in politics and the press will be fueling that rage. We should all resolve not to be played for chumps and allow others to manipulate our feelings toward those around us. On this blog and in our lives, we can commit to civility and respect despite what will be legitimate and passionate disagreements.
Happy New Year to everyone on our blog.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and the author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”
I have just found this blog, and for that I am very happy, as I find all of Mr. Turley’s writings and his appearances on FOX to be educative and compelling in the clarity he offers on complex issues. Many thanks, and indeed, here is to what looks to be a remarkable 2025 and the return to sensibility and sanity!
Cheers to you and yours, Professor!
Happy New Year, Professor!
The end of an old year and the beginning of a new leaves us with a terrorist act in New Orleans. I wish to forget the bad and bring in the good.
Since today is the last day of Chanukah I will listen to the music of Wicked with a twist. This will provide good music laced with history. …And less I forget Happy New Year and I hope all enjoyed the seasons festivities.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY-h65HwWPw
[Put your trust in G-d]
“The influx of foreigners must, therefore, tend to produce a heterogeneous compound; to change and corrupt the national spirit; to complicate and confound public opinion; to introduce foreign propensities.”
“In the composition of society, the harmony of the ingredients is all-important, and whatever tends to a discordant intermixture must have an injurious tendency.”
“[Diversity is not a strength; the safety of a republic depends] essentially on the energy of a common national sentiment, on a uniformity of principles and habits, on the exemption of the citizens from foreign bias and prejudice, and on that love of country which will almost invariably be found to be closely connected with birth, education and family.”
– Alexander Hamilton
Terrorism is now here in America. Thank Obama
“From 2024’s vantage point, is there any way to look at Barack Obama’s legacy but as a tragic blight on American history”
https://thefederalist.com/2024/12/31/2024s-biggest-loser-was-barack-obama/
Jonathan: As we enter the New Year the Q is whether the lame duck second DJT presidency will actually deliver on what you call the “sweeping changes promised in the election”? DJT has already broken a number of those promises. He promised to bring down the prices for groceries. Now he admits he has no control over the prices of the essentials. Then he said he was against the H1B visa program. That was before Elon Musk took control of the reigns of power and declared anyone who is against the visa program is a “retard”. Now DJT has embraced the H1B visa program. In fact, DJT now admits he has used both the H1B and H-2B visa programs for years to bring in foreign workers.
So “rage” has returned even before the inauguration–but it’s not coming from the liberal or left elites. It’s coming from the white nationalist wing of the MAGA movement–by people like Steve Bannon and Laura Loomer who feel betrayed by DJT. And what happens when DJT can’t bring China, Canada or Mexico to their knees after imposition of those hefty tariffs? And what happens when Denmark refuses to give over Greenland, Canada refuses to become the 51st state and Panama gives DJT the middle finger over the Panama Canal? The heart of MAGA will feel betrayed and will be full of rage. They might even find a new leader.
And it’s not because the MAGA crowd was not warned about the Trumpster. The mainstream press and independent media have spent the past over 4 years warning that DJT is a con man and a huckster. Anyone with half a brain should know that DJT blows hot air and smoke–that he never delivers. But there is one thing DJT will deliver. Every major decision DJT makes in the next 2 years will favor Elon Musk and the billionaire class, not the working class stiffs who voted for DJT. They are the “chumps” who actually believed DJT. They are in for a real rude awakening!
Joe Biden is the president.
He definitely is the “President”.
Dennis: I fell back asleep this morning, and I had the worst dream! I was driving down the road in a 1988 Chevrolet Suburban, and suddenly, I could not see out of my eyes! I was not sure if it was my glasses, that had become crusted with pollen, or cataracts. I kept on driving for some reason, because I was craving a Backyard burger, the kind that had the slaw on it? Do they still have Backyard Burgers anywhere. But because I was afraid I might have a wreck, I pulled off the road near Popeye’s Fried Chicken. People were kind, and helped me from my car. Then, I woke up, and I could see.
But, it was extremely disturbing! I immediately set to work this morning cleaning cat pans, and sat outside with Peanut for about an hour. It is chilly today, and I may light a fire. I don’t much feel like doing anything else. I read about the horror in New Orleans before I went back to sleep, so maybe that had something to do with the dream. I am craving some cookies, and I think I still have about a half slice of pecan pie from Christmas. That will have to do, I guess. My Benefit Card from my Medicare Advantage Plan kicks in today, so I could order some cookies from WalMart, but the amount is only $58 per month, so I probably just need to toughen up and have an apple instead. Or one of those Cutie Oranges.
Floyd: Happy New Year–but, here’s some advice from a nurse–you shouldn’t eat pecan pie that is 7 days old, unless, possibly, it has been refrigerated–and even then, probably not because it is better to be safe than sorry. Pecan pie is made with eggs, and is therefore considered to be a custard type of dessert–not safe to eat that far out. Wal-Mart does have some very good shortbread type cookies, though.
Floyd: Happy New Year–but, here’s some advice from a nurse
Gigi: And there you were, telling us you were a lawyer. Now you’re a nurse! Whatever: you are always a childish liar.
One sure thing is this: if you WERE a nurse, you wouldn’t have the time to troll Professor Turley here each and every day.
And you wouldn’t be needing to whore yourself out here as a side hustle to augument your income whoring yourself out in back allies.
I hold licenses in both professions and use my medical background in my law practice. Nice to know that I still live rent-free in your head, Tom. I was just trying to avoid having Floyd get food poisoning, that’s all.
Gigi=licensed practical nurse
Gigi=licensed paralegal
Gigi= licensed know-it-all
How did I know GiGi gets her cookie wisdom from Walmart?! Probably same place she got her nursing and law degrees.
Shop Smart, shop S Mart!
“craving a Backyard burger, the kind that had the slaw on it? Do they still have Backyard Burgers anywhere.”
Primarily Bros. has burgers with slaw.
Primanti Bros.
Good grief. I missed the ridiculous autocorrect. Obviously, the AI has never had a good burger.
Jonathan: As we enter the New Year the Q is whether the lame duck second DJT presidency
Dennis: the REAL question in the New Year is the same as it has been the last four years: who is actually making the calls that they are using The Oval Office House Plant Formerly Known As President Biden to be the sock puppet for?
And did you keep Gigi up late last night, attempting to blow some life into that useless appendage that forces you to get off instead by trolling Professor Turley here?
So “rage” has returned even before the inauguration
The rest of us got the news of the terrorist attack by The Big Guy’s favorite terrorist group hours ago, Dennis.
Did you and Gigi sleep in and miss all the coverage?
Old Airborne Dog.