Flotsam and Jetsam - Platner's Next Boot Falls a Credible Rape Tale

The Nazi-tattooed, oyster shuckin' nepo baby with the rough beard, and rougher voice, Graham Platner, who was recently voted the Democrat nominee for Maine's senate seat currently held by Susan Collins, after credible allegations of sexual abuse from a woman allied to conservatives, has now been accused of a home invasion and rape by a woman aligned with the Democrats, five years ago. Way to pick 'em! This is allegedly one of the allegations that the NYT knew about, but chose not to run when they ran the first allegation. Ace, Herr Docktor Bugfokker Cancels Campaign Events as Unknown Parties Begin Polling the Strength of Other Candidates to Replace Graham Platner "There are rumors of a fresh Graham Platner scandal about to drop, even as the drop-dead deadline for replacing a candidate in Maine fast approaches. (I believe the deadline is July 13.)" Matt Vespa at TownHall, The Latest Graham Platner Allegation Just Dropped at Politico.

That night in late 2021, she said she had exchanged text messages with him and told him not to come over, saying she wasn’t in the mood for company. Later that evening, she said she realized when she heard a sound on the stairs that he had let himself into her house, which was unlocked.

Platner came up the stairs, Racicot said, to where she was on a couch. He got on top of her and kept grabbing her, she said, while she repeatedly told him to stop and that she wasn’t interested. Racicot said she smelled alcohol on his breath and believed he was “almost blackout drunk” because Platner ignored her protests and continued to grab her after knocking over an antique sewing kit, spilling small needles everywhere.

“I had been telling him these words, like: ‘No, don’t,’” she recalled. “And, the look on his face and realizing what was happening, I just realized that, like, I am in a situation where there’s no consent here,” she said.

Racicot said she tried to separate herself from Platner by telling him she couldn’t be in that room anymore, after which he followed her to her bedroom and had sex with her against her will. She said he also ejaculated inside of her despite her telling him not to, as she was not using birth control at the time.

She went to clean herself up, she said, and when she returned, Platner had fallen asleep. She contemplated waking him up to kick him out, but worried he could hurt someone driving in the state he was in.

The following morning, she said, Platner tried to put his arm around her and she pushed him away. She said she asked him whether he remembered what had happened the previous night; according to Racicot, Platner said he didn’t remember. Racicot said she told him to leave and never contact her again.

Sundance at CTH, Woman Who Previously Dated Maine Democrat Candidate Graham Platner Says He Raped Her. Scott Jennings @ScottJenningsKY, "Breaking and entering followed by a credible rape allegation is how I read this." Quote Politics & Poll Tracker @PollTracker2024, "Politico: Woman who dated Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her The Maine Democrat denied the allegations and said, “Any accusation of non-consensual behavior is categorically untrue.” Ace, Graham Platner: Any Suggestion That I Strong-Arm Raped Someone After Bursting Into Her Home Uninvited Is Categorically False, But I'm Now Working Out a "Path Forward" from This Totally False Accusation, "No one who speaks German could be an evil man. Unfortunately, this comes a week too soon." VodkaPundit at PJM asks Is Platner Out? Capt. Ed at Hat Hair, Nazi-Tatted Kik Creep Canceling Campaign Events: UPDATE: Date Rape? UPDATE: Platner Responds. At NRO, Graham Platner Reflecting on ‘Path Forward’ After Latest Bombshell Sexual Assault Allegation. Ben Whedon at JTN asserts Platner planning to drop out of Maine Senate race: Report. "Platner has faced a period of poor media coverage over his previous Reddit posts and Totenkopf tattoo." Cynical Publius @CynicalPublius, "Apparently pseudo-oyster farmer and Maine Democrat Senatorial candidate Graham Platner is dropping out of the race against incumbent Susan Collins. A breaking news story says he sexually assaulted a former girlfriend. The real story here is that the Democrats were so desperate to capture the vote of actual men with normal testosterone levels that they nominated a guy with an SS Nazi tattoo, a history of misogyny and bizarre online sexual comments, and a record of sexual assault. After their foray with the masculinity of Fancy Tim Walz, that was the best they could do. The Democrat Party is toxic to actual men." Matt Margolis at PJM, Here’s What Graham Platner Doesn’t Want You to Know About His Accuser, " "She told Politico she wrestled with coming forward because of it. "One of the reasons I didn't come forward sooner was, the huge moral conflict that I had between supporting his politics, but not supporting him as a person," she said. "I just want the truth out there. I just want people to have a whole scope of who he is as a person.""

At Hat Hair John Sexton sees The Left is Starting to Back Away from Graham Platner. Althouse "A wave of prominent Democrats, from Platner’s most progressive allies to top Democratic leadership, are bailing on his Senate campaign..." "... after POLITICO reported that a woman who dated him said he forced her to have sex with him...." Ruben Gallego @RubenGallego, "The allegations against Graham Platner are troubling and deeply serious. I am rescinding my endorsement." Quote Bethany S. Mandel @bethanyshondark "Why didn’t you rescind it a month ago when they were made by a conservative woman?" Larry Correia @monsterhunter45, "Don't let them distance themselves now. These shit heads knew Platner was scum the whole time and made excuses for him. Who could have possibly imagined that a dude with a nazi tattoo on his chest would have a history of poor life choices? Not the DNC. ..." Quote Libs of TikTok @libsoftiktok, "It’s happening The Left decided Platner isn’t useful to them anymore So they had Politico drop a new rape claim then had media outlets amplify , and now they will all suddenly condemn him and withdraw their endorsements almost simultaneously. It’s all coordinated. So obvious." Northern Barbarian @xnoesbueno, "Platner is to the Dems what dog rape is to NYT and Nick Kristoff. An obvious fraud they not only fell for but gave a full-throated defense. Which will always be fun to trot out." Quote Jon Favreau @jonfavs, "Platner needs to drop out ASAP - these are awful, credible allegations. Said on the pod after the (also credible) June NYT story that his biggest problem going forward would be credibility. It's now abundantly clear that he just hasn't been honest about his past and can't be x.com/grahamformaine…" Enguerrand VII de Coucy @ingelramdecoucy, "Hope somebody’s got an archive, because the gaslights are about to start flickering." Quote Steven Godofsky @sgodofsk, "Don't look now but matt yglesias deleted all his tweets defending platner's nazi tattoo." Legal Phil @Legal_Fil, "Not only will they pretend that they never supported Platner, they’ll demand credit for his being forced to drop out. And they’ll hold up Platner’s dropping out as an example of what makes their side morally better than the side that didn’t nominate a woman-abusing Nazi." Quote Erick Erickson @EWErickson, "I've seen this movie before. The Nazi drops out after everyone has admitted he's a Nazi and the people who supported the Nazi pretend they never supported him." Charles C. W. Cooke @charlescwcooke, "Exactly. That’s coming next. They’ll say that his dropping out shows that his movement is morally superior. Much as they now say “despite what you wingnuts said, Obama didn’t pass any gun control,” as if that was by choice, not because he was stopped." Bonchie @bonchieredstate, "The NYTs is a dumpster. Awful." Quote AG @AGHamilton29, "The politico story confirms that the NYT writers had the details of the sexual assault but chose to omit them and instead focus their article overwhelmingly on the claims from LF so that they can just be spun as a partisan attack. Would be interested to see the communication." Noam Blum @neontaster, "The next time you see Graham Platner will be his announcement of dropping out. The next time after that will be his interview on Tucker about how AIPAC and the Epstein Class did this to him."

At Althouse, "New York City bodega owners came to City Hall last week for a 'roundtable discussion' at the invitation of Julie Su, deputy mayor for economic justice..." ""... only to get barraged with 'intrusive' questions about their businesses, a source close to the situation said.... 'What items are sold the most at your stores?'... 'Where is your profit margin the greatest?' sources said. The bodega reps declined to answer.... From "Mamdani officials scramble to ease concerns about public supermarkets — but local business leaders aren’t buying it" (NY Post)." As VodkaPundit puts it, New York Bodega Owners to City: Drop Dead! A Larry vid at Hat Hair, Mamdani's Failed Stunt Is Becoming a Nightmare for Him. Cynical Publius @CynicalPublius, "Marxism is much more than an economic program. Marxism is, first and foremost, a social reengineering program that uses a denial of objective truth as a path to power and control. Marxists deny that law and morality have any basis in verifiable, immutable, objective truth. Instead, they view law and morality as fungible concepts manipulated by whomever is in charge as a means to power. ...." As TownHall's Amy Curtis notes 'Real Socialism' Was Tried in Venezuela, and It Failed. Quotulatiousness observes Progressives are only against “some people” getting wealthy. Rob Henderson @robkhenderson, "It’s criminal the CEO makes 400X what the average worker makes but it’s perfectly fine that Taylor Swift makes 100000X more than the people who clean the arena after her concerts. A just society is one that rewards the exceptional qualities of the musician but not the executive." Scott McKay at Am Spec, Yes, They’re Communists, and Yes, They’re Lying About It. For Now. "The label promises reform. The ideology points toward something far more radical."

As you may have heard, the US Soccer team lost 4-1 to the Belgian team after the big red card controversy involving none other than Donald Trump. They were just clearly outplayed by the Belch, despite still having their best player. Now we can go back to ignoring soccer for another four years. (Well, I don't get to, because Gabby is enrolled in parks and rec girls soccer.) Capt. Ed calls it Too Fun to Check: Belgians Blue Over Red-Card Trump. Sundance thinks it's BRILLIANTLY EUROPEAN – Belgium Files World Cup Appeal to Block U.S. Team from Fielding its Best Players. Northern Barbarian @xnoesbueno, "OK, apparently heads of state stepping in to protect their national teams from rotten FIFA officiating is a thing." The Sun (UK), MEXICAN SAVE Keir Starmer stepped in to stop Fifa bringing forward England kick-off as he feared Mexico were trying to gain advantage. Becca Lower at RedState hears Marco Rubio Puts on a Masterclass When Asked About FIFA Reversing Red Card for USMNT's Balogun.

Adrianne Curry @AdrianneCurry, "Lets pretend Patriot Front is real. Is their crime....waving flags and walking around pretending to be cool? Lol." Hat Hair's Dave Strom noticed The Web Was Flooded With Patriot Front Photos on July 4th, and It Was Ridiculous and  OK, This Is Too Funny. The Left's New 'Hero' Has a Rap Sheet, for indecent exposure. Ace, Hot New #RaceHoax Drops, The Left Is So Excited You Guys. "She's a homeless woman with a conviction for indecent exposure. (Just the sort of person you could bribe with five dollars to sit on a particular subway car and look saintfully at the camera.) Also, previous video of her shows her holding open her anus -- there's no delicate way to say it, sorry -- while screaming."

Ace reports Formerly-Famous Leftwing Non-Celebrities Spend Entire Fourth of July Weekend Obsessing Over (Get This) Trump, "Sorry to drop that huge surprise on you without a warning. Star of Seabiscuit Sarah Jessica Parker joined some other obsessives reading parts of an anti-Trump book and congratulating themselves for their Demonic Virtue." TownHall's Joe Chalfant sees These Patriots Refused to Surrender Their Independence Day Celebrations to a Summer Storm. 

Also from Ace, Mitch McConnell Has Died? But, Joe Chalfant wonders How Did This Mistake Already Happen Again? Brad Johnson @bradj_TX, "Published-too-early pre-writes are having a renaissance right now." Quote Politics & Poll Tracker @PollTracker2024, "The Hill publishes premature article titled “DO NOT USE: A lookback at Mitch McConnell’s time in the Senate” amid rumors over McConnell’s health." He's clearly not well, but he may or may not be dead.  A never-Trumper, and a consummate politician, and therefore an asshole, I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for him for blocking Merrick Garland's Supreme Court nomination.

Sundance notices Toyota Positions – Shifts Truck Plant from Mexico to Texas and Canada Awards $20 to $30 Billion Submarine Contract to German Company TKMS.

John Sexton at Hat Hair claims Russia's Largest Oil Refinery in Flames. Putin's war is going so well.

NYPo ed board says Iran has made it perfectly clear that the same old sick regime is still in charge. It's past time to peel a few more layers off the Mullocracy and IRGC. Dave Strom and Hey, About That 'Death to America' Thing... It doesn't encourage us to be nice. William A. Jacobson @wajacobson, "Max Blumenthal is in Tehran celebrating with the regime. Andrew Breitbart had him pegged in 2010 - "you have been programmed by some ungodly creature to be this character of hatred""

Mia Cathell at WaEx sees the irony in Woman who wrote book on healthcare fraud sentenced in $136 million Medicare scheme.

Hans Mahncke at Da Fed thinks the  SCOTUS Birthplace Citizenship Decision Is John Roberts’ Roe v. Wade. Law and Liberty calls it Birthright Blunders. Dave Strom asks What Does It Mean to Say Somebody Has a 'Right' to Something

Ace disturbed that Female Cops Beaten Up While Trying to Break Up "Teen Takeover" in North Charleston. "I don't think woke police forces are working." Send social workers... But Bob Hoge at RedState is gratified Newport Beach Drops the Hammer on July 4 Rioters: This Isn't LA.

Vivid. @VividProwess, "A Muslim Palestinian ripping down American flags across New York City as the crowd cheers. The “Free Palestine” terrorist movement hates America." Driscoll at Insty sees EDDIE GLAUDE STRIKE AGAIN: Trump and Vance Are ‘The Devil Who Has Us by the Throat.’ "Princeton professor Eddie Glaude is at it again. Last week on MS NOW, he smeared America as a “white republic” built on “greed and selfishness and grift and hatred.” On Sunday’s edition of The Weekend, Glaude described JD Vance and Donald Trump as “the devil who has us by the throat” and “white nationalists, for sure.” “The Devil?” Isn’t he the guy to whom Saul Alinsky dedicated Rules for Radicals? Aren’t all the white nationalists “for sure” being funded by the lefties at the SPLC?"

The Wombat has FMJRA 2.0: Slowly I Turn up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Maryland, My Maryland

 Balmer Sun, Sheriffs vow to keep working with ICE even after Moore signs bill banning 287(g)

Even after Gov. Wes Moore signs a bill banning official agreements between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement across Maryland, as he’s expected to do, many local sheriffs say they will continue to work with ICE in whatever informal, legal capacity they can. “No politician or legislative body is going to tell me that I can’t communicate with another law enforcement agency on matters of public safety in my community,” Carroll County Sheriff James T. “Jim” DeWees said. “I’m not going to stop.”

The bill banning 287(g) agreements, passed by the Maryland General Assembly Thursday, is set to take effect immediately after Moore signs it. Sheriffs in the nine jurisdictions with 287(g) agreements said they would comply with the bill and end their agreements, but emphasized they would continue to communicate and work with ICE in a legal capacity, and also explore legal challenges to the bill.

“This is all political,” said Frederick County Sheriff Charles A. “Chuck” Jenkins. “You can put any lipstick you want on it; it’s all political. The Democrats don’t want any cooperation with ICE. They don’t want any enforcement whatsoever.” Jenkins and DeWees are both Republicans; Moore is a Democrat. All three are running for reelection this year.

The 287(g) agreements give ICE authority over state and local law enforcement to perform immigration enforcement duties. Nine Maryland counties have agreements with ICE: Frederick, Allegany, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Garrett, St. Mary’s, Washington and Wicomico.

Cecil, Frederick and Harford operate under a “jail model,” which authorizes correctional officers to screen detainees for immigration status and contact ICE. The other six counties use the “warrant model,” under which officers cooperate with ICE only when there is an active Department of Homeland Security warrant.

The sheriffs warn that once ICE agreements are ended, an increased ICE presence in communities and street apprehensions will become the norm.

Jenkins, who said he has the longest-running 287(g) program in the country, said he expects more “criminal elements” to enter and operate in Maryland as a result of this bill’s approval. “There will be protections here for them, so I think you’re going to see an influx of criminals, people with criminal intent, maybe criminal gangs, transnational criminal gangs,” Jenkins said.

DeWees, who entered into a 287(g) agreement about a year ago, said no deputy or police officer in Carroll County “runs around and helps with immigration enforcement.” County policy prohibits it.  Once the agreement is void, he predicts “public safety chaos, like we’re seeing in Minneapolis.” “ICE is going to be up here searching for them in the community,” DeWees said.

Notable here is that the counties mentioned are all in the more rural pink areas of Maryland. I'm a bit surprised (and disappointed) that Calvert County, also pink, is not mentioned. The blue urban counties, Balmer, Monkey and PG, are all content to allow illegal aliens to commit crimes against their legal residents.  

Maryland, My Maryland

From the Free Bacon, ‘We’re Not Criminalizing the Unhoused’: How a Homeless Encampment and Drug Dealers Are Destroying a Local Condominium Complex and Turning Its Residents’ Lives Upside Down

The sign outside the Marylander Condominiums, a 200-unit complex in Prince George’s County, Md., describes it as a "private community."

But for members of a homeless encampment in the condo’s backyard, the complex also serves as a crackhouse, a bathroom, and the entrance to an open-air drug market, which has become a magnet for organized crime and caused millions in property damage.

Transients break into buildings and smoke crack in the stairwells. Tenants traversing the property must navigate needles, feces, and sleeping bodies as addicts nap half-naked in the hallways and sprawl themselves like welcome mats outside residents’ doors.

Half of the complex has gone without heat since Thanksgiving after vagrants allegedly vandalized the boiler room, causing pipes to burst in several buildings. Some units have lost electricity, too, due to the overuse of space heaters. Though the county instructed those without heat to "vacate immediately" in December, most have defied the order and tried to weather the cold. They say they have nowhere else to go. . . .

Long and short?  "Prince George’s County, Md, is going to court to evict legal residents over damage allegedly caused by the camp."

Palm Sunday

 With Jala Sue:

Meanwhile, palm trees continue their war on humanity, NBC Miami, Miami-Dade deputy hurt in rollover crash after crashing into palm tree

It happened at around 3:25 a.m. in the area of Northwest 21st Avenue and Northwest 74th Street in Gladeview. The sheriff's office said the on-duty deputy was driving north on Northwest 22nd Avenue when they hit the tree, causing the vehicle to rollover. The deputy was able to get out of their marked vehicle "with lacerations to the upper extremities."

No word yet on how the dastardly palm tree caused the collision.

Linked at Pirate's Cove in the weekly Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup and links. The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: It’s Always Warm & Sunny Somewhere up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

Maryland, My Maryland

Frederick County Sheriff Charles “Chuck” Jenkins

WaPoo, DOJ drops case against Maryland sheriff charged in machine gun plot

Federal prosecutors dropped their criminal case against a county sheriff in Maryland who had been accused of working with the owner of a gun shop to illegally obtain machine guns by using law enforcement credentials, and then renting them out to make money, according to a court filing. “Today, the government finally did the right thing,” Frederick County Sheriff Charles “Chuck” Jenkins said Tuesday. “This has been pure hell for myself and my entire family and even my friends.”

The request to drop the case, granted by U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher, came after a co-defendant, a Maryland gun dealer, was acquitted at trial last month.A spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney’s office in Maryland declined to comment on why the case was dropped. Jenkins, 68, has long maintained his innocence. “For 587 days, I’ve been the target of a malicious and I believe a political persecution,” he said Tuesday.

In office since 2006, Jenkins long ago became a central figure in Frederick, known for his flattop haircut and presence at funerals, carnivals, block parties and resident meetings. He staked out an aggressive stance on detaining undocumented immigrants who are charged with crimes, which made him a national voice on that debate while sharpening opinions of him at home.

That could make him a target of the Biden administration.

Jenkins took a brief leave of absence after the investigation became public last year but returned to running the sheriff’s office a short time later and remained in charge for much of the case. He said that was encouraged to not give in by his family, friends, supporters — and others — and compared the criminal case to the assassination attempt against Donald Trump. “I feel like this was an assassination attempt very similar to President Trump on July 13th,” he said. “I really do, in retrospect. It was a near miss. I was injured and I was bloodied, but I didn’t give up the fight.”

The case against Jenkins centered on claims that he had falsified paperwork related to machine gun demonstrations. More specifically, federal authorities alleged that Robert Krop, owner of the Machine Gun Nest, a gun range and retail shop in Frederick, worked with Jenkins to produce phony letters that were submitted to gun regulators at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The letters ostensibly sought a demonstration at Krop’s range for specific machine guns that the sheriff’s office might want to purchase, according to court filings by prosecutors. The models included a belt-fed model authorities said was designed for combat.

Krop also maintained his innocence, launched an aggressive defense and was found not guilty on all five counts at trial last month. In a statement Tuesday, Krop’s attorney, Daniel Cox, said that case had been brought with “vexatious, frivolous, and bad-faith false charges.” 

In earlier court filings, Cox had cast the matter as an attack on gun rights. “Should the Biden Administration’s vindictive prosecution of Mr. Krop and/or Sheriff Jenkins result in shuttering the primary firearms business in Frederick, Md., or the Sheriff’s resignation or removal from office, it well knows that a chill over the exercise of Second Amendment rights will be felt,” Cox wrote.

Prosecutors countered that such “political statements” had “nothing to do with either the law or the facts in this case.”

My ass. So, did the DOJ see the train (Donald J Trump) at the end of the tunnel, and decide to end this prosecution before he did?

More from Tom Knighton at Bearing Arms, Maryland Sheriff's Experiences Hopefully Example of What WON'T Happen Going Forward

Oregon, My Oregon - Portland Police Prepare for Election Riot Season

KATU 2, Portland police unveil new rapid response team ahead of election

With the election just 25 days away, KATU is getting a look inside the Portland Police Bureau's new Rapid Response Team to deal with crowd control.

There is concern Portland could see unrest in the Rose City after Election Day, with riots and protests like the election in 2020 and during the pandemic.

That's why Portland Police Chief Bob Day reinstituted the team in June of this year.

Since then, more than 50 officers have been training once a month.

Riots in Portland? I wonder why they might expect that? Does it even matter who wins?  

Random Celebrity News

For some values of "random", "celebrity" and "news." First, at RVM, Livvy Dunne Gets $9.5 Million From NCAA NIL, Has Bigger Plans

Olivia “Livvy” Dunne, 21, a gymnast at Louisiana State University (LSU), has made history as the highest-earning female college athlete, thanks to the NCAA’s new “name, image, and likeness” (NIL) rules. Since the NIL guidelines changed in 2021, Dunne has earned an estimated $9.5 million. Known for her skill in gymnastics and her large social media presence, Dunne has built a brand that reaches millions of followers.

Despite receiving her undergraduate degree in the spring, Dunne has chosen to stay at LSU for one more year, aiming to help lead the Lady Tigers to another
gymnastics title after winning the NCAA championship in 2023.

However, her plans go beyond gymnastics, as she’s focused on building a long-lasting brand. “I feel like [Sports Illustrated] is something that can last beyond college,” Dunne said, referring to her debut in the 2023 edition of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

 Rusty Weiss at Bounding into Sports reports LPGA Star Charley Hull Just Got Permission To Smoke During The Solheim Cup

LPGA golfer Charley Hull, who some fans might argue is already “smoking”, just got permission to burn a few heaters during match play at the Solheim Cup. And if you know Charley, you know that means she’s going to rip ’em like there’s no tomorrow. John Daly must be shedding a little tear right now as we speak.

For those not familiar with it, the Solheim Cup is the women’s equivalent of the Ryder Cup. Europe has dominated of late. The United States hasn’t hoisted the Cup since 2017.

Hull was initially banned from smoking during tournament play but now has permission this weekend to rip darts while walking down the fairway. European team captain Suzanne Pettersen said she’s perfectly fine with Hull smoking during the Solheim Cup.

Another from RVN,  Leaked Contract: Is the Swift-Kelce Romance Just Another Hollywood Production? Do I believe it? Not yet. Would I be shocked? No.

Rumors are swirling yet again in the world of celebrity romance, with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and pop icon Taylor Swift at the center of it all. This time, it’s not their whirlwind romance that’s grabbing headlines but a suspicious document that claims their relationship has an expiration date—September 28, to be exact, as reported by Fox News.

According to this so-called leaked contract from Full Scope PR, a Los Angeles-based firm, the breakup is scheduled, and there’s even a detailed plan for how to handle the media fallout. The document first surfaced on Reddit, of all places, and quickly spread like wildfire across social media. It claims to outline three key messaging points: “Respect and Privacy,” “Professional Focus,” and “Personal Growth.”

Oh, and just in case the breakup doesn’t go smoothly, the PR firm supposedly already has a statement ready for major outlets: “Travis and Taylor have decided to part ways after careful consideration. They both value and respect each other’s personal lives and appreciate your respect for privacy during this time.” Of course, this “statement” would be shared with all the usual suspects in the media to ensure the story reaches far and wide.

From BIC, ‘Agatha All Along’ Star Claims Show Will Be A New Chapter for Marvel’s ‘Queer’ Representation: “I Do Think There’s A Lot of Queerness In Witches” Like we needed more.

According to Sasher Zamata, Disney+’s upcoming entry Agatha All Along will be a new chapter in LGBT representation for Marvel. The star makes the connection via witches and other communities historically finding themselves on the outside of society throughout the centuries.

Whether that drive will affect the quality of the show overall is anyone’s guess. Though this wouldn’t be the first push for Marvel.

 RVN, Heroic Female Police Sergeant Saved 49ers WR’s Life, Prayed Together

49ers rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was critically injured during an attempted robbery that escalated to violence on Saturday. Pearsall, who was drafted in the first round by the 49ers this year, was shot in the chest by a 17-year-old suspect while walking back to his vehicle after shopping in the city’s upscale Union Square area.

Sgt. Joelle Harrell of the San Francisco Police Department, who was in proximity when the shooting occurred, responded immediately upon hearing the gunshots.

In a recount to the San Francisco Chronicle, Harrell described her swift actions to provide critical first aid to the injured NFL player. Upon arriving at the scene, she found Pearsall shirtless and bleeding profusely. She quickly used Pearsall’s shirt to press against the wound on his chest and her cap to cover the exit wound on his back.

At The Mix, Demi Moore, 61, Says She Felt Pushed Out by Hollywood After She Turned 40

“I had done Charlie’s Angels, and there was a lot of conversation around this scene in a bikini, and it was all very heightened, a lot of talk about how I looked,” Moore said while speaking to the actress Michelle Yeoh in a conversation for Interview Magazine. Moore was 40 when she made Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, which came out in 2003.

“And then I found that there didn’t seem to be a place for me. I didn’t feel like I didn’t belong,” she continued. “It’s more like I felt that feeling of, ‘I’m not 20, I’m not 30,’ but I wasn’t yet what they perceived as a mother.”

At the time, Moore was actually a mother of three daughters whom she shared with Bruce Willis. Moore went on to say that her 40s were a time when she felt “not dead, but flat” in the industry.

Breitbart,  WATCH — ‘Punk Move’: Tennis Star Yulia Putintseva Booed for Reaction to Ball Girl at U.S. Open

Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva got negative reactions during and after an awkward moment with a ball girl on Saturday at the U.S. Open.  The incident happened amid her third-round match against Italy’s Jasmine Paolini when Putintseva exhibited a poor attitude toward the young woman as she was losing in a second set, the New York Post reported on Monday.

Video footage shows the moment the ball girl holds up tennis balls for Putintseva who does not react when the young woman tosses them at her. Moments later, the tennis player catches a third ball and boos can be heard coming from the stands.

 

Social media users were quick to react to the incident, with one person calling Putintseva “Entitled.” Another user deemed it a “Punk move” while someone else said, “This is what happen when we live in a world where someone who just hits a ball with a rack gets paid more the people who save lives everyday.”

Following the backlash, Putintseva, who is Russian-born, issued an apology and explained what happened, the Telegraph reported on Monday. In her social media post, she said

I want to apologize to the ball girl for the way I was, when she was giving me balls. Honestly speaking it was not about her. I was really p—– off at myself for not winning the game from the breakpoint and then got empty with my emotions and deep in my thoughts, that I was not even focusing on what’s going on and who gives me the ball. All the ball kids was [sic] doing amazing as always at the Open.

The Post article noted that “Paolini went on to win in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.” Putintseva reportedly has a “fiery history” on and off the tennis court, according to the Daily Mail.

 The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Moving Indoors up on time and under budget.

Forget It Jake, It's Baltimore

Korryn and Kodi Gaines

The Balmer Sun, ‘Qualified immunity’ protects police in shooting of Korryn Gaines’ son, Supreme Court of Maryland rules

Maryland’s highest court has ruled that a Baltimore County officer who shot and injured a 5-year-old boy in a 2016 standoff with his mother cannot be held liable for violating his due process rights under the 14th Amendment.

Police fatally shot Korryn Gaines after a six-hour standoff in which Gaines, accompanied by her young son Kodi, brandished a shotgun at officers from inside her Randallstown apartment. Kodi was struck by a bullet police fired through a wall that ricocheted and hit his face. 

In 2018, county jurors found that it was unreasonable for Cpl. Royce Ruby to fire through the wall at Gaines and awarded her son about $32 million. After a circuit court judge overturned that verdict, years of appeals followed. A later ruling ordered the county to pay Kodi only about $400,000, plus interest.

The most recent twist in the legal saga hinged on qualified immunity, a legal doctrine that protects government officials from liability while performing their duties unless they violate a constitutional right that was “clearly established” law at the time.

Under the state Supreme Court’s ruling Tuesday, the lower award stands.

Kodi’s lawyers said they will appeal. We’re disappointed in the five-to-two opinion, but we will be pursuing all available appellate rights, including the [U.S.] Supreme Court,” attorney Leslie D. Hershfield said Wednesday.

Gregory Dolin, a law professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law, said it’s difficult to say whether the nation’s high court would take up a case hinging on qualified immunity, a judicial doctrine that has its critics across the ideological spectrum.

What a sad case. I don't think shooting blindly through walls is justified, particularly if an innocent child is known to be behind them. I suspect though, that in the long run, Kodi will more than get his money out of the system. I'd rather have cops have qualified immunity than prosecutors or judges.

Tattoo Thursday

NYPo, NJ state trooper with giant Hitler-related neck tattoo is fired following probe into white supremacist ties

A New Jersey state trooper with a giant neck tattoo citing a well-known Hitler Youth slogan was fired by the department last year following an investigation into the ink and his other white supremacist-linked tattoos.

Trooper Jason Dare was let go from the department on Nov. 27 after nearly two decades on the job, according to a newly published annual state police disciplinary report and an NJ.com report.

Dare’s shocking body art was only flagged by the department after New Jersey State Police put out a public missing persons alert for the trooper in March 2023 after he left a Pennsylvania medical facility and disappeared.

The detective, who was described as “missing and endangered” in the alert, was found safe days later.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Pyjamarama up at The Other McCain.

Flotsam and Jetsam - Trump Rallies New Jersey

Normally, I don't get too excited about rallies, having long avoided them personally, but this was pretty big, with a crowd of 80-100 thousand at Wildwood New Jersey, during a weekend break in his Manhattan trial on the "Stormy Daniels" NDA, or really, the bookkeeping entries thereof. Rick Moran at PJM, Trump Draws 100,000 to Rally on Jersey Shore. "Donald Trump lost the state of New Jersey by 16 points in 2020. Judging by the turnout at this rally in Wildwood on the Jersey shore, it appears that New Jersey is going to be a lot less blue in November. It was the largest political rally in the history of New Jersey." At Da Caller, Trump Draws Nearly 100K To New Jersey Rally. Andrea Widburg at Am Think thinks about President Trump’s NJ rally, and what it portends for the coming election. Althouse, "We're all fat," said Trump, last night, in his big — really big — big fat rally in Wildwood, New Jersey. "New Jersey! He came to New Jersey. They capture him in the courtroom 4 days out of the week, and they seem to be hoping he'll barely be able to campaign, but there he was, expanding his scope beyond the battleground states and into one of Biden's supposedly safe states, New Jersey." At Twitchy, NJ Dem Congresswoman Who Told Trump He's NOT Welcome TRIPS Gloriously Over His Record Rally Attendance. Could NJ really go red? I ain't counting that chicken yet, but it could happen. 

Breitbart claims a  Gallup shows  Republicans Enjoy 11-Point Swing from 2016 Their Way Against Democrats in Party Identification. DNUYZ, Trump Leads in 5 Key States, as Young and Nonwhite Voters Express Discontent With Biden. Althouse reads the NYT so you don't need to, "Mr. Trump fares especially well among those who believe that the political and economic systems ought to be torn down, a group that represents about 15 percent..."  "From "Trump Leads in 5 Key States, as Young and Nonwhite Voters Express Discontent With Biden/A new set of Times/Siena polls, including one with The Philadelphia Inquirer, reveal an erosion of support for the president among young and nonwhite voters upset about the economy and Gaza"" A. Welderson at Am Think thinks he sees Democrat Voter Triage, honing themselves down to a more selective leftist party. Dick Morris to Newsmax: Campus Crisis 'Shot in the Arm' for Trump. From ET, Architect of Senate GOP Comeback Plan Reveals Two Decisive 2024 Picks.

TNP notices RFK Flip Flops on Abortion AGAIN, Calls Last Week’s Position ‘Gruesome.’ "Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for the second time in a year, revisited his position on abortion limits in the U.S., following severe criticism from his own campaign members. In a podcast with Sage Steele, he endorsed the idea of full-term – aka “up to the point of birth” – abortions. However, owing to campaign backlash, Kennedy pivoted, posting on social media that abortion legality should be upheld to a specific number of weeks, thereafter imposing restrictions." Not exactly a show of confidence in his beliefs. 

WaEx hears Wisconsin Supreme Court to re-examine ruling that limited use of ballot drop boxes, now that they have a fresh liberal majority. Am Think's Eric Dawe calls out Voting Shenanigans in Michigan. Shawn Fleetwood at Da Fed, reports Pressure Grows For Ohio Speaker To Advance Bill Keeping Foreign Cash Out Of Elections.

Dan Chaitin at Da Wire, Biden Got Sucked Into ‘Pro-Hamas Wing Of His Party,’ Sen. Rick Scott Says.  Vijeta Uniyal at LI, Biden Offers Israel Intel on Hamas Leaders’ Location in Bid to Avert Rafah Offensive "Washington Post: The “sensitive intelligence” offered by Biden admin could “help the Israeli military pinpoint the location of Hamas leaders and find the group’s hidden tunnels.” Twitchy, With Friends Like Biden, WHO Needs Enemies?! THIS WaPo Biden/Israel BOMBSHELL Should End His Presidency. Biden withheld intelligence that could have led to the rescue of Israeli and American hostages. Matt Margolis at PJM thinks Biden's Betrayal of Israel Is Worse Than We Thought. At Da Caller, Blinken Confirms US Is ‘Holding Back’ Military Aid To Israel After NBC Host Presses On Biden’s ‘Red Line’. At Am Thinks Alex Gordon calls Biden an Unreliable Ally, Clarice writes about Biden and His ‘Ironclad’ Support of Israel and William Manning discusses Biden’s Complicity in the Cancellation of Israel.  By the Babylon Bee, With Biden Stalling, Israel Announces They Will Just Get American Weapons From Taliban. 

At Breitbart, Coons: Netanyahu Could ‘Break’ U.S.-Israel Strategic Relationship. A funny way to spell Biden. Dan Greenfield at Front Page says Israel Declares Independence from Biden. Jake Smith at Da Caller says ‘It Makes No Sense’: Experts Puzzled By Biden Admin’s Claim That Rafah Invasion Wouldn’t Help Israel Defeat Hamas. Shmuel Klatzin at Am Spec compares Chamberlain and Biden: Appeasement Then and Now. "Are we going to stand with the heirs of the Nazis, or with an embattled democratic ally?"  From Behind the Black, Biden abandons Israel to appease student rioters and help Hamas survive. At HE, Feckless Joe Biden has caved to the campus commies. 

TNP points out that in Denver, Migrants Send Mayor List of 13 Demands, Including Culturally Appropriate Ingredients for Meals. Sounds suspiciously coached. Brian C. Joondeph at Am Think thinks If You Give a Denver Migrant a Cookie... Ed Brodow notices Illegals Have More Rights Than Citizens. "If you are an illegal alien, your chances of getting away with committing a crime are higher than those of an American citizen."

Peter Tonguette at Am Con claims Joe Biden Doesn’t Act Old Enough. "Biden’s trend-chasing is more objectionable than his conspicuous senescence." At Hat Hair, This Sounds Suspiciously Like All of POTATUS' Other Plans - Our Money, His Giveaways. President Biden@POTUS "My dad always used to say that the way you build wealth is by building equity in your home. My housing plan would help Americans achieve homeownership by giving households $400 a month for two years when they buy their first home."

At Althouse, "While [Michael] Cohen is not under a gag order like Trump, it’s generally not beneficial for the prosecution to have a chatty witness publicly discussing ongoing proceedings." NYPo's Divine Ms Devine notes Dems pin Trump in NYC courtroom and he just turns it into his own personal campaign stage. Breitbart, CNN’s Zakaria admits NYC ‘Prosecutors Are Politically Motivated’ Against Trump. At the Volokh Conspiracy, Steve Calabresi calls Judge Aileen Cannon  a Heroine "She is scheduled on June 21st to hear oral argument on whether special counsel Jack Smith was unconstitutionally appointed." That would certainly be a kick in Merrick Garland's pants. WSB-TV Atlanta, Former GA GOP head files notice of appeal in election interference case "The former head of the Georgia GOP, David Shafer, has filed notice that he is appealing to the Georgia Court of Appeals to have Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis disqualified from prosecuting the election interference case." At Am Great, the Great Victor Davis Hanson writes of The Fall of the House of Presidential Persecutions "What will be the endgame of all these attacks on the American legal system and the warping of it for blatant political purposes?" 

Jose Alberto Nino at Big League Politics reports a House Committee Report Exposes Global Social Media Censorship Regime "Brazil is just the latest example of tyrants attempting to destroy free speech." At Da Caller, Supposedly Secure Messaging App Signal Launched With Gov’t Funds, Headed By Propagandist Now Running NPR. Not very reassuring.  mrcTV is not happy Jankowicz, The Biased Singing Censor Returns. Thad McCotter at Am Great, Truth or Censorship: The Legacy Media’s Death Spiral "There is nothing more dangerous than a censor—especially one who makes their living off the very God-given liberty they seek to deny to their fellow citizens."

Hat Hair's Jazz Shaw is amused when 'Queers for Palestine' Members Arrested at Disney World. Send 'em to Gaza. mrcTV announces Target Announces Its 2024 'Pride' Plan. My plan is to boycott Target, which is easy because we never go there. At Insty, I MEAN, THE EVIDENCE IS ON HER SIDE:

I didn’t compare him to one. He IS one. https://t.co/LUqXuSjktV

— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) May 12, 2024

From Twitchy, Pronoun Pushback: Jonathan Chait Plays the 'Basic Decency' Card on J.K. Rowling. Chad Felix Greene at Da Fed details how Trans Activists Sabotage Hotline For Girls To Report Creepy Men In Their Bathrooms. Da Caller, NY State Supreme Court Justice Overrules County’s Ban On Transgender Athletes In Women’s Sports.    

NewsMax knows Experts who See Possible 'Hot Summer of Protest' Over Gaza. Jeff Bloodworth at Unherd, Columbia has learnt the wrong lesson of 1968. Joanne Jacobs is Thinking and Linking, Columbia faces suit for not protecting custodians from 'bratty' agitators. Balmer Sun, Johns Hopkins encampment ends after protesters, university come to agreement. At Hat Hair, Avia Klompas notices Duke Graduates Walk Out Because of Jewish Commencement Speaker - Jerry Seinfeld. "Seinfeld is an American Jew - who as far as I know doesn't sit on Israel's war cabinet, serve in the IDF, or have absolutely anything to do with the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. That didn’t matter to the group of bigoted students who interrupted the ceremony and walked out to protest a Jew being on stage. Shame on every one of them." Hat Hair's Beege Welborn adds "It's not Gaza. That's only the excuse. It's Jew-hate. Until the next thing these pukes can glom onto." PJM's Matt Margolis, Jerry Seinfeld's Commencement Address Sparks Walkout by Antisemites at Duke University.

Sydney Sweeney

 At the Free Bacon, DEI Hits the VA: Biden's Veterans Affairs Department Offers Race-Based Training Programs That Exclude White Vets. "'Equity' means realizing 'treating everybody the same might not be enough,' VA official Shawn Liu says" From TNP, Sydney Sweeney’s Very Existence Rankles The Casual, Anti-White Racists.

Hollywood producer Carol Baum recently said “she didn’t get” why actress Sydney Sweeney is so popular.

“I don’t get Sydney Sweeney,” said Baum. “I said to my class, ‘Explain this girl to me. She’s not pretty, she can’t act. Why is she so hot?’” Baum bemoaned.

Speak for yourself, crone. 

At Lawrence Persons, Police Flee High Crime California For Texas "People like to feel like they’re appreciated and make a difference. In crime-friendly California, police don’t, so they’re headed to Texas."

The Wombat has Early Morning Rule 5 Monday: Smokin’ Blonde and FMJRA 2.0: Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves ready and awaiting your attention at The Other McCain.

Oregon, My Oregon

From John Sexton at Hat Hair, Arsonist Attacks Portland Police Vehicles

When Portland police arrived at a department training facility to help with a fire on Thursday morning, they found at least 15 patrol vehicles burning.

The Portland Police Bureau is searching for a suspected arsonist who they believe set the cop cars on fire around 1:55 a.m. while the vehicles were parked in a fenced training area, the department said in a news release.

The PPB released several photos of the burned cars, including this one.

Press Release: Portland Police Training Vehicles Burned, Arson Investigation Underway (Photo)
Link: https://t.co/joAmmRRC1g pic.twitter.com/UwnIOcaUi3

— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) May 2, 2024

The investigation is underway but the arsonist was caught on video so there's no question what happened here. The question that does remain is who is responsible. Everyone seems to know the answer even if they aren't saying it outright. Portland anarchists have had quite a week. Wednesday, just prior to the arson, a group walked through the city breaking windows.

Fireworks were set off, windows were broken and property was spray-painted by a group of suspects marching through downtown Portland Wednesday, according to Portland Police Bureau...

Police said among the businesses damaged include banks, coffee shops, cell phone and electronic stores, retail clothing and accessories shops and property belonging to Portland State University.

As mentioned, there was also a lot of damage done to the library at Portland State University. Are all of these things connected? There's no proof of that so far but what we can say is that the same sort of masked anarchists who smash windows and start fires also may have been involved at PSU. The police released a list of everyone they arrested yesterday when they cleared out the campus library and very few of these people strike me as the usual undergrads.

Greater Idaho can't come soon enough. 

And Now, Time for Some Local News

At the Baynet, Calvert Deputy Deploys Taser To Restrain Aggressive Pot Belly Pig, Protecting A Nearby Family

ST. LEONARD, Md. – In a daring incident on December 23, 2023, around 6:48 p.m., Deputy First Class (DFC) Wilder of the local law enforcement agency successfully subdued an aggressive male Pot Belly Pig in the 6100 block of Ben Creek Road in St. Leonard. The incident occurred following an animal complaint from a concerned resident regarding the safety of her family.   

The complainant reported a 70 lb. male Pot Belly Pig, known as ‘Thug’, with 3-inch long, hard tusks, running at large. Deputy Wilder promptly responded to the scene, where he discovered that this was the second incident of the day involving the elusive pig. Animal Control had previously responded but was unable to apprehend ‘Thug’ using a baited trap.
 
Despite multiple attempts to lasso the pig and redirect its path, ‘Thug’ grew more agitated and charged towards the complainant’s property. With a family, including a 3-year-old child, present at the scene, Deputy Wilder swiftly took action to ensure public safety. He deployed his agency-issued taser, successfully containing the unruly pig.

Following the incident, ‘Thug’ was safely transported to the Linda L. Kelley Animal Shelter by Animal Control, where the pig’s owner voluntarily relinquished ownership.

Deputy Wilder’s quick thinking and bravery in averting a potentially dangerous situation showcases the dedication of law enforcement to ensuring the well-being of the community.

Although we technically live in St. Leonard, this incident was several miles away, on the Patuxent side of Rt. 4, which runs down the spine of the county.

FWIW, Linda Kelly was a Calvert County Commissioner well known for her love of animals, and keeping pot-bellied pigs as pets.

Oregon, My Oregon

According to the Free Bacon, Portland is seeking advice on police from the people least likely to give any useful counsel, Portland Shells Out Thousands For Homeless to Help Shape City's Police Disciplinary System

Portland, Ore., shelled out thousands of taxpayer dollars to a group of homeless people to have them evaluate the city's new Police Accountability Commission after the city said that its "houseless community" should shape the way cops are disciplined.

Portland's Police Accountability Commission hired a marketing firm in June and July to hold focus groups with participants from "communities that have been historically underrepresented … or who are vulnerable to police misconduct or discrimination," according to a commission report. The city held one session at a local homeless shelter, which invited "twenty participants from the houseless community" to provide their "thoughts and ideas about the police" and the city's disciplinary policies for law enforcement officers. Each participant received a $200 gift card, meaning the city paid at least $4,000 to hold the focus group at the homeless shelter.

The revelation provides a window into how Portland and other left-wing cities are working to make "systemic changes" to their police discipline policies in the wake of George Floyd's death. At the height of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, Portland voters approved a ballot measure to establish a new Police Accountability Commission, which has spent nearly two years designing a new system to replace the city's police review board. The new board will have broad power to subpoena police records, investigate police conduct, and discipline officers.

Law enforcement veterans are barred from serving on the board, as are their immediate family members. The city is shelling out thousands of dollars, however, to receive feedback from law enforcement opponents. In addition to the homeless group, the city sought out focus group participants who have a "history of working with over-policed communities," as well as "equity practitioners" and "anyone who has witnessed or experienced police misconduct."

 No wonder, as Logan Washburn at Da Fed informs us  Portland Police Response Times Skyrocket As City Struggles With Crime, the inmates are running the asylum. 

Shattered glass lined the sidewalks. Downtown Portland was recovering from nightly riots five days after George Floyd’s police death. I was downtown with friends, helping businesses recover from the latest bout of violence. Officers with the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) were taking reports from damaged businesses.

More than three years later, Portland police are still struggling to respond to crime. The PPB is dealing with high response times, high crime rates, and low staffing levels, according to a Manhattan Institute report released Sept. 14.

“Portland, Oregon, is in the middle of a public safety crisis,” the report reads. “What sets Portland apart are the limits on its capacity to respond to these issues with the traditional tools of the criminal justice system and, in particular, its capacity to use the police.”

The PPB took more than 20 minutes to respond to high-priority calls, more than 50 minutes to respond to medium-priority calls, and more than one and a half hours to respond to low-priority calls as of July, according to the report.

“Like other major cities, Portland, Oregon, has experienced a surge in crime and disorder over the past three years,” the report reads. “Unlike other major cities, Portland is uniquely ill-equipped to deal with this problem, because its police department is uniquely understaffed.”

Who would want to be a cop in a city where the homeless are telling you how to do your job?