Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Quick Hits: Volume CCCLXXI

 - It's shouldn't be all that shocking when a certain Soros-backed county prosecutor (who once looked to charge a state trooper with manslaughter without weighing exculpatory evidence) goes soft on property crime when the suspect is aligned with her politically. 


A progressive prosecutor is declining to charge a Minnesota state employee after he was caught on camera allegedly causing an estimated $20,000 worth of damages to Tesla vehicles in protest of billionaire Elon Musk.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s office is seeking diversion for Minnesota Department of Human Service employee Dylan Adams after he allegedly vandalized at least six Teslas in Minneapolis while walking his dog.

“This is an approach taken in many property crime cases and helps to ensure the individual keeps their job and can pay restitution, as well as reducing the likelihood of repeat offenses,” the DA’s office told CBS News.

If the vandalism continues, the County Attorney’s office would not rule out charges. Progressive County Attorney Mary Moriarty took office in 2023 and has faced strong criticism for her soft-on-crime approach. On several occasions, Moriarty has shown leniency to violent criminals, including suspects charged with murder and sexual assault, leading to disputes with prosecutors and outrage among victims’ families.


So glad I live in Anoka County, where our County Attorney Brad Johnson made a very definitive statement


Just so that no one gets any silly ideas in the North Metro from this story. Offenders who commit a crime spree causing tens of thousands in damages to multiple victims will not be approved for pre-charge diversion in Anoka County. This is especially true if the lawlessness is politically motivated.

Pre-charge diversion can be a very useful tool to deal with people - especially those that are immediately remorseful - who make a stupid mistake or commit isolated crimes when under some type of distress. That was not this. It makes it worse that the offender is a State employee in a position of public trust. He would likely become a felon in Anoka County.

If anyone gets the urge to damage cars or other property as a political statement ... please think again ... the First Amendment is not a defense to criminal misconduct. And we have enough on our hands right now.

Remember. Treat your neighbors like you would like to be treated.


Moral clarity at its finest!



- The ilk who'd like you to believe that literal children should have the absolute right to transition to a different gender will also tell ya that some legal adults (specifically ages 18 thru 20) should not be able to exercise their Constitutional right to own a firearm. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison is part of said ilk. Thankfully, the judicial branch essentially told him he was flat out wrong regarding the latter


The United States Supreme Court today declined to hear Keith Ellison’s appeal in Worth v. Jacobson, leaving intact lower‑court decisions that struck down the state’s 21+ age requirement for carry permits. This denial ends the litigation and confirms that law‑abiding 18‑ to 20‑year‑old Minnesotans are entitled to the same Second Amendment rights as every other adult.

“This is a resounding victory for 18-20-year-old adults who wish to exercise their constitutional right to bear arms,” stated Bryan Strawser, Chair, Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus.

“Politicians should carefully consider the legal ramifications of infringing on Second Amendment rights,” added Rob Doar, Senior Vice President & Political Director. “The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus and its allies will relentlessly pursue legal action against any unconstitutional measures introduced in Minnesota.”


Eternal vigilance pays off yet again. 



- Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88. 


My former Northern Alliance Radio Network colleague (and staunch Catholic) Ed Morrissey weighed in some aspects of Francis' legacy.  


I recall especially the reaction of the Argentine journalists in the press annex when the name (Francis) got announced, and the general sense of optimism that resulted after the bewilderment that came from Pope Benedict XVI's surprise retirement. Pope Francis' first moves to shed some of the pomp and ceremony in favor of a more pastoral approach generated even more enthusiasm.

However, that began to fade when Francis' "openly political" approach began to emerge, as my friend Frank Rocca writes above. Some of that was overblown; as I often wrote, the worst words to start off a Catholic journalist's day was a news report that began "Pope Francis said today," as it nearly always would be followed by something he hadn't actually said. The experience at the 2014 Synod on the Family was an Orwellian peek at this kind of misreporting (which I also covered from the Vatican press office).

Often enough, though, Francis' actual statements and writings generated considerable and legitimate controversy. That was especially true in the US, where the pope's observations on US policies confounded friends and opponents alike. Immigration policies were only one aspect of this; conservatives demanded more support for the fight against abortion, and liberals expected Francis to rewrite doctrine on ordination of women, divorce and remarriage, and especially on LGBTQ demands.


I'm not the least bit Catholic, but my impression is the faith is currently seeing its predominate growth occurring among traditionalists. I shared this observation with a couple in their 60s who happen to be lifelong Catholics. This is what the wife texted me: 


(Y)ou are absolutely 100% spot on. The traditionalists in the Catholic Church are exploding, especially in the young people. And boy do I see it every weekend. I cantor at our church and have the distinction of being in the 'front row seat' in terms of seeing the congregation. (T)he amount of young families with pregnant moms already with several small children, women wearing dresses and chapel veils has gone up exponentially. 😳

I worry that the Vatican is going to double down and pick another pope like Francis and try to alienate more Catholics. But it's only making the younger ones more staunch. It's going to be very interesting what happens next.


Ed also points out in a different piece that Francis appointed at least half of the voting cardinals that will participate in this conclave. Will the priority be to acknowledge the appetite for tradition or to perpetuate Francis' worldview? 


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