Firefighters Injured In Dock Accident

 Chesapeake Bay Mag, Vol. Firefighters Injured In Dock Collapse While Rescuing Patient From Boat

A routine medical response on the Sassafras River turned out to be anything but routine when a pier collapsed under the first responders carrying a patient by stretcher.

Around 7:30 p.m. Thursday, the Galena Volunteer Fire Company, based in Galena on Maryland’s upper Eastern Shore, responded to a medical incident along the Sassafras.

A Kent County EMS ambulance and a rescue engine arrived to the area of the Gregg Neck Boat Yard, where they found the patient on a boat tied up to a pier. A crew of five brought the patient from the boat onto a stretcher waiting on the dock, then lifted it to carry to the ambulance ashore.

 

While they were moving the stretcher, the pier collapsed underneath the EMTs and firefighters. One side went into the river, two crew members were pinned by the stretcher and one was forced into the water. The others maintained their footing and were able to keep the stretcher upright and the patient on it safe.

Galena says the crew quickly gathered some lumber that was lying nearby and some ropes to keep the stretcher in place until more help arrived.

The original patient was taken to the hospital by ambulance after the brief delay. Two volunteer firefighters suffered minor injuries, with one being treated at the hospital and the other treated at the scene.

Maryland Natural Resources Police were investigating the incident. Fire companies from Millington and Cecilton and the Kent County Sheriff’s Office all helped with the emergency.

I've seen an awful lot of sketchy docks since I came to Maryland. Be careful out there. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Heather Lee O’Keefe ready as usual at The Other McCain.

Maryland, My Maryland

Shawn Fleetwood of Da Fed reports This Maryland Town Just Became The Next Battleground In Democrats’ Push To Let Minors Vote

In a small town less than 10 miles from Washington, D.C., dozens of residents in Cheverly, Maryland, braved the blistering cold and pouring rain to attend Wednesday’s town council meeting and provide testimony on whether the locality should allow individuals as young as 16 to vote in local elections.

“I haven’t heard a good reason for it. I can think of a number of reasons why not,” Fred Price Jr., a Marine Corps veteran and 50-year Cheverly resident, told The Federalist. “[But] I’d like it to go to a referendum, so I [can] have more time to think about it.”

Similar to other municipalities throughout the country, Cheverly’s minimum voting age is set at 18 years old, with Article V of the town’s charter furthermore requiring residents to have lived in Cheverly “at least thirty days prior to the day of any general or special election” in order to vote. Within the past few years, the town council adopted an amendment to Article V allowing non-U.S. citizens meeting such residency requirements to vote in local contests.

Like much of the country when it comes to election-related issues, attendees of Wednesday’s town hall appeared heavily divided on whether to open up the town’s electoral process to minors. Proponents of the initiative argued that lowering the voting age is logical because, as they opined, today’s teenagers are given more responsibilities than previous generations.

“I think teenagers today do bear a lot more responsibility, have a lot more knowledge, and are actually granted privileges that probably weren’t granted to younger people before,” Linda Cruz, who’s lived in Cheverly since 2001, told The Federalist. “I took my kids to get bank accounts and they’re [getting offered] a debit card at age 13. So, there’s a lot more rights and responsibilities happening [at] younger and younger [ages], so why not voting?”

Among those who testified in support of the proposition were minors, including 17-year-old co-founder of the Cheverly Youth Commission Zora Heneghan. During her remarks, Heneghan contended that teenage decision-making regarding issues of higher education and work serves as justification for why the council should approve the measure.


“We’re expected in a couple months to sign our name on a dotted line committing either ourselves or our family to up to $200,000 in [college student loan] debt. That’s a decision that we’re allowed to make when we’re 17,” Heneghan said. “We’re allowed to work. I mean half the people you see here today work for the Cheverly pool. … You have literally put the lives of your children in their hands.”

As described on the town’s website, the Cheverly Youth Commission is an organization “committed to promoting youth engagement” in the community that strives towards “making sure teenagers are informed about town politics, volunteer opportunities, and community gatherings in order to become better voters and more active members of the town.” The group proposed the “Vote16” measure.

But not everyone in Cheverly is completely sold on the idea of minors voting in town elections. During his testimony, Navy veteran Mike Klauser raised numerous points contesting the idea that individuals as young as 16 are equal to adults when it comes to “civic responsibility.”

We’ve “heard the proponents talk about responsibilities [such as] lifeguarding. I’m sure the lifeguard[s] here will recall having to get a youth work permit that required [their] parents to … sign off on,” he said. Proponents also “talked about indebting themselves for college. That would require a parental co-signature if you’re under 18.”

While speaking with The Federalist, resident Hugh Fike similarly expressed concerns about how “the mechanics” of such a policy would work and its potential consequences, especially as it relates to “legal rights” granted to individuals once they turn 18.

“We preclude purchasing of tobacco and alcohol in the county … [and] prevent people from going into contracts, signing leases, [and] doing other things at a certain age. So, there are some practical questions about whether or not this is a good idea,” Fike said. “We rightly recognize that 18 to 21 years old [is] sort of when full maturity happens, and we give them a certain number of legal rights and responsibilities. So, I’m primarily concerned that we’re going to be changing that … and we don’t really know the consequences.”

Since youth routinely feel liberal when young, before they start filing their own taxes, they're easy marks for Democrats. 

Flotsam and Jetsam - DOJ Bombs in Abortion Dad Case

I'm going to Capt. Ed at Haut Hare first, BREAKING: Federal jury acquits pro-life activist of DoJ's FACE act charges "Good. It’s a just verdict in a case that never should have been brought in the first place. A jury has acquitted Mark Houck of violating the FACE Act after an altercation near an abortion clinic so minor that local authorities refused to prosecute."  Greg Price@greg_price11 "The Biden administration sent 30 FBI agents to Mark Houck's house and arrested him in front of his wife and seven children. The case had been thrown out of a district court the year prior. Today, he was found not guilty." Da Caller, Father Raided By FBI Found Not Guilty Of Federal Charges Alleging He Assaulted Abortion Worker. PM, Pro-Life activist Mark Houck found NOT GUILTY in Philadelphia. Stephen Kruiser at PJ Media, The Biden/Garland Rogue FBI Takes One on the Chin. At Catholic News Agency, (cited at Haut Hare), "I'm George Bailey today". It took me a while to figure that one out; I was never a big fan of the movie. Look, abortion isn't my thing, but I think that after Dobbs, DOJ went hunting for anti-abortion scalps, and found a convenient one in Mark Houck, and they stretched the FACE act to charge him. This is a well earned rebuke to the Biden/Garland DOJ.

'Bonchie' at Red State thinks a Legal Filing Exposes FBI Involvement in January 6th. Kyle Cheney@kyledcheney "Proud Boy Ethan Nordean’s attorney reveals that prosecutors filed a sealed motion last night asking the judge to restrict defense questions about FBI confidential sources and their involvement w the group ahead of Jan. 6"  "So they want to use information from these informants to help throw a person in jail, but they don’t want to allow the defense to question said informants or how they got their information. How very on-brand for the federal government." WaPoo happy that For one Proud Boys tracker, trial offers long-awaited accountability "For years, Megan Squire warned about the Proud Boys’ mobilization to violence. Now, she’s watching them stand trial over the U.S. Capitol attack." If she were right-wing she'd be called a conspiracy theorist. At Am Great, the redoubtable Julie Kelly says Tyre Nichols Isn’t the Only Victim Entitled to the Truth " Americans deserve to see all of the police body camera footage from January 6, not just cherry-picked excerpts confirming the government narrative." At JTN, FBI still seeking help identifying hundreds suspected in connection with Jan. 6 Capitol breach. "The FBI is racing against the clock as the statute of limitations for most federal criminal offenses is five years."

According to John Sexton, 'Forest Defenders' aren't heroes no matter how hard the media tries, citing an article from Teen Vogue. But the WaPoo has one that's nearly as awful, In Atlanta, a deadly forest protest sparks debate over ‘domestic terrorism’ Sister Toldja at Red State finds Lauren Boebert Drops Inconvenient Truths on Maxine Waters After 'Domestic Terrorist' Swipe. “Maxine Waters says that we have House Republicans who are domestic terrorists. Interesting, as I don’t remember anyone in the House who has called for more violence than Maxine Waters,” Boebert tweeted. At Da Fed, Tristan Justice reveals Records Show Interior Dept. Officials Knew Climate Protesters Might Turn Violent But Didn’t Stop Them. Protestors invade the DOI building in DC, and injured numerous policemen. I don't remember a media fuss, do you?

At Ace, Bill Kristol's Money-Grifting Gollum Jonathan V. Last: You Know Who's Really Implicated by The Arrest of Crossfire Hurricane FBI Agent Charles McGonical for Taking Money from a Russian Oligarch? Donald Trump, That's Who.  At Techno Fog's Substack, The New York Times’ attack on Special Counsel Durham. "Revisionist History from Collusion Perpetrators."

At Fox, Biden tells Congress he'll end COVID-19 emergencies on May 11 "House Republican plan to vote on resolutions this week that would end COVID-19 emergency declarations immediately." AP, President Biden to end COVID-19 emergencies on May 11. Why not now? Having an emergency is so handy.

At the Free Bacon, Senior Biden Official Stood To Profit From Canceling Alaska Oil Leases, Watchdog Charges, "Nada Wolff Culver's failure to divest was an 'egregious’ ethics violation, according to complaint." According to Straight Arrow News, US lost 287,000 jobs while government was reporting +1 million in gains. Lies, damn lies and statistics. At Twitchy, Several House Republicans join pile-on that’s crushing Biden’s EV ‘savings’ tweet

AMERICANS: We can't afford to fill up our gas tanks. Please help us.

BIDEN: https://t.co/8euOUqKIWB pic.twitter.com/droIwMVumN

— Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (@GReschenthaler) January 30, 2023

At PJ Media Matt Margolis fears Warning Signs Indicate a Great Depression May Be Coming. “To keep up with inflation, consumers are depleting their savings and burning through the ‘stimulus’ checks they received during 2020 and 2021. Credit card debt continues growing, while savings plummeted $1.6 trillion last year, falling below 2009 levels.” David Strom at Haut Hare makes the case that Biden poll numbers are more abysmal than you think.

At Am Think Russ McSwain thinks he makes The Case against Trump 2024 and Vince Coyner wonders 

Is Donald Trump Worth The Fight? At Haut Hare, Jazz Shaw wonders is this The DeSantis "knockout blow" for Trump? Vaccines? I'm leaning DeSantis; I believe Trump has too many negatives, but vaccines aren't the reason.

At 770 KTTH, Rantz: Democrats sue to kill WA’s one election security feature, which makes fraud easier. Signature verification. Of course they do.

Shawn Fleetwood at Da Fed reports Virginia Committee Passes Parental Rights Bill After School Coverup Of Teen’s Dysphoria Enabled Sex Trafficking. Summitt News, Video: Mother Reads Shocking Gay Porn Material Found In Minnesota School Direct To Board Members "Disgusted officials call for emergency intervention after hearing graphic passages" This needs to be done over an over, at all schools. Insty, JESSE SINGAL: On Teachers Letting Kids Transition Gender While Keeping It A Secret From Their Parents. "I have a simple solution: Teachers and administrators shall be personally liable, with no applicable governmental immunity, for damage done to children due to negligence, malfeasance, or misfeasance, but no such liability shall apply to any circumstance about which parents have been fully informed." Cathy Salgado at PJ Media, Utah Educators and Union Officials Caught Boasting of Secretly Teaching CRT. Dave Catron at Am Spec thinks DEI Has Already Killed Public Education "Leftist indoctrination begins in elementary school and continues through college graduation."

At Da Wire, Sam Bankman-Fried Attempted To Tamper With Witness, Prosecutors Allege

Ace rolled over and noticed FBI Seized Biden Notebooks That May Contain Classified Information "So irresponsible." Bongino suspects Did Somebody Flip on Joe Biden? Hunter may have a subconscious desire to get the old man. From Da Wire, Sen. Cruz Calls On FBI To Search Hunter Biden’s Home, Office For Classified Documents. NewsMax cites Rep. Comer: Must Probe Whether Biden Used Classified Docs for Profit. Dan Chaitin at Da Wire, Justice Department Responds To Jim Jordan’s Demands In Biden Docs Probe  Big nope. At Fox, DOJ tells Jordan disclosing info on Biden documents probe to Congress would jeopardize investigation. CNS News, House Intelligence Chair: Ability of Congress to Compel Classified Document Production 'Is Absolute', but will he take it to the Supreme Court? Victory Girls interpret  DOJ: Senators Will Get Classified Document Info, Someday after Biden safely out of office. 

Jonathon Turley wants to know Does the “Word of a Biden” Extend to the Biden Delaware Documents? "If President Biden is ready to embrace transparency, he can start by finally dropping his opposition to any review of his senatorial documents. At a minimum, the FBI should request access to determine if his violation of classified rules extends to this mountain of material given to the university." The divine Miranda Devine at NYPo finds Majority of voters, including Democrats, believe Biden’s mishandling of classified documents is a scandal,  "But even more damning for the president is that 60% of all voters believe it is likely that information from those classified documents “was used by Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, in his foreign business deals.” Fully 44% believe it is “very likely.” From JTN a confusing headline, Most Americans think Biden administration handling classified document probe well, poll "More Americans think Biden is handling the investigation "very badly" than those who think he is handling it "very well." At ET, National Intelligence Chief Expresses Concerns About ‘Overclassification’ of Documents. It's a concern, but to raise it now is well, awfully convenient. At Bongino, Revealed: Identity of Unnamed Albanian Official Listed in Indictment of Ex-FBI Official May Be Hunter Biden Link. Mike Cutler at Front Page wonders  about A Former FBI Counterintelligence Chief and Russian Collusion, "What other cases handled by Charles McGonigal might have been tainted by malfeasance or corruption?" They need to look, but they won't. The FBI superstructure has become corrupt, it needs to be destroyed to be saved.

Duane Patterson at Haut Hare VIP, I kinda like this Speaker Kevin McCarthy fellow. I have no doubt he'll disappoint us sooner or later. Breitbart reports Gaetz says House’s New Rules Supported by Populists on the Left Like AOC.  “These new rules will last long past my time in Congress or Kevin McCarthy’s as speaker, and they democratize the process so that individual members can offer amendments, can target spending for reductions.” JTN, WH dismisses McCarthy saying Medicare, Social Security cuts 'off the table' in debt ceiling talk. "The White House says the House GOP saying it wants to "strengthen" entitlement programs is code for plans to cut them." The old "throw Grandma off the cliff" meme. At Breitbart, Biden Touts $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Spending Spree as He Refuses Debt Ceiling Negotiations. A trillion here, a trillion there, and pretty soon you're talking about real money.

'Becca Downs at Town Hall thinks the New Ethics Complaint Shows Schiff's Problems Don't End With TikTok Video, Committee Assignments. Insty, JERRY, JUST REMEMBER, IT’S NOT A LIE — IF YOU BELIEVE IT: Adam Schiff, who hates ‘misinformation,’ still believes ‘Russian Collusion’ happened. According to John Sexton at Haut Hare, This Philip Bump column about Rep. Omar proves nothing

The Telegraph telegraphs Musk to take on PayPal as Twitter prepares to launch online payments, "Social media company forms operation to become PayPal rival" Interesting in as much as Musk was a PayPal founder, and PayPal has recently moved into the woke world that Musk is taking Twitter out of.

Some Tuesday Tanlines

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Heather Lee O’Keefe ready as usual at The Other McCain.

Alas, RIP: Wednesday Addams

CNN, Lisa Loring, original Wednesday Addams actress, dead at 64 

Lisa Loring, best known as the first actress to play Wednesday Addams in the original “The Addams Family” sitcom, has died at the age of 64.

Loring “passed away on Saturday surrounded by her family,” longtime agent Chris Carbaugh told CNN in a statement on Monday.

“She brought to life one of the most iconic characters in Hollywood history that is still celebrated today,” Carbaugh said. “Lisa loved sharing her memories and meeting all her fans across the world.”

The former child star was a mother and grandmother, her agent added, saying: “She will be missed dearly.”

Laurie Jacobson, Loring’s friend, also reported her death on Facebook, saying she had “suffered a massive stroke brought on by smoking and high blood pressure.”

 

Loring was the blueprint for the pale, pigtail-wearing Wednesday after being cast in the sitcom “The Addams Family” in 1964. She took on the role when she was six years old and played the death-obsessed character until the show ended two years later.

In 1977, she appeared as Wednesday Sr. in the television film “Halloween with the New Addams Family.”

Loring’s deadpan delivery of the character, based on the New Yorker cartoons by Charles Addams, paved the way for other actresses, including Christina Ricci, who starred as Wednesday in the 1991 hit movie “The Addams Family” and its sequel, “Addams Family Values.”

Jenna Ortega said her version of the pop-culture icon was also inspired by Loring, following the premiere of Tim Burton’s Netflix comedy horror “Wednesday,” last year.

“I paid homage to Lisa Loring, the first Wednesday Addams. I did a little bit of her shuffle that she does,” Ortega said during an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in December.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Loring was born Lisa Ann DeCinces in the Marshall Islands and was given her stage name when she started modeling at age 3.

Following her stint as Wednesday in “The Addams Family,” Loring joined Phyllis Diller’s sitcom “The Pruitts of Southampton.” She later landed a recurring role in “As the World Turns,” playing Cricket Montgomery.

Her acting credits also include shows “The Girl From U.N.C.L.E.,” “Fantasy Island” and “Barnaby Jones.”

 One of my favorite shows back in the day. 

Maryland, My Maryland

From the Truth about Guns, The Next Logical Step: Maryland Bills Would Designate Much of the State a No-Go Zone for Gun Owners

Maryland’s 2023 Legislative Session jumped right into full gun control mode with Senator Jeff Waldstreicher collaborating with soon-to-be Secretary of State (nee Senator) Susan Lee on the unconstitutional Senate Bill 001 (read the full bill here). The coveted “first bill” designation was secured by Waldstreicher pre-filing the legislation back in August of 2022.

The executive-summary of the proposed legislation is that, if passed, those who own firearms in the state of Maryland may not wear, carry, or transport them onto private property without securing the explicit permission of the property owner prior to doing so.


Because that limit on the right to keep and bear arms isn’t nearly stringent enough, SB1 has a companion bill, SB118. The bill imposes similar wear, carry, and transportation prohibitions on properties owned by a federal, state, or local government entity.

Additionally, SB118 has a “presumption of guilt” rider. The two bills, filed jointly by Waldstreicher and Lee, are the embodiment of “tell me you haven’t read the Constitution without telling me you haven’t read the Constitution.”

To make matters worse — and they’re going to get much worse here in the Crab Cake State — Senator Waldstreicher conducted an interview with Baltimore’s Fox45 affiliate wherein he made this bold statement . . .

So the question is, do we want everyone carrying guns everywhere? Do we want guns in our hospitals, in our libraries, in our schools, churches and synagogues? My answer is ‘no’ and if your answer is ‘no’ too, I think we should pass SB1.

This is followed by an inquiry about accusations that the bills target the wrong people with this legislation . . .

As Senator [Justin] Reedy well knows, we can walk and chew gum at the same time. You mentioned in your previous segments, uh, the work that Ivan Pay … Bates is doing, to crack down on illegal gun crimes. We can both support Ivan Bates, uh, our State’s Attorney in Baltimore City, as well as State’s Attorneys across the State in cracking down on gun violence while still addressing the Bruen decision that was a terrible and wrong decision coming down from the Supreme Court. So the answer is ‘we can do both.’

That’s some nice shade he’s throwing directed at the US Supreme Court. And since that interview was held well after the Bruen decision was handed down, it’s pretty clear that Senator Waldstreicher intends to forge ahead in spite of the SCOTUS ruling, rather than in compliance with it.

So what, exactly, will be the impact if SB1 and SB118 are written into law? Here’s a partial map of federal- and state-owned properties (libraries, schools, recycling centers, parking garages, etc.) that will become prohibited areas . . .

I hope, but don't trust, that the Supreme Court would overturn such a law.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Monday Morning Beach Cleaning

Back for a fresh week. Twitchy is amused, President Biden gives his ‘word as a Biden’ and LOL. "So just how useful is his ‘word as a Biden’? The phrase ‘teats on a boar hog’ comes to mind." At Red State, Nick Arama catches Megyn Kelly Taking on Jill Biden Calling Herself 'Dr' and The Left Loses Their Mind. At LI Mike LaChance hears Elizabeth Warren Won’t Say if She Backs Kamala Harris for Biden’s VP in 2024.

JTN reports Trump opens 2024 campaign with salvo on Biden: ‘Put America on the fast track to ruin.’  At PM, Trump ROARS in New Hampshire speech: 'I'm more angry now and I'm more committed now than I ever was'. Rick Moran at PJ Media singled out the comment Trump: 'We Are at the Brink of World War III'. Madeleine Hubbard at JTN records Trump saying possible DeSantis presidential run would be 'great act of disloyalty'. If you want loyalty, buy a dog (and not a husky). Sarah Arnold at Town Hall sees DeSantis Advisors  Preparing For His 2024 Presidential Announcement, of course he's running. At News Week, Nikki Haley Takes Swipe at Donald Trump As He Holds Rally in Her Home State. Sundance at CTH snarks Conniving in Public – Haley Makes It Too Easy to Spot. Breitbart claims an Exclusive – Mike Pompeo Shreds Nikki Haley, John Bolton over Alleged Actions During Trump Administration: ‘Too Many People Weren’t on the Team’. I don't see Haley or Pompeo as first-stringers; maybe they're running to be Trump or DeSantis' VP.

Some people still care about the RNC Chair contest. Like Matt Vespa at Town Hall, Is This Why Harmeet Dhillon Fell Short in the RNC Chair Race? "The race is over—that’s the point. I don’t think the party should waste any more time on an autopsy here; it’s a chairmanship race. I also don’t think the establishment should use this to take cheap shots at the grassroots for their justified frustration over how the GOP has been run lately." Sundance Sunday Talks, Harmeet Dhillon Discusses RNC Chair Outcome and Her View of Future "There is something quite hypocritical about Harmeet Dhillon criticizing the RNC over not winning elections yet taking millions in legal fees from the RNC and never winning an election related case."

At Am Think, Jay Valentine outlines Tracking a Fraudulent Ballot in Real Time.

At Twitchy, Eric Swalwell went to the Eagles – 49ers game and it’s actually quite funny

Possibly last post. pic.twitter.com/8sKrzNynRw

— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) January 29, 2023

Jazz Shaw at Haut Hair hears whining, SBF: I was "sandbagged" on these bail restrictions. Poor baby, has to hang around his 'rents house and stay off encrypted messaging apps. Now do the J6 defendants. ET Reports US Seeks Tighter Bail for FTX Founder Bankman-Fried to Prevent Tampering "Citing Bankman-Fried’s “recent attempts to contact prospective witnesses,” prosecutors asked U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan to ban Bankman-Fried from communicating with current or former employees of FTX or his Alameda Research hedge fund, other than family, unless a lawyer is present."

Matt Margolis at PJ Media wonders Are 'The Walls Closing In' on Joe Biden? New Details Raise Questions. Virginia Kruta at Da Wire reports Clinton Adviser Says Classified Docs Scandal Dooms Biden In 2024: ‘Anybody That Breathes Can Knock Him Over’, Dicky Morris. Da Wire also features Obama’s Secretary Of Defense Slams Biden Over Classified Doc Scandal, Handling Of Ukraine War. WaEx identifies Five key people in the Biden classified documents scandal. CNS New reports  John Kirby Defends Administration's Refusal to Let Senators See Biden's Mishandled Documents. Well, that's his job. NewsMax thinks the Classified Docs Probe Pushes Biden Think Tank Into Spotlight. Sundance has Sunday Talks, SSCI Chair Warner and Vice-Chair Rubio Give Their Perspectives on Classified Document Issues and Control Operations

Roger Kimball at Da Spec, thinks we should be Stepping out into freedom. "The FBI and other left-leaning entities have left us in our own Truman Show" E. Don Elliott at Am Spec (cited at Haut Hare), highlights how NYT’s Hit Job on Barr and Durham Fizzles, "They were right to investigate the Clinton campaign’s role in the Great Russian Hoax."

The AP reports Biden, McCarthy to discuss debt limit in talks on Wednesday. Althouse, "House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has backed his fellow Republicans into a corner with one of the promises he made to his far-right flank to land his job..." ""... opening the door to considering fringe legislation that would replace the income tax with a federal sales tax and abolish the IRS. Most GOP members appear determined to distance themselves as much as possible from the idea and McCarthy himself said this week he doesn’t support the legislation. But Democrats aren’t going to let the issue die quietly." WaEx, Yellen says there would be 'devastating' consequences if Congress fails to raise debt ceiling. I'm pretty sure it won't. But it will wait until the last possible day. At Da Wire, McCarthy Shreds Top Democrats Over Omnibus: They’re Saying There’s ‘No Waste In Government’ Spending. Jim Lynch at Da Caller, Kevin McCarthy Says Social Security, Medicare Cuts ‘Off The Table’ In Budget Negotiations. Sundance has Sunday Talks, Speaker Kevin McCarthy -vs- Margaret Brennan. "With talking points in hand CBS’s Margaret Brennan drops all pretenses and goes straight into her role as defender of the Biden regime in the White House." Sister Toldja at Red State thinks Kevin McCarthy Hits Nail on the Head on 'Face the Nation' After Question on GOP 'Election Deniers.

Breitbart has Weaponization Committee Republicans Lay Groundwork for Investigations and Exclusive — Elise Stefanik: Whistleblowers Will Be Key in Helping Republicans Expose Government Corruption.

From WaEx, Swalwell accuses McCarthy of 'political abuse' for removal from Intel committee. At Da Wire, ‘Absolutely Not’: Swalwell Claims His Relationship With Suspected Chinese Spy Didn’t Compromise U.S. Security and CNN Grills Adam Schiff Over False Impeachment Claims: ‘In Fact, That Turned Out Not To Be True.’ At Fox, Rep. Ilhan Omar pressed on old comments: 'Wasn't aware' there were 'tropes about Jews and money' "Omar told CNN's Dana Bash that she's learned 'a lot' about antisemitic tropes." It's remotely possible, but I don't believe it. At Da Wire, Republican Nancy Mace Again Defends ‘Anti-Semite,’ ‘Racist,’ ‘Socialist’ Ilhan Omar. KT at Haut Hare reports Another House GOP member bucks McCarthy on keeping Omar off committee, Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.). 'Bonchie' at Red State thinks The Republican Party Remains a Useless, Spineless Husk over its inability to boot Omar. At Breitbart, Maxine Waters whines We Have Right-Wing Conservatives Who Are ‘Domestic Terrorists in the House.’ If you're afraid, feel free to stay away. At Am Think Renee Parsons wonders Can America First Republican Congressmen Beat the Uniparty?  At Town Hall, Kurt Schlichter calls George Santos: Legend:

Let’s make no mistake – perhaps the most important and consequential Republican of the current era is one George Santos. AKA Anthony Devolder. AKA drag queen Kitara Ravache. He is an absolute hero, and he has done more for the cause of conservatism than a thousand GOP suits parroting Cato Institute and/or Chamber of Commerce clichés.

Sure, he has a track record of shocking scams, scores and shenanigans that would make a lesser man (assuming that’s how he’s identifying this week) blush. Not George – perhaps the greatest politician to bear that first name since the father of our country. No, in spite of his controversies and creative CV, he ran for a Democrat-leaning seat and he won. His vision and perseverance, and refusal to take “No” or “That’s a violation of federal law” for an answer, won us an extra House slot. George Santos is now 20% of the Republican majority. What makes it even sweeter is that he was running in the pompous, failing New York Times’s backyard and the tacky tabloid never figured out that this guy was a one-man crime spree. He fooled them all. Way to go, George, if that is your real name.

The Freep teases The Story Behind the Twitter Files, "Join Bari Weiss, Michael Shellenberger, David Zweig, and Nellie Bowles live this Wednesday at 5pm PST." Fox reports Former Twitter executives to testify before House Oversight Committee on Biden laptop "The executives will testify regarding the censorship of Hunter Biden's laptop." Sundance announces Google/YouTube Block Project Veritas Expose’ on Pfizer Executive Discussing “Directed Evolution”

The Monday Morning Stimulus

Featuring Rule 5 Saturday and Palm Sunday winner Jen Selter, and a generous definition of stimulus. . Nothing exceeds like excess.

Lifestyleasia, A new coffee recipe, known as sex coffee, promises to boost your libido.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Heather Lee O’Keefe ready as usual at The Other McCain.

Track Star Forced to Walk

Off the airplane. At OutKick, Track And Field Star Sha'Carri Richardson Kicked Off Flight 

Sha’Carri Richardson, a track and field star for the U.S. team, was kicked off an American Airlines flight on Saturday.

Richardson posted the incident on Instagram, with video showing an altercation with a flight attendant.

According to her claims in the video, a flight attendant identified as “John,” essentially asked her to stop talking on her phone prior to takeoff.

 

Richardson said she felt disrespected by the flight attendant, and told him she didn’t like his tone.

“Prior to the video this gentleman asked me to get off a cell phone call, I did,” she wrote in a video caption. “I stated to him I didn’t like the tone he used with me. Following that while standing in front of me doing the safety protocols he continued to lean over to look at my phone. He asked to see that my phones were in airplane more at this point. He demanded that me show him. Which I did in front of him.”

The flight attendant then asked that she stop recording, which Richardson took exception to.

“I’m recording me but you jumped in my video, so I caught you, because you jumped in my video,” Richardson told the flight attendant. “You’re harassing me at this point, so I think you should stop. I think you should stop.”

 

A number of passengers were upset with Richardson, asking her to stop the fight so the plane could leave.

She did not respond well to that.

“Y’all see him right? Y’all see him right? Y’all see him right? I’m sorry, it’s not me,” Richardson shot back. “Talk to him. No ma’am. Do not talk to me like that. I’m an adult. Do not talk to me like that. Do not talk to me like that. Tell him to stop. If you do not know what’s going on, do not yell at me.”

Another passenger said they would miss their connection because of the delay.

 

“Oh, so you’re worried about a connection when a grown man is disrespecting me?” Richardson replied.

Finally, as she was escorted off, other passengers applauded.
. . .
Richardson is perhaps best known for missing the 2021 Olympics due to a positive marijuana test.

She seems to have problems following simple instructions. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Heather Lee O’Keefe ready as usual at The Other McCain.

Beach Report 1/29/23

We tried to get out ahead of a coming rain storm today, but it caught up with us pretty quickly. It was pretty light, though, so it didn't send up packing. Otherwise, it reasonably warm, 50ish, and not windy, which was a bonus.

A decent Snaggletooth, unfortunately missing a fair amount of root. Since it's not very worn, I'm going to guess it got broken off in the process of getting out of the shark's mouth,

A pretty good total. Georgia's pile on the left, with a shark vertebra and a nicely worn piece of coke bottle green beach glass, and mine on the right with a small dolphin tooth, and a drum tooth.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Obama Refuses Archives Plea to Search for Secrets

 A pretty light day, as the world gins up for a new week of nonsense. According to Sister Tolja at Red State, 'Dr.' Jill's Latest Actions Confirm All Is Not Well in the Biden White House "but I’ll just say it out loud: With each passing day, it becomes clearer that the person running this country isn’t Joe Biden but instead his aggressive handlers, with Jill Biden taking on the lead handler role." Are we really suffering through our first woman President? NRO's Dan McLaughlin sees New Hampshire Voters Sour on Biden, Trump in 2024 Primary Polls. At Da Caller, Tim Ryan Tells Bill Maher The Democrats’ Brand Is ‘Toxic’, one might even say poisonous. At Haut Hare, Capt. Ed waffles, Here it comes: DeSantis advisers begin 2024 planning; Update: Not so fast? Oh, he's running alright. From Fox, RNC's Ronna McDaniel declares 'this is my last term as chair' "invited main challenger Harmeet Dhillon to join her on a grassroots tour to bring unity to GOP"

Jazz Shaw at Haut Hare, say the FEC is out, Justice Department in for Santos probe. If all the politicians who lied went to jail, there wouldn't be room for the drug dealers. Ostensibly this is about campaign violations; he beat a Democrat.

At Da Caller,  The Left’s New Scheme That Threatens Free Elections, Mark Zuckerberg prepares to buy another election for Democrats.

ET reports that the Doctor Who Tried to Save Ashli Babbitt on Jan. 6 Charged With 4 Misdemeanors for Time at the US Capitol. News Max, Charges Dropped Against Mother of Ashli Babbitt "Micki Witthoeft was arrested for blocking traffic on Capitol grounds three weeks ago during a demonstration marking the two-year anniversary of the event. A statement from the Capitol Police said Witthoeft, 58, did "not have a permit to demonstrate on Capitol Grounds" and that she asked to be arrested."

At WaEx, Ryan King reports Durham used Russian intelligence memos to gain access to emails linked to George Soros. "Durham reportedly wanted the emails to prove that the Russian memos were authentic. The Russian memos detailed purported plans by Hillary Clinton to target her then-rival Donald Trump by tying him to the public leaking of Democratic National Committee emails in 2016, which were allegedly acquired by Russian hackers."

Roger Kimball at Am Great wants Justice for John Eastman. "The fundamental message implicit in the California Bar’s vendetta against Trump’s former lawyer is this: “We’re the government. We’ve defined what is truth. How dare you question us.” 

Shouldn't this be sufficient justification for just conquering the northern wastelands? Breitbart, Canadian Leftist Gets Nearly 22 Years In Prison over Trump Ricin Mail Plot.

NYPo reports FBI seized Biden notebooks that may reference classified material in Delaware home search. Ooops! Mike LaChance at LI hears the National Archives Asks Former Presidents and VPs to Check for Any Classified Documents but SLAY claims Obama Refuses to Commit to Search for Possible Classified Documents. Sod off, Swampie! Ryan King again, Jill Biden shields Joe from answering questions on classified docs at White House. Wise woman; every time he shoots off his mouth, things get worse. Jerry Dunleavy at WaEx reports Top intelligence official defends herself over 'stonewalling' accusations around Biden classified documents, "Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines defended herself one day after bipartisan outcry from committee members about her stonewalling on details about the Trump and Biden classified documents sagas." Also, The Four Horsemen: House GOP's multiple investigations into Biden's classified documents. Sundance at CTH is Deeply Triggered, The CIA and Intelligence Community are Very Worried About the House Subcommittee on Federal Government Weaponization. Mediaite has the sads as The Five Savages ‘Embarrassing’ Karine Jean-Pierre: ‘She Can’t Talk Like a Human Being.’ She is kind of an easy target.

James Lynch at Da Caller, New Twitter Files Show Media Outlets Fell For ‘Russian Bot’ Lies. Sundance, Twitter File Release #15 – Hamilton 68 Group Labels Counter Opinions “Russians”, Corporate Media Amplified, But Twitter Could Not Find Evidence. “In layman’s terms, the Hamilton 68 barely had any Russians. In fact, apart from a few RT accounts, it’s mostly full of ordinary Americans, Canadians, and British,” Taibbi explains. “It was a scam. Instead of tracking how “Russia” influenced American attitudes, Hamilton 68 simply collected a handful of mostly real, mostly American accounts, and described their organic conversations as Russian scheming.” The proper takeaway from all this is that if the Democrats accuse you of being or colluding with the Russian, it's just projection to distract you from see that they're doing it. 

Also from Sundance, Google/YouTube Block Project Veritas Expose’ on Pfizer Executive Discussing “Directed Evolution” "According to the reasoning provided by YouTube, as outlined by O’Keefe, the undercover interview violated the YouTube terms of service for disinformation around the COVID-19 vaccines.  This justification despite the claim itself was coming from Pfizer, not Project Veritas.  James O’Keefe explains."  There's plenty good money to be made by creating a new disease and then selling the vaccine. Not saying that's what they intend, but it could work out that way.

Linked as Blog of the Day at Pirate's Cove's daily If All You See… Thanks, Teach!

Palm Sunday

With Jen Selter, this week's Rule 5 victor.

Linked at Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup. Linked at the Right Way in the weekly Rule 5 Saturday LinkOrama. The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Heather Lee O’Keefe ready as usual at The Other McCain.

Give Her Some Respect

 She was a goddess, Sky News, Aretha Franklin song ‘Natural Woman’ deemed offensive

Standing for Women Founder Kellie-Jay Keen says it’s “really hard” to ignore the “misogyny” of the trans-rights movement as Aretha Franklin’s song ‘Natural Woman’ was recently slammed as offensive to trans-women.

“Being a mum, that is also being attacked, we’re now called birthing persons or pregnant persons,” Ms Keen told Sky News Australia.

 video at link.

“I don’t think many women really know how much we’re hated – I hate to say it … I don’t have a victim mentality, but it’s really hard to ignore the misogyny of this particular movement.

“It means a man who says he’s frightened to go in a man’s toilet – his words are more credible than a woman who says she doesn’t want that man in her space.”

Those people are insane.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Heather Lee O’Keefe ready as usual at The Other McCain.

 

Flotsam and Jetsam - Elon Visits DC, New Twitter Files Drop

But first, an update on Garage Gate. Admitting that they really have no clue what's missing, the National Archives Formally Asks Presidents and V.P.s of Last 6 Administrations to Re-Check Personal Records for Classified Docs, and don't forget to check the garage. Capt. Ed wonders (rhetorically), Did Biden's family have access to classified documents? Of course they did, but did they even know they were there? Apparently so, from the Free Bacon, Biden Family Had Access to Materials in Biden Office, Emails Suggest "Biden aides asked Hunter Biden for help locating vice presidential materials." Via the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 01.27.23, Weasel Zippers observe Biden Stares Blankly At Reporter Who Asks If FBI Will Search His Rehoboth Beach Home For Documents. Jim Treacher, Hunter Biden: "Stop at Top Flop Bop" "What in the covfefe does THAT mean?" Crack's a hell of a drug.

ET reports Senate Intel Chair says ‘All Things Will Be on the Table’ to Get Access to Biden and Trump Classified Documents. Ace, Another Surprise! Biden's White House Refuses to Allow Senate Intel Committee Members -- All of Whom Have Maximum Possible Security Clearance -- to See the Classified Documents Biden Was Hoarding

They all have the highest possible security clearances permitting them to see classified documents -- unlike the office-movers and lawyers who have been repeatedly tasked with laying their grubby, unsecured hands on these documents.

They also want to see the documents Trump and Pence had. I'd like them to see those, too. I'd like to know how much the FBI and Intelligence Community Media Leak Grapevine is lying about "X-classification nuclear secrets."

Jazz Shaw at Haut Hare, Treasury blocks House Oversight committee from Hunter Biden records. Remember how willing they were to give out Trump's tax returns? At Da Signal, ‘Fact-Checkers’ Not Interested in Tracking Hunter Biden’s Aid to Other Dissolute Bidens. Can we give up pretending they're unbiased? 'Adam Mill' at Am Great Capturing the Presidency Without a Vote "The intelligence community must remain subordinate to our elected officials or we no longer have a functioning democracy. The intelligence community hates this."

The AP (cited at Haut Hare) quotes Pence, "Mistakes were made ... I take full responsibility". Capt. Ed comments “Mistakes were made” is so classic a passive dodge that it’s practically a joke. So is “I take full responsibility.” Well, who else would have been responsible except the officeholder who kept the documents? Pence really missed an opportunity to say, “*I* made a mistake, and *I’m* responsible for it.” Via the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 01.27.23,  Da Tech Guy: Mike Pence Lifeline is Biden not the Dems. Da Caller hears Republican Strategists Say Biden, Pence Doc Scandals Help Trump Ahead Of 2024 Election. Yeab, probably a little. 

Bob Spencer at PJ Media highlights a African Reporter who Goes All Emperor’s-New-Clothes on Karine Jean-Pierre: ‘You Don’t Seem a Good Fit for This Job’. At Red State, Sister Toldja wants you to Watch Peter Doocy's Latest Round of Questions on Biden's Classified Docs Further Embarrasses White House. Twitchy, Peter Doocy put a skeptical KJP in a VERY awkward position after she asked for his docs source. John Kirby. 

At Haut Hare KT reports Mr. Tweet made a surprise appearance on Capitol Hill, "He visited both Speaker Kevin McCarthy and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries" and John Sexton has Twitter Files #15: Twitter knew Hamilton 68, a media source for Russian online activity, was 'bulls**t'. At PM,  Russian bot tracker implicating 644 accounts as disinformation was a 'scam': Twitter Files "Instead of tracking how 'Russia' influenced American attitudes, Hamilton 68 simply collected a handful of mostly real, mostly American accounts, and described their organic conversations as Russian scheming. . . . Taibbi provided emails showing that Twitter knew that much of what Hamilton 68 provided was inaccurate and that Twitter execs like Yoel Roth did not feel that they could go after Hamilton 68, which is under the Alliance for Securing Democracy and is housed at the German Marshall Fund of the United States." Ace, Matt Taibbi's Twitter Files #15: Uncovering the Hamilton68 "Russian Disinformation" Scam "It was all a lie from the start. Even Twitter knew it was a lie -- and considered going public to call Hamilton68 and Bill Kristol and Michael McFaul and all the shrieking "RUSSIAN AGENT!" smear merchants liars in public. But they were cowards, and instead tried leaking it to the press. Who didn't seem very interested in the story." Via the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 01.27.23, Chicago Boyz: “How Twitter Pushed Stakeholders under the (Musk) Bus

At Da Caller, Biden’s National Security Council Held Meetings With CDC On COVID Disinfo, Emails Show

Via Sundance

At PJ Media, Vicky Taft braces for Another Wave of Joe Biden J-O-B-S Losses. Beege Wellborn at Haut Hare sees the House passes "Keep Biden's hands out of the SPR cookie jar" bill. A fine idea that won't pass the Senate and would be vetoed by Biden if it did. Insty, BUT NO MEAN TWEETS: Vince Langman@LangmanVince "3 years ago today gas was $2 a gallon Eggs were $1 a dozen Mortgage rates were 3% Inflation was less than 1% We had full employment, economic growth, and World Peace What happened?" Hollywood in Toto notes how Wanda Sykes Delivers Master Class in Biden Protection "Far-left comic brings up president's scandal but pulls every satirical punch" That's not funny! Ace, Surprise! Top Director for George Soros' Political Arm Is Frequent Guest of White House, "I don't know about you guys but I'm flat on my back."

At Red State, BELICH: Republicans Need a Tech 'Manhattan Project' to Win in 2024 and Beyond. Via the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 01.27.23,  Vicky Marshall at Da  Fed explores What Did Election Integrity Laws Achieve In 2022? New Report Details What Worked And What Didn’t.

Also from Vicky Marshall  McDaniel vs. Dhillon: RNC Candidates Weigh In On Election Integrity. At Da Wire, Ron DeSantis Appears To Back Candidate In Race For RNC Chair, Harmeet Dhillon. Cathy Salgado at PJ Media cites a Rasmussen Poll: Republicans Want Mike Lindell for RNC Chair — Certainly Not Ronna McDaniel. Maybe not the best idea. But in the end, CSPAN reports  McDaniel wins new term as RNC chair with 111 votes,  sundance is pissed Breaking, Ronna McDaniel Wins Reelection as RNC Chair – McDaniel (111 votes), Dhillon (51 votes), Lindell (4 votes) and Zeldin (1 vote) and 'Bonchie' at Red State complains The Republican Party Hates You. Via the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 01.27.23,  Victory Girls  Ronna McDaniel Is RNC Chair…AGAIN and Legal Insurrection, Ronna McDaniel Wins Fourth Term as RNC Chairwoman. I won't pretend to know enough to care much, but it seems to me like the Washington Redskins keeping a losing quarterback. I suspect it's mostly a patronage job anyway

Mary Chastain at LI reports Sen. Dianne Feinstein Won’t Make a Decision on Her Career Until 2024

“I need a little bit of time, so it’s not this year” but Adam Schiff Is Running for Senate Even Though Feinstein Hasn’t Announced Retirement, "Evil Republicans, Orange Man Bad, Democracy in danger…the usual."

Dan Greenfield at Front Page explains How the IRS Helped Fund the Atlanta Riots, "the ‘Atlanta Forest Defenders’ are still raising money through Open Collective: a 501(c)(3) nonprofit fundraising platform that Front Page Magazine had previously exposed for providing fundraising for assorted ecoterrorists including the ‘Just Stop Oil’ vandals who glued themselves to ‘The Girl with the Pearl Earring’ painting." Chris Queen at PJ Media sees the District Attorney Recuses Herself From Atlanta Domestic Terrorism Case in Atlanta "What’s her justification for removing herself from the case? Boston cites the fact that her office has been part of the multi-jurisdictional task force charged with clearing the 85-acre property for the construction of the public safety training center." The Free Bacon reports Ivy League Lawyer Who Firebombed Cop Car Will Spend a Year and a Day in Prison "Colinford Mattis's accomplice, Urooj Rahman, was sentenced to 15 months in November." John Sexton at Haut Hare, Colinford Mattis gets 12 months for role in Molotov attack. At ET, Pro-Life Activists Face Prison Time as DOJ Increases FACE Act Prosecutions.

At Am Great, the redoubtable Julie Kelly makes the argument that January 6 Was the Worst Incident of Police Brutality Since Civil Rights Era "Maybe next time the police can just shoot them all in the head."

So what made January 6 different? The answer is obvious. Trump supporters are considered subhuman by the ruling class. They are not entitled to the same protections, either constitutional or personal security, as any other group of Americans. That’s why police unleashed their fury on January 6 with impunity. Not only have they faced no consequences, both departments have received congressional and presidential medals of valor.

At Da Caller, Pediatric Group Ordered To Provide Florida Docs On Why It Supports Sex Changes For Kids. "The organization has opposed legislation and rules backed by Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis aimed at curbing access to care that facilitates sex changes for children. It also opposes laws that prohibit biological males from playing on female sports teams."

Breitbart enthused as Kevin McCarthy Stacks House Rules Committee with Conservatives. Sundance at CTH, House Subcommittee on Fed Weaponization Has Many Potential Approaches – Needs to Narrow Targeting for Optimum Sunlight. At Da Caller, Rep. Adam Schiff Fundraises On China-Owned TikTok After Getting Booted From Intel Committee. WaEx reports Adam Schiff faces ethics complaint for political ad one day after announcing Senate campaign. "Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) is facing an early obstacle to his 2024 Senate bid after a nonprofit ethics organization filed a complaint to the Office of Congressional Ethics accusing the California Democrat of using government resources to boost himself politically." Henry Rogers at Da Caller sees Matt Gaetz To Introduce ‘PENCIL Act,’ Blocking Adam Schiff From Reviewing Classified Information. "The Daily Caller first obtained the legislation, which is titled the PENCIL Act after former President Donald Trump’s nickname of Schiff, “Pencil-Neck.” PENCIL stands for “Preventing Extreme Negligence with Classified Information Licenses” Resolution." OK, that was funny. It won't pass but at least it makes the point.

Linked at Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup.