Flotsam and Jetsam - Still More Reflections from the Reflection Pool

Magills@magills

Jen O'Connell at RedState sees The Insane Obsession With Sabotaging the D.C. Reflecting Pool Results in an Arrest. John Sexton at Hat Hair explores the question Did Vandals Target the Reflecting Pool? For sure, yes, some one carved 86 47 in the liner. As to the algae bloom, the pool was re-filled with city water, which would not have enough nutrients (chiefly nitrogen and phosphorus) to support a quick bloom like that. I strongly suspect someone dumped a bag of lawn fertilizer or similar nutrients into it. Northern Barbarian @xnoesbueno, "On the other hand, the algae obsession confirms they really have no legitimate gripe. They have been reduced to protesting a biological phenomenon. (Though given the trans thing, it is not entirely uncharted territory.)" Quote MAZE @mazemoore, "On one side of the Reflecting Pool there’s the MSM claiming that the algae is still there, on another side leftists are protesting to bring the algae back, and on another side leftists are trying to vandalize the pool. TDS needs to be officially classified as a mental disorder." At Althouse, The Mystery of the Paint Peel and "I was just a curious, concerned citizen. I guess I was there at the wrong place, wrong time." "Said David Carter Hearn, 67, "a cyclist and three-time Olympian as a canoeist who says he stopped at the [Reflecting Pool] on Friday just to have a look, then reached down to touch a strip of peeling blue paint mixed with the algae. The U.S. Park Police arrested Mr. Hearn shortly after, accusing him of destroying government property, a crime that can carry up to a 10-year prison sentence." I'm reading "Trump, Claiming Vandalism, Says Reflecting Pool Will Likely Need to Be Drained/The pool has taken on clouds of algae after a hasty renovation. A three-time Olympian was charged with destroying government property after he says he touched one of the strands of blue paint peeling off the pool’s bottom" (NYT). Didn't do nuffin'! Althouse also comments "I don't know if the claims of vandalism are true, but the temptation to vandalize was obvious and strong even before Trump started talking about vandals. Now, it's unavoidable, and I think we will never have our pool back where it belongs in the American psyche. It's a mess, a bone of contention, a symbol of everything and anything people don't like about Trump. The pool never worked as it was intended, and now its essential badness is glaring at us, and it will never calm back down into the serene murky swamp it once was." It's true making the pool work is harder than it sounds, but her solution seems to be to cede the pool to the leftist destroyers. Fugitive Caesar @ThomBrady5, "Leftists are getting angry because around 10-15 million Leftists are paid to do cushy high-paid fake jobs, based on credentials and a claim to unique technical authority. If Trump and Chuds can fix problems considered impossible, it threatens the entire managerial caste." Quote Mark Hemingway @Heminator, "So I'm supposed to believe people are genuinely OUTRAGED by a $14m no bid contract to fix the reflecting pool? If this level of fiscal irresponsibility is what you object to, man, what happens under Democrat governance is truly going to blow your mind." I think project should be measured in "Quality Learing Center" units, or QLCs.

Begoña Gómez - not too shabby
but Melania is still hotter

Some news from abroad via sundance at CTH, Trump -v- Meloni "The core of the issue centers on Italy’s refusal to allow the U.S. military to conduct flight operations for the conflict against Iran from U.S. airbases in Italy. President Trump, Vice-President Vance, Secretary of State Rubio and Secretary Hegseth have all remarked on their disappointment with Italy and Spain that has led to a full review of U.S. NATO operations in Europe. The issue became personal at the G7 when President Trump ignored Meloni’s repeated attempts to repair the friction. President Trump was no longer tolerating the two-faced approach. Actions speak louder than words." And Wife of Socialist Spanish Prime Minister Now Facing Corruption Charges, Influence Peddling, Embezzlement – Passport Surrendered. "Investigative judge Juan Carlos Peinado issued the ruling, arguing that Begoña Gómez represented a flight risk. In addition to surrendering her passport, she must also appear before a court every two weeks. A trial date hasn’t been set."

Hat Hair's Steve Moore has a proposal for The Great Escape: Let Young Workers Out of Social Security. I certainly wish our SS had been left in my wife's hands to invest. 

Stacy McCain looks at The Terrorist ‘Dreamer’ and says End DACA Immediately, and Deport Them All.

Dave Strom at Hat Hair hears Iran Announces Closure of Strait of Hormuz Again. Joe Cunningham at RedState, Iran Shuts Down the Strait of Hormuz Again, Says the U.S. Breached the Islamabad Deal, by "letting" Israel retaliate for Hezbollah attacks in Israel and Lebanon. Jeff Charles at TownHall sees Trump Just Slapped Down This Iranian Scheme for Strait of Hormuz, trying to charge tolls in the form of "insurance." Does Joe Chalfant really wonder Why Are the Iranians Lying About Closing the Strait of Hormuz? "The Islamic Republic of Iran has announced that they have closed the Strait of Hormuz. The reality on the ground shows that ships continue to travel through the waterway unimpeded, with U.S. naval assets in the region confirming that the Strait is completely open." But this way, WaPoo and NYT can cite the Iranians.

Twitchy says She's Back, Baby! Kamala, Goddess of Gibberish, Drops a HUMDINGER of a Word Salad on Don Lemon. Sen. Marsha Blackburn @MarshaBlackburn, "Democrats are fine with requiring photo ID to enter the Obama Presidential Center, but not to vote in U.S. elections. You can’t make this up."

Jonathan Turley is outraged by Gay Power: California Certifies LGBTQ Companies for Preferential Treatment in Energy Contracts. But will it survive a challenge up to the Supreme Court? Vicky Taft at PJM has one of her West Coast, Messed Coast™ — Fleeing Taxpayers Find Out 'Hotel California' Is Real. You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave, for tax purposes. 

Erick Florack at PJM sees Keith Ellison Is Feeling the Heat and Doesn't Like It. Parker Thayer at Da Fed reports ActBlue Refuses To Answer Congress’s Questions About Its Foreign Donation Pipeline. At NYPo, Controversial Mamdani-backed NY-13 candidate doles out seemingly illegal freebies, from ice cream to World Cup tix. At least giving away giving away free stuff is consistent with socialist principles. 

VodkaPundit at Insty, NAILED IT: "Is there anyone — aside maybe from Trump — who looks like he’s having more fun than Musk?" I&I notes how Musk’s SpaceX Wealth Launches A Trillion Tax Lies. Alice Smith @TheAliceSmith, "They don’t want Elon Musk to give his trillion to the poor. They want Elon Musk to give his trillion to them so they can take their cut, split it with their comrades and causes, then look virtuous by throwing to the poor whatever scraps remain." From RCM, The Question Democratic Socialists Never Seem to Ask. Who will want to make the wealth they intend to redistribute? Jax Ryan @JaxRyan, "Perfect explanation of how the natural order of co-existing and co-operating within a shared commons has been usurped by self-interest and power grabs of the powerful against the weak." Quote Power to the People ☭ @ProudSocialist. "Clara Mattei brilliantly debunks a century of capitalist propaganda by explaining how capitalism is unnatural, has existed for only 0.1% of human history, took control of the world through violence, and is maintained by coercion and the superficial facade of liberal democracy." Mark Hemingway @Heminator, "Do you genuinely believe “co-existing and co-operating within a shared commons” is the “natural order”? Because that is totally ahistorical and insane. Slavery and constant warfare are the natural order without rule of law and markets." Jason Robertson @JRobFromMN, "This is a problem many on the Right don't want to accept The Left is no longer "just like us they just want to have more welfare" The left is abandoning Capitalism, Christianity and all of the values we used to hold as a Country,(and the right still does) This isn't a "difference of opinion on tax policy", the left wants a full scale reimagining of our country into a Socialist/Communist Utopia they think could exist if we "just did it right this time""

KTVU @KTVU whines "A decline in car break-ins across Oakland is being welcomed as a public safety win, but it is also contributing to a downturn for some local auto glass repair businesses." Bastiat's Window, indeed.

DataRepublican (small r) @DataRepublican, "BREAKING - The "conservative" protest against AI data centers has an anti-ICE NGO organizer, a DSA member, Facebook money. Other than that, totally grassroots. Axios ran an "exclusive" Wednesday about a "conservative group" called Humans First planning a nationwide day of protest against AI data centers on July 18. Amy Kremer is chairing it and invoking the Tea Party. Axios didn't mention that Humans First was incubated by the Center for AI Safety, an organization funded with millions from Facebook co-founder Dustin Moskovitz. Or that its original staff included a Sunrise Movement organizer who sat in at Pelosi's office with AOC and a DSA member who organized for Kamala Harris. NBC News described CAIS as having founded Humans First "to be a sort of Trojan horse to make AI safety issues more palatable to a conservative political audience." @ParkerThayer exposed the Action Network backend." Cam at Bearing Arms reports Spanberger Boots Anti-Gun Lawmakers From Ceremonial Bill Signing Over Data Center Feud. Ben Tribbett @notlarrysabato, "WOW. Governor is signing gun bills today (ceremonial only) and just had
@thedrmikejones and @RussetPerry walked out of the room to be told that she would NOT be signing their bills today because they participated in @SenLouiseLucas data center tour!!" Ben Tribbett @notlarrysabato, "They were allowed back in to get their stuff and staff and told they could stay to watch other peoples bills get signed if they wanted. Both left instead."

Leslie Eastman at LI, Declassified Files Ignite New Scrutiny of Fauci, COVID Origins, and Alleged Intelligence Suppression "Outgoing DNI Tulsi Gabbard: “It’s time you know the truth.”" Another conspiracy theory becomes fact. Sundance looks at Pulte Factor – Quick Reference Guide to Media Leaks. Scott McLallen at TownHall likes how the Justice Department Backs Catholic Nuns Against New York's Gender Ideology Law. Bake the damn cake! "The lawsuit challenges a state law that requires housing biological men with women in the Sisters’ residential hospice care program." Also at LI, Ben Smith sees a 'Hawaiian' Judge Frees Mosque Leader Tied to Hamas Claims, “Federal officials argued that he poses a foreign policy concern. DHS also alleges that he obtained his green card after providing false information.” "Salah Sarsour is suspected of funding terrorist organizations and was convicted of throwing Molotov cocktails at the homes of Israeli armed forces. This illegal alien also LIED on his green card application to fraudulently gain legal status in the U.S. under the Clinton Administration.”"

Vicky Taft is amused that a 'Tough Guy' Minnesota Antifa Dude Feds Rolled up Loves to Be a Little Girl in Flouncy Dresses. WaPoo sings the praises of Antifa in They say they tracked ICE in Minneapolis. Now they’re accused of an antifa plot. "Defendants in a Minneapolis case say the Trump administration labeled them “antifa” to criminalize dissent." The Proud Boys smirk.

Matt Vespa at TownHall, New Footage of Karmelo Anthony Was Just Released. Did You Catch What He Said As He's Being Arrested? “I’m not alleged, I did it,” he says as he’s apprehended by police (via NY Post): "He put his hands on me. I told him not to" while sobbing. Poor, stupid kid fucked up his whole life over a little shoving match. At the Chronic, The Media’s Mission in Anthony Case is to Increase Racial Animosity. Mission accomplished. Campus Reform wants you to Meet the professor who blamed slain teen Austin Metcalf's father for his son's fatal stabbing.

Matt Vespa hears Oh, Things Got Testy on 'The View'...and It Was Because of JD Vance? How dare he contradict the ladies 'settled truths.' At Twitchy, The New Yorker's Review of JD Vance's New Book Is a 'Distasteful' Blend of Illiteracy and Anti-theism. Aramis L. Perez @AramisLPerez, "Dear
@NewYorker, did you mean "disdainful of?" Also, have you considered hiring me as an editor? Or someone else who knows how to use words?" Quote The New Yorker @NewYorker "J. D. Vance’s second memoir, “Communion,” tells the story of his decision to become Catholic, but it’s strangely distasteful of the faith he has joined."

A free speech packed screed by Greg Lukianoff at the Eternally Radical Idea, Gov’t hits kill switch on Anthropic! Satanologist stress-tests the First Amendment! Saul Goodman wishes America a happy 250th! & more!

Reuters has a Report that UK PM Starmer ready to quit, but source says he is still focused on the job. Beege Welborn at Hat Hair, BREAKING: Keir Starmer Reported to Have Resigned - Announcement on Monday MORE. Spiked says Nigel Farage is right about two-tier Britain "Identity politics has run amok in the British state." Wall Street Mav @WallStreetMav, "Rotherham where white young girls were gang raped by Pakistani men with impunity. The police (also of Pakistani ethnicity) in Rotherham were complicit and joined in the rapes according to the victims." Wall Street Apes @WallStreetApes, "This is literally insane Muslim man in the UK is interviewed and says that their goal is to take over the UK He says they’re working to vote in Muslims to keep replacing European Leaders, pass Sharia Law once they have the political power and then implement harsh punishments like stoning women to death for crimes like adultly What the heck is the UK doing??? They are literally telling you there are working on a political takeover and to pass Sharia Law We need to mass deport Islam from America before this happens to us too." The British Patriot @TheBritLad, "BREAKING: MASSIVE crowds of British patriots have flooded the streets of Birmingham to call for remigration. Britain’s second-largest city now has over 340,000 Muslims. They want them all gone." Owen Jones @owenjonesjourno, "Anti-Muslim hatred has been systematically whipped up by politicians and media outlets. This was always where it would lead. Solidarity with our Muslim siblings." Quote Politics UK @PolitlcsUK, " BREAKING: A 36-year-old white Scottish man is being investigated by Counter Terrorism Police after five people were stabbed in Edinburgh He said after his arrest: "I'm protecting the country from these fucking Muslim bastards raping our young daughters" Matt Van Swol @mattvanswol, "“People hate the Muslim migrants not because they gang raped A QUARTER OF A MILLION White girls in the UK… …people hate the Muslim migrants because PEOPLE DARED TO TELL THEM about the Muslim migrants gang raping a QUARTER OF A MILLION White girls in the UK.” Fuck you, Owen." Tommy Robinson @TRobinsonNewEra, "Now it's my fault that a random Scottish man apparently attacked some Muslims? He literally said in the clip why he was angry, and allegedly he attacked 5 people? And his reasoning was about abhorrent crimes committed by your community, nothing to do with me or Rupert." Quote Cllr Mohammed Shafiq @mshafiquk, "This is on you. x.com/trobinsonnewer…" InfantryDort @infantrydort, "I love how the media can spot five victims from orbit but somehow misses 250k when the narrative gets inconvenient." Quote New York Post @nypost "5 injured in bloody machete rampage by maniac allegedly targeting Muslims in Scotland."

From the College Fix, The 2025-26 campus hate crime hoaxes: A complete roundup. But 26 is only about half way done.

At State of the Day, State of Friday: NO HOMO, "No one is proud about pride anymore." Because it's shoved down our throats whether or not we care. Nothing makes something less fun than making it mandatory. Twitchy notes First Transgender State Legislator Sentenced to 33 Years for Child Porn, Claimed Retardation. Deviants gonna deviate.