TRUMP DEFENSE ON ADVICE OF COUNCEL

TRUMP DEFENSE 

ON ADVICE OF COUNCEL

Donald Trump's "advice of counsel" defense has been making headlines lately, and it's hard not to laugh at the absurdity of it all. I mean, come on, we're talking about a guy who once suggested injecting bleach as a cure for COVID-19. Do we really think he was following the advice of his lawyers? But let's give him the benefit of the doubt for a minute. Maybe, just maybe, he really was taking his lawyers' advice when he tried to pressure Mike Pence into overturning the election results. In that case, we have to wonder what other advice his lawyers gave him. Did they tell him to wear a suit made entirely out of gold lamé? Did they suggest he start every speech with a joke about his hair? Did they recommend he try to negotiate peace in the Middle East via Twitter? Or maybe they gave him some more practical advice. Like, "Mr. President, it's not a good idea to stick your head in the oven to tighten your wrinkles." Because let's be honest, if Trump had followed that particular piece of advice, things could have gotten really nasty. Of course, there are some potential problems with the "advice of counsel" defense. For one thing, it only works if the defendant actually relied on their lawyers' advice. And given Trump's track record of ignoring advice he doesn't like, that's a pretty big if. Plus, even if he did rely on his lawyers' advice, it only gets him off the hook if his actions weren't criminal in the first place. And let's face it, trying to overturn a democratic election is pretty damn criminal. But hey, stranger things have happened. Maybe Trump will be able to convince a jury that he was just following orders from his legal team. Maybe they'll buy the idea that a man who once stared directly at a solar eclipse was simply too naive to know better. Or maybe, just maybe, they'll see through the whole charade and deliver justice to a man who deserves nothing less. Either way, one thing is for sure: this whole "advice of counsel" defense is one big joke. And if there's one thing Trump knows how to do, it's tell a joke. Even if it's unintentional.

Trump’s lawyer drops an unsettling hint about his defense strategyMy Washington Post subscription allows me to share access to great journalism. Check out this gift article, at no cost to you. Read here: https://wapo.st/3OqcO0X

Trump’s Jack Smith Trial Plan: Scapegoat His Coup Lawyers – Rolling Stone https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/donald-trump-jan6-jack-smith-rudy-giuliani-john-eastman-1234798826/

Trump's attorney tells NPR how he plans to defend against the latest charges : NPR https://www.npr.org/2023/08/02/1191627739/trump-charges-indictment-attorney-jan-6-probe

Trump’s Lawyers Raise First Amendment Defense to Latest Charges. Will It Work? - WSJ https://www.wsj.com/articles/donald-trump-first-amendment-jan-6-trial-defense-dbbdf297

FROM BARD AI:

Trump's defense of "on advice of counsel".

The "advice of counsel" defense is a legal doctrine that allows a defendant to argue that they did not act with criminal intent because they were simply following the advice of their lawyers. This defense is often used in cases where the defendant is accused of a white-collar crime, such as fraud or tax evasion.

In the case of Donald Trump, he is accused of obstructing the official proceeding of the electoral count on January 6, 2021. Trump's lawyers have argued that he was simply following the advice of his lawyers, including John Eastman, when he pressured Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the election results.

There are a few potential problems with Trump's "advice of counsel" defense. First, the defense requires that the defendant actually relied on the advice of their lawyers. In Trump's case, there is evidence that he did not always follow the advice of his lawyers. For example, he ignored the advice of his lawyers not to pressure Pence to overturn the election results.

Second, the defense only applies if the defendant's actions were not criminal in the first place. In Trump's case, the obstruction charge requires proving that he had "corrupt intent". This means that he must have known that his actions were wrong and that he did them anyway. If Trump can prove that he was simply following the advice of his lawyers, then he may be able to avoid a conviction on the obstruction charge.

However, even if Trump can prove that he relied on the advice of his lawyers, he may still be convicted of other charges, such as seditious conspiracy. This charge requires proving that Trump conspired with others to use force to prevent the certification of the election results. It is not clear whether the "advice of counsel" defense would apply to this charge.

Ultimately, the success of Trump's "advice of counsel" defense will depend on the specific facts of his case and the interpretation of the law by the jury. However, it is a potential defense that Trump's lawyers may use to try to avoid a conviction.

COLLEGE BOARD TELLS FLORIDA THAT AP PSYCHOLOGY IS NOT A BUFFET

 

COLLEGE BOARD TELLS FLORIDA THAT  AP PSYCHOLOGY IS NOT A BUFFET

AP Psychology 'effectively banned' in Florida because of gender, sexuality chapter. Florida superintendents were advised Thursday by the state to nix their Advanced Placement Psychology classes unless they exclude any topics related to gender or sexuality, according to The College Board, which oversees the AP program

In a move that has left many Floridian educators scratching their heads, the College Board has declared that AP Psychology courses in the state must include lessons on gender identity and sexual orientation, or risk losing accreditation. The announcement comes in response to Florida's new "Don't Say Gay" bill, which prohibits teachers from discussing these topics in the classroom.

The College Board's decision is being hailed as a victory for LGBTQ+ rights advocates, but it has also raised concerns about censorship and academic freedom. In a statement, the organization said that its decision was based on the fact that gender identity and sexual orientation are "fundamental concepts in psychology," and that any course that censors required content cannot be considered AP-level.

But some critics are questioning whether the College Board has overstepped its bounds. "Who do they think they are, telling us what we can and can't teach?" asked one Florida teacher, who wished to remain anonymous. "I mean, I get that they're trying to protect LGBTQ+ students, but isn't that our job as educators?"

Others are more supportive of the College Board's decision. "I think it's great that they're standing up for what's right," said a student at a Florida high school. "It's not fair to leave out important topics just because some people don't want to talk about them."

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, one thing is clear: the "Don't Say Gay" bill has created a lot of confusion and controversy in Florida's education system. Some teachers are unsure how to proceed, while others are openly defying the law. And with the College Board now weighing in, it's anyone's guess what will happen next.

One thing is for sure, though: if you're a student in Florida taking AP Psychology, you're in for a wild ride. Get ready to learn about everything from Freudian theory to gender dysphoria – and maybe even a few things your parents don't want you to know. Who said psychology was boring?

College Board advises Florida schools to not offer AP Psychology - CBS Miami https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/college-board-advises-florida-schools-to-not-offer-ap-psychology/ 

College Board advises Florida schools to not offer AP Psychology after state says teaching lessons about gender identity and sexuality would violate state law | CNN https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/03/us/florida-ap-psychology-college-board/index.html 

College Board says Florida schools may not offer AP psych without gender lessons https://www.tampabay.com/news/education/2023/08/03/college-board-says-florida-schools-may-not-offer-ap-psych-without-gender-lessons/ 

Florida 'effectively bans' AP Psychology over gender, sexuality unit https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/08/03/ap-psychology-banned-florida/70523459007/ 

OKLA SSPI RYAN WALTERS SAYS TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE LINKED TO CHINESE COMMUNIST

 

OKLA SSPI RYAN WALTERS SAYS TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE LINKED TO CHINESE COMMUNIST

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters recently made headlines with his outlandish claim that Tulsa Public Schools are linked to the Chinese Communist Party. In a video posted on Twitter, Walters alleged that TPS was receiving money from the Chinese government to "undermine our United States government, our country." However, upon closer inspection, it seems that Walters' claims are about as credible as a unicorn sighting.

Firstly, let's address the elephant in the room - why on earth would the Chinese government want to fund a school district in Tulsa, Oklahoma? Are they secretly plotting to take over the Sooner State? Do they have a particular interest in the education of American children? Or are they just feeling generous and want to throw some cash around? We may never know.

Walters' claims are based on the fact that TPS once hosted a Confucius Classroom, a program sponsored by the Confucius Institute Headquarters. Now, I don't know about you, but when I think of Confucius, I don't exactly picture a mastermind of political subterfuge. Confucius was a philosopher who lived over two thousand years ago - not exactly the type of guy who's going to be plotting world domination from beyond the grave.

Furthermore, TPS ended its relationship with the Confucius Institute Headquarters in 2019, after the Trump administration issued an executive order banning federal funding for Confucius Institutes. So even if there was some nefarious plot afoot, it seems that TPS is no longer involved.

Walters' claims about TPS being linked to the Chinese Communist Party are also unfounded. The Confucius Institute Headquarters is not a government agency, and it does not have any official ties to the Chinese Communist Party. In fact, the organization's mission is to promote Chinese language and culture - not exactly the stuff of espionage.

But perhaps the most damning evidence against Walters' claims is the fact that there is no evidence to support them. TPS officials have denied receiving any money from the Chinese government, and there is no line item for Chinese government funding in the district's budget. It seems that Walters' allegations are based on nothing more than speculation and innuendo.

Of course, it's possible that Walters is simply mistaken about the facts. Or maybe he's just trying to drum up some attention for himself - after all, controversy is a great way to get your name in the news. But regardless of his motives, it's clear that his claims about TPS are about as credible as a Loch Ness Monster sighting.

So what can we learn from all this? Well, for starters, we should be wary of baseless accusations and conspiracy theories. Just because someone says something doesn't make it true - especially if they provide no evidence to back it up. And secondly, we should never underestimate the power of a good laugh. In these uncertain times, sometimes all we can do is sit back, relax, and enjoy a good chuckle at the expense of those who take themselves too seriously.

Tulsa Public Schools denies Walters' Chinese funding claims https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/education/tulsa-public-schools-denies-ryan-walters-chinese-funding-claims/article_3c563a10-3233-11ee-ba62-23d31ca63b50.html

Walters grants interview about Tulsa Public Schools https://tulsaworld.com/news/local/education/walters-zeroes-in-on-poor-leadership-chronically-low-academic-outcomes-at-tps/article_10f79094-3247-11ee-aabf-5fe3f5701261.html 

IS YOUR JOB ON THE AI HIT LIST? PEW REPORT SAYS YES

IS YOUR JOB ON THE AI HIT LIST? PEW REPORT SAYS YES

Is Your Job on the AI Hit List? Pew Research Center Report Says Yes, But Don't Panic Yet!

Are you a college-educated, higher-paid, Asian or White woman? Congratulations! You are more likely to be on the AI hit list. But before you start packing your bags and running for the hills, let's take a closer look at what this really means.

According to the Pew Research Center, about 20% of workers have high-exposure jobs to AI. This means that they are more likely to be affected by the rise of machines and automation in the workplace. But here's the funny part - those in the most exposed industries are actually more optimistic than pessimistic about the impact of AI on their jobs. Who knew that robots could be so reassuring?

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Just because workers are hopeful doesn't mean that AI won't have any negative effects on employment. It's true that those with more education and higher wages are more likely to be exposed to AI, but that doesn't mean that they will be replaced by machines anytime soon. In fact, some experts predict that AI will create more jobs than it destroys in the long run.

So, what can you do to protect yourself from the AI takeover? Well, for starters, you can stop worrying and start preparing. Instead of fearing the rise of machines, embrace it. Learn new skills, stay up-to-date with the latest technology, and be open to new opportunities. After all, who knows what kind of jobs will exist in the future? Maybe we'll all be working as robot whisperers or AI consultants.

In conclusion, don't panic if your job is on the AI hit list. Instead, take a deep breath and remember that robots are not here to take over the world (yet). As long as we stay adaptable and keep our sense of humor, we'll be just fine. And who knows, maybe one day we'll look back on this moment and laugh about how we thought robots were going to steal our jobs.

A fifth of US workers have jobs with 'high exposure' to AI https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/08/04/jobs-most-exposed-ai/70523057007/ 

Which U.S. Workers Are More Exposed to AI on Their Jobs? https://pewrsr.ch/3q9JKTd 

Big Education Ape: AI: BEND OVER AND KISS YOUR JOB GOODBYE https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2023/07/ai-bend-over-and-kiss-your-job-goodbye.html