Editor's Note: From the Back Forty is Liberty Nation's longest-running and most popular weekly column.
Cheers went up at the local pub in Williamsport, IN, as Newsmax announced on television that Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell would not seek re-election. Heartlanders also discussed the “pansification” of men, the Big Apple's mayor getting his wings clipped, and a former cabinet member pulling the rip cord on a golden parachute as the Biden administration is paying great dividends to the elites.
The Big Apple Bites
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has announced a series of steps to curtail the powers of New York City Mayor Eric Adams. He caught the ire of the Biden administration after criticizing the massive amounts of illegal aliens flooding into his city unchecked. Not long after the public rebuke, Mr. Mayor was indicted on all sorts of crimes: one count of bribery, one count of wire fraud, two counts of solicitation of a contribution by a foreign national. Now, he has been bludgeoned and nearly excommunicated by the Democratic Party.
In Union, WV, Robert Jackson had his say: “Just goes to show – don't mind if you’re black or white. If you go against the Democrats, they will file charges on you. They'll fight you. That's what's wrong with this country so let's get rid of them.”
Hochul is walking a tightrope. Earlier this week, eight state legislators – led by Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, a Democratic Assemblywoman of New York State – wrote to Hochul to give their opinion on why removing Adams would be detrimental to future dealings and political support:
“At this critical moment for our city, we want to be crystal clear: we strongly oppose any move to remove Mayor Adams. As Black legislators we have seen this over and over again: double standards and unfair process when it comes to our leaders.”
Or, as one Arizonan, who goes by the handle Kevin NotAbot, translated: "'White liberal catwoman fires beloved black mayor' just isn’t the headline the Democrats are looking for these days.”
As governor, Hochul can remove Adams from office, but at this time, it appears she’s weighing her political viability moving forward. Instead, she announced new actions in the wake of rumors of a quid pro quo between Adams and the Trump administration.
The Governor came up with a fence-riding solution to bide time: "I also have concerns about disruption and chaos that such a move, such a proceeding, could bring to the residents of this great city," she said. "It's not impossible we'd have multiple mayors of this city in the course of one year."
The letter was probably a big hit when Hochul added with a steely gaze during her Big Apple presser, "Those of you who conclude this decision is because of pressure from any groups or individuals, I say this: You do not know me.”
Judy Koeniger in Dublin, GA, thought about Hochul and asked: “What's he have on her?”
Adams will be babysat by a newly created state deputy inspector general with “broad” authority. This prompted Robert Dow in New Mexico to ask: “How about Kathy Hochul announcing a series of steps to reduce her power first?”
A Welcome Breath of Fresh Air
The contagious season of heavy sighs might be coming to an end for the folks From the Back Forty: Trump made sure to sign an executive order stating there are two genders. Yes, farm people already know that, but it’s nice to have common sense recognized. But Vice President JD Vance added a few choice words as well, speaking at CPAC 2025: “My message to young men is don’t allow this broken culture to send you a message that you’re a bad person because you’re a man, because you like to tell a joke, because you like to have a beer with your friends, or because you’re competitive,” he said.
Jessica Smith, from Denver, weighed in: “JD Vance's message resonates with the importance of self-acceptance and resisting negative cultural narratives. It's crucial for individuals to embrace their identity and values without undue influence from societal pressures. Encouraging young men to stay true to themselves while fostering healthy relationships and behaviors is a positive step towards building a more inclusive and understanding society.”
The progressive cultural message, Vance claims, “wants to turn everybody into — whether male or female — into androgynous idiots who think the same, talk the same, and act the same.”
In Claremore, OK, Denise Carpenter Ryan also cheered and applauded: “You're absolutely right, Mr. Vice President. I'm sick of ‘pansified men!”
“I’ve been a man for 60 plus years. Glad to have back up,” said Randall Stine with a smirk at the Foxhole Pub.
It Pays to Play
Former Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm is joining Edison International, a major utility holding company, and she will also sit on the board of Southern California Edison (SCE), a subsidiary of the holding company. Nice work if you can get it. Heartlanders wonder how she did it.
SCE was part of a group of California-based entities that received $600 million in taxpayer cash from Granholm’s Department of Energy (DOE) in August 2024.
“Though they promised us something far different, the Biden administration revolving door looks to be still whirring fast enough to power a major city,” Michael Chamberlain, executive director of Protect the Public’s Trust, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “Incidents of former powerful government officials cashing in on their government service by leaving to work for companies that had matters before the department while they were there is a major contributor to the precipitous decline in the public’s trust in government.”
Michiganders weighed in: Robyn Lindberg, in Lexington, said: “She can take the Smart Meter that she forced us to put on our house and shove it!” And in Brighton, James Shaw reminded: “When she was Governor of Michigan her husband's firm got all the big contracts in Michigan.”
Las Vegas’ Dave Lawrence wanted a peek behind the curtains: “I’ll be interested in seeing her net worth, before and after she served for Biden.”
Well, Dave, here’s what we know: According to Forbes, “Much of their money came after she left the governor’s mansion." She and her husband are worth an estimated $8 million. Liberty Nation News will have to update you after she sits in California a bit longer.
Just a side note:
According to Bloomberg News, Edison is currently investigating whether its equipment may have started one of the enormous fires that devastated the Los Angeles area in January.
Buh Bye
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), the longest-serving Senate party leader in US history, has decided not to seek re-election – and heartlanders are thrilled.
Comedienne Kathleen Madigan, who refers to McConnell as the talking turtle, might be the happiest Missouri Democrat to hear the news. For two decades, Madigan has claimed the US government is run by a Florida bridge club. In one of her specials, she explained: “I’m done with the over-80 crowd. Their grudges go back so far. Mitch McConnell is like, ‘I remember when Nancy (Pelosi) voted against the Spanish-American War. Those boys would have survived The Alamo if it wasn’t for Nancy.’”
Well, it’s time for some new blood. Billy Thomas, a bus driver in Vienna, IL, claimed: “When Musk follows the money, it's probably going to lead to him.” As crop farmer Steve MacIntosh shared with this writer at the Foxhole Pub: “When you drain a swamp, you are going to infuriate the snakes.”
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