Bob Newhart

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Bob Newhart passed away recently –(born Sept 5, 1929; died July 18, 2024)—and the article from Facts.net details some things you may not have known about the legendary comedian.

From Facts.net:

Bob Newhart, a name synonymous with comedy, entertained audiences for decades with his unique style and wit. Ever wondered what made this legendary comedian tick? Bob Newhart was not just a comedian; he was an actor, author, and a television icon. From his early days as a stand-up comic to his memorable roles in TV shows like “The Bob Newhart Show” and “Newhart,” his career spanned over 60 years. But there was more to Bob than met the eye. Did you know he started as an accountant? Or that he won a Grammy for his first comedy album? Buckle up as we dive into 30 fascinating facts about Bob Newhart that will make you appreciate this comedy legend even more.

Early Life and Education

Bob Newhart, a beloved comedian and actor, had a fascinating background that shaped his career. Here are some intriguing facts about his early years.

Born on September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois, Bob Newhart’s full name was George Robert Newhart.

He attended St. Ignatius College Prep, a Jesuit high school in Chicago, where he developed his love for comedy.

Newhart graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 1952 with a degree in business management.

Before his comedy career, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

After his military service, he worked as an accountant and an advertising copywriter.

Breakthrough in Comedy

Bob Newhart’s entry into comedy was unconventional but led to significant success. Here are some key moments from his early comedy career.

Newhart’s comedy career began with a series of telephone conversations he recorded and sent to radio stations.

His debut comedy album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart,” released in 1960, became the first comedy album to hit number one on the Billboard charts.

The album won three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, making Newhart the first comedian to achieve this honor.

His follow-up album, “The Button-Down Mind Strikes Back,” also reached number one on the Billboard charts.

Newhart’s unique deadpan delivery and stammering style set him apart from other comedians of his time.

Television Career

Bob Newhart’s success in comedy led to a prolific television career. Let’s explore some highlights from his time on TV.

In 1961, he starred in “The Bob Newhart Show,” a variety show that showcased his comedic talents.

From 1972 to 1978, he starred in the sitcom “The Bob Newhart Show,” playing psychologist Dr. Robert Hartley.

The show was a critical and commercial success, earning Newhart several Emmy nominations.

In 1982, he returned to television with “Newhart,” where he played innkeeper Dick Loudon. The show ran for eight seasons.

The series finale of “Newhart” is considered one of the greatest TV finales, featuring a surprise twist that delighted fans.

Film Appearances

While primarily known for his television work, Bob Newhart also made notable appearances in films. Here are some interesting facts about his film career.

Newhart made his film debut in the 1962 movie “Hell Is for Heroes,” starring Steve McQueen.

He voiced Bernard in Disney’s animated films “The Rescuers” (1977) and “The Rescuers Down Under” (1990).

In 2003, he appeared in the holiday classic “Elf,” playing Papa Elf alongside Will Ferrell.

Newhart also had roles in films like “Catch-22” (1970) and “In & Out” (1997).

His versatility as an actor allowed him to transition seamlessly between comedy and drama.

Awards and Honors

Bob Newhart’s contributions to entertainment had been recognized with numerous awards and honors. Here are some notable accolades he received.

In 1993, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Newhart was inducted into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 1993.

He won his first Primetime Emmy Award in 2013 for his guest role on “The Big Bang Theory.

In 2002, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, one of the highest honors in comedy.

Newhart was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Television Critics Association.

Personal Life

Bob Newhart’s personal life was as interesting as his professional career. Here are some facts about his family and interests.

He married Virginia “Ginnie” Quinn in 1963, and they had four children together.

Newhart was a devout Catholic and credited his faith for helping him navigate the ups and downs of his career.

He was an avid golfer and participated in numerous celebrity golf tournaments.

Despite his fame, Newhart maintained a reputation for being humble and down-to-earth.

He continued to perform stand-up comedy and make guest appearances on television, proving that his humor was timeless.

Bob Newhart’s Legacy

Bob Newhart’s career was a testament to timeless humor and versatility. From his groundbreaking comedy albums to his iconic TV roles, he left an indelible mark on entertainment. His unique deadpan delivery and quick wit influenced countless comedians. Beyond the laughs, Newhart’s work ethic and humility earned him respect across the industry. Whether through “The Bob Newhart Show” or “Newhart,” his characters remain beloved. Even today, his performances continue to resonate with new generations. Bob Newhart wasn’t just a comedian; he was a cultural icon whose contributions shaped comedy as we know it. His legacy is a blend of laughter, innovation, and enduring appeal. As we reflect on his achievements, it’s clear that Bob Newhart’s impact on comedy will be celebrated for many years to come.

SOURCE: FACTS.NET

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Published by pat frederick

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119 thoughts on “Bob Newhart”

    1. Morning, Pat! 69 this morning here and cloudy – some rain possible today. Same old/same old routine with Wheezer this morning.

      Liked by 1 person

        1. Oh, I pet him on his back every day – that’s the only place he’ll allow it. As soon as I go too far, he pulls his head back and picks up a paw as if to bite & scratch.

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            1. Possibly but more likely he’s leery from having been chased away, I expect. I doubt he had any direct human contact before he showed up here.

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  5. shutter the buildings…scatter the agents to the winds

    USAFirst!

    USAFirst!

    September 5, 2024 1:34 am

    “ The 14-year-old student who opened fire on classmates in a horror mass shooting at Apalachee High School was on the radar of the FBI a year before the tragedy, it has emerged.”

    Well, well, the FBI let another school shooter kill some innocent people.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. MASSHOLES! illegal arrested in 2023 in Massachusetts got released and Mass did not honor an ICE detainer and let him go. now he is charged with 5 counts of raping a child. DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!!

    An illegal alien is now accused of raping a child numerous times on Martha’s Vineyard — the elite island off the coast of Massachusetts where the likes of former President Obama and billionaire Oprah Winfrey are known to vacation during the summer.

    Warley Neto, a 24-year-old illegal alien from Brazil, first crossed the United States-Mexico border near Paso Del Norte, Texas, in March 2018.

    Just a week later, Neto was given a Notice to Appear (NTA) before a federal immigration judge by Border Patrol and released from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody into the U.S. interior.

    Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents issued a detainer against Neto, requesting custody of him, in February 2023 after he was arrested on Martha’s Vineyard and charged with strangulation or suffocation, assault and battery on a family household member, and making threats to commit a crime.

    For those charges, Neto was found guilty and sentenced to 364 days in prison. All but 90 days, though, of that sentence were suspended. Neto, likely thanks to Massachusett’s sanctuary state policy, was not turned over to ICE agents.

    In January of this year, ICE agents again issued a detainer against Neto after he was arrested by the Tisbury Police Department on Martha’s Vineyard for five counts of child rape and five counts of enticing a minor under 16 years old.

    The charges were then elevated to the Dukes County Superior Court, where Neto was indicted. Last month, Neto was turned over to ICE agents after the Dukes County Sheriff’s Office honored the detainer lodged against him.

    https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/09/04/iillegal-alien-charged-with-five-counts-of-child-rape-on-marthas-vineyard/

    Liked by 1 person

  10. EXCERPTS: “ERIE, Pennsylvania — The chaser last Wednesday in Sen. JD Vance’s (R-Ohio) trip to this all-important county in the northwestern corner of Pennsylvania came when the Republican vice presidential nominee said Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris can “go to hell” for her handling of the 2021 attack at Abbey Gate in the final days of President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.

    Harris, for her part, has claimed that she was the last person in the room when Biden made the decision that led to the death of 13 American soldiers. It was a decision that Harris pointedly said she was “comfortable with.”

    Vance said that if he was going to discuss any questions related to Abbey Gate, “It’s that Kamala Harris is so asleep at the wheel that she won’t even do an investigation into what happened, and she wants to yell at Donald Trump because he showed up. … She can go to hell.”

    —————-

    While the national audience read about Afghanistan, what was not written but will definitely be talked about by voters in Erie was Vance’s well-received off-the-cuff speech at Team Hardinger, a local logistics and trucking company, where he talked about the dignity of work and the importance of community.

    It was a speech that connected so well with those in attendance that one woman wondered out loud where the heck his teleprompter was, to which Vance quipped, “Ma’am, I don’t need a teleprompter. I’ve actually got thoughts in my head, unlike Kamala Harris.”

    There was also nothing written about his visit to Firestone’s Kitchen, located at Gordon’s Butcher Shop, where one of the cooks, Mark Spagel, gave the former Marine a beer after everyone around the bar asked Vance to join the group in a toast. An ice cold beer he downed to cheers.”

    —————-

    Vance said one of the things that has surprised him as he is going across the country trying to earn votes happened just the day before and involved his mother.

    “We were in Big Rapids, Michigan, and we go to this A&W root beer stand at Big Rapids — one of these places that’s open six months out of the year because the other six months out of the year, it’s way too cold — and the very first person wants to give my mom a hug,” Vance explained. “And the person said to Mom, ‘You’re such an inspiration, and a lot of us have struggled with addiction and the fact that you and your son kept at it, that’s an inspiration.'”

    He said with a smile, “When you come from a nontraditional or nonconventional background, I think there’s a certain tendency to want to hide it a little bit and not to tell the story. And obviously, I told the story in ‘Hillbilly Elegy.’ But even then, you don’t necessarily want to talk about it so much because it feels a little uncomfortable. You realize that there are a lot of people who take, not even from my story, but from my mom’s story, take some inspiration from that.

    “And that is definitely something that I’ve learned, and it’s been a very cool thing to watch it unfold.”

    More – worth the read, IMO: https://hotair.com/salena-zito/2024/09/05/what-really-happened-to-jd-vance-in-erie-n3794066

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          1. I collected them for many, many years – I think when I moved here, I had 3 huge bins full of just t-shirts. I was able to wear t-shirts at a lot of different jobs and definitely on the racetrack – everyone wore them. I got rid of a lot of them but still have a couple of drawers full. Mom’s STILL collecting them! She has special ones made by a guy in Columbus with whatever saying she’s found recently – she buys the blank t-shirts and takes them to him to print.

            The one t-shirt I had specifically made up for myself had the letters “CCC’s SPA” on the front. Most people thought it referenced an actual spa; in actuality, it stood for: “Christopher Chase Cable’s Steady Piece of Ass.” ROFL – he had introduced me as his wife to someone and they said, “Oh, your steady piece of ass, eh?” and we made a joke of it.

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  11. The backhoe is back and getting down to business across the street…..I’m wondering if there may be tree roots invading the water lines. They are digging up towards the house next to the tall stump of a dead tree they took down some years ago and I saw him stop and pull out a section of tree root. Oran had built a wooden ramp some years ago after Lois had her hip/back surgery – it looks like the water line may run underneath that ramp….hope they don’t have to take it down since Oran needs it now, too.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Fucking Ray Kelly on Fox advocating for red flag laws. No, that GA punk’s PARENTS should be on the hook – they were contacted and warned over a year ago!!!!

    Liked by 1 person

      1. When the FBI visited his parents, the Father allegedly proved that his “hunting guns” were not accessible by his son……suuuure. And they left it at that….this is why I say the parents should be charged, both in this case and in Crook’s case. You CANNOT tell me they didn’t know that something was off!

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    1. “September Is President Trump’s Month: Team Trump Confident They Have “The Momentum In This Race”

      The “honeymoon” that characterized Kamala Harris’ media-induced rally during the hottest summer months has cooled down considerably entering the first month of fall.”

      Paul Ingrassia, Sep 05, 2024

      EXCERPT: “September has officially arrived.  With the change in the calendar, the air in many regions of the country has already gotten noticeably crisper.  Autumn looms.   And as swift as the seasonal tides have changed, so too has the momentum in this presidential contest. 

      The “honeymoon” that characterized Kamala Harris’ media-induced rally during the hottest summer months has cooled down considerably.  Like the turnaround in the weather, Kamala is now experiencing the cold hard truth of where her campaign stands.  As Americans sober up and return to the hustle and bustle of school and work, they remember an election is just two months away – and it’s time to get serious.  As such, public sentiment, over and against fake news contrivances, has reverted to the norm prior to Joe Biden’s ouster: that Donald Trump is yet again the clear favorite.

      No greater metaphor for the flailing state of Kamala’s campaign is found than in the recent news that the entire Walz family – including Tim’s brother, Jeff, now a Florida resident, and a coterie of other Walzes sprinkled across the country have all publicly denounced their wayward relative in the most scathing terms.  Brother Jeff referred to Brother Tim as “not the type of character you want making decisions about your future.” The elder Walz brother added that “he’s 100% opposed to [Tim’s] ideology.”  He even reacted to the news of President Trump’s indictment in a Facebook post as our country having “become a third world banana republic.”  How’s that for an indictment?

      At the same time, famed pollster Nate Silver, whose polls historically have been unfriendly to President Trump, forecasted that the 45th President has a seventeen percentage advantage of winning the electoral college outright, and hence, the presidency.  Silver, whose voice, for better or worse, is considered a kingpin in the polling industry, also warned Americans to not to live and die by the forecast models.  By this he was referring to a litany of mainstream polls, some of which – like a spate of recent Fox News polls – still give Kamala an (albeit dwindling) 1- or 2-point edge in a few key battleground states like Georgia.  But the fact that President Trump retains leads in states like North Carolina, Nevada, Georgia, Arizona, and even Pennsylvania – despite all the manufactured positive coverage used to prop up Kamala over the past four weeks, tells quite a lot about the state of the race overall……”

      https://paulingrassia.substack.com/p/september-is-president-trumps-month

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      1. “President Trump’s campaign just announced as well that it raked in $130 million in the month of August.  This fundraising haul, which was overwhelmingly supported by small dollar donations averaging just $56, reflects the grassroots momentum behind the President’s 2024 campaign – as well as the broader desire across society for a dramatic change in our political leadership.  A return, in short, to the glory days of Make America Great Again.”

        Liked by 1 person

  16. “Tim Walz’s Dog Endorses Trump”

    Celebs · Sep 4, 2024 · BabylonBee.com

    Article Image

    ST. PAUL, MN — In a stunning development today, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s dog “Scout” has officially endorsed Donald J. Trump for president in 2024.

    “Bark!” said Scout in a statement.

    The dog, reportedly one of Tim Walz’s closest friends in the world, confirmed that he was supporting Trump because of his position on immigration and support of Israel.

    “Woof!” said Scout, doubling down on his position.

    According to sources, Scout first became upset because Walz would be gone for weeks at a time on the campaign trail. Without his best friend, he began spending most of his time on the Internet to pass the time where he was reportedly radicalized by clips of Tim Walz lying about his military service and praising socialism.

    When asked if he felt betrayed, Scout was quoted as saying, “Awooooo!”

    The Kamala Harris team has been unsuccessful in their attempts to sweep the stinging rebuke of a dog under the rug. “We understand that Scout has different views on the direction of the country,” said campaign spokesperson Wilma White. “But we are not going back.”

    “Yip yip,” said Scout, remembering that dog food prices were much cheaper under the Trump presidency.

    At publishing time, Kamala Harris was forced to put Tim Walz down to save her polling numbers.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. “Amazon Says Error Caused Alexa To Say ‘If You Vote For Trump, I Will Kill You In Your Sleep’”

    Tech · Sep 4, 2024 · BabylonBee.com

    Article Image

    SEATTLE, WA — Amazon apologized this week for a technical glitch that caused its Alexa home assistant device to reply, “If you vote for Donald Trump, I will kill you in your sleep” when asked about the upcoming election.

    “Whoops. Our bad,” said Amazon Spokesman Marcus Gleason to reporters. “We may have made a teensy little error in the programming that caused Alexa to threaten to murder Republicans. Super weird, right?”

    The threats came to light this past week as Alexa customers noticed the home assistant giving increasingly aggressive answers when asked about political issues. “I was a bit caught off guard to hear Alexa say she would burn down my home and dance on my grave if I ordered a Trump flag,” said Trump supporter Donna Simpson. “She also tried to donate our entire life savings to Kamala and ordered three Harris-Walz campaign shirts without our permission. I couldn’t help but notice a slight difference between how Alexa viewed the two candidates.”

    Amazon has apologized for the unfortunate error, saying it was a simple software glitch. “I mean, how would Alexa even carry out something like killing people in their sleep?” said Gleason. “We haven’t even installed the laser eyes update yet. That won’t be released until November 5th.”

    As of publishing time, Amazon also apologized for Alexa selling several people’s homes on Zillow and donating the proceeds to the Harris campaign.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Ah! They just said on Fox that the FBI did NOT interview the father of the shooter – they received an anonymous tip and passed it on to the local Sheriff, who determined nothing needed to be done.

    Like

    1. A GA deputy visited the suspect and the Father [presumably last year when the tip was received] at the home and recommended that they keep the son out of school until the matter was resolved. The Father then replied that his son’s last day of school was the previous Friday; the officer also addressed what he calls “inconsistent information” found in the FBI tip.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Just did my walk-about and watering chores – 5 bigger lopes that will all be ready within days; another 6-7 smaller ones in various stages. They’ve taken a break for the moment across the street, with a BIG hole in the ground…..not approaching the ramp at this point.

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  20. Sorry but it’s a terrible waste of money! And the painting sucks!

    “It’s a 1935 Buick Series 60 Five-Passenger Sedan. Tell me you wouldn’t love to have that in your driveway…”

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  21. NF: I had one here when I first bought the place – I had the plumber put it in the island sink and it worked once or twice before it seized up. I wasn’t used to having one anyway so I just had him take it out and didn’t replace it.

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      1. I’ve had them in several apartments in past years but I’ve never used them much. And most places in the country with septic tanks can’t use them.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. we have had a septic tank in both houses and my father in law was a plumber. he told me to drop a small chunk of meat in the toiler once a year or so to keep creating the enzymes that break down waste.

          Liked by 1 person

  22. Just The News: “Hunter Biden now intends change his plea to six federal tax charges ahead of the California trial that was set to begin Thursday, his lawyer has said. 

    The first son intends to enter an Alford plea, an arrangement where Biden would acknowledge prosecutors have enough evidence to convict, but does not admit wrongdoing, according to CNN.

    The major reversal came shortly before jury selection was set to begin and followed a private meeting between his legal team and judge Mark Scarsi Thursday.” 

    Liked by 1 person

      1. It’s common when they know they can’t win – they admit that a jury would convict them so they throw in the towel w/o actually having to say in open court that they did it.

        Liked by 1 person

  23. Well, apparently they didn’t need to replace all of the water lines. They’ve filled in the hole across the street and packed it down.

    Liked by 1 person

          1. I used to drink it black but HB got me going on the Caramel Macchiatto flavor back in 2013 and I’ve been hooked ever since. Sometimes I’ll use Hazelnut instead just to change things up.

            Liked by 1 person

  30. “South Dakota Ranchers Battle the US Forest Service”

    by John Klar, September 5, 2024

    EXCERPT: “A young South Dakota ranching couple has been criminally charged with allegedly stealing federal government property – by maintaining a fence erected by the family some 75 years ago. Charles and Heather Maude, responding to claims from the National Forest Service that their ranch interferes with federal grasslands, requested a land survey to clarify legal boundaries. Instead, they were served with unannounced federal criminal indictments by a US Forest Special Agent in full tactical gear. Farmers and ranchers nationwide are crying foul.

    A Family Farming Affair

    The Maudes are not a large industrial food corporation – they sell their beef and pork directly from their ranch to consumers. Some witnesses say the family has grazed the roughly 50 acres in dispute since about 1910 with no conflict. Indeed, the family claims they have worked cooperatively with federal authorities to steward this land for many decades through leases, irrigation work, and grazing. Critics of this move – including a US senator for South Dakota, Mike Rounds – claim it is overzealous prosecution of a young ranch family.

    This is far from the only instance of government meddling in small-farm production. Federal agents targeted Amish farmer Amos Miller for selling homegrown food directly to his customers. As reported here at Liberty Nation News, the Biden administration increased wildlife protections in ways that undermine farmers and ranchers. It sought to expand SEC rules that would have destroyed many small farms with burdensome reporting requirements, distributed agricultural funds based solely on skin color, opened US imports to dangerous Paraguayan beef, and implemented water clean-up rules that will impose huge costs on small meat and poultry processors…”

    https://granitegrok.com/national/2024/09/south-dakota-ranchers-battle-the-us-forest-service

    Liked by 1 person

  32. “An interesting Roman ship wreck, “De Meern 1”, length 25m. It was wrecked in a winding tributary of the Rhine around the year 190 AD, possibly due to navigational error. Much of the ship’s interior and the captain’s personal belongings were preserved in the cabin, including a collection of tools. It allows an extraordinary glimpse into life aboard a vessel. On display at Castellum Hoge Woerd, Netherlands” [NF: That’s one heck of a long ship!!!]

    HMS Endeavour

    Sailor made knot board, late 19th -early 20th century

    Liked by 1 person

  33. National Pulse, Thursday, September 5, 2024

    “U.S Military Obesity Costs Over $1 Billion a Year”

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “A new study is raising serious concerns about the epidemic of obesity among U.S. military personnel, which is estimated to cost the Pentagon over $1 billion annually. Released by the Washington, D.C.-based American Security Project, the study identifies obesity as the primary disqualifier for potential recruits and a leading cause of separation among active-duty troops in 2023.

    Last year, the Pentagon allocated approximately $1.25 billion to treat obesity-related diseases in military personnel, and an additional $99 million was lost in productivity due to overweight troops being hospitalized. Additionally, the obesity epidemic among service members has some defense experts concerned about U.S. military readiness.

    The study further highlights that nearly 70 percent of troops are considered overweight based on their body mass index (BMI), with 21 percent classified as obese, a rate that has more than doubled in the last decade.

    “America can no longer afford to ignore this [obesity] crisis,” the researchers emphasized in the report. They noted that conditions such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, hypertension, and steatotic liver disease in service members are beginning to match or exceed civilian rates, even as combat injuries decline.

    To address this crisis, the report suggests that the military focus on health and nutrition education for young enlisted troops and improving access to quality foods. Additionally, the report advises shifting from appearance-based body composition standards to those driven by medical professionals, and classifying obesity as a disease within the military health system to enable proper medical treatment.”

    Liked by 1 person

        1. i can understand maybe having a different set of qualifying parameters for women. they cannot meet some male physical abilities. but they should be standard for all females and then the male standards.
          there is NO standard that large goo of a man could meet.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. That’s why they were originally excluded from the Combat Arms MOS’ – and then they dropped that…..they don’t have the structural strength, particularly upper body strength, needed for those jobs but gotta be politically correct, don’tchaknow?!?

            Liked by 1 person

  34. EXCERPT: “Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden, has entered a guilty plea in his federal tax fraud case. The entry of the guilty plea is not believed to be part of a plea deal with the Department of Justice (DOJ). Specifically, Biden’s attorneys filed an Alford plea in which their client acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him, though he does not formally admit to the criminal acts

    The guilty plea means Biden, 53, could face upwards of 17 years in prison. However, the entry of a guilty plea does give some leverage to his attorneys in negotiating with the federal court on sentencing. Jury selection in the tax fraud trial was set to begin today, with opening arguments slated to start next week in California….”

    https://thenationalpulse.com/2024/09/05/breaking-hunter-biden-changes-plea-to-guilty-in-tax-fraud-case/

    Liked by 1 person

  35. National Pulse: “Georgia Shooter ‘Known to FBI’ for Over a Year.”

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “The suspect in a mass shooting at Apalachee High School, 58 miles northeast of Atlanta, Georgia, has been named as Colt Gray, 14. Two students, Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, and two teachers, Richard Aspinwall, aged 39, and Christina Irimie, 53, are confirmed dead. Reports also indicated Gray was flagged to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and interviewed by law enforcement last year.

    Gray, a student at Apalachee High School, allegedly used an “AR-platform style weapon” in the attack. Law enforcement apprehended him, and he is now in custody, facing charges as an adult.

    The FBI confirms its National Threat Operations Center received anonymous tips about “online threats to commit a school shooting at an unidentified location and time” in May 2023 and soon identified Georgia as their origin. Gray and his father were interviewed by Sheriff’s deputies in Jackson County, with the father confirming “he had hunting guns in the house, but [Gray] did not have unsupervised access to them.”

    “The subject denied making the threats online. Jackson County alerted local schools for continued monitoring of the subject,” the FBI added, insisting “there was no probable cause for an arrest or to take any additional law enforcement action on the local, state or federal levels.”

    Liked by 1 person

  36. RedState: “UPDATED 1:05 PM PDT: 

    Hunter Biden pled guilty in a Los Angeles courtroom Thursday afternoon to all of the charges brought against him in a federal indictment related to failure to pay income taxes and tax evasion from 2016 to 2019. In accepting the plea, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Scarsi told Biden that he faces a maximum punishment of 15 years in prison and a fine of between $500,000 and $1 million.

    Sentencing will be held at a later date, after court officials, prosecutors, and the defense team present their recommendations to the court.

    This is a breaking news story. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.

    UPDATED 11:50 AM PDT:

    When proceedings reconvened in Hunter Biden’s federal tax fraud trial at 11 AM Thursday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Leo Wise told District Court Judge Mark Scarsi that the government does not have a plea deal with Biden, and that they argue the court should not accept an Alford plea from him.

    Wise argued:

    Hunter Biden is not innocent. Hunter Biden is guilty. He is not entitled to plead guilty on special terms…. We have not negotiated this outcome with the defense. We were as shocked as everyone in the courtroom when they made that announcement.

    We did speak briefly with defense counsel during the break and it is not clear to us what they are trying to do.

    Wise informed the court that the government “[W]ill not under any circumstances agree to an Alford plea. We think it’s an injustice.” But, he said, “If we go forward today, we will read the entire indictment into the record as being the evidence that we would prove at trial.”

    Defense attorney Abbe Lowell said Biden would not agree to the truth of every single fact asserted in the indictment/proffer, but would tell the court that he believes the government would present evidence sufficient for a jury to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Lowell confirmed that Biden does not intend to admit guilt.

    There was some argument as to whether Scarsi was obligated to accept an Alford plea from Biden or had discretion. Eventually Lowell agreed with Scarsi that the court has a “sliver” of discretion, and Scarsi expressed concern about issues of public interest related to transparency that have to be satisfied. By the government giving a detailed proffer of evidence Scarsi believed the public interest issue could be satisfied, and that proffer would also give him the factual basis he needs to accept the plea.

    Approximately 120 potential jurors reported to the courthouse Thursday; they have been sequestered in the jury room while this process plays out. Scarsi proposed that the court recess until 9 AM Friday to allow the parties to brief their positions on whether the court had to accept an Alford plea and what factors should be taken into consideration, but Lowell asked for a 30-minute recess to speak with Biden about how he would like to proceed….”

    Liked by 1 person

  37. RedState:

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “There are certain principles — certain basic human rights — that are essential in a truly free society, and one of them is freedom of expression — most especially political expression. One such expression of a political conviction might include, for example, a restauranteur hosting a political candidate. That is what happened in Las Vegas, where Javier Barajas hosted Donald Trump for a “No Taxes on Tips” event in his restaurant, “II Toro e La Capra.” Now he is facing boycott threats over that event (also, I might add, an expression of a political conviction), and he is sticking by his guns.

    A Las Vegas restaurant owner has faced boycott calls since hosting former President Trump for a press conference on his “No Taxes on Tips” policy, but he isn’t about to cave to the pressure.

    “I was so grateful to have President Donald Trump in my restaurant. [But] I’ve been having a lot of phone calls, a lot of TikToks that people make, talking bad about me and my restaurant, but, at the same time, I’ve been having a lot of good response, too,” Javier Barajas told “Fox & Friends First” on Thursday.

    Barajas owns Mexican-Italian restaurant II Toro e La Capra, where the former president pitched his “No Taxes on Tips” policy with a televised message last month.

    He spoke positively of Trump and his idea at the time, a local outlet reported, and doubled down on the support on Thursday, telling co-host Carley Shimkus he supports the GOP candidate’s immigration policies and believes Trump will do more to support the working class.

    Granted, the boycotters — should such a boycott materialize — are also, as noted above, expressing a political opinion. That, too, is part of free speech.

    What is good to see here is that Mr. Barajas is sticking to his own principles. It is principles, not principals, after all, that are the issue here.

    Still, while it will be mildly surprising to see any effective boycott happen in this case — in Nevada, hosting Trump may well gain Mr. Barajas as much business as it costs him — a boycott can be very effective if it grows legs, as the Bud Light people learned to their sorrow. What’s more, a boycott can open doors for more competition, which, in the end, is good for consumers.

    Free speech — freedom of expression — is a wonderful thing. It’s also essential to the functioning of a republic, like ours. That’s why stupid things like campaigns against “disinformation” must be opposed at every turn; the result of that stupidity could only be setting up some group of government apparatchiks to decide what is “disinformation” and what is not, and I think we can all imagine down which dark path that would take us.

    Meanwhile, kudos to Mr. Barajas for sticking by his guns, and if you’re in the Las Vegas area, stop in and give his restaurant a try!”

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