Anchor Stops Chesapeake Bay Project

A close-up of the anchor dug up during tunnel construction

Chesapeake Bay Mag, Bay Bridge Tunnel Project Halted By Antique Anchor Discovery

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel’s (CBBT) Thimble Shoal Tunnel project literally dug up a delay this month. The massive tunneling machine, known as Chessie, ran into a large antique ship’s anchor at the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay. This has put a stop to the tunneling entirely.

According to Michael Crist, Deputy Executive Director of Infrastructure at the CBBT, construction crews conduct surveys of an area before they start digging and boring tunnels. However, they can’t always find everything. “Any time you dig in the ground you will find something,” said Crist. The anchor, which Crist estimated at about 10-feet long with flukes are 3 or-4-feet long each, was not found in the preliminary survey. “It was buried under large rocks. We missed it,” he said.

Mighty Mo stuck in the Bay

That anchor looks seriously chewed up by the tunnel borer.

The anchor has marking of “W.L. Byers Company.” According to Jeanne Willoz-Egnor, Curator of Maritime History and Culture at the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, “It is difficult to provide more information about the anchor without better photographs and more details. But, based upon the limited available info, the anchor is likely from the 20th century, possibly 1920’s.” Willoz-Egnor noted that the battleship Missouri ran aground in the Thimble Shoal channel in 1950. A large number of anchors were deployed in the area in the efforts to re float the battleship.

Byers Stockless Anchor

The W. L. Byers Company was famous for their “stockless” anchor. The stock of an anchor is a bar that sticks out from the main anchor shaft at a different angle from the flukes. It functions to roll the anchor on its side on the seabed, which causes one of the flukes to dig into the sea bottom. Of course the other fluke sticks up, creating a hazard in shallow water. They were difficult to store. Stockless anchors worked and were much easier to stow.

The tunnel boring project is on hold until the anchor can be removed. “We don’t know if there is any damage to the cutters,” said Crist. “We won’t know until we get crews down to clear the area and assess the situation.” He said it will likely be December before they will have more answers. Crist noted that even though the tunneling is paused, there is still plenty of work to do.

So I guess the guy who grounded the Ever Forward was in good company. 

Flotsam and Jetsam - House to Call Tony B. to the Stand?

Matt Vespa at Town Hall reports A Familiar Name Could Be Giving Testimony Before House Oversight About the Biden Bribery Allegations, "Remember Tony Bobulinski, the original canary in the coal mine who came forward in the final weeks of the 2020 election to allege that the Biden family was corrupt?"  From Liz Stauffer at Power Line we hear DOJ to Jim Jordan on FBI agent subpoenas: Nein. You want the truth, we won't give you the truth. At Da Mail, Merrick Garland underling contacted IRS whistleblower Gary Shapley to discuss his Hunter Biden allegations before he testified – then immediately struck sweetheart deal with president's son. Witness tampering? Or just trying to get a handle on what they were in for?

In soon to be released  book by a liberal friendly journalist, Franklin Froer, who, haven been given wide access to the Biden White House, some leaks are revealing some unkind things about Sleepy Joe. Ace, Book By Archliberal Franklin Foer: Biden Privately Confesses to Being "Tired" Due to His Advanced Age "No joke really? You don't say. You just don't say." Jazz Shaw at Hat Hair, A look inside Biden's "private fuming" when the White House folks immediately walked back his Putin comments, and other things. At Da Caller, KJP Leaves Jake Tapper Visibly Befuddled While Claiming Reporters Can’t Keep Up With Biden. She's well paid to lie well, and can't even manage that. Nick Arama at Red State thinks Biden's Deterioration Is Concerning During Photo-Op With Costa Rican Leader. "A drug company that makes a drug here in America, if it's sold in Chicago, you can buy the same drug in Toronto or Paris cheaper than you can buy it in Toronto!" At Fox, RFK Jr. once again challenges Biden: If he's in 'good shape' he should debate me, yeah, good luck with that. 

Nick Arama reports Biden Tells Wild Tales About Kitchen Fire Again, as FEMA Director Makes Bad Comment on Aid to Maui. RNC Research@RNCResearch "Biden FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell says there are currently no plans to provide Maui wildfire victims with anything beyond one-time payments of $700." Sarah Arnold at Town Hall, Mysterious Black 'Biden Curtains' Surrounding Maui Suggests Gov't Officials Attempt to Keep the Truth Out Cygnus also reported that he spotted "special police" in foreign-made vehicles, presumably to ensure that nothing is documented, around the area. "They are putting a lot of energy into this," Cygnus said. "It's not just the fencing; it's the rocks, the police, the barricades. Everything seems designed to prevent people from documenting what's happening."

Miles and miles of black fencing being put up in Lahaina.

Ground Zero is now behind the Biden curtain. pic.twitter.com/krmxr4XcCr

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) August 28, 2023

Charles Lipson at RCW, What if Biden Backs Out of the Race? At NYPo, Cornel West says the Democratic Party is ‘beyond redemption.’

 Ben Whedon at JTN reports Jordan presses White House over meetings with Jack Smith staffer "The letter then proceeds to document the various meetings between Bratt and White House officials between 2021 and 2023." The so-called "independent" counsel. Althouse notices "Many in America are asking why President Trump is being prosecuted for doing the very same thing Democrats like Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton have done...", ""... and the answer is very simple. Like a third-world corrupt dictator, Biden will use any means necessary to stop the one Republican he knows he can't beat." So ends an effective 10-minute ad from the Trump campaign, which you can view at "Trump Campaign: Democrats "Violently Claimed The Last Three Republican Presidential Wins Were Stolen"" From Breitbart, a Report that  Judge Chutkan Compares January 6 to 9/11 Attacks, Boston Marathon Bombing, but she's not biased. At Da Signal, Hans von Spakovsky explains how Georgia Officials Didn’t Follow Ethical, Legal Rules in Trump Indictment. Ethics? You don't need them to persecute Trump, in fact, they're a hindrance! Jazz Shaw at Hat Hair VIP documents how The MSM rushes to the defense of Fani Willis. The Peacock is disappointed that Former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell pleads not guilty in Georgia election interference case. At Politico, Rudy Giuliani is liable for defaming Georgia election workers, judge rules, "The case will now head to trial, where a jury will determine the amount of damages that Giuliani must pay to the two election workers." Capt. Ed comments "Apparently, Howell had run out of patience with Giuliani over repeated violations of the discovery process. As a sanction, she entered the default judgment and ordered a trial to determine damages and punitive awards. That could be overturned on appeal, but federal appellate courts do not view willful process violations too kindly. The opinion, which lists numerous rulings ordering Giuliani to comply with discovery as well as continuances granted to him for compliance, can be found here." Althosue, "[After conceding] in two stipulations... that he had made false statements when he accused the election workers... Mr. Giuliani later sought to explain..." ""... that his stipulations were solely meant to get past a dispute with Ms. Freeman and Ms. Moss about discovery evidence in the case and move toward dismissing the allegations outright. But Judge [Beryl A.] Howell, complaining that Mr. Giuliani’s stipulations 'hold more holes than Swiss cheese,' took the proactive step of declaring him liable for 'defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, civil conspiracy and punitive damage claims.'" From "Giuliani Is Liable for Defaming Georgia Election Workers, Judge Says/The ruling means that a defamation case against Rudolph W. Giuliani, stemming from his role in seeking to overturn the 2020 election, can proceed to a trial where damages will be set" (NYT).

At NYPo, Donald Trump ‘grossly’ exaggerated net worth – by as much as $2.2B in one year: NY AG. Sort of depends on what you can sell property for, right, which you don't know until you sell it.

Phil Klein at Never-Trumper NRO whines Trump Is Taking a Risk by Not Campaigning. NewsMax finds a HarrisX Poll: 87 Percent of GOP Would Back Trump and Trump Pollster Notes Haley 'Surging' in Iowa. From ET, Trump Open to Ramaswamy as Vice President: 'I Think He's Great.'  PJM's VodkaPundit, hears DeSantis Has a Double-Barreled Message for Would-Be Idalia Looters. Florida Politics, ‘You loot, we shoot’: Gov. DeSantis stresses law and order in Ian-ravaged communities. Insty, REMEMBER, THE AP ADVERTISES ITSELF AS AN UNBIASED NEWS SOURCE: AP’s abhorrent slander that DeSantis is somehow to blame for a racist killing. "Related: Associated Press Coverage of Courts, Climate Bankrolled by Dozens of Left-Wing Foundations: Billed as purveyor of ‘unbiased news,’ wire service strikes lucrative sponsorship agreements with progressive charities. The Associated Press knows which side it’s bread is buttered on. That would be the left side." Curtis Houck@CurtisHouck, "Glenn Youngkin basically admits to Maria Bartiromo that he will miss several filing deadlines to get on the ballot in early GOP presidential primary states. Simply put, he's not running, folks." This time. From WaEx, Pence rolls out 'day one executive actions' focused on rebuilding military. Irrelevant. He won't be President.

Hat Hair's KT, Another scary episode happened: Is Mitch McConnell okay? They're not treating it like something serious, so they know what it is. Parkinson's maybe?

At WaEx, Five Proud Boys could see record prison sentences for Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Also, Proud Boy Enrique Tarrio's Jan. 6 sentencing abruptly rescheduled.

From Da Wire, Cruz Accuses DOJ of ‘Aggressively Targeting’ Pro-Life Activists Who ‘Blew the Whistle’ on DC Abortionist. 

Tattoo Thursday

USA Today, Kathy Griffin shocks her husband with lip tattoo results: 'It's a little swollen'

The comedian, 62, documented her trip to Vale of Shadows beauty studio in Los Angeles for eyebrow microblading and a lip tattoo in a YouTube video she shared Friday. Both are semi-permanent makeup techniques.

Griffin joked to the camera that she was "trying to go under the radar," while wearing a shirt emblazoned with her face and the phrase "Officially-Uncancelled." She was probably referencing her controversial 2017 photoshoot, in which she posed with a bloody mock version of former President Donald Trump's head.

Griffin added: "I'm getting my lips tattooed, but they call it blushing? We'll see."
. . .
Griffin showed the moment her technician lined her lips with a white substance and covered her lips with plastic wrap, presumably to activate a numbing agent. "You ready to not speak for three hours?" the practitioner asked, to which Griffin feigned shock.

Only three hours? Too bad.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Salma Hayek up on time at The Other McCain.

Forget it Jake, It's Baltimore

John Sexton, who seems to draw the Baltimore beat at Hat Hair, No one held accountable for the worst mass shooting in Baltimore history

This summer Baltimore experience the worst mass shooting in the city’s history. It became known as the Brooklyn Day shooting or sometimes the

Brooklyn Homes shooting and it happened early in the morning of July 2. Two people were killed and 28 more were injured. Police believe that 15 different people fired weapons.

This wasn’t just a mass shooting, it was a mass shooting of children. Fifteen of the victims were under the age of 18. The youngest person shot was 13-years-old.

The shooting quickly became national news and the city’s mayor, Brandon Scott, vowed he and police would not rest until the people responsible were held accountable.
. . .
Today the city released a 175-page after-action report noting a series of mistakes made by the city, starting long before the shooting. Brooklyn Day is a block party which happens in the Brooklyn neighborhood every summer. In 2022 the event, which starts in the early evening, was shut down early because police were concerned it could get out of hand. That angered many residents and police believed that this year the event might be advertised more quietly so as not to alter police in advance.

BPD’s Social Media Monitoring Unit did see evidence the block party was happening this year but on the day of the event no one was working in that unit. Throughout the afternoon as the crowd grew, police began getting calls about various problems connected to the event including disorderly conduct and a DWI car crash. When calls came in about people with weapons the police were slow to respond. I’m quoting this at length so you can get a sense of how this was developing
. . .
There were more calls and ShotSpotter alerts but police seemed to be downplaying it as just a party. There was a shift change at midnight and police were just monitoring the party. There were also so-called Safe Streets staff at the party that night and they had de-escalated several fights, but they all left the party by 11:30, about an hour before the shooting
. . .
But again, the real problem is that police don’t seem to have anything in the way of suspects for the city’s worst ever mass shooting. BPD also doesn’t seem interested in any help from the FBI to find those suspects. My guess is there are dozens of people who know who started this but they are all familiar with the maxim “snitches get stitches” and are not stepping forward to help. There’s no statute of limitations on murder so this case can remain open for months or years to come. But you have to think that if police don’t make some arrests soon, they probably won’t be successfully closing these cases.

Like the Swallows of Capistrano . . .

In case you have trouble telling them apart
Manatee on left, Mermaid on right

The Manatees return to the Chesapeake. A rare manatee sighting in Chesapeake Bay waters

No, that’s not a mermaid.

Environmental officials say a manatee has been spotted basking in the warm waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network confirmed the sighting over the weekend on St. Mary’s River near where the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay converge.

Lower Potomac Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks said the river’s salinity this year has been unusually high, attracting dolphins, bullsharks, skate and crabs. He nearly forgot manatees have been known to pass through these waters, too.

“It’s an amazing area that’s part of the Chesapeake Bay,” Naujoks said. “It’s not surprising that we have abundant wildlife coming in and feeding and breeding and spending time in these waters.”
. . .
A young manatee named “Ilya” was spotted in 2009 in a marina near Havre de Grace, The Baltimore Sun reported at the time. Another Florida manatee named “Chessie” — after one of Maryland’s favorite cryptids — has enjoyed visiting the Chesapeake Bay since as far back as 1994. He is credited with helping the Maryland Department of Natural Resources develop the first federal set of protocols for northern-bound manatee strandings and rescues.

USA Today,  'It's what we do': Florida manatee caught in pound net rescued, freed by Virginia Marine Police

The Virginia Marine Police rescued a manatee stranded in a pound net on Sunday afternoon at the mouth of the Rappahannock River in the Chesapeake Bay.

Paddleboarders reported seeing a manatee caught in a pound net near Windmill Point Marina on Aug. 27 around noon. Officer Neil Gunter of the Virginia Marine Police quickly responded and found the manatee swimming freely within the pound net without any signs of distress.

The manatee's health was assessed by Officer Gunter, who contacted the Virginia Stranding Team for assistance in devising a safe rescue plan for the animal. The officer secured his patrol vessel to the pound net and monitored the manatee's health and behavior. He also contacted the pound net owner during this time.
. . .
Officer Gunter and the pound net owner lowered the fishing gear at 2 p.m. The manatee swam out without harm and continued its journey out of the Chesapeake Bay.

A manatee was spotted enjoying the water near Windmill Point in a video posted on social media. It is unknown if this was the same manatee that was rescued from a net on Sunday.

I still regret not seeing the Chessie when she made his visit to Flag Harbor back in 2011.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Salma Hayek up on time at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Has The Smoking Gun Been Found?

Is this real? Or just another hope, at PJM from Matt Margolis, a REPORT that Smoking Gun ‘Evidence of Joe Biden’s Corruption’ Will Be Released in Coming Weeks

“There is an audio tape — I am told by people in the know, not necessarily in government, not necessarily out of government — I can’t say too much. But there is incontrovertible evidence of Joe Biden’s corruption that is about to be made public,” Kelly claimed. 

Don’t get too excited yet. There’s a catch.

“It’s not going to happen tomorrow, it’s not going to happen before Labor Day, but it will happen sometime between Labor Day and Halloween,” he said. “This tape will be made public — I’m not sure by what entity at this point — but once it is heard, Joe Biden will have… well… he’ll have only two options. Number one: he will not be able to remain a candidate for the presidency for reelection. It will be over and done with; the only thing that he might be able to do potentially, but probably not, is remain as president.”

Kelly claims his sources tell him that this tape is so incriminating that “they’re worried about it right now at the White House. ”

So the classic "October Surprise." As far as I'm concerned, there's more than enough evidence already to impeach Biden, but that won't happen because Democrats stick by their criminals. At Twitchy, Walls ARE closing in! Another BOMBSHELL just dropped ON the Biden Crime Family and it AIN'T good. Byron York@ByronYork, "National Archives has located 5,000+ emails in which then-VP Joe Biden used aliases to communicate, sometimes with son Hunter. Addresses: robinware456@gmail.com, JRBWare@gmail.com, and Robert.L.Peters@pci.gov. " Hat Hair's Jazz Shaw, Joe Biden sent at least 5,400 pseudonymous emails as VP. But at Andrea Widburg at Am Think notes The National Archives refuses to release 5,400 emails Biden sent using fake names. Nothing to see here! From Fox, Dems leave Congress with 'very little choice' over Biden impeachment inquiry: Jonathan Turley "Emails reveal Devon Archer met with then-Secretary of State John Kerry weeks before Burisma investigator was fired." Ace, Burisma's Devon Archer Met With Then-Secretary-of-State Kerry Just As Biden Was Ordering Ukraine to Fire Viktor Shokin, "Not a speck of corruption." Ben Whedon at JTN reports the House GOP says DOJ gave Hunter Biden ‘special privileges’ in tax case, as inquiry heats up. "Weiss, in his capacity as U.S. Attorney for Delaware, previously oversaw the years-long investigation into the now-first son." Julios Rosas at Town Hall says just Wait Until You Hear Eric Swalwell's Latest Defense of Biden " By the way...one day he sleepy Joe, next day he’s corrupt Joe. I know people who are sleepy, I know people who are corrupt, I don’t know anybody who is both." 'Bonchie' at Red State is amused that Joe Biden's Own Biographer Tosses Him Under the Bus. Josh Kraushaar@JoshKraushaar, "Biden biographer ⁦@FranklinFoer⁩, on Biden: “For a man vaunted for his empathy, he could be detached, even icy, when confronted with the prospect of human suffering.”" Rick Moran at PJM The Number of Americans Who Believe Biden Is Too Old to Be President May Surprise You. On the Summit, U.S. NEWSAP Poll: Almost 70% Of DEMOCRATS Say Biden Too Old To Run Again. "Most respondents associate Biden with the words “old,” “outdated,” “retire,” “elderly,” “aging,” “senile” and “dementia”"

At Insty, EVERY INSTITUTION HAS BEEN CORRUPTED: These BLS downward revisions have become a bad habit — or something worse. “Worse, had the BLS not drastically slashed the May number from 9.582MM to a laughable 9.165MM, the drop would have been almost 800K job openings. And yes, today’s downward revision… continues the recent trend of every single data point in the Biden administration being revised sharply lower in subsequent month(s), in a coordinated propaganda attempt to make the economy look stronger, then quietly revise it away when everyone forgets.”

John Davidson at Da Fed, Democrats Aren’t ‘Interfering’ In 2024 Election With Trump Trial, They’re Blatantly Rigging It. Dan Chaitin at Da Wire details How Trump’s Trial Schedule Lines Up With The 2024 Election Calendar. At WaEx, Trump lawyer Alina Habba calls trial dates 'unrealistic' and 'theatrics'. NewsMax reports Trump Says He'll Appeal Trial Date Given in Federal Election Case. 

Jonathan Turley, Raffensperger and Meadows Testify in Key Hearing in Federal Court on Georgia Allegations "The most interesting takeaway is that Willis may have overplayed her hand by including Meadows. In doing so, she may have created the strongest avenue for removal. I believe that she hoped that Meadows would “flip.” Instead, he is leading the charge to federal court. Even if Judge Jones denies the motion, it can now be appealed and there are solid arguments here in his favor." Capt. Ed comments "Jeffrey Clark also has a good chance in a removal motion, assuming he files one, as he was arguably acting within his duties as an assistant AG at that time. If this goes to federal court, the RICO predicate will likely get tossed, and so will those counts not related to actual black-letter crimes (such as the alleged Coffee County ‘hack’). Turley thinks that Raffensperger undermined Willis’ case on “The Call” too, so be sure to read his analysis on that point." Da Caller, Turley Says There Will Be ‘Substantial Constitutional Questions’ If Trump Wins White House In 2024 Amid Indictments. At TNP, Here’s Why Mark Meadows Wants His Case Moved. You mean, other than to get it out of an insanely anti-Trump prosecutor and jury? Jeff Charles at Red State sees Democrats Are Trying to Use the 14th Amendment to Stop Trump From Becoming President Again. Ace, Congressmen Seeks to Defund Trump Prosecutors, "He would deny both the DOJ and states federal funds if they continue the political prosecutions." Eddie Scarry at Da Fed has  Just A Preview Of How The Dishonest Media Will Lie And Mislead About Trump’s Show Trials. 

TNP points out how the Georgia Indictment Bounces Off Trump, Who Leads by 42 Points in Peach State. Leah Barkoukis at Town Hall, Here's How Much the Trump Campaign Has Raised Since Mugshot, $7 million, as of yesterday. Jeff Lord at Am Spec cites Gingrich to Levin: Trump Is Getting the Last Laugh. "The former president’s foes are reelecting him."

Also at Am Spec Melissa McKenzie tries to plumb The Magical Thinking of Never Trump "Why do they believe the problems he has faced will miraculously disappear for their preferred candidate?" Whoever the next Republican candidate is, he/she will be worse than Hitler immediately, if not before. Anxious is anxious, "Fake news": DeSantis campaign denies Trump claim he might drop out of 2024 race. Capt. Ed, "All he has are juvenile jabs, which look even worse when Trump refuses to engage in debate. His most ardent supporters will eat this up, but it’s not just embarrassing, it looks weak." Mediaite is pleased as Vivek Ramaswamy Hit With Cease and Desist From Eminem. KT at Hat Hair, Eminem nips Vivek Ramaswamy's rapping career in the bud. A dumb controversy, but this probably helps, rather than hurts, Vivek. Deroy Murdock at Am Spec claims The Last Word on Last Week’s GOP Debate "I noticed that almost every man on stage was dressed just like Donald J. Trump. What the hell was that?"

At PM, Miami mayor Francis Suarez drops out of 2024 presidential race. Politico, Francis Suarez suspends presidential campaign. At Hat Hair, Capt. Ed, New: The "CNN+ of presidential campaigns" comes to an end, "Suarez started off his campaign by fumbling the Uighur question from Hugh Hewitt and then later claiming that Hugh mispronounced “Oy-gers.” He was Ramaswamy without the money. The headline comes from the best response on Twitter to Suarez’ suspension announcement." Hat Hair's Beege Wellborn, Guy nobody knew was running drops out of presidential race.

From Town Hall, Tucker Carlson's Caricature of the Average Democrat Voter Goes Viral "In a viral speech all the way from Budapest, Tucker Carlson eviscerates the ruling party and average 20-something voter by comparing living in Democratic cities to being in…prison?"

Shawn Fleetwood at Da Fed thinks Biden Admin’s Voter Drive For Newly Naturalized Citizens Is Just Another Act Of Federal Election Interference. Ben Bartee at PJM notes YouTube Demonetizes Montage of Democrats Denying Elections, Calls It 'Dangerous' and 'Harmful'.

Culture Ware below the fold:

The Wednesday Wetness

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Salma Hayek up on time at The Other McCain.

Beach Report 8/29/23

A cooler day today than many of late, in the upper 70s, partly to mostly cloudy, and a bit of NW breeze. 

Skye is back on yard rest, having apparently re-hurt something in her legs. We hope to get her back on the beach soon, but we're not so sure.

The tide was high, but on it's way down. There was lots of shell and gravel showing, and that means . . .

Shark's teeth. Georgia found this 1 1/2 inch Snaggletooth up near the cliff.

And this other one on the high tide mark on the way back. I consoled myself by having the most teeth, 14, compared to her 9.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Judge Sets J6 Trial for Super Tuesday Eve

But she doesn't intend to interfere in the election, right? KT at Hat Hair, Judge Chutkan sets Trump's trial for March 4, 2024 "No, no, this isn’t a political persecution, why do you ask? Good Lord. Democrats are desperate to keep Trump out of the way and off the campaign trail. At a time when he would normally be doing several big rallies a day, if history was to repeat itself from his 2016 primary campaign, he will be cooling his heels in a federal courtroom in Washington, D.C." Spencer Brown at Town Hall, Trump's J6 Trial Date Announced "Setting a trial date does not depend and should not depend on the defendant’s personal and professional obligations," Judge Chutkan said in the hearing. "Mr. Trump, like any defendant, will have to make the trial date work regardless of his schedule," she declared. "You're not going to get two more years. This case is not going to trial in 2026." At the Free Bacon, Trump Jan. 6 Trial Set for Eve of Super Tuesday. "Trump's lawyers had pressed for an April 2026 trial date, but Chutkan said they did not need that long to prepare." PM, Trump's DC trial date set for March 4—one day before Super Tuesday. Insty, TRUMP TRIAL SET FOR MARCH IN FEDERAL ELECTION CASE. "This will turn out well." At Da Mail, Trump's legal spokeswoman Alina Habba predicts trials could go until AFTER 2024 election and says ex-President doesn't 'have to prep much'. PJM's Matt Margolis, Here’s Proof That Trump’s Trials Are Election Interference "Earlier this month, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis proposed a March 4 trial date for her case against Donald Trump. March 4 also just happens to be the day before Super Tuesday, on which 15 states hold their primaries. However, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp threw cold water on that idea. So naturally, Obama-appointed U.S. District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan went ahead and scheduled a start date for Trump’s federal charges (for his alleged crimes between the 2020 election and January 6, 2021) for the exact same day. Coincidence? Please, don’t make me laugh." Ben Weingarten at Da Fed, If Democrats Criminalize Opposition And Cripple The Court, Democracy Is Dead. I hear the death rattle. At Am Think, Matt  Andersson thinks The Left is 'willfully blind' to President Trump’s rights and Cliff Nichols warns Tyrants Make De-Tyrannification a Criminal Act.

The great Victor Davis Hanson at Am Great worries they are Saving the Rule of Law By Destroying It "We're reaching the point where the once unbelievable has become the banal."

At WaEx, Tim Carney says If you’re waiting for Trump to disappear, be ready to wait past 2028. Althouse wonders "How can Mr. Smith persuade 12 jurors that no reasonable doubt exists that Mr. Trump knew he was lying?"

"The prosecution will, no doubt, barrage the jury with reams of testimony showing that he was repeatedly told by every reputable adviser and administration official that no credible evidence of widespread electoral fraud existed and that Mr. Pence had no choice but to certify Mr. Biden as the winner. But there also will probably be evidence that fervent supporters of Mr. Trump’s efforts fed his narcissism with bizarre false tales of result-changing electoral fraud and frivolous legal theories justifying interference with Mr. Biden’s certification as president-elect...."

Writes NYU lawprof emeritus Burt Neuborne in "There’s a Good Chance Trump Will Be Found ‘Willfully Blind’" (NYT). . . . Neuborne concedes that this argument is "not a slam dunk."

It really doesn't matter, the DC jury will find him guilty regardless of the facts. The real fight will be in the appellate system. At Town Hall, Kurt Schlichter predicts This Political Prosecution Scheme Is Going To Backfire Hard "Yuck it up, you morons who think it’s cool to try to frame political opponents because your mug shots are coming soon enough. And maybe not just mugshots. You’ve genuinely screwed yourselves. You can’t control what you have unleashed. And you’re celebrating. You shouldn’t." Paul Gottfried at Am Great thinks the Power Wielders Believe Their Coup Has Public Support. Althouse, "There are these rare moments of honesty"... like Chuck Schumer's "6 ways from Sunday." 

Stacy McCain calls it the  Best Mug Shot Ever. "The phrase “Acme School of Law” was coined during the Brett Kimberlin saga to describe the tendency of a certain pro se plaintiff (and such of his associates/fanboys as the neckless wonder Bill Schmalfeldt) to pursue legal action that was ultimately harmful to their own interests, a la super genius Wile E. Coyote strapping on his Acme rocket roller skates in another futile effort to catch the elusive Roadrunner." From the Wombat's  In The Mailbox: 08.28.23 Don Surber notes Liberals gloated, then reality struck. At Da Fed Evita Duffy-Alfonso claims Trump’s Mugshot Is A Symbol Of The Right’s Struggle Against Tyranny. Althouse, The Art of the Mug Shot. "From "The Trump Mug Shot’s Art-Historical Lineage.Assessing the forty-fifth President’s Georgia photo op in the context of Da Vinci, Warhol, and a rogues’ gallery of accused criminals" (The New Yorker):" Dave Strom at Hat Hair finds Leftists disappointed that Trump is unbowed, The Atlantic@TheAtlantic "Mug shots are typically exercises in enforced humility. Trump treated his mug shot as our menace, @megangarber writes: theatlantic.com The Mug Shot Is a Warning. Donald Trump’s booking photo was supposed to be an exercise in humility. He turned it into a threat." Althouse, "The love for Trump... is everywhere." "One (black) man's opinion:" Cathy Salgado at PJM, notes that  ‘Black Voices for Trump’ Leader is the Only Trump GA Co-Defendant Denied Bail. Get back on that plantation!  From the Wombat's  In The Mailbox: 08.28.23 at Power Line Black men flock to Trump after Fulton County spectacle.

At Da Caller, ‘Biggest Surprise’: Mark Meadows Disputes Key Part Of Georgia Indictment During Hearing. "Meadows took the stand to defend his conduct, stating that it was his role to be in almost every meeting with Trump and that he didn’t “know that I did anything that was outside of my role as chief of staff,” ABC News reported. He also revealed his “biggest surprise” in the indictment: a description of him directing an aide to draft a memo on “disrupting and delaying” the January 6 Joint Session of Congress that he said “didn’t happen,” according to CNN." At HE, New Hampshire GOP chair tells Charlie Kirk that impending lawsuit to keep Trump from state's ballot won't stand. 

Matt Margolis at PJM has The Latest Juicy Nugget in the Biden Bribery Scandal. Jeff Dunetz at Da Lid, Viktor Shokin Filed Complaint In 2020, Demanded Probe Of Joe Biden: DETAILS. House Republicans@HouseGOP, "QUESTION: " Do you believe that Joe Biden or Hunter Biden got bribes?" "My firm personal conviction is that, yes, this was the case. They were being bribed." - Former Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Shokin." Ace, Fired Burisma Prosecutor Viktor Shokin: Burisma Hired Hunter Biden to "Provide Protection" for Their "Illegal Activities, "When will Joe Biden be confronted with this? Open an impeachment inquiry, and summon Shokin as a witness:" and More Viktor Shokin: It Would "Take Half a Day" to List All the Crimes I Was Investigating the Bidens For, "I worry about his life expectancy." At TNP, WATCH: Ukrainian Judge Says Bidens Accepted Bribes. 

From the Wombat's  In The Mailbox: 08.28.23 Margot Cleveland at Da Fed reveals U.S. Attorney Weiss Colluded With DOJ To Thwart Congressional Questioning, Emails Show. Madeleine Hubbard at JTN, National Archives acknowledges 5,400 Biden pseudonym emails, faces lawsuit for their release. From NYPo, National Archives has 5,400 Biden emails in which he uses fake names to dish government info to Hunter, others as VP: suit. At Da Caller, Turley Explains The Big Problem With Leftists Claiming Hunter Was Simply Selling ‘Illusion’ Of Access.

Chris Roach at Am Great says Sleepy Joe Mails It In, "He gives the impression of someone forced to pretend to care." At PJM, Cathy Salgado sees another Biden Fail: Hungary Providing Shelter for 250 Maui Families. Hat Hair's KT, Doocy Time returns to the White House briefing room as KJP says, "Maybe I didn't miss you so much." At Breitbart, Biden Falsely Claims to Have Convinced Strom Thurmond to Vote for the Civil Rights Act "Strom Thurmond, who switched to the Republican Party after years as a Democrat, voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964 before Joe Biden had entered politics, being that he was just 21 years old at the time." Ace finds a Poll: Wide Agreement That Joe Biden Is "Too Old to be Effective in a Second Term" "How about the first one?" AP, cited at Hat Hair, Another poll: Biden is "old," Trump is "corrupt." Atop Da Summit, Trump To GOP: Impeach “The BUM” Biden Or “Fade Into Oblivion.” NewsBuster reports Sharpton Tells Harris She's 'Guided by Spirits', A Civil Rights Leader. Enough, I already don't like her!

At Am Spec, Dave Catron warns If Trump Sits on His Lead He May Lose Iowa. "Polls are tightening in the Hawkeye state. Trump's no show at the first debate may have been a mistake." At Am Think, Steve McCann has thoughts about Donald Trump and the 2024 General Election. Matt Vespa at Town Hall hears Vivek Ramaswamy Says Pence Let a Prime Opportunity Pass Him By Before Certifying 2020 Results. Never-anybody-but-Trump sundance at CTH hosts Sunday Talks, Vivek Ramaswamy -VS- Chuck Todd, As Media Push Racism Narrative. At Breitbart, Nikki Haley Hits Back at Vivek Ramaswamy for Using Her Indian Name in Attack: He ‘Should Know Better’  "Keep lying, Namrata (sic) Randhawa. The desperation is showing.” Althouse, "Moderate and sane, but also cutting and sharp, particularly when it came to her vivisection of Vivek Ramaswamy’s neo-isolationist, Putin-kowtowing foreign policy." "Such violent imagery from Bret Stephens, describing Nikki Haley, in "Vivek Ramaswamy Is Suddenly Part of Our Political Life," the regular "conversation" at the NYT between Stephens and Gail Collins. I assume the conversation is in writing, because no one could speak spontaneously like that."

At WaEx, Third-party No Labels planning 2024 nominating convention in April.

Breitbart reports Judge Denies Robert F. Kennedy Jr’s Request to Halt YouTube Censorship. "“The Court finds that the First Amendment claim is unlikely to succeed on the merits because Google and YouTube are not state actors,” wrote Judge Trina Thompson, who was nominated to serve on the Court by Joe Biden in 2021, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2022."

At Twitchy, 'NOT the hero, babes, you're the VILLAIN': This takedown of the trans movement and allies is FIRE (watch)

A shout out to all the oh so righteous trans allies. You’re not the good guys. #transisacult pic.twitter.com/vEPwjnMWzA

— mslisterssis (@mslisterssis) August 28, 2023

Remainder of Culture War section below the fold:

A Tuesday Tune - Reckless

Madison Elle Beer (born March 5, 1999) is an American singer. Born in New York, she began posting covers to YouTube in early 2012. Beer gained substantial media coverage when Justin Bieber posted a link to one of her covers. She released her debut single, "Melodies", in 2013.

In 2018, Beer released her debut EP, As She Pleases. The project was supported by the singles "Dead" and "Home with You", both of which were certified Gold by the RIAA. The following year, Beer signed with Epic Records, later releasing her debut studio album, Life Support in 2021. The album was supported by several singles, including "Selfish", which gained traction on the media sharing app TikTok, leading to the single's RIAA Gold certification. 

Madison Elle Beer was born in Jericho, New York, to a Jewish family on March 5, 1999. Her father, Robert Beer, is a real estate developer, and her mother, Tracie, worked as an interior designer before putting that aside to help navigate Madison's career. She has a younger brother named Ryder. Beer appeared on the cover of Child magazine after winning a modeling competition at four years old. . . . She celebrated her bat mitzvah in 2012.   

Beer has stated that her inspirations in her music and songwriting are Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, Daft Punk, Melanie Martinez, Lady Gaga, and Ariana Grande. When questioned if she was inspired by Grande, Beer responded "I mean, you know Ariana's been one of my favorite people ever for like, so much of my career and like, even just prior to my career, so I'm sure she's definitely influenced me, a lot. ... But, I hate this narrative that's being pushed about me and her, you know, that it's kinda like this competition thing, like this is someone I idolize and someone I look up to.

Not really my style of music, but she's obviously go getter, and found a niche. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Salma Hayek up on time at The Other McCain.

Aquaculture Oysters Succumb to Mystery Killer

Hannah Brown, a lab specialist working for the Virginia
 Institute of Marine Science, shovels oysters onto a table. 

In the Bay and elsewhere. Bay Journal, Study seeks to get to bottom of mysterious die-offs at oyster farms

For several years, an unexplained die-off of farm-raised oysters from the Chesapeake Bay to the Gulf of Mexico has perplexed industry members and the scientific community alike.

What they do know: The bivalves tend to die between May and early July. Most of the victims are market-size oysters or nearly there. And it mainly lays waste to triploid oysters, the type favored by farmers — and many diners, whether they realize it or not — for their faster growth and higher meat quality.

Researchers with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science are trying to uncover the cause before it seriously disrupts the state’s burgeoning $60 million oyster aquaculture sector. (Episodes have been reported in Maryland waters as well.) Responding to the industry’s growing calls for answers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded $300,000 to the institution to sift through clues turned up by fresh field surveys and lab experiments.

“There’s a lot about oysters we don’t know yet,” said Bruce Vogt, president of Big Island Aquaculture, an oyster farm based in a creek near the mouth of Virginia’s York River. He estimated that he loses 30–40% of his triploids annually to the mysterious die-off. “It’s critical we get an understanding of this.”

The phenomenon was first reported in 2012. Most aquaculture operations reported die-offs for around 30% of their oyster stock, but some in the lower end of the Chesapeake saw losses of 50–85%.

Such die-offs aren’t out of the ordinary for oysters, said Hamish Small, who is heading the VIMS study. The bottom dwellers are known to succumb in large numbers to insults such as diseases, toxic algae blooms, sudden drops in dissolved oxygen, and too much or not enough salt in the water.

“Much like us, they’re constantly dealing with stress of some sort,” Small said.

But the die-offs that began in 2012 were different, he explained. Growers couldn’t connect it to any of the typical causes. VIMS researchers were similarly confounded when they conducted their own analysis of oyster health at five sites in the Virginia portion of the Bay in 2014–15. Nothing fit.

Maybe triploid oysters just aren't the answer. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Salma Hayek up on time at The Other McCain.

Chinese Skull Suggests New Branch on Human Bush

Skull of the ancient hominin from China.
(Wu et al., Journal of Human Evolution, 2023)

At Science Alert, Ancient Skull Found in China Is Unlike Any Human Seen Before

An international team of scientists has described an ancient human fossil in China unlike any other hominin found before. It resembles neither the lineage that split to form Neanderthals, nor Denisovans, nor us, suggesting our current version of the human family tree needs another branch.

The jaw, skull, and leg bones belonging to this yet-to-be classified hominin, labeled HLD 6, were discovered in Hualongdong, in East Asia, in 2019. In the years since, experts at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have struggled to match the remains to a known lineage.

The hominin's face is similarly structured to that of the modern human lineage, which split from Homo erectus as far back as 750,000 years ago. But the individual's lack of chin appears more like that of a Denisovan – an extinct species of ancient hominin in Asia that split from Neanderthals more than 400,000 years ago.

Working alongside researchers from China's Xi'an Jiaotong University, the UK's University of York, and Spain's National Research Center on Human Evolution, researchers at CAS think they have uncovered an entirely new lineage – a hybrid between the branch that gave us modern humans and the branch that gave us other ancient hominins in the region, like Denisovans.

Until proven otherwise, I will assume all prehistoric human lines had hot chicks. 

At Eureka Alert!,  A climate-orchestrated early human love story

To unravel when and where human hybridization took place, scientists usually rely on paleo-genomic analysis of extremely rare fossil specimens and their even scarcer ancient DNA content. In the new Science paper, the team of climate experts and paleo-biologists from South Korea and Italy pursued a different approach. Using existing paleo-anthropological evidence, genetic data and supercomputer simulations of past climate, the team found that Neanderthals and Denisovans had different environmental preferences. More specifically, Denisovans were much more adapted to cold environments, characterized by boreal forests and even tundra, compared to their Neanderthal cousins who preferred temperate forests and grassland. “This means that their habitats of choice were separated geographically, with Neanderthals typically preferring southwestern Eurasia and Denisovans the northeast”, says Dr. Jiaoyang Ruan, postdoctoral researcher at the IBS Center for Climate Physics (ICCP), South Korea and lead author of the study.

However, according to their realistic computer simulations the scientists found that in warm interglacial periods, when Earth’s orbit around the Sun was more elliptic and northern hemisphere summer occurred closer to the Sun, the hominin habitats began to overlap geographically. “When Neanderthals and Denisovans shared a common habitat, there were more encounters and interactions among the groups, which would have increased the chance of interbreeding”, adds Prof. Axel Timmermann, corresponding author of the study and director of the ICCP and professor at Pusan National University.

But how did the climate warm without coal-fired power plants and SUVs? 

And just for fun, 5 million-year-old fossils reveal 2 new species of saber-toothed cats in South Africa

Scientists have unearthed the remains of two never-before-seen species of saber-toothed cats that roamed Africa around 5.2 million years ago. The discoveries have changed what researchers previously knew about this group of extinct feline creatures, a new study shows.

The new findings could also shed light on the environmental changes happening at the time, which could help reveal why human ancestors started walking on two legs. researchers say.

The partial remains of the two newfound species, Dinofelis werdelini and Lokotunjailurus chimsamyae, were unearthed alongside the bones of two other known species, Adeilosmilus kabir and Yoshi obscura, near the town of Langebaanweg on the west coast of South Africa. The four species belong to the subfamily Machairodontinae — an extinct group of feline predators that included most species of saber-toothed cats. (The name Machairodontinae means "dagger-tooth.") Most members of this subfamily were equivalent in size to most big cats alive today.

In a new study, published July 20 in the journal iScience, researchers described the remains of all four species. The discovery of D. werdelini was not a surprise to the team, because species from this genus had previously been uncovered in the area and across the globe, including Europe, North America and China. However, the researchers were shocked to discover L. chimsamyae because, until now, members of this genus had only ever been found in Kenya and Chad.

I have seen in the past (don't make me Google) that sabre-tooth species were widespread down through prehistorical times, up until fairly recently, the end of the last glaciation. It's kind of a shame that none of the existing cat species show this trait.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Salma Hayek up on time at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Monday Morning Pickings

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna

Lot's of material, but none of it very fresh. At Town Hall Matt Vespa claims We Have Another Development in the Hunter Biden Bribery Saga. But he's talking about Shokin's statements to Fox, which are a couple of days old. Town Hall notes Fired Ukrainian Prosecutor Says Joe Biden Acted Like Ukraine Was His ‘Own Backyard’. Well, Obama gave it to him, fair and square. AP shocked as A House impeachment inquiry of President Biden is a ‘natural step forward,’ Speaker McCarthy says. Goodness knows DOJ isn't doing any. Charlotte Hazzard at JTN reports Florida GOP Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announces impeachment inquiry vote likely to happen in October "Hearing vote on impeachment inquiry is going to happen... likely in October," Luna wrote."

At Fox, Biden plans to ask Congress for funding to develop new COVID vaccine, may recommend shot for all, "The announcement comes near a year after Biden declared the pandemic was 'over.'" At Campus Reform, PROF JENKINS: What to do if mask mandates return to your campus. "First, the time to be vocal is now. Don’t wait until mandates arrive." Say no early and often.

\
Nick Arama at Red State sees Biden's Gaffe About the Inflation Reduction Act Earns Community Note and Lots of Mockery. "His people appeared not to understand the first rule of the internet—don't stand next to anything that looks like a blank sign that can be photoshopped and used to make endless memes." Jeff Crouere at NewsMax opines Bidenomics Makes Poverty Great Again. Addy Smith at JTN, Biden energy chief claims wiping out 60% of oil imports will help, not harm, energy Security. "America's grid has faced mounting challenges under Biden's energy transition. Critics say Biden's energy plans threaten our national security interests." 

At WaEx, White House claims it can't assist New York with migrant crisis without Congress approval. Fine, I don't want them to get help until they repeal their "Sanctuary City" status. Jeremy Loffredo

@loffredojeremy, "An indigenous Lahaina local tells me she lost her house, pets, medicine and cash savings. She can't get a call back from FEMA and has yet to see any type of US aid relief. She says Joe Biden should keep his insulting $700 because of the "gazillions" he's sending Ukraine." Ukraine pays him. All you do is vote for him. Hat Hair's KT sees Bait and Switch: Biden invited WNBA champs to White House then ghosted them. That afternoon nap Tahoe vacation is important! Dave Solway at PJM wants to know  Is Joe Biden the Worst President in History? I'll let history be the judge, but he's certainly in contention.

The New Neo, posting at LI compares Trump’s Mug Shot, Uncle Sam, and Churchill, "Three portraits with a message." At Am Great Matt Boose calls it The Mugshot Heard Around the World. "It landed like a mortar, denying his enemies a coveted triumph." SLAY says this Video Explains Media Blackout on Trump Driving Through Poor Neighborhood on Way to Fulton County. Can't show Black people cheering Trump. Insty, THE SYSTEM GOES AFTER ANYONE IT SEES AS A THREAT: "“I maintain healthy skepticism about the real source of videos like that. Maybe it’s old white men. But scrolling through TikTok recently I saw many videos of young black men reacting positively to the Trump mugshot (and it certainly wasn’t because they perceived fear in that glowering face).” Even in 2016, people were comparing Trump to a rapper. Now he’s got legit mugshots." From Da Caller, ‘Can’t Get It Done’: Dershowitz And Turley Pour Cold Water On Idea That Trump’s Trials Will Begin Before Election. and ‘Best Imaginable First Amendment Case’: Legal Experts Throw Cold Water On Judges’ Attempts To Silence Trump. At Da Fed the redoubtable Julie Kelly reminds us Judge Presiding Over Trump’s Jan. 6 Trial Has Track Record Of Politically Charged J6 Rulings. Virginia Kruta at Da Wire records how Tulsi Gabbard Torches Biden Over Trump Prosecution: ‘The Death Rattle Of Any Democracy.’ Libby Emmons at HE writes Dems want Trump to take his political prosecution more seriously—but the regime waging lawfare is a joke. The great Victor Davis Hanson sees Two Sets of Laws for Two Americas. Democrats have done everything that Donald Trump is accused of, in spades, and gotten away scot-free. From Am Spec, Shmuel Klatzkin notes Trump Battles the Corrupt Governing Class in Court. "Trump is like great but disreputable generals who alone possessed the fighting instinct that leads to victory." At NewsMax, Trump: Mar-a-Lago Tapes Were Not 'Deleted, Altered', unlike Hillary's email and Andrew Weissman's phone.

Red State's 'Bonchie' thinks Joe Biden's Handlers Are Getting Nervous About Gavin Newsom Debating Ron DeSantis. At Fox Business, Bernie Sanders scolds Dems for losing working class, minority voters to GOP: 'Frankly it is absurd'. "Sanders also said it's 'deeply worrying' that Democrats are losing Hispanic and African American men." Behind the Black. when Reality strikes: Democrats in Democratically-controlled cities complain about the consequences of Democratic Party policies. Don't worry, the vote harvesters will keep them going. At Da Caller, John Fetterman’s Wife Lays Out The Future Liberals Want — And It’s The Worst Thing You’ve Ever Seen. “Okay, here’s what the Democrats’ platform is,” she quipped, “pot, porn, Planned Parenthood.”

Melissa McKenzie at Am Spec considers An Inconvenient Trump: Republicans Are Living an Enormous Lie. "The rule of law has been crushed in America, while the GOP in pointless debate wonders if it can dare pardon the former president." Althouse, "All this is gonna continue to weigh him down. He's been pretty skillful to this point, but I do think the weight will eventually get to him." "Said one of Chris Christie's advisers, speaking about Donald Trump and quoted in "Trump's indictments: Polling shows half of Americans want him to suspend his campaign, and more takeaways/Despite what he claims, he isn't getting a continued bounce in support" (ABC News)." He should be careful of statements about weight. At Am Great Josh Hammer opines on The Paths Forward for the GOP Presidential Field, 

"DeSantis is most likely to defeat Biden." At FL Voice News DeSantis denounces ‘coward’ Jacksonville shooter who allegedly targeted Black people, but it shouldn't take a lot of courage to denounce a mass murderer. Stacy McCain does it with style, The Neckbeard Menace: Pathetic Loser Ryan Palmeter’s Jacksonville Massacre. At NYPo, DeSantis gains in post-debate poll as Trump touts lead over Biden.  Da Mail reports Ron DeSantis' abortion survivor 'Penny' revealed after incredible anecdote about 'discarded in a pan' shocked Republican primary debate, doubted by Democrats. CDB at Ace's, Vivek Ramaswamy: Anti-Semite, The Indian Face Of White Supremacy, Soros Stooge...Or Is He? "If taking flack means that he is over the target, then Vivek Ramaswamy is indeed pricking the GOPe and the Democrat/Corporate interests that are terrified of any change in the status quo." Althouse, "We typically don’t engage in these bad-faith attacks but yesterday a line was crossed. A GOP candidate referred to Ayanna as 'a modern grand wizard of the KKK'..." ""... because she speaks out against racial injustice. This is backwards and harmful, but that is the point.” Said Ayanna Pressley's "team," quoted in "Ramswamy [sic] stands by dis of Dem Rep. Pressley as among 'wizards of the grand KKK'" (NY Post). Ramaswamy hadn't faulted Pressley for speaking out against racial injustice, but for saying "we don’t need any more brown faces that don’t want to be a brown voice," which he characterizes as contrary to racial injustice." He makes the right enemies, but that's not too hard. At Am Spec,  Nikki Haley Misses the Mark "Haley thinks she can be pro-life and pro-contraception. She doesn't know what she's talking about." Is contraception an issue? I don't think so. But she does make it too much about being a woman. 

From the Intercept, NSA ORDERS EMPLOYEES TO SPY ON THE WORLD “WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT” "A digital rights advocate said, “This is like the CIA putting out a statement saying that going forward they’ll only waterboard people with dignity and respect.”" Or asking the FBI to shoot people with dignity and respect, Lloyd Billingsley at Front Page, Biden’s FBI Shoots First – Avoids Questions Later "The Bureau escalates deadly violence."

SLAY, After Biden Admin Sues Elon Musk for Hiring Too Many Americans, Musk Accuses DOJ of Racism. Nick Arama thinks Elon Exposes Hypocrisy of Biden DOJ After They Target Him Over SpaceX Not Hiring 'Asylees'. Hat Hair's Dave Strom, That DOJ SpaceX lawsuit...there's an interesting wrinkle. Alex Tabarrok 🛡️@ATabarrok, "The DOJ is suing @elonmusk and @SpaceX for focusing their hiring on US citizens and permanent residents. Do you know who else advertises that only US citizens can apply for a job? The DOJ. https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolu"

At Twitchy, 'Satire?!' Riley Gaines DROPS Kamala Harris for embarrassingly tone-deaf statement on women's equality. Kamala is just generally embarrassingly tone-deaf. Riley Gaines @Riley_Gaines_  "Scared of losing the rights we fought so hard to win" this is satire, right? Bc I know you cant possibly be referencing women when you're actively taking away our rights to privacy, safety, and equal opportunity. Sports, prisons, domestic violence shelters, sororities... You're a sell out." I hope she runs for Congress.  At Breitbart, Vogue Blasted for Including Trans Cyclist as the ONLY Athlete on ’25 Powerhouse Women’ List:  ‘Ludicrous.’ From the Center Square, Missouri judge denies injunction request to stop ban on gender transitions for minors. Also at Twitchy, LOL: Democrat birthing person governors get STEAMROLLED in the replies. HE notes Australia's first female PM can't say what a woman is, but then again, neither can one of our Supreme Court Justices. Jazz Shaw at Hat Hair points out What  most "trans women" in women's jails have in common. A history of sex crimes. Mike Brown at Front Page considers the question of AI, Jesus, and the Trans Person "What would the real Jesus do?" Just remember that whipping and overturning the tables are not out of the question. 

Jon Adler at the Volokh Conspiracy is excited that  Sixth Circuit Denies Qualified Immunity to School Officials "Court finds parent's right to comment on their interactions with their child's coaches or teachers is cleartly (sic) established."

From Hollywood in Toto, The Populist Revolution Is Here (And Not a Moment Too Soon)  '“Sound of Freedom.” “Try That in a Small Town.” “Rich Men North of Richmond.” All three recently shattered expectations and drew huge crowds, including plenty of Red State types. Left unsaid? Tom MacDonald’s dueling hits — “American Flags” and “Your America.” 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Salma Hayek and FMJRA 2.0: Run Through The Jungle up on time at The Other McCain.

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