Flotsam and Jetsam - US Poverty Hits All-Time Low

At NYPo, Americans are richer than ever — and poverty hits an all-time low, but you won't hear it from the WaPoo, the NYT, PBS, ABC, CBS or NBC. Bill Mitchell @mitchellvii, "Stocks at record highs. GDP at 5.1%. Real incomes at record highs. Poverty at record lows. Food inflation below 20 year average. Factories at 82% capacity. Standard of living best ever. Crime at record lows. Trump approval on the economy - record lows. What am I missing?" Ace, US Poverty Rate Falls to Lowest Level In History, "Well, as long as we've been keeping track of it, anyway. And median (average) household income hit a record high. Wait until you see how the media spins this." I know the dictum is that you can't tell people the economy is good when they don't feel it, but the MSM spend a great deal of time and effort convincing people that the economy is great when Democrats are in control and even more attempting to plant the thought that the economy sucks when Republicans are in charge.

Geiger Capital @Geiger_Capital, "This is 100% accurate. The left has completely moved on from climate change, net-zero, electric car mandates, etc. The climate panic faded and their ideas were all wrong, so for 2028 the new existential threat that needs regulating is AI." Eric S. Raymond @esrtweet. "This is the case against AI doom. Pass it on First we recaptulate standard x-risk argument: we build AI substantially smarter than humans → it becomes an autonomous optimizing agent → its goals are misaligned → instrumental convergence makes it seek power and resist correction → superintelligence lets it acquire decisive strategic advantage → humans lose control permanently. Here are the main counterarguments: ..."Too long, but read it anyway. Sundance at CTH hears Palantir CEO Frames AI Leaders Request as Effort to Avoid Lawsuits from Large Corporate Clients Over IP Theft. 

At Am Great, the Great Victor Davis Hanson discourses on Iran, the Midterms, and October Surprises, "The Iran war could reshape the midterms as Democrats, Iran’s regime, dissidents, and Kurdish rebels weigh the political and military stakes of the next 50 days." The WSJ (archive) documents how Iran’s Attempts to Get Around the Hormuz Blockade Are Hitting a Wall "While Saudi Arabia and others find workarounds, bottlenecks are threatening Iran’s economy," and Saudi Arabia Has Another Option to Get Its Oil Out "A shuttle service that slips oil through the Strait of Hormuz now looks like the kingdom’s best fallback." Capt. Ed at Hat Hair, Iran: We Got a Mighty Convoy, Stuck Here Overnight. From the Volokh Conspiracy, Dave Bernstein notices Iran's Expanding Campaign Against Jewish Targets Outside Israel.

Sundance is suspicious, British Military Intelligence Officer Killed in “Accident” in Ukraine. I am less so, even at the height of the Iraq War, common accidents were a huge part of the number of allied deaths. Military work is inherently dangerous. Space.com notes The battlefield now extends all the way to the moon, U.S. military's highest-ranking officer says. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress....

The Great Victor Davis Hanson at Am Great looks at The Fantasy House of Mark Carney. Beege Welborn at Hat Hair, Said the Spider to the Fly: EU Issues Invitation to Canada to Be Its First 'Associate'. Sundance is on it, noting Prime Minister Mark Carney Accepts EU Associate Member Status, Opens Canada Gate for European Migrants and Two More British Commonwealth Countries Considering ‘Associate Member’ EU Status – That’s Four of The Five Eyes. 

Tim O'Brien at PJM is jubilant, Trump’s Super PACs Are About to Flood the Midterms With Over $130 Million. Fox News @FoxNews, "WATCH: Republicans step in around Sen. Mitch McConnell as confusion breaks out over his vote during a farm bill markup in the Senate Agriculture Committee. McConnell quietly says “aye” as GOP Sen. John Hoeven leans over and tells him “no" multiple times. A staffer then intervened and Chairman John Boozman reinforced McConnell's "aye" vote as the bill advanced 12-11 along party lines. Hoeven’s office says he initially misunderstood what the committee was voting on." So, he's back, but not really.

From Twitchy, 'Legal Observer' Witnessed a Forklift Run Into the Kennedy Center Pillars 'Several Times', but had no video. I don't; let the damn thing fall down from neglect.

At Hat Hair a Larry video shows Hasan Piker Going Rogue, Screws Democrats With America 'Worse' Than Al-Qaeda Comment, Capt. Ed, Piker: America Is Worse Than Al-Qaeda. M-SNOW: Please Shut Up and Today's Deep Question: What Is El-Sayed's Imam – and MSM – Trying to Hide?, 'Associations': Major Michigan Newspaper Makes Stunning Endorsement and Dave Strom asks Does Anybody Believe Talarico and El-Sayed Have Moderated? No, of course not. ¡No Pasaran! argues "Muslims have finally cracked the code on the West"; For Islam, "Socialism Is THE Trojan Horse" to power — Larry Taunton's September 11th keynote address. Ace, Totally Normal Heterosexual Christian James Talarico Wants You to Know He Has a Favorite Drag Queen and He'd Like to Know Your Favorite Too, "Thanks to Ed Morrissey for this horror. Not only does he have a favorite drag queen at the ready when asked, but "she" is quite the beaut. Talarico's favorite drag queen specifically targets children. Of course "she" does." From Newsline, Don’t Buy Talarico’s “Triangulation” in Texas Senate Race. I don't. Amy Curtis at TownHall, This Is How James Talarico Wants to Run the United States. Andrew Kolvet @AndrewKolvet, "Talarico: "What if we ran our world like we run a kindergarten classroom? Because at the end of the day, aren't we all just really big kindergartners?" He’s just so … soft. I hate it."

鈴森はるか 『haruka suzumori』 @harukaawake, "Mark my words. Years from now, across Europe, Muslims will end up destroying many cultural artifacts across Europe. The reaction will be exactly this: Radical Muslims: It's haram so we must destroy it. Moderate Muslims: It shouldn't be destroyed but let's not blame all Muslims. Useful Idiot Leftists: It shouldn't be destroyed but let's not be Islamophobic." Cathy Salgado at PJM sees an Ex-Muslim Exposes ‘Poison’ Now ‘Injected Into the West’. Quotulatiousness notes Veterans of the GWOT “saw things with our own eyes that are hard for others to believe” Man-love Thursday is apparently a real thing in Afghanistan. But the men are usually boys. Drew Pavlou @DrewPavlou, "I discovered that the lady who went on Australian national television the other day and said that white Australians have no culture is in fact the daughter of a Sudanese warlord who abducted and enslaved hundreds of child soldiers, dozens of whom starved to death Human Rights Watch accused William Nyuon Bany of these horrific crimes against humanity in a September 1995 report titled ''Children in Sudan: Slaves, Street Children and Child Soldiers.'' ..." The McMullan @TheMcMullan. "In response to the clip going around with the African lady saying 'WHAT WHITE CULTURE!?!' Because I can explain it in more detail than anyone else... here are the main things that create western civilisation. The principle, the law of nature that is an adaptation to and what operation it creates in our civilisation...." Another long one worth reading. 

Jim Hanson @JimHansonDC, "ActBlue is a criminal conspiracy to commit election fundraising fraud. Indict and arrest them immediately so people see what the Dems are doing before our elections." Quote Townhall.com @townhallcom, "NEW: A House Judiciary report just dropped screenshots of ActBlue's internal Slack messages. They show staff knowingly waved through foreign donations—using "verification" methods you won't believe." Beege Welborn has high hopes ActBlue in Le Deep Doody! MD Kittle at Da Fed thinks In Corrupt Milwaukee, Election Integrity Dies In Darkness. Matt Vespa at TownHall reports Dems Think North Carolina Is a Lock for Them. Roy Cooper Nuked That Narrative With These Remarks. PJM's Matt Margolis notices In Blue State America, It's Always 1984 and Athena Thorne remarks I’m So Glad This Nightmarish Legal Fight Is Playing Out During an Election Season.

PJM's Vicky Taft reports There Are Ghost Kids in Them Thar Fake Daycare Centers in Gavin Newsom's California, Aaron Hanscom sees Gavin Newsom Is Back on Top of One 2028 List. Does It Mean Anything? and Stephen Kruiser sighs Karen Bass Will Probably Get Her Shot at Finishing Off Los Angeles.

Julie Kelly @julie_kelly2, "In a stunning political move, the chief judge of the Minneapolis federal bench disclosed the behind the scenes collaboration between all judges to thwart legal proceedings related to immigration cases this year. Patrick Schiltz, who admitted his longtime involvement in a pro-migrant nonprofit, reveals how judges remained on their cell phones nonstop to halt deportation proceedings. And rather than evaluate each case individually—as is required—the judges developed pro forma orders (as I predicted) to immediately stop cases in their tracks. This is something: Schiltz: “Some judges built templates of legal orders so they could respond quickly to some of the detention issues that were arising again and again.”" Quote Ryan Goodman @rgoodlaw, "An alarm is being sounded for the American public. Sitting federal judges go on the record with the NYT. On threats to democracy by DOJ/administration actions." Causing Dave Strom to wonder Can We Start Impeaching Judges Now? Natalie Winters @nataliegwinters, "EXCLUSIVE: Judge Boasberg was a 9-time host for a CCP-founded program run by a Chinese spy front flagged for its efforts to compromise Americans. SIX were during his FISA term—with access to top secret intelligence."

NYPo thinks Kavanaugh throws Trump ‘a lifeline’ on mail ballot rules despite Supreme Court rejecting restrictions. The left had no problem with changing election rules mid stream in 2020. 

Sundance considers diGenova’s Problem.

TownHall's Scott McLallen reports Lone Holdout Juror in Lindsay Clancy Case Gets a Lawyer — and a Safe House. Kyle Becker at RedState hears the Holdout Clancy Juror Breaks Silence. What He Says About 'Activist' Jurors Makes Them Look Worse.

Sundance is pissed Republican Rep Maria Salazar Attacks President Trump – Says ICE Deportations “Gone too Far”, "Florida Representative María Elvira Salazar is well known to the CTH audience; she is a decepticon." Ben Whedon at JTN reports Kash Patel confirms admin working on legislation to stop 'birth tourism'. "Patel made the remarks during an appearance before Senate lawmakers of the Judiciary Committee." 

It's a newt, and it has a great crest!

Dave Strom hears a A Cry for Help: Piddington Declares Independence From UK Over Migrant Settlement and Newts Get a Veto. Piddington’s Women Don’t. GB Politics @GBPolitcs, "NEW: Women in Piddington, a village of just 350 people where the government plans to put 1,250-3,500 illegal migrants, have released a video begging female MPs to speak out for them in Parliament." At the Telegraph, Great crested newts could thwart Piddington migrant camp. Via Ace, A Haitian Woman Attacked and Then Gnawed On the Face of a Woman, Disfiguring Her Forever. Canadian Courts Gave Her a Reduced Sentence So That This Doctor/Engineer Wouldn't Be Deported. "Seal the northern border, reduce visas for Canadians, increase tariffs to 50%, permanently. We must insulate ourselves from this demonic nation." Hey, there's good fishing up there!

From the Free Bacon sees Dems Get Crazier, NYT Coverage Stays the Same. "Every scandal left uncovered at the paper of record." C3 @C_3C_3, "35% of media coverage of Lindsay Clancy is negative. 96% of media coverage of Elon Musk is negative. One killed her children and the other exposed government theft. So telling…" Ashley McCully at PJM hears Liberal Millionaires: Wait, What Is Free Speech Again? Dave Strom hears Merz: the Rise of the AfD Shows Why Free Speech Must Be Curbed. Ezra Levant @ezralevant, "The chancellor of Germany says free speech is just a kooky American idea that he doesn't share: “Please don’t come to me with free speech... That is at most a libertarian political understanding from parts of the USA that I personally do not share. A liberal society must still be able to protect its citizens from false information, from personal degradations, from discrimination.”" Quote Julian Reichelt @jreichelt, " Translated from German, BREAKING NEWS: Chancellor Friedrich Merz wants to massively restrict social media and says: "Don't anyone come to me with free speech!" We must "still be able to protect citizens from false information." Against men like Merz, we have the fundamental right to freedom of expression as a right of defense. His view of the citizens is dangerous and borders on a case of suspicion hostile to the constitution." The Babylon Bee, Macklemore Performs Concert In Gaza And Oh No! They've Thrown Him Off A Roof.

Stacy, the Other McCain on The ‘Killadelphia’ House of Horrors.

An interesting argument, Peter Van Valkenburgh @valkenburgh, "For thirty years we've argued that software deserves First Amendment protection because software is speech. But the Constitution gives us another reason: software is a press. ..."

Nick Sortor @nicksortor, " WTF?! The University of Utah student who CELEBRATED Charlie Kirk’s assassination in a viral photo is now trying to get Rylie, the patriotic student who called her out, EXPELLED @UUtah better choose their next steps WISELY unless they want DOJ involved Support" I heard the school relented after being outed. Jesse Singal @jessesingal, "cult is overused but exactly right in these sorts of contexts. as we know from a trillion institutional meltdowns centered on these trainings, if they weren't intentionally built to give power to power/control to certain Cluster B types, they may as well have been." Quote Jonathan Kay @jonkay, "this is one of the cult-indoctrination slides contained in an all-staff Sept. 14 meeting for teachers at a York Region District elementary school." James Lindsay, anti-Communist @ConceptualJames, "Today in things literally nobody could possibly be surprised about if they have been paying even the slightest bit of attention." Quote New York Post @nypost, "Blue states with strong teachers' unions have lower student literacy levels: study shows." From Ace, a Study: Blue States with Strong Teachers Unions Influence Have, for Some Reason, the Lowest Student Literacy Rates in the Nation, "You know those teachers unions only care about the kids. It's all about the kids, you know. When they shut down the schools for a year and a half so that teachers could sit at home on their asses and literally phone in their lessons, that was all for the kids, too. Their lazy, greedy stance has resulted in the worst literacy rates in the nation." Capt. Ed claims an Exclusive: How to Protect Jewish Students, Faculty From 'Jew-Hatred'. Christopher Rufo @christopherrufo, "EXCLUSIVE: Berkeley Law School dean Erwin Chemerinsky explains how he has secretly enacted a policy of racial discrimination in faculty hiring—which is illegal in California. "If I'm ever deposed, I'm going to deny I said this to you." Christopher Rufo @christopherrufo, "This man must be sued, deposed, fired, and sent into retirement. He's a virulent, proud racist—and an enemy of equality." John McWhorter @JohnHMcWhorter, "Sad thing is this is normal. She genuinely, warmly thinks her people are smart in "alternate" ways, and that being good at tests (close reasoning and linear thinking) is "white." I wrote about this strain of thought a few months ago here: https://nytimes.com/2026/07..." Quote Neetu Arnold @neetu_arnold, "New York Regents member Felicia Thomas-Williams on why she thinks students shouldn’t have to take Regents exams to graduate: “You don’t assess a fish on climbing a tree because fish can’t climb trees”"

And at long last, we get to the good stuff! Don Surber on Making Sydney Sweeney a sports billionaire. "I thought feminism was about women owning their sexuality. Silly me." Lana A. @lana_asanin, "Honest question for the Sydney Sweeney enthusiasts: Besides the two enormous elephants in the room… what exactly is the attraction? Her face? Her charm? Her personality? Help me understand the phenomenon. And before somebody types “intelligence”—please respect the seriousness of this scientific investigation." The two elephants are plenty. Also, she pisses off the right people. End Wokeness @EndWokeness, "These are the "journalists" writing hit pieces on Sydney Sweeney. Class is dismissed." Check them out at your own risk.

Matt Vespa on Here's What Triggered the Left's Recent Meltdown Over Sydney Sweeney. Carlos @txiokatu, "What’s Sydney Sweeney have to do to get the approval of white women? Strangle three kids?" Ace, Fake News "NHL Reporter" Blasts Sydney Sweeney for Using Her Body to Sell Merch... But Of Course Previously Posted a Booby Bikini Photo to Sell "Hot Girls for Hockey" Merch, "That's only the first part of this embarrassing hypocrisy. The second part is this "reporter" doubling down and insisting that because she showed her boobies to sell merch to women, that's totes different than Sydney Sweeny using boobies to sell a gambling service to men."

And the Wombat has even more at In The Mailbox: 09.17.26. Linked at 357 Magnum in Saturday Roundup of Link Roundups - 19 September.