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Roy Moore Rejected (Yet Again), IRS Warns About Pre-Paying Taxes, Fine Upheld Against Bakery over Gay Wedding Cake: P.M. Links

Scott Shackford | 12.28.2017 4:30 PM

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  • Roy Moore
    CAMERON CARNES/UPI/Newscom

    Roy Moore's last-minute attempt to stop the certification of the results of Alabama's senate election has been rejected by a circuit judge. Doug Jones has been formally declared the victor.

  • The IRS says that people who prepaid their property taxes for 2018 in order to take advantage of deductions that are being scaled back under the tax overhaul may not be able to deduct as much as they think they can.
  • Oregon's Court of Appeals has upheld a $135,000 fine against a bakery owner who refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.
  • The editor's notes in the manuscript for Milo Yiannopoulos' book that was ultimately rejected (after being accepted) by Simon & Schuster have become public thanks to court records and Yiannopoulos' lawsuit against the book publisher. The notes are not kind, to say the least.
  • "Airstrikes in Yemen kill 68 civilians in a single day."
  • Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner—the man who died after being put in a chokehold by police in New York City over selling loose cigarettes—has been declared brain dead following a heart attack.

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NEXT: There Still Wasn't a War on Cops in 2017

Scott Shackford is a policy research editor at Reason Foundation.

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  1. Episteme   8 years ago

    Timestamps, how do they work?

    1. Scott S.   8 years ago

      [whistles and pretends nothing happened]

      1. Chipper Morning Baculum   8 years ago

        ^^^when Gillespie finds The Jacket being worn by that homeless guy in front if Reason HQ.

        1. Citizen X - #6   8 years ago

          when Gillespie finds The Jacket being worn byeating that homeless guy in front if Reason HQ

          Fixed.

          1. Chipper Morning Baculum   8 years ago

            "Shackford, have you fed The Jacket like I asked you to, and taken it for a walk?"

            "Geez, Nick, why do you think the PM links were late?"

    2. Citizen X - #6   8 years ago

      Simple. Shackleton is TimeCop. It is known.

      1. BestUsedCarSales   8 years ago

        This explains why he used to post so many photos of him split kicking thugs on Twitter.

        1. Citizen X - #6   8 years ago

          Actually, that's unrelated.

          1. Chipper Morning Baculum   8 years ago

            That's from the short-lived HBO docu-drama Shackford & Riggs.

    3. Episteme   8 years ago

      DAMN YOU, SHACKFORD! YOU'VE COVERED YOUR MISTAKES BY CHANGING THE AM TO PM SO THAT I LOOK THE FOOL!

      ignites lightsaber and proceeds to Kylo Ren his computer

  2. Fist of Etiquette   8 years ago

    Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner?the man who died after being put in a chokehold by police in New York City over selling loose cigarettes?has been declared brain dead following a heart attack.

    Hopefully not from smoking.

    1. BestUsedCarSales   8 years ago

      Pure coincidence that the heart attack coincided with being repeatedly tazered by the police.

      1. Square = Circle   8 years ago

        It's not their fault Buttle's heart condition didn't show up on Tuttle's record!

    2. Chipper Morning Baculum   8 years ago

      Sad. RIP, Erica. Not gonna make a joke about this.

      1. Unlabelable MJGreen   8 years ago

        I appreciate the two above, but same. Sad news.

    3. DenverJ   8 years ago

      And, the thing is, he wasn't selling lose cigarettes. The officer recognized him as someone who had sold them in the past!

      1. BestUsedCarSales   8 years ago

        Well, Eric didn't get away with it that time.

    4. Tom Bombadil   8 years ago

      "has been declared brain dead following a heart attack."

      So, "dead".

      1. Rat on a train   8 years ago

        Mostly dead?

      2. Fist of Etiquette   8 years ago

        Don't go opening that can of worms.

  3. Fist of Etiquette   8 years ago

    The notes are not kind, to say the least.

    Meow.

  4. Fist of Etiquette   8 years ago

    Roy Moore's last-minute attempt to stop the certification of the results of Alabama's senate election has been rejected by a circuit judge.

    On the plus side, the judge's 15-year-old daughter was in court and not married.

    1. chemjeff   8 years ago

      Whoa there. Who wants to be dating those old geezers?

    2. Episteme   8 years ago

      Did Moore try to claim that he outranked the judge and make his own ruling?

  5. Fist of Etiquette   8 years ago

    The IRS says that people who prepaid their property taxes for 2018 in order to take advantage of deductions that are being scaled back under the tax overhaul may not be able to deduct as much as they think they can.

    UNLESS YOU'RE A WEALTHY CORPORATION, AM I RIGHT PEOPLE?

    1. BestUsedCarSales   8 years ago

      YOU R RIGHT

    2. creech   8 years ago

      No, wealthy corporations likely have cpa-certified audits and prepared tax returns. This situation would be a pre-paid asset and not a 2017 expense.

      1. BestUsedCarSales   8 years ago

        NO HE WAZ RIGHT

  6. Azathoth!!   8 years ago

    OMG! Unkind editors notes!!!

    What next? A 72 point type lede about the wetness of water?

    1. Chipper Morning Baculum   8 years ago

      Are you defending your hero?

      1. Unlabelable MJGreen   8 years ago

        Like those fat cucks at Simon & Schuckster, you don't appreciate the intellectuality of Milo. He had a section on Nietzsche!

        1. BestUsedCarSales   8 years ago

          It's okay to say you've read The Gay Science these days.

        2. This Machine Chips Fascists   8 years ago

          Apes don't read philosophy.

          1. Unlabelable MJGreen   8 years ago

            Asshole!

          2. Arizona_Guy   8 years ago

            They do, they just don't understand it.

  7. Unicorn Abattoir   8 years ago

    ?Oregon's Court of Appeals has upheld a $135,000 fine against a bakery owner who refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.

    Just another nail in the First Amendment's coffin. Isn't the USSC reviewing a similar case?

    1. BestUsedCarSales   8 years ago

      Clearly it's a civil issue since they only fined them. That's pain and suffering money.

      1. Citizen X - #6   8 years ago

        Yeah, some fat cat baker ought to be able to pull a hundred and thirty five large out they couch cushions, no sweat.

        1. Chipper Morning Baculum   8 years ago

          Cat baker?

          1. Unicorn Abattoir   8 years ago

            Lascist!!!

          2. Hank Stamper   8 years ago

            Cat baker would have served those two pussies.

            1. Holmes IV   8 years ago

              *slow clap*

      2. GILMORE?   8 years ago

        That's pain and suffering money.

        is that really the case? that the OG fine was some smaller amount, and the additional very-large fine was just civil damages, not statutory punishment?

        i'd be curious to know. i'd think, if they really punished a person $100K plus for a 'refusal to serve' that there'd be at least some 8th amendment complaints

        1. Deflator Mouse   8 years ago

          According to the article, the fine was entirely the work of the "administrative judge" from the state bureau.

          Clearly meant to intimidate anybody who wants to test the law. More background here

          And the $135,000 award of damages is fair, the lawyers argue. The couple denied the cake, Rachel and Laurel Bowman-Cryer, testified "extensively" about the emotional distress they suffered after the Aaron Klein turned Rachel Bowman-Cryer away in January 2013.

          The award also lines up with other fines Avakian has imposed, the lawyers argue. In 2013, Avakian ordered a North Portland bar owner to pay $400,000 to a group of transgender and cross-dressing patrons he'd asked not to return. And in 2012, Avakian ordered a Bend dentist to pay nearly $348,000 to an assistant who said the dentist threatened to fire her if she did not attend a Scientology-related training session.

          So this guy is a petty despot in enforcing his agenda all the time, that makes it ipso facto reasonable. Yeah, sure.

          1. DEATFBIRSECIA   8 years ago

            Except for the Scientology one. I'm totally ok with doing whatever it takes to get rid of those filthy bastards.

    2. Kivlor   8 years ago

      It came years after Rachel Bowman-Cryer and Laurel Bowman-Cryer first stopped at the Klein's custom-cake bakery.

      The couple had no idea a simple item on their pre-wedding to-do list would end in such controversy.

      Is this the couple that shopped for a bakery to sue?

      1. Tony   8 years ago

        It continues:

        They decided to order a cake from Sweet Cakes by Melissa, a Gresham bakery recommended by a relative, for their upcoming commitment ceremony. Rachel Bowman-Cryer and her mother stopped by the shop for a tasting and to order the cake.

        When Aaron Klein found out the cake was for two brides, he told Bowman-Cryer he and his wife did not make cakes for same-sex weddings because of their religious beliefs.

        According to a brief filed by the civil rights organization Lambda Legal, when Bowman-Cryer's mother returned to the bakery to reason with Aaron Klein, he called her daughter and her soon-to-be daughter-in-law "abominations."

        1. Deflator Mouse   8 years ago

          Yes, that's their side of the story, which is fairly implausible.

          Your reaction to being insulted by one of dozens of bakeries in the area is to send your mom back to try to get them to make the cake for you anyway? Yeah, right.

          1. Tony   8 years ago

            All anyone's asking for is equal rights.

            Except the Christians, who want special rights.

            1. BYODB   8 years ago

              You have it backwards. If a straight couple had been turned away without a cake nothing would have happened, even if they tried to take it to a court.

              1. Tony   8 years ago

                Proof of this claim that the courts would ignore the law if it were straight people being discriminated against? Or did you just kinda pull it from your ass?

                1. BYODB   8 years ago

                  RE: All of history prior to this point, idjit.

            2. Deflator Mouse   8 years ago

              There's no evidence that the bakery owners think other bakers and businesses should be denied similar freedom of speech and freedom of association.

            3. Mickey Rat   8 years ago

              Where is it written that this couple has a right to a cake provided them by this cake shop?

              From where does such a right emanate?

              1. Tony   8 years ago

                The letter of the law, same with all rights.

                1. loveconstitution1789   8 years ago

                  Tony thinks only government dictates what "rights" you have.

                  Like the "right" to minimum wage.

                  Tony's a joke.

            4. loveconstitution1789   8 years ago

              Tony|12.28.17 @ 6:41PM|#
              All anyone's asking for is equal rights.
              Except the Christians, who want special rights.

              "Equal rights" is NOT what the lefties want. They want to be able to force people to do things even if it violates the protections of the Constitution against forced association.

              All religious groups gets 1st Amendment protections that are special. It tries to prevent what is happening now, religious people being persecuted for their beliefs.

              Its the gay boyz/girlz that want made up special rights.

      2. Arizona_Guy   8 years ago

        The couple had no idea a simple item on their pre-wedding to-do list would end in such controversy.

        They could have avoided any controversy by going to another bakery.

        1. Deflator Mouse   8 years ago

          Exactly.

          In the Jim Crow South, black people had to struggle to find businesses that would serve them.

          In LGBTQAAYRIWKOJVS++ America, homosexuals have to struggle to find businesses that won't serve them.

          1. Tony   8 years ago

            A not irrelevant point in discussing the overall philosophy of nondiscrimination law, but if it says you can't eject gay people for being gay, you can't do it. And if we are going to keep other protected classes, there's no good argument for excluding sexual orientation, unless you'd care to attempt one.

            1. Deflator Mouse   8 years ago

              And if we are going to keep other protected classes, there's no good argument for excluding sexual orientation, unless you'd care to attempt one.

              Well I'm against all anti-discrimination laws in principle. If there were evidence that individuals in a particular group are unable to obtain goods and services due to ubiquitous discrimination, as was the case in the JCS, I might be willing to make a practical exception for as long as that condition holds. But that's not the case here.

              Of course, the argument you're making proves too much. "If we are going to keep other protected classes, there's no argument for excluding political beliefs, unless you care to attempt one." Therefore you would be OK with fining Google and GoDaddy out the wazoo for refusing to host white nationalist websites, right?

            2. Eidde   8 years ago

              If we are going to keep other protected classes, there's no argument for excluding sports-team preferences, unless you care to attempt one.

              If we are going to keep other protected classes, there's no argument for excluding deodorant preferences, unless you care to attempt one.

              If we are going to keep other protected classes, there's no argument for excluding size, unless you care to attempt one.

              If we are going to keep other protected classes, there's no argument for excluding (insert random category), unless you care to attempt one.

            3. Brian   8 years ago

              And if the law's unconstitutional, it won't matter what it says.

              So much for what the law says.

            4. loveconstitution1789   8 years ago

              "nondiscrimination law"
              Tony, the constitutional right to freedom of association is supreme to any law made by Congress.

              Another reason that lefties, like yourself, hate the Constitution.

              1. Paloma   8 years ago

                I don't even think the baker refused to associate with them. He just didn't want to bake this particular cake. It was for religious reasons, but really could be for any reason. The man is not their slave.

                And I don't believe for one minute the disingenuous story that they had "no idea" this would be controversial and therefore they had $135,000 worth of pain and suffering. Most of us would be glad if that's the most pain and suffering we had in our lives.

        2. BYODB   8 years ago

          And, as a bonus, the bakery that their relative 'recommended' to them is now going to be out of business. Thanks, fam.

    3. I'm Not Sure   8 years ago

      Ok- I stopped reading the article here...

      [Carson Whitehead, assistant attorney general with the Oregon Department of Justice] also argued that the damages awarded to the couple were reasonable considering the emotional distress they experienced.

      No, just... no. The damages were not reasonable.

      1. Mickey Rat   8 years ago

        But they their tremendous sense of entitlement punctured!

    4. Mickey Rat   8 years ago

      1st Amendment's coffin. Free markets coffin. Property rights coffin. Pick your poison.

  8. Rich   8 years ago

    The announcement stoked confusion surrounding one of the most controversial elements of the tax law.... It also offered a glimpse of the kind of hiccups that could arise in coming weeks as the IRS releases guidance on other facets of the bill

    The notion of IRS "guidance" is bullshit. Until congress reforms the code so that any taxpayer can understand it (or abolishes it), I recommend voting out all incumbents.

    1. Don't look at me.   8 years ago

      We absolutely must vote out all incumbents, every time.

    2. Paloma   8 years ago

      How about cutting the IRS budget in half?

  9. Unicorn Abattoir   8 years ago

    "Airstrikes in Yemen kill 68 civilians in a single day.

    Amateurs.

    1. Conchfritters   8 years ago

      Well, in their defense, the Saudis are probably the most inept military force on the face of the earth.

      1. Chipper Morning Baculum   8 years ago

        That's because they don't allow women pilots.

        1. Don't look at me.   8 years ago

          'Cuz they can't park the plane, amirite?

          1. The_Hoser   8 years ago

            No rearview mirror for putting on mascara.

  10. Rich   8 years ago

    The market was used to sell vegetables and khat, the narcotic leaves widely consumed in Yemen and the Horn of Africa. It was hit during its busiest time, around 8 a.m., said Tawfeeq Al Sufi, a relative of one of the victims.

    War on Terror *and* War on Drugs!

    1. Don't look at me.   8 years ago

      Bombs cost money, efficient use of assets. Winning.

      1. Libertarian   8 years ago

        I'm sick of winning.

  11. Citizen X - #6   8 years ago

    Mr. Sufi said that shrapnel struck his cousin in the abdomen. "Right before he bled out," he said, " he gave someone his cellphone and said, 'Call my family and tell them I died.' "

    Those are some hardcore fact-based last words.

    1. Chipper Morning Baculum   8 years ago

      Jesus.

    2. Don't look at me.   8 years ago

      Too bad the battery did too.

      1. Episteme   8 years ago

        Apple had slowed it down without telling him.

    3. Paloma   8 years ago

      Sickening

  12. Rich   8 years ago

    Romanian hackers took over D.C. surveillance cameras just before presidential inauguration

    Ah, HA!!

    1. BestUsedCarSales   8 years ago

      So the crowd sizes were fake.

      1. Rich   8 years ago

        Exactly.

  13. Rich   8 years ago

    Girl Is Beating Boys On The Wrestling Mat

    "No whispering!"

    1. Conchfritters   8 years ago

      But they might fall in love with her when she develops cauliflower ear.

      1. BestUsedCarSales   8 years ago

        Coach Richie Renz said it's working.

        "First girl I've coached int he 30 years I've been coaching varsity wrestling. Her skills are above average and when you see her wrestle you can tell she's technically sound,"

        Don't kiss her ass too hard there, Coach.

        1. Tony   8 years ago

          There are more efficient ways to meet girls than to coach boys wrestling, as Denny Hastert knows and doesn't care.

    2. Deflator Mouse   8 years ago

      In wrestling, they determine your division by weight. At less than 100 lb she's matching up against the smallest (and thus probably youngest and least experienced) high school boys.

  14. Old Mexican's Speedos   8 years ago

    Oregon's Court of Appeals has upheld a $135,000 fine against a bakery owner who refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.

    "Your labor is ours, bitch!"

    Roy Moore's last-minute attempt to stop the certification of the results of Alabama's senate election has been rejected by a circuit judge.

    Oh, Roy! Your last ditch efforts have dizzled like your appeal towards 14-year-old girls.

  15. Jerryskids   8 years ago

    The editor's notes in the manuscript for Milo Yiannopoulos' book that was ultimately rejected (after being accepted) by Simon & Schuster have become public thanks to court records and Yiannopoulos' lawsuit against the book publisher. The notes are not kind, to say the least.

    This is why you use a ghostwriter. A beard, if you will.

  16. crufus   8 years ago

    Roy Moore should be used to coming in a little behind by now.

    1. Tony   8 years ago

      Points!

  17. Rich   8 years ago

    an intoxicated Dallas woman who was on a first date with a prominent Houston trial lawyer caused at least $300,000 in damage to his art collection

    Layman refused to leave and hid inside the home, and that when he found her and called a second Uber, she got aggressive. Authorities said she tore down several paintings and poured red wine on some while yelling obscenities. She also allegedly threw two $20,000 sculptures across the room and shattered them.

    Never stick it in crazy.

    1. Eidde   8 years ago

      She poured *red* wine on the art? Only white wine goes with that kind of art, she must lack culture.

    2. Stormy Dragon   8 years ago

      Why would you bring a complete stranger to your home on the first date?

      1. Eidde   8 years ago

        It's a mystery to me.

      2. Don't look at me.   8 years ago

        Best way to prove you aren't married.

        1. Eidde   8 years ago

          "Honey, I think it's time you took that vacation you talked about - I'd come too, but I'm so busy with work."

          1. Eidde   8 years ago

            (This joke is not about any specific individual, simply a generic joke about a generic person. whew!)

            1. Chipper Morning Baculum   8 years ago

              No worries, Eddie. We know you would never cheat on your wife, if you had one.

              1. Eidde   8 years ago

                Cheat on my Sailor Moon pillow? Never.

      3. Will Nonya   8 years ago

        Cause that's where you keep your red room of pain.

        1. AlmightyJB   8 years ago

          Winner

      4. Paloma   8 years ago

        I wouldn't doubt the art was insured. Maybe it was a conspiracy to collect.

    3. SIV   8 years ago

      He shouldn't have asked for a refund.

  18. Fist of Etiquette   8 years ago

    Oregon's Court of Appeals has upheld a $135,000 fine against a bakery owner who refused to make a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.

    Victory. What will their marriage be built on now that they're no longer victims?

    1. Eidde   8 years ago

      Their mutual desire for cake?

    2. Tom Bombadil   8 years ago

      "What will their marriage be built on now that they're no longer victims?"

      $135,000.

      1. Fist of Etiquette   8 years ago

        I don't think the state shares with them a slice of that pie.

        1. Deflator Mouse   8 years ago

          Actually that is the amount the Oregon Soviet is making the baker pay to the lesbians for emotional damage.

          The state will happily take a cut though when it comes to tax time, feelings be damned.

    3. AlmightyJB   8 years ago

      Respect their Authoritah!

    4. AlmightyJB   8 years ago

      They probably could have shot the women's dog and paid $1000 fine. Then baked them their wedding cake with 2 women and a dead dog on top. Here ya go.

    5. Mickey Rat   8 years ago

      Their restored inflated self-esteem?

  19. loveconstitution1789   8 years ago

    The editor's notes in the manuscript for Milo Yiannopoulos' book that was ultimately rejected (after being accepted) by Simon & Schuster have become public thanks to court records and Yiannopoulos' lawsuit against the book publisher. The notes are not kind, to say the least.
    This seems like a stupid story to push an anti-Milo agenda.

    I am quite sure that no one who has written a book would want their editor's notes released. Editor's tend to be good at taking a novice writer's story put to paper and "edit" it to be successful as a book.

    I dare Hillary to release her editor's notes with her various garbage books.

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