Save the Osprey!

Says Gerald Winegrad at the Balmer Sun,

Help save osprey chicks from starving

Your support is urgently needed for long-overdue major restrictions on the Virginia-based slaughter of tens of millions of individual menhaden a year. Thousands of osprey chicks in higher-salinity waters of bay country are dying slow, horrible deaths from starvation because of corporate greed decimating the ospreys’ major food supply — the Atlantic menhaden (also called alewife or bunker).

 

These oily calorie- and protein-dense forage fish are the major food for adult and young ospreys in tidal bay reaches.

Hearings are set along the Atlantic coast for the public to weigh in on whether to greatly reduce the huge harvest of menhaden in the Chesapeake by as much as 50% and to spread that harvest more evenly throughout the fishing season to allow enough summer menhaden for ospreys, other birds and fish.

Virginia allows large commercial ocean purse seine vessels using high-capacity netting techniques to scoop up entire schools of menhaden in the water after scout planes find the schools and smaller vessels circle the fish in vast nets. Maryland banned such harvest techniques more than 50 years ago. Omega Protein’s contracted fleet has been known to exceed its quota. Virginia is the only state along the Atlantic coast that still permits such an industrial reduction fishery, located in Reedville, Virginia.

 

The reduction facility processes the whole fish by cooking, pressing and separating them into fish meal, used as high-protein feed for aquaculture (farmed fish) and livestock. Menhaden are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and used in human dietary supplements. Cooke Inc. of Canada purchased the U.S.-based Omega Protein in 2017 for $500 million. Cooke operates as a fully integrated global seafood and aquaculture corporation that controls every stage of production from freshwater hatcheries to consumer distribution, including for Atlantic salmon.

 

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), a 13-state coastal interstate body that regulates near-shore fishing for migratory species, has been under pressure to end or greatly reduce this industrial harvest for decades. Omega Protein and Virginia have done all in their power to block any tighter regulations by the ASMFC or the state. Their governors and elected officials, both Republicans and Democrats, have been plied with hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign donations over the last 20 years. Even legislation to study the Chesapeake menhaden population had been blocked by the Virginia legislature.

In August, the ASMFC finally voted to “consider” whether to adopt meaningful reductions, including up to a maximum of a 50% cut. This vote will take place at its November meeting after hearing from the public. This does not mean they will do anything to change the current harvest cap of 51,000 metric tons. That equates to roughly 112.4 million pounds of fish or about 150 million fish.

But we all have a chance to weigh in and force the ASMFC to act. Your opportunity comes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. this Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the Annapolis High School Auditorium. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission will host.

The Osprey were hard at work today at the beach. According to AI, the mothers are gone:

Fall Migration (Heading South)

• Late August: Adult females are the first to leave their breeding grounds.
• September: Juveniles and failed breeders head south during this month.
• September to October: Adult males are the last to leave because they stay behind to feed the young until they can fish on their own. Most birds reach Central or South America by late fall

Eye on Annapolis, Severn River Osprey Reproduction Plummets for Second Consecutive Year

Flotsam and Jetsam - Desperately Searching for a Theme

And not finding it, so I'll just start at the top and work down. Sundance at CTH is back on a Russia kick with President Vladimir Putin Explains Why NATO Wants a War Against Russia, Oil, Gas and Orange Juice and “One Ping Only, Vasily”. From News Wax, Putin at BRICS: Warns Europe Over Ukraine, Urges Challenge to U.S. Dollar. Back to sundance for President Trump Announces Obamacare Refunds, President Trump Speaks to Journalists Departing from Shannon, Ireland and President Trump Discusses a “United Ireland” as Prime Minister Carney Seeks “Associate Member” EU Status. At Althouse, "President Trump said he 'loved' the political backlash to his comments in support of a united Ireland." ""Speaking before he attended the last day of the Irish Open golf tournament, Trump doubled down on his claim that reunification was inevitable and 'may as well happen now.' Asked about the reaction to his comments, which were criticised by political parties in Westminster and Stormont, Trump said he 'loved' the reaction. 'I loved my comments,' he added." From "Trump revels in ‘united Ireland’ uproar as Gerry Adams weighs in/With the US president ‘loving’ the stir his comments made, the former Sinn Fein leader says they reflect a wider sentiment held by Americans" (London Times)."

Northern Barbarian @xnoesbueno, "Here in the States we are aware not all Canadians are dicks. The polling plus stadiumsful of boos just seems to indicate most are. We’re concerned about the plight of Canadians. It doesn’t serve our interests to have an impoverished third world nation beholden to the PRC on our northern border. We’d rather see you prosper. All of us get richer. But elections have consequences. ..." Quote Lisa @YoungStreete, "Americans are starting to look at Canadians differently. And Canadians may want to pay attention. For as long as I can remember, Americans always liked their polite neighbours to the north. That goodwill is being eroded by a Canada increasingly seen as woke, anti- American (not just anti-Trump) and brainwashed by the state run media. CBC News whitewashing 9/11 (please don’t call it a terrorist attack). CTV News making 9/11 about “Islamophobia”. When did remembering the VICTIMS of 9/11 become so controversial in Canada and how did we allow it to happen? How much further does Canada have to slide into insanity before Canadians finally wake up?" Ken Timmerman at Am Great explains why It’s Time to Recognize Iran’s Complicity in the 9/11 Attacks. "The 9/11 Commission highlighted Iran's complicity in the attacks on pages 240-241 of its final report." CIS looks at the numbers, Since 9/11, the Number of Immigrants from the Muslim World Has Grown by 1.8 Million. "Population doubling largely reflects legal immigration." I24 News has a Report: Chinese satellite images aided Iranian strike that killed 3 US troops in Jordan. Labrador Skeptic @SaysSimulation, "A Chinese surveillance satellite breaking up into little pieces right after US troops were killed with the help of a Chinese satellite is quite the amazing coincidence, now that you mention it. Gray Zone warfare in space, but that's a dark shade of gray." Quote Theophilus Chilton (Scots-Irish Supremacist) @Theo_Chilton, "Replying to @SaysSimulation, "Probably why a Chinese surveillance satellite "broke apart" in orbit yesterday." Ace is not all that upset that Saudi Arabia Is Stuck Between A Rock And A Hard Place...Oh Well!

At the Eternally Radical Idea, Greg Lukianoff has Reflections on 9/11, FIRE releases 2027 College Free Speech Rankings, AdGo & I parse AI’s ‘librarian’ from its ‘car keys’, & more! From the College Fix, Conservative students’ 9/11 memorial defaced with pro-Palestinian, pro-Antifa vandalism. From I&I, 25 Years After 9/11, America Dotes On Its Enemies.

From News Wax, Trump: 'Whoever Wins AI Wins' and US House Speaker Warns Curbing AI Too Sharply Could Leave China Ahead. Sundance claims Barack Obama Tells Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to Organize the AI Control Bill for #1 Priority Passage Following the Midterm Elections.

Doog @doogadoo11, "I'll be the first to admit the GOP has been shit But Trump has been amazing And that's why I will Vote Red up and down the ballot in November I want to position him for as much success as possible during his final two years." What he said.

Vic Nava at NYPo hears Ilhan Omar ‘married her brother’ and could be deported: DHS secretary. Show me the DNA test. PJM's Bob Spencer asks and answers What Happens When We Elect People Who Hate America to Congress? This. Hat Hair's Beege Welborn giggles at MSNOW whining Fetterman's Surprise GOP Convention Video was a Trap and Dems Are Falling Into It. Also at Hat Hair Larry Elder examines The David Duke Standard and The Hasan Piker Exception, and Betsy McCaughey wants to Call in the Feds to Investigate Lawless Mamdani. Nick Arama at RedState sees Talarico Gets Nailed for Another Whopper About His Donations That Leaves Jaws Dropping. Joe Chalfant at TownHall thinks Dan Sullivan Just Handed Mary Peltola a Debate Beatdown. Spencer Pratt @spencerpratt, "Incredible. Rachel Maddow didn’t push back on Karen Bass AT ALL as she calls the Palisades Fire investigation a waste of time & resources. Lady…6K homes burned, hundreds of people died, and you illegally deleted all of your messages. Integrity is dead." No Pasaran! says If someone suggests using a Nazi concentration camp for their opponents, aren't they in fact the actual… Nazis?

At Twin Cities.com, Joe Soucheray: Start by using words correctly. These are not ‘homeless camps’, they're just bums. Da Signals Tyler O'Neil calls it ‘ANTI-DEMOCRATIC’: Nonprofits That Received Tax Dollars Unite to Oppose Rules Cracking Down on Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. Waste, fraud and abuse is their bread and butter. The last thing they want to do is end it.

From the Victory Girls Clancy Holdout Juror Now The Target Of Media Doxxing. PJM's Vicky Taft wants you to Guess Who Helped Doxx the Holdout Juror in the Lindsay Clancy Case. The defense attorney's wife? At TownHall Matt Vespa thinks What a Lindsay Clancy Juror Said About This Case Is Just Insane "“This would be something that could change something to make it better for other women,” said juror Paula Devlin."

Sensurround @ShamashAran, "nothing to see here, just the @ACLU celebrating Charlie Kirk's death at a fundraiser." Gunther Eagleman™ @GuntherEagleman, "They didn’t even hide it. A year after they murdered Charlie Kirk, an account asks “Who should get Kirked next?” and puts JD Vance on the list, right next to Scott Presler and Nick Shirley. That’s not a joke. That’s a hit list with a question mark. Protect the VP. Investigate the poster. And stop pretending this culture of celebrating assassination is free speech." Quote ThePersistence @ScottPresler, "“Who should get Kirked next? Leave your answer in the replies! Shirley, Presler, Vance, the list goes on!” Evan, that’s not very nice, especially since you’re in Philadelphia, PA." Matt Vespa is annoyed This Virginia City Seems OK Blowing Taxpayer Dollars on a Gross Anti-Charlie Kirk Display. Hat Hair's Josh Hammer thinks America Has Not Learned the Right Lessons From Charlie Kirk's Murder. No, liberals learned they can get away with "stochastic terrorism."

From Twitchy, 'Birthing Person' Jones Tried to Smear XX-XY's Jennifer Sey and It Was a MASSIVE Backfire. jimtreacher.substack.com @jtLOL, "Shouldn't you be called Birthing Person Jones?" Quote Mother Jones @MotherJones, "Jennifer Sey, the founder of XX-XY Athletics, a sportswear startup that openly calls transgender people’s identity a “lie,” has spent the last two and a half years stoking the flames of the national panic over trans athletes. Enter Sophie Cunningham."

Sarah McLaughlin at Expression expresses disbelief at Australia’s top bureaucrats who want protection from ‘harmful’ social media videos, "The clips can ‘invite ridicule’ of public officials." If you can't stand the heat, get out of the limelight.

Eric Kaufmann @epkaufm, "White liberals remain the only segment of society that prefers other races to their own." Quote Crémieux @cremieuxrecueil, "A few years back, a friend of mine looked into the 2018 American National Election Study pilot, and he found that every racial group felt warmth towards members of their own race, except for White liberals I wanted to see if that replicated and expand on it."

Timur Kuran @timurkuran, "Carnegie Mellon is paying the price for a 2021 hire made amid the moral panic that followed George Floyd. The professor’s thin research record, narrow intellectual range, and political activism should have prompted serious scrutiny. In a freer intellectual climate, hiring committees might have said plainly that no appointment was warranted, let alone a tenure-track appointment involving decades of commitment by a distinguished university..." Quote Carnegie Mellon University @CarnegieMellon, "Dr. Uju Anya is currently on voluntary professional leave from the university and is not teaching courses on our campus this academic year. We are deeply concerned by recent hostile and threatening social media posts by Dr. Anya and are reviewing this matter closely." Tim Groseclose @Tim_Groseclose "Brilliant post by Prof. @timurkuran. Yes, the bigger problem CMU needs to face is how this woman got hired in the first place. If I were president of CMU, I'd do an in-depth look at the Dept. of Modern Languages." From Campus Reform, Education satisfaction hits record low as college readiness declines. Inside Higher Ed, After Kirk’s Death, a Third of Students Say Posting ‘MAGA’ Is a Fireable Offense. "The Israel-Palestine conflict remains the most taboo topic on college campuses, according to FIRE’s latest free speech report."

The Monday Morning Stimulus

WKRC NY, High school student suspended after bringing coffee on first day of school

BEAVER FALLS, N.Y. (WKRC) - A high school student was suspended after bringing a cup of coffee on the first day of school.  According to WWNY, Julie Kaputa, a senior at Beaver River Central School in Beaver Falls, New York, said she was suspended on her first day of school as she entered the premises with a cup of coffee in her hand.

Kaputa spoke to reporters with WWNY, telling the outlet, “I walked in, I had my coffee with me. I got to my first-period class and my teacher said, ‘I’m either going to need you to dump that out or consume it on the spot or go down to the office.’”

Per the report, she said she was given an in-school suspension for violating Beaver River Central School's outside food and drink rule, which was a new addition to the school's code of conduct.

Kaputa's mother, MaryAnne Kaputa, said she doesn't believe the code is valid, telling WWNY, “She said, ‘It says there’s supposed to be a public hearing. When was that? We never knew about it. Did they announce it?’ And I said, ‘I don’t know, look.’ And we couldn’t find one.”

Kids these days. I didn't develop a coffee habit until my first year in college. A day of in school suspension seems a little harsh, unless she sassed the teacher who asked her to get rid of it.

2025 Was a Good Year for Bay Grass

Almost certainly not Chesapeake Bay

From the Bay Journal, Chesapeake grass beds expand for fifth year in a row

Chesapeake Bay underwater grass beds expanded for the fifth consecutive year in 2025,
driven in large part by the surprising resurgence of underwater meadows in the lower Bay.

Underwater grasses provide critical habitat and are one of the most closely watched indicators of Bay health. Last year’s annual aerial survey found the most submerged aquatic vegetation, or SAV, since 2018. The coverage was sixth highest reported since the survey began in 1984.

Grass beds generally increased throughout the Bay in 2025, but the best news came in the high-salinity areas in Virginia. That area had the most underwater grasses ever seen in the survey — surpassing the record set in 2024 by 13%.

“We are just exploding in the saltiest waters of the Chesapeake,” said Chris Patrick, a researcher with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science who oversees the survey. “The eelgrass is just doing phenomenal.”

Overall, the amount of SAV in the Bay and tidal portions of its tributaries increased by approximately 7% in 2025 compared with the same areas in 2024.

But the 82,968 acres mapped by the survey almost certainly undercounted the extent of the grasses by thousands of acres. Extended periods of poor weather, government shutdowns and restricted access to some sites limited aerial photography in some places, primarily in Virginia.

Those areas contained 6,417 acres of SAV in 2024. Assuming those sites had similar coverage in 2025, scientists estimate that the Baywide total in 2025 was likely closer to 89,385 acres.

2026 is likely to be a good year too, guessing from the weather. 

The Return of Flotsam and Jetsam

Yes, I'm back from my Syrupean fishing vacation. I made it home by late in the afternoon Friday, and after putting away the mess, a quick trip to the Drs, Gabby's soccer game, and general fatigue, I didn't get much accomplished yesterday.

It was interesting traveling out of Minneapolis/St. Paul on the morning of the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Speaking of which, according to NYPo, AOC spotted laughing next to Mamdani at 9/11 ceremony — as victims’ families weep during reading of names. Hat Hair's Dave Strom calls it Enraging: AOC and Mamdani Laugh It Up at 9/11 Memorial As Names of the Victims Read. Ace, Victory Lap: Communist Jihadi Zohran Mamdani Does "Interfaith" Walk on 9/11, Which Ends at... Islamic Center, "Unbelievable," and Twenty Five Years After 9/11, Most Have Forgotten -- and the Children Who Were Born After the Terrorist Attack are Being Taught That Muslims Were the Victims and Americans the Racist Aggressors, "How on earth was this allowed to happen?" At Twitchy, Abigail Spanberger Gets TORCHED on X for Claiming Americans 'Lost Their Lives' on 9/11. PJM's Vicky Taft has one of her West Coast, Messed Coast™ — Nothing Says 'We Hate America' Quite as Much as UCLA's 9/11 Event. TownHall's Matt Vespa likes how Bill Maher Zeroed in on the Biggest Moral Cowards Post-9/11. It's Exactly Who You Think. "Maher added that the biggest cowards post-9/11 are Democratic Party politicians, whose moral confusion, which has become cancerous over the past quarter century since the attacks, has been laid bare by the Gaza War: a strip of land the Israelis gave back as part of a peace deal, made possible when then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon ditched Likud to form the now-defunct Kadima Party. It was later taken over by Hamas, a terrorist organization, and used to launch attacks on Israel. Israel launched a counterattack after the equivalent of their 9/11, the October 7 attacks, isn’t genocide. And yet, it’s the issue Democrats police their candidates like the Gestapo—they must say it, or at least not bash the terrorists."

Nicole Russell at USA Today, As Texas Senate race tightens, Talarico's mask is slipping. "Newly surfaced comments on capitalism, faith and abortion reveal Texas state Rep. James Talarico is more progressive than his campaign lets on. Voters are starting to notice." Hat Hair's Capt. Ed had Saturday's Final Word. @amuse @amuse, "TEXAS SENATE RACE: Would you be surprised to learn that the architect of James Talarico's political career is a trans man who attended Furman University and got a degree in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies? Tyler Mitchell, now known as Hyacinth High (they/them/theirs), shaped Talarico's campaigns and ensured they were staffed primarily by LGBTQ folks, with a particular focus on hiring trans staffers. Hyacinth is now Regional Campaigns Director at The Fairness Project. Texas doesn't need someone with Talarico's extreme ideology representing the interests of Texans." Capt. Ed was pretty happy when The Cavalry Arrived: Senate GOP Drops $32 Million Into Texas for Paxton. Hat Hair's Beege Welborn thinks the Dems Got Themselves a Case of the Cray Crays and They Just Can't Seem to Shake the Loons Off. But Driscoll at Insty notes DEMOCRATIC PARTY PULLS SUPPORT FOR NC HOUSE CANDIDATE SHELLY HEADEN: The Calvin Coolidge Project @TheCalvinCooli1, "Report: North Carolina Democrats have withdrawn support for State House candidate Shelly Headen after she called for violence against Republicans and compared herself to Jesus Christ She said: “I think our only hope is an attack on US soil, preferably Alabama, Louisiana where the stupid people live.” She said: “I’ve sacrificed myself just like Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross, and Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln and all the people that put themselves out there to sacrifice for our country,” she said. “If a few angry moments on social media are the end, then so be it. MAGA will keep winning if we continue with not standing up for what’s right.”" Tippinsights wonders Sen. Tafoya? Minnesota Polling Shows a Dead Heat. AMAC warns Don’t Buy Democrats’ “Farm Revolt” Narrative, "The media is buzzing about a brewing farmland revolt against Republicans in November. But that narrative has far less basis in reality than Democrats would have Americans believe."

Hat Hair's John Sexton has A San Francisco Squatter Story for the Ages. Variety worries Paramount Leaving California Would Devastate Los Angeles Economy, Leaked Report Finds. From the OC Reg, Orange man gets 30 years for role in $269 million Medi-Cal fraud. 

Stacy McCain considers the The Permanent Problem of Liberalism "You see the point of this narrative — the emotional payoff of the melodrama — is that the liberal is always the hero, deserving praise and admiration for his courage in opposing the Republican villain. Once you recognize this, you realize why there is no point arguing with the liberal. He cannot be persuaded by facts or logic, because facts and logic are not the basis of his belief system. And this is why I say that liberalism is a permanent problem. If we could not vanquish liberalism in 70 years, during which time we had such brilliant minds as Buckley advocating for the conservative cause, isn’t it the height of folly to imagine we’ll be able to declare a final victory anytime in the foreseeable future?"

Da Signal has two from the Great Victor Davis Hanson: When Will the Iranian People Overthrow the Regime? and Canadians Feel Real Pain in Stage 4 of Trade War. I have to see, I didn't see a lot of pain there. At Hat Hair, Salena Zito is pleased with the 'Trump Power Plant' Coming to Fayette County, the Largest Investment in Its History. Dennis Santiago at RedState sees a Firestorm Ignited Over Proposed US Census Rules. Here Is What Citizens Can Do About It. Taking the illegals, and other non-residental aliens out of the count for apportionment.

Twitchy calls it PERFECTION! Guess Who Rescued a Stranded Anti-Trump MS NOW Crew in the TX Desert: New York Post @nypost, "MS NOW crew gets stuck in Texas desert - and has to be rescued by Border Patrol https://trib.al/nsL6CAq."

From Ace, The "Rogue" Juror the Extreme Left-Wing AWFUL Karens Berated and Bullied for a Week? B L A C K and Of Course: Garbage Tier Network NBC Is Now Doxxing the Lone "Rogue" Holdout in the Lindsay Clancy Case, "The media exists solely for purposes of blackmail and incitement to murder." Sister Toldja at RedState says Whoa: NBC News 'Tries to Bury' Holdout Clancy Juror, but DeSantis Makes Him an Offer They Won’t Like. Sundance at CTH, NBC Targets and Doxxes Lindsay Clancy Juror Holdout – Visits Home, Searches, Investigates Family and Worse. Matt Walsh @MattWalshBlog, "They’re flat out doxxing an anonymous juror because he didn’t acquit a triple murderer. These people are evil beasts. Demons from hell. Sue, you deserve nothing but shame and scorn. You despicable freak." Quote Sue O'Connell: COMMENTATOR, not a reporter @SueOC_NBCBoston, "EXCLUSIVE: The holdout juror in the Lindsay Clancy trial had a history of domestic violence allegations, the @NBC10Boston Investigators have learned through court documents and interviews with family members ..."

Libs of TikTok @libsoftiktok, "I have no words… USA Today says the people mocking Charlie’s ass*ssination is actually good because they’re just using humor to deal with it emotionally USA Today is covering up for the violent scum who want us dead and celebrate m*rder I can’t believe this is real They have no shame."

From the Robinson Report a Chinese National Accused of of Illegally Modifying Homeland Security Computers - MWTV. "A Chinese national working as a CBP supervisor in Calais was charged after investigators said 46 government computers were altered at Maine border facilities."

Matt Margolis at PJM, Were You Hoping Jessica Tarlov Would Get Fired From Fox News? I've Got Some News. Three year contract. They need someone to spew the DNC line, Harold won't.

Ace finds out The UK Branded Turning Point Members as Dangerous Right Wing Extremists, Claimed Leftists, On the Other Hand, Were "Moderate". "They actually tracked and surveilled Turning Point UK members because they thought they were dangerous -- after a leftist killed Charlie Kirk. They feared they would agitate for "free speech," which is of course dangerous to a corrupt authoritarian and wildly unpopular regime. They also complained that the "ERW" -- "extreme right wing" -- blamed Kirk's assassination on "the political left." I am done with the UK. I am done with NATO."

Tyler O'Neil at Da Signal is outraged Parents Can’t Escape Washington’s Transgender Policies by Changing Schools, Supreme Court Brief Argues.

And much, much more at the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 09.11.26 (Afternoon Edition) and In The Mailbox: 09.11.26 (Evening Edition).

Palm Sunday

Detailed helicopter-palm tree interaction physics discovered in Grand Theft Auto VI

Users of the dedicated Reddit community continue to thoroughly analyze available promotional materials for the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI. A player named Kwint456, citing the author of QuinfyGTA, noted how realistically the crowns and branches of palm trees are deflected by the downward airflow from a passing helicopter. This visual mechanic underscores Rockstar Games' overall commitment to realistically simulating benchmark-level physics and dynamic environments.

The post sparked a lively discussion among community members. Some commenters noted that similar effects involving helicopter rotors interacting with foliage had already appeared in one form or another in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, San Andreas, and Grand Theft Auto V. However, other users emphasized that the animations and foliage deformation in Grand Theft Auto V are the most smooth, organic, and technologically advanced in the sixth installment compared to the studio's earlier releases.