Flotsam and Jetsam - More From the Platner Poo-Poo Plater

Somehow the lead goes again to Graham Platner, the Nazi-tattooed, Kik posting, allegedly girlfriend beating Democrat candidate for Maine's senate seat, currently occupied by that "fascist" Susan Collins. New York Post @nypost, "Fetterman vows to ditch hoodie for suit if Graham Platner proves he didn't send 'd-k pics' to minors https://trib.al/vM0kJRk" Nick Arama at RedState, Platner's Response to Fetterman's Challenge for Him to Release Texts Raises More Eyebrows. "John Fetterman seems to genuinely think that the reason no one likes him is because he refuses to wear a suit. It's not the hoodie, dude. It's because you've become a stooge for AIPAC and the Republican party." "Notice what you don't see in that response? He doesn't agree to release the texts." Matt Vespa at TownHall thinks you should Look at This CNN Host's Face When John Fetterman Said This About Graham Platner “Did you say or...did Senate Democrats discuss Graham Platner posting pictures of his...uh...you called it his dick...at...did you discuss this in a lunch?” From the Free Bacon, New York Times Accused of Omitting 'Accusations of Sexual Assault' From Piece on 'Toxic' Graham Platner. "'After the story went up I began to ask … wait, where are the stories from the other women?' Platner's ex says." Jim Treacher says I Believe Lyndsey Fifield. Capt. Ed at Hat Hair, New Nazi-Tat Abuser Strategy: Threaten Defamation For, Er ... "As we like to say: discovery will be lit!" Graham Platner for Senate @grahamformaine, "This is false and defamatory. I would have thought Fox News learned their lesson after paying Dominion $787.5 million." Quote RNC Research @RNCResearch, "Maine Wire reporter, Steve Robinson on Graham Platner: “He’s proven himself to be a pathological liar...The oyster business, totally fake...Look at the date that his website for his fake oyster business was created, it was created after Graham for Maine, his Senate website.”" Kurt Schlichter at TownHall wonders Why Are Male-Identifying Democrat Candidates All Creepy Weirdos? From Twitchy, A Big Stretch: The Atlantic Reaches Across the Pond to Find a Writer Who Believes James Talarico Is Manly. Capt. Ed has Monday's Final Word Drop Site: @DropSiteNews, "A Maine voter says Graham Platner’s mistakenly obtained tattoo is not a major issue for her. An Israeli flag tattoo, however, would be a deal-breaker, because she could not support a candidate that supports genocide."

Teri Christoph at RedState wonders Is This How Democrats Will Solve Their Graham Platner Problem? "The kindling is being set by Anthony's supporters, and the trial's outcome will be the flame. And that's because, despite the outcome, the race baiters have a ready-made excuse at hand to light cities on fire – and Democrats will be holding the flamethrower. A guilty verdict or a plea deal? Another young black man has been unfairly punished by the judicial system! Let's riot. An acquittal? This faultless young black man was unfairly targeted by the judicial system! Let's riot. And the Democrat Party is rubbing its hands with glee. They love nothing more than summers of riots, and this setup is just too perfect."

From NYPo, Die-hard Spencer Pratt supporters devastated by late vote surge as faith in election falters. Sundance at CTH, President Trump Notes California Ballot Curation Likely to Eliminate Steve Hilton. Auron MacIntyre @AuronMacintyre, "Helicopters full of ballots Helicopters." Quote Wall Street Apes @WallStreetApes, "The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department used helicopters to fly in ballots from vote centers across the region “They're picking up ballots from 8 cities including Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lakewood, Santa Monica, Van Nuys, Pomona, and Torrance. Once." Bill Mitchell @mitchellvii, "One thing is for sure. When Democrats are counting votes, crazy, statistically impossible things are possible. Joe Biden can lose 18 out of 19 bellwether counties. He can lose Iowa, Ohio, and Florida. He can lose massive House seats and still get the most votes in presidential history. It's MAGIC." Hat Hair's Dave Strom explains How We Know That Los Angeles Vote Was Rigged. Jarvis @jarvis_best, "LA is wild because the election will be between a Cuban trained Marxist guerrilla fighter and a woman running to her left." Houman David Hemmati, MD, PhD @houmanhemmati, "As @BoredElonMusk & the data show, Raman’s late mail in ballot surge was fueled in large part by ballots from Skid Row. Tens of thousands of homeless whose ballots are sent to central addresses (not the sidewalk) & can be filled out/returned by someone else. Suspicious…" End Wokeness @EndWokeness, "Mail-ins arriving before Election Day: Bass: 38.1% Pratt: 27.9% Raman: 20% Mail-ins arriving after Election Day: Raman: 37% (+17% surge) Bass: 34.9% (-3% drop) Pratt: 19% (-9% drop) Who are we kidding here? This is fraud." At the Volokh Conspiracy, Volokh asks "Why Can't California Count?" Dmitri Bolt at TownHall notes CNN's Harry Enten Says Election Fraud in LA Is 'the Dumbest Conspiracy Theory' He's Ever Heard. No need for fraud when the law allows them to cheat. Nick shirley @nickshirleyy, "Meet Doris, she lives in California and is registered as a 126 year old who has voted in 51 elections and has NO IDEA. California’s voting system is so corrupt that by simply knocking on the door of the “126 year old” proves election fraud. EXPOSE IT ALL." Bill Mitchell @mitchellvii, "You know, after watching CA count votes, I feel much more comfortable with Republicans flexing a bit in redistricting, don't you?" wretchardthecat @wretchardthecat, "The significance to outside observers of Spencer Pratt vs Karen Bass was not as a political race per se, but a diagnostic. A kind of recon by force they could watch from afar. If you were looking to invest in LA, or in California the fate of Pratt was likely to predict your own. How honest was city hall? How reliable was the state? None of the answers to these things are available from Google but you can infer it from observation. Thus "poor devil, he never had a chance" can also mean "don't go to that swamp. It's full of reptiles."" Amy Curtis at TownHall, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna Calls for Federal Funding Cuts Until California Cleans Up Its Disastrous Elections. PJM's Vicky Taft thinks What Happened to Spencer Pratt Is Why the Supreme Court Decision on Election DAY Is Key.

PJM's Kevin Downey identifies the Filthy Pinko of the Week: Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy! Libs of TikTok @libsoftiktok, "Democrat Chris Murphy is REFUSING to apologize after saying it was "awesome" that Iranian ships slipped past the U.S. blockade. He says it was just "sarcasm." This traitor needs to resign in disgrace." Matt Vespa thinks What This Dem Rep Said About Trump Over the Weekend Is What Cost ABC News $15 Million.

Don Surber likes how Trump ignores RNC, gets half the Hispanic vote. "Democrats are peeing their pants over losing 40-point majorities among Hispanics." DataRepublican (small r) @DataRepublican, "Turns out that @LeaderJohnThune was totally projecting when he said the SAVE Act was an influencer campaign. Senator John Thune is compromised by a company that literally exists to sell access to himself. Pass it on." Quote DataRepublican (small r) @DataRepublican, Replying to @AndrewDesiderio, "Hello, Mr. Desiderio, Punchbowl News sells access to Capitol Hill for corporate clients. Their senior Senate reporter is you, Andrew Desiderio."

Sarah Anderson at PJM hears Are the Vances Adding More Than Just a New Baby to Their Family?. A chicken coop? "According to the Daily Wire, the Vance family is joining millions of people across the United States who are raising their own backyard flocks of chickens. More specifically, as of 2025, 11 million households in the US have their own chickens, and now, it sounds like we can add the VP's residence at the Naval Observatory to the list. The coop, which is stunning, was built by North Carolina-based, family-owned Carolina Coops, and it was "designed to match the architectural themes of the historic vice presidential residence." It's also worth noting that this was not paid for with your tax dollars, according to the Daily Wire."

From Lawrence Person's BattleSwarm Blog, How Ukraine Is Hammering Russian Logistics, Sundance at CTH hears the EU Coalition of the Willing Establishes Five Terms for Direct Ukraine-Russia Negotiations "The #3, #4 and #5 points are not going to go anywhere." At the Nat Sec J, Russia Might Actually Win the War in Ukraine. That Could Be the Worst Thing That Ever Happened to It. RCD's Rebecca Grant envisions A Permanent Armored Brigade in Poland?

Sundance is pleasantly surprised to hear Congress is Getting Nervous About Reauthorizing FISA-702. Eric Boehm at Reason believes Stephen Miller and Pete Hegseth Are Wildly Misleading About Section 702 Warrantless Surveillance. "Miller says it is "madness" to expect law enforcement to get a warrant before spying on Americans' electronic communications."

Shipwreckedcrew sees SCOTUS Smacks Obama/Biden Appointees With A Newspaper Across The Nose For Wrongfully Acting Like A "Roving Commission Looking For Wrongs To Right." "A very pointed Per Curiam Opinion issued this morning identifies the Fourth Circuit as a repeat offender in deciding cases on issues never raised by the parties -- THAT is judicial activism." Upstate Federalist @upstatefederlst, "I have been reliably informed that a fee is not a tax." Quote, "Kyle Cheney @kyledcheney, "JUST IN: A federal judge has ruled Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee is an unauthorized tax on businesses and must be vacated." Cam at BA reports SCOTUS Keeps Hardware Bans on Hold, but Makes Interesting Move on Prohibited Person Case. Firearms Policy Coalition @gunpolicy, "The cert petition filed by the federal government in a case where the Fifth Circuit ruled that the felon gun ban is unconstitutional as applied to the defendant whose "sole predicate offense... is his failure to pay child support" has been denied."

The Chronic chronicles Tina Peters’ Escape from Devil’s Island.

NYPo opines on Sneaky leftist lawsuits taking aim at US energy dominance.

Hat Hair's John Sexton is heartened that 'Protesters' Face Felony Convictions for Blocking the Golden Gate, but fears jury nullifications. Being San Francisco, it's not an unreasonable fear. "My take is that these protesters were basically taking a cue from Hamas. They essentially took a bridge full of people hostage for four hours (and would have done so for longer if the police had let them) and then complain in court that no one was harmed by the brief hostage taking. Except people were harmed."

Three different takes on Scott Pelley's interview with the NYT. From Sundance, The Alarming and Deeply Disturbing Scott Pelley Interview. PJM's Stephen Kruiser, Scott Pelley's Podcast Tears Made My Schadenfreude Cup Runneth Over. Dave Strom at Hat Hair, It's Kinda Hilarious to See Scott Pelley Expose Himself as Such a Doofus. I'm kind of in the schadenfreude camp. Also from Kruiser, OK, I Think President Trump Really Enjoys Trolling Kristen Welker.

Leslie Eastman at LI sees more Fallout from Video Release Expands: Police Sought to Cast Henry Nowak as Aggressor. "Europe Reacts with Demonstrations and “Taking a Knee” Movement while Media Deflects in Wake of Henry Nowak Killing." Bernie @Artemisfornow, "The Sunday Times reports that 3 days after Henry Nowak’s death, police wanted to issue a statement implying Henry was the aggressor. By then, they already had evidence that wasn’t the case. Only after objections from Henry’s family was the wording changed. They weren’t trying to protect Henry. They were trying to protect themselves. That was the disinformation."

At Althouse, The proposed rule would impose "a narrow, culturally specific understanding of family" that "privileges a dominant cultural framework over the lived realities of communities of color and global Christians." "I'm reading "Presbyterian Church faces revolt after proposing clergy must be in monogamous relationships — and critics blame white privilege" (NY Post).

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: Keepers & Discards up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Rule 5 Saturday - Ari-Maj

This week's Rule 5 paragon of feminine beauty is Ari-Maj, aka Ariadna Majewska

Self-proclaimed ambassador of femininity, she gained fame as the writer of the fashion blog Ari-Maj. Her simple and elegant style has also earned her more than 1.7 million followers on Instagram.

As a child, she aspired to become a poet and a writer. Into high school, she wrote anonymously for a popular blog.

She has a YouTube channel, Ari_Maj, where she has posted stunning lookbook videos.

She hails from Poznań, Poland.

She set one of her Instagram travel vlogs to Milan, Italy to the song "Holiday" by Madonna. 

Linked at The Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links. The Wombat has Rule Five Sunday: Ersatz Gingermageddon and FMJRA 2.0: Holding Our Own up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Trump Walz Cut Minnesota Deal?

A bracing 9.5 F in Slower Maryland as we woke up. It's very rare to see single digits here, but not unheard of. We spent a couple of hours yesterday chipping out a path to get Corwin's car out to the street yesterday. There's only about 3-4 inches of white stuff on the ground, but it's well protected by a thick rind of consolidated sleet and freezing rain. The best strategy we could find was to cut squares in the rind with a deshingling tool, and then lift the resulting chunks with a snow shovel. Maybe sometime today we'll finish getting the way clear for our car. Maybe.

 Color me skeptical. Matt Vespa at TownHall characterizes it this way, Tim Walz Caves, Will Work With Trump and Tom Homan. Is This Why? The Signal chat revelations, that show some of Tim's administration working with the mobs to obstruct ICE. I would call that a conspiracy to obstruct the Federal government from carrying out it's legislatively defined mission. But I'm not a lawyer. At Hat Hair, a Larry video, Tim Walz Bends the Knee To Trump: Radical Protestor Network Infiltrated, Capt. Ed has BREAKING news Walz Reaches Out to Trump on Cooperation? UPDATE: Signal? UPDATE: Walz Confirms, De-Escalation? Trump Sends Homan to Minnesota; UPDATE: Republicans Rally to Homan, and Trump: Want to End Major ICE Operations? Make This One Change and Dave Strom explains Why I Am Skeptical That Walz Will Acquiesce and thinks Tim Walz Acts as a Local Warlord. Driscoll at Insty sees CHANGE: Trump says he’s sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight, saying Homan will “report directly to me.” "That should certainly soothe Obama’s nerves about the Minneapolis situation, right? In 2015, he awarded Homan “the Presidential Rank Award, [which] is bestowed each year by the President upon a small group of career employees and is the nation’s highest civil service award.” At Althouse, "Governor Tim Walz called me with the request to work together with respect to Minnesota. It was a very good call..." ""... and we, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength. I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him, and that what we are looking for are any and all Criminals that they have in their possession. The Governor, very respectfully, understood that, and I will be speaking to him in the near future. He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I! . . . That's from PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP at Truth Social. That's nice. I can think of a couple cynical things to say, but I'll leave them unsaid." And "Gregory Bovino has been removed from his role as Border Patrol 'commander at large' and will return to his former job in El Centro, California, where he is expected to retire soon..." ""... according to a DHS official and two people with knowledge of the change." Sundance at CTH thinks A Domestic Insurgency Has Erupted – President Trump Sending Tom Homan to Minneapolis. Don Surber asserts Time is on Trump’s side in Minneapolis, "Wait them out. As Saul Alinsky said, a tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag."

Hat Hair's John Sexton gives My Take on the Pretti Shooting, "This situation just looks less defensible than the previous one and that matters," and Duane Patterson calls it Finding Out What Happens When You Bring A Gun To An ICE Fight. At the San Diego Union-Trib, a report that San Diego County flags to be lowered in recognition of ICE-related deaths in Minnesota. Asra Nomani @AsraNomani, "Two things can be true at the same time. Alex Pretti’s death is a real and devastating tragedy, and there are several investigations appropriately occurring into the circumstances behind his killing. A far-left organizing network put Pretti in harm's way and then turned him into a martyr for their own agenda to sow the perception of chaos in America Both truths can be said at the same time." PJM's Cathy Salgado hears Minneapolis Police Chief Says It Doesn't Matter if Shooting Was Justified. Fusilli Spock @awstar11, "Because they want martyrs." Quote Chad Felix Greene @chadfelixg, "If they're convinced Trump is sending bloodthirsty, untrained, maliciously motivated executioners into the streets, why aren't they warning their own residents to stay home where it's safe?" PJM's Stephen Kruiser has A Friendly Reminder That Murderous Chaos Is ALWAYS the Dems' Endgame. Mark Hemingway @Heminator "The idea that Pretti and Good were living in some "normative state" is insane; knowingly or unknowingly they both volunteered for an organized counterinsurgency engaged in militarized tactics to stop democratically passed laws from being enforced. Pretti even had a gun." Quote, Alec MacGillis @AlecMacGillis, "This is quite an exchange with @DavidAFrench about whether we are witnessing the emergence of a "dual state."" PJM's Matt Margoli observe The Left’s Gun Rights Hypocrisy Just Hit a New Low. Matt Walsh @MattWalshBlog, "This is retarded. Rittenhouse wasn’t interfering with law enforcement. He was only there because law enforcement was nowhere to be found. It’s literally the exact opposite situation." Quote Jake Shields @jakeshieldsajj, "I supported Kyle Rittenhouse being armed at a BLM riot so it would be hypocritical If I opposed a leftist doing the same Laws need to apply equally to all Americans x.com/libertylockpod…" From No Pasaran! Law Enforcement Officers and Police Shootings: Try Comparing Those of January 6 to Those in Minnesota. At News Wax, WH: 3 Investigations of Minnesota Shootings Underway, as they should be, and Noem to Testify Before Senate Judiciary Committee. 

Betsy Stauffer at LI claims Obama, Clinton Statements About Minneapolis Reveal Democrats’ Midterm Playbook, "But where Obama truly goes off the rails is in his appeal to Trump administration officials to “… start finding ways to work constructively with Governor Walz and Mayor Frey.”" VodkaPundit at PJM, Just When You Thought You Couldn't Get Any More Sick of Barack Obama... The Victory Girls see Kamala Adds Fuel To The Fire In Minneapolis. Dave Harsanyi at NYPo says Sorry, AOC — protest culture is un-American. Matt Vespa cites Law Professor Rips Apart Dems Over Latest Remarks on the Border Patrol Shooting in Minneapolis, Jonathan Turley. From RCP, The Campaign Against ICE Is All About Open Borders. Mitch Bert at Hat Hair VIP, Minnesota: Let's Not Forget The Crisis Before The Crisis, massive fraud.

Jen van Laar on the Anti-ICE Signal Chats: Walz Administration Implicated, Foreign Funding Revealed. Dr. Sydney Watson @SydneyLWatson, "At this point, it is not surprising at all that all of this is state sponsored and goes all the way to the top." Quote 0HOUR1 @0hour1, "Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is one of the admins of Signal Chat. This means the State of Minnesota is behind the protests. Its not organic its a insurrection at the very top." VodkaPundit at PJM, Minnesota Insurrection: A Special Forces Operator Has Seen This 'From Anbar to Helmand'. Eric Schwalm @Schwalm5132 "As a former Special Forces Warrant Officer with multiple rotations running counterinsurgency ops—both hunting insurgents and trying to separate them from sympathetic populations—I’ve seen organized resistance up close. From Anbar to Helmand, the pattern is familiar: spotters, cutouts, dead drops (or modern equivalents), disciplined comms, role specialization, and a willingness to absorb casualties while bleeding the stronger force slowly. . . " Stephen Miller @StephenM, "If you are surprised to see such a large volume of professional class leftists acting in psychotic fashion in response to routine immigration enforcement, remember the conduct of this same group during covid: masking babies, terrifying children, boycotting family, shuttering schools, purging dissenters, and signaling their “virtue” to in-group peers with ever more extreme, painful and draconian measures." Kevin Bass @kevinnbass, "I am horrified. I cannot believe it. I analyzed public databases and media reporting on violent confrontations with ICE over the past year. Just 9 counties accounted for TWO-THIRDS of violent confrontations with ICE in America. This is twice all violent confrontations in the remaining 3,134 counties COMBINED. A violent confrontation in these 9 counties was 590 TIMES more likely than any of these other 3,134 counties. 590 times. I plotted these 9 counties, and I found that all 9 counties are sanctuary jurisdictions run by Democrat politicians that resist immigration law enforcement. These violent confrontations are RARE in states and cities where local officials cooperate with law enforcement." DataRepublican (small r) @DataRepublican, "BREAKING: SIGNALGATE DONORS LIST AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD; POLITICIANS + FOREIGN LEADERSHIP CONFIRMED? In one of the files revealed by @camhigby , a resources file directs people with money to a website, Stand with Minnesota, which in turns directs donors to a campaign ran by Tending the Soil on Chuffed. More about Tending the Soil later. What to know: the campaign is hosted by Chuffed and the first donation came from Jonny Soppotiuk, a Canada-based community organizer who is part of Chuffed leadership and specializes in fundraising. He is most likely a central figure in raising money. So, yeah. Starting to look like foreigners are playing a key role in all of this. That's not all. I've put together a spreadsheet of 4000+ donors and their possible identities. Download in the next link below."

At Hat Hair, Dave Strom interpretes the Minneapolis Police Chief: Yes, the Mob Should Rule and Twin Cities Law Enforcement Abandons Hotel to Mob (looking for ICE officers), and John Sexton hears Minneapolis Has a New Autonomous Zone with Armed Guards. Open Source Intel @Osint613, "In Minneapolis clashes, an anti-ICE protester was severely injured after trying to throw a flashbang back at federal agents, losing part of her fingers in the explosion." FAFO. Wall Street Apes @WallStreetApes, "Wheelchair bound ICE protester seems to temporarily have a divine intervention and is able to stand up out of his wheelchair and grab what he dropped These are paid actors." Eddie Scarry at Da Fed, Here’s How The Media Are Lying Right Now: ICE And ‘5-Year-Old Boy’ Edition. NYPo remembers how Gavin Newsom ignored calls to help girl, 5, left with half a skull in crash caused by illegal immigrant, dad says. TownHall's Joe Chalfant hopes This Inspiring Testimony From a DHS Hero Will Strengthen Your Resolve on Immigration. From Da Signal, EXCLUSIVE: ICE Arrests Foreign Terrorists Living in US.

From Ace, New Details on Church Invasion Prove It Was a Straight-Up Hate Crime, "Tyler O'Neill's thread has the supporting charging documents. This behavior would not be tolerated if a mosque was invaded." Volokh at the Volokh Conspiracy, No Detention Hearing or Bail Required for Two Women Charged with Disrupting St. Paul Church Service. 

Quantus Insights @QuantusInsights, "One year into President Trump’s presidency, several key indicators have shifted meaningfully: • Net illegal immigration has turned negative for the first time in ~50 years; border encounters are down ~93%. • Violent crime is falling, with homicides down ~21%. The largest annual drop on record. • Drug outcomes have improved, with overdose deaths down ~25% and fentanyl seizures halved. • The economy remains strong, with ~4.4% GDP growth or higher and equity markets at record highs. For voters focused on border security, public safety, and economic stability, these figures show delivery on stated priorities. For Americans in general, they point to broadly healthy national metrics." Law and Liberty compares him to Teddy Roosevelt, The American Grizzly. Sundance, Ted Cruz Attacks Trump and JD Vance During Conversation with “Donors”

Carlo Carrasco is happy Trump’s America Urges Allies To Increase Defense Spending To 5% Of GDP. CEPA, Poland Prepares for Drone War With Russia. "Europe needs to get on the front foot to tackle Russia’s hybrid warfare, a Polish deputy defense minister warned as he unveiled details of a new anti-drone systems." Sundance at CTH hosts NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte Delivers Brutally Honest Message to Virtue Signaling Brussels. Hat Hair's Beege Welborn takes A Peek in as Canada Ducks: Dropping That China Trade Deal Like a Hot Won Ton. Riviera Maya News, U.S. accepts 92 high profile drug kingpins from Mexico. At Da Signal, ‘All Signs Point’ to End of Communist Cuba, GOP Officials Say. John Sexton, Trump Administration Wants to See Cuba's 'Incompetent Marxists' Gone. From NewsWax, Trump Hikes Tariffs on South Korea "In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the decision follows what he described as South Korea's failure to fulfill its obligations under a trade deal negotiated between the two countries." From the Free Bacon, Solar Companies Scramble To Hide China Ties As Trump Readies Rules Barring Chinese-Owned Green Energy Firms From Receiving Taxpayer Funds "Under Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, companies with more than 25-percent Chinese ownership can't claim green energy tax credits." Capt. Ed, Israel Recovers Final Hostage; Gaza Readies for Phase 2 of Trump Plan.

NYPo, California’s massive fraud is way worse than Minnesota’s — totals $7 billion: JD Vance.   Ace, JD Vance: California's Fraud Dwarfs Minnesota's. memetic_sisyphus @memeticsisyphus, "You can’t show a random video from the streets of Minneapolis without capturing a 7 figure Somali fraud operation."

Elon Musk @elonmusk, "True" Quote Arthur MacWaters @ArthurMacwaters, "Holding secure elections is a civilizational IQ test > 14 states don't require any ID at all to vote > it's impossible to say that "cheating is rare" if you don't measure the thing at all > requiring proof of citizenship is incredibly popular among all Americans > yet, the x.com/BasedMikeLee/s…Show more"

NRO happy, At 88, D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton Will Not Run for Reelection. I don't know why; brain dead represents the state pretty well.

Dr. John Eastman at Julie Kelly's substack, takes on the Century-Old Case Law Lurking in the Disqualifications of Trump’s Interim U.S. Attorneys "The Supreme Court is slowly returning executive power back to the president related to political appointees? Will a pending decision do the same for U.S. Attorney picks? Dr. Eastman explains."

John Sexton hears the Washington Post Braces for Massive Layoffs, or as we call it "Yesterday's news, tomorrow," Driscoll is not sympathetic, OLD AND BUSTED: "“Yeah, I’m In the Media. Screw You.” —The late Ginny Carroll, a bureau chief with the then-Washington Post-owned Newsweek, who admitted on C-SPAN that she wore a button with the above message at the 1992 Republican convention. The New Hotness? Washington Post Braces for Massive Layoffs." Neither is Ace, Stephen Colbert's Ratings Hit New All-Time Low, Update: Washington Post Braces for a FIFTY PERCENT Cut in Jobs "Remember, six months ago, in the immediate aftermath of his cancellation, Colbert's ratings rose based entirely on Sympathy Viewing and liberals all claimed he was going to build the show into a juggernaut that CBS would have to un-cancel. I've got a special delivery: Six barrels of 100% pure pesticide-free Nope Juice." "Brian Stelter whines that Bezos isn't being a good "steward" of the Washington Post. Jon Podhoretz responded that he's not a "steward," he's the owner. But the bratty, underperforming losers at the paper think that Daddy Warbucks should just keep bailing them out forever." From NewsBusters, More of This, Please! CBS Invites Conservative Dana Loesch to Debate Minneapolis.

From the College Fix, Govt gave $3.3 million science grant to Northwestern for ‘safe space ambassadors’: report. Beege Welborn thinks Peak Woke Achieved: Fairy Pronouns. Oh yee of little faith, they can go higher, I'm sure.

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: One Big Crunch ready for your clicks at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Terror Attack in Boulder, Drone Attack in Russia

Yesterday afternoon, an Egyptian national, Mohamad Soliman, with an expired visa, attacked at group of pro-Israel protestors, silently parading in Boulder Colorado, to protest the hostage taking in Gaza with Molotov cocktails, seriously, perhaps even fatally burning several, all while shouting anti-Jewish bile. Kash Patel's FBI is calling it a targeted terror attack, while the Boulder police chief rushed to say we many never know his motive. Stacy McCain writes Terror Attack in Colorado: Fire-Bomber Targets Pro-Israel Demonstration UPDATE: Illegal Alien From Egypt! "Yeah, a guy named “Mohamad” throws fire bombs at Jews, yelling about Zionism, but “it’s too early to speculate on the attacker’s motive.”" Bill Melugin @BillMelugin_, "BREAKING: Three senior DHS sources tell @FoxNews that the Boulder terror suspect is an Egyptian national in the U.S. illegally as a visa overstay who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration. I’m told Mohamed Sabry Soliman arrived at LAX on 8/27/22 on a B1/B2 nonimmigrant visa with an authorized stay through 2/26/23, but he overstayed & never left. I’m told on 9/29/22, he filed some sort of claim with USCIS, potentially an asylum claim, and on 3/29/23, USCIS under the Biden admin gave him work authorization, which expired on 3/28/25." Insty has a long post, HAMASHOLES: Breaking: ‘Targeted Terror Attack’ in Boulder. “A self-proclaimed Palestinian activist showed up with a garden sprayer full of something flammable – witnesses said it was clear but smelled like gasoline – sprayed the group, and then threw Molotov cocktails as he shouted obscenities and watched elderly human beings in flames. . . . The descriptions of the injuries are so ghastly.” Jerusalem Post, Six wounded in attack on pro-Israel hostage event in Boulder, Colorado, incl. Holocaust survivor. "The attack occurred during a weekly walk held to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza." Sundance at CTH, Boulder Colorado Terrorist Was Islamic Illegal Alien from Egypt, Identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman. At Twitchy, What 'Globalize the Intifada' Looks Like: Eyewitness Provides Harrowing Account of Boulder Terror Attack. Matt Vespa at TownHall notes The FBI's Take on the Boulder Terror Attack Did Not Sit Well With CNN. Breaking911 @Breaking911, "**Man shouts anti-Israeli rhetoric & tries to burn people alive at vigil for Gaza hostages** FBI: "We are aware of the targeted terror attack in Boulder." BOULDER PD: "We are not ready to classify this as terrorism." CNN: "Let's not jump to conclusions.""

Undercover Ukrainian operatives penetrated Russia with truckloads of drones and attacked Russian bombers at airfields. Sundance, Ukraine Carries Out Widespread Suicide Mission Attacks in Russia – White House Not Informed in Advance

The basic outline of what took place are now a bit clearer. In what was called “Operation Spider Web” Ukraine counterintelligence operatives staged a series of semi-trucks near five strategic air bases deep inside Russia. The trucks were loaded with explosive drones, and the drones came out and attacked the bases. Most of the truck drivers and drone operators were captured by Russian military. It was a suicide mission.

According to Ukraine government officials the mission was a big success; however, the claim of 40 strategic long-range Russian bombers being destroyed seems more like a PR narrative than likely actual outcome.

Factually, it was a counterintelligence success to pull off such a well-coordinated significant operation deep inside the Russian Federation. However, on the other hand this operation outlines how Russia is more like the USA than people think as it relates to the locations of their military bases and the vulnerable proximity around them.
. . .
There’s also an important detail to remember. People are laughing at the long-range Russian bombers being left out in the open, vulnerable to attack. However, their visibility is required as part of several nuclear agreements between the USA and Russia. Our long range nuclear capable bombers, covered under the agreements, are also visible. Zelenskyy is playing with fire by targeting them, which also explains why Zelenskyy never told President Trump in advance.

At Foreign Affairs, on The Delusions of Peacemaking in Ukraine, "Kyiv Won’t Compromise on Its Sovereignty Because It Isn’t Facing Defeat." OTH, it will not be possible for Ukraine to win back significant amounts of land either. So let's just keep killing people to maintain a stalemate. 

Sundance is beaming as Poland Nationalist Candidate Karol Nawrocki Predicted to Win Election, Despite Heavy Left-Wing/Globalist Efforts. Reuters, China accuses Hegseth of ‘vilifying’ remarks at security forum, after he warned them of the threat from China. From Da Caller, Trump Admin Hopes To Bring ‘Thousands’ Of Refugees From South Africa By Late Summer, trying to drive Democrats further into a frenzy.

Also from Sundance, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick Discusses Trump Tariff Status – The Tariffs are Delivered “One Way or The Other.” "As Lutnick again repeats, there are a variety of legal mechanisms that can be used to enforce the tariff program triggered by President Trump." As soon as a Hawaiian judge declares one illegal, he can switch to another. And Learn This: Secretary Scott Bessent Outlines Status of U.S-China Trade Conflict. Victor Lopez at TownHall, Trump’s Industrial Legacy: Steel, Sovereignty, and Strength. Don Surber notices Trump economics works. "Wages rise faster than inflation while the economy grows." Kevin Killough at JTN reports EPA’s Zeldin strategizes changes to Obama-era climate rule that would withstand enviro litigation. "Statements EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has recently suggest that the review of the 2009 endangerment finding, a key component of climate policy, will follow a transparent by-the-books process. Emails exchanged by Obama officials in 2009 suggest the finding was developed with the goal of supporting climate-change policies." From Da Caller, Trump Admin Spikes Massive Biden-Era Green Loan For Troubled Solar Company and Trump Tells Congress Just How Much To Slash Budget As GOP Lawmakers Revolt Ahead Of Shutdown Showdown, 22+%!

Am Mil News reports Trump admin unveils Constitution training course for top gov’t employees. From LifeZette, ‘Trump Is Gaining Traction Within the Democratic Party’: ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith but at Twitchy, Older Americans Are Protesting Trump and Turning Once-Youthful Political Events into Senior Moments. Calling All RushBabes has the Latest news from the (no good, very bad, harmful) vaccine battle.

WSJ is calling for Watergate-Style Hearings for the Biden Coverup. "Congress should get to the bottom of the ‘Politburo’ that governed while the president declined." John Fund at NRO, Why the Biden Health Cover-Up Really Matters. Matt Margolis notices Jasmine Crockett Accidentally Reveals Why Democrats Covered up Biden’s Decline “So let me tell you, if Joe Biden was like mentally, um, deficient in some way and he was still able to keep this sucker on the tracks, then give me a mentally deficient Joe Biden any given day over Donald Trump.” From LifeZette, Tucker Carlson Can’t Stop Laughing at CNN Reporting Biden’s Decline as Breaking News. Matt Margolis also notices Another Huge Biden Scandal Is About to Blow Up, Matt Vespa outlines it, New Biden Admin Emails on the Ohio Toxic Train Derailment Have Been Revealed. They’re Scandalous. "The Biden administration admitted possible cancer-causing toxins were spread in East Palestine, Ohio, following the Norfolk Southern train derailment in 2023, explosive new emails show, despite the White House insisting residents were safe." 

A Fourth Rail video, The View's SHOCKING Plan to Get Young Men to Vote Democratic EXPOSED. Althouse hosts Bill Maher, Democrats attempt to teach themselves how to speak with American men and reads NYT "This dude’s the last guy I want to tell us about 'we lost our way.' You’re the guy who lost.'" "Said Tim Walz, talking about himself, in "'I Didn’t Get It Done': A Reflective Tim Walz Wants to Make Good/Last year’s Democratic vice-presidential nominee has thrown himself into a robust atonement-and-explanation tour, though aides insist there is no grand strategy."" AP reports Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, in South Carolina remarks, calls on Democrats ‘to be a little meaner’, because his wife loves the smell of burning cities. Pop Times, Kellyanne Conway: Democrats Facing “Ideology Breakdown” Over Antisemitism and Policy Failures.

Breitbart reports Three Judges Blocking Trump’s Tariffs Have Decades-Long Histories of Democrat Activism. Charles Rotter at WUWT, SCOTUS Slaps Down Green Overreach: 8-0 Ruling Frees Infrastructure from NEPA Shackles. Pop Times, Federal Judge Nukes a Powerful Leftist Proxy’s Request to Get Her Job Back. From the Balmer Sun, Maryland Democrats allege ‘outlandish’ Trump efforts to rein in judges. "Language tucked into a 1,116-page bill would make it easier to defy U.S. court injunctions." ET lists Top 9 Supreme Court Decisions to Watch For in June.

WokeSpy, FBI Director Kash Patel Unleashes on Comey: “Agents Pulled Off Child Predator Cases Over His 8647 Post.”  LifeZette, Kash Patel Promises Truth Coming Out on FBI’s Role at Capitol Will Shock Americans. Althouse finds "The F.B.I.’s increasingly pervasive use of the polygraph, or a lie-detector test, has only intensified a culture of intimidation." "From "Unease at F.B.I. Intensifies as Patel Ousts Top Officials/Senior executives are being pushed out and the director, Kash Patel, is more freely using polygraph tests to tamp down on news leaks about leadership decisions and behavior" (NYT)."

Rusty Weiss at RedState, Dem Rep Fumes After Trump’s DHS Detains Staffer, Aides Are Accused of Harboring Rioters in His Office. Driscoll at Insty, NEW YORK REP. JERRY NADLER SAYS DHS AGENT HANDCUFFED HIS STAFF MEMBER AT CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE: "New York Rep. Jerry Nadler says a member of his staff was handcuffed by a Department of Homeland Security agent at his congressional office Wednesday. The incident was caught on video. According to a DHS spokesperson, Federal Protective Service officers were responding to reports that protesters were inside Nadler’s district office in Manhattan. “Upon arrival, officers were granted entry and encountered four individuals. Officers identified themselves and explained their intent to conduct a security check, however, one individual became verbally confrontational and physically blocked access to the office. The officers then detained the individual in the hallway for the purpose of completing the security check. All were released without further incident,” DHS said in a statement." . . . Related: “Nobody is above the law.” —Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), May 15th, 2019."

Nick Ballasy at JTN, DOJ: Two foreign nationals indicted for alleged plot smuggle U.S. military technology to China. "FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said the defendants "allegedly plotted to harass and interfere with an individual who criticized the actions of the People’s Republic of China while exercising their constitutionally protected free speech rights within the United States of America.""

Frisco Standard, Undercover ICE agents begin making arrests at SF Immigration Court. ""ICE is now following the law and placing these illegal aliens in expedited removal, as they always should have been," a spokesperson said."  "Immigration advocates warned last week that DHS attorneys were attempting to dismiss cases, after which ICE agents on standby would arrest the immigrants. Sanchez suggested that because judges at San Francisco Immigration Court were unwilling to dismiss cases, ICE switched to a new tactic." Good. At Breitbart, Trump’s DHS Arrests Illegal Alien Convicted of Killing Kaitlyn Weaver After Democrat DA Spared Him Jail Time. 

Stacy McCain reminds us Nothing Is ‘Secret’ Anymore. Don't make sex tapes and expect them not to come out, Gleen Grenwald. "Why would smart people do such stupid things?" Matt Vespa wonders Did This Comedian Drop the Best Troll Line on CNN This Week? Paul A. Szypula @Bubblebathgirl, "Comedian/actor @nathanfielder: “I think these days a lot of people will go to, like, alternative news sources or, like, comedy podcasters to get the word out about stuff. You know, like, Joe Rogan or Theo Von. But for me, it’s still CNN, all the way.” Greatest trolling ever?" 

From mrcTV, NPR Got $1.9M Grant to Improve Objectivity, Add ‘Diverse Viewpoints’ – But, Bias Rages On.

Herr Professor Jacobson at LI thinks Harvard has “been a pox on our educational system at least since the 1920s” “They truly believe that they know better and they’re immune to accountability, and now they’re finding out otherwise.” Sam Abrams at RCE discourses on The Wasted Privilege of the Harvard Faculty. Hail to thee, my alma mater, from the Free Bacon, Cal Poly Hit with Anti-Semitism Investigation Amid Allegations That It Told Students To 'Hide Their Jewish Identity.' "California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, administrators have allegedly ignored harassment of Jewish students on campus." Nick Ballasy again, DOJ investigating UVA over allegedly continuing DEI policies. "According to a report from The Federalist, the Justice Department confirmed the investigation after America First Legal (AFL) sent a 98-page letter to Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, a UVA alumna, on Friday, which alleged that UVA is trying to secretly continue its DEI policies in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act." From the College Fix, Texas bill aims to rid university curriculum of DEI, re-focus on workforce prep. At the Center Square, a Poll: College not preparing students for workforce, managers avoid hiring them. LifeZette sees CNN Admits Trump Was Right: Americans Losing Faith in Higher Ed. 

From Da Blaze, DEI run amok? Secret Service 'cat fight' outside Obama home raises questions. Larry Elder at Hat Hair decries The Extreme Tolerance For Black Racism.

At Da Caller, YMCA Scrubs Trans Guidance After Parent Group Uproar. "The YMCA removed several webpages outlining policies that allow boys who identify as girls to access female cabins, showers and locker rooms following backlash from a national parent group." At Fox, Girls' track and field athletes don't stand on podium next to trans athlete at Oregon state championship. "The two girls were praised on social media."

Watch this.

Two female athletes in Oregon refused to stand on the podium because a boy was awarded a place.

Girls have had enough.
pic.twitter.com/MhCgZ2zLou

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 31, 2025

The Wombat has and FMJRA 2.0: Marginal Victory on time and under budget.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Tariffs Still in the News

At WaEx, Trump suggests Walmart should ‘EAT THE TARIFFS’ and stop blaming him for price increases. Well, they won't. Not as long as people are willing to pay the increased prices. Jeff Charles at TownHall, Trump Just Dropped Another Tariff Bombshell "While wrapping up his trip to the Middle East, Trump indicated that tariffs could rise against over the next few weeks as the White House works to hammer out better deals with several nations that are trying to avoid heightened duties on their products, according to CNN." PJM's Matt Margolis sees Trump Just Made a Huge Move on Tariffs “We have, at the same time, 150 countries that want to make a deal, but you're not able to see that many countries," Trump said in Abu Dhabi on Friday. "So at a certain point, over the next two to three weeks, I think Scott and Howard will be sending letters out, essentially telling people — we'll be very fair — but we'll be telling people what they'll be paying to do business in the United States." WaEx, One big, beautiful bill may not only change taxes — it could change how you file them. Eliminating "Direct File", which allows people with simple taxes to do it themselves instead of using tax firms. I see this as protecting HR Block. But, do you really trust the IRS to do your taxes?

Nick Arama at RedState watches Scott Jennings, Bill Maher Light It Up on Trump's Powerful Speech, Transformative Change He's Bringing, Scott Jennings @ScottJenningsKY, "President Trump has flipped "war and peace" to "peace and war" — and even people on the left are getting on board. When even @billmaher's @RealTimers audience is applauding the new Trump doctrine, it's clear a seismic shift is underway." Althouse cites Trump, "Before our eyes, a new generation of leaders is transcending the ancient conflicts and tired divisions of the past..." "Clicking that linked on "announced," I was struck by this photograph: I don't think it was an accident that the camera was positioned to make the sword go right through Trump's belly." Jim Antle at Am Con is struck by Trump’s Clean Break With the Interventionists. The Peacock, Trump administration working on plan to move 1 million Palestinians to Libya. "Details are murky and no final agreement has been reached, but the plan is under serious enough consideration that the administration has discussed it with Libyan leadership." I doubt it will happen, but poor Libya, Barack and Hillary fucked them up royally. Breitbart want you to Watch: Pro Border-Control Polish Voters Chant ‘Donald Trump’ Ahead of Presidential Elections.

From WaEx, RFK Jr. slams ‘global free riding on American patients’ in defense of Trump drug pricing order.

Matt Vespa, Wait, Trump Is Up By *How Much* Now? Dems Are Going to Implode. Townhall.com @townhallcom, "This has to be a hard pill for CNN to swallow. Right out of the gate: "I think it's time for a bit of a reality check." "He is RISING FROM THE DEAD like Methuselah!" "He's up 7 points!" Devastating." OTP has the Tale Of Two Presidents: Trump’s Best Week Ever – And Biden’s Worst. At RCP, Larry Kudlow thinks Democrats Are Digging Their Political Graves -- and Trump Is Selling Them the Shovel. Cutie Pavlich at TownHall sees that Democrats Can't Stop Lying About Medicaid 'Cuts'.

Althouse, Ironically, some of us would have empathized with Biden if we'd been allowed to hear this at the time. "It's the coverup that really hurts." On the other hand, Alex Berenson at Unreported Truths, explains Why we need to humiliate Joe Biden. "Exposing his cognitive decline may seem cruel. He's a sad old man. But it's necessary; it's the best way to keep other similarly addled sad old men from clinging to power at all costs." I doubt Biden is still capable of humiliation, if he ever was. The other parties involved however, the Democrat politicians who deliberately attempted to deceive, and the media that knowingly abetted them, deserve the utmost humiliation. Greg Price @greg_price11, "For four years, we did not have a President and the entire media covered it up. It pales in comparison to any political scandal in the history of our country." The Babylon Bee @TheBabylonBee, "Furious Democrats Demand To Know Who Was Responsible For Covering Up Biden's Decline." Shouldn't this be at NotTheBee?

At Da Fed, Eddie Scarry sees Democrat Men Are Trying To Fake Masculinity And It’s Painful To Watch. "Three such strapping lads come to mind of late, first and foremost being David Hogg, the lithe twink who is currently a vice chairman of the Democrat National Committee. (Though, some party officials are challenging his election on the grounds that he’s not DEI eligible — he’s apparently not gay)." From the Independent, Virginia Democrat running in swing district outs herself and husband as swingers ‘ethically non-monogamous’. I don't see the attraction.

At Power Line, The Week In Pictures: Seashells by the Seashore Edition. Althouse thinks James Comey's now-infamous Instagram account is mostly about marketing his novel... which has a theme that's suspiciously close to his "8647" gambit.  From Mediaite, James Comey Warned About Demagogues Using the Internet to Radicalize — One Day Before ‘Assassination’ Controversy. Misty Severi at JTN reports House Republicans introduce legislation that would bar Comey from federal positions. It won't pass the Senate, if it even gets that far. 

Misty again, Trump bashes Supreme Court over AEA ruling, praises Alito, Thomas for dissent. "Trump accused the Supreme Court of not letting him send "criminals" out of the country in a series of posts on Truth Social, and claimed the order will allow more illegal migrants to flood across the U.S. border." Josh Hammer at Hat Hair wants to End the 'Nationwide' Injunction Racket Once and for All. That means it's time for conservatives to abuse the hell out of it. At WaEx, DC Circuit panel skeptical of Trump administration ability to fire independent officials. Well, DC Circuit. From Twitchy, Crime Pays: Disgraced Judge Hannah Dugan Sets Up Legal Grift Fund (Check Out Who CAN'T Donate, Too). Chris @CalumetCtyGOP "How on earth can she ever preside over a case going forward? This donor list would have to be publicly disclosed to make sure no donor ever has business before her."

At Da Mail, Annoying Dem lawmaker who wants to impeach Trump makes hugely embarrassing gaffe on camera "'What are the five Grosse Pointe cities?' LeDuff asked the lawmaker. The Grosse Pointe cities make up much of Thanedar's 13th Congressional District, but the congressman appeared stumped when asked to simply name them. 'Well, look,' he responded with a stalling laugh. 'I'm, uh, I'm not here to answer a quiz.' . . . LeDuff appeared bemused that the lawmaker clearly didn't know the names of the cities, as he interrupted to say: 'Let me just do this real quick - Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Woods, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Grosse Pointe Shores.'" There appears to be a theme. 

Don Surber, asserts No one is above the law, but "This story sort of got lost in the scuffle (literally) as the media went on to indict Trump for being bought off when Qatar donated a plane to the Department of Defense. Let me resuscitate the original story. AP reported, “Newark Mayor Ras Baraka was arrested at a federal immigration detention center where he has been protesting its opening this week and held in custody for several hours.” PBS said, “Witnesses said the arrest came after Baraka attempted to join three members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation, Reps. Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman, in attempting to enter the facility.” It was a mostly peaceful insurrection. Thank goodness for the fiery but mostly peaceful politicians that Michael Byrd wasn’t there helping ICE." At ET, DHS Denies Reports Noem Is Collaborating on Immigration Reality TV Show "A spokesperson confirmed it received a pitch for the show."

From Twitchy, Free Beacon Editor-in-Chief Commits Act of Journalism, Triggers the Pulitzer Prize Committee. At Da Signal, the Great Victor Davis Hanson notes The Media ‘Jumps the Shark’ and the sharks keep getting bigger and bigger.

WaEx reports Harvard slams ‘abusive and retaliatory’ DOJ investigation over race-based admissions and Trump administration announces immediate $60 million increase in charter school funding. From Restoration News, The Jesus Painting Rises Again in the Merchant Marine Academy, Thanks to Sec. Sean Duffy, "Yet woke military academy Superintendent Joanna Nunan remains in her position despite her shamefully anti-Christian bias." My dad went to Kings Point before serving in the Merchant Marine in WWII. I wonder what he would have made of this. At the Pop Times “Gender & Sexuality Studies” Librarian Admits DEI Is Still Alive at the University of Michigan.

Buck Throckmorton at Ace's wonders Would Venture Capitalists and Startup Accelerators Invest in Entrepreneurs Who’ll Be Remediating Derelict Wind Farms?

The Wombat has and FMJRA 2.0: Indians Scalped! up on time and under budget.