Flotsam and Jetsam - Trump Steps in the Potomac Shit

Leslie Eastman at LI notices Potomac Interceptor Rupture Poised to Become the Largest Sewage Spill in U.S. History "This man-caused disaster not merely a technical breakdown but a profound public health, environmental, and governance crisis affecting downstream communities." Hat Hair's Beege Welborn says 'P' Is for 'Perfume' as in 'River' - It's Also for 'Potomac'. At News Wax, Trump, Md. Gov. Moore Battle Over Potomac Sewage Spill Response. I say, get every federal bureaucrat in DC out there with a shovel.

From Fox, Collins boosts Republican voter ID effort, but won’t scrap filibuster, "Mike Lee-led campaign gains crucial vote but faces 60-vote Senate filibuster challenge." At RCP, Sen. Dave McCormick on SAVE Act: If An 80-20 Issue Can't Get 60 Votes, Something Is Amiss In The Senate, but then, we knew that. Dmitri Bolt at TownHall, CNN Confronts Chuck Schumer on Voter ID. Capt. Ed at Hat Hair hears Fetterman: What's Wrong With Requiring ID to Vote? Secretary Kristi Noem @Sec_Noem, "It must be exhausting to regularly manufacture outrage even over the most commonsense statements. Yes, we must build election infrastructure that makes it easy and secure for eligible American citizens to vote—while preventing non-citizens, including illegal aliens, from casting ballots. The choice of who to vote for is obviously up to the voters themselves. So here's the real question for @jaketapper @jonkarl and anyone else clutching pearls over this: Do you actually support allowing people who are in this country illegally to vote in our elections?" Support? They're counting on it.

Sundance at CTH explores the relationship between Steve Bannon and Jeffrey Epstein. John LeFevre @JohnLeFevre, "Nothing from NBC News on Obama's lawyer or Reid Hoffman - who donated $100 million to Democrats, bankrolled the Kavanaugh smear campaign, and funded the E. Jean Carroll hoax against Trump. Media silence when it doesn't fit the narrative." Quote NBC News @NBCNews, "At least half a dozen top Trump administration officials appear in the Jeffrey Epstein files.  Batya Ungar-Sargon @bungarsargon, ""Ironically, in denouncing how 'wealthy powerful men' are protected in a two-tiered legal system, Khanna pulled the ultimate powerplay — defaming four individuals with little concern of accountability. Ironically, Khanna succeeded in showing the ultimate example of the impunity enjoyed by 'wealthy, powerful men.'" Quote Jonathan Turley @JonathanTurley, "I have spoken with members who were part of the conference on the petition to force the release of these documents. Massie and Khanna opposed efforts to amend the petition to allow for greater resources to review the millions of documents... https://jonathanturley.org/2026/02/15/ro-" From Campus Reform, Jeffrey Epstein's obsession with human bodies led him to fund the genetics research of two current Harvard profs. "Epstein was obsessed with blue eyes and worked with scientific contacts to prove his hypothesis that blue eyes were a signifier of high intelligence while he was funding and visiting Harvard's Program for Evolutionary Dynamics." At Fox, Israeli intelligence sources reject claims Jeffrey Epstein was Mossad operative following document releases "Israeli prime minister escalates political feud following renewed scrutiny of Epstein's dealing with ex-Israeli leader Ehud Barak." But then, they would if it were true, too.

Dave Strom at Hat Hair claims You Won't Believe The New York Times' Take on Rubio's Munich Speech. "The New York Times' reaction to the speech mirrored that of AOC: Western values suck, and Europe is no longer Western because its population is being replaced by third worlders. AOC said it outright, giving an explicitly Marxist race and class-based analysis, while the Times sanded the sharp corners down a bit." You'd be surprised by what I might believe. Hat Hair's Duane Patterson looks at Marco's Moment, Morons, and Mendacity in Munich. Sarah Anderson at TownHall watches Rubio’s European Tour Heats Up — WaPo and the Cuban Revolution Take a Beating. Sundance hosts Secretary Marco Rubio's Joint Press Conference with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and reports President Trump Announces Board of Peace Meeting February 19th at the Donald J Trump Institute of Peace. 

PJM's Cathy Salgado hears the  Trump Admin tout $2,400 Savings From Ending Start-Stop Car Feature. We don't have it, but that's got to be annoying. We have a hybrid, and it alway shuts off, unless it need charge. But at least the electric side accelerates right off. News Wax, Trump Touts Dip in Mortgage Rates Vs. Biden. ""Joe Biden’s inflation crisis crushed the dream of homeownership for millions of Americans — but President Trump is bringing it back," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News." It's a bit much to claim credit for, but if the Democrats are going to wield the "affordability" club, it's fair.

From NYPo, Trump threatens kidnappers with death penalty if Nancy Guthrie isn’t returned alive in call with The Post, Democrats immediately call for cashless bail for the offenders /sarc.

Dave Strom looks at the Democrats Auditioning for Nomination in Munich. At Twitchy, AOC Mocks Marco Rubio for Saying Cowboys Come From Spain (Ask African Slaves). End Wokeness @EndWokeness, "AOC mocks Rubio: "My favorite part is he said cowboys are rooted in Spain. Uhhh, speak to Mexicans & African slaves!" Spain introduced horses to Mexico." Capt. Ed at Hat Hair calls it Too Dumb to Check: Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be AOCs. Joe Chalfant at TownHall, Did AOC's Word Salad Just End Her Presidential Ambitions? Hardly, it's par for Democrats who have to constantly talk around truth and logic. Brad Slager at RedState, The Ocasio-Cortez Disaster in Munich Gives a 2028 Election Primer As Bloomberg News Cleans Up Her Mess. Driscoll at Insty, WAS IT OVER WHEN THE VENEZUELANS BOMBED PEARL HARBOR? Western Lensman @WesternLensman, "AOC: The US shouldn't engage in actions like the one against Maduro just because Venezuela is “below the equator." Venezuela is not below the equator. Got a round of applause anyway." A Larry video at Hat Hair, AOC, Hillary Clinton Globally Shamed As Rubio Stuns World Elites. Driscoll again with DAAAMN: Watch Hillary’s Face as Czech Deputy PM Macinka Shuts Her Down in Heated Back and Forth on Gender. Fox News @FoxNews, "REALITY CZECH: Hillary Clinton clashes with Czech Deputy PM Petr Macinka after he says President Trump reacted to policies that went "too far." MACINKA: "We saw the woke revolution. I don't agree with the gender revolution, the climate alarmism..." CLINTON: "Which gender? Women having their rights?" . . ." Amy Curtis noticed Hillary Clinton Lied About Deportations Under Her Husband and Obama. Well, her mouth was moving. 

Congressman Randy Fine @RepFine, "Piers, what is disgusting is a major NYC Muslim leader saying we must give up our dogs because "NYC is coming to Islam" We will not be shamed into being conquered like the Europeans. I choose my dog. I know my first appearance on your show didn't go well for you, but if you want to try again, I am happy to administer another beating." Jake Tapper @jaketapper, "Disgusting bigotry." Quote Congressman Randy Fine @RepFine "If they force us to choose, the choice between dogs and Muslims is not a difficult one." Amy Curtis @RantyAmyCurtis, "So for the midterms, @TheDemocrats have decided to take the side of banning dogs and calling the critics who oppose banning dogs “racist.” Keep up the good work." and Totally weird how not one Leftist has said, “No, we won’t let Muslims ban your dogs.” I’m sure it’s just a coincidence. RBe @RBPundit, "Apparently all the political commentators just flat out missed that some Muslim activist who works for the new NYC mayor said dogs should be banned indoors in New York." Wilfred Reilly @wil_da_beast630, "This "dogs" tweet thing is a classic example of a totally fake, made up scandal. A Muslim troll - an adult with a powerful position - tweeted that New Yorkers should get rid of all (indoor) dogs to appease Muslim immigrants, because dogs are filthy in Islam and Muslim incomers do not want to see them. In direct response, quoting his opponent, another powerful adult said that - if forced to make this binary choice by Muslims - he would prefer dogs to Muslim incomers. This is about the 90% US position, btw. Every S...S...SHOCKED response to part two is literally just someone intentionally ignoring the 1st 1/2-2/3 of the exchange so they can do the "You Monster!" bit. It really is tiring."

At Am Great, Ed Ring calls Mamdani and Newsom The Democratic Party’s Fraternal Twins. "Mamdani and Newsom sell rival myths, but their shared model—big government fused with big corporate power—centralizes control, inflates costs, and leaves ordinary Americans paying the price." At PM, Tenants in NYC public housing won't be allowed to complain about city landlord at Mamdani's 'rental ripoff' hearings. "If these hearings were truly about holding bad landlords accountable, the over 500,000 residents in NYCHA would be able to meaningfully participate." Government cheese. 

Jonathan Turley sees California Democrats Trigger a Reverse Gold Rush with a Wealth Tax: Eat the Rich. Hat Hair's John Sexton, Billionaires Make Plans to Avoid the California Wealth Tax. David Marcus @BlueBoxDave, "There’s a weird poeticism to the radical American left being funded by divorce settlements." Quote Forbes @Forbes, "MacKenzie Scott’s $26 billion giving sprint in seven years, including a record $7.2 billion last year, makes her the third-biggest philanthropist of all-time. She gave more in 2025 than Musk, Page, Ellison and her ex-husband Bezos have in their lifetimes combined." Beege Welborn, How Green Is My Cult: CA Now Importing US Gas From *check notes* 4000 Miles Away. Driscoll sees BLUE STATES ARE MOVING LEGISLATION FORWARD TO RESTRICT HOW MUCH YOU CAN DRIVE: "The “15 Minute City” concept is gaining traction on the left, especially in Great Britain, where the Labour Party and leftist cities are seeking to impose harsh restrictions on vehicle use. Here in the U.S., blue states are pivoting toward mileage caps, which would establish maximum “vehicle miles traveled” (“VMT”) allowed for an entire state, with regulators then creating “incentives” to reduce individual driving so as to achieve the VMT objective. From News Nation: “Massachusetts bill aims to reduce driving to meet climate goals” . . ." From the College Fix, EXPOSED: Taxpayers paying for Democrat activists’ grad school tuition. Ben Smith at RedState, Democratic Auditor Takes Own Party to Court After $12M Fraud and 72% Vote for Audit. 

Stacy McCain has a warning, Warning: Stay Away From St. Louis, "“Well, Stacy, how dangerous is St. Louis?” you ask. IT’S WORSE THAN BALTIMORE!" I demand a recount. At Insty, CRIME: Follow the science! Arthur MacWaters @ArthurMacwaters, "Criminality is not random Only 0.2% of people ever commit murder, yet 67% of **all murders**are committed by people with prior arrests People inclined to commit crime will continue to, unless stopped. When those people are stopped, the crime stops." Quote Hunter Ash @ArtemisConsort, "This is a key point: the idea that imprisoning criminals won’t reduce crime tacitly assumes that there’s some kind of crime quota, and other people will start assaulting strangers if we lock up the people currently doing it. x.com/usinglyft/stat…"

At Hat Hair, Capt. Ed, Homan: You Better Believe We'll 'Flood the Zone' in 'Sanctuaries' Again, Dave Strom fears The Ground Troops of the Revolution Are Being Trained Before Our Eyes and In Minneapolis It's the Taxpayers Who Pick Up the Tab for Anti-ICE Activism and John Sexton reports a Public School Teacher Killed by Illegal Immigrant Fleeing ICE. From CIS, DOJ Reveals that Biden Granted ‘Quiet Amnesty’ to Nearly a Million Aliens. "Cases that have been ‘temporarily paused’ for more than three decades, and other denials of justice." The Redoubtable Julie Kelly (at substack) explores how a Deadly Crash Exposes Danger of So-Called 'Chameleon Carriers'. "Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and some federal lawmakers are looking into how trucking companies avoid oversight and accountability through shadow operations in the trucking industry."

The Chronic has No Pity for the ‘Washington Post.’ Ace, "The Media Whined That the Washington Post Cancelled Its World-Beating Sports Section. The Media, You Will Not Be Surprised to Learn, Lied." By "sports," they meant what they mean in every case: DEI propaganda and gay communism bullshit. They do this with every single entertainment men like. They fill men's entertainment with nonstop pro-gay, pro-feminism, pro-DEI propaganda. So that's what was going on with the Washington Post's "sports" desk before they cancelled it. Free Beacon's Andrew Stiles: . . ." Dave Strom notes They Don't Even Try to Distinguish Fact From Fiction Anymore. The article as about the Slantic, but it's a general problem.

Insty calls this SAVAGE. AND FAIR. Rolling Stone @RollingStone, "The MAGA right says Charlie Kirk is a martyr for freedom of expression, but still want people to lose their jobs for criticizing his rhetoric. DataRepublican (small r) @DataRepublican, "You, of all outlets, need to SHUT UP. You were the first outlet to dox me. You ran a deranged piece painting me as some CFPB mastermind only because you couldn’t dig up dirt. You tried to cancel me. You don’t get to whine about cancel culture. Here’s the rule: if you don’t want to get fired, don’t cheer the deaths of your neighbors, family, or fellow Americans. You and I are not the same. We see you. You are hypocrites. You are evil. Go crawl away in shame."

PJM's Mike Cantrell hears an Aussie Influencer Says Pop Star’s Mansion Joke Got Him Booted From the U.S. “Billie Eilish got me deported from the US—I think her legal team contacted DHS,” Drew Pavlou wrote in a post published Sunday on X. “I spent 30 hours at LAX immigration trying to explain that my s---posts were just a joke and that I didn’t actually plan to personally move into her mansion.” Dmitri Bolt, A Man Joked About Moving Into Billie Eilish's Mansion. Her Response Is Breaking Irony Detectors. Man, she's really got that surly teen look down pat, for a 24 year old woman.

Matt Vespa thinks you should Look at What the Rhode Island Hockey Rink Shooter Posted on X Before the Attack. Steve Lookner @lookner "This is the X account of the Pawtucket high school hockey game shooter, according to the New York Post. Police said the shooter's name was Robert Dorgan and he/she went by the name Roberta Esposito. The shooter shot family members and a family friend, then himself/herself. (h/t @DoctorTurtleboy)" At Twitchy, DEVELOPING: Robert Dorgan a.k.a. ‘Roberta Esposito’ Shoots Six at a Youth Hockey Game in Rhode Island. Robby Starbuck @robbystarbuck, "The Atlantic, a far left publication, has come out today with a piece about how indefensible it is to transition kids. Massive sea change. We’ve won the PR war to end this absurd abuse."

James Bacon, at Bacon's Rebellion on How to Make Sure Virginia Universities Are Governed by Unaccountable, Leftist Oligarchies Forever, elect Spamberger. 

And oh, so much more at the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 02.16.26! The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Mustang Gal and FMJRA 2.0: Still Winning up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Cities Have the Rock Salt Blues

You can tell when they've finished getting the streets clear in major cities. They start nagging about all the salt that was used on the roads. NBC 4 Wash,  Anacostia River contamination concerns come as snow piles grow

As D.C. scoops up snow and ice to clear streets and dumps much of it on mounds in four parking lots around the city, concerns are raised about the environmental impact on local waterways.

Construction vehicles dump the snow into large trucks that take it to parking lots at Carter Barron Amphitheater near Rock Creek Park, the old United Medical Center and two lots at the old RFK Stadium site. About 1,000 loads of the so-nicknamed “snowcrete” have piled up so far.

But near RFK flows one of those environmental concerns: the Anacostia River. “Looks filthy, and all of that black stuff, it isn't dirt, right,” Anacostia Riverkeeper Trey Sherard said. “A lot of that black stuff is little, microscopic bits of tires. It's all the things that we added into the tires.” 

“You've got trash, you've got salt, you've got unmitigated dog waste, and they're gonna be in all of these ice piles,” he said. “And it's going straight into the Anacostia River from here.”  One of his biggest concerns is all the salt that could drain into the Anacostia as the ice melts.

Bear in minds, all the rest of that stuff runs off the streets and into the river the next time it rains anyway. And while they always cite salt a potential toxic, they never list  what organisms they are concerned about.

WRICH Richmond, As snow melts, Virginia lawmakers seek alternatives and awareness to road salt. Hey, the sun will do it. You just have to wait a little longer. 

WTOP, Slightly salty water could come out of your faucet soon in these Maryland suburbs “Eventually, it’s going to wash down the storm drains. It’s going to make its way into the creeks, the streams, the rivers, our source water,” Riggins said, adding that WSSC Water regularly tests the water and it’s safe to drink. Riggins said most people likely won’t notice the saltier taste."

The Wombat has Rule 5 Monday: Boots & Bikinis up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Palm Sunday

 With some help from Diana Mots:

Car Buzz, BYD Dropped A Massive Palm Tree On Its $150k SUV And It Barely Left A Dent

Linked at The Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links. The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Old Trucks & Young Girls up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - 'Meathead' Murdered in LA

It's that kind of a week, and it's only Monday. After a call from a relative who had checked their house, LA Police were called to the Brentwood residence of Rob Reiner, best known for his breakout role as Archie Bunkers son-in-law 'Meathead' in "All In the Family," but a talented actor and director in his own right as well as a prominent liberal activist. Police found two bodies, Reiner and his wife, Michelle Singer, apparently stabbed to death. Although there was some initial speculation it could have been an Islamic act of terror, sources are pointing at a son with drug and mental issues. I saw a police press conference late last night, and it was just awful, with police even refusing to identify the victims and saying they needed a warrant before collecting evidence at the scene. However, Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayer Karen Bass had already issued statements identifying Reiner and his wife as the victims. Dave Strom at Hat Hair, R.I.P. Rob Reiner and His Wife Michelle Singer. Amy Curtis at TownHall, Director Rob Reiner and Wife Michele Singer Reiner Dead. Althouse, "Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were killed by their son, Nick, according to multiple sources who have spoken with family members." "Police have not yet confirmed the account. On Sunday, Dec. 14, at about 3:30 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) was called to a home to provide medical aid, the LAFD told PEOPLE. Upon arrival, they found a man, 78, and a woman, 68, dead. Sources confirm the victims were Rob and Michele. Police say Nick, 32, is alive and being questioned. No arrests have been made...." People reports." Not that I had any intention of speaking ill of the dead, but I checked with Grok to see if Reiner had anything bad to say about Charlie Kirk after his assassination, and Grok could only find Reiner expressing sympathy.

Meanwhile, the mess at Brown University continues. A suspect was identified from phone data, arrested nearby, publicly named via a leak, and then released for lack of evidence.News Wax reports a 'Person of Interest' Arrested After Brown University Shooting Left 2 Dead, 9 Wounded. Teri Christoph at RedState, New: Person of Interest in Brown University Shooting ID’d As Chilling Details Emerge. At TownHall Scott McLallen says Person of Interest in Brown University Shooting Identified and Matt Vespa claims Latest Brown University Shooting Update Is Wild...and This Story Has Become a Total Circus. Althouse, "The search for the gunman who killed two people at Brown University in Rhode Island dragged into Monday..." ""... after officials said a person of interest detained earlier was released because they could not find enough evidence connecting him to the shooting. Mayor Brett Smiley of Providence, R.I., said Sunday night that officials had no way of knowing if the attacker that sent the Ivy League campus into lockdown on Saturday was still in the city.... Brown officials said exams would not be held as scheduled for the rest of the semester, and that students were free to go home. 'For the moment, we encourage everyone to focus on their own safety and well-being,' the provost said...." The NYT reports." So he hasn't really been cleared, but they don't have sufficient evidence to hold him. Twitchy says this Seems IMPORTANT: Brown Classroom Where Gunman Opened Fire Belongs to THIS Teacher Teaching THESE Subjects. Amy Swearer @AmySwearer, "Oh. The shooting occurred in the classroom of Professor Rachel Friedberg...who is Jewish, part of the Program in Judaic Studies, and whose research focuses on the intersection of economics and Jewish Studies? That seems like it might be incredibly relevant." Or it could be a complete coincidence. 

Meanwhile, downunder in Australia WaPoo, 15 killed in Bondi Beach shooting by father and son, Australian officials allege "The Australian Broadcasting Corporation named the father and son accused in the attack as Sajid Akram, 50, who was also killed, and Naveed Akram, 24, who was hospitalized. . . The older gunman first arrived to Australia on a student visa in 1998 and had since held legal status in the country via a partner visa and resident return visas, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said Monday. His son is an Australian-born citizen, the minister said. . . A civilian lauded as a hero after he wrestled a gun from one of the suspected shooters has been identified as Ahmed al-Ahmed. He was “seriously injured,” Albanese said." Don Keith @RealDonKeith, "Bombs In Bondi: Police have now found multiple IED’s at the scene of the Muslim terror attack in Australia." Aaron Hancsom at PJM, Here's What We Know About Rabbi Eli Schlanger, Murdered at Bondi Beach Chanukah Celebration. At TCW, Bondi Beach Jewish Hanukkah Massacre – a survivor’s account. Driscoll at Insty cites ROBERT SPENCER: Australia Discovers What It Means to ‘Globalize the Intifada.’ Eve Barlow @Eve_Barlow, "There was more than one terror attack today. There were three. A Jewish home in California. A Jewish classroom at Brown. A Jewish celebration at Bondi. It’s beginning to look a lot like a globalized intifada." Max @MaxNordau, "Don’t let the Australia shooting, Brown shooting, and foiled Germany ramming distract you from the California shooting." Quote ADL California @ADLCalifornia "Last night’s shooting into the home of a Jewish family in @CityofRedlands, CA is a despicable act of antisemitic violence. Contact the Redlands Police Department at (909) 798-7681 with any information about this heinous act." Roger Simon at American Refugees asks Are Tucker and Candace Responsible for Sydney Terror? (UPDATED). No, it's not a crime to be an educated idiot. James Lindsay, anti-Communist @ConceptualJames, "They're testing Western defenses and resolve to prepare for something bigger and very coordinated." Quote Eyal Yakoby @EYakoby, "BREAKING: Masked Islamists are attacking a Hanukkah concert in Amsterdam This comes on the same day as Islamists murdered over 10 Jews in Australia." ONE DELIBERATELY CREATED says Insty, answering Vivid. @VividProwess, "Jews can’t enjoy Hanukkah peacefully. Christians can’t enjoy Christmas peacefully. What kind of dark world are we heading into?" Dave Strom, Maybe It Is a Good Idea to Quit Importing Terrorists? UPDATE: IT WAS A FATHER AND SON FROM PAKISTAN. Raise the Black @KTB_500, "There is absolutely gold in the thought behind this." Quote InfantryDort @infantrydort, "Terrorism ends when fear changes sides." Insty, CITIZENS DON’T NEED GUNS. THE POLICE WILL PROTECT YOU! Collin Rugg @CollinRugg, "Man refuses to take cover and points at one of the Bondi Beach terrorists while the terrorist was trying to shoot innocent people. Witnesses say police officers completely froze during the terror attack and did nothing. “Twenty minutes, there was four policemen there. Nobody give fire back. Nothing. Like they froze. I don’t understand why,” said eyewitness Shmulik Scuri. “For 20 minutes. They shoot, shoot. Change magazines. And just shoot.”"

Matt Vespa on Why the Latest Story From the Epstein Files Could Give Trump Grounds for a Lawsuit. Eric S. Raymond @esrtweet, "So. Best the Democrats and their flying media monkeys could do from the latest tranche of "Epstein files" is an image of adult women from a beauty contest in Hawaii with their faces blacked out by deceptive editing 31 years after the fact. I'm not Trump's biggest fan, but crap."

Driscoll at Insty sees THE RISE OF GERMAN NATIONALISM EXPOSES WASHINGTON’S DELUSIONS: Rod Dreher @roddreher, "If you actually look at the platforms of these “far right” parties, they’re like normie pre-Trump Republicans, except on migration (and generally pro welfare state). They’re not electing Nazis; they’re electing Bob Dole." Quote POLITICOEurope @POLITICOEurope, "Hard-right and far-right politicians now lead the polls in France, the U.K. and even Germany. Here’s how the power of populist hardliners differs across European countries . . ." Dan Mahoney at Am Mind is trying to Rediscover the Soul of Conservatism, Part II. I don't believe it's lost.

From Fox, Trump honors 'Miracle on Ice' team; Mike Eruzione, Jim Craig praise president in return. So now the liberals will hate them. At Civitas, Richard Epstein says Junk the CAFE Standards, "In the end, CAFE fails every known test of social welfare."

At Althouse, "To commemorate the abolition of slavery, the [Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee] had recommended an image of Frederick Douglass on the obverse and shackled and unshackled hands on the reverse." "To honor women’s suffrage, a World War I-era protester carrying a 'Votes for Women' flag. And to evoke the civil rights movement, a 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, books in hand, helping to desegregate the New Orleans school system in 1960. [Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, authorized by law to make final decisions about coin designs] opted instead for the more general, and much whiter. For the Mayflower Compact, a Pilgrim couple staring into the distance. For the Revolutionary War, a profile of Washington. For the Declaration of Independence, a profile of Thomas Jefferson. For the Constitution, a profile of James Madison. And for the Gettysburg Address, a profile of Lincoln on the obverse, and on the reverse, a pair of interlocking hands. No shackles." From "The War on ‘Wokeness’ Comes to the U.S. Mint/The Treasury Department unveiled new coins celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. They failed to include planned designs featuring abolition, women’s suffrage and the civil rights movement" (NYT). Liberals were not happy with Sec. Bessent's choices, of course.

After the penny project, I took a look at the quarter situation. Since 1999, the mint has been producing special quarters, with up to 5 different obverse designs for each year. First, the State Quarters, 1999-2008, then the National Park Quarters from 2009-2021, and most recently "Crossing the Delaware and American Women" Quarters from 2021-2025. The next set of  U.S. quarters are coming in 2026 to celebrate America's 250th anniversary (the Semiquincentennial), featuring five different designs highlighting key historical moments like the Mayflower Compact, Revolutionary War, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and the Gettysburg Address. I had been using quarters for years without paying much attention to the obverse sides.

From RVM, Web of Connections: Top Minnesota Democrats All Linked to Massive Somali Fraud Scandal. Politicians are drawn to loose money they way flies are to dead animals. Driscoll has DISPATCHES FROM MURDEROPOLIS:. . . "As Stephen Kruiser wrote in 2021: U.S.May Want to Look Into Getting Rid of Minnesota."

Matt Margolis hears and FBI Whistleblower Claims J6 Pipe Bomb Suspect Is the Wrong Guy "new whistleblower disclosures shared with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) are raising serious questions about whether federal authorities have the right guy." Having it passed through Massie tends to discredit it. 

Racket's Matt Taibbi disapproves of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's Blunt Call for Government By "Independent" Experts "Independent from what? Dumb voters, of course. On this week's potentially transformative Supreme Court case, and the revival of Woodrow Wilson's vision." Independence from Republicans, of course. 

Ward Clark at RedState, DC Police Chief Cooked Crime Books: New Oversight Bombshell Drops. I'm shocked, shocked. At Da Mail, Female judge's career ends in disgrace after she lied that she'd taken part in Operation Desert Storm aged SIXTEEN. At least make your lies plausible. But John Kass nominates the Worst Crooked Judge in the World: Crook County Judge Patricia Martin "Martin is the former judge convicted of swindling an elderly Tuskegee Airman, Mr. Wilkerson, of his life savings. He found out about it after Judge Martin—who had his power of attorney to look out for him and pay his nursing home bills—stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from him. She blew it on bitcoin." CWBChicago @CWBChicago, "From the Department of Special Places in Hell: A former Cook County judge who allegedly swindled an elderly Tuskegee Airman of his life savings was sentenced to probation today." 

At Da Telegraph, Biden ‘ignored warnings about letting terror-linked Afghans into US’. Driscoll at Insty, Coddled Affluent Professional @feelsdesperate, "The reason ‘they’re eating the cats, they’re eating the dogs’ was such a big deal was because it called attention to something crazy the federal government and NGOs were doing which was dropping thousands of immigrants in random towns and cities across the US, changing them radically overnight. No one wanted to admit this was happening and Dems and libs preferred to ignore it but ‘cats and dogs’ was too mimetically powerful and it shifted the focus of the race back onto out of control immigration, a topic Dems desperately wanted to avoid. This is fair in politics and effective even if you find it distasteful. The real issue was never whether neighborhood pets were being eaten but what the hell the Biden administration was doing which turned out to be massive subsidization of an imported labor force that competed with Americans. There’s no purer or more legitimate issue. If you don’t like this type of thing, the media can neutralize it by being relentless and honest in figuring out exactly what the hell is going on and bringing what are legitimate political issues to the fore, rather than trying to sweep them under the rug."

Dave Manney at PJM hears Kristi Noem Fired by 17 Insiders and Counting, but not by Trump. At least so far. 

Jonathan Turley is disgusted CBS Staffers Attack New Anchor as Too White, Straight, Male and Pro-Israel. At Althouse, The ignominious Chia Pet deployed against Bari Weiss. "The headline at Variety is "Big Advertisers Appear Wary of CBS News’ Bari Weiss Town Hall Format." Not only is there that dismissive rhyme — "Wary of... Bari" — there's the attack of the Chia Pet:"

Insty says STARVE ALL YOU WANT, KIDS; "Hunger-striking UC Berkeley lecturer suspended for anti-Israel politicking in class: Leftist students conduct own hunger strike in solidarity: ‘Bring your keffiyeh, flag, signs & friends!’ Or swastikas. Same difference."

At Althouse, Jeffree Star demonstrates how it's done. "On TikTok:" J.K. Rowling @jk_rowling, "Bear with me here, but it's almost as though girls and women who want female-only spaces aren't scaremongering, hysterical, lying bigots after all." The Telegraph, Sexual predators target girls in mixed changing rooms "Dozens of rapes and sexual assaults committed in sports centres, police figures reveal."

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: A Week In The Ruts available for browsing at the usual place and time.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Trump Dumps Biden's CAFE Standards

Da Mail whines it's a Huge win for fans of gas-guzzlers as Trump kills off hated Biden-era rule. Althouse find "Flanked by executives from major automakers in the Oval Office, Mr. Trump said the Transportation Department would significantly weaken fuel efficiency requirements..." ""... for tens of millions of new cars and light trucks. The administration claimed the changes would save Americans $109 billion over five years and shave $1,000 off the average cost of a new car. The Biden administration’s stricter efficiency standards were designed to get more Americans to go electric. But Mr. Trump said they 'forced automakers to build cars using expensive technologies that drove up costs, drove up prices, and made the car much worse. This is a green new scam, and people were paying too much for a car that didn’t work as well.'" From "Trump Returns to Gasoline as Fuel of Choice for Cars, Gutting Biden’s Climate Policy/The president said he would weaken Biden-era mileage standards, which were designed to increase electric-vehicle sales, calling them a 'scam'" (NYT)." Sundance at CTH, President Trump Cancels Joe Biden CAFE Standards Against Auto Industry. VodkaPundit at Insty, GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY: New York Post @nypost "USPS EV fleet behind schedule with $3B in taxpayer funds spent — and only 612 trucks built https://trib.al/tS8Nd3i" Ace, Lefties Continue To Live in Denial, But Gas Prices Are Now Under $2/Gallon in Some Parts of the Country, "When is Trump going to fulfill his campaign promise of reducing inflation? Wait, he already has? Well in that case, when is he going to stop murdering poor innocent narcoterrorist drug smugglers?! Huh, racist?!" 

Stephen Moore says If Young People Want More Affordability, They Should Get Jobs, but what's the fun in that? Driscoll at Insty, HOW IT STARTED: Trump Is the New FDR. . . "How it’s going: Maddow Suggests Trump’s America Is Akin To Japanese Internment. Rich Lowry at NRO, Trump Is the New FDR. "Progressives have long pined for another FDR. Here in the first couple of months of 2025, they’ve gotten one. President Trump’s mad opening dash is like nothing we’ve seen since Franklin Roosevelt’s historic first 100 days." Beege Welborn at Hat Hair likes Playing Smashmouth: AgSec Rollins Taking the Blue States' SNAP. Ace, Trump's Ag Secretary: States Will Either Open Their Books So We Can Detect SNAP Fraud, Or We're Cutting Them Off. "This is huge. Can't wait for a left-wing rogue judge to be "randomly" assigned to the lawsuit and immediately grant an injunction."

Ace woke up and noticed Republican Matt Van Epps Holds On to Win the Tennessee 7 Special Election, But It's A Much Closer Race Than We'd've Hoped "The Democrats are hysterical and frantic and absolutely energized to kill us at the polls -- and maybe in real life too." VodkaPundit at Insty, goes BACK TO THAT TENNESSEE SPECIAL ELECTION ONE MORE TIME: Robby Starbuck @robbystarbuck, "Some will be mad at me for this but I say it out of love for our country… We won the TN special election by less than we should have. If you’ve been to this area, you know it should have been a blowout. And this isn’t a knock on Matt Van Epps. He had lower name ID to begin with and did a good job pulling it out. A lesser candidate would have made it a real nail biter. So why was it close? Many voters are apathetic and have very little enthusiasm on our side. Why? They think our majority in Congress is failing them due to weak leadership, bad priorities & inconsistent messaging . . . " Bonchie @bonchieredstate, "This is going to shock you, but after she lost, Aftyn Behn called up Van Epps and nagged him. This may be the most AWFL thing I’ve ever seen. And I saw that clip from Jennifer Welch’s podcast yesterday." Quote Acyn @Acyn, "Behn: I called the congressman elect, Matt van Epps, and I had one question for him: What will define what happens next? Do not let the affordable care act subsidies expire. Do not raise healthcare costs for working families in Tennessee." Roger Simon calls the Tennessee 7th Race 'Much Ado About Nothing', "Or maybe 'Much Ado About Nothing... Much'" Scott Pinsker at PJM, PR Fallout of the Tennessee Special Election: Here’s What the Media WON’T Tell You. "It would’ve been weirder if the Dems didn’t “over-perform.” The fact that they had every single institutional advantage available and STILL lost by nine points is significant. But we won’t hear too much about that from the mainstream media, will we?" Hat Hair's Dave Strom says remember, Public Polls Are for Entertainment Purposes Only. Well, they're also for propaganda purposes.

From RVM, Dems Hegseth Narrative Blows Up Faster Than A Cartel Boat in the Gulf of America. From Twitchy, Rachel Maddow Has a Theory for Why Trump's Targeting Totally Innocent Fisherman in Rowboats. Breaking911 @Breaking911, "WATCH: Rachel Maddow says the Trump admin. is targeting Venezuelan narco-terrorists to illegally deport people from America "They declared a war. Then, they needed a reason for the war." "Why are we killing people in boats without motors?"" Huh, those speed boats have 3-4 motors costing ~ $30k each. About the cost of one Hellfire missile. Also at Twitchy, Journo David Shuster Continues One-Sided Slap-Fight With Pete Hegseth. RNC Research @RNCResearch, "INSANE Democrat Jack Reed dismisses criminals smuggling illegal drugs into the U.S. as not "narco-terrorists," just people trying to make money. "Usually, people are not significantly involved...It's the way they make money."" The genius of Trump is that he can make Democrats align with the worst of the worst. From Breitbart, ‘Franklin the Turtle’ Publisher Lashes Out at Hegseth Meme. Kurt Schlichter @KurtSchlichter "Long explainer: Let’s examine the emerging “scapegoat” narrative, because it demonstrates the true objective of the Democrat/Regime Media/Fredocon axis - to hurt Trump politically and to stop the changing of the Pentagon from a leftist-supporting social pathology Petri dish back into a patriotic war-fighting force that can effectively prevent the eventual color revolution they are working toward. At the threshold, let’s understand that there was nothing illegal here. Even under the facts as alleged, which change as they keep shifting the goalposts, there was no violation of the law of war. There was no violation of any Geneva Convention, not least because no Geneva Convention applies here. So, everything I say here is simply taking their story du jour and testing it to see if it makes internal sense. It does not, because it’s all baloney. They don’t care. It’s the lie that’s important. . ." At Am Mil News, Trump confirms call with Venezuelan president amid rising tension. Sarah Anderson at PJM says This Dude Maduro Sure Does a Lot of Dancing for Someone With a $50 Million Bounty on His Head. Sundance hosts Secretary of State Marco Rubio Discusses Immigration Vetting, Venezuela Situation and Ukraine-Russia Conflict and Videos Worth Watching – President Trump asked About Witkoff and Kushner Visiting Moscow.

At Hat Hair, a Larry video, Dems Plot Military Coup: Hegseth, Trump Double Down. Amy Curtis at TownHall wonders Did Senator Mark Warner Just Call for a Military Coup? Greg Price @greg_price11, "Sen. Mark Warner: "I think, in many ways, the uniformed military may help save us from this President." They're now just openly calling for military coups against President Trump." From Twitchy, Dem Mark Kelly Is Now Declaring That Unlawful, Illegal Military Orders Have Been Issued Under Trump "Democrat Senator Mark Kelly is taking his sedition to the next level. He’s now claiming that unlawful, illegal orders to the military have been given under President Donald Trump - a clear reference to the manufactured narco-terrorist boat scandal. He’s trying to sow chaos in the military so soldiers question all orders for fear they’ll be prosecuted under a future Democrat administration." From JTN/Center Square, AZ Sen. Mark Kelly says Trump and Hegseth can't silence or bully him "During televised segments Sunday on CNN and NBC, Kelly dismissed criticisms and actions by President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth." PJM's Stephen Kruiser thinks There's a Lot of Entertainment Value in Mark Kelly's Implosion.

Matt Margolis at PJM asks Why Is The Washington Post Defending the National Guard Shooter? and hears a Bombshell Report Reveals Shocking New Motive for DC National Guard Shooter. From PM, Investigators consider potential Taliban blackmail as motive in shooting of National Guard troops: "Lakanwal has family remaining in Afghanistan and investigators are considering as a line of inquiry that he may have had concerns about their safety." Jeff Charles at TownHall sees If This Is What Motivated the National Guard Shooter, the Blowback Could Be Terrifying. Ace, Of Course: Biden Created a Special Exemption So That "Low-Level" Taliban Officials Could Migrate to the US. "Yeah they're Taliban -- members of the radical cult that sheltered bin Ladin and floods the world with heroin -- but they're "low-level" "civil servants" so I'm sure they're cool. BTW, why would Taliban civil servants have to flee the Taliban? It's almost as if the Democrats just want to fill the US with foreign terrorists because they believe we should all be equal in poverty, misery, murder and terror." At the NYPo, Refugee group was warned that DC shooting suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal was spiraling into mania — he got asylum anyway. From Front Page, Pakistani Muslim Terrorist Busted Planning to Shoot Up University of Delaware, "Students had protested ICE enforcement against Muslim terrorist supporters."

Hat Hair's John Sexton hears a Boston Judge Steps In to Rescue Planned Parenthood Again. Why bother with executive and a legislative branches, just let the judges decide what they think it best. At RCP, 'Iryna's Law' and the Bad Judges Who Make It Necessary. From News Wax, Trump: Dems Talking 'Pack' the Court; 'Terminate the Filibuster.'

WokeSpy reports Sen. Ron Johnson Says His Team Was Offered Hunter Biden’s Laptop in 2020 but Declined After FBI Warning. "Johnson described how, in August 2020, shortly before his team was offered the hard drive, the FBI summoned him and Sen. Chuck Grassley for briefings warning them about potential Russian and Ukrainian disinformation. He recalled being told, “you got to be careful about what you hear out of Russia and out of Ukraine, and spread disinformation.”"

From LifeZette, Scott Adams Suggests Kamala Chose Tim Walz Because She Knew He Was Corrupt. From the Slantic, The Operator "Josh Shapiro has spent his life preparing to lead an America that might no longer exist." Beege Welborn hears Californians Scoff: Tim Walz Is Amateur Welfare Fraud Hour Compared to Gruesome Newsom. Mitch Berg at Hat Hair VIP says Sticks And Stones May Break My Bones, But Tim Walz Should Shut Up About Namecalling. Also at Hat Hair, Trump: Somali Community Has 'Destroyed Minnesota' Under Walz and Frey. Breitbart reports the St. Paul Mayor: Fraud Charges Show Federal Agents ‘Not Adding Value’, Doing ‘Opposite.’ Ace, Fascist Government Shows Its Authoritarianism By Responding to Voters' Wishes, "Kristi Noem says "We don't want them [third world criminal immigrants]." Dave Strom considers the question Should Presidents Call Groups of People Garbage? If the shoe fits. LHGrey @grey4626, "Ilhan, Your recent proclamation that "Somali Americans are here to stay" is a mendacious assertion, a fabrication woven from the threads of delusion and despair. It is a lie, plain and simple, and one that will not withstand the relentless march of truth and justice. These individuals, these so-called "Somali Americans," are not indelibly woven into the fabric of this nation. They are transients, interlopers, parasites feeding off the lifeblood of a country that was never meant to be their sanctuary. . . " Beege Welborn again, Jayapal and Friends Trying to Spring Illegals From Detention WIth Taxpayer Funded Lawyers. NottheBee, Minneapolis mayor suggests he won't cooperate with federal law enforcement while speaking Somali. Libs of TikTok @libsoftiktok, "Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara says that Somalians should call 911 if ICE shows up wearing masks to make arrests. He says police will "immediately respond" and "intervene." Interfering with immigration enforcement is a CRIME." At WaEx, Byron York on immigration law: Federal government has enforcement authority. Based Jessica @RealJessica, "Reporter tries to use the words “undocumented immigrant”, then Governer Ron DeSantis shames him into using the correct words “illegal aliens”. This is how every politician should handle it when dealing with far left reporter."

At Hat Hair, Waah: CNN Spazzing Over White House Media Page. Overton @overton_news, "CNN is already frantic over the Trump administration’s new webpage exposing media bias. Brian Stelter practically spiraled on air...insisting over and over that the real goal was to “delegitimize the media.” At the bottom of the screen, CNN slapped on a dramatic chyron: “White House launches webpage that targets reporters.” And Stelter spent the entire doing everything in his power to discredit the effort to hold the media accountable for inaccuracies. “To delegitimize the media. I would say it’s to delegitimize the media.” “This media bias monitor is being produced at taxpayer expense. It’s a featured part of the White House website, and it’s about trying to tarnish and demean various news outlets.”" Beege Welborn sees Scott Bessent Eviscerates the Old Grey Lady on Her Own Stage “Andrew, there’s no new normal,” adding that he has stopped reading the paper but that the articles sent his way prove to him the outlet is “just this fever swamp.” “You know, in twenty, thirty, forty, fifty years The New York Times is no longer the paper of record,” he predicted. “I read this article, like ‘President Trump is slowing down. President Trump’s mental capacity –’ It is a hundred percent fake. Like he only called me twice at two in the morning last week instead of three times.” Real Clear Defense is clearly angered by The Washington Post’s Attack on Veterans’ Integrity. 

Althouse finds "Republicans and Democrats are now nearly unanimous in believing the other party has gone too far with its rhetoric and are much more likely to think this than in 2011." ""Ninety-four percent of Democrats, compared with 74% in 2011, now say Republicans and their supporters have gone too far, and 93% of Republicans (vs. 63% in 2011) say the same about Democrats and their supporters. In contrast, partisans are disinclined to believe their own party has gone too far with its rhetoric and are no more likely now than in 2011 to hold this view. Today, 36% of Republicans believe the GOP and its supporters’ rhetoric has gone too far, compared with 32% in 2011. And Democrats are less likely now (28%) than in 2011 (45%) to say their party’s rhetoric has been too inflammatory." From "More Americans Say Political Rhetoric Has Gone Too Far/69% say Republicans', 60% say Democrats' inflammatory criticism of opponents has gone too far" (Gallup)."

From Hat Hair's John Sexton, Trans Woman Found Guilty of Child Abuse, Claims Jury Was 'Hypnotized'. Pop Times, New York Pastor Announces Gender Transition During Sunday Service. Ace sees A Man Brutalized a Woman and Put Her In the Hospital. In a Private Conversation, She Called Her Attacker a "Faggot." She Was Arrested. "In the UK, of course. Another "non-crime hate incident" prosecution. You're not allowed to use harsh language when describing the thug who beat the shit out of you, you see."

Find even more at the Wombat's In The Mailbox: 12.03.25. The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Old Trucks & Young Babes (Part 2 of n) and FMJRA 2.0: Another Winning Week up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Tattoo Thursday

Times of India, Indraxi Kanjilal talks about her love for tattoos; “I choose not to get tattoos of God on my body at all”

Young actress Indraxi Kanjilal, who is better known as Prathana from the show Pushpa Impossible, has three tattoos so far and plans to have more in the coming years. She elaborates,” I have three tattoos so far. I don’t know what will happen in the future, maybe I’ll get more. But for now, I only have these three.The first tattoo I got was when I was just 15. I knew the woman who was getting the tattoo done. She was a good person and a known tattoo artist. At that age, I wasn't allowed to get a tattoo, but I requested a lot and she finally agreed. That tattoo is a small heart on the left side of my chest. It’s very beautiful and meaningful to me. It holds a lot of emotions and memories and is very close to my heart.The other two tattoos I got were after I turned 17, to celebrate my birthday. Both are on my fingers. One is a star on my right finger because I love stars they’re magical and beautiful. The second one says “Indiva” with a heart and heartbeat design. I created the word "Indiva" when I was around 15 or 16. It means your “inner diva.” I’ve always dreamt of starting a company with that name when I grow older and become financially independent.

Hooray for Bollywood!

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Overall Beauty up more or less on time and under budget.

Thursday Tanlines

At Da Mail, Vogue Williams flaunts her bronzed figure in her underwear in stunning new photoshoot

Vogue Williams showcased her bronzed physique and toned legs, as she stripped to her underwear for a sizzling new photoshoot for her fake tan brand.

The TV presenter, 39, launched Bare By Vogue back in 2019, and has now revealed all her top tanning tips to fans.

In an accompanying photos, the mother-of-three posed up a storm at home, first in a white bra and matching underwear that displayed her long legs and flat midriff.

Back in college, I discovered potassium permanganate makes a pretty good artificial tanning agent and it's germacidal. Of course, it took a lab accident to figure that out.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: In & Out up at The Other McCain.