Friday Links - 17 January

A somewhat abbreviated links post today, brought on by the demands of The Real World™ this week. Nothing in particular was serious, it just all added up to more than usual.

The Other McCain starts us off with an post on the Pete Hegseth hearing. Retarded Asian Woman Challenges Fake Indian for Title of ‘Worst Senator Ever’

Simple question: Was there ever any chance that Elizabeth Warren would have voted to confirm Pete Hegseth? Is there any other Democrat on the Armed Services Committee who was ever likely to vote in Hegseth’s favor? I think not.

Pixy Misa at Ambient Irony - Daily News Stuff 14 January 2025: Non Euclidean Symmetry Edition

The CEO of AI music company Suno says people don't like making music. (404 Media)

Aliens. These people are aliens.

Don Surber - Why they burned LA down. It's what communists do.

In California, Chairman Brylcreem stepped up efforts to cripple the state by destroying dams in the name of saving the fish. A million fish died in the process. The media is OK with that.

In Sacramento, Democrats rejected home owner insurance premium hikes. Companies began shutting down their operations in California.

Again from The Other McCain - Ashkenazi Jews Have the Highest IQs on Average, But Then There’s Jen Rubin

Before we discuss Jen Rubin and her “exciting new online platform,” let’s first take time to examine the problem of stereotypes.

Ammoland - Truck Drivers Sue to Restore Right to Bear Arms Across State Lines

On January 7, 2025, two interstate commercial truck drivers filed a complaint in the Federal District Court for the District of Minnesota. The lawsuit contends Minnesota, and in particular, the Commissioner for the Department of Public Safety, is infringing on the exercise of their Second Amendment rights by not recognizing their right to bear arms across state lines.

Konstantin Kisin - Labour's Grooming Gang U-Turn and What It Means

I remember vividly the first time we sat across from a “grooming gang” survivor and heard her story. Dr Ella Hill came on TRIGGERnometry in 2020, detailing not only the abuse she experienced at the hands of her perpetrator but also the wall of complete disinterest from the police when she sought the help and support.

Another Failure of the Victim-Selection Process

Never let them take you to another location. RPD investigate self-defense shooting death

Police believe Sedillo threatened a man and his girlfriend with a gun, asking for their phones, and other personal items, and demanding to be driven to another location. When the man refused, police say Sedillo shot at the two, who returned fire.

The would-be bad guy was shot multiple times, and died at the scene. The defender was shot, but his wounds are not considered life-threatening.

Self-defense is a human right.

The Mayor of LA and the Governor of California Wanted the City to Burn

Michael Shellenberger just doesn't buy the line fielded by the Mayor of LA or the Governor of California. California Governor And L.A. Mayor Diverted Billions From Fire-Fighting To Migrant, Homeless, And Climate Subsidies

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass claims that her $17.5 million cut to the LA Fire Department budget did not impact the department’s ability to prevent or fight fires. But the LA Fire Chief told CNN that “the $17 million budget cut… did absolutely negatively impact” the Department’s ability to respond to the fires.

And now a video released yesterday by NewsNation, which was shot by a former employee of Kamala Harris, shows that it took the LA Fire Department 45 minutes to respond to the Pacific Palisades fire.

Nobody who is that bad at their job - unless you're a California politician - gets to keep their job.

There is a short video at the link above.

Here is a long video. A two hour and 15 minute interview between Michael Shellenberger and Tucker Carlson: Tucker Carlson and Michael Shellenberger Break Down the California Fires. I think it is worth the time, and it covers more than the fires in 2 hours.

EU to Germany - Do What You're Told

Because nothing says respect for the democratic process like throwing out the result of elections. EU Globalist Explicitly Threatens To Cancel German Election Result If Right Wing AfD Wins | ZeroHedge

Former French European Commissioner Thierry Breton has essentially openly confessed that the West stole the Romanian election and stands ready to do it again in Germany if deemed necessary.

"We did it in Romania, and we will do it in Germany if necessary," a translation from the French of Breton's recent appearance in European media said. Early last month a top Romanian court simply annulled the first round of the country's presidential election in order to create what amounted to a 'do over' election.

And what they are told is to shut up and accept as many immigrants as the EU wants to send their way.

Bob Uecker - You Will Be Missed

Bob Uecker: 26 January 1934 to 16 January 2025

Bob Uecker played Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Braves, before that club relocated to Atlanta. He was a sports broadcaster in Milwaukee, and he appeared in some beer commercials. But I think his best role was in the movie Major League (1989). Here is his signature bit from that movie. Just a Bit Outside.

Hat tip to Borepatch

I can heartily endorse his book about his baseball career, Catcher In The Wry.

Rest in peace, Uke.

Don't Bring a Knife to a Gunfight

He apparently thought it would be a good idea to rob a store. He was wrong. Armed man shot, killed by store clerk in St. Clair Co.

Cropwell, Alabama is about 40 mile drive east of Birmingham. It is an unicorporated section of St. Clair County, near Pell City.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department says Timothy Jones went into the Shell gas station in Cropwell around 4:30 a.m. with a knife. He was shot and killed by the clerk.

The state of Alabama has not morphed into a copy of New Jersey, so there is no mention of charging the clerk. The investigation continues. Self-defense is a human right.

"Criminals Are Taking Over the NYC Subway"

What happens when you make something cheaper? You get more of it. And in New York City, there is no cost to committing crime.

Mayor Adams wants to make sure that people "feel safe." I would think it would be a better idea to actually make them safe. But I'm not stupid enough to live in NYC.

This is Cash Jordan's video The NYC Subway is So Dangerous… Nobody Can Use It

The NYPD [is seen] arresting a man accused of at least two stabbings on the subway last week. We're now learning the suspect has been arrested - drum roll please - 87 times. So if you're wondering why New York City has a Subway crime problem that just won't go away, this is your reason; our Progressive Justice System allows people to commit the same offenses over and over again. Yet they never get sent to jail.

If You Point a Gun at Police, Expect to Get Shot

The rules are pretty simple. 50-year-old man shot by officers after pointing gun at sergeant in Brooklyn: police

Police were in the area for a shots-fired called, when they spotted the suspect coming out of a convenience store.

Police say the man hid behind a tree, turned and pointed a gun at a police sergeant.

"The officers verbally identified themselves and gave the male numerous verbal commands to which he did not comply," Philip Rivera, NYPD chief of patrol, said in a news conference.

Four officers "shot at him." He was hit, but I don't know by how many.

Neighbors were shocked - shocked I tell you - to discover that crime does happen in Brooklyn. Or something.

Wednesday Link Roundup - 15 January

Pirate's Cove starts things off with Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup

Theo Spark has multiple dilemas.
This ain’t Hell… has your feel good stories.

Wombat-socho - In The Mailbox: 01.13.25

Bacon Time: Convicted Felon
Defending The Wood Perilous: Consent In Romance – The Needs Of Culture vs. The Needs Of Drama

EBL - George Strait : The Fireman

The Fireman
EBL: Backdraft, Biden says "Fire Away" to Harris, and DEMS BURN DOWN CA 😬🔥🚒❤️‍🔥

Pixy Misa at Ambient Irony - Daily News Stuff 12 January 2025: Enronium Has What Plants Crave Edition

Mad King Mat Mullenweg is now terminating the WordPress accounts of people who suggest that a WordPress fork might be forthcoming. (Tech Crunch)
Which is literally everybody.

Vlad Tepes - A look at more serious attacks on the Capitol Bldg, and Islam in North America and Europe and how gov’t assists their crimes: Links 1 for January 14 2025

2. Montreal journalist, Natasha Life Free or Die offers this description of what it is like to grow up and live in some areas of Montreal if you are not a Muslim. Read the post on Twitter. It is sobering. I have personally heard very similar stories from parts of Toronto.

Theo Spark - Subs..............

Britain vs Grooming: It’s Now or Never - Frank Haviland
Why Does Cheap Electricity Cost So Much? - Fergus Mason

Again from Wombat-socho - In The Mailbox: 01.14.25

American Thinker: The Climate Hoax
Animal Magnetism: Animal’s Daily Los Angeles Train Wreck News

Don Surber - Highlights of the week

ITEM 9: Peter St Onge, Ph.D., tweeted, “Justin Trudeau is quitting.
“He destroyed Canada’s economy, delivering West Virginia wages for San Francisco house prices and wiping out a generation of young Canadians.”

Small Dead Animals - Saturday On Turtle Island

Dementia Joe’s America: Victor Davis Hanson – A DEI disaster. Leftist big city leaders. Misinformation.
Blackie’s Canada: Forget about new mines in Ontario. (Warning: CBC)

Political Hat - News of the Week (January 12th, 2025)

NATO sends a fleet to guard Baltic Sea cables
The decision follows a spate of suspected sabotage incidents on underwater cables.

A View from the Beach - Flotsam and Jetsam - Gone Fishin' DIY Edition

Private firefighters shield homes of the wealthy, setting off tensions
Instapundit - SF CHRONICLE: Private firefighters protected a Hollywood talent manager’s home.

Theo Spark - News - kinda............

The LA Fires: Karma, Retribution or Agenda 2030? - Elizabeth Nickson
Keir Starmer’s Election Sabotage: British Meddling in America’s Democracy
Nero Newsom Fiddles.....Robert W Malone

The Glibertarians - Saturday evening, everything’s on fire Links

Let’s start here. A good discussion on lack of preparation at the community level leading up to the Palisades fire. The pictures I saw early on showed a lack of brush clearing around structures to a dangerous level.

Vlad Tepes - Houthis & China, postal strikes, Helen Grus sues the crap out of CBC at last and more: Links 1 for January 11, 2025

2. Now THIS feels like Christmas. Or it will when and if she wins.
Ottawa detective sues CBC for $875,000 over COVID vaccine investigation reporting

Small Dead Animals - Monday On Turtle Island

Blackie’s Canada: It’s only money. Diversity is our strength. Protecting Arab voters.
Odds And Ends: How Wokeism is destroying the West.

Bacon Time!!!! - Sunday Linkage

The Air Vent - This is Why In Person Voting With ID is Critical
Watts Up With That? - Alaska Energy Shenanigans: Eklutna Dam and the RPS

Cafe Hayek - Some Links

My intrepid Mercatus Center colleague, Veronique de Rugy, talks with the Cato Institute’s Michael Cannon about getting government out of health care.

Maggie's Farm - Sunday afternoon links

Victimhood U: colleges’ leftist brainwashing is making young Americans miserable
Anti-Semitism on Campus
Things Worth Remembering: The Dangers of Multiculturalism

J.J. Sefton at Ace of Spades HQ - The Morning Report — 1/13/25

Decades of fire suppression policies have left forests dangerously dense and overgrown.
The L.A. Wildfires Should Be a Wake-up Call

Doug Ross - Larwyn’s Linx: Stunner: Why Was Pacific Palisades Reservoir Empty? It Gets Worse.

• A DEI Green New Deal Hydrogen Bomb - Clarice Feldman
• Palisades Fire Threatens New Upscale Communities As Santa Ana Winds Return - ZH

I leave you with Sunday Funnies for 01-12-25 from Stately McDaniel Manor, Monday Memes … from MaddMedic, and Typical Mondays in gifs from Wirecutter.

People Need to Accept that Some Relationships End

I guess this is a victory for women's equality. Or something. She was the aggressor in a domestic dispute. Woman killed after being shot during Tucson domestic incident.

Police say Nunez forced her way into the apartment, where an altercation occurred, which led to her being shot.

The investigation remains ongoing, and no charges or arrests have been made.

She could have called a friend for a good cry. She could have gone to a day spa for a makeover. She could have gotten blind drunk. Instead she made the last decision she will ever make.

Hat tip to Woman Fatally Shot After Forcing Entry Into Ex-Boyfriend's Apartment - USA Carry

Businesses Closing in NYC due to Crime

What happens when the Powers that Be refuse to put criminals in jail?

Stealing in New York City is no longer illegal.

This is Cash Jordan's video 39 Stores are Leaving NYC… Because of Theft

Here's an example of a serial shoplifter with over 100 arrests. How is this even allowed to happen? How is somebody allowed to commit 100 crimes and still be walking around on the streets, and how are we supposed to expect this person to learn something the 101st time they get arrested that they didn't learn the other 100 times?

The video is 16 minutes, so plan accordingly.

Hold On, I'm Coming - In Honor of Sam Moore

We got the sad news that Sam Moore of Sam & Dave passed away at the age of 89, on January 10th. Sam Moore of the Dynamic Soul Duo Sam & Dave Is Dead at 89

Sam Moore, the tenor half of the scorching soul duo Sam & Dave — known for indelible hits like “Soul Man,” “Hold On, I’m Comin’” and “I Thank You” — died on Friday in Coral Gables, Fla. He was 89.

His death, in a hospital after surgery, was confirmed by his wife and longtime manager, Joyce Moore. She said the exact cause was unclear.

Several articles have listed "complications from surgery."

Virtually every article mentions the song "Soul Man," but I never really liked that song. This song, however points out all the differences of 1960s with what passes for music today. Intro. Pre Chorus. Chorus. Horns. Even if Memphis Soul was never my cup of tea.

This is "Hold On, I'm Coming" by Sam & Dave. It was a single in 1966.

Tuesday Links - 14 January

Chicago Contrarian is up first with Chicago’s 12th Ward Alderman’s Odd Understanding of Public Safety

Today’s 12^th Ward is also an urban combat area. Prior to her election to the City Council, Ramirez worked as a re-engagement specialist for CPS, while, of course, moonlighting as an “organizer.” Chicago Contrarian readers know that “organizer” and “left-wing activist” are interchangeable.

Roberta X - Footnote

-Post hoc ergo propter hoc is still a logical fallacy.

Clayton Cramer - Made in USA

For strategic reasons, we need rare earth production in friendly, non-PRC hands.

Jews Can Shoot - Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s Nonsensical Comparison of ‘Assault Weapons’ and Concert Tickets Backfires

Washington Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal earned swift criticism for making the absurd claim that buying a so-called assault weapon is somehow easier than acquiring tickets for a concert.

Don Surber - The Founding Fathers would be proud

The Declaration of Independence ended, “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Lone Star Parson - Invade Canada

Everyone knows it's time to invade Canada and set the people of the land of the ice and snow free from rainbow tyranny. Sure, we get it, but how? Big Serge lays out a possible scenario, with US forces moving swiftly to isolate the Toronto/Montreal urban corridor from Canadian reinforcements.

Theo Spark - Progressive Policies = A Feature NOT a Bug .....................from Rico

SatPhotos indicate the simultaneous start of the fires in multiple locations (not that homeless or rando spontaneous arsonists carry 5G cell phones for coordination, or anything like that).

The Other McCain - The Fake Priesthood of ‘Misinformation’

“Misinformation studies” is a cult religion, of whom “experts” are the priesthood. The existence and purpose of the quasi-religious witch hunt against “misinformation” is entirely political, having originated in the post-2016 effort to prevent the reelection of Donald Trump.

Wombat-socho - FMJRA 2.0: New York, New York

Top linkers for the week ending January 10:

1.  EBL (9)
2.  (tied) 357 Magnum and A View From The Beach

Pixy Misa at Ambient Irony - Daily News Stuff 11 January 2025: Kiwis And Capybaras Edition

Apple is uploading every photo on every Mac and iDevice to be scanned by AI without asking anyone. (The Register)

But don't worry, says Apple, it's homomorphic.

Juvat at Chant du Départ - It's another Manic Monday

Living in the country with an excellent "See 'em comin'" view was wonderful over the past 25 years. However, the realities of getting older and the potential need to get to a hospital or worse get somebody to come and take you to a hospital in time to make a difference, rules against living in the country.

Again from Wombat-socho - Rule 5 Sunday: Golden Globes

Nobody cares about the Golden Globe awards. I got your Golden Globes right here, loyal readers of the Commentariat.
Ladies and gentlemen, Sydney Sweeney.

The Post Millennial - BREAKING: Washington Post has lost nearly 90% of its audience since 2021: report

The Washington Post's subscriber and readership base has reportedly tanked over the last four years. The revelations come as Jeff Bezos is seeking to bring the left-leaning publication more to the center.

More Self-Defense in Florida

Why would you assume that people were not armed in Florida? 1 dead, 1 injured in Lake Mary shooting, deputies say

The sheriff's office says a man was taken into custody at the scene. He told detectives that he was involved in an argument with the male victim at a condo in the complex.

The suspected shooter told deputies that the other man followed him to his car when he tried to leave and attacked him. The man said he then retrieved a firearm and shot the other man.

Lake Mary is an unincorporated area of Seminole County, Florida. It is about a 20 minute drive north of downtown Orlando.

While the Professional Journalist (so called) is confused as to who is the victim, and who is the defender, the police have not arrested anyone, and are treating this like a case of self-defense. The investigation continues.

Self-defense is a human right.

The Process Is The Punishment

From C. Douglas Golden, at The Western Journal, by way of The Gateway Pundit. Daniel Penny's Attorney Reveals Life-Altering Trauma: 'The Hell That My Client Went Through ...'

The process isn't over yet.

Daniel Penny did the right thing, for the right reasons. His life has been crushed because of it.

This is what the Penny case made clear: You want a Daniel Penny on your train. You don’t want people who aren’t going to get involved when they can get involved and you can’t. Penny is a former Marine, someone who knows how to restrain a man who is clearly out of his mind. But when the left demanded his hide, Manhattan Democrats complied.

As for the process continuing:

Penny is still facing a lawsuit from Neely’s father, something which will make the process of healing even more protracted.

NYC and the "Criminal Justice System" (so called) in that locale, doesn't want people to help one another. They want the criminals to destroy the city. Look at any video by Cash Jordan about crime in NYC.

Why would anyone want to live in NYC?

Deforestation Is the New Green

This is quite literally insane. Here’s Proof That Environmentalism Doesn't Motivate the ‘Green Energy’ Industry

It’s hard to imagine anything more misguided than cutting down a state forest to build a solar panel farm. Yet, that’s exactly what Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is moving ahead with, as it plans to clear 420 acres of state forest near Gaylord, Mich., for solar energy development.

We don't need those pesky forests. We need solar energy. Or something.

Like the author of this piece, I'm old enough to remember when deforestation was a bad thing, environmentally speaking.

As a kid, I remember learning about the devastating consequences of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Apparently, if you slap some solar panels on the cleared land, it's suddenly okay. Who knew?

There is so much more. Click thru.

Politics and the Los Angeles Fire

What happens when you destroy everything in favor of the gods of the environment? What happens when you care more about your career than your job? What happens when you care more about your hair cut than the people of California? (That last is about Gavin N.)

Nothing good happens under those circumstances.

• Friday Night Tights - GAVIN NEWSOM IS DUMB! Blames Everyone but Himself for L.A. Wildfires... T.D.S. GONE WILD! (26 minutes)
• Raz0rFist The Rageaholic - Burn, Hollywood, Burn - Razör Rants (11 minutes)
• The Daily Signal - Victor Davis Hanson: California's Catastrophic Wildfires Are ‘A DEI, Green New Deal Disaster’ (8 minutes)
• The Rubin Report - Trump Makes Joe Rogan Go Quiet with Details of How Newsom Botched Fire Prevention (2 minutes)

Victor Davis Hason called this "a systems collapse," and a "DEI, Green-New-Deal, hydrogen bomb," and "something out of Dante's Inferno."

Chris Gore, of Film Threat, who lives in Pasadena, and was on Friday Night Tights, had this to say.

Climate change is the “dog ate my homework” excuse for politicians to avoid accountability.

Dr. Drew Pinsky points out, on The Rubin Report, that the high-speed rail is $80 billion over budget, and to date not one foot of rail has been laid.

And yes, that is a lot of video. I think they all add something to your understanding of what is happening in California. You don't have to watch all of it in one sitting.

As for the Friday Night Tights, both Gary and Ryan did previously live in California, and as I mentioned Chris Gore currently lives in Pasadena, California, and I believe that X-Ray Girl grew up in Los Angeles.

You can find more at my previous post on this topic: DEI and the Los Angeles Fire

How Should a Woman Who Is 9 Months Pregnant Defend Herself?

If she doesn't have a firearm, what should she do? Oh, and she also had two children in the home at risk, as well. Shooting in Grovetown involves domestic incident, man charged | WJBF

This is how you deal with a violent ex.

The incident took place after 9 p.m. on the 7600 block of Main Street on Jan. 6. Responding officers learned that a woman had shot a man who allegedly beat on the front door and windows attempting to enter the home. Police stated the woman said the man “was the father of her 2-year-old daughter and that she was currently nine months pregnant with his child as well.”

Grovetown, Georgia is about a 10 mile drive west of Augusta, or about a 135 mile drive east of Atlanta.

She shot him in the arm, and he ran off. Cops tracked him down, provided first aid, had him taken to a local hospital, and then had him taken to the county lockup.

He was arrested on unrelated, outstanding probation warrants and was also charged with Criminal Trespass – Family Violence.

The woman was not injured. She also was not charged, because self-defense is a human right, and Georgia is not New Jersey.

Hat tip to AmmoLand and Pregnant Mother Defends Herself & Children in GA Justified Shooting Incident

This successful self-defense incident highlights the critical importance of gun rights for those who face imminent threats in their own homes. The mother, who remained unharmed physically, had alerted family members to call police before the situation escalated, demonstrating her concern for law enforcement intervention before resorting to defensive action.

Hollywood Embraces Chinese Communist Behavior Change Research

Hollywood isn't abandoning DEI. They are trying to figure out how to slip it in, without you noticing.

Take a look at Disparu's video Hollywood is Hiding a DARK Secret Behind A Smile

... in the field of Social and behavior change communication. This is the group the same group that runs this convention attended by all of the major companies, who is using Chinese research on social and behavior change in order to work out how you can put social engineering into Hollywood movies and make them profitable, attended by some of the biggest and the biggest media and content creation companies in all of Hollywood.