Early morning clouds hug Pine Mountain Ridge, which provides a scenic backdrop along the best part of SR-33. (Photos by the author.) The charming and eclectic coastal city of Ventura is the launch and landing pad for this diverse 340-mile loop that crosses parts of four California counties along the Central Coast. For this California motorcycle ride, Get an early start with a breakfast burrito at one of the auténtico taquerias on Ventura Avenue, then check out the scenic views of the city, curving shoreline, and distant Channel Islands from Grant Park high above. From here we head north on State Route 33 (Ojai Freeway) toward some of the finest mountain, canyon, rural, and coastal riding in the state. A little waterfall spills from the cliff onto this gentle curve on State Route 33 in Wheeler Gorge. It’s just north of two tunnels in the background that were blasted through the solid rock in 1931. The 2024 Honda XL750 Transalp I chose for this ride has ample suspension travel, and its dirt-worthy 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoked, tube-type wheels were shod with aggressive (and noisy) Metzeler Karoo Street tires. Out of the box, the Transalp can tackle many levels of dirt, but California had just experienced yet another atmospheric river of rain, so I kept the tires on the tarmac during this trip. Ventura County | California Motorcycle Ride In Ojai, a left turn onto Maricopa Highway keeps you on SR-33 past the last gas station (and bathroom, burrito lovers!) for 50 miles, and quite soon it traces the curves of the Ventura River and north fork of Matilija Creek past gated ranches and orchards. After crossing over the creek at the rock quarry, the road climbs and tightens up, and within a few minutes I was flinging the Transalp around some of California’s best curves. Though nicknamed the “Half-rica” Twin, the Transalp offers more than 75% of the power and torque of its big brother, a weight savings of more than 50 lb, and a lower center of gravity. With a light load and solo rider, it’s surprisingly quick and rips smoothly through its 6-speed transmission with an up/down quickshifter. There’s enough power on tap to make quick work of hills and passes, with a deep velvety noise from the exhaust and just enough pulse feel from the 755cc parallel-Twin’s counterbalanced 270-degree crankshaft. Scan the QR code above or click here to view the route on REVER Four preset ride modes plus a customizable User mode deliver full power at varying rates and alter engine braking, traction control, and ABS accordingly. My 2018 CRF1000L Africa Twin labors at times riding two-up with a full load, so I wouldn’t choose the smaller Transalp for that, but a solo rider will rarely wish for more power. From Ojai, SR-33 ascends the sunny side of Pine Mountain to its 5,160-foot summit pass, rounding dozens of exciting bends, threading passes and canyons, and skirting towering peaks on either side before winding down the mountain’s piney backside into Cuyama Valley. SR-33 cuts through part of Pine Mountain in the foreground before twisting down to the rugged Cuyama Badlands. On this day, the summit was enveloped in fog and mist, and slowing the pace for the wet road, I appreciated the Honda’s comfort, with an upright seating position and a plush saddle. Legroom is plentiful, vibration from the engine is almost nil, and the fairing and windscreen keep most of the cold blast off your lower body and chest. Optional heated grips get quite hot and greatly enhance the Transalp’s adventure-touring competency. See all of Rider‘s California tour stories here. Although we’re still at 2,900 feet, once down in the wide Cuyama Valley, SR-33 straightens as if pulled taut, passing bucolic farms, horse ranches, and the community of Ventucopa. In the summer, the mountain behind us and the Pacific coast ahead can be the only respites from scorching heat on most of this ride. On this chilly winter day, though, I was happy to be in the lower, warmer valley. Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties, Stage 1 | California Motorcycle Ride Just before reaching State Route 166, SR-33 nips off the extreme northeast and southeast corners of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, which are so large that we’re nowhere near their namesake cities on the coast. A reliable pitstop on this stretch is the Santa Barbara Pistachio Company, which has bathrooms, snacks, and gas. The company’s organic pistachios that it grows, roasts, and sells here on its 420-acre farm are delicious, so I always bring home a couple of bags. Santa Barbara Pistachio Company, on SR-33 in Ventucopa, has gas, bathrooms, and delicious roasted nuts. At the T-intersection with SR-166, you can significantly shorten the loop and still enjoy a great ride by turning left toward the town of Cuyama, and New Cuyama five miles farther on, which has gas, a market, and the Burger Barn and Cuyama Buckhorn restaurants, popular landmarks in this historic town. This former filling station and its sunbaked relics are just west of Cuyama on State Route 166. When oil was discovered in this valley of homesteads and ranches in the late 1940s, Richfield Oil built the town of New Cuyama to house its workforce. When the oil boom played out, the ranches and farms returned, blanketing the river valley floor with gold and green where Chumash Indians once harvested “Kuyam,” or freshwater clams. After New Cuyama, SR-166 west is a beautiful but well-patrolled and mostly straight shot to Highway 101 at Santa Maria, cutting off the entire top half of the full route and shortening the ride to 215 miles. Pick up the latter part of the full loop by turning left on Tepusquet Road. History buffs will appreciate passing near two oilfields (Elk Hills and Buena Vista) south of Taft on SR-33 that were involved in the 1922 Teapot Dome Scandal. Kern County | California Motorcycle Ride Continuing east on SR-33/166 to complete the full loop, the road winds down more than 2,000 feet into Kern County and the hardscrabble town of Maricopa. This is the Tulare Basin of California’s vast Central Valley, aka the “toolies.” Between Maricopa and McKittrick where we catch State Route 58, there isn’t much to excite the eyeballs except sandy hills and oilwells. Mostly unpaved Soda Lake Road provides a more scenic alternative to the oilfields on SR-33 around Taft by cutting through the Carrizo Plain National Monument. If it hasn’t rained lately and you like unpaved roads, consider turning left onto Soda Lake Road, which crosses the Carrizo Plain National Monument into California Valley, a remnant of the Central Valley 300 years ago when it was mostly grassland and deer and antelope roamed among the wildflowers. Visibly traversed by the San Andreas Fault and rimmed by low mountains, the plain after a wet winter can be carpeted with a super bloom, which looks like a scene from the Wizard of Oz. Soda Lake Road beats the heck out of SR-33’s oilfields when it’s dry but is best avoided when wet and muddy. San Luis Obispo County, Stage 2 | California Motorcycle Ride Soda Lake Road eventually rejoins our paved loop at SR-58, though you shouldn’t miss the section of 58 to the east that you bypassed by taking Soda Lake Road. From the left turn at McKittrick from SR-33, SR-58’s first 18 miles serve up a variety of fast straights and tight turns that rise and fall on a whim – after riding it regularly for 40 years, I still haven’t memorized them all. A highlight of this loop is State Route 58 between McKittrick and Wilson Corner, 54 rural rollercoaster miles of fast, slow, hairpin, and decreasing-radius corners, with a long, deserted straight section in the middle flanked by solar farms. By this point I had dismissed any concerns about the Transalp’s dirt-skinny 21-inch front hoop slowing its handling. Thanks to its wide handlebar, low center of gravity, and ample cornering clearance, the bike leans, turns, and transitions quickly and predictably. If there’s a weak spot, it’s the suspension, which is only adjustable for spring preload in back. Though fluid, comfortable, and well-damped enough for lighter riders or a moderate pace, the bike is too softly sprung and underdamped for aggressive on-road and rougher off-road riding. When the twisties end on SR-58 west, the view stretches to the mountains on the far side of California Valley, and the straight road reaches to the horizon. For miles it’s only interrupted by the occasional 90-degree bend around a ranch boundary and several steep hillcrests, one or two of which will loft your front wheel (or both!) if you’re really moving. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…. Be sure to fill up in Taft (if coming from the east) or Santa Margarita (west), because there’s nothing but ranches for 70 miles. After its sweeping grasslands and enormous solar panel fields, SR-58 transitions into forested hills and the curves return. Detour north on La Panza Road to Creston for one of the highlights of this route: State Route 229/Webster Road, justifiably nicknamed Rossi’s Driveway after the MotoGP champion. Jumping very briefly on State Route 41 west from La Panza, make an immediate left into Creston on SR-229. Both the Longbranch Saloon and the Loading Chute have great food, but there’s no gas in town. SR-229, a playfully undulating, narrow byway just off SR-58, is known as Rossi’s Driveway. Heading south from Creston, soon the centerline disappears, and the road begins to undulate madly between the white lines on either side like a very long driveway designed purely for two-wheel entertainment. A bonus is the beautiful canopy of trees and green hills that surround the road. Reaching SR-58 again after just six miles, I often ride Rossi’s Driveway several times before heading home. After playtime on SR-229, turn west on SR-58 toward Santa Margarita, which offers food and gas, and then jump on U.S. Route 101 south. Santa Barbara County, Stage 2 | California Motorcycle Ride Take the exit for SR-166 east. After the big Cuyama River Bridge, turn right onto Tepusquet Road, which twists its way up and over a pass and winds through lovely countryside in dappled sunlight. Stay left at the fork and then cross the Tepusquet Creek bridge. Turn left on Foxen Canyon Road, the unofficial wine route of Santa Barbara County, and enjoy a curvy ride through vineyards, majestic oaks, and endlessly green fields. Foxen eventually reaches State Route 154, which heading south passes Cachuma Lake on the way to Santa Barbara. Then it’s down U.S. 101 with spectacular views of the coast at sunset, and then finally Ventura once again. Taco time! Chasing the sunset on Tepusquet Road in Santa Barbara County. Four County Rewind | California Motorcycle Ride There is an argument to be made for running this loop in reverse, but I would rather be on the coast at sunset than on Pine Mountain and SR-33 in the dark. Whichever direction or detour you choose, there really aren’t any bad roads on this route…just don’t count on having a cell signal. Bring a flat kit, keep your tank full, and watch out for wildlife. One last stop at a vista point on State Route 154, with its stunning view of the San Rafael Mountains north of Santa Barbara, before closing the loop. Most of the ride is through remote areas for which the Honda XL750 Transalp was bred (and during the 1,004 miles I lived with the bike, it averaged 53 mpg, good for 238 miles from its 4.5-gallon tank). Beef up that rear shock if needed, and maybe add the optional heated grips, centerstand, handguards, and skid plate. Then enjoy the Four County Loop! See all of Rider‘s touring stories here. Four-County California Motorcycle Ride Resources Central Coast California Ventura County Coast Ventura Ojai Santa Barbara Santa Barbara Pistachio Co. San Luis Obispo Mark Tuttle was the Editor-in-Chief of Rider for several decades before stepping down in 2020 to spend more time with family, riding motorcycles, camping, fishing, and looking for his reading glasses. He has road tested hundreds of motorcycles and ridden in 28 countries (so far) and every U.S. state except Nebraska, but only because he lost the directions. The post Four-County California Motorcycle Ride on a Honda Transalp appeared first on Rider Magazine.

For most of my motorcycling career, I wore good ol’ cotton underwear and T-shirts on every ride. That is, until I met Mario Winkleman, proprietor of LD Comfort, at the BMW-MOA’s 2016 national rally in Hamburg, New York.  Winkleman explained to me that all these years, I had been suffering needlessly in the heat because of the cotton, and that his base layers would change my entire riding experience. To say I was skeptical would be a gross understatement, but some Iron Butt friends assured me that, indeed, “I didn’t know what I didn’t know.”  LD Comfort’s synthetic base layers are constructed of a proprietary four-way stretch anti-microbial fabric, which is comprised of 63% nylon, 23% polyester, and 12% lycra. This fabric combo draws sweat up and away from the rider’s skin and hugs the body’s contours for added support. But the main benefit of these garments is the cooling feature.  Although it sounds counterintuitive at first, they’re most effective when doused in water and worn underneath a non-mesh jacket with the vents closed. To use them properly, the rider puts on the base layers under the jacket and pours water down the sleeves and into the neck area. Letting a minimal amount of air in with only the sleeve venting allows the water to slowly evaporate, cooling the air surrounding the rider. The company claims up to a 30-degree differential between the air temperature outside and inside the rider’s jacket.   Dubious? Winkleman analogized this operation to a car running air conditioning on a hot summer day. Opening the car’s windows only allows all the cooled air to escape. The same happens here when using a free-flowing mesh jacket or opening all of the vents on a non-mesh jacket. Heavy airflow only ensures that the water will evaporate too quickly, leaving the rider hot again in short order. As insane as it sounds to wear a heavier jacket with vents closed on a 100-degree day, it works! I have been a strong believer in LD Comfort since that initial test in 2016.  Now, the company is introducing a Lite version of their traditional top base layers. The idea behind the Lite line is to offer a slightly lighter garment which is useful in a narrower operating temperature range. The lighter fabric doesn’t hold as much water for the hottest weather, and isn’t as thick for cold weather riding – but as its name implies, it’s thinner and slightly more comfortable to wear long distances.   See all of Rider‘s apparel reviews here. I’ve been testing out the Lite Long Sleeve Mock Turtleneck this summer, and whereas the standard garments are good for any temperature a sane rider would venture out in, the Lite is ideal between 65-90 degrees. Below 65 degrees, the added thickness of the standard line serves as insulation, keeping the rider warmer. Above 90 degrees, the standard line holds a higher quantity of water, allowing the garment to keep the rider cooler for a longer period of time.  Either way, to ride wearing LD Comfort motorcycle base layers is to understand why they’re such a popular commodity with the Iron Butt crowd. This top has an MSRP of $74 and is American-made.   Shop for LD Comfort Lite Base Layers The post LD Comfort Lite Motorcycle Base Layer Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.

The leader of a Haitian grassroots nonprofit community organization has filed criminal charges against President Trump and J.D. Vance. “Guerline Jozef, a co-founder and the executive director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, filed the charges on behalf of the group,” NBC News reports. Also known as “THE BRIDGE,” the nonprofit “advocates for fair and humane immigration policies and provides migrants and immigrants with humanitarian, legal, and social services, with a particular focus on Black people, the Haitian community, women and girls, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and survivors of torture and other human rights abuses,” according to its website. “The Haitian Bridge Alliance has filed criminal charges against Donald Trump and JD Vance stemming from the false and malicious comments made against our Haitian community this month. No one is above the law. Hate will always have consequences,” the group wrote. BREAKING: The Haitian Bridge Alliance has filed criminal charges against Donald Trump and JD Vance stemming from the false and malicious comments made against our Haitian community this month. No one is above the law. Hate will always have consequences. pic.twitter.com/4Vrt7RhoWy — HaitianBridge (@HaitianBridge) September 24, 2024 “Over the last two weeks, both Trump and Vance led an effort to vilify and threaten the Haitian community in Springfield, Ohio,” Jozef wrote, according to NBC News. “Together, they spread and amplified the debunked claim that Haitians immigrants in Springfield are eating cats, dogs, and wildlife,” Jozef added. The Haitian nonprofit known as the Haitian Bridge Alliance has filed criminal charges against President Donald Trump and JD Vance for saying the Haitian migrant invaders in Springfield, Ohio are eating the dogs and cats. Immigrants have become way too entitled. Illegal… pic.twitter.com/LMKU7sZfF2 — Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 24, 2024 Per NBC News: The group’s attorney, Subodh Chandra, cited inaction from a prosecuting attorney in asserting Jozef’s right to file the charges as a private citizen. Ohio law allows private citizens to file affidavits charging people with crimes. However, the law requires hearings to take place before the affidavits can move forward. As of Tuesday afternoon, none had been scheduled. Trump and Vance were charged with disrupting public services, making false alarms, complicity, telecommunications harassment and aggravated menacing in the filing, which asked Clark County Municipal Court to find that there is probable cause and to issue warrants for Trump’s and Vance’s arrests. “If anyone else had disrupted public service, made false alarms, and engaged in telecommunications harassment in the manner Trump and Vance did with their relentless and persistent lies—even after the governor and mayor said what they were saying was false, they would’ve been arrested by now,” Chandra said in a statement Tuesday. “They must be held accountable to the rule of law in the same way any of the rest of us would be.” According to investigative journalist Laura Loomer, the group’s attorney is an “open Kamala Harris supporter who fundraises for her publicly.” EXCLUSIVE: KAMALA HARRIS @KamalaHarris VISITED THE HOME OF THE LAWYER @SubodhChandra WHO FILED CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP AND JD VANCE FOR HAITIAN MIGRANTS The lawyer hired by Haitian Bridge Alliance who filed criminal charges against President Trump and JD… https://t.co/3gtlV1vbHn pic.twitter.com/dGZvtENfcG — Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 24, 2024 Per Laura Loomer: Who is Subodh Chandra? He’s an open Kamala Harris supporter who fundraises for her publicly. In social media posts, he said Kamala Harris came to his home and met with his mother and called her “Auntie”, and he said he considers Doug Emhoff to be his brother in law, and Meena Harris @meena to be his niece. Chandra has also received a commendation from former FBI director Robert Mueller, who carried out countless witch hunts against President Trump and his associates. Chandra is a leftist political activist who has a long history of partisan activities with Kamala Harris, Robert Mueller and other Leftists engaged in the since discredited lawfare against President Trump. That’s how you know these “criminal charges” are purely political. Did Kamala Harris instruct her good friend Subodh Chandra to file criminal charges against Trump in the key state of Ohio to help her Presidential campaign? Kamala and Subodh are very close as you can see. This is what you call a political witch hunt. President Trump’s lawyers should file sanctions against Subodh Chandra for filing frivolous criminal charges for the sake of assisting his friend Kamala Harris’s Presidential campaign. This is unethical behavior by a lawyer who should be disbarred. “This affidavit seeking criminal charges against Trump doesn’t set out a crime or even allege a causal connection to Trump’s comments. It won’t survive a cursory probable cause analysis, let alone scrutiny under the First Amendment,” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost commented. This affidavit seeking criminal charges against Trump doesn’t set out a crime or even allege a causal connection to Trump’s comments. It won’t survive a cursory probable cause analysis, let alone scrutiny under the First Amendment. https://t.co/JGUUHHmYXk — Attorney General Dave Yost (@DaveYostOH) September 24, 2024 From the Associated Press: Trump and Vance, a U.S. senator from Ohio, are charged with disrupting public services, making false alarms, telecommunications harassment, aggravated menacing and complicity. The filing asks the Clark County Municipal Court to affirm that there is probable cause and issue arrest warrants against Trump and Vance. “Their persistence and relentlessness, even in the face of the governor and the mayor saying this is false, that shows intent,” Chandra said. “It’s knowing, willful flouting of criminal law.” Steven Cheung, communications director for the Trump-Vance campaign, said, “President Trump is rightfully highlighting the failed immigration system that (Vice President) Kamala Harris has overseen, bringing thousands of illegal immigrants pouring into communities like Springfield and many others across the country.”

This is insane…. And is it even legal? BREAKING: Michael Cohen, a former personal attorney for Donald Trump, said that if former President Trump wins the election, he will leave the country under a different name. pic.twitter.com/L7WElw8Ryy — DailyNoah.com (@DailyNoahNews) September 25, 2024 Watch this stunning clip in his own words where Michael Cohen tells MSNBC that he will flee the country if President Trump wins in November — even making plans to get a foreign passport under a completely different name. Even MSNBC appears stunned: Michael Cohen says he has no choice but to flee the country if Donald Trump wins the election and that he’s already working on getting a foreign passport with a new name. pic.twitter.com/TacYwc2rsJ — ALX (@alx) September 25, 2024 From Collin Rugg: NEW: Michael Cohen says he is changing his name & leaving the country if Trump is elected, says he doesn’t know what he will do about his family. MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace thought it was a good idea because Cohen “has been right about everything.” “I’m already working on a… pic.twitter.com/KIBJrFbOuf — Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 25, 2024 NEW: Michael Cohen says he is changing his name & leaving the country if Trump is elected, says he doesn’t know what he will do about his family. MSNBC’s Nicolle Wallace thought it was a good idea because Cohen “has been right about everything.” “I’m already working on a foreign passport with a completely different name. I don’t know how it’s going to work as far as dealing with my wife and my children.” “I certainly don’t want them moving to where I’m looking to go.” More video here: “I’m out of here.” Michael Cohen delivers stunning take down of Donald Trump, then reveals he will have to flee the country for his own safety if Trump is elected. (Video: MSNBC) pic.twitter.com/hTTr7zN7rS — Mike Sington (@MikeSington) September 25, 2024 Here are more details, from The Independent: Donald Trump’s former lawyer and “fixer” Michael Cohen has revealed he is working on getting a foreign passport and a totally new name as a back-up in case the former president soars to victory in November. Cohen, who in 2018 pleaded guilty to lying to Congress, testified against the former president during his hush money criminal trial back in May. The disbarred lawyer’s testimony contributed to Trump being convicted on all 34 felony counts of falsifying business records over $130,000 hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels – through Cohen – in order to cover up an alleged affair. Trump continues to deny his involvement with the payments and that the affair took place. Now, Cohen believes that he would be at the top of Trump’s retribution list if he defeats Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential election. As a result, the former fixer revealed on MSNBC’s Deadline: White House on Tuesday that he will likely flee the country if a second Trump term does materialise, saying he is already “working on a foreign passport” under an assumed name. Michael Cohen said he will have ‘no choice’ but to flee the country if Trump is re-elected president (MSNBC/YouTube) “I’m out of here,” he told host Nicolle Wallace. “I’m already working on a foreign passport with a completely different name.” Cohen added: “I don’t know how it’s going to work as far as dealing with my wife and my children. I certainly don’t want them moving to where I’m looking to go.” When Wallace probed once more whether he’d leave the country, Cohen confirmed: “I have no choice.” Cohen did not reveal where he plans to move. During his first term, Trump repeatedly attempted to use his presidential powers to investigate or punish those he considered enemies – from former FBI Director James Comey to his 2016 Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Following his stint in jail, Cohen was asked to sign a document that would bar him from publishing his tell-all memoir about his time working with Trump in 2020. He refused and was sent back to prison. A federal judge then ruled that his “confinement to jail is [a] retaliatory” effort from the government and ordered his release. Now, Cohen has warned that senior executives in the liberal media are also likely unsafe – including MSNBC’s president Rashida Jones and Wallace herself. You almost have to wonder if it’s more about avoiding this? BREAKING: Lawmakers Pushing Constitutional Amendment For a “Mass Casualty Event” In Case Most Of Congress Is Knocked Out! BREAKING: Lawmakers Pushing Constitutional Amendment For a “Mass Casualty Event” In Case Most Of Congress Is Knocked Out! NOTHING CAN STOP WHAT IS COMING? Oh my... Yesterday we had President Trump literally buying his popcorn....and today we have Congress creating a contingent plan in case half of Congress suddenly gets wiped out! Gee, what could cause something like that? We'll get to that in a moment, first the headlines.... NEW - U.S. lawmakers plan for possible "mass casualty" event, proposing a constitutional amendment to replace members quickly and change various lines of succession in a "national crisis."https://t.co/1RAVKYLBbx — Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) September 24, 2024 Politico has more details about the urgency of passing a new Constitutional Amendment: Over the past 15 years, members of Congress have survived two near-deadly shootings, a train crash with dozens of them on board, and a Capitol riot that had hundreds of lawmakers fearing for their lives. Despite those incidents, the institution is wholly unprepared for a catastrophic event that kills or incapacitates multiple members — even if that hypothetical tragedy results in a major power shift: changing which party holds the majority in the House or Senate. Members of Congress themselves have proposed a host of solutions to the havoc a mass casualty could wreak. Those propositions range from a constitutional amendment allowing members to designate their own successors to simple rule changes to prevent violence from shifting party power. But a POLITICO review shows that both Republican and Democratic leaders, including chairs of key committees, have failed to significantly advance any of the ideas proposed since a mass shooting at a GOP baseball practice in 2017. That’s largely based on a reluctance to acknowledge the issue and a general resistance in Congress to changing rules. That strikes many members as foolhardy. “The number of rounds in one pistol clip can change the balance of power of the House or the Senate,” said former Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.), who took up the issue after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, when a hijacked plane came within 20 minutes of crashing into the Capitol. Lawmakers and their staff face real threats of political violence every day. Capitol Police opened 8,008 cases to assess threats against lawmakers in 2023, a 100 percent increase from 2017. The two assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump are blaring reminders of the ever-present dangers for public officials. The lack of a plan to respond to a mass casualty is particularly acute in the House: It has no mechanism to quickly fill unexpected vacancies, even on a temporary basis. Instead, a special election must be held to replace a member. That can take months. In the meantime, the House would have to operate shorthanded — perhaps extremely shorthanded. But doing so could leave a vast swath of the country unrepresented, meaning any action that Congress takes would be vulnerable to a court challenge. In practice, this could mean putting the full power of the chamber in the hands of members who, for example, boycott a State of the Union address or speech from a foreign dignitary only to see their colleagues who attend killed in a terrorist attack. Events like party conventions, caucus retreats and international member trips are also known potential targets. And there’s another worry: What if the slim congressional margins create an incentive for an act of political violence explicitly designed to shift control from one party to the other? “Part of the problem right now is someone with bad intentions could flip a majority for four months. And that’s horrifying,” said Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), referring to how long it might take to fill vacancies through special elections, rather than immediate appointments. “And our reaction can’t be, ‘Well, that’ll never happen.’ Or, ‘Well, we’ll deal with that when the time comes.’ Because once the time comes, it’s too late.” ‘THE ANGEL OF DEATH’ Following multiple potentially deadly crises, House leaders in both parties have deprioritized or ignored the issue. No speaker since 9/11 — including Mike Johnson and his two predecessors, Kevin McCarthy and Nancy Pelosi — has put their political heft behind proposals to prepare the legislature for a catastrophe. And without such high-level support, plans to prepare Congress for a mass casualty event have fallen victim to jurisdictional scuffles and lawmaker bickering. Right now, the main idea to address the issue is a constitutional amendment that would require members of the House to submit a list of at least five possible successors to be tapped in the event of their death. If any member dies in office, the state’s governor would select an individual from the list to serve on a temporary basis until officials hold a special election for a permanent replacement. That proposal is being pushed by Kilmer and Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), who say it would remove an incentive for political violence and preserve the legitimacy of Congress in a crisis. Wenstrup was on the baseball field in Virginia in 2017 when a gunman took aim at Republicans. He used his military and medical training to treat then-GOP Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) until paramedics arrived. “There were 136 rounds fired that morning, and he had names of Republicans and descriptions in his pocket,” Wenstrup said. “The idea is for us to have a situation in place where no one can get away with doing that as far as changing the balance of power.” “I worry that my friends and the Democratic caucus think I’m the angel of death,” Kilmer said, “because we’d be on a bus to a retreat, and I’ll be like, ‘does anyone know what happens if we die? Or if something happens to the bus?’ And they’re like ‘Kilmer? Enough already.’” A HIGH BAR Of course, approving a constitutional amendment would be incredibly difficult: It requires two-thirds support of each congressional chamber and then ratification from three-fourths of state legislatures. But there is a precedent for it. The 17th Amendment, enacted over a century ago, created a succession plan for Senate vacancies that empowered 45 states to allow the governor to temporarily appoint a replacement until an election is held. Five states still don’t allow appointments and require a special election. The House could try other avenues if a constitutional amendment isn’t possible. Some members have mulled changes to House rules designed to prevent a mass casualty from switching control of the chamber to the opposite party mid-session. Another idea would be to impose strict mandates on states to hold swift special elections after a mass vacancy. But advocates warn against such a piecemeal approach. Some in the chamber view the changes made after 9/11 as simply providing the veneer of solving the problem. As it stands now, the House can only fill its vacancies only by special election, which take an average of 136 days to conduct. If a crisis occurred, Congress’ role as a check on the executive branch could be severely diminished precisely when the federal government potentially needs to act. Here is my friend Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, explaining more: WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Top Scientist Mike Adams Is NOW LIVE Breaking Alarming New Intel On How Congress Is Rushing To Prepare For A “Mass Casualty Event” https://t.co/KZqsCZJDle — Alex Jones (@RealAlexJones) September 24, 2024 So....now the real question....is this to protect against something like a nuke? Or....is it because NCSWIC? Are they preparing for mass ARRESTS (not mass casualty)? Not a mass casualty event but a mass arrest event https://t.co/Sj6qqjWU7N — Joe.M (@GeneralJoeM17) September 24, 2024 Whoa whoa whoa… Lawmakers want to make a constitutional amendment that would allow them to replace members of congress under the guise of a “mass casualty event”? Mass casualties = Mass Arrests?They know what’s coming… • Pushing it: Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.)Brad Wenstrup… pic.twitter.com/uJoBBjfN5G — MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) September 24, 2024 Whoa whoa whoa… Lawmakers want to make a constitutional amendment that would allow them to replace members of congress under the guise of a “mass casualty event”? Mass casualties = Mass Arrests? They know what’s coming… • Pushing it: Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) William Timmons (R-S.C.) Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) Mario Nawfal had the following: CONGRESS' DOOMSDAY PLAN: REPS PUSH AMENDMENT TO COUNTER MASS ATTACK CHAOS A bipartisan group of House members is proposing a constitutional amendment to rapidly replace representatives in the event of a mass casualty attack on Congress. Representatives Derek Kilmer… pic.twitter.com/yP1LCneGXY — Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) September 24, 2024 CONGRESS' DOOMSDAY PLAN: REPS PUSH AMENDMENT TO COUNTER MASS ATTACK CHAOS A bipartisan group of House members is proposing a constitutional amendment to rapidly replace representatives in the event of a mass casualty attack on Congress. Representatives Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.), Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), William Timmons (R-S.C.), and Emanuel Cleaver II (D-Mo.) are spearheading this effort. The proposal would require each representative to submit a list of potential replacements to their state governor. If a representative dies, the governor would appoint a replacement within 10 days. This measure aims to ensure continued representation and discourage violence intended to shift the balance of power in Congress. Rep. Kilmer: "We've seen a 300 percent increase in threats against members over the last seven years." However, the amendment faces significant hurdles, requiring a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures. Critics also point out potential challenges in implementation, particularly regarding states' ability to hold rapid special elections. Despite these obstacles, proponents argue that the growing threat of political violence necessitates such precautions to safeguard the continuity of government. What do you think?

Gilead Sciences has issued a voluntary recall of one lot of COVID-19 antiviral Veklury, otherwise known as remdesivir. “Gilead received a customer complaint and confirmed the presence of a glass particle in the vial during the company’s investigation,” the company announced. "… pharmaceutical company Gilead Sciences, Inc. has announced a voluntary recall of its antiviral drug Veklury, commonly known as remdesivir, in cooperation with the @US_FDA." @Newsweek https://t.co/Vv1H9aGcgp — Children’s Health Defense (@ChildrensHD) September 24, 2024 Fierce Pharma reports: The lot in question, 47035CFA, was distributed throughout the U.S. in July and has an expiration date in November 2025. “The glass particulate can potentially travel, through the blood vessels, to various organs and block blood vessels in the heart, lungs or brain which can cause stroke and even lead to death,” the company warned in the recall notice. Gilead hasn’t received any reports of adverse effects related to the recall, the company said. “The product being recalled is the lyophilized form of Veklury® (remdesivir) for Injection 100 mg/vial packaged in single dose clear glass vials in powder form. Veklury lot # 47035CFA was distributed nationwide in the United States, beginning 16 July 2024,” the FDA wrote. One Lot of Veklury (Remdesivir) for Injection 100 mg/vial by Gilead: Recall – Due to the Presence of a Glass Particle https://t.co/9HP70FHMeQ pic.twitter.com/H5malmyPfZ — US FDA MedWatch (@FDAMedWatch) September 24, 2024 Regardless of a recall due to the presence of glass particles, nobody should be taking remdesivir. The toxic drug, nicknamed ‘Run Death Is Near,’ causes kidney and liver failure. WATCH: Oh, this Remdesivir, @CDCgov @US_FDA? pic.twitter.com/d8zlXqhw9y — Children’s Health Defense (@ChildrensHD) September 24, 2024 In a 2023 interview with Alpha News, a California nurse turned whistleblower described the COVID-19 protocols mandated on patients in the hospital as “medical murder.” “Gail Macrae is a California nurse turned whistleblower who was fired for refusing to take the COVID-19 shot. She joined Liz Collin this week to discuss what she witnessed while working in health care during the pandemic,” Alpha News wrote. Gail Macrae is a California nurse turned whistleblower who was fired for refusing to take the COVID-19 shot. She joined Liz Collin this week to discuss what she witnessed while working in health care during the pandemic. https://t.co/b1L8NM56uL — Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) April 18, 2023 Macrae commented on remdesivir, the toxic antiviral medication administered to COVID-19 patients. Per Alpha News: The protocol was to give COVID-19 patients remdesivir, an antiviral medication, even when they were a week past symptom onset. “And we’re seeing no improvement. And as a matter of fact, we’re seeing patients going to multi-organ failures,” Macrae said. Macrae said she wanted to trust organizations like the CDC and the AMA, but she came to believe that the practices and protocols they were mandating equated to “medical murder.” “I think that it comes from the combination, it’s the remdesivir, it’s the isolation of the patients. It’s weeks on end with, you know, no access to food and water,” she said. “All of these protocols, the fear mongering, the isolation, the toxic medications — I walked away feeling like I had participated in medical murder.”

A.F. Branco and Joe Dan Gorman discuss Tony’s recent toons and related issues, along with some videos and some bad jokes.   DONATE to A.F. Branco Cartoons – Tips accepted and appreciated – $1.00 – $5.00 – $25.00 – $50.00 – it all helps to fund this website and keep the cartoons coming. Also Venmo @AFBranco – THANK YOU! A.F. Branco has taken his two greatest passions (art and politics) and translated them into cartoons that have been popular all over the country in various news outlets, including NewsMax, Fox News, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, and “The Washington Post.” He has been recognized by such personalities as Rep. Devin Nunes, Dinesh D’Souza, James Woods, Chris Salcedo, Sarah Palin, Larry Elder, Lars Larson, Rush Limbaugh, and President Trump.

Volodymyr Zelensky’s decision to campaign with Kamala Harris and attack the Republican vice-presidential nominee, blaming J. D. Vance for a global war, is unacceptable. Is it even legal? Republicans called for an investigation, but who will do that? The Biden-Harris administration? Too bad we don’t have time to impeach them. Zelensky appears to have arrived […] The post Zelensky’s In-Kind Donation, Stumping for Harris on US Soil appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.