Posts on Sunday, December 8, 2024
There has been a lot of speculation that the gunman who murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a Midtown Manhattan Hilton hotel last week was a professional killer who used a British bolt-action, magazine-fed suppressed pistol known as a "Welrod,"
[snip]
However, firearms collector and expert Texas Gun Vault shared his opinion on the firearm used in the murder of the CEO, stating that he does not believe it was a Welrod or any variant thereof.
"Well based off the footage that we saw of the assassination ... the assassin kept his right hand on the pistol grip and manipulated the gun with his left.
A coalition of organizations representing faculty, staff, students and other advocacy groups at George Mason University and beyond is alleging that university police acted inappropriately in banning two pro-Palestinian student activists from campus and searching their family’s home. [SNIP] Authorities found four weapons unsecured in the home, along with more than 20 magazines with 30 bullets each, according to Laura Birnbaum, spokesperson for the Fairfax County commonwealth’s attorney. Also found were arm patches with Arabic text that was translated in court to read, “Kill them where they stand,” and other patches that call for death to Jews and America.
President-elect Donald Trump has chosen his personal lawyer Alina Habba — who defended him in multiple high-profile cases — to serve as his Counselor to the President in a slew of staffing picks he announced Sunday night. “Alina has been a tireless advocate for Justice, a fierce Defender of the Rule of Law, and an invaluable Advisor to my Campaign and Transition Team,” Trump said in a statement. Habba, 40, joined Trump’s team of attorneys in 2021 and represented the 45th president in E. Jean Carroll’s defamation lawsuit and New York Attorney General Letitia James’ civil fraud case.
Sen. John Fetterman stunned The View co-host when he claimed that Donald Trump's New York City trial should also be pardoned.
The Pennsylvania Democrat admitted that the case against Trump was politically motivated as he compared it to the same sort of weaponization of the Justice system against President Joe Biden's son Hunter.
The parallel left liberal television personality Joy Behar barely able to speak. 'I think it's undeniable that the case against Hunter Biden was really politically motivated, but I also think it's true that the trial in New York for Trump, that was political as well,
A pair of the ruby slippers from the iconic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz were sold at an auction on Saturday for a whopping $28 million.
The sparkling shoes worn by Judy Garland sold during the event handled by Dallas-based Heritage Auctions, according to the Hollywood Reporter.“With the buyer’s premium, the total is $32.5 million, and the buyer currently remains anonymous,” the article said. An image shows the shoes with Garland’s name written on the inside of them:(X Video)
Donald Trump has made a suggestive statement about a viral intimate moment he shared with Jill Biden during a trip to Notre Dame.
Pictures of the soon-to-be president with the smiling First Lady at the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, sent social media users into a frenzy.
Many claimed that Jill looked incredibly animated during the cordial rendezvous - as the partisan pair leaned into one another and made small talk in the City of Love. And Trump, 78, has now monopolized on the viral comments, implying that Mrs Biden is attracted to him by sharing a screenshot of the moment on Truth Social.
President-elect Donald Trump said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is ready for “peace” as he dished on his meetings with world leaders — and Jill Biden — during his trip to Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame.
The incoming president revealed Sunday details of his conversations with world leaders on his first trip abroad since winning a second term, including a trilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Zelensky.
“He wants to make peace,” Trump told The Post in a phone interview. “That’s new. (Photo)
“He wants to have a ceasefire,” he added. “He wants to make peace. We didn’t talk about the details.
President-elect Donald Trump said during an interview over the weekend that he will not give special treatment to ally Elon Musk over Musk’s competitors.
Trump made the remarks during a Sunday NBC News interview with Kristen Welker on “Meet The Press” when asked about Musk, who was the largest donor during the 2024 election.
“Will you favor Elon Musk over other leaders of competitor companies, like Jeff Bezos?” Welker asked.
“No, Jeff Bezos called me. We’re having dinner,” Trump said. “As you know, Mark Zuckerberg came in. We had a really nice dinner. He asked to have dinner. I had dinner with him. I’m having dinner with everybody.
Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi is being guided through the Senate confirmation process by a lawyer named Chad Mizelle who was previously the 2017-2018 general counsel to Rod Rosenstein in Main Justice. Within the former position at DOJ Chad Mizelle was the guy who wrote the set of scope memos that authorized the Mueller investigation…. However, I am assured by those watching, it’s no big deal.
I’m reminded of a conversation with Eric Dublier Esq, when he said, essentially, “when analyzing motives of DC lawyers, remind yourself they do the thing they are paid to do.” The compass heading on a DC lawyer points directly to his/her bank account.
President-elect Donald Trump revealed that he was “open” to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. looking into the link between vaccines and autism.
During an interview on NBC News’s Meet the Press with host Kristen Welker, Trump was asked if he wanted “to see childhood vaccines eliminated.” Trump admitted that if the vaccines are “dangerous for the children” he would want to see them eliminated and noted that if you “go back 25 years, autism was almost non-existent.”
“Sir, going back 25 years, studies show that there is no link between vaccines and autism, yet it sounds like you are open to the possibility of him
President Joe Biden delivered a short address from the White House on Sunday, claiming credit for the toppling of the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, who was ousted by rebels after a long and brutal reign lasting decades.
Biden claimed that a combination of U.S. policies — isolating Assad; tying Russia down in Ukraine; and allowing Israel freedom of action against Iran and its Hezbollah proxy — weakened the regime and left it without defenders.
Biden said: Over the past four years, my administration pursued a clear, principled policy towards Syria. First, we made clear from the start that sanctions on Assad would remain in place unless
Pope Francis unveiled the annual nativity scene at the Vatican over the weekend - raising some eyebrows in the process.
A noticeable addition this year saw the seminal scene's baby Jesus draped in a keffiyeh - a traditional scarf used by Palestinians as a national symbol. Jesus was born into a Jewish family in Bethlehem some 2,000 years ago - and his death triggered the birth of Christianity. A statement from the wheelchair-bound pontiff, moreover, saw him humbly ask onlookers for peace in the Middle East, weeks after he called for an investigation into what he said may be a 'genocide' occurring in the Gaza Strip.
The United States will work with partners and stakeholders in Syria to help seize the opportunity that has presented itself after rebel fighters' stunning overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, President Joe Biden said on Sunday.
"At long last, the Assad regime has fallen," said Biden, commenting on a fast-moving string of events in Syria that caught some in the White House off guard.
Biden and his top national security aides took stock of a new-look Middle East that may be emerging after rebel forces ousted Assad in little more than a week.
The US launched 'dozens of precision airstrikes' in Syria on Sunday after rebels ousted longtime despotic leader Bashar al-Assad.
The strikes were carried out against known ISIS camps and operatives based in Central Syria, according to US Central Command.
This ongoing operation's objective was to prevent ISIS from taking advantage of the chaos and reorganizing after their attempt at a state collapsed in 2019, according to the Pentagon.
The US military struck 75 targets using war planes, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s. So far, there are no indications of civilian life lost.
'There should be no doubt - we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute
Another CNN anchor is saying farewell. Journalist Alisyn Camerota announced on Instagram Sunday that she is leaving the network after a decade. Sharing a photo of herself behind her desk, Camerota wrote, "Big News, Everyone! − today is my last day on CNN." She did not immediately reveal her next steps but said she would sign off Sunday afternoon on CNN and will share updates with followers. USA TODAY has reached out to CNN for comment. Camerota, 58, joined the cable news giant in 2014 and served as anchor of its "New Day" morning show from 2015 to 2021. The
December is here, the election has been over for a month, Trump has picked out his cabinet and California is still counting the votes. And will go on counting them until the Dems win.
Considering Trump’s landslide victory, California had a difficult task ahead of it, but it has already managed to flip the seats held by Rep. Mike Garcia, Rep. Michelle Steel and just stole the seat held by Rep. John Duarte.
In Duarte’s 13th congressional district, California Dems have taken a month to count a little over 210,000 votes. That’s an impressive achievement considering that the proverbial Florida Man seems able to count the votes on Election night.
The world was moved yesterday by a soprano’s spectacular ode to Notre Dame, which has reopened its doors after a fire devastated the cathedral in April 2019.
Following a frenzied five-year renovation project, the Parisian monument is now fitted with a new roof and spire, and it hosted a magnificent concert on Saturday (7 December) to mark its reopening.
Pretty Yende, a South African operatic soprano who also performed at the coronation of King Charles III in Westminster Abbey, sang a note-perfect rendition of much-loved spiritual ‘Amazing Grace’.
Donald Trump appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday and laid into (soon to be former) FBI Director Christopher Wray over his participation in the weaponization of the Justice Department that has taken place under the Biden-Harris regime. The president-elect was angered that Wray “invaded” his home during the FBI’s August 2002 Mar-a-Lago raid in the classified documents case and also that the director spread conspiracy theories about the July assassination attempt on Trump.KRISTEN WELKER:
Sir, are you going to fire the current FBI director, Christopher Wray, who you appointed?
PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP:
Well, I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home.
Dr. Jill traveled to Paris to attend Notre Dame’s reopening after it was damaged by a devastating fire in 2019 because feeble Joe didn’t want to get upstaged by Trump.
WATCH: (X Video) Trump proudly announced he would be attending the reopening of Notre Dame.
“It is an honor to announce that I will be traveling to Paris, France, on Saturday to attend the re-opening of the Magnificent and Historic Notre Dame Cathedral, which has been fully restored after a devastating fire five years ago. President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so.
In an interview on “Meet the Press,” President-elect Donald Trump outlined his plan for immigration policy, emphasizing deportation for those in the United States illegally. Trump expressed a commitment to removing illegal immigrants, starting with those who have committed crimes and expanding to others without specifying which crimes would be prioritized. This approach may also involve U.S. citizens choosing to leave with family members who are undocumented. Trump’s stance reiterates a key aspect of his campaign platform. He also suggested terminating birthright citizenship via executive action, forecasting potential legal opposition.
John Lennon: Musician, advocate...closet Republican?
The singer's former assistant claims in a new documentary that Lennon was a Ronald Reagan fan and a conservative at the time of his death.
The Toronto Sun reports that Fred Seaman, Lennon's assistant from 1979 until his death in 1980, made the revelations in the documentary "Beatles Stories."
"John, basically, made it very clear that if he were an American he would vote for Reagan because he was really sour on Jimmy Carter," Seaman reportedly told filmmaker Seth Swirsky.
Henry Kissinger argued that geopolitical negotiations are successful only if they are backed by an implicit or explicit threat of force. In that argument, he echoed Teddy
Roosevelt’s quip a century earlier that America should “speak softly and carry a big stick.”
The contention that adversarial negotiations are successful only if you have some leverage to exert is an obvious truism. But American leaders need to re-learn this truism every so often. They naively – and sometimes malevolently – come to believe that the way to get along with the bad guys is to kowtow to them.
If we knew then what we’re learning now about its dangers to health, perhaps the 24 states which have legalized recreational marijuana would not have rushed to do so. What was historically sold to users as harmless and even healthful turns out to be associated with conditions such as Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (uncontrollable vomiting), marijuana use disorder (aka addiction leading to “negative impact on life and health”); and even the onset of schizophrenia, especially among young men.
Thomas McLellan, deputy “drug czar” in the Obama Administration, notes that “the great majority of the cannabis related problems affect those 12-25, which means the problems will have longer duration.”
Donald Trump hasn't taken office yet, and yet, he's already making strides toward freedom for the hostages that Joe Biden has failed to secure in over a year.
Earlier this month, President-elect Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Hamas, declaring there would be “ALL HELL TO PAY” if the terrorist organization fails to release the remaining 100 hostages in Gaza (some are American citizens)."Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East - But it’s all talk, and no action!" he said in a post on Truth Social.
Trump Promises to Launch Mass Deportations,
Pardon January 6 Prisoners in Wide-Ranging
NBC Interview replies
Pardon January 6 Prisoners in Wide-Ranging
NBC Interview replies
President-elect Donald Trump sat down with NBC News for a wide ranging interview where made several key promises, including pardons for Capitol rioters, and vowed to follow through on his plan to deport million of illegal immigrants.
NBC’s Meet the Press aired the Trump interview Sunday after he sat down Friday with anchor Kirsten Welker for more than an hour, his first interview since defeating Vice President Kamala Harris resoundingly in November.
Trump renewed his campaign promise to enact mass deportations, beginning with criminals and going from there. For families with mixed immigration status, Trump suggested deporting them all
China Runs the Table
replies
That is energy expert Robert Bryce’s title for his depressing Substack piece:
On Monday, the Biden administration issued new restrictions on the export of key semiconductor equipment and software to China. On Tuesday, China retaliated by banning the export to the US of three strategic elements — antimony, gallium, and germanium — that have multiple military and civilian uses. It also restricted the export of graphite to the US.
The two countries are now locked in a trade war over key technologies and the strategic commodities used to fabricate everything from batteries to missile guidance systems.
Actually this war has been going on for a while, but only one side has been fighting.
Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown, fleeing Damascus after a rapid rebel advance. But the Syrian dictator is far from the only president likely to be despairing today, for Vladimir Putin is another big loser here.
For Putin, the collapse of the Syrian regime and removal of Assad from power poses two critical problems. Firstly, it represents a critical strategic loss. Secondly, it represents a stark decline in Russia’s global prestige.
Russia now seems almost certain to permanently lose both its naval base at Tartus and its air base at Latakia, its only such bases in the Middle East. The loss of Tartus is particularly painful, as the base allowed Russia to
Hamas is reportedly telling other Palestinian terrorist groups to identify all Israeli hostages in their hands, in the first sign of real movement toward a hostage deal in months.
President-elect Donald Trump warned earlier this month that there will be “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas does not release the remaining 100 Israeli hostages, including several Americans. That threat, accompanied by behind-the-scenes diplomacy, seems to have focused minds in the region.
The Times of Israel reported Sunday: Sources within various Palestinian terror groups in Gaza say that Hamas has told them to compile information on the hostages they hold in preparation for a ceasefire and hostage deal with Israel.
Assad Flees
replies
The murderous tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled Damascus. His regime has fallen. Terrorist groups supported by third-parties have sent Assad running as the Syrian army proved unequal to the task of defending the regime.
I should like to say Barack Obama hardest hit, but it could be Russia. It could be Iran. It’s too soon to say.
The terrorists are described in the news reports as “rebels.” Soon they will be “militants.” The prevailing forces seem largely to be backed by Turkey and they seem to be one flavor or another of Sunni Islamist terrorist.
Events are in flux. The latest dispatch from Reuters is here. Reuters reports:
"Iran’s embassy was stormed
Venezuelan Busted For Extorting Illegals
In PA Exposes Evil Side Effect Of Biden’s
Open Borders replies
In PA Exposes Evil Side Effect Of Biden’s
Open Borders replies
When a party of four Venezuelans and one Colombian crawled through a hole in a fence at the United States-Mexico border, they knew they were entering the U.S. illegally. But they didn’t know they would become witnesses for the Department of Justice (DOJ) in a human trafficking case against Venezuelan national Cesar David Martinez-Gonzalez of Chester, Pennsylvania.
Gonzalez pled guilty this month to conspiring to illegally bring aliens to the United States and to encourage and induce aliens to enter the United States for private financial gain.
Mexico has not played fair. It had already violated the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade by allowing China to use it as a back door for its exports. The new Mexican government is also weakening the legal framework of the country and undermining its own institutions.
And now, in the field of labor, Mexico is violating the agreement once again by receiving 199 Cuban doctors this month in a modern slavery scheme.The USMCA is clear about its commitment to the protection of labor rights. Its preamble establishes the decision to “promote the protection and enforcement of labor rights,
It’s not easy, because Lavrov has such poised, stable understanding of politics and international law. And he expressed this, not in his native Russian, but in English. He also displayed a level of respect for international power relations, and for America itself, that may leave many wondering which current government is more “American.”
As a Russian speaker, and someone who worked in Russia, this is not surprising: The Russian people admire America, and they generally love, and have always yearned for, all things American.
There’s no doubt that Russia’s current government puts Russia first. That is their job.
The final report from Oversight on the COVID-19 pandemic has been released, and and it is clear that the government’s handling of the crisis was a failure on nearly every front. Not only did government officials repeatedly mislead Americans about the origin of the virus and U.S. funding of gain-of-function research, but the various mandates, and the failure to adopt early interventions such as hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin likely caused hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths.
According to The College Fix, “President Joe Biden’s Department of Education has proposed a student loan forgiveness plan to take effect after President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January”
This follows a series of student loan debt forgiveness by the Biden regime.
According to The College Fix,”While the Department of Education puts the estimated cost at $112 billion, one analyst called it a “gross underestimate” and suggested the cost could be five times larger.”
“According to the new proposal, this act would “specify the Secretary’s authority to waive all or part of any student loan debts owed to the Department based on the Secretary’s determination that a borrower has experienced
Pictures of Jill Biden With Donald Trump
at Notre Dame Cathedral Spark Quite a
Bit of Discussion replies
at Notre Dame Cathedral Spark Quite a
Bit of Discussion replies
The re-opening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, which suffered extensive fire damage in 2019, occurred on Saturday, and dozens of world leaders were on hand for the festivities. There was one notable absence, though. President Joe Biden was nowhere to be found. Instead, Jill Biden showed up with her daughter. That alone spurred questions given the president has long claimed to be a "devout Catholic." Yet, he couldn't be bothered to show up for a once-in-a-lifetime event that other world leaders flocked to? Of course, while the White House will likely claim a scheduling conflict (there was nothing on the president's schedule for Saturday),
"We have become the Gaza of Europe. I will NOT accept that. NEVER. The authorities will be held accountable for their failure to protect the Israeli citizens. Never again". — Dutch MP Geert Wilders, X, November 8, 2024.
In Europe, saying that one is for the Palestinians has become the politically correct way of saying one loathes Israel and Jews.
So long as courageous politicians like Geert Wilders are pushed to the margins, the situation in Europe can only get worse. European political leaders are afraid of Muslim unrest and of losing potential votes. They have commensurately become increasingly anti-Israel. French President Emmanuel Macron urged completely stopping arms deliveries to Israel.
This is too funny. For President Trump at Notre Dame, it’s an ordinary walk to his seat, except something happened.
It starts out with Poland’s President Andrzej Duda standing up to greet President Donald Trump. They are friends, and Duda is one of the EU heads of state that is seriously thrilled to see President Trump return (Hungary’s Orban is another). However, after Duda stands things get funny because all the other dignitaries then feel obligated to stand and greet President Trump.
President Trump ended up turning his simple walk to his seat, into a reception line of foreign dignitaries who stood at attention to greet him.
Syrians have stormed Bashar al-Assad's presidential palace in Damascus as rebels declare that the country is 'free' from the 'tyrant'.
The opposition fighters reached the suburbs of the capital yesterday for the first time since the region was recaptured by government troops in 2018.
Syrian state television showed the rebels milling around inside the despot's palace after he reportedly this morning fled on a plane to an unknown destination. Military and intelligence officials are being quizzed by the rebel soldiers about al-Assad's whereabouts as they try to pinpoint his movements.
The president hasn't been seen or heard from since rebels stormed the capital city,
When your opening line is, “I’m Joni Ernst, I grew up castrating hogs on an Iowa farm,” not only do you have our attention — you’ve got us squirming in our seats. (Ouch.)
Before the castration spot aired, Ernst was struggling to raise money, trailing Republican frontrunner Mark Jacobs by several points for the GOP nomination. Conservative women — including Sarah Palin — found the ad humorous, endorsed her candidacy, and helped Ernst build her war chest. Within months, she was the undisputed frontrunner.
And in 2020, she was elected to her second term in the Senate
Syrian government falls to fast-moving
rebels, ending 50 years of iron rule by
the Assad family replies
rebels, ending 50 years of iron rule by
the Assad family replies
The Syrian government collapsed early Sunday, falling to a lightning rebel offensive that seized control of the capital of Damascus and sent crowds into the streets to celebrate the end of the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule.
Syrian state television aired a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been set free.
The man who read the statement said the opposition group, known as the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, called on all rebel fighters and citizens to preserve the institutions of “the free Syrian state.”
President Trump Responds to Civil War
in Syria: "This is not our fight" ...
"Do not get involved" replies
in Syria: "This is not our fight" ...
"Do not get involved" replies
According to Reuters, “Syrian rebels announced they gained full control over the key city of Homs early on Sunday after only a day of fighting, leaving President Bashar al-Assad’s 24-year rule dangling by a thread as insurgents marched on the capital, Damascus.”
Responding to the situation on the ground, President Elect Donald Trump says we should stay out of it. Meanwhile a joint statement was released from officials from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Turkey and Russia after an emergency meeting in Doha.
A Tale of Two Parties
replies
Eighty-three years after the disastrous sneak attack on Pearl Harbor which galvanized our nation to prepare for a long fight and ultimate victory, we have a clearer picture of how Barack Obama (and through him, President Biden) destroyed his party and with it many of our institutions. We now have a leader and a plan to restore their strength. Much has been written about why the Democrats suffered such a devastating loss in the election, but I’m inclined to place great weight on the views expressed by Adam Mill in Chronicles Magazine who argues persuasively that the Democrats’ decision-making process doomed their chances, a process unlikely to soon change.
Kate was joined by her husband and their three children to host her Together At Christmas carol service.
It is the first time the Wales family have been seen together in public since their appearance at Trooping the Colour, the King's birthday parade, in June.
An hour before the service began, the princess arrived alone to greet performers in the Chapter House of the abbey before walking around to greet other guests.When singer Paloma Faith expressed sympathy for the princess, who this year underwent chemotherapy, Kate, 42, replied: 'I didn't know this time last year it was going to be the year I've just had.'
A judge ruled that the US Navy can keep racial preferences. Marxist DEI is alive and well in the Navy. Meritocracy is dead if this isn’t overturned.
Donald Trump and his Cabinet can’t get into office soon enough. US Senior District Judge Richard D. Bennett of Maryland on Friday allowed the US Naval Academy to keep considering applicants’ race and ethnicity in its admission practices, calling the issue a matter of national security.
Usually, meritocracy is the best way to protect national security. We should have the best candidates in our Navy.
Syrian dictator Bashar Assad, who used chemical weapons multiple times on his population, has fled Syria after rebels stormed the capital city of Damascus, according to Reuters.
Assad, who was trained as an eye doctor in the United Kingdom before succeeding his father, and his British-born wife, Asma al-Assad, fled with their three children, according to Syrian television reports. It was not known where they were headed.
For those of us patriotic Americans who believe wholeheartedly in American exceptionalism, the last four years have been embarrassing. Anytime Joe Biden has made an appearance on the world stage, we've been left with nothing more than cringeworthy gaffes and viral videos of him acting as if he has no idea where he is or what he's doing there.
But today, Donald Trump accepted an invitation from France to attend the re-opening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was a damaged in a fire in 2019, and the entire event was symbolic of what I hope will be a return to our original place