Happy Tuesday!
Today’s Brew puts us in a New York state of mind.
But first, we don’t want to get going without offering a prayer for the Christians in Syria, who face potential devastation with the overthrow of dictator Bashar al-Assad. The Stream’s John Zmirak is on the story and will be providing updates during the week. In fact, we’ve already posted a fresh analysis from him and frequent contributor Jason Jones: “Syria Falls to al Qaeda: What’s Next for Christians There.” Please read and share it widely.
On Sunday night, the U.S. launched 75 precision strikes against ISIS bases in Syria to prevent the terrorist group from capitalizing on the instability in the wake of the coup.
Daniel Penny Declared NOT GUILTY of Negligent Homicide
Daniel Penny, the heroic Marine who saved New York subway riders from a dangerous madman earlier this year — only to find himself charged with manslaughter and negligent homicide — is now a free man. The manslaughter charge was dropped last week, and yesterday, a jury declared Penny not guilty of negligent homicide.
“Penny Saved” was the clever New York Post headline.
Also saved? The citizens and guests of the Big Apple. If Penny went to prison for being a Good Samaritan, the anarchy that would hit the streets and subways would make Escape from New York look like the musical Annie.
Naturally, the race hustlers and radicals are having a meltdown over the acquittal (since Penny is white and the armed gunman shooting to threaten everyone on the subway car was black). BLM Greater NY founder Hawk Newsome yelled in the courtroom, “It’s a small world, buddy.” And he wasn’t urging Penny to go to Disney World to celebrate the verdict. Outside the courthouse, the NYPD had to arrest unruly protestors.
While Penny’s innocence was clear to anyone who has eyes, one element of the verdict is perplexing. As Jonathan Turley summarized on Fox News: “You had a jury that couldn’t agree on the more serious offense, but then they came back found him not guilty on the lesser offense.” What happened with the jury over the weekend? After deadlocking last week on the manslaughter charge, they ignored pressure from the judge and threats from the protestors to clear Perry on the negligent homicide charge in just a couple of hours.
In any event, what a glorious lump of coal the jury put in District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s Christmas stocking.
Someone on X suggested that President-Elect Donald Trump should invite Penny to his first State of the Union address. That’s an idea, especially since Penny has done a better job of protecting people than the Secret Service has lately.
They Got Their Man: Suspect Thought to Have Gunned Down United Healthcare CEO Arrested
A “strong suspect” has been detained for questioning in connection with the cold-blooded assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The NYPD says an employee at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, recognized the suspect and alerted authorities.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced the news Monday afternoon.
NYC Mayor Eric Adams gives updates on UnitedHealthcare CEO murder case: “We have a strong person of interest.” pic.twitter.com/PZqlyrkZIU
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) December 9, 2024
The suspect — identified as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione — was reportedly found with fake IDs, a silencer, and a gun similar to the one used in the murder. Authorities also found a two-page handwritten “manifesto,” in which the suspect rants about the health care industry. Police say Mangione has “ill will toward corporate America,” and has been described as a “climate change activist.”
According to Collin Rugg, Mangione is a former Ivy Leaguer and high school valedictorian with an apparent fondness for Unabomber Ted Kaczynski.
JUST IN: The person of interest in the UnitedHealthcare CEO execution has been ID’d as Luigi Mangione, a former Ivy League student and activist.
Mangione is described as a “tech whiz” and was a former valedictorian.
Mangione is an anti-capitalist 26-year-old who shared quotes… pic.twitter.com/qkxsO9lTmp
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 9, 2024
Before we kid ourselves into thinking that Mangione is a lone nut, consider how many leftists celebrated Thompson’s murder, including former Washington Post reporter Taylor Lorenz — who was just fired from Vox as well for praising the violence. The publication announced it won’t be renewing her contract.
Interestingly, as the person behind the X handle @DefNotDarth noticed, Lorenz actually followed Mangione on the platform.
The account of the “person of interest” in UHC CEO #BrianThompson killing, @PepMangione, was followed by @TaylorLorenz herself.
The “journalist” was fired from Vox today for encouraging this violence against executives and applauding the murder. pic.twitter.com/HdKWUG4j8i
— Darth Crypto null af (@DefNotDarth) December 9, 2024
Similarly, Saturday Night Live is getting hammered for making light of the killing in last weekend’s episode. “Weekend Update” offered several quips in connection with the murder. (Very bad taste.)
Imagine this: It’s Saturday, December 13, 1980, the first SNL episode to air after the murder of Beatle John Lennon on those same New York streets. “According to the NYPD, Lennon’s final words were ‘Gee. Happiness isn’t a warm gun after all …'” That would never happen. But when it’s the CEO of a health insurance company? Have at it.
Trump Gives First Network Interview Since Election: Pardon J6ers, End Birthright Citizenship
On Sunday, Trump vowed in his first network interview since the election to “very quickly” pardon J6 prisoners and bring an end to birthright citizenship. The president-elect also told Trump-hating Meet the Press host Kristen Welker that he has no interest in pardoning himself since he did nothing wrong, and if families of illegal immigrants don’t want to be separated, they can return home together. Trump did add that he’s willing to work out a deal with Democrats to protect Dreamers.
JUST IN: Donald Trump confirms that on day one, he will end birthright citizenship.
“We’re gonna have to get it changed. We HAVE to end it. We’re the only country that has it.”
“One foot on our land – congratulations! You are now a citizen of the United States of America!… pic.twitter.com/CkE6jvos9q
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 8, 2024
Trump also had some blunt thoughts concerning soon-to-be-dismissed FBI Director Christopher Wray. “He invaded my home,” Trump said, before running off a list of Biden administration’s domestic security failures.
Which Is He? A Drunken Heathen or an Aggressive Christian?
The tide seems to be turning in a positive direction for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. For one thing, he apparently had a productive meeting Monday with hold-out Sen. Joni Ernst.
Another sign? The “Hegseth is a drunken skirt-chaser” mantra has now been replaced with “he’s too Christian.”
Politico dropped an article Friday called “Pete Hegseth’s Crusade to Turn the Military Into a Christian Weapon.” The report claims Hegseth has embraced an “aggressive form of Christianity” that is “at war with the Pentagon’s non-partisan and pluralistic culture.” Translation: He’s disqualified because doesn’t think it’s a good idea for military bases to host drag queen events and pay to chop off the body parts of service members’ children. He also doesn’t think the lethality and efficiency of the U.S. military should play second fiddle to “diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
What is “aggressive Christianity” anyway? Politico means it as a slur, but this time of year especially, we consider it the same way Catherine Mumford Booth did in her book Aggressive Christianity: as a passion for reaching the lost wherever they may be, to invite them to the Great Feast God has prepared for them. Booth cofounded the Salvation Army with her husband, William Booth.
Put that in a red kettle, Politico.
Along the Stream…
Speaking of all things Christmas, Jules Gomes has an interesting treatise on John the Baptist in: “There’s an Advent Hippie on the Christmas Highway.”
Meanwhile, newcomer Jason Mattera offers “Study: How DEI Turned America Into a Racial Powder Keg.”
Al Perrotta is The Stream’s Washington bureau chief, coauthor with John Zmirak of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Immigration, and coauthor of the counterterrorism memoir Hostile Intent: Protecting Yourself Against Terrorism.
The post The Brew: Penny Acquitted, Man Suspected of Murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Captured appeared first on The Stream.
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