Retaliatory Taint

"[A] prosecutor's exercise of coercive power must be impartial ..., evenhanded ..., [and] applied without favoritism or bias ...." Zakhari.  Then-Attorney General Robert H. Jackson cautioned that when "the prosecutor picks some person whom he dislikes or desires to embarrass, or selects some group of unpopular persons and then looks for an offense, that [is] the greatest danger of abuse of prosecuting power ...."  Robert H. Jackson.  The evidence before this Court sadly reflects an abuse of prosecuting power.  

The Court does not reach its conclusion lightly.  The objective evidence here shows that, absent Abrego's successful lawsuit challenging his removal to El Salvador, the Government would not have brought this prosecution.  The Executive Branch closed its investigation on the November 2022 traffic stop.  Only after Abrego succeeded in vindicating his rights did the Executive Branch reopen that investigation.  What the Government labels as "new evidence" was not new as a matter of law.  The prosecutor's subjective good faith does not cure the retaliatory taint.  Absent Blanche's tainted investigation, Agent Saoud would not have called McGuire, Singh would not have brought him into the fold, and McGuire would not have sought an indictment against Abrego.  The indictment then provided the Executive Branch cover to comply with Judge Xinis' order to facilitate Abrego's return to the United States as soon as possible.

Abrego's motion to dismiss the indictment must be granted.

-- Waverly D. Crenshaw, Jr, US District Judge for the Middle District Of Tennessee, ruling in United States v Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia that the case is fatally tainted by vindictive bias (22 May 2026)

Collective Decisions

My working definition of politics is, Helping people make collective decisions, especially when they disagree.

-- Galen Druke on the GDPolitics podcast (May 2026)

Grandkid Grad Plus One

In an echo of Monday's post, a hearty congratulations to my eldest granddaughter, Saiya Schwartz, on her graduation from high school in the class of 2026.  This afternoon she and her classmates were awarded diplomas in Urbana, Illinois.  She has grown into a fine young lady, and I look forward to watching her make her impact on the world.

That's all the graduates for this year.

Thank The Voters

Now, I came out and I said, I feel great.  I do feel great.  You know, I have had the privilege of representing the state of Louisiana for 12 years.  I've been able to participate in democracy.  And when you participate in democracy, sometimes it doesn't turn out the way you want it to, but you don't pout.  You don't whine.  You don't claim that the election was stolen.  You don't find a reason.  You don't manufacture some excuse.  You thank the voters for the privilege of representing the state or the country for as long as you've had that privilege.  And that's what I'm doing right now.  

-- Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) conceding defeat after losing his primary (18 May 2026)

Grandkid Grad

A hearty congratulations to my eldest grandson, Joseph Schum, Jr, on his graduation from high school in the class of 2026.  Sunday afternoon he and 14 classmates were part of the 145th commencement ceremony at Bement High School.

He has made a pretty good young man of himself so far, and I look forward to watching him make his impact on the world.

Unable To Recognize Truth

A man who lies to himself, and believes his own lies, becomes unable to recognize truth, either in himself or in anyone else, and he ends up losing respect for himself and for others.  When he has no respect for anyone, he can no longer love, and in him, he yields to his impulses, indulges in the lowest form of pleasure, and behaves in the end like an animal in satisfying his vices.  And it all comes from lying -- to others and to yourself.

-- Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky (1821 - 1881), Russian novelist, short story writer, essayist, journalist, and philosopher, The Brothers Karamazov (1879–1880)

Easy And Safe

Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster.

-- William Tecumseh Sherman (1820 - 1891), US Army general during the American Civil War, Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman (1875) Chapter XXV "Conclusion--Military Lessons Of The War"