Random News and Notes 8 November

A District court judge in Rhode Island, Judge John J. McConnell Jr, decided he had the power to compel the Executive to spend money on SNAP benefits that has not been allocated by Congress. The FIrst Circuit court of Appeals went along with that nonsense.

SCOTUS was having none of it however. The Court issued a two page stay of the district court orders.

The order was signed by KBJ of all people. Whether she did it because the initial rulings and orders were so far beyond the pale or because she was ordered to do it by Chief Justice Roberts is unknown.

Several key figures in the Russia-gate (I cannot express how much I loath appending ‘gate’ to things in this manner) scandal have been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury. So far, Peter Stzrok, Lisa Page and John Brennan have been served

There are apparently dozens more subpoenas to be served. I expect to see some more big names among those yet to be served.

It seems the new Stanley mug is here. Except it comes from Starbucks and is a bear shaped glass mug. There have been fights over it.

“The excitement for our merchandise exceeded even our biggest expectations,” a Starbucks spokesperson said to the New York Post.
“Despite shipping more Bearista cups to coffeehouses than almost any other merchandise item this holiday season, the Bearista cup and some other items sold out fast.”
“We understand many customers were excited about the Bearista cup and apologize for the disappointment this may have caused.”

I just don’t get it. It looks like someone slapped a Starbucks logo on one of those honey bears. I guess I am not the target demo.

I am pretty sure I’ve at least mentioned this next piece before. There is err was an ostrich farm in the Canadian province of British Colombia. The Canuck equivalent of the USDA, the CFIA, ordered the destruction of the entire flock at the Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood BC. Why? They suspected the flock was infected with bird flu.

After a lengthy and acrimonious court Battle the cull order was executed on thursday night. And I used executed on purpose. Instead of a humane euthanasia program, the CFIA shot the 400ish ostriches.

Everyone who was involved in this case from the judges to the agency officials to everyone involved in shooting the birds needs be arrested for animal cruelty if they cross into the US.