Some DIY Flotsam and Jetsam

 It's a busy weekend:

Trump!

Alex, I'll Take 'Peace Deals That Ain't Gonna Happen' for $400 – PJ Media
A Reflecting Pool Postscript – HotAir
In The Mailbox: 07.31.26 : The Other McCain

The Disloyal Opposition

Stephen L. Miller on X: "CNN's extremism reporter - "The DSA isn't extreme like praising China, Mao, and celebrating executions and calling for the death of capitalists and all of that other stuff they themselves have endorsed. They are more like wool sweaters and healthcare.""
The Patriarch Tree on X: "Does everyone see the shell game played here? “Political support for bureaucratic taxpayer funded boondoggles = charity,” as if voting for SNAP benefits is the same as actually feeding someone at your own home, as if Jesus said: “Go thou and vote Democrat.”"
Instapundit THIS LEVEL OF STUPIDITY MUST BE ON PURPOSE, RIGHT? RIGHT??? https://twitter.com/DemzDeliver/statu
Ace of Spades HQ - Democrat Socialists: We Must Promote and Defend the Beacon of Socialism, Communist China
Natalia Mehlman Petrzela on X: "Yes. We don’t have a pied-a-terre and are wrongly on that list and have wasted way too much time on their crappy website trying to figure out how to get removed, gathering all kinds of documents to do so Not really sure how this helps make a better NYC for anyone?!"
Democrats Deliver on X: "🚨 New York Democrats introduce bill requiring 10% discounts on all items at self-checkout. https://t.co/VsPn8Sp9L9"
ZitoSalena on X: "In 2017 I watched as members of the DSA picked off well liked, competent local Democrat office holders in Western PA in low turnout out primary contests where Republicans had zero chances of winning in a general; reporting their formula to take over was working & would spread."
Things Got a Bit Nasty Between John Fetterman and Bernie Sanders – PJ Media
The Left's Rotating Loyalty Oath - by John Tillman
Democrat Mandela Barnes drops out of Winconsin governor's race - Just The News
Seattle's DSA Mayor Fires the Police Chief – HotAir
Hunter Biden: "Hey, I'm Broke ... and So Is My Old Man." - Victory Girls Blog
Money for Nothing and Your Chicks for Free
Shocker: Kamala Harris's New $8 Million Mansion Is in a Snow-White Neighborhood – PJ Media
Ringside: A Fact-Based Appraisal of California’s ‘Net Zero’ Strategy – California Globe

The Fauci Files 

Ace of Spades HQ The Media Is Joining Fauci In Pleading the Fifth About Their Covid Lies
Fauci the murderer - by Declan Finn - Declan’s Newsletter
Don't Forget How Florida Defeated Faucism and Vindicated Federalism - Josh Hammer
Fauci Is at Least Out of Power; Pravda Still Rules America's Minds – HotAir
Matt Taibbi on X: "The tenacity with which news outlets like CNN cling to certain narratives is mind-blowing."
Jeffrey A Tucker on X: "August 13, 2022: we cannot admit that the shots don't work because that would undermine our policy to force people to get them. https://t.co/9MrU7EKsWo"
NotKennyRogers on X: "Just a quick reminder that they arrested this guy for paddleboarding alone in the ocean during Covid while Anthony Fauci had dinner with Jake Tapper and his wife in DC and Gavin Newsome hosted a party with friends in California. https://t.co/xUiXnAzwoo"
GrrrGraphics 🇺🇸- Ben & Tina Garrison Cartoons on X: "I never want to live through the 'dumb ages' again https://t.co/dwnO368V7h"

The Just Us System

Authorities investigating possible Iran links in Minnesota community water system cyberattack | Just The News
Old Dominion shooting was ‘terror attack’ by student with ISIS ties: report - The College Fix
Ace of Spades HQ - Liberal Appeals Courts Reverse Lower Rogue Judges' Injunctions Against Ending Temporary Protective Status

Immigration, Illegal and Otherwise

Ace of Spades HQ "Apocalypse:" Invasion of Africans, Some Prisoners Wanted for Murder, Set Fire to Cars, Loot Stores, and Use the Streets as an Open-Air Shithouse as the Left Executs Its Plan to Replace Native Populations with Pro-Communist Third Worlders
The invasion of Ceuta must be the final nail in the coffin of globalism - spiked
Basil the Great on X: "To the leftists claiming Ceuta does not belong to Spain because it was taken in 1415 Are you going to tell the Turks to give Constantinople back to the Christians? Cos they took that in 1453"
The Illegal Africans Who Stormed Into Spanish North African Territories Are Pooping Everywhere
Northern Barbarian on X: "Might take more than resounding and energetic condemnation. All the resources of the State to guarantee security and coexistence? I understand people of Ceuta are putting their personal furniture against their doors and windows for security, amid the coexistence."
The Babylon Bee on X: "Spain Turns To Experienced Border Czar Kamala Harris For Help With Migrant Invasion https://t.co/4kaEcwtiEP"
The Babylon Bee on X: "Spaniards Horrified To See Their Country Turning Into Minnesota https://t.co/5mxIQrf5h0"

The Great Culture Wars

Ace of Spades HQ - Again: Cambridge "Professor," a "Poster Boy for Diversity," Found To Have Plagiarized His Ph.D. Thesis and Claimed to Have Personally Interviewed Subjects When He Actually Just Lifted the Interviews from Other Sources
Althouse: "Ms. Prabhakar... said the point of assigning 'Bettering Myself' was to challenge students in her introductory reading and writing course."
Velina Tchakarova on X: "I heard with my own ears the statement coming from the European Commission today that … wait for it … “Europe wants to become the first AI continent.” Can someone explain to me what are we supposed to become first: the first climate-neutral continent or the first AI continent?"
The Essex Files: Biology Is Not Bigotry: Why the WNBA Reaction to Female Fans Should Worry Everyone – RedState

The Wednesday Wetness

 Kelia Moniz, Professional Surfer, WSL World Longboard Champion, Roxy team rider & model

Bay Journal, Study searches for alternatives to Potomac River water supply

A two-year study, called Secure the Source, will look at large solutions that could provide emergency water supply for weeks to more than 5 million people in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia.

The $25 million study, announced in June, is aimed at finding potential alternatives to the Potomac River water supply. Project partners include water utility leaders from WSSC Water, Fairfax Water, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin.

The Wednesday Wetness

Just In Weather, Drought Monitor July 16 And Lawn Health Index Improving A Little

There is some encouraging news for Maryland lawns this week.

After several weeks dominated by drought concerns, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows additional improvement across portions of the Mid-Atlantic. While Moderate to Severe Drought remains across much of Central Maryland and Extreme Drought continues on parts of the Eastern Shore, recent rainfall has helped replenish soil moisture and slow the progression of drought in many locations.

This week’s Lawn Health Index remains at 48 out of 100 (Fair). Conditions continue to improve, but long-term rainfall deficits and summer stress are preventing a more significant jump.

Our grass greened up considerably after a few storms a week or two back, but it's starting to look a crispy again in spots. 

The Wednesday Wetness

Alina Kornelli (born 12 May 2000) is a German and Austrian Formula Kite competitor. She has been a sailor and a snowboarder. Kornelli was born in Munich in 2000 with dual Austrian/German nationality. Her supportive parents are Sabine, an Austrian from Sankt Georgen an der Gusen, and her father, a German windsurfer named Dietmar "Didi" Kornelli. Her elder brother Julian Kornelli  became an ice hockey player in Germany.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Monday: Redhead in Denim up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

The Baynet, Potomac River Reaches 94 Degrees As Fish Kill Reported In Maryland

Record-breaking water temperatures likely contributed to a fish kill in the Potomac River near Seneca, where Maryland environmental officials recorded an extraordinary 94-degree water temperature following days of extreme heat across the region.

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) confirmed the fish kill in a social media post, saying, “We’re aware of reports of a fish kill in the Potomac River near Seneca. Our biologist recorded water temperatures at a record 94°F. This can trigger a summer turnover event, when layered warm and cold water suddenly mix and oxygen-poor water rises to the surface, stressing fish.”

Although the fish kill occurred in Montgomery County, the Potomac River flows south along the borders of Charles and St. Mary’s counties before emptying into the Chesapeake Bay, making the conditions noteworthy for residents, anglers and boaters throughout Southern Maryland.

The fish kill follows several days of dangerous heat across Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic. Air temperatures climbed into the upper 90s and low 100s across much of the state, with parts of Montgomery County reaching about 100 degrees and nearby Washington, D.C., reaching 102 degrees during the recent heat wave.
...
State officials have not announced how many fish were affected or identified the species involved.

If I'm reading the map right, this fish kill occurred up in the riverine Potomac, above Great Falls. I'm not sure I understand their argument about the summer turnover event. However, it was really hot for a few days there.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Melon Season up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

 With professional kite-surfer Arrianne Anna:

Hi, I am Arrianne.

I am an atlete and have been competing on the World Tour for many years. I have been Dutch Champion several times and I became Vice World Champion Freestyle in 2013. Since 2020 I am mother to a beautiful girl and raising her on my own.

I am an ACT coach, yoga and windsurf teacher, breath-work and mindfulness coach and I do personal and group coaching (online and real life).

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Happy 250th, America! up in star-spangled glory at the Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

At USA Today Water into whine: Century of problems rage at Lincoln reflecting pool. Remarkably unpartisan

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Redness a bit late, but within reason.

The Wednesday Wetness - ใต้น้ำ

Which, as near as I can figure out translates to Chicken in Water from Thai. Is it a clever pun? I'd like to think so.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Obligatory World Cup Post up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

Bay Journal, Sewer crunch eased, development ban lifted in Baltimore suburbs. Go ahead, make more shit!

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: Rebel Yell up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

 With Coco Ho:

Coco Malia Camille Hapaikekoa Ho 

(born April 28, 1991) is a professional Hawaiian surfer born in Honolulu, Hawaii. She began surfing at 7 years old, following in the footsteps of her family.  At age 7, Coco Ho began following in the footsteps of her surfer family. Her father, Michael Ho, was formerly a professional surfer (World Cup and 1982 Pipe Masters), as was her uncle, Derek Ho (1993 World Champion). Her brother, Mason Ho (1st Place Cold Water Classic ASP Pro Jr. 2008), played a major role in her early surfing influences. Ho earned her first sponsorship at 8-years-old, and at age 17, she qualified for the ASP Women's World Championship Tour. In 2009, she won the Rookie of the Year award. Raised on Oahu's North Shore, Ho spent most of her time surfing the "Seven Mile Miracle.” She is the face for the Volcom clothing brand.

The Wombat has Rule Five Sunday: More About Agriculture up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

Fox, Filtered water at specific ages could add months to your lifespan decades later, new study finds. Color me skeptical. There are cases of where drinking bad water can kill you, but if you drink water from a regulated water provider, I doubt that added filtration has any benefit. 

The Wombat has Rule Five Sunday: Outstanding In Her Field up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

 With Alessa Quizon, professional surfer:

WTOP, ‘It’s putrid!’: Glen Echo residents press officials after Potomac River sewage spill. I suspect they're reacting emotionally. The water is being tested, and it keeps coming back OK. There's been a lot of water under the bridge since January.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: A Common Enemy up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

Potomac Conservancy, Sewage spill: The EPA declares the Potomac’s recovery goals are achieved. Why we disagree

The Wombat has Rule 5 Monday: Everything Stops For Tea up and at'em at The Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

With Amber Van Mieghem:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Amber Van Mieghem (@amber_kites)

The Wednesday Wetness

NBC 4 Washington, Potomac River named nation's most endangered due to data centers, aging infrastructure

The Potomac River got top billing in large part due to the massive sewage spill that dumped over 230 million gallons of raw sewage into the river in January. But even if the spill had never happened, the Potomac would have made the top 10, according to Potomac Riverkeeper Network President Betsy Nicholas.

"We were already under discussions about having it as part of the top 10 endangered rivers at the end of last year," Nicholas told News4 on Tuesday. "So we were gathering information based primarily on the impact of water withdrawals, and then water quality concerns, about data centers."

The American Rivers list cites the "rapid, unchecked buildout of data centers" in the D.C. area as "a significant and growing threat" to the Potomac.  Nicholas says data centers use a lot of water for cooling super-sensitive computers and chips. The more data centers there are, the more water is pulled from local water sources, like the Potomac. "As much as maybe 2 to 4 million gallons a day of water could be used for cooling," Nicholas told News4.

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: It’s (Almost) That Time of Year Again up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

And Closer to Home

WaPoo, Scenic Chesapeake Bay county finds itself in the middle of a data center fight "Residents in Maryland are pleading with leaders to hold off, joining others around the country worried about the harm the projects may bring."

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — The local commissioners were 90 minutes into their meeting when they turned to the matter that had drawn dozens of residents and nearly a thousand more watching online: a vote that could delay the arrival of two massive data centers in Southern Maryland, including one on land intended for a public park.

Commissioner Mike Hart urged his Calvert County colleagues to not be seduced by the promise that the data centers would deliver tens of millions of dollars in fresh tax revenue, a pot large enough to pay for a wish list of items such as turf playing fields, a new sheriff’s headquarters and a property tax cut.

A more pressing need, Hart contended, is what communities elsewhere are considering as they seek to slow the spread of data centers — a moratorium allowing officials time to study how the tech warehouses that make online activity possible would affect the area, including whether they would generate intolerable levels of noise.

“What I know about a data center fits in this pinkie,” Hart told his four fellow commissioners, all of whom, like him, are Republican. “The responsible thing to do is to buy time and get the right people in place to help us through this.”

Over the past two decades, data centers have emerged as a robust economic engine for local governments across the country, a welcomed technological innovation that serves as the infrastructure to a faster, easier life. But the proliferation of the energy-hungry facilities, fueled by an explosion in digital demand during the pandemic and the advent of artificial intelligence, is provoking fierce opposition as concerns mount over strained electrical grids and soaring utility rates.Ask The Post AIDive deeper

The backlash was evident last month in a Pew Research Center poll finding that more Americans believe data centers adversely affect the environment and quality of life, even as they are more likely to see the facilities’ potential economic benefits.

In Virginia’s Loudoun County, home to about 200 data centers, the country’s highest concentration, officials have said they don’t want more. In Maine, legislation to ban most data centers until 2027 is advancing in the State House, while New York lawmakers have proposed a three-year pause. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-New York) recently introduced a bill that would impose a nationwide moratorium on new AI data centers.

“Opposition has been expanding along with the intensity,” said Miquel Vila of Data Center Watch, an AI security firm’s research project that tracks resistance to the facilities. During a three-month period in 2025, communities around the country blocked or delayed 20 projects, a number greater than the total opposition over the previous two years, according to the group.

It's starting to be a topic of conversation here in the county. One of the sites being discussed is on property adjacent to the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, which you may know is only a hop, skip and a jump (about 2 miles) from our house. I haven't really taken a position yet. I'm not a big AI user as of yet (old dog and new trick), but I generally see it as a positive. It would mean more local jobs, certainly in the construction trades initially, but in the long run, higher paying technical jobs.

One concern I have is where they intend to get the water to cool the beasts. CCNPP is cooled by the bay, but I've been assured that will never happen again. Fresh water in Calvert County is well water, and most of the county is about maxed out on what they can extract from the aquifers before they start to run out. There is a deeper one, a 1000 feet down, the Patapsco aquifer that costs over a $100,000 to drill a well into.  I presume they'll use a closed loop heat exchange system with evaporative coolers, and the small amount of "blowdown", water that must be discarded as the closed loop gets too gunky, will be treated and released somehow. But details are sketchy so far.

The Wednesday Wetness

 With Alison's Adventures:

Bay Journal, Study highlights resistance to ‘retreat’ in face of rising water. Not a terrible article on the choice facing the inhabitants of Smith Island, although it has a "Gorillas in the Mist" feel. 

The Wednesday Wetness

ToI, Iranian media says desalination plant on Gulf island non-functional after airstrikes. "Iran’s foreign minister had said a US strike took place on March 7 on Qeshm Island, a popular yet heavily militarized tourist destination for Iranians."

Aljazeera, Iranian attack damages Kuwait power and desalination plant, kills worker. "Kuwaiti authorities say Indian worker killed in attack that also caused ‘significant material damage’ to building."

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: From Those Wonderful Folks Who Gave You Pearl Harbor up and garnering clicks at The Other McCain.

The Wednesday Wetness

USEPA, EPA to Take Over Potomac River Water Quality Sampling Near Interceptor Site "Today, as part of the ongoing federal response to the Potomac Interceptor collapse, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will assume responsibility for water quality sampling previously conducted by the DC Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE). EPA will utilize the same locations as the previous DOEE sampling, which can be seen on the map below..."

The Wednesday Wetness

 With Yiman Chen, the Chinese kiteboarding champion.

The Wombat has Rule Five Sunday: Ersatz Gingermageddon up on time and under budget at The Other McCain.