# Matt Ridley: “The Covid lab leak theory just got even stronger” **URL:** \ **Category:** Tracking with Closeups\ **Tags:** covid-19, laos, lab-leak, wuhan\ **Created:** [23 November 2021 13:44 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434 "2021-11-23T13:44:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hypatia](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/hypatia/32/100_2.png) [@Hypatia](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/Hypatia)\ **Post date:** [20 January 2025 13:15 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/23 "2025-01-20T13:15:56Z")
Too late! Ol’Jo[k]e just pardoned Fauci. Along with Milley, who in my humble non-military opinion, shoulda been court-martialed for saying he assured Xi that he would warn him personally if the US planned an attack. JUST A FEW MORE HOURS……but that’s plenty of time for Ol’Bygone to fuck up many many more situations…I have faith in him😜! ---
**Author:** ![drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/drlorentz/32/902_2.png) [@drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/drlorentz)\ **Post date:** [20 January 2025 13:39 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/24 "2025-01-20T13:39:36Z")
> [@Hypatia](#): > > Too late! Ol’Jo[k]e just pardoned Fauci. Oh, well. It was a pleasant thought. On the other hand, since we live in a post-rule-of-law society, there’s no special reason why Fauci can’t be prosecuted anyway. Sure, maybe some court would stop the prosecution but _the process is the punishment_. That’s the way the other guys think and it’s worked out pretty well for them. ---
**Author:** ![civilwestman](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/civilwestman/32/25_2.png) [@civilwestman](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/civilwestman)\ **Post date:** [20 January 2025 13:52 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/25 "2025-01-20T13:52:32Z")
There is an opportunity to seize the moral high ground here. Trump could simply and clearly point out the obvious: that this represents the democrats’ (sic) usual practice of psychological **projection**. The democrats are the ones who, for the past four years, obviously weaponized much of the government apparatus against their political adversaries - the Republicans. Naturally, they expect Trump to respond in kind. Instead, he could make an elegant and conciliatory speech educating the public by emphasizing _how anti-democratic and evil were the repetitive tyrannical act of the Biden administration._ ---
**Author:** ![drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/drlorentz/32/902_2.png) [@drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/drlorentz)\ **Post date:** [20 January 2025 14:02 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/26 "2025-01-20T14:02:53Z")
> [@civilwestman](#): > > Instead, he could make an elegant and conciliatory speech educating the public by emphasizing _how anti-democratic and evil were the repetitive tyrannical act of the Biden administration._ How has _elegant and conciliatory_ been working out for you so far? This kind of thinking is exactly why conservatives always lose. The “high moral ground” is only persuasive to those who possess a moral compass. The Left misplaced theirs ages ago, if they ever had one. Must be in the other pants pocket. ---
**Author:** ![civilwestman](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/civilwestman/32/25_2.png) [@civilwestman](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/civilwestman)\ **Post date:** [20 January 2025 14:13 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/27 "2025-01-20T14:13:21Z")
I neglected to say he should also issue a formal “information “ (the legal equivalent of an indictment) stating the particulars of the wrongdoing these individuals engaged in. He can reiterate that prosecutorial discretion is an executive prerogative and his administration will forego prosecution in the name of education, comity and reconciliation. Yes, the RINOs have been flaccid. Trump has not, thus there could well be politically useful results. ---
**Author:** ![Gavin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/439d5e/32.png) [@Gavin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/Gavin)\ **Post date:** [20 January 2025 14:39 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/28 "2025-01-20T14:39:04Z")
> [@Hypatia](#): > > Along with Milley, who in my humble non-military opinion, shoulda been court-martialed As a non-lawyer, let me ask – could Milley be recalled to the military and then tried by a military tribunal? – on the theory that “Joe Biden” gave him a pardon only for civil offences, not for traitorous military acts. Keep Milley in military stockade while the appeals are grinding through. It would also be nice to see an Executive Order that any person who has been pardoned is prohibited from receiving any pay, pension, or other emoluments from the Federal Government. ---
**Author:** ![Hypatia](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/hypatia/32/100_2.png) [@Hypatia](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/Hypatia)\ **Post date:** [20 January 2025 16:08 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/29 "2025-01-20T16:08:01Z")
Yes that exactly what I think too. Plus, I’m wondering if any states can accuse Fauci under their statutes; the President’s writ does not run in state courts. ---
**Author:** ![Gavin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/439d5e/32.png) [@Gavin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/Gavin)\ **Post date:** [20 January 2025 22:19 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/30 "2025-01-20T22:19:38Z")
What about Civil suits? Does “Joe Biden’s” pardon prevent anyone who has suffered ill from the Covid vaccine/injectant from suing Fauci ---
**Author:** ![Gavin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/439d5e/32.png) [@Gavin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/Gavin)\ **Post date:** [20 January 2025 22:25 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/31 "2025-01-20T22:25:23Z")
Another random suggestion – perhaps from a Large Language Model: Presidential Pardon can be interpreted as meaning that the guilty person is _spared punishment_ for breaking the law. On this interpretation, there would be nothing to stop Fauci and the rest of the gang from being prosecuted and found Guilty. There simply would be no penalties for them as a consequence of those Guilty verdicts. As always in the DC Swamp, the process is the punishment. Might it do the country good to see, for example, Hunter Biden successfully prosecuted for his corrupt contacts with the Ukraine – even though everyone would know in advance that he would walk out of the court room a free man after having been found Guilty? ---
**Author:** ![drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/drlorentz/32/902_2.png) [@drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/drlorentz)\ **Post date:** [20 January 2025 23:11 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/32 "2025-01-20T23:11:15Z")
> [@Hypatia](#): > > I’m wondering if any states can accuse Fauci under their statutes; the President’s writ does not run in state courts. Yay! I was wondering the same. Fauci is probably guilty of state offenses. Are the state AGs too limp-wristed to prosecute? Probably. ---
**Author:** ![drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/drlorentz/32/902_2.png) [@drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/drlorentz)\ **Post date:** [20 January 2025 23:16 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/33 "2025-01-20T23:16:47Z")
> [@Gavin](#): > > Presidential Pardon can be interpreted as meaning that the guilty person is _spared punishment_ for breaking the law. Use any and all means to go after these miscreants. Interpret the law as favorably to your side as possible. Punish your enemies; reward your friends. Revive the concept of hostis publicus: enemy of the people. ---
**Author:** ![Devereaux](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/devereaux/32/285_2.png) [@Devereaux](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/Devereaux)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2025 08:06 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/34 "2025-01-26T08:06:51Z")
Elsewhere I have seen, by Sen, Rand, the suggestion that now that he’s pardoned, he should be subpoenaed before Congress. The pardon merely says he can’t be _prosecuted_ for any of the crimes he’s committed. But he also doesn’t have any 5th A rights either. And he would still be exposed to perjury actions - such as loss of pension, etc. Plus RICO. ?Any thoughts about that. ---
**Author:** ![CTLaw](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/ctlaw/32/42_2.png) [@CTLaw](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/CTLaw)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2025 12:01 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/35 "2025-01-26T12:01:52Z")
> [@Devereaux](#): > > But he also doesn’t have any 5th A rights either. Silly boy. Do you seriously believe a D DC judge or jury will find any Democrat in contempt of Congress? Our only shot is that somebody with a civil or criminal case in another district will subpoena such person. If Trump had any balls, he would instruct Zelenskyy to turn over all information about Burisma. ---
**Author:** ![Citizen\_bitcoin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/citizen_bitcoin/32/19488_2.png) [@Citizen\_bitcoin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/Citizen_bitcoin)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2025 12:17 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/36 "2025-01-26T12:17:55Z")
Our only shot is the money shot ---
**Author:** ![Citizen\_bitcoin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/citizen_bitcoin/32/19488_2.png) [@Citizen\_bitcoin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/Citizen_bitcoin)\ **Post date:** [26 January 2025 13:10 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/37 "2025-01-26T13:10:02Z")
Carl Schmitt strikes again! found this gem by John Walker: > **[Enemies](https://www.fourmilab.ch/documents/enemies/)** > > Enemies ---
**Author:** ![CTLaw](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/ctlaw/32/42_2.png) [@CTLaw](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/CTLaw)\ **Post date:** [28 April 2026 16:19 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/38 "2026-04-28T16:19:46Z")
[https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73253136/united-states-v-morens/](https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/73253136/united-states-v-morens/) > **[Anthony Fauci adviser indicted by DOJ on charges of concealing COVID records](https://nypost.com/2026/04/28/us-news/anthony-fauci-adviser-indicted-by-department-of-justice/)** > > The Department of Justice has indicted a former senior adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci for allegedly concealing records from investigations into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. ---
**Author:** ![drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/drlorentz/32/902_2.png) [@drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/drlorentz)\ **Post date:** [28 April 2026 18:13 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/39 "2026-04-28T18:13:16Z")
I guess the autopen ran out of ink. ---
**Author:** ![Citizen\_bitcoin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/citizen_bitcoin/32/19488_2.png) [@Citizen\_bitcoin](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/Citizen_bitcoin)\ **Post date:** [29 April 2026 07:26 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/40 "2026-04-29T07:26:19Z")
> Dr. Richard Ebright, a molecular biologist at Rutgers University, added that “the evidence against the three is compelling.” > > “Unless one or more flips and provides evidence against Fauci and others in exchange for immunity, all three should be, and likely will be, convicted,” said Ebright, who noted Keusch approved the first EcoHealth grant [awarded to the now-infamous Wuhan Institute of Virology in 2002](https://x.com/R_H_Ebright/status/1891284374110294216). > > Fauci, who left government service in December 2022, is also referred to as “Senior NIAID Official 1” in multiple communications cited in the indictment — but not named as a co-conspirator. > Emails published by Wenstrup’s subcommittee — and cited in the indictment — showed Morens asking Daszak directly “do I get a kickback?” about the $7.5 million grant he secured for EcoHealth. > > Daszak responded in the August 2020 email exchange, “of course there’s a kick-back,” before [musing](https://nypost.com/2024/05/22/us-news/explosive-emails-show-top-nih-adviser-deleted-records-used-secret-back-channels-to-help-fauci-ecohealth-evade-covid-transparency/): “I hope it doesn’t culminate in 5 years in Federal jail.” ---
**Author:** ![drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/user_avatar/scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/drlorentz/32/902_2.png) [@drlorentz](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/u/drlorentz)\ **Post date:** [29 April 2026 16:59 UTC](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434/41 "2026-04-29T16:59:34Z")
> [@Citizen\_bitcoin](#): > > Daszak responded in the August 2020 email exchange, “of course there’s a kick-back,” before [musing](https://nypost.com/2024/05/22/us-news/explosive-emails-show-top-nih-adviser-deleted-records-used-secret-back-channels-to-help-fauci-ecohealth-evade-covid-transparency/): “I hope it doesn’t culminate in 5 years in Federal jail.” Technically, he’s end up in federal _prison_. Let’s hope he gets to learn the difference first hand. [Previous page](https://scanalyst.fourmilab.ch/t/matt-ridley-the-covid-lab-leak-theory-just-got-even-stronger/434.md?page=1)