Flotsam and Jetsam - Israel Strikes Another Ayatollah Conclave

VodkaPundit at PJM thinks The War's Going Pretty Well, Ackshully. Bilawal Sidhu @bilawalsidhu, "I made a 4D god's eye replay of the Iran strikes using public OSINT data. When I turned on the orbital layer in worldview something jumped out. You can see satellite passes stack up over the strike zones in the hours before & after impact. Everyone was watching. Some of them were overhead before it started..." UK Report @UK_REPT, "NEW — General Majid ibn al-Reza, who was appointed Acting Defense Minister of Iran, yesterday, has been killed in US-Israel strikes in Tehran. Official confirmation awaited." Quote UK Report @UK_REPT, "NEW — Iran announces the appointment of Seyed Majid Ben Reza as acting Minister of Defense (replacing the one eliminated in the opening strike)." But the big story of the day, from NYPo, Israel bombs Iran’s top mullahs as they count votes for next supreme leader. Jennie Taer @JennieSTaer, "@TreyYingst reports that Israel "just struck" the "gathering where the Iranians were meeting to choose a new supreme leader." Hat Hair's Capt. Ed calls it Too Good To Check: Did US, Israel Wipe Out Iran's Ruling Mullahs? and hears Trump to Iran: 'Too Late' to Talk Now; Most Military Sites Hit. Amy Curtis at TownHall has the Report: Israeli Strike Just Hit Another Meeting of the Iranian Supreme Council. Matt Margolis at PJM, Iran Just Suffered Another Devastating Blow. Rusty Weiss at RedState, Israel Bombs Iran's Assembly of Experts While They Were Counting Votes for a New Supreme Leader. John Ocasio-Rodham Nolte @NolteNC, "The most compassionate way to fight a war is ruthlessly. Get it over with asap. Annihilate the bad guys so they cannot make a comeback. Anything else is a cruel act of water torture, especially for civilians. See: Iraq, Afghanistan." Quote Faytuks News @Faytuks, "Iran's Assembly of Experts building in Qom has been struck by airstrikes. The Assembly of Experts is a council of about 90 senior clerics that is tasked with electing Iran's new Supreme Leader." From Althouse, "I got him before he got me. I got him first." "Said President Trump, quoted in "How Trump assassination attempts played into his decision to attack Iran" (WaPo)(gift link)." NYPo, Ayatollah Khamenei’s son is front-runner to succeed dad as Iran’s new supreme leader. They must be about down to the third string. Natalia Mittelstadt at JTN reports Israeli military says it killed Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander in Lebanon ""His elimination has significantly degraded PIJ’s ability to carry out terrorist operations against Israel," the IDF said."

Dr. Eli David @DrEliDavid, "Israel Air Force is destroying every IRGC and Basij base, even the tiniest ones." I had to look up Bazij; "With branches in "virtually every" city and town in Iran, the Basij serve as an auxiliary force engaged in enforcing state control over society, acting as a morality police at checkpoints and parks, and suppressing dissident gathering, as well as serving as law enforcement auxiliary, providing social services." CDR Salamander is pretty happy the US is copying the Shahed drone, LUCAS's Coming Out Party, "It's been what, a couple thousand years or so since the Persians had a military invention of their own? They were overdue." wretchardthecat @wretchardthecat, "President Trump spoke by phone with Kurdish leaders in Iraq on Sunday to discuss the U.S.-Israel war with Iran and what might come next, three sources with knowledge of the calls told Axios. Why it matters: The Kurds have thousands of soldiers along the Iran-Iraq border and control strategic areas that could be significant as the war develops. Iraq's Kurds also have close ties to Iran's Kurdish minority. My comment: this, along with CENTCOM video showing small warhead strikes on truck sized targets, is a strong indicator the US is moving into the ground phase." 

The Spice Oil must flow! Javier Blas @JavierBlas, "BREAKING: President Trump says US government will backstop war insurance for all shipping in the Persian Gulf. In addition, he says the U.S. Navy will provide naval escort to tankers in the Strait of Hormuz. But note the “… as soon as possible…” which isn’t very reassuring.Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) @mercoglianos, "Tanker Pola pulled a Leeeroy Jennnkins yesterday and ran the Strait with her AIS off. Expect others to follow suit." and "Iran Announces Strait Closed; Tankers Say Hold My Beer. So much for Iran's announcement as three tankers are running the Strait. 1. BLOOMING DALE, Aruba-flag, 12k tons (1996), In ballast and outbound. 2. POLA, Liberia-flag, 156k tons (2011), In ballast & inbound. 3. PUFFIN TWO, Liberia-flag, 7k tons (2009), Laden & inbound Two of these are fairly small and all are very low in insurance value." Beege Welborn at Hat Hair, Suspected Drone Attack on Sanctioned Russian LNG Tanker Sparks Serious Concern UPDATE. At Breitbart Bus, We Have Nothing to Fear Except Fed Fears of Oil-Driven Inflation. 

The Great Victor Davis Hanson at Am Great approves of Trump’s Way of War "Trump’s doctrine is simple: strike first at the guilty, strike hard from afar, skip the nation-building, and end wars on America’s terms." Marc Thiessen @marcthiessen, "Critics say President Donald Trump’s decision to strike Iran is a violation of his promise not to engage in “forever wars.” In fact, the opposite is true. Trump is not starting a forever war in Iran; he’s ending one." On YouTube, Dave Rubin has a Resurfaced Clip of Trump Telling Host His Plan for Iran in 1980 that Goes Viral. It's striking how much Baron resembles him at this age. State of the Day, State of Monday: Can Trump Prove In Iran That Forever Wars Were Always A Choice? Capt. Ed, Rubio Lays US Rationale Down on Operation Epic Fury; Media Hears 'Israel'. John Hinderacker at Power Line says Three Cheers for the Secretary of War. "Has any cabinet officer ever had a better year than Secretary of War* Pete Hegseth? His department has pulled off three brilliant, flawless operations in a row: the devastation of Iran’s nuclear facilities, the apprehension of wanted criminal Nicolas Maduro, and now Operation Epic Fury." Hat Hair's Dave Strom, All Hail Pete Hegseth. VodkaPundit at PJM wonders will it be Regime Change or Regime Compliance? علی شریفی زارچی @SharifiZarchi, "In the past few hours, hundreds of Iranian university professors and tech experts have signed a statement declaring the Constitution of the Islamic Republic illegitimate and calling for the immediate transfer of power to the people, while endorsing Prince Reza Pahlavi’s democratic transition plan. Signatures are increasing by the minute. Link to read and sign:" Dave Bernstein at Insty, DEMAGOGUES AND SIMPLETONS DON’T CARE ABOUT EVIDENCE: "Yes, the Trump administration is very friendly to Israel, and treats Israel as an important ally rather than a burden or quarrelsome recipient of US charity, as under Obama or Biden. But no, Israel (and the so-called Israel lobby) doesn’t control US policy, and indeed Trump has defied Israeli preferences on many occasions, as Max Abrahams notes..."

Aaron Hanscom at PJM, Spain Gets Owned: Trump Moves to Cut All U.S. Trade. Ace, Trump: I Told Scott Bessent to Cut Off All Trade with Spain, "He says that Spain wouldn't let us use our bases in Spain, but then adds: "We could have used the bases, we could have just used them, no one's going to say anything about it." In other words: Just try stopping us, Spain."

Capt. Ed has another Flashback: Presidents Don't Need Congressional Approval to Strike Dictators, Say ... UPDATE: Rubio. At Althouse, "So we're dealing with what we're dealing with right now." Bill Melugin @BillMelugin_, "NEW: I asked House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) about Nancy Pelosi saying in 2011 that President Obama didn't need Congressional approval to bomb Libya, but Dems now say President Trump needs approval to bomb Iran? Jeffries said Iran is "very different" & told me "I don't even understand the genesis or basis of that question...not suggesting you're asking it in bad faith." When I pointed out that the Libya bombing campaign went on for 7 months, (and also included a no-fly zone), Jeffries said he wasn’t in Congress at the time and that the Trump admin "isn't even pretending to have intelligence at this point" to justify the strikes in Iran." "There are a few seconds — 0:26 to 0:33 — where Jeffries knows he's in trouble. He mutters the hilarious line, "First of all, I was not in Congress," and shows a flash of shame before resetting with the all-purpose segue "So we're dealing with what we're dealing with right now."" PJM's Stephen Kruiser notes Reactions to Operation Epic Fury Are Quite the Surprising Mixed Bag. Dave Catron at Am Spec looks at The Democrats’ Epic Fury Over Iran Strikes, "They invoke the Constitution against Trump — even as history and their own record tell a different story." From Behind the Black, While Democrats rage against the American/Israel war on Iran, the PEOPLE celebrate. Dmitri Bolt at TownHall, Did Jake Tapper Seriously Just Ask a Retired Lt. General This Question About Iran? Gunther Eagleman™ @GuntherEagleman, "Tapper on CNN: “Was it necessary to kill the top 49 leaders of Iran?” Retired Lt. General Moore: “I think it was a very wise move… you put the whole country… in a state of upheaval… it’s extremely difficult for them to execute command and control.”" Tim O'Brien at PJM has Five Things President Trump Would Do if He Were a Fascist.

Brendan O'Neill at Spiked, The hypocrisy of the West’s weepers for the Islamic Republic, "Activists who didn’t say a word about the theocratic slaughter of thousands of Iranians are now up in arms about America’s strikes." Jerry Dunleavy IV @JerryDunleavy, "Let’s put a finer point on what is happening here — a pro-CCP activist network financed by a pro-CCP millionaire living in China is organizing U.S. protests in opposition to a war against a Chinese ally, and those protests are being touted by Chinese state-run media outlets. Fun!" Quote Jerry Dunleavy IV @JerryDunleavy "NEW: CCP-run propaganda outlets are promoting the anti-Iran War protests in the U.S. organized by the Singham Network, w/ CCP specifically pushing imagery from the ANSWER Coalition / the Party for Socialism & Liberation and quoting People’s Forum leaders. https://justthenews.com/government/security/chinese-state-run-media-promote-anti-iran-war-protests-organized-ccp-linked." 

raz sauber - רז זאובר @raz_sauber_, "Newsom is pushing a blood libel, claiming Israel bombed a school - even though it’s already been proven that it was a misfired Iranian rocket that hit it. Every Jewish organization should go after that vile scumbag the same way they go after any neo-Nazi who spreads lies about Jews." Peter Savodnik @petersavodnik, "The front runner for the Democratic nomination repackaging a medieval blood libel in the service of his presidential ambitions." Stacey @ScotsFyre, "Perhaps you didn’t hear, crazy lady. Iran bombed their own school. By mistake. They would have rather killed Jewish children with it. I am pretty sure you would have been okay with that too." Quote "Carrie Prejean Boller @CarriePrejean1, "Imagine thinking Americans are so stupid you tell them you’re going to liberate women in Iran by killing over 100 innocent little girls between the ages of 7 and 11. You have to be pretty evil to kill children. God’s chosen people don’t kill children." David Khait @David_Khait, "Turns out it wasn’t Israel as Al Jazeera reported. It wasn’t US as Iran reported. It was a failed launch by the IRGC that fell back to the ground and struck the elementary school. The elementary school is attached to an IRGC naval base." Quote Chaya’s Clan@ChayasClan "A failed missile launch in Iran caused the projectile to fall on a school. Images captured the moment it failed, fell back to ground, and struck. The Iranians - just like the Palestinians in Gaza at the beginning of the war - immediately claimed it was a missile fired by the United States or Israel." Dave Strom, Iran Is Using Schools for Military Command and Control, and Pravda Ignores That Fact. Beege Welborn, Nothing Says 'Heaven' to a Dead Ayatollah Like a Flock of Little Girls.

CBD at Ace's The Morning Rant: Marco Rubio Is A Star, And He Isn't The Only One In The Cabinet! Bill Kristol @BillKristol, "Maybe Rubio should stop inventing "imminent threats" to justify the war his administration started and get to work doing his department's job of helping Americans in the war zone they created." Quote James Blunt @JBlunt1018, "Called the State Department emergency number because the advisory said “depart via commercial means” and to call if you need assistance arranging departure. Airspace is shut. Airports aren’t functioning. Airlines can’t be reached."Miranda Devine @mirandadevine, "Nothing demonstrates better the moral bankruptcy of neocons like Max Boot and Bill Kristol who cheerled us into Iraq and have warmongered for an invasion of Iran ever since. They now define themselves only by opposition to Trump. Total losers." Quote Tom Elliott @tomselliott, "Max Boot, of all people: This is a war “in search of a justification ... We know Iran wasn’t enriching uranium”" Ace's Quick Hits Looks like Tucker Carlson was half right about teams of Demolition Jews sneaking around Qatar and Dubai planting explosives. "Agents were in fact arested. Agents of his patron Iran, that is." VodkaPundit at PJM, Trump Hits Back at Megyn and Tucker. Ace, Trump: Tucker and Megyn Aren't MAGA -- Trump Is MAGA. Whatever Tucker Carlson Says It Has No Effect On Me. Alan Bauer at TownHall, I Hate You More Than I Love Them "Our former heroes on the Right have made up their mind: they hate Israel more than they love the United States." Dave Strom at Hat Hair observes George Will Bows to the Inevitable: Trump Was Right. 

Dave Strom thinks he knows Most Ironic Tweet of the War Melissa Wong @Melissa_WongMT, "Has anyone else noticed that the "Iranian women celebrating" videos are all of women that are dressed like h00k3rs?" It IS true that there are a lot of Persian women who are creating videos celebrating the demise of the Ayatollah and fervently hoping that the entire regime collapses, and it is also true that a good number are, to the delight of many of us, rather scantily clad. But is that a surprise, given that they are protesting a regime that forces women to cover themselves head to toe, and that will beat, rape, and even sometimes kill women if they don't please the "morality police" in Iran?"

Sarah Anderson at PJM has a Cuba Desperation Update: Ignore the 'Experts.' Just Listen to the Regime Itself.

Star S. @DominguezH31015, "Bill Clinton is smiling while looking back through old Epstein photos & nodding over memories. His attorney snatches them out of Bill’s hands." His give-a-damn is broken. Althouse liked the question, "Do flight attendants typically wear tank tops and jeans?" "ADDED: If you keep your eye on the video, you'll see Bill Clinton smiling and biting his thumb as if he's remembering the good times. As if. Who knows?" From TMZ, Jeffrey Epstein Withheld Medical Treatments, Used Loyal Doctors to Manipulate Women.

At Twitchy, Jasmine Crockett Loses Dem Senate Primary to Hoax-Boosted James Talarico - Blames Republicans. Rusty Weiss at RedState sees Dan Crenshaw Suffers Stunning Upset in Texas GOP Primary: ‘Enjoy Unemployment’. I haven't heard about Paxton vs Cornyn yet. Mediaite sees a DEAD HEAT: Stunning New Poll Shows GOP Drawing Even With Dems Ahead of Midterms.

Driscoll at Insty cites ANDREW STILES: Exclusive: Graham Platner’s Crisis PR Handbook Hints at Trouble Still To Come. "Graham Platner is once again struggling to explain why he’s not a Nazi despite getting a Nazi tattoo and repeatedly associating with Nazis on the internet. Days after Platner accidentally promoted a post by an anti-Semitic conspiracy theorist, Jewish Insider reported that the U.S. Senate candidate from Maine accidentally appeared on a YouTube program hosted by a different anti-Semitic conspiracy theorist and said he was a “longtime fan.”" At Da Wire, Dem Senate Darling Stumbles Into Third Nazi-Related Scandal Of Primary Campaign. "Far-left crusader Graham Platner is once again in the news after two instances of elevating known anti-semitic voices in the last week."

Capt. Ed hears SCOTUS: Hey, Newsom, Leave Them Kids (And Parents) Alone! "Late yesterday, the court issued an emergency order blocking a new law in California that bans schools from informing parents of a child's choice of transgender identity. A group of Christian teachers challenged the law, partially on grounds of religious freedom. In a 6-3 decision, the justices restored parental rights that should never have been disturbed in the first place" Twitchy, WOW: Abigail Spanberger's Admin and VA Democrats ALREADY Have EMBARRASSING Yet DELISH Scandal Brewing. Just a fart in a marsh. 

NYPo reports HHS finds up to $600m ‘improper’ payments for autism services, errors on every bill checked in four states, Indiana, Wisconsin, Maine and Colorado.

Cathy Salgado at PJM, Victims of Austin Jihad Shooting Revealed. Mary Chastain at LI is outraged, that the Officers Who Stopped Austin Shooter Must Face Grand Jury "A far-left group is behind the decision to put all officers who use force in front of a grand jury."

Svetlana Lokhova @RealSLokhova, "Christopher Wray and his deputy Paul Abbate stuffed Hillary Plan emails from the Durham Appendix, and Comey's handwritten notes about the Hillary Plan into the burn bags to be destroyed after President Trump won in 2024 before the new team came in. That's how Kash Patel found them." The Researcher @listen_2learn, "Paul Abbate was on the J7 FBI color revolution email. Would be interesting to know who the others were." Quote The Researcher @listen_2learn "This article tells you that the FBI knew what the fake J6 “insurrection” was really about as they shared it amongst themselves. They also know that every person charged with a crime was done so simply to send a message, no matter the damage done to people’s lives. It is all political."

Shooting News Week says It Appears the Supreme Court is Likely to Let Marijuana Users Own Guns.

Sister Toldja at RedState, Watch: Schmitt Shreds Blumenthal After Stunt Pulled During DHS Hearing. Bill Melugin @BillMelugin_, "NEW: After Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT) asks for people who claim they were abused by ICE to stand up in hearing room, Sen. @Eric_Schmitt (R-MO) counters, saying he would like to ask Laken Riley, Jocelyn Nungaray, etc to stand… “But they can’t, because they’re dead. They were murdered by illegal immigrants let into this country by Joe Biden.”" Matt Vespa at TownHall says Here's What Someone Should've Said to Thom Tillis During His Kristi Noem Meltdown. Corey Inganamort @TheBirdWords, "Watch very carefully to see if you can spot the difference in how “Republican” Thom Tillis treats the DHS Secretary who allowed 15M unvetted illegal aliens in the U.S. versus the one who is trying to deport them." Townhall.com @townhallcom, "Noem's clapback to Coons has him SHAKING Looney Sen. Cooney: “Will you rule out the deployment of ICE to polling places this November?” NOEM: “Do you plan on illegals voting in our elections, Senator?”" Dave Manney at PJM, If This Is True, the DNC Has a Moral Earthquake Coming. "Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem testified that the Biden administration funneled cash to sponsors who trafficked and abused unaccompanied migrant children."

From Campus Reform, Columbia University student group coalition locked out of account after 'death to America' post "An inflammatory post by a student group coalition to the social media platform X ended in the deletion of the post and the organization doubling down."

From Legal News Line, Topless transgender politician defeats recall effort, in Washington state. "A recall petition sought to oust Lucy Lauser from the Stevenson City Council after she exposed her breasts on March 31 outside the Skamania County Courthouse. On her chest was the message “MY BODY IS NOT A SIN.” Police officers approached her about indecent exposure, but she cited her First Amendment rights and refused to cover herself. She was not arrested, but citizen Kathleen Fitzgerald instituted a recall petition that said Lauser failed to honor her oath of office." Meh, I've seen better fake tits.