Tornado, Birth to Death

 You really ought to view this full screen:

Birth to death timelapse of a tornado

Gary, SD - June 28, 2025 pic.twitter.com/PS19VgkDtN

— Jakob McMillin (@JakobWX) March 30, 2026

H/T to Beege Welborn at Hat Hair

Katfish for Kiddos?

WBAL TV, Maryland schools partner with Bay2Tray to serve blue catfish in effort to help Chesapeake Bay

A new lunch menu item in Cecil County Public Schools helps control an invasive species in the Chesapeake Bay.

Cecil County Public Schools staff began serving blue catfish sandwiches in mid-February. At Cherry Hill Middle School, the sandwiches are called catty patties, a play on Crabby Patties from SpongeBob.

"The catty patty is actually really good, said Grayson Jezyk, a sixth-grade student at the school. "I like it a lot."

"It tastes very similar to a crab cake," said Chrisanna Teahl, another sixth-grade student.

 

The school's kitchen manager said the catty patties have been a hit among many students.

"It was very popular," the kitchen manager said. "The kids that like it really like it."

The initiative is part of the Bay2Tray program, which started 12 years ago in California as an initiative through Real Good Fish.

Real Good Fish sources sustainable seafood directly from fishermen. The Maryland Department of Agriculture partnered with the program to get blue catfish on the menu at more schools along the East Coast. It's part of an effort to control the population in the Chesapeake Bay.

Blue Catfish are, indeed, a mild, white and flaky fine tasting fish. I'm still shocked that sixth graders would welcome fish for lunch.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: From Those Wonderful Folks Who Gave You Pearl Harbor up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - No Kings Bikers Arrested Attempting to Block Golden Gate

Erick Florack at PJM reminds us The Violence at 'No Kings' Was Quite Predictable. Tony Seruga @TonySeruga, " NEW: On March 28, 2026. SFPD and CHP Golden Gate coordinated to intercept a large group of bicyclists who were riding recklessly through San Francisco streets and attempting to access the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge—specifically by entering via the wrong way up the Harrison Street off-ramp—with the apparent goal of "taking over" the roadway. Officers met the group on the bridge. All 85 participants were detained without incident, cited for riding a bicycle onto a freeway (an illegal and highly dangerous move on a major interstate like the Bay Bridge), and then released. Their 85 bikes were seized/stored on scene. This wasn't a peaceful group ride or protest—it involved reckless behavior in city streets and a deliberate attempt to disrupt high-speed vehicle traffic on a critical bridge, creating serious safety risks for the cyclists themselves, drivers, and anyone else in the area. ..."

Matt Vespa at TownHall, thinks How These Patriots Responded to the Dems' 'No Kings' Protests Was Fantastic. One played the Trump victory speech through a loudspeaker. Kentucky Girl @Notwokenow, "“No Kings” they say. Let me remind you about: The government requiring you to stay home or face jail time. Toddlers being masked in daycare. Vaccination proof or job loss. Vaccination proof or no hospital visitations. Private businesses closed down, EXCEPT for giant chains. Funerals denied. People forced to die alone. Schools closed. Nonsensical 6’ spacing. Arrows in grocery store aisles. Travel restrictions. Mask requirements. Churches closed, but BLM protests permitted. Parks closed. PARKS. Violations of any of these resulted in fines, arrests, and possible incarceration."M2 @Amer1can_Barbie, "Liberalism is a mental illness."

“Then they came for the theater kids, and I said ‘make sure you get all the theater kids’” https://t.co/r4E5ylnmvm

— 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐬 (Golden Age Arc) (@myth_pilot) March 30, 2026

Jennie Taer @JennieSTaer, "An ICE officer at Bush Airport has been handing out lollipops to kids." A Larry vid at Hat Hair get into Trump Pays TSA Agents! Dems Pissed! 'No Kings' Rallies Fail! Iran Over In 'Weeks?' Libs of TikTok @libsoftiktok, "Democrats are now FUMING that Trump is paying TSA agents and are desperate to stop it, claiming it’s “illegal” Play this clip on a loop in every airport in America until the elections." Marc Thiessen @marcthiessen, "They can’t be that stupid." Quote @amuse @amuse, "GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN: Democrats are preparing emergency litigation against Trump asking Democrat judges to prevent him from ‘illegally’ paying TSA agents."

On the goals of the "little excursion" in Iran, Sarah Anderson hears HILARIOUS! Rubio to George Stephanopoulos: Maybe You Need to Write It Down, so you won't ask the same stupid question over and over. From Sundance at CTH, President Trump Presents a Strong Statement Toward Iran – Secretary Rubio Responds in Real Time and Secretary of State Rubio Gives Lengthy Interview to Al Jazeera. At PJM, Rabbi Michael Barclay's Weekend Iran War Update. From the Free Bacon, Finish the Job: There's Only One Way To Lower the Price of Oil. Da Mail whines Trump threatens Iran's water supply in 'war crime' ultimatum as defiant Tehran tears up nuclear treaty, after Iran attacked water plants in the Gulf region. Kamel Amin Thaabet @K_AminThaabet, "Not only will Iranians die of thirst because of the destruction of the heavy water plant, they will die of hunger from the destruction of yellowcake." Quote, Ari Krauss @AriKrauss "Imagine being this uneducated on a topic you feel this strongly about." Kurt Schlichter @KurtSchlichter, "I support victory over the Iranian mullahs. This puts me at odds with communists, jihadists, Democrats, libertarians, griftomatics, podcastards, and other loathsome creatures." Visegrád 24 @visegrad24, "Alireza Jafari, an 11-year-old boy, has been identified as a child soldier killed while serving at an IRGC checkpoint in Tehran. According to Hengaw, a Norway-based human rights organization, he is the first reported Iranian child soldier to be killed since the escalation of the war in the Middle East. He was initially reported as a civilian casualty, but the “Teachers’ Basij” organization later confirmed that he died “while on duty.” According to his mother, he was at the checkpoint with his father due to a shortage of personnel." Capt. Ed at Hat Hair says Say What? Iran's Expelled Ambassador Refuses to Leave Lebanon and Dem Senate Candidate: My People Have the Sadz About Dead Ayatollahs. @instapundit @instapundit, "You can’t even explain your Nazi tattoo." Quote Marco Foster @MarcoFoster_, "Graham Platner: “I served in Iraq and Afghanistan, did four tours in the infantry. No one’s ever been able to explain to me what the wars I fought in, how they improved the lives of the people in Maine. Nobody’s lives got better”

From RCD, As the U.S. Navy Just Demonstrated, War at Sea Is Global. Bart Marcois at Am Great explains How to Stop Iran’s Dangerous New Sejjil Missiles "Stop the Sejjil at its source: cripple the Jajarm aluminum-powder plant, and Iran’s fast-launch missile program runs out of fuel before it can threaten U.S. forces and allies." The Babylon Bee@TheBabylonBee "‘Good News, You’re Finally Useful,’ Says Trump As He Sends Aquaman To Strait Of Hormuz https://buff.ly/Vj3ee9S."

Hat Hair's John Sexton has hopes the War in Iran May Not Save Russia Economy. There's plenty good money to be made, supplying the army with the tools of the trade." NYPo opines Ukraine can teach the US about the future of warfare. Sundance presents Susan Kokinda Giving a Recap of the Latest U.S. Distancing from EU/NATO Alliance. IQ 593 | Cody Penn-Dent @codypd, "And now we are saying it Because the retards in Europe weren’t catching on." Quote Department of State @StateDept "SECRETARY RUBIO: The world should take note of Iran’s threats to set up a system in the Strait where they control who goes through international waters. They have more at stake there than us. Very little of our energy comes through there. The rest of the world gets a lot more."

Hunter Eagleman™ @Hunter_Eagleman. "WOW: CA Democrats under @GavinNewsom just introduced the “MELT ICE Act” AB 1627. It would PERMANENTLY ban anyone who worked for ICE during President Trump’s term from ever becoming a cop or a teacher in the state. This is political revenge dressed up as “protecting trust” at its best!" I assume that would be rule unconstitutional, but in Californica, you might have to take it to the Supreme Court. Hat Hair's Dave Strom sees The Even More Gruesome Newsom. Toured the south to teach his kids about racisms and stuff. MAZE @mazemoore, "In 2023 Gavin Newsom did what he called a "Red State" tour and visited Alabama, Florida and a few other red states. Newsom's wife said she brought her children to the red states so they could learn about racism, sexism, and bullying first hand." Brandon Straka #WalkAway @BrandonStraka, "Gavin Newsom’s wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, is reportedly making up to $300K a year through a nonprofit pushing gender ideology in California schools. Meanwhile, 44% of 11th graders can’t meet reading standards and nearly 70% fail math." KTLA @KTLA, "LEAVING LOS ANGELES: L.A. County saw the largest decline of any county in the United States in 2025, according to new census data." Steve Milloy @JunkScience, "Democracy for Dummies: California's Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant, which provides 9% of the state's electricity, has been approved by regulators to operate until 2045. But state law still requires it to be shut down by 2030." The Babylon Bee @TheBabylonBee, "Lego Introduces ‘California Home’ Set Where Kids Fill Out Permit And Wait 2 Years For Approval."

Beege Welborn at Hat Hair is outraged that Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco's Ballot Investigation on Hold. Patrick Byrne @PatrickByrne, "How odd: the Attorney General of California is now against the chief legal officer of Riverside County, Sheriff Bianco , from looking into the odd discrepancy that only 610,000 people voted but almost 660,000 ballots showed up. Nothing odd about that." Quote Sheriff Chad Bianco @ChadBianco, "BREAKING: Attorney General Rob Bonta just filed an emergency writ with the court of appeals to stop ballots from being counted. For those not aware, we are investigating a reported discrepancy of 45,000 votes." Tony Seruga @TonySeruga, "You wondered how Democrat Emily Gregory defeated Trump-endorsed Republican Jon Maples by roughly 797–800 votes (51.2% to 48.8%, out of about 33,400 votes cast in a low-turnout special). The district had previously been held by a Republican who won by a much larger margin in 2024. FACTS: On March 19, during a volunteer training session at the elections office (4301 Cherry Road) ahead of the March 24 special election, Panicci allegedly stole an encrypted access key from a voter registration terminal. Surveillance photos reportedly captured the act. He maintains a Facebook profile under John Panicci (@JohnWPB), describing himself as a “huge tech nerd.” The key was programmed only for training databases, not live voter registration or election systems. However, investigators expressed concern that someone technically skilled could reverse-engineer the encryption and misuse it in a real kiosk. The theft was reported to detectives on March 27. They identified Panicci, obtained search and arrest warrants, and executed them at his Lake Worth/Greenacres-area home on March 28. They recovered the stolen key and equipment, plus a large amount of other electronic and digital storage devices..." Eric Daugherty @EricLDaugh, "HOLY CRAP!! A Palm Beach elections office volunteer just got arrested for STEALING an encrypted access key and computer equipment in the March 24 special election where the Democrat won by 800 votes This is the district the includes Mar-a-Lago." John Lott at NYPo thinks The whole world laughs at Democrats’ lame voter-ID claims, but it's not really funny.

From Fox, Vance says Biden admin 'turned off' anti-fraud protections, debuts new task force with focus on Somali schemes. "Vance led the closed-press meeting alongside Stephen Miller, FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin."

Stacy McCain, ‘Retribution for Their Sacred Blood’: Hezbollah Inspired Synagogue Attack "Thought of headlining this post “Dearbornistan Update”" John Sexton hears Michigan Synagogue Attack was Inspired by Hezbollah.

Atop Da Hill, FBI director pushes to release investigative files on Rep. Eric Swalwell. Flopping Aces @FloppingAces, "The NYT just pulled off one of the fastest narrative flips in journalistic history...Olympic-level hypocrisy. Epstein files: “Transparency at all costs! Burn it all down, baby! Release everything!” Swalwell file: “Whoa, hold up… there’s private info in here… classified material… this could really hurt him…” Oh, NOW we suddenly care about privacy? NOW we clutch our pearls over old investigations? NOW unverified gossip is a national crisis? They didn’t suddenly grow principles. They just realized the target wasn’t on their enemies list anymore. Pathetic. (article below)." Flopping Aces @FloppingAces, "Release Every Dirty Secret… Unless It Belongs to a Democrat: NYT’s Transparency Fraud Goes Fully Nuclear https://floppingaces.net/most-wanted/release-every-dirty-secret-unless-it-belongs-to-a-democrat-nyts-transparency-fraud-goes-fully-nuclear/" Kurt Schlichter @KurtSchlichter, "I heard that Swalwell is mentioned in the Swalwell files." Quote The Washington Post @washingtonpost, "Breaking news: Attorneys for Rep. Eric Swalwell demanded in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel that the bureau refrain from releasing decade-old investigative files involving the congressman’s purported ties to a suspected Chinese intelligence operative. https://wapo.st/47vVWAa."

PJM's Cathy Salgado hears Two New Criminal Referrals Against Letitia James for Insurance Fraud. Sauce for the goose...

At RedState Susie Moore notices Wait - Boasberg Did What Now? Side's with the Trump admin, albeit reluctantly. Susie Moore @SmoosieQ, "In Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights v. Dept. of State (removal to El Salvador), Judge James Boasberg(D.C.) GRANTS admin's motion to dismiss. [3/25]." But then suggests a work around. Tim O'Brien at PJM sees Finally! Next up at SCOTUS, Birthright Citizenship: Here’s What to Watch For. John Kass looks at THE MURDER OF SHERIDAN GORMAN AND THE STIFLING OF CHICAGO. Amanda Head at JTN, Foreign big rig drivers lose licenses by the thousands, but ride-shares still use illiterate drivers.

Stacy McCain sees ‘A Massive Problem’: Free Speech for People Who Don’t Want Open Borders. Aylmer @AylmerTH, "British MP Max Wilkinson: @x is a "massive problem" because it allows critics of mass immigration to "have their voice heard in a really easy way that they couldn't in the past"." Tommy Robinson @TRobinsonNewEra "Full mask off moment for British politics. ..." Beege Welborn dryly asks How Was a Middle East Sky News Reporter Supposed to Know What All Those Flags Meant? Northern Barbarian @xnoesbueno, "Hey, that sounds like BLM over here." Quote Liza Rosen @LizaRosen0000, "Flashback: Muslim supremacists in the UK tell police to bow down and stop standing in their way. They say they have a right to riot in London, vandalize public property and terrorize local residents. One of the migrants can be seen in this video arguing: “I’m Palestinian, take your hands off me. You cannot touch me. You are all racist!”What is your response to them?"

Twitchy, When 'Equity' Meets Reality: Trans Woman Rages as Biological Woman Cuts the Queue at NDP Gathering. She literally played the 'trans' card. From the College Fix, College DEI officers attend conference to complain about ‘chaos’ created by Trump. Hollywood in Toto believes the Media’s War Against J.K. Rowling Will Never End "Author's common-sense stance has scribes attacking her, 'Harry Potter'"

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: O’s, Yeah! up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

A Tuesday Tune - XXXHIBITIONIST

Romy Maxine Flores (born December 19, 1999), known professionally as DeathbyRomy, is an American singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, she began performing music professionally at age 15.  Since her debut LP Monsters came out in 2018, Flores has released five albums, with the most recent one being 2025's Hollywood Forever. She is most known for her 2019 single "Problems", which amassed over 70 million streams on Spotify following its success on the video-hosting service TikTok.

Flores was born on December 19, 1999, in Los Angeles, California. She is of mixed heritage; her father's family is Mexican, and her mother is European. She wrote her first song at the age of 5.

Flores released her first song at the age of 15. Her first single on Spotify, "Tiempo", was self-released. She continued to release music independently for another year, in which time she also released her debut album Monsters, which included features from other singers such as Lil B and Yung Bans. Her stage name, DeathbyRomy, comes from her past struggles with suicidal tendencies and is an attempt at "claiming personal love".

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: From Those Wonderful Folks Who Gave You Pearl Harbor up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Post Eye Test DIY

We had the one weekish post retinal reattachment and vitrectomy surgery check today up in Balmer today. Healing is going as expected, which is to say slowly, but no problems were found. I'm down to only two different kinds of eye drops, and the next check is five weeks from now. By then, the bubble should be gone, or all but gone. A long way around to tell you I didn't have the time or energy to do this right:

Trump, the Republicans and the 'No Kings' Rallies

Scenes of Communist Flags, Riots, and Violent Clashes With DHS During ‘No Kings’ Protests
More Craziness in Portland As Anti-ICE Mob Finds Out It's Not a Good Idea to Break Open ICE Facility Gate – RedState
Scott Jennings on X: "The flags flown at the No Kings Rallies were pretty representative of the Democratic coalition: communist hammer & sickle, trans, Hezbollah, Hamas, & all being waved by weirdo boomers. If you want to know where the energy on the left is - they showed you. https://t.co/tlpjJq0lmK"
Mike Netter on X: "NO KINGS Financials Released! The Financers: - Arabella: $79M - Warren Buffet: $16M - Ford: $51M - Rockefeller: $26M - Soros: $72M - Tides: $45M $294,487,641 MILLION Source realannapaulina https://t.co/dsp0qSF2cK"
Instapundit - AS WELL-FUNDED AS THESE COMMIE GROUPS ARE, YOU’D THINK THEY COULD AFFORD TO HIRE SOME ACTUAL TALENT:
Ace of Spades HQ No Kings? If We Had A King, These Morons Would Be In Jail
John Ʌ Konrad V on X: "As a kid, when we were having a truly great day with my Vietnam vet dad. I mean a TRULY great day. Like when we drove the final nail in the porch we built together or the time I caught the biggest bluefish he’d ever seen. He’d hand me the rest of his beer, walk to the car for"
Paratrooper Brady on X: "She must have attended the learing center. https://t.co/9H1PMlTPPb" / X
Canadian Liberals Might Be Even Funnier Than American Ones – HotAir
Tony Blair says the Left has to end its 'unholy alliance' with Islamists to stamp out anti-Semitism | Daily Mail Online
Pakistan’s Afghan Frankenstein: The beast is loose and Europe is unsuspecting - Brussels SignalBessent’s beef - Power Line
Sen. Mike Lee Blasts Senators Who 'Just Want to Go Home' After Failing to Fund Immigration Authorities

The War with Iran

Sunday Talks - SSCI Chairman Tom Cotton Discusses Ongoing Military Operation in Iran - The Last Refuge
CENTCOM Announces 3,500 Marines Arrive in Ready Position - The Last Refuge
European Leaders Now Know Trump Was Right: Iran Was an Imminent Global Threat - American Greatness

The Disloyal Opposition

California Democrats worry 'jungle' primary may lead to GOP governor
Exclusive 'Interview': Gavin Newsom on His Possible Presidential Launch – HotAir
Bad News Golden Bears: CA Dems Get Crushed by Judges on Bianco Ballot Seizure, Republicans Top Poll – HotAir
Jake on X: "They told you the counts are verified. The systems are secure. The people demanding answers are the threat. Riverside County logged 611,428 ballots cast. Certified count: 657,322. 45,896 votes. No matching ballots. Public record. Sheriff Bianco pulled the logs. Got the ..."
Democrats Should Be Panicking About This – PJ Media
Don't Count Ballots After Election Day – HotAir
Virginia Leadership Is Ignoring the Risks of Sanctuary Policies
Dem Rep Calls for Reparations for Illegal Aliens ‘Traumatized’ By ICE
'Spencer, Saca la Bassura!' — Why This Might Be the Best Campaign Video of 2026 (WATCH) – Twitchy
¡No Pasarán!: Do You Know What Words Abraham Lincoln Used to Refer to the Democrats, President Trump? The Locofocos

Jack on X: ""Hitler was a failed art student and a vegan who blamed all his problems on rich people and the Jews. "If he was around today, he'd be attending the Green Party conference' Superb @LeoKearse "

The Just Us System

Robert Mueller’s sins extended to Massachusetts – HCRN
Sunday Talks - Devin Nunes and Peter Schweizer Discuss Comey, Brennan Subpoenas and Florida Grand Jury - The Last Refuge

Immigration, Illegal and Otherwise

Tom Homan BURIES Jake Tapper for Trying to Lecture HIM About ICE Laws and Masks – Twitchy

The Culture War

Are medical schools still admitting students based on race? Trump wants to know - The College Fix
Mike Rowe Hits It on the Head: Kimmel Didn't Insult Plumbers; He Insulted America's Aspirational Spirit – RedState
When Activism Displaces Academics in America’s Schools - RealClearEducation

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: O’s, Yeah! up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Monday Morning Stimulus

With Hope Beel:

NYPo, Iran shuts down popular coffee chain over cups supposedly celebrating Khamenei’s death: report

Iranian authorities reportedly shut down a popular cafe chain on Saturday because of a coffee cup design that supposedly mocked the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Lamiz, often referred to as the Starbucks of Tehran, designed a coffee cup featuring a 1975 painting by Iranian artist Farshid Mesghali, which depicts an empty chair with purple and red rain drops falling down from above, according to Iran International.

All of its locations were shuttered by the goverment, the outlet reported.
...
Hardliners of the Iranian regime and its supporters believed the empty chair was evocative of the seat that Khamenei — who was killed in a joint US-Israeli airstrike on Feb. 28 that launched the Iran war — was known to use and believed it was mocking the supposed “martyrdom” of the former leader of the Islamic Republic.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: From Those Wonderful Folks Who Gave You Pearl Harbor up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Maryland, My Maryland

It's rarely that I get to agree with something that happens in my state, but today I have to applaud our Supreme Court, Annapolis Cap Gazette, Maryland Supreme Court sides with fuel companies in climate change lawsuit

The Supreme Court of Maryland ruled Tuesday in favor of fossil fuel companies who had been sued by two Maryland cities and a county. The lawsuits had accused the companies of historically deceptive business practices that contributed to local effects of climate change. 
The opinion affirms lower courts’ dismissals of the three lawsuits separately brought by Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County and Annapolis.

State law, the court argued, has never applied to the conduct alleged by the jurisdictions and federal law is best at regulating cases of interstate pollution. The justices further found that, to the extent that the jurisdictions’ arguments were not blocked by federal law, the local governments were not able to show how state law could apply.

“We determine that the local governments, through their various state law claims, are seeking to regulate air emissions beyond their jurisdictional boundaries,” Justice Brynja Booth wrote in the main opinion.

An attorney representing the three jurisdictions did not reply to a request for comment by deadline, nor did a lawyer for the fuel companies, nor representatives from the government law office for each jurisdiction.

The three jurisdictions separately sued fossil fuel companies, starting in 2018, over the impact that greenhouse gas emissions have had on the cities and the county, seeking financial compensation. The local governments argued in briefs that the residents of the jurisdictions “suffer severe harm,” due to the effects of fossil fuels, including sea level rise and extreme heat.

The lawsuits were part of a nationwide surge of dozens of local cities and states suing fossil fuel companies over the effects of climate change. State Supreme Courts in Hawaii and Colorado have previously weighed in on the legality of such cases, with both courts siding with cities suing fossil fuel companies. The U.S. Supreme Court is set to rule on an appeal of the Colorado case by fossil fuel companies.

It was a lovely spring day today, but a little frosty in the morning. 

Palm Sunday

 with Hope Beel:

MyNews13, Rising gas prices impact Plant City palm tree nursery

PLANT CITY, Fla. — Higher prices are having a big impact on companies that rely on gas to keep their businesses running, including local farms.

Jorge Guerrero is navigating the cleanup to get his palm trees back to the way they were before the recent cold snap. “It just hurts, you know, losing 80 to 90 percent of the nursery and still having to hustle and strive,” he said.

Jorge’s parents opened G&G Palm Center Nursery in Plant City back in 2007. They grow most of the palm trees themselves, but recently they’ve also had to bring in extra inventory from Miami. Trips that were usually two to three times a month are now two to three times a week, increasing their spending on gas, but that’s not all.

With all the damage from the recent cold snap, it’s meant more work to pick up the damaged palm leaves that’s now increased their tractor usage. “We’re putting diesel in these tractors at least every three days; we’re going through at least 15 gallons a week,” Jorge said.

Linked at The Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links. The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: From Those Wonderful Folks Who Gave You Pearl Harbor up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Maryland, My Maryland

At Da Signal, Al Perrotta notices Maryland Loves My Ratty Old Rug More Than It Loves Me

I just had to show ID at my county dump. Yes, in order to get rid of my moldy, worn, faded, and generally disgusting old outdoor rug that my wife’s been bugging me for a year to dispose of, I had to hand the landfill worker my driver’s license. “My license?” I blurted. “Well, that’s new.” “Started last week,” he said before scanning the license into a newly installed contraption at road’s edge.

A few hundred yards away to the south, just on the other side of the tree line, rests our local community center. When I go there to fulfil my civic responsibility and American right to vote, nobody asks me for ID. And if Democrats have their way, nobody ever will.

I have to show ID to use the local dump but not the voting booth. My ratty old rug means more in Maryland than my vote. The thought’s enough to leave one down in the dumps. But Wait, Isn’t Making Me Show ID Racist?

If I were a Democrat, I’d be framing my complaint differently. Demanding a driver’s license … or shall I say Garbage ID … to discard junk is racist. It’s “Jim Crow 3.0,” to borrow from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. And sexist.

After all, the dump is a public facility. If you can’t provide an ID to prove you’re a local resident … and the Democrats assert that if you are black or a married woman, you are incapable of getting an ID … you must pay extra. The 2026 equivalent of a poll tax.

Maryland’s freshman senator, Angela Alsobrooks, is a black woman. Does she have any idea the oppression she’d face, the hardship she’d encounter, if made to show ID to use the Calvert County Appeal Landfill? It’s like Bull Connor himself is standing at the gate.

The Appeal Landfill is the main dump in southern Calvert County, the one you go to when you have something too big or obnoxious to take to one of the many "convenience" centers scattered about the county. FWIW, we've long had a little plastic decal in the car window that supposedly was necessary to drop stuff in the bins there, not that anyone ever really looked for them. 

One thing is nearly certain, Al Perrotta is a Lusbian. 

Flotsam and Jetsam - The TSA Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo

Yesterday, in a voice vote, (meaning the identity of the voters goes unrecorded) the Senate voted on a measure to end the DHS stand off, so they could declare themselves done, and quickly run out of town for Easter and Spring Break. Details seem kind of hard to understand; the proposal did not yield to Democrat's demands on ICE, but didn't satisfy House Republicans, who rejected it out of hand and passed their own competing bill. Meanwhile, President Trump cut the Gordian Knot by directing newly confirmed DHS Sec Mullin to pay TSA agents, without specifying where the funds would be coming from. From NYPo, End to airport misery in sight as Senate approves deal to end DHS shutdown — without Dem immigration demands. Capt. Ed at Hat Hair, NEW: Dems Throw In Towel on Schumer Shutdown II: TSA Boogaloo. CNN whines House GOP rejects Senate DHS deal, prolonging shutdown. The Peacock crows House Republicans pass DHS funding bill that Democrats call 'dead on arrival' in the Senate "The vote came hours after President Donald Trump signed an order directing DHS to pay TSA workers, who haven't received paychecks despite working during the funding lapse." Mary Chastain at LI, Trump Directs DHS Secretary Mullin to Pay TSA Agents, "Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins said that Trump could find ways to pay the TSA agents." Hat Hair's John Sexton, Trump Will Issue an Order to Pay TSA Agents Despite Shutdown. At TownHall Matt Vespa thinks you should Watch What Happens When CNN Learns Trump Is Signing an Order Permitting DHS to Pay TSA Agents. Althouse, "Therefore, I am going to sign an Order instructing the Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, to immediately pay our TSA Agents..." ""... in order to address this Emergency Situation, and to quickly stop the Democrat Chaos at the Airports. It is not an easy thing to do, but I am going to do it! I want to thank our hardworking TSA Agents and also, ICE, for the incredible help they have given us at the Airports. I will not allow the Radical Left Democrats to hold our Country hostage any longer. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump writes, at Truth Social. Question: How is he doing this? Answer: It's not easy! But he's going to do it. Perhaps he means: Go ahead and sue me and at least the workers willbe paid until the courts stop me... if they dare." Shelby Talcott @ShelbyTalcott, "New: The money Trump is using to pay TSA is available from last year’s tax cuts bill (which also spent billions on immigration enforcement), according to an administration official. More w/@burgessev", Quote Burgess Everett @burgessev "Republicans started talking about Trump paying TSA workers with existing funds a few days ago as they learned he had the option. Unclear why it took 41 days of shutdown but the approaching recess and interminable negotiations played a role @ShelbyTalcott. Senate might have approved it today if he hadn’t acted …" Don Surber catches Spartacus ranting to an empty airport, Trump ends TSA hostage crisis. "Democrats hate ICE so much that they only drink warm beer now. Bud Light, of course." AMAC explains how Democrats Have Already Killed the Filibuster. 

Beege Welborn at Hat Hair, Senate Photo ID to Vote Amendment Goes Down in Democrat Flames MORE. RNC Research @RNCResearch, "WATCH: Senator Jon Husted outlines popular commonsense photo ID requirements to vote: "All that's in this amendment is 5 forms of photo ID that people can list to vote." Democrats are literally voting against this." Matt Vespa, Trump Was on Fire With These Clips Yesterday. "One reporter tried to catch Trump with a loaded question about mail-in ballots, noting that he had used one in the recent elections in Florida. The president isn’t a fan of this voting method, but the question was purely foolish. There are concerns about fraud, and this reporter failed miserably trying to get a ‘gotcha’ moment. Trump responded sharply, pointing out the exceptions and emphasizing that he’s the president of the United States, and that’s how he decided to cast his ballot while away, which is within the rules." John Sexton hears There's Another No Kings Protest This Weekend, I guess Soros and Singham haven't run out of money. Sarah Anderson at PJM hears Two Boats From Code Pink-Led Cuban Convoy Go Missing, as Democrats defunded the Coasties. 

Sister Toldja at RedState hears Democrat Implosions Imminent After Scott Bessent Announces Historic Change to U.S. Paper Currency. "In honor of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, President Donald J. Trump’s signature will appear on future U.S. paper currency along with the Secretary of the Treasury, marking the first time in history for a sitting president." Twitchy cries FINISH THEM! Scott Bessent BODIES Financial Times for Pushing Explicitly FALSE Story About His Fed Plans.

At Lawrence Person's BattleSwarm Blog Iran Strikes: Day 27, "Not one but two Iranian naval commanders get dirtnapped, more than 10,000 Iranian targets have been hit, Iran getting 12 year olds to join the fight, and claims it’s reinforced Kharg Island." The Mossad: Satirical and Awesome @TheMossadIL, "Reminder: Near the end of WWII when the Nazis ran out of soldiers they brought in the kids. This is an act of desperation." Quote Iran International English @IranIntl_En, "An official from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the minimum age for participation in war-related support roles has been lowered to 12, according to remarks aired on state media. Rahim Nadali, a cultural official with the Guards in Tehran, said an initiative..." At Hat Hair, Capt. Ed, Escalateo: Pentagon May Deploy 10,000 Infantry While Iran Stalls and Dave Strom, The Transnationalist PsyOp on Operation Epic Fury. Roger Kimball at Da Wire, The Propaganda Press Cannot Stomach Victory And Its Mendacity Shows. "Behind the unbridled hatred of Trump is the more abiding hatred of American and Israeli military prowess." Trent Telenko @TrentTelenko, "The Mullah Regime of Iran is in very deep trouble. Any critical thinker can see that. What I find remarkable is how many people who should know better are so blinded by their hostility to Netanyahu and Trump that they ignore the military context and the domestic context inside Iran." At Althouse, Trump answers the question "Did the CIA tell you that Ayatollah Jr. is gay?"

Sarah Anderson sees a Rubio Mic Drop: Epic Fury Is a Favor for the World. 'Step Up and Deal With It.' Capt. Ed looks at Epic Fury And the Myth of 'International Law'. Bob Spencer at PJM hears from A Muslim U.S. Soldier Says She'll Disobey Commands to Fight Muslims. Now What? Put her to the test, then put her in the brig if she disobeys. 

Sundance at CTH is stunned when the British Defense Minister Outlines How the U.K Navy Will Defend the West, as Soon as They Locate Their Ships, and there's not even that many to keep track of. Quotulatiousness' QotD: “Instead of the unsinkable battleship we have the unsinkable Military Expert …”

From RCM, Why Are We Clinging To a Law That Makes Gasoline More Expensive? The Jones Act. Beege Welborn hears You Can Still Hum 'Leavin' on a Jet Plane' From Anywhere...But Australia, where they are rapidly running out of fuel thanks to the closure of the Straits of Hormuz. Concerned Citizen @BGatesIsaPyscho, "Meanwhile in Australia “The NSW is preparing for a worst case scenario, which could include a fuel rationing scheme” It’s insane that in 2026, some of the most resource rich, advanced nations on Earth, are now talking about managing people Fuel." Richard Seymore @Roll_69d420, "Don't worry Aussies, although fuel is in tight supply your top official have assured me that the flow of migrants wont slow down at all. Your government remains dedicated to focusing all it's effort on importing your most important resource."

Ari Schulman @AriSchulman, "This should be the biggest story in the country right now. Barksdale is the HQ for our B52 nuclear bombers, it's where Bush sheltered on 9/11, and the drones are reported as "far more sophisticated than anything seen in Ukraine ... and well beyond Iranian capabilities." Something is drastically wrong here. The military could sure take some down, and/or track them to their source. It almost has to be China, or maybe, us.

At Irons in the Fire, Gee, more approved fraud in MN, "HOLY CR*P 🚨 Minnesota Rep Krista Knudsen says they just found out the state TURNED OFF tracking for money being sent overseas They turned it on for 2 weeks. Saw all the money leaving, and Democrats quickly SHUT OFF TRACKING to allow it to keep happening." Sundance, JD Vance Launches Fraud Taskforce. John Sexton has hopes a Florida Democrat Could Be Expelled from Congress "The House Ethics Committee is meeting today to hold a public "trial" for one of their own members. Florida Democratic congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick could be removed from her seat if her colleagues decide she used federal relief funds to run for office."

Matt Vespa thinks Hakeem Jeffries Was Asked the an Easy Question. He Failed Miserably Answering It. Bob Spencer hears the Dem Who Claimed Murdered Girl Startled Killer Wants You to Know She Herself is the Real Victim "Hadden has now “closed her office for the rest of the week in response to backlash over comments that a slain college student was in the ‘wrong place at the wrong time,’ citing safety concerns.”" From the Chronic, In Sanctuary Cities, American Lives Don’t Matter. Beege Welborn notices Jersey Mikie Sherrill Is All About Protecting the Garden State's Illegal Aliens. Dave Rubin @RubinReport, "This is one of the most perfect things the internet has ever created." From Twitchy, You're Not the 51st State (Yet): Toronto Mayor Goes on Bizarre Rant Demanding ICE Stay Out of ... Canada? At Da Caller, Top Trump Official Sheds Light On ‘Mess’ Lying Under Hood Of Illegal Trucker Crisis.

Dave Strom cites Gavin Newsom Then: We Need Chinese EVs in America; Now: Musk and Trump Ceding EV Market to China. NYPo, Gavin Newsom floats idea of mandatory national service. jay plemons @jayplemons, "Victor Davis Hansen gives a brutal rundown of Newsom's history and how he has destroyed California - Never had a private job that he got on his own - A creation of the Getty family and his well-connected parents - Been in office for 30 years - Overseen disastrous programs like the high-speed rail project - High-speed rail originally forecasted at $40 billion, now approaching $40 billion with zero track laid - High-speed rail will likely never extend beyond Bakersfield to Merced and will lose money every year - Continued pouring billions into the failing high-speed rail while neglecting critical freeways - Pushed a green agenda, yet the Monterey battery storage plant has blown up twice - Oversaw a $2 billion solar plant in the Mojave Desert that was inefficient, harmful to wildlife, and ultimately dismantled..." Susie Crabtree at RCP, enjoys seeing Dems Scramble After California Governor’s Debate Implodes. Cam Higby @camhigby, "It’s all over California. A reporter in San Francisco found the exact same thing we found. Pay for signature and payment to fraudulently sign in other people’s names." Quote jj smith @war24182236, "VOTER FRAUD Is running rapidly in the state of California these guys is up here offering to pay people $5 dollars again for their signatures, this is a ongoing ordeal that has been coming to the Tenderloin for a while. They’re using the drug addicts to sign things so they can go get high with that $5 dollars. But listen to the masked gentleman explain what each petition is for. He also says how much he get paid for each signature." Seattle Red reports Washington’s ‘Millionaire Tax’ sends luxury home listings surging 65% overnight. Dave Strom puts the Liberal Mindset in a Nutshell and it still rattles around.

Dave Strom reports Gabbard Reveals Conspiracy to Use Aid to Ukraine to Fund Biden Campaign. It's hard to blame Ukraine for using whatever means it can to fight the Russians. OTH, for the Biden campaign to accept kickbacks verges on treason. From NYPo, the Divine Miranda Devine: We’re still learning the full rot of the Russiagate scandal. Stewart Baker at the Volokh Conspiracy is Investigating FISA Abuses in Crossfire Hurricane. Ace is outraged, Documents show Partisan DC Judge Beryl Howell Had Secret Ex Parte Conversations with Fake Special Counsel Jack Smith. "In a court, all communications with the judge are supposed to include counsel for both sides. So that both sides may weigh in on proposals and motions. But Obama appointee and Democrat ringer Beryl Howell had secret ex parte communications with Jack Smith, behind Trump's lawyers' backs." Hans Mahncke at Da Fed says a New Document Shows Chief Judge Howell Privately Endorsed Jack Smith’s Get-Trump Lawfare. Shipwreckedcrew thinks The Mueller Special Counsel's "Investigation" of Gen. Flynn Was Its Most Egregious Abuse of Prosecutorial Authority. "The Obama Admin. Intelligence Community knew Gen. Flynn would expose the duplicity of Crossfire Hurricane -- silencing him was paramount and the Mueller SCO obliged." Misty Severi at JTN reports Blanche says DOJ, FBI has 'cleaned house' of agents, employees who assisted in Trump prosecutions, "Blanche told an audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, Texas, that approximately 200 DOJ employees have either left or been fired under the Trump administration for working on the high-profile cases." The Ivy Exile discusses The Decline and Fall of the Information State (For Now). Sundance speaks of Institutional Fear and the Excavation of the Rabbit Hole.

Leslie Eastman reports on  Operation Box Cutter: Historic FBI Strike on China-to-Cartel Fentanyl Pipeline, "Six Chinese citizens and two China-based pharmaceutical companies have been indicted for allegedly selling and delivering compounds used to make fentanyl."

Shooting News Week notices Secret Service Agent in Jill Biden’s Detail Shot Himself in Negligent Discharge Incident. Did Trump return the favor of sticking the bad ones on the Biden's protection detail?

Matt Vespa thinks This Story Is Nuts. Joe Kent Reportedly Wanted to Testify in the Trial of Charlie Kirk’s Assassin. "I’ll leave this here for y’all to comment below, but apparently, former National Counterterrorism Center head Joe Kent offered to testify in the trial of Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson, for the defense. Michael Shellenberger of Public wrote a post about these allegations, specifically that Kent felt the FBI didn’t properly investigate the crime, believed there was a “foreign nexus,” and yes, Israel was part of this crazy story, although Kent couldn’t provide anything conclusive. He also claimed he was blocked from investigating this matter further, which is reportedly bunk since his agency had no authority to analyze what had been collected (via Public):

From the Free Bacon, San Francisco Reinstates 8th-Grade Algebra After 'Equity' Experiment Fails "Test scores declined and racial gaps persisted after the district removed algebra from the middle school curriculum in 2014." Ron DeSantis @RonDeSantis, "The “heart of scientific authority” where objective measures are disregarded in favor of ideology and social activism in their discriminatory admissions policies?" Quote The New York Times @nytimes "Breaking News: The Trump administration is investigating the admissions policies of three major medical schools, taking aim at the heart of scientific authority in the U.S. https://nyti.ms/4bC7Ivu"

John Sexton cites Bob Costas: The IOC Ban of Trans Women is Common Sense. 

At Am Great, The Great Victor Davis Hanson looks at Who Was Cesar Chavez—and Who Will He Become? "The canonized legacy of Cesar Chavez is collapsing under revelations that recast a sainted activist as a deeply flawed—and possibly predatory—man the Left can no longer easily defend." Just another leftist hero with feet of clay. "There comes a redeemer and he slowly, too, fades away.  And there follows his wagon behind him that's loaded with clay, And the seeds that were silent all burst into bloom and decay, And night comes so quiet, its close on the heels of the day."

And more, at the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 03.27.26. Linked at The Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links. The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: O’s, Yeah! up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Rule 5 Saturday - Hope Beel

This week's feminine vision is Hope Beel, M&F Iron Maiden: Hope Beel - Muscle & Fitness

We caught up with fitness coach Hope Beel who gave us the 411 on her favorite workout (glute day) and hobbies. Oh, she also had a bunch of pics to share. Beel was born in Texarkana, Texas. That said, she says she enjoys anyplace with warm weather — Cancun is her go-to spot.

Hope Beel looks great in a bikini, but that isn’t enough. She helps other women carve beach bods by teaching a bikini bootcamp. She’s a saint.  Beel has had her likeness painted on the side of a B-17 bomber and has even flown in a P-51 WWI fighter plane. She’s one tough woman.

Beel says she feels sexiest in a T-shirt, underwear, and no makeup. Chances are, you’ll find Beel putting in work in her local gym — try not to stare. She gets creeped out when guys just stand and watch her. She also gets some strange fan requests for her used socks and underwear.

Linked at The Pirate's Cove in the weekly
Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links. The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Out Like A Lamb and FMJRA 2.0: August Blues ready on time and under budget at The Other McCain. Linked at The Right Way in the weekly Rule 5 Saturday LinkOrama.

Can Oysters Save the Crabs?

Probably not, but they might help a little on the margin. A study via the Bay Journal, Oysters reduce spread of disease among blue crabs, study shows.

With no wind to speak of, the water was calm along a pier on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. And with no clouds to speak of, the sun beat down on Xuqing Chen as she filled a mesh cage with oysters on a hot summer day in 2021. It was one of many days in the field for Chen, then a graduate student at the Virginia Institute for Marine Sciences (VIMS), as she took part in a study that concluded oysters likely do more than improve water quality. They can also save the lives of blue crabs — by feeding on a waterborne parasite that is often deadly to crabs in the saltier parts of the Chesapeake Bay and coastal Eastern Shore. “Our study shows that [oysters] actually have a hidden ecosystem service that hasn’t really been well studied,” said Jeff Shields, a VIMS professor and principal investigator for the study.

The researchers examined how oysters could filter out the parasite, Hematodinium perezi, which kills countless blue crabs every spring through fall. According to other VIMS research, the loss to the Virginia fishery may exceed $500,000 per year.

The H. perezi is most lethal to blue crabs during the summer and is found mostly in salty coastal bays, but the parasite is also present at the mouth of the Chesapeake. Crabs infect each other as they congregate in their underwater grass habitats.

 

The study, published in January in Ecology, a journal of the Ecological Society of America, was designed to test the hypothesis that oysters are reducing the parasites by feeding on them.

Researchers put parasite-free juvenile crabs in the middle compartment of a rectangular mesh cage, sandwiched between live oysters in the outer compartments. The bag was then lowered into the water in a modified crab pot for a prescribed period. Another bag, with no oysters in it, was simultaneously deployed. A third bag was deployed with the crabs sandwiched between oyster shells only — to rule out the possibility that shells alone might benefit the crabs.

The team placed the bags in Cobb Bay, South Bay and in Oyster, VA, for one to two weeks at a time. After nine trials between 2017 and 2023, the researchers tested almost 2,500 crabs.

The research team also replicated the experiment in a lab where they could control more variables and determine if the oysters were eating the parasites as they left the infected crabs.

The 10 trials in the lab showed that the oysters removed 60% of the parasites from the water per hour on average. In the field, where there are more variables, the crabs sandwiched between oysters were almost one-third less likely to become infected.

So, oysters can filter out and eat the Hematodinium parasite that causes disease in Blue Crabs. That is entirely reasonable since Hematodinium is actually an algae, and that's most of what oysters eat in the normal course of business. It is then, not surprising that in lab conditions, and field conditions manipulated to maximize the amount of oyster filtering around captive crabs, that oysters may decrease the infection rate. Unlike, many experiments where artificial conditions may not be fairly replicated in the field, this one may be in part because crabs tend to prefer oyster beds, because there are lots of things there for crabs to eat, including oysters, which they will crack open and eat. And unlike people, crabs don't respect the 3 inch size limit, preferring the smaller spat as easier to open.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Out Like A Lamb ready on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

The Morning Reading Assignments

I should be back to regular order tomorrow, now that I can keep my head up and use my real computer. But in the meantime, may I suggest:

The Wombat's In The Mailbox: 03.26.26 (Afternoon Edition) and In The Mailbox: 03.26.26 (Evening Edition).

JJ Sefton's The Morning Report — 3/27/26

Pirate's Cove, Climate Cult Wants Farming To Go Back To 1499

357 Magnum, Wednesday Link Roundup - 25 March

Doug Ross, Larwyn’s Linx: We Win – They Lose