Wyoming Wind Turbines Killed 23,000 Birds And Bats Last Year

Because that is good for the environment, or something. Wyoming Wind Turbines Killed More Than 23,000 Birds And Bats Last Year | Cowboy State Daily

In 2025, wind turbines killed 1,160 large birds, such as raptors and waterfowl, Wyoming Game and Fish habitat protection program supervisor Will Schultz told the state Game and Fish Commission on Wednesday.

Turbine blades also killed 9,152 small birds, such as meadowlarks, and 13,423 bats, Schultz said.

Hat tip to MaddMedic at Freedom Is Just Another Word…

But it’s okay.
It’s not dirty oil!
It’s GREEN!!

Friday Links - 17 July

An abbreviated links post today... Real Life sucks sometimes...

William Teach at Pirate's Cove starts things rolling with Illegal Kills 6 Year Old In NC After Blowing Stop Sign

Where are all the Democrats and their pet media who bleat when an illegal is killed by NICE when the illegal tries to run them over? I cannot also not find any articles in the Raleigh outlets

Pixy Misa at Ambient Irony - Daily News Stuff 15 July 2026: Red Fish Blue Fish Edition

Micrsoft just release a set of patches that fix 570 security holes in Windows and their other software. (Krebs on Security)

That's... Good, I guess? If still terrifying.

Midwest Chick's Place - I don’t care as long as the time changes stop….

Apparently the House of Representatives passed a bill ending the twice yearly clock changing that we all have had to deal with for our entire lives.

Miguel Gonzalez - Don't play in traffic.

Life is truly about making choices, smart ones. And paying consequences for the stupid ones.

Meep at STUMP - Sports (and other) Gambling: the Modern Scourge

The World Cup is wrapping up, and I CANNOT escape the betting ads:

Another Failure of the Victim-Selection Process

While there is very little information given out at the time I am typing this, some things are clear. Shooting at Tuscaloosa Circle K under investigation

The shooting took place in a Circle K convenience store. The person who was shot is in critical condition.

Following interviews with witnesses and watching surveillance video from the gas station, authorities believe the shooting was in self-defense during a possible robbery attempt.

No one is charged, as the investigation is in early stages, and the guy who got shot is in a local hospital.

Things we don't know: Did the clerk do the shooting, or did one of the customers in the store do the shooting. The phrasing implies that there was more than one person (the clerk) in the store at the time of the incident.

We may see another article about this event, when charges are filed, or a trial is held, but it is very likely that this is the last the media will write about this incident.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a 58 mile drive southwest of Birmingham, or a 100 mile drive northwest of Montgomery, Alabama.

Self-defense is a human right, and Alabama has not morphed into a clone of Massachusetts.

Dr. John Lott on SCOTUS Gun Rulings

WLW is one of the largest radio stations in Cincinnati. There was a time it was one of the largest radio stations in the country. They have a 500 kilowatt amplifier. They don't have a license to use it. On Cincinnati’s Giant WLW: To Discuss Supreme Court Gun Rulings and Canada’s Violent Crime Rate

Dr. John Lott appeared on 700 WLW’s The Bill Cunningham Show in Cincinnati to discuss two recent U.S. Supreme Court Second Amendment decisions, explaining the ruling against Hawaii’s restrictive concealed carry law and the United States v. Hemani decision limiting firearm prohibitions based solely on marijuana use. They also discussed our latest research on total violent crime in Canada and the concentration of murders in the United States.

Click thru for the audio of the discussion. It is a bit over 18 minutes.

First Responders Train for Active Shooter

Too many people, in too many places, believe they live on magic dirt, where things like Uvalde cannot happen. Champaign first responders train together for the unimaginable

In a real-life scenario — once the threat of danger is lifted — police work to keep everyone safe, while firefighters are focused on getting medical aid to victims. Sean Ater, a Lieutenant with Champaign Police, said the only way to make sure they get both jobs done is by communicating in high stress situations.

Active shooters are something that police need to think about. Champaign, Illinois, had a population of 88,000 in the 2020 census with a 2024 estimate of 91,000 people. It is good to see departments taking this risk seriously. I hope that smaller departments do as well.

Champaign, Illinois, is a 125 mile drive west of Indianapolis, Indiana, or a 135 mile drive south of Chicago's Loop. It is home to the University of Illinois.

While we are thinking about active shooters, let's take a look at the Most Useless SWAT Team in America. (They do look snazzy, don't they.)

Is Self-Defense Legal in the UK?

Not when the process is the punishment. Farmer to face no action over 2024 Whaley Bridge burglary shooting death

A farmer arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder over the death of a 19-year-old who was shot during a burglary in Derbyshire has been released with no further action, police have said.

Marcus Smith was pronounced dead at the scene in Eccles Road, Whaley Bridge, in the early hours of 1 May 2024, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound.

So after two years, the prosecutors finally decided that this was a case of self-defense. After two years in jail, awaiting trial, he was released.

Janine McKinney, chief crown prosecutor for CPS East Midlands, said: "After careful analysis of all the evidence gathered during the police investigation, our prosecutors have decided that there will be no criminal charges in relation to the death of Marcus Smith or the serious injury of another male.

They have a way to go before I will consider self-defense to be legal.

Hummer EV Fire

And an update to a previous story on a Ford F-150 Lighting. See this video for the update on the F-150.

This is the StacheD Training video Hummer EV Spontaneous Battery Fire: Repair Shop Warning

You can find the original story about the F-150 Lightning at this link.

Another Submachine Gun in Australia

As always, Impro Guns has the story. 9mm Bullet Hose SMG (Australia). Click thru for photos.

The Professor Parabellum design from the ‘9mm Bullet Hose – Homebuilt Submachine Gun’ PDF shown to the press amongst a table of seized homemade and 3D printed firearms recently seized by police in Western Australia.

The post linked above includes a link to a news story by way of YouTube.

The Australians seem to be fighting a losing battle against 3D printed firearms, and the Professor Parabellum designs.

The plans for the 9mm Bullet Hose can be found at this link. The version shown in the photos and the video of the firearm seized in Australia includes a suppressor not included in the design.

The 9mm Bullet Hose is designed to be built with nothing more complicated than a drillpress, and some basic welding. It seems to share some design philosophy with the venerable M3 Grease Gun.

Wednesday Link Roundup - 15 July

William Teach at Pirate's Cove starts us off with Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup

Bustednuckles has mouth causing trouble.
Don Surber has highlights of the week.

Wombat-socho - In The Mailbox: 07.14.26 (Afternoon Edition)

Baldilocks: Right Place
CDR Salamander: Midrats Mid-July Melee, also, Navy’s Perfectly Named

EBL - Stephen Fry on the Illiad and Odyssey

Great commentary by Stephen Fry
AoSHQ: Morning Report 07.13.26

Pixy Misa at Ambient Irony - Daily News Stuff 14 July 2026: The Origin Of Croissants Edition

55% of Americans have stopped regular use of social media. (PC Magazine)
Because they're tired of dealing with communists.

Small Dead Animals - Sunday On Turtle Island

The Democratic Party’s America: Victor Davis Hanson – Graham Platner. Tiny minority.
Stories You Won’t Find At Carney’s CBC: We rest on thee. Legacy of free speech. A trans complaint.

Political Hat - News of the Week (July 12th, 2026)

California Wants a Watcher Inside Every 3D Printer
California decided your printer should treat you like a suspect.

A View from the Beach - Flotsam and Jetsam - Sen. Lindsey Graham Dead at 71

John Sexton at Hat Hair hears Russia Closes the Kerch Strait After 76 Ships Hit With Drones. At Space.com, The US wants to build offshore rocket launch sites.

Don Surber - HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

ITEM 11: Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed legislation permanently eliminating the state’s requirement that high school students demonstrate proficiency in reading, writing, and math to earn a diploma.

Bacon Time!!!! - Sunday Linkange

The Midwest Chick Saturday Meme Drop………….
Pirates Cove Leftards Wonder Why Platner Dropped Out, Because He Could Have Won Or Something

Vlad Tepes - China’s IP theft from Canadian scientists, the forcing of sharia norms in Canada, UK and USA: Links 1 for July 13, 2026

1. CSIS Warned About Him for Two Decades. Then a Clean Energy Scientist Allegedly Copied Thousands of Files for Beijing on the Eve of Retirement
One wonders if anyone in the Canadian Gov’t does not work for the CCP.

Gates of Vienna - News Feed 7/11/2026

Bettering yourself financially or at least giving your children the opportunity for a more prosperous future has driven people to emigrate to the United States for generations. But is the next generation still better off in this day and age?

The Glibertarians - Sunday Morning Orientation Links

Put your hands on your wallet, here go prices again!
This can’t be true because Canada has LAWS! Maybe the guns came from Indiana.

Maggie's Farm - Monday morning links

The genetics of the colors of warblers
Wealthy Americans Prefer This Grocery Chain Over Any Other, Survey Finds: Costco

J.J. Sefton at Ace of Spades of HQ - The Morning Report — 7/ 13 /26

The Democrats rely on this technique to move the political needle, but there are simple ways to counter it.
Manufactured Moral Outrage

Doug Ross - Larwyn’s Linx: Jim Banks introduces bill to end birthright citizenship by following Kavanaugh roadmap

• Climate Change Is the Omnicause - David Strom
• Amid Democrat Attacks On SCOTUS, Analysis Shows Jackson Is Most Partisan Justice By Far - Skye Graham

Anonymous Conservative - News Briefs – 07/14/2026

President Donald Trump will give a ?national address on Thursday night about newly declassified intelligence on investigations into U.S. elections and what the White House says are voting machine vulnerabilities

I leave you with Sunday’s When the Weekend is almost over Meme Drop 7-12-26 from Midwest Chick's Place, Sunday Funnies from Flopping Aces, and Quick Hits Of Wisdom, Knowledge And Snark #3921 from 90 Miles from Tyranny.

Self-Defense Is Legal in Michigan

And for once the prosecutors seem on board with that. 2 involved in Fairlane mall shooting acted in self-defense: prosecutors

Fairlane Town Center mall is in Dearborn, a city in Wayne County, Michigan, which is located about 7 miles west of downtown Detroit.

Three people were shot, two fatally, at 1:25 p.m. Friday, July 3, inside the shopping center on Michigan Avenue. Cameron Watkins and Keonte Seaborn, both 19 and of Detroit, were killed.

The person is charged, if I'm reading this correctly, with unlawful carry of a concealed firearm. So the prosecutors had to go for something.

And then there is this:

Dearborn police Detective Benjamin Harless said the shooting was "most likely a gang-related incident."

Color me shocked.

Remembering Kevin Mitnick

Kevin Mitnick passed away 16 July 2023 at the age of 59 from Cancer. The Wiki lists him as a "computer security consultant, author, and convicted hacker."

From The Drive we get a story about hacking. This Man Was Gifted His Dream Car by the Notorious Hacker He Put in Prison

It’ll help if you know the name Kevin Mitnick. He was a hacker-turned-security consultant who, later in life, helped shape the modern white-hat. Just how prototypical was Mitnick? He put himself on the proverbial map in 1979 by dialing into a software company’s server and copying its forthcoming operating system release in its entirety. Imagine convincing a Microsoft server to cough over an early copy of Windows 12 using little more than a phone number.

Click thru for the details of how Mitnick got caught trying to hack/social engineer his way into Novell in the 1990s.

In the end, Shawn Nunley caught him. Mitnick was convicted and sent to prison.

When he got out, Mitnick contacted Nunley to apologize. Their bury-the-hatchet moment was even immortalized by Wired, and they went on to become good friends.

Mitnick went on to found a couple of White Hat hacking/consulting firms. He became quite successful.

When Mitnick passed from pancreatic cancer in 2023, he left Nunley a gift—enough to buy his dream car, a 911 Carrera 4 GTS.

An interesting story.

Come Together

So based in part on a YouTube channel that I follow sporadically, I have been revisiting the Beatles. Some of their early music I despise. Some of the later work I love.

This song is "Come Together" by The Beatles from their album Abbey Road, which came out in 1969. It wasn't the last album released, but it was the last album recorded before they disbanded.

Film Threat Reaction to The Odyssey

Alan Ng and Chris Gore had the opportunity to see Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Alan hated it. Chris said it was mixed.

This is the Film Threat Reactions video THE ODYSSEY OUT OF THE THEATER SOCIAL MEDIA REACTION

“I can’t wait to not see this movie again."
    — Alan Ng

Tuesday Links - 14 July

Andy Ngo at Ngo Comment is first with ACLU Releases Guide on Hiding Digital Evidence at Direct Actions

The ACLU recently released a guide on how “protesters” can hide or destroy digital evidence of their involvement in street direct actions after a North Texas Antifa cell was convicted.

Patrick Dent at Chicago Contrarian - Death in Deering: What’s the cause of death? It’s a five-letter word that begins with G

Only deep into the article do we finally encounter references to long-standing conflicts between gangs such as the Latin Saints and La Raza. We learn that gang slogans were allegedly shouted during one killing.

William Teach at Pirate's Cove - Maine AWFLs Upset Nazi Platner Dropped Out

The Nazi tattoo should have been disqualifying, and Platner knew it was a Nazi tattoo from the get-go. But, you know, Democrats

Ben Kew at The Gateway Pundit - Ex-Obama Press Secretary Turned Minneapolis Comms Chief Accused of Stealing Co-Workers’ Credit Cards to Fund Kratom Habit

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, [Adam] Fetcher is accused of taking cash and credit cards from the desks and purses of at least three City Hall employees before making hundreds of dollars in unauthorized purchases at local tobacco stores.

Impro Guns - Gambler’s Special

A version of the sheet metal derringer no.2 seized by police in Brazil. I’m honestly more impressed by the accompanying hand stitch holster which is a nice touch.

The Silicon Graybeard - Small Space News Story Roundup 83

SpaceX Pulls in Starship Flight Test 13 to Next Thursday

Wombat-socho - FMJRA 2.0: Slowly I Turn

We’ve started the unofficial phase of the draft in Pete’s league for the 1975 season, which is to say there’s no time limit, teams just pick in order. So we might actually have most of the draft done before the official timed part of the draft starts in August. We still have four teams open, if you’re interested.

William Teach at Pirate's Cove - New Cult Talking Point: Earth May Possibly Be Hotter Than In The Last 540 Million Years (or something)

Oh, wait, so, the article doesn’t actually support the unhinged, doomy headline? Color me shocked.

Pixy Misa at Ambient Irony - Daily News Stuff 13 July 2026: Seven Ate Nine Edition

Apple's upcoming M7 processor, destined for a full rollout with Pro, Max, and Ultra models, is expected to support as much as 1.5TB of RAM for local AI and other massively intensive workloads. (WCCFTech)

Which will cost $37,500. For the RAM. The rest of the computer will be... Actually relatively inexpensive.

Again from Wombat-socho - Rule 5 Sunday: Melon Season

Picked a bad day to accidentally delete the picture folder off my phone, not that there are any good days to do that.

Lawrence Person's BattleSwarm Blog - “A Culture of Courage”: A German Celebrates American Freedom

Here’s a heart-warming video about a German who moved to America to get married, only to discover most of what he thought he knew was wrong.

357 Magnum versus 45 ACP

These are the kinds of questions the spark religious wars. 357 Magnum vs. 45 ACP: Is One Truly Better Than the Other?

The 357 Magnum vs. 45 ACP argument is a great way to send firearm forums and gun shops into an uproar. I've fired both cartridges for many years and certainly have my preference, though I'll set it aside for the sake of objectivity. As you continue reading this article, you will gain the knowledge to determine which cartridge is better for self-defense, target shooting, hunting, and your overall shooting experience.

This is a pretty good comparison of the ballistics of the 2 cartridges. While I do like 357 magnum, I also like 45 ACP.

That's not the only difference, though. The two cartridges have different bullet and case dimensions, resulting in different ballistic performance. The 45 ACP is typically loaded with a heavier bullet, but the 357 Mag has a longer case and higher maximum pressure.

Various bits of ballistic data is included. Click thru.

Xbox Player Wins Lawsuit Against Microsoft

It isn't a lot, but they couldn't just brush him off. Xbox player wins lawsuit against Microsoft to get his account back plus $400 - Dexerto

His Microsoft account was hacked. When he contacted support, they said, "Yep, hacked." Then they

The account belonged to a Reddit user called Ordo_Liberal, who spent three months documenting the ordeal online. His Microsoft account was compromised despite two-factor authentication being active, and when he contacted support, the company confirmed that “unauthorized access occurred” before informing him that “we are unable to modify or restore the security settings once they’ve been updated.”

The suspended his account. They told him, he would have to purchase every game, movie, whatever he had purchased associated with that account again. Too bad, so sad.

He sued and won in a Brazilian court.

For any Minecraft purchases tied to the account, the email went further still: “the game cannot be recovered. A new purchase will be required on a newly created account.” That response, apparently, was the wrong thing to say to someone living in Brazil, a country with strong consumer protection law.

Click thru for the details, or see Mutahar's video linked below.

Hat tip to the Mutahar at SomeOrdinaryGamers and his video Huge Win Against Microslop...

NATO Leaders Are Afraid of Guns, and Each Other Apparently

From The Guardian: Nato leaders surprised by Turkish president’s gift of guns after summit

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan presented engraved revolvers – with bullets – to his guests in Ankara, causing security concerns

If you're concerned that the leaders of NATO are going to pick up gift revolvers and open fire on each other, then Trump's concerns about the organization don't begin to scratch the surface.

What does a world leader do with a gun and six bullets? That was the conundrum Nato leaders faced after the Turkish president offered them each a revolver after the Ankara summit.

Several of the leaders of NATO had to leave the firearms behind, because transporting them was "not straightforward."

Hat tip to Glenn Reynolds at Instapundit: WHAT WUSSES.

Gifts of firearms were a traditional thing between leaders until the feminization of the West. You can bet Teddy Roosevelt wouldn’t have panicked. Or LBJ. Or even GWB.

They are freaking beautiful. Each was engraved with the recipient’s name, and what I take to be the symbol from the Turkish flag. Click thru for the photo of one firearm.

There was no definitive answer for what guns they were, but CNN, of all places, had a guess.

Images shared by the office of Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda showed what appeared to be the Gumusay .357 Magnum, a rare six-shooter produced by Turkish arms maker MKE in the 1990s.

Which would make sense.

Though I think this still applies:

We Rock

Another song by way of social media. Social media isn't too bad if you can avoid the insanity. It can be hard to avoid most days.

This song is "We Rock" by Dio. It is the title song to his compilation video album. It was part of the 1984 version of this album. If I'm reading things correctly (and I'm not sure about that) a shorter version of the album was released in 1983.

The Weekend In the Windy City

HeyJackass! has the stats for the weekend in Chicago. Wrong Place, Wrong Time Weekend

The July 4th weekend in Chicago was surprisingly peaceful. Well, it was peaceful by Chicago standards, though Mother Nature did lend a hand. There is less crime in Chicago during the winter cold, and during thunderstorms.

With the July 4th weekend behind us, we now return to our regularly scheduled programming.

So are these numbers good, or bad?

Final Demonized Tally: 4 killed, 19 wounded
2025 weekend tally: 4 killed, 25 wounded
2024 weekend tally: 11 killed, 29 wounded

It used to be a wonderful city.