Pardon and Prejudice: Hunter Biden Was Never Going to Jail
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The Hunter Biden Pardon: A Political Tool, A Family Favor, and a Missed Opportunity
“Joe Biden pardons his son and not student loan debt.” — Hasan Piker
Hasan Piker may have been joking, but let's be real: there’s more than a hint of truth in those words. Sure, it’s easy to laugh at the hypocrisy of it all, including the hypocrisy of the Republican Party crying wolf, but the real issue isn't Hunter Biden getting pardoned—it’s how the pardon power has morphed from its original purpose. It’s no longer about righting the wrongs of the justice system or correcting outdated, victimless crimes. Now? It’s just another political tool, wielded to secure personal gain and serve self-interest. The problem is bigger than Hunter; it's about how the Democratic Party has consistently failed to use the Executive Office’s power for the good of the people, while using it to line their own pockets—something that, frankly, spans both sides of the political spectrum.
Let’s level-set here: I don’t care whether Hunter Biden goes to jail. Seriously, who does? Sure, conservatives are losing their minds—and that’s entertaining—but in the grand scheme of things, this decision is a inconsequential. It’s his son, for crying out loud. Did anyone truly believe Joe Biden’s claim that he “had no plans” to pardon him? We all saw this coming. Hunter’s legal issues are just a distraction from the real problem.
Now, here’s the crux of the matter: the power of pardons in America has evolved into a weapon, not a tool for justice. Originally designed to help those wronged by the system, pardon power is now a political chess piece used to win favor, placate key voting blocs, and serve the personal interests of those in power.
Civility Politics vs. Trump’s Unapologetic Action
Democrats have spent too long playing by the old rules, trying to maintain an image of civility and rationality in a political climate that doesn't care about either. This reality has become even more apparent as Democrats and mainstream media have loudly criticized recent decisions, echoing the same sentiments from the hypocrites on the right who called for Trump’s immunity. They’re stuck in a fantasy world where compromise and decorum are virtues, and where bipartisanship was ever possible. But playing nice? It’s a losing strategy now. Just ask Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, the other side couldn’t care less about those same rules.
Biden’s statement on pardoning his son wasn’t about wielding presidential power to make a difference—it was about looking like he was doing the right thing. On the other hand, Trump, for all his faults, got one thing right: he understood that sometimes, you need to be bold. And unapologetic.
If anyone perfected the art of using pardons as a political weapon, it was Donald Trump. Trump used pardons like moves in a game of political chess—pardoning rappers, controversial figures, and political allies to curry favor with key voting groups, despite his lengthy record of racially insensitive rhetoric. To Trump, pardons weren’t about justice; they were about personal gain. And he did it ruthlessly. He didn’t hesitate to issue pardons just to make a point, or bolster his standing with certain demographics—even if it was completely contradictory. And, honestly, he was effective at it.
The Democrats’ Missed Opportunity
Meanwhile, Joe Biden and the Democratic Party have yet to truly tap into the power of the presidency—specifically the power of the pardon. While Trump turned pardons into political weaponry, Biden has kept his approach tepid, even ineffective. The issue isn’t that Biden pardoned his son—it’s that the Democrats are so obsessed with civility that they’re missing an opportunity to wield the pardon power for real change.
Let’s be clear: Biden’s pardon of Hunter was inevitable. Of course, he was going to help his son. But if Biden is going to flex the power of the presidency, he needs to do more than protect his family. He should be using that power to right actual wrongs. Why not pardon those wrongfully convicted, like the victims of the infamous D.C. H & 8th murder case, or people still imprisoned for minor drug offenses? These are the folks who deserve pardons, not political allies or family members.
The truth? Biden still has a chance to make a real impact with the pardon power. But, history shows, he’s likely to miss that opportunity—just like previous Democratic administrations have done. For now, we’re stuck watching this political theater where Hunter Biden’s pardon is the main event, while issues like mass incarceration and outdated drug laws continue to fester backstage.
So, while it’s easy to mock Hunter Biden’s pardon, let’s not forget what it really represents: the weaponization of pardon power for political purposes. Until the Democrats learn how to wield that power properly, we’re stuck with a system that keeps missing the mark. Maybe next time, Biden will show the courage to pardon the people who really need it—until then, we’ll be stuck watching Hunter get a pass while the rest of us keep drowning in student loan debt.
USPS Workers Revolt: The Labor Fight Affecting Every City Block
The labor war we’re all ignoring is being waged by none other than the hard-working, often invisible, postal workers of the United States Postal Service. More than 250,000 USPS workers are on the frontlines, and it’s happening in every city, every suburb, and frankly, every street corner. It’s a fight that’s about more than just mail; it’s about survival.
Let’s talk about the pay. City carrier assistants—those heroes who lug your Amazon packages to your doorstep—are making a laughable $19 an hour. And what did they get for their trouble? A supposed “historic contract” with a raise of 1.3%, equating to a grand total of a 20-cent bump. That’s right—20 cents for the people risking heatstroke, exhaustion, and who knows what else to deliver your bills. It’s practically a punchline.
The situation has become so dire, workers are sleeping in their vehicles and washing up at union halls. And if you think that’s a stretch, consider this: postal workers are literally passing out and dying on the job due to extreme conditions. One Nashville carrier reports that letter carriers “faint, pass out, and die” in the field. And in Cincinnati? A letter carrier bluntly declared, “The amount of compensation... just isn’t enough.” That’s an understatement.
This is the kind of story we should all be talking about. We’re so focused on flashy headlines and viral social media posts, but the battle for fair wages and decent working conditions is unfolding right on our doorsteps. These workers, the lifeblood of our nation’s mail system, are being treated like disposable cogs in a broken machine. It’s time we give them the attention they deserve.
No One is Out Loverboy-ing Jonathan Bailey
My brain is currently stuck in Oz—so much so that I literally forgot Trump had won the election for a bit. As I continue to hold space for the lyrics of “Defying Gravity” and the melodies of the musical loop endlessly in my mind, I find myself, admittedly, a bit annoyed by how ridiculously talented the Wicked cast is—especially Jonathan Bailey.
Whether he's in Bridgerton, Fellow Travelers, or now Wicked, Bailey has that rare combination of charm, wit, and depth that makes him utterly magnetic. But it’s his latest role as Fiyero in Wicked that really cements his status as one of the most captivating actors working today. As the charming, carefree love interest caught between Glinda and Elphaba, Fiyero could easily fade into the background of such a larger-than-life story. But with Bailey in the role, Fiyero becomes a much more nuanced, multi-dimensional character.
Bailey’s performance is far from one-dimensional. As Fiyero, Bailey is more than just the quintessential "Loverboy," all smiles and good looks, he gives him the perfect amount of depth. There’s an earnestness to his portrayal that makes him more than just a plot device. His Fiyero feels conflicted, vulnerable, and emotionally grounded in a way the Broadway musical hasn’t been able to capture. One of Bailey’s greatest accomplishments is showing that even the most charming characters can be layered and complex.
It’s clear that Jonathan Bailey isn’t just another pretty face on screen. Whether he’s playing Anthony Bridgerton, the earnest eldest son of a noble family, or now Fiyero, a carefree prince caught in a whirlwind of emotion, Bailey’s range is striking. Each character, though vastly different, is unified by Bailey’s ability to infuse them with sincerity and depth.
No one is out Loverboy-ing Jonathan Bailey. His effortless charm, combined with a remarkable ability to bring complexity to even the most seemingly shallow roles, sets him apart. As he continues to shine across different projects, Bailey is proving that he’s a pretty face and a brilliant performer who can capture your heart and keep it. And personally, I’m all in.
👺 Behind the Mask
Downloading: Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals drops this Friday, December 6, and I can already hear the sound of my social life evaporating. Developed by NetEase Games in collaboration with Marvel Games, this third-person hero shooter is coming for Microsoft Windows, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. With a roster of 33 characters to choose from (no judgment if you definitely end up picking Storm or Scarlet Witch like me), this is shaping up to be another Marvel masterpiece. I can’t wait to sink hours into this and feel like a superhero.
Writing: Poetry
Life’s been a bit of a rough draft lately, so naturally, I’m back in my poetry bag. As I work on fine-tuning my first poetry book and getting started on another, I’m getting serious about finding an agent to make this thing real—because let’s face it, I’ve got words and feelings to share with the world.
Playing: Tell Me Without Telling Me
Like most families, the holidays are prime game-playing season—and let me tell you, victory is non-negotiable. While I’m pretty much undefeated at Scattergories (don’t @ me), we’ve added a new game to the mix: Tell Me Without Telling Me. It's like charades, but with a serious glow-up. There are countless variations of how to give clues.
Watching: The Josh Seiter Set-up
The Bachelorette “star” Josh Seiter is the latest internet idiot to be exposed. The Twitter grifter pretended to be a transwoman online in the form of “protest” to show how “gullible” the left is. But instead, he just showed us how much he loves to play dress up—which there is nothing wrong with. But when, Alex Novell, a YouTube video essayist, tricked this dumbass into thinking he was getting interviewed by The Daily Wire—a right wing media outlet—he took it even further and pretended to also be transrace. During which, he dropped the n-word multiple times, including the use of the hard -er. Novell not only uncovers the horrible deeds of Seiter but how rage bait has become a consistent part of the online ecosystem, especially for right-wingers.