08/13/24: Agreed. One huge problem with the initial FOIAs --- I say this in an entirely friendly spirit --- was that it was rushed, and it was badly, badly overwritten (verbose). Good editors were needed and none pitched in. I tried to get through it but it was impossible. I hope that doesn't reoccur, because then all that WORK ends u[p being wasted.
"A Falcon woman convicted of breaching the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, during the riot to disrupt the results of the 2020 presidential election was sentenced Monday to one year of probation.
Rebecca Lavrenz, known as “J6 Praying Grandma” on social media, will also be required to pay a $103,000 fine and $500 in restitution, a spokesperson for the U.S. District Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., said. She was convicted of four misdemeanor counts for entering the Capitol and conducting disorderly conduct inside. "
103 K???
"Lavrenz’s defense attorneys requested a one-year probation, no fine and no restitution, in court documents filed last week. They argued that she was a retired, first-time offender with “countless ties” to her community and commitments to her extended family.
Her attorneys said that Lavrenz’s conduct Jan. 6 was peaceful and nonviolent, that she caused no property damage and that she complied with the conditions of her release over the past two years after she was arrested in 2022, according to court documents.
Federal prosecutors requested the judge order Lavrenz to serve 10 months in prison, followed by a year of supervised release and 60 hours of community service. The sentence was justified, prosecutors wrote in a letter to the judge filed last week, because Lavrenz has been “one of the loudest public voices calling the prosecution of January 6 riots a corrupt exercise.”
“Although Lavrenz certainly has a First Amendment right to publicly espouse her views, her unrepentant promotion of the riot is powerful evidence that she continues to pose a threat to future acts of political violence like that which engulfed the nation on January 6,” they continued. "
*********
So if (some people) complain that they were unfairly prosecuted, that means they "continue to pose a threat to future actions of political violence" even though they were not violent? Interesting way to go at speech.
This is exactly how sentencing works, whether it's a J6 case or any other criminal charge. If you don't grovel, admit that you were guilty, and show unremitting remorse, you are going to get the book thrown at you. Defense lawyers always counsel their clients at sentencing to make these admissions - and especially to show remorse - or face a harsher sentence. And it's not just the prosecution, it's the judges.
As a prosecutor only in state court, that was not the system in my experience. You were NEVER required to admit your wrongdoing. Something about, an appeal?
Which just illustrates how federalized against its citizens the federal system now is.
they don't care - they hammer in 1L's the difference between morality and the law. (and few ever read dworkin or heard of the veil of ignorance, sadly) by "objectifying" it it's rationalized and thus fine to do - i mean, look at what the average prosecutor does -
lawyers are generally the social workers of the ruling class - nothing more, nothing less. the older i've gotten the more i've seen this ring true.
“Although Lavrenz certainly has a First Amendment right to publicly espouse her views, her unrepentant promotion of the riot is powerful evidence that she continues to pose a threat to future acts of political violence like that which engulfed the nation on January 6,” they continued."
I didn't say she committed no actual crime. I agree anyone who entered the building, which was supposed to be closed, right? would be guilty of at least trespassing.
I was simply referring to the fact stated in the OP that her sentence was enhanced based on what they thought she might do in the future.
Fair enough. But was her sentence enhanced? Prosecutors asked for 10 months jail time, year of probation and 60 days community service. She got year of probation and fines. $103,000 does seem a bit much but it's better than jail.
So the "prosecution" is now calling that shitshow a "riot." What happened to "insurrection"? And how can someone "promote" an event that happened nearly 4 years ago?
The only "acts of political violence which engulfed the nation in 2020" were the "mostly peaceful" ones during the Summer of Floyd.
How did she promote the riot AFTER THE FACT? I presume she wasn't ginning up the "riot" in the days before and wasn't verbally encouraging people toward the Capitol like Ray Epps. Right? Voicing your opinion that it was (in her opinion) and unjust prosecution is a crime?
Hate to say it but that case is one of many! Check out Julie Kelly's Substack to get a better ( more robust) view of the tyrannical DC court. I think many would be appalled ! I believe those that were violent and/or destructive should
be punished. The court is punishing anyone who was there, whether the went into the capitol , walk on the grounds, for 30 seconds, 2 minutes, 20 minutes, it does not matter. Sad, and sick!!
I would think that Mr. Taibbi will eventually move into more of an editor role, assuming the funds through substack can support it. That should reduce his hours hopefully.
I may be wrong but I get the feeling he'd rather be doing exactly what he's doing now than manage and oversee a bunch of people of the sort that he used to be. I understand that he does that to an extent now and has a team working for him, but he's a reporter to the core.
Even if I'm wrong and he took more of an "editor" role, I doubt he'd cut back on hours much.
Keep up the great work Matt and please don't burn out. I sincerely hope you have enough subscribers to support all of your hard work. America needs more real journalists like you, Greenwald and Shellenberger.
08/13/24: I'm afraid that it's worse than that. In about a year's time, we'll see "Taibbi Gang-Pressed Into The British Navy." Worse, Prince Harry will be the ship's captain. And Meghan will be running the brig (until she launches a coup d'etat and makes Captain Harry walk the plank).
This is the first time (probably in at least a decade if not two) that I've been eager to see what a news organization has uncovered through its investigative journalism. Matt, thanks for bringing that back to the world of journalsim!
Looking forward to your excellent journalism. Getting it right is more important than getting a sloppy scoop.
Or as Woody Allen phrased it: “Get it first, but first, get it right.” -(Scoop, 2006)
While I don't remember the line, I rate that movie among his most enjoyable.
That was UPI's (United Press International) mantra when they were just UP.
08/13/24: Agreed. One huge problem with the initial FOIAs --- I say this in an entirely friendly spirit --- was that it was rushed, and it was badly, badly overwritten (verbose). Good editors were needed and none pitched in. I tried to get through it but it was impossible. I hope that doesn't reoccur, because then all that WORK ends u[p being wasted.
No worries... on another "speech" note, I found this kind of scary.
https://coloradosun.com/2024/08/12/rebecca-lavrenz-praying-grandma-jan-6-sentence/
"A Falcon woman convicted of breaching the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, during the riot to disrupt the results of the 2020 presidential election was sentenced Monday to one year of probation.
Rebecca Lavrenz, known as “J6 Praying Grandma” on social media, will also be required to pay a $103,000 fine and $500 in restitution, a spokesperson for the U.S. District Attorney’s Office in Washington, D.C., said. She was convicted of four misdemeanor counts for entering the Capitol and conducting disorderly conduct inside. "
103 K???
"Lavrenz’s defense attorneys requested a one-year probation, no fine and no restitution, in court documents filed last week. They argued that she was a retired, first-time offender with “countless ties” to her community and commitments to her extended family.
Her attorneys said that Lavrenz’s conduct Jan. 6 was peaceful and nonviolent, that she caused no property damage and that she complied with the conditions of her release over the past two years after she was arrested in 2022, according to court documents.
Federal prosecutors requested the judge order Lavrenz to serve 10 months in prison, followed by a year of supervised release and 60 hours of community service. The sentence was justified, prosecutors wrote in a letter to the judge filed last week, because Lavrenz has been “one of the loudest public voices calling the prosecution of January 6 riots a corrupt exercise.”
“Although Lavrenz certainly has a First Amendment right to publicly espouse her views, her unrepentant promotion of the riot is powerful evidence that she continues to pose a threat to future acts of political violence like that which engulfed the nation on January 6,” they continued. "
*********
So if (some people) complain that they were unfairly prosecuted, that means they "continue to pose a threat to future actions of political violence" even though they were not violent? Interesting way to go at speech.
Can you imagine what kind of prick with a law degree would write up that last paragraph about posing a threat for future violence?
A real prick, and there’s lots of them.
This J6 prosecution team are obviously the kids in grade school that everybody hated because they snitched on everybody else.
This is exactly how sentencing works, whether it's a J6 case or any other criminal charge. If you don't grovel, admit that you were guilty, and show unremitting remorse, you are going to get the book thrown at you. Defense lawyers always counsel their clients at sentencing to make these admissions - and especially to show remorse - or face a harsher sentence. And it's not just the prosecution, it's the judges.
As a prosecutor only in state court, that was not the system in my experience. You were NEVER required to admit your wrongdoing. Something about, an appeal?
Which just illustrates how federalized against its citizens the federal system now is.
And recipients of many wedgies
and let's hope - SWIRLIES!!
they don't care - they hammer in 1L's the difference between morality and the law. (and few ever read dworkin or heard of the veil of ignorance, sadly) by "objectifying" it it's rationalized and thus fine to do - i mean, look at what the average prosecutor does -
lawyers are generally the social workers of the ruling class - nothing more, nothing less. the older i've gotten the more i've seen this ring true.
I can picture him. He looks like a smarmy shit.
“Although Lavrenz certainly has a First Amendment right to publicly espouse her views, her unrepentant promotion of the riot is powerful evidence that she continues to pose a threat to future acts of political violence like that which engulfed the nation on January 6,” they continued."
More pre-crime.
8th amendment applies. No excessive fines.
Prior to her " pre crime " Grandma committed a real crime when she entered the capital and did her Bird Dance
I didn't say she committed no actual crime. I agree anyone who entered the building, which was supposed to be closed, right? would be guilty of at least trespassing.
I was simply referring to the fact stated in the OP that her sentence was enhanced based on what they thought she might do in the future.
Was she invited in by security?
Fair enough. But was her sentence enhanced? Prosecutors asked for 10 months jail time, year of probation and 60 days community service. She got year of probation and fines. $103,000 does seem a bit much but it's better than jail.
So the "prosecution" is now calling that shitshow a "riot." What happened to "insurrection"? And how can someone "promote" an event that happened nearly 4 years ago?
The only "acts of political violence which engulfed the nation in 2020" were the "mostly peaceful" ones during the Summer of Floyd.
"Interesting" indeed.
08/13/24: Any chance that Trump sees the absolute necessity for pardoning 100% of these people on 01/21/25?
How did she promote the riot AFTER THE FACT? I presume she wasn't ginning up the "riot" in the days before and wasn't verbally encouraging people toward the Capitol like Ray Epps. Right? Voicing your opinion that it was (in her opinion) and unjust prosecution is a crime?
Hate to say it but that case is one of many! Check out Julie Kelly's Substack to get a better ( more robust) view of the tyrannical DC court. I think many would be appalled ! I believe those that were violent and/or destructive should
be punished. The court is punishing anyone who was there, whether the went into the capitol , walk on the grounds, for 30 seconds, 2 minutes, 20 minutes, it does not matter. Sad, and sick!!
There’s an article for Matt to write too. He could probably use an intern.
Thanks for the heads up! My industrial-sized popcorn machine is working as we speak.
08/13/25: Warning: Overdosing on heavily-buttered popcorn will turn your insides into Tim Walz.
Fun fact: My insides have seen more combat than Tim Walz.
Barney Fife (Don Knotts) has seen more combat than Fake Command Sergeant Major Walz.
Nominating you for a Babylon Bee internship. Smiling emoji
Stress eating is the new smoking. ;)
gotta luv it nom nom!
Your work is amazing. Seriously.... we need more journalists like you! Thank goodness someone is out there doing the legwork!
Thank you!
So much for a relaxing end of summer. Hopefully by Thanksgiving you can chill and give thanks! Appreciate your hard work!
I would think that Mr. Taibbi will eventually move into more of an editor role, assuming the funds through substack can support it. That should reduce his hours hopefully.
I may be wrong but I get the feeling he'd rather be doing exactly what he's doing now than manage and oversee a bunch of people of the sort that he used to be. I understand that he does that to an extent now and has a team working for him, but he's a reporter to the core.
Even if I'm wrong and he took more of an "editor" role, I doubt he'd cut back on hours much.
Thx for your work. Happy to wait for the truth.
Keep up the great work Matt and please don't burn out. I sincerely hope you have enough subscribers to support all of your hard work. America needs more real journalists like you, Greenwald and Shellenberger.
Matt, if you are ever in Oregon, I want to buy you a beer. You earned it
Buy a case. They think big.
Ditto! In Portland.. and dinner for the whole fam!
Do what you gotta do, after all, you NEVER disappoint!
Getting it right is more important than getting it fast. Thanks.
I anticipate a multitude of airport frisks and IRS audits in your future, plus calls for your extradition by wimpy UK officials. Lol.
I liked your comment, but I don't like your comment, if you know what I mean.
Srsly, Matt might want to avoid travel to the UK for a while. And maybe Russell Brand might think about moving to Texas.
08/13/24: I'm afraid that it's worse than that. In about a year's time, we'll see "Taibbi Gang-Pressed Into The British Navy." Worse, Prince Harry will be the ship's captain. And Meghan will be running the brig (until she launches a coup d'etat and makes Captain Harry walk the plank).
I heart emoji Taibbi
This is the first time (probably in at least a decade if not two) that I've been eager to see what a news organization has uncovered through its investigative journalism. Matt, thanks for bringing that back to the world of journalsim!
Thanks for your work, Matt.
Keep digging, Matt. You’re over the target. Keep your head on a swivel.
And watch out for anti-aircraft shrapnel.
Hardest working man in journalism.