DL Open Thread: Saturday, December 31, 2022

Ex-Pope Benedict Dies.  Lied About Knowledge Of Pedophile Priests:

The former pope Benedict XVI has admitted providing false information to a German inquiry into clerical sexual abuse.

Benedict, who resigned as the global leader of the Roman Catholic church in 2013, said on Monday that he had attended a meeting with local church officials in 1980 to discuss a suspected paedophile priest. He blamed a previous written statement to German investigators – in which he said he was absent from the meeting – on an editorial error.

His admission comes four days after a report on the investigation claimed that Benedict had failed to take action against four priests accused of child sexual abuse when he was archbishop of Munich, a position the then cardinal, Josef Ratzinger, held between 1977 and 1982, and that his denial of being at the meeting in question lacked credibility.

To me, that’s his legacy. Feel free to defend ‘His Holiness’.  I won’t. Condolences to Monsignor Greg Lavelle, though. The ranks of defenders of pedophile priests grow ever thinner.

Barbara Walters Dies.  Not sure of her legacy.  Turning celebrity gossip into news?  You tell me.

Trump’s Tax Returns.  Let’s see–turns out he had bank account in China until at least 2017 (while he was President), and turns out the IRS didn’t conduct mandatory audits (I wonder why). More, no doubt, to follow.

Will George Santos Last Long Enough To Cast His Vote For Kevin McCarthy?  Turns out the House votes for Speaker even before new members are sworn in, so maybe.  Won’t last much beyond that though. E-clip-‘n-save.

My Kind Of Year-End Wrap-Up. I LOL’d.  An excerpt:

Viewed exclusively in terms of electability in a Republican primary, Mike Pence is like if Tim Pawlenty and Judas had a baby, but following politics in this day and age means consuming periodic masturbatory think pieces about his future in the party that tried to lynch him. It was Politico’s turn this week, but maybe we’ll get a real treat someday soon, and he’ll sit down with Chuck Todd to discuss Mother’s point of view on whether or not an encounter with Ashli Babbitt would’ve counted as being alone with another woman.

Biden Poised To Seat Large And Diverse Set Of Judges.  Can’t undo the harm Trump did, though.  But, Warnock’s victory in Georgia will hasten the process:

In addition to their sizable numbers, Biden’s judicial nominees are notable for their racial, gender and professional diversity – particularly considering how long the highest US courts have been dominated by white men. Nearly three-quarters of Biden’s court nominees have been women, and almost two-thirds have been people of color. Biden has also made a point to nominate many former public defenders and civil rights lawyers, who have been historically underrepresented among federal judges.

With Raphael Warnock’s victory in the Georgia special election this month, Democrats will gain a seat on the judiciary committee. Even with Kyrsten Sinema’s unexpected announcement this month that she will change her party affiliation to independent, Democrats are still expected to have majorities on Senate committees.

“We can breathe a sigh of relief,” Schumer said the day after Warnock’s victory. “Obviously judges and nominees will be a lot easier to put on the bench.”

More Stoopid Ex-Cop Trix.  Meet Milford’s former police chief:

A man who once served as Police Chief of Milford is charged with making several threats, and shooting at three different cars.

Delaware State Police said troopers responded to a report that a man had walked away from his home carrying a firearm in a bag, and called a relative saying he was going to shoot someone. The gunfire occurred when family members approached him. No one who was driving the vehicles was struck and no injuries were reported.

65-year-old E. Keith Hudson was taken into custody, and to a hospital for treatment. Police also said Hudson threatened to kill three troopers while he was at the hospital.

Mr. Hudson had served as Milford’s police chief from 2003 to his retirement from the department in 2016. He had been with the City of Milford Police Department since 1977.

Just think–if he’d done this while still a cop, LEOBOR would have protected him from prosecution.

What do you want to talk about?