Open Thread – Mon 15 July 2024


Ruins in the moonlit landscape, Arnold Böcklin, 1849

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Bungonia Bee
Bungonia Bee
July 16, 2024 9:46 am

MTG at the RNC! Go Marjorie!

Beertruk
July 16, 2024 9:49 am

johanna
 July 16, 2024 8:40 am

Someone above posted a cip of a speech by a former US Border Patrol chief. What struck me was when he told then President Trump that South American countries were refusing to take back illegals like MS 13 gangsters, Trump acted. He phoned up the Presidents or whoever was in charge and told them that unless they took their spawn back, all US aid would be cut off.
Two days later, planeloads of them were on their way home.
Diplomats revel in making things complicated – just imagine the many reasons why they would have told Trump it was a bad idea.
Sometimes you need to put an axe through a Gordian knot.

This one Johanna. I watched it as well and he didn’t hold back. Also didn’t hold back about how numerous children were and are being exploited in the border disaster as well :

Zippster
 July 15, 2024 10:24 pm

“That’s A Bunch Of Bullsh*t!” Tom Homan RIPS Karine Jean-Pierre At Major GOP Event
great speech

Last edited 6 months ago by Beertruk
Pogria
Pogria
July 16, 2024 11:14 am
Reply to  Beertruk

Ace has nick-named her “Latrine John-Pissoir”. 😀

calli
calli
July 16, 2024 9:49 am

Who put the ladder there? The most likely person is the (now) headless would-be assassin.

It was hardly a spur of the moment decision to have a red hot go at Trump and/or his supporters (the bomb paraphernalia is a clue). He could have put the ladder there days earlier, or simply found it and used it. These were small town sports fields and such stuff is lying around everywhere. When they back track his movements you’ll likely find he’d sussed the place out earlier.

Of more interest is why didn’t the security detail comb the venue properly before the event began. They had time to put on their uniforms and tool belts and don their assorted weaponry. But no one appears to have had the nouse to do a walk around.

As for Headlesses social media presence, it will be unearthed if there is a will to do so.

Arky
July 16, 2024 12:49 pm
Reply to  calli

Some random stupid thoughts:
I have done security at events with civilian security types in large crowds. 99% of your attention is taken up dealing with and keeping an eye of the behaviour of Joe Idiot, the average member of the general public.
However, trained infantry types who should make up the SS, are trained to keep their attention to the specific arc they are given, no matter what. Even if a bomb goes off outside your arc, your attention should remain on your own task, in the knowledge that someone else on the team has eyes on the incident.
These political rallies must require a lot of very specialised talents to cover a large range of very different tasks.
Which takes me to the female agent who takes out her handgun after shots are fired, and points it AT THE CROWD. Meanwhile, the rapid response crew with rifles pointed safely at the ground move in front of her and she keeps her gun up lasering their backs as they pass her.
The only drill that seems to have entered her brain during training is to at least keep her finger outside the trigger guard until a target is acquired.
What was the state of her weapon at this time? Was the safety on? Was there a round in the chamber? Did she even know the weapon state? Given the amount of agitation she was exhibiting, the amount of movement around her, what exactly was her task, and how safe were the people around her, including her own team from being the victim of an unwanted weapon discharge.

Morsie
Morsie
July 16, 2024 9:53 am

Interesting that my US portfolio ( very small and only 5 stocks ) has barely moved since Saturday’s events.I was expecting a bump.

calli
calli
July 16, 2024 9:54 am

In addition, rumour has it (hmmmmm) that his parents are progressives. The gun belonged to Dad.

Nothing like stoking the hatred around the dinner table and having the means to take it further. Catastrophically, as it turned out.

Boambee John
Boambee John
July 16, 2024 11:40 am
Reply to  calli

No, no, no, mUntyfa has assured us that he was a true blue conservative.

It was in the DNC talking points, so it must be true.

Zatara
Zatara
July 16, 2024 2:48 pm
Reply to  calli

His dad is a psychologist and his mum is a substitute elementary school teacher. Chances of them being conservative approach nil.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
July 16, 2024 9:59 am

These were small town sports fields and such stuff is lying around everywhere. When they back track his movements you’ll likely find he’d sussed the place out earlier.

I can’t be sure, but it looks like that property is separate from the rally property.
It would be interesting to have a fire-side chat with the owner and employees.
Another thing which occurred to me is whether the Trump camp contributed to confusion. The site looks pretty much like a paddock with limited fixed infrastructure. Did the campaign provide a mud-map of the site layout which was inaccurate or confusing, or was the final set-up different to that proposed?

cohenite
July 16, 2024 9:59 am

Good start to the day: Trump recovering, JD on the ticket and Trump has literally a cast of thousands to fill other important positions. That POS Jack Smith booted and the other 3 cases against Trump completely rooted:

1 Engoron will soon face criminal charges
2 Merchan has been fuked by SCOTUS and immunity
3 Fanny will soon be in the lockup.

Pogria
Pogria
July 16, 2024 11:16 am
Reply to  cohenite

I wonder if Fanny’s meat tuba will continue its vigorous exercise plan in lock up?

Arky
July 16, 2024 12:25 pm
Reply to  Pogria

Ewwwww.

Morsie
Morsie
July 16, 2024 10:05 am

Allegedly SS resources were diverted to Jill Biden so the SS was stretched at the Trump rally.

Zatara
Zatara
July 16, 2024 2:50 pm
Reply to  Morsie

They were. Jill was out doing a campaign event without Joe, which is an issue in itself.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
July 16, 2024 10:06 am

calli
 July 16, 2024 9:54 am

In addition, rumour has it (hmmmmm) that his parents are progressives.

Even more worrying, I saw a report that they both worked as counsellors.
In other words, hand-patters who would have a very light touch when it came to discipline.

Morsie
Morsie
July 16, 2024 4:08 pm
Reply to  Sancho Panzer

Worst behaved kid at my son’s primary school had two child shrinks as parents

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 10:10 am

As for Headlesses social media presence, it will be unearthed if there is a will to do so.

The FBI are having terrible trouble trying to crack his phone, really terrible terrible trouble.

FBI Claims Purportedly Struggling To Crack Trump Shooter’s Phone (16 Jul)

It’s a mystery. I wonder if in that big warehouse there’s room on the shelf next to the Ark of the Covenant for a phone.

Entropy
Entropy
July 16, 2024 11:17 am

TBF Apple at least has made on device encryption a priority.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 12:10 pm
Reply to  Entropy

From Instapundit…

comment image

BobtheBoozer
BobtheBoozer
July 16, 2024 12:41 pm

Any fair minded person will now assume the shooter wasn’t a lone duck, the FBI has actually accessed the phone and know who the others are who are involved and is now actively protecting them.
And you can bet your left nut they were in it up to their little pointy heads.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
July 16, 2024 10:10 am

Morsie
 July 16, 2024 10:05 am

Allegedly SS resources were diverted to Jill Biden so the SS was stretched at the Trump rally.

The narcissistic bint has already said she loves the power trip of a motorcade with everyone having to stop for her.
As I said yesterday, Trump should simply say that whatever level of protection he gets between now and November will be the new benchmark for protection of ex-Presidents.
How could they possibly argue that it wouldn’t be adequate?

Mother Lode
Mother Lode
July 16, 2024 10:12 am

Allegedly SS resources were diverted to Jill Biden so the SS was stretched at the Trump rally.

Did Jill decide that her special First Lady entrance music would by suitably enhanced by a choral component?

Greyranga
Greyranga
July 16, 2024 11:18 am
Reply to  Mother Lode

DrJill’s entrance music is “Send in the Clowns”.

BobtheBoozer
BobtheBoozer
July 16, 2024 12:42 pm
Reply to  Greyranga

…or the Benny Hill Theme.

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 10:19 am

JD Vance is an Appalachian, of Scots-Irish descent. 

The Americanism Scotch-Irish is a bit of a misnomer, as they were neither Gaelic Scots nor Irish, but from the northern English borderland counties and English-speaking lowland Scots who came from the same genetic stock and shared a common “borderland” culture. They’d been transplanted to Ulster in the reign of King James VI, hence “Irish”. Gaelic speaking Scots were forbidden migration based upon fears they might join the Irish locals in rebellion. They also had to be Protestant, though not necessarily CofE. They later took their distinct culture with them to America.

‘Albion’s Seed: Four British Folkways in America’ is the book to read on British culture in early north America.

Last edited 6 months ago by Roger
Bungonia Bee
Bungonia Bee
July 16, 2024 11:19 am
Reply to  Roger

A lot of Scots migrated to Northern Ireland, my great grandfather was one of them.

Last edited 6 months ago by Bungonia Bee
Megan
Megan
July 16, 2024 11:49 am
Reply to  Roger

Border Scots made up the Reivers. Zero trust in government of any colour. Vicious troublemakers. From which DNA, in my case, exhibits as sneaky troublemaker. Fierce fighters, who when they werent fighting the government, fought each other. Not entirely sure why they were seen as less troublesome than the Gaelic Haggis Eating variety of Scot. They were all mad as cut snakes.

And if they think that speaking Scots is the same as speaking English, I have a copy of my 3GGrandfather’s Scots poetry and prose available for translation. It’s a distinct language which almost disappeared in the diaspora but has made a comeback in recent years.

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 4:18 pm
Reply to  Megan

It’s a distinct language which almost disappeared in the diaspora but has made a comeback in recent years.

Scots & English both derive from proto-English, Megan.

(But you probably knew that!)

Btw, Thomas Sowell traces the negative aspects of black American culture to the influence of the Scotch-Irish. I’m not sure I’m convinced by his argument, though.

Last edited 6 months ago by Roger
Crossie
Crossie
July 16, 2024 10:22 am

Bruce of Newcastle

 July 16, 2024 10:10 am

As for Headlesses social media presence, it will be unearthed if there is a will to do so.

The FBI are having terrible trouble trying to crack his phone, really terrible terrible trouble.

They are not going to make the same mistake again like they did with the transgender mass-murderess in Nashville and her manifesto. If they don’t “find” anything they don’t have to release anything.

Anders
Anders
July 16, 2024 10:22 am

I can’t be sure, but it looks like that property is separate from the rally property.

It’s a factory/warehouse belonging to some kind of glass/plastic manufacturer, it looks very easily accessible because there is even a Google Street View into their carpark and you can go right up to the trees where the ladder was hidden behind and simultaneously see where Trump was speaking. No security gates at the entrance, so perfectly possible for some random to go in there.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 10:24 am

MTG at the RNC! Go Marjorie!

For those interested Breitbart has a live thread on the RNC and the speakers here:

***Livewire*** Night One of the Republican National Convention

The President of the Teamsters is the last speaker, which is interesting in light of this story:

In Blow to Biden, Teamsters Consider No Endorsement in 2024 Race (Newsmax, 15 Jul)

Will there be a surprise endorsement? It would be historic if so.

Arky
July 16, 2024 10:30 am

Old School Conservative

 July 15, 2024 8:56 pm

 Reply to  Arky

Heavens Arky, you “like” a “good guy” who believes that splattering a man’s brains all over the crowd is “doing a good job”?

I assume he’s hit you too many times in the head.

Give yourself an uppercut

..

This would be my reaction too OSC, if someone else told a similar story about a lefty friend.
But this is what we were up against with the covid and the TDS. People indoctrinated by the programming.
In defence of my instructor, he is a good bloke with otherwise sound ideas.
And maybe some brain damage from past fights.

Last edited 6 months ago by Arky
Eyrie
Eyrie
July 16, 2024 10:33 am

Mother Lode, those voters are too stupid since they keep voting Dem no matter how horrendous the politicians become and the monstrous policies they put forward.

Just like our major parties. We don’t matter, remember?

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 10:37 am
Reply to  Eyrie

We don’t matter, remember?

Until it comes time to hand out HTVs at booths.

?

H B Bear
H B Bear
July 16, 2024 2:57 pm
Reply to  Roger

We don’t matter, remember?

That originated with Crosby Textor who have taken both nominally centre right parties into Opposition in the UK and Australia where they show little prospect of returning to government in the near future. I’m not sure it would reflect current thinking. Elections still have some relevance (albeit slight) to the democratic process.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
July 16, 2024 10:37 am

Was the ladder semi-automatic?

Cassie of Sydney
July 16, 2024 10:39 am

The Americanism Scotch-Irish is a bit of a misnomer, as they were neither Gaelic Scots nor Irish, but from the northern English borderland counties and English-speaking lowland Scots who came from the same genetic stock and shared a common “borderland” culture. They’d been transplanted to Ulster in the reign of King James VI, hence “Irish”. Gaelic speaking Scots were forbidden migration based upon fears they might join the Irish locals in rebellion. They also had to be Protestant, though not necessarily CofE. They later took their distinct culture with them to America.

All of which I am aware of however after the Jacobite rebellion of 1745 failed, followed by the land clearances across the highlands, many Gaelic speaking Scots did emigrate to Appalachian areas.

Last edited 6 months ago by Cassie of Sydney
Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 10:56 am

All of which I am aware of…

I thought you would be, Cassie, but I suspected a few here weren’t, especially as the term is rarely used outside of north American English.

Zippster
Zippster
July 16, 2024 10:39 am
shatterzzz
July 16, 2024 10:45 am

What a con of an “our’ ABC sob story ..FFS! .. Pensioners in “houso” pay 25% of their pension in rent, across the board, the only time(s) it differs is if there are others living with you .. Regardless of the rent the OAP/DSP component is 25% … The OAP bloke in the story is about to pay, for some reason, $10 a week more than me but maybe in Vic they include something not calculated in NSW .. Standard OAP “houso” rent so , previously, he was paying less than 25% for some reason ..
And yes it is a bloody nuisance when every 6 months “Houso” snaffles 25% of the gummint pittance (referred to as a cost-of-living rise LOL!) but it’s in line with the 25% threshhold …… Last “rise”, March, NSW ‘Houso” took $7.40 of my $9.20 “rise” .. When I complained they just said, “We made an error last time” …. end of story …!
1st rule of dealing with or complaining about “Houso” .. THEY DON’T CARE .. be grateful you’ve got a roof over your head ………! https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-16/public-housing-rent-rise-stresses-donald-pensioners/104089470

dopey
dopey
July 16, 2024 12:05 pm
Reply to  shatterzzz

The standard for rent used to be find something at 33% max of income.

Louis Lit
Louis Lit
July 16, 2024 11:26 pm
Reply to  Zippster

This guy is the greatest. No on No one has his courage today – except for Trump, may he Purtin the bishop of Nigeria

Tom
Tom
July 16, 2024 10:48 am

Greg Sheridan (Paywallian foreign editor): Choosing JD Vance as his running mate is Donald Trump’s first big mistake in this 2024 election.

A Never Trumper, Sheridan says J.D. Vance is too “combative”.

Sheridan – and the Paywallian’s former US correspondent Cameron Stewart, who has also written a hostile piece on Trump this morning (How long will Donald Mark 2 last?”) – are major reasons the Australian news media (even the bits that pretend to be rational) are useless as sources of information and opinion on US politics.

And they still behave as if they have a monopoly on news and the internet hasn’t yet been invented.

Cassie of Sydney
July 16, 2024 10:54 am
Reply to  Tom

I have posted a comment underneath the Sheridan vomit which took 10 seconds to be rejected.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 12:07 pm

😀

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
July 16, 2024 8:01 pm

I get annoyed at the pics they choose of Trump. They seek out the most contorted face pics they can find of him, where he is blowing out or caught in mid-change of expression or movement. Everyone has bad photos of them taken in moments of movement. They are the ones you delete, but with Trump they are the ones published to support the negative imagery.

Crossie
Crossie
July 16, 2024 11:46 am
Reply to  Tom

You would think they have never heard of that new invention called the internet.

Megan
Megan
July 16, 2024 12:02 pm
Reply to  Tom

I’d argue that combative is exactly what’s needed. Clearly Sheridan prefers the unintelligible word salad of the current VP. Speaks volumes re his intellectual level.

Zatara
Zatara
July 16, 2024 1:06 pm
Reply to  Tom

JD Vance, a combat experienced US Marine, is “too combative” for the furin expurts at the paywallian.

Good thing they don’t get a vote, or influence anyone who does.

calli
calli
July 16, 2024 10:49 am

Was the ladder semi-automatic?

An “assault” modification ladder.

Extra rungs.

Megan
Megan
July 16, 2024 12:02 pm
Reply to  calli

And a semi automatic extender.

Zippster
Zippster
July 16, 2024 10:59 am

Elon Musk Has Said He Is Committing Around $45 Million a Month to a New Pro-Trump Super PAC

Other backers of America PAC include Palantir Technologies co-founder Joe Lonsdale and the Winklevoss twins

paywalled

Crossie
Crossie
July 16, 2024 11:47 am
Reply to  Zippster

Are the Wiklevoss twins the ones who were original owners of Facebook with Zuckerberg?

JC
JC
July 16, 2024 5:19 pm
Reply to  Crossie

Yes.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 11:02 am

A Never Trumper, Sheridan says J.D. Vance is too “combative”.

Oh good grief! Trump was nearly assassinated a couple days ago and Sheridan is whining about Vance being too combative?

I’m slightly disappointed that Mr Vance is Trump’s running mate. I wanted Sarah Palin.

JD Vance is a great choice but no one has the battle armour of Palin, no one other than Trump has been through such intense flaming, and she absolutely terrifies the Democrats.

Which is exactly what the veep nominee needs to be. Sheridan should have the political nous to understand that.

Bungonia Bee
Bungonia Bee
July 16, 2024 11:04 am

Kristi Noem on now, channel 603.

lotocoti
lotocoti
July 16, 2024 11:08 am

Did Jill decide that her special First Lady entrance music would by suitably enhanced by a choral component?

Speaking of entrance music, sources tell me the Marine Corps Band is just about ready to go public with Kamala’s new number.
?

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 11:15 am

The Oz is mystified.

Vice President JD Vance? Trump has made a curious choice (Paywallian)

Donald Trump’s pick of the 39-year-old Senator from Ohio reinforces his base, rather than appealing to a broader coalition. The contrast with his last VP is impossible to miss.

by WSJ Editorial Board

I think this is hilarious because of this story:

Murdoch Hardest Hit (Breitbart mainpage headline, reprinted from 12 Jul)

This swathe of TDS at the Oz today is nearly as mendacious as the Fork Corners ABC. Well elite Newscorpse media kiddies, get used to it since it looks like Trump will be winning in November.

Bungonia Bee
Bungonia Bee
July 16, 2024 11:17 am

Channel 603 on Sky via foxtel is way better than we get most days. It’s the one dedicated to the RNC convention. Currently the union rep guy is telling how Trump turned them into supporters in New York.

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 11:22 am

New polling for The Times reveals that Trump has moved ahead of President Biden in every swing state, even before Saturday’s assassination attempt.

The Times (UK) [exclusive, paywalled]

Last edited 6 months ago by Roger
Morsie
Morsie
July 16, 2024 4:12 pm
Reply to  Roger

Remember the swing states are the ones that have allowed ballot harvesting

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 11:34 am
Reply to  cohenite

This from the Tele today.

Trump shooter hid on roof for 26 minutes (paywalled)

vr
vr
July 16, 2024 11:30 am

Channel 603 on Sky via foxtel is way better than we get most days. It’s the one dedicated to the RNC convention. Currently the union rep guy is telling how Trump turned them into supporters in New York.

The head of Teamsters said very nice things about the choice of Vance on fox.

lotocoti
lotocoti
July 16, 2024 11:36 am

Democratic nominee hopeful is selling J.D. Vance hard.

We are effectively run in this country… by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they’ve made and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable too.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 11:46 am
Reply to  lotocoti

I like him already lady, you don’t need to sell me.

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 11:46 am
Reply to  lotocoti

Touched!

Rosie
Rosie
July 16, 2024 11:40 am

I watched a tiktok clip of a foul mouthed African American comedian who claimed Trump must be his uncle what with his criminal record and now having been shot. Said he hadn’t been planning to vote but would now go out and vote for Trump.
He can’t be the only one.

Crossie
Crossie
July 16, 2024 11:51 am
Reply to  Rosie

Why not? If it works go with it.

Crossie
Crossie
July 16, 2024 11:44 am

Tom

 July 16, 2024 10:48 am

Greg Sheridan (Paywallian foreign editor): Choosing JD Vance as his running mate is Donald Trump’s first big mistake in this 2024 election.

A Never Trumper, Sheridan says J.D. Vance is too “combative”.

Good to have it confirmed that Trump made the right choice.

Rosie
Rosie
July 16, 2024 11:47 am

I have Hillbilly Elegy on my shelf ‘to be read’.
You get a glimpse of those lives on shows like Justified and Homicide:Life on the Street.
My US pal lived for a while on a mountain in Tennessee.
It’s a whole other world, even driving through like I did in 2011 and 2015.
I saw Jake Shields followers disparaging J D Vance’s wife as a pajeet.
That’s okay.
Diversity is our strength.

vr
vr
July 16, 2024 12:01 pm
Reply to  Rosie

She’s probably smarter than her husband.

The book is better than the movie.

billie
billie
July 16, 2024 11:52 am

Roger
Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neill, Monday:
‘Like a virus, populists are replicating at an exponential rate.’
She apparently hasn’t the gumption to ask “Why?”

It’s a mystery, oh wait, isn’t that choice, like Democracy?

What a hide she has

Replicating, as in, becoming popular because they have attractive policies?

It’s like she has no awareness that people have choice in a democracy.

Boambee John
Boambee John
July 16, 2024 11:56 am
Reply to  billie

She is aware, but fears that the people will not make the correct, that is to say, the lefturd, choice.

Miltonf
Miltonf
July 16, 2024 11:56 am
Reply to  billie

Another pravate skool ejucated snotty nosed malicious incompetent

Megan
Megan
July 16, 2024 12:06 pm
Reply to  Miltonf

Nailed it!

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 11:58 am

It’s like she has no awareness that people have choice in a democracy.

I believe what she’s saying is that voters should only have choices approved of by the political Establishment.

Coming a day after the attempted assassination of Trump, it bespeaks a remarkable tone deafness born of the arrogance of our ruling caste.

You’ll also find similar attitudes in the Liberal Party. Indeed, Labor and Liberal combined to amend legislation to make the election of minor party candidates more difficult just a few years ago.

Btw, she’s another ex-McKinsey politico.

Last edited 6 months ago by Roger
GreyRanga
GreyRanga
July 16, 2024 2:01 pm
Reply to  Roger

Roger this why I would have still voted for Bob Hawke as I did way back when. The SFL’S were a rabble, scrambling over each other coz they were born to rule. Knowing all of, well most of Hawke’s failings he’s still the most Australian PM I’ve known since I’ve been here. All the rest have been bigger disappointments.

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 4:24 pm
Reply to  GreyRanga

For all his faults as a man, I’d agree Hawke was a good Prime Minister, Ranga.

It was his government, not Howard’s, that set Australia up for its late 20th C. prosperity, which began to be undermined by bad policy from the late Howard years, then R-G-R.

Zippster
Zippster
July 16, 2024 12:00 pm
Zatara
Zatara
July 16, 2024 2:59 pm
Reply to  Zippster

A “refugee” from that horribly oppressive state SINGAPORE!

Pogria
Pogria
July 16, 2024 12:04 pm

When I read the headline of this article, my first thought was, bugger, this is in Australia. No, it’s in the States, but I can see our morons at the CSIRO applauding this stupidity.

https://futurism.com/the-byte/dump-chemical-ocean-climate-change

GreyRanga
GreyRanga
July 16, 2024 1:50 pm
Reply to  Pogria

I suggest the so called scientists get dumped into the sodium hydroxide. At least there would be some benefit to humanity.

vr
vr
July 16, 2024 12:09 pm

I think the then American Conservative magazine writer Rod Dreher was at the confirmation of JD Vance into the catholic church (not sure if that is the right terminology). I remember him posting a pic of it on his twitter website.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 12:11 pm

Vincent Van Trump.

6:58 p.m. PT

J.D. Vance is in the house, and now we see former President Trump sporting a white bandage where the assassin’s bullet took off the top of his right ear.

From the Breitbart live thread.

Crossie
Crossie
July 16, 2024 12:12 pm

I’m watching the RNC Convention on Fox. Trump arrived and was on stage with his family, there was also Speaker Johnson but no McConnell.

Trump has the ear bandaged and seems just a tad frail.

I thought I saw Tucker Carlson on the stage with everyone but it was only for a split second so I could have been mistaken.

Crossie
Crossie
July 16, 2024 12:14 pm

Fox News panel were talking over the proceeding so I had to switch over to 603 to hear what was actually happening on stage. I don’t need to know what Britt Hume has to say.

Miltonf
Miltonf
July 16, 2024 12:20 pm

More muck served up by Sheridan.

H B Bear
H B Bear
July 16, 2024 3:09 pm
Reply to  Miltonf

He runs very hot and cold – mostly cold. Not as bad as Snoozer Kelly but that is the lowest of bars.

Miltonf
Miltonf
July 16, 2024 6:57 pm
Reply to  H B Bear

indeed

vr
vr
July 16, 2024 12:30 pm

Teamsters are going bipartisan!!

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 12:30 pm

Hilarious headline of the day come from Sky News.

Greens planning to replace Labor as authentic centre-left party (16 Jul)

In breaking news Joseph Stalin announces that his new administration will govern from the centre!

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 12:36 pm

That’s actually an astute political move given sentiments favouring socialism in the younger cohort of voters.

Bring it on!

Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
Zulu Kilo Two Alpha
July 16, 2024 12:50 pm
Reply to  Roger

Socialism, according to the younger cohort of voters, consists of “What’s yours is mine. What’s mine, stays that way.” It’s always someone else’s wealth that is to be redistributed.

H B Bear
H B Bear
July 16, 2024 3:13 pm
Reply to  Roger

Not sure anything has changed. Greens definitely causing an ongoing headache in old Liar seats like Albo and Plibbers.

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 12:32 pm

Let’s play student immigration whack-a-mole!

Since the Albanese government introduced measures to cut international student visas and make their pathway to permanent residency more difficult, the government has experienced a surge in asylum claims from Chinese and Indian students who don’t wish to return home.
Source: SMH 12 July 2024 [paywalled]

Last edited 6 months ago by Roger
Cassie of Sydney
July 16, 2024 12:33 pm

Just watched Trump enter the convention with his ear bandaged. I have tears running down my cheeks.

God Bless President Trump.

Pogria
Pogria
July 16, 2024 12:41 pm
local oaf
July 16, 2024 12:34 pm

Greens, to replace Labor as centre left????

I thought the Liberals were the centre left party!

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
July 16, 2024 8:33 pm
Reply to  Pogria

Someone is tauntingly putting horns behind his head, so the bullying claims are borne out by this clip. From his squeaky voice and inappropriate claims it is immediately obvious that the kid speaking is clearly not all there but wants to be a cool kid. A sad case of DTS taking over a young probably autistic loner who has poor social skills and is therefore very open to influence. And there was obviously plenty of that around on the net and elsewhere to gee him up into some ‘saviour’ action, carefully planned.

shatterzzz
July 16, 2024 12:43 pm

 the government has experienced a surge in asylum claims from Chinese and Indian students who don’t wish to return home.

What sort of “legitimate” grounds would an OS “student” have to claim asylum .. FFS!

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 12:47 pm

What sort of “legitimate” grounds would an OS “student” have to claim asylum .. FFS!

Might I suggest that merely submitting an asylum claim in Australia would be enough for a mainland Chinese student to claim fear of persecution on returning home?

Cunning!

vr
vr
July 16, 2024 1:05 pm
Reply to  Roger

Most tend to go home for the summer break. If one fears persecution they are unlikely to go home. Easily disprovable

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 4:25 pm
Reply to  vr

Obviously, they’d have to avoid that once they’ve submitted their asylum application. Not so easily disprovable then.

Crossie
Crossie
July 16, 2024 12:50 pm

A union leader is speaking at the DNC convention and criticising corporations like Amazon. This could not have happened only five years ago but is correct now that the Democrat Party is for the billionaires and trillionaires.

The other new thing is that a priest said a prayer and benedictions were said by several people. This is in huge contrast where the Democrat party refused to have God even mentioned at their convention in 2020. I don’t suppose they will be more welcoming this year.

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 12:52 pm

This is in huge contrast where the Democrat party refused to have God even mentioned at their convention in 2020.

They did, however, invoke Satan.

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 12:53 pm

Just kidding!

Mind you, this contest is taking on a spiritual hue.

Crossie
Crossie
July 16, 2024 12:54 pm

It was Tucker Carlson at the RNC Convention with Trump, they just shook hands.

Another interview must be in the works.

Last edited 6 months ago by Crossie
Rosie
Rosie
July 16, 2024 12:56 pm

Trump getting roundly criticised on twitter for playing a round of golf yesterday morning instead of visiting victims and their families.
Perhaps his security detail needed a break.
I don’t think people appreciate even badly managed security takes work to organise.

Anders
Anders
July 16, 2024 1:15 pm
Reply to  Rosie

He himself was a victim, to expect him to be going around making visits after the extreme stress of that situation is ridiculous.

billie
billie
July 16, 2024 1:20 pm
Reply to  Rosie

Dear lord, people’s memories are short – Obama used to play golf weekly and got his handicap down to quite a low number. The media loved it!

Bush Junior was criticised every time he played golf, like once in a blue moon

The media are filth

Zatara
Zatara
July 16, 2024 1:33 pm
Reply to  Rosie

The dead shooting victim’s wife refused to talk to Biden on the phone… after Trump had already called her, possibly from the hospital as he was getting his ear van goghed.

m0nty
m0nty
July 16, 2024 3:17 pm
Reply to  Zatara

Trump had not called the victim’s wife.

Boambee John
Boambee John
July 16, 2024 5:59 pm
Reply to  m0nty

At least according to the unreliable DNC talking points.

Tom
Tom
July 16, 2024 12:57 pm

Paywallian:

Hillbilly Elegy roars to No. 1 on bestsellers list

billie
billie
July 16, 2024 1:25 pm
Reply to  Tom

It’s a good read, made the bestseller list years go ..

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 12:57 pm

The other new thing is that a priest said a prayer and benedictions were said by several people. 

Republican National Convention Prays for Freedom for Israeli Hostages (15 Jul)

I doubt the Dem convention would ever do this since (a) they hate God and (b) they are antisemites.

vr
vr
July 16, 2024 1:08 pm

Trump getting roundly criticised on twitter for playing a round of golf yesterday morning instead of visiting victims and their families.

The last report I say that he still hadn’t called the widow. But, WH had tried to reach out.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 1:15 pm
Reply to  vr

Setting up a GoFundMe for her, which now has over $4 million in it, might be a tad relevant.

Last edited 6 months ago by Bruce of Newcastle
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
July 16, 2024 8:37 pm
Reply to  vr

WH weren’t missing part of their ear.

Rosie
Rosie
July 16, 2024 1:10 pm
johnjjj
johnjjj
July 16, 2024 2:04 pm
Reply to  Rosie

It says she likes chocolate milk in Arabic. ‘uhibu alhalib shawki
It’s a scam – hence the cup.

Last edited 6 months ago by johnjjj
Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 1:11 pm

Lots of dick photos?

FBI Announces They’ve Successfully Opened Would-Be Trump Assassin’s Phone (15 Jul, via Lucianne)

As the investigation into Saturday’s assassination attempt against former President and newly-minted GOP nominee Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally intensifies, the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced Monday that they have successfully gained access to the suspected shooter’s phone.

They have not revealed what information they’ve found on the device, but it is likely to contain a trove of information about the deceased suspect, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks.

If you wonder about my initial question…

Trump Would-Be Assassin Awkwardly Joked About Penis Size (15 Jul)

In the video, Crooks jokingly described himself as being 6’4″ and as a Stanford University student, while having a ten-inch penis.

Ok maybe not dick photos, as I doubt his claim to having a ten-incher.

Last edited 6 months ago by Bruce of Newcastle
Louis Litt
July 16, 2024 1:14 pm

Re attempted assissination of Mr TRump – I am beginning to understand the valu of good manners and speaking as an example which the population accepts as good behavior and band behaviour.
With commentatorts saying this is on Biden to fan the hatred and zealatory against Mr Trump, my thoughts are settling this was what the lefty democrats were hoping.
I keep thinking of the film of hiary clinton being on live tv when she was told that Colonel Gadaffi had been jilled – she was giggling, clapping and wetting her pants like a 4 yr old.
This is the precendent.
Its best this is announced behind closed doors.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
July 16, 2024 1:14 pm

A Never Trumper, Sheridan says J.D. Vance is too “combative”.

Sheridan is an “inside the Beltway swampie”.
Of course he hates Trump because he isn’t part of the club. Sheridan’s main basis for support of both Killary and The Sniffer was “experienced”.
In the case of Killary, it was 8 years FSOTUS, 8 years as senator and 4 years as Secretary of State. A bit of political background but no more than a couple of dozen other prospects. As for Sniffy Joe, 40 years of grift in Washington is hardly the sort of experience we need. And, of course, Sheridan’s assumption is that life experience outside the circle is not only worthless, but to be regarded with suspicion.
Using the example cited earlier of Trump threatening to pull aid if South American states didn’t take their crooks back, Sheridan would be horrified at this disruption of the normal order of things.
His Foreign Affairies contacts would have briefed him about the long history of aid and how it shouldn’t be used as a political lever.
When presses they can’t explain why not, and I can imagine Trump taking a normal commercial approach of “Well, why are we spending the money if we get nothing for it?”
Of course, these same Foreign Affairies/State Dept dweebs will now be busy churning out papers as to why military aid to Israel should be withdrawn on a whim.

Crossie
Crossie
July 16, 2024 1:20 pm
Reply to  Sancho Panzer

Of course, these same Foreign Affairies/State Dept dweebs will now be busy churning out papers as to why military aid to Israel should be withdrawn on a whim.

But funding to UNRWA must continue or we are all Islamophobic.

Vicki
Vicki
July 16, 2024 2:13 pm
Reply to  Sancho Panzer

There have been many Sheridan articles that are perceptive and useful. But you are absolutely right about Sheridan’s fixation with the conventions re foreign affairs. In my opinion, Trump is invaluable because he is transactional. He looks for the return & questions the relationship if there is none.

Colonel Crispin Berka
Colonel Crispin Berka
July 16, 2024 1:17 pm

RNC.
The AP live stream ended 10mins ago. So it’s over for today.
Trump didn’t show up until the last hour. Didn’t make any speech.
Maybe that doesn’t happen until the last day?

hzhousewife
hzhousewife
July 16, 2024 4:14 pm

Correct. He was not originally scheduled to appear today.

Louis Litt
July 16, 2024 1:18 pm

Unbeleivable – speaking with a leftie today who was saying how does it feel to have a republican shooting Trump.
I said he was a democrat and was a memeebr of a looney group – progessive what ever – no he wanst – these payments to the democrat and progressive lot were traced to a 61 yr old.
He was a religious far right extremist whose friends could not beleive he would shoot a republican.
Called BS but then the howells of proest came down – iresearched this , my sources are independent – even the people whop break these stories are lawyers who have investigated this etc
Ahhh

Zatara
Zatara
July 16, 2024 1:18 pm

“Your face has more wrinkles than an orangutan’s ball sack.”

Greg Gutfeld, the poet laureate of US late night TV, to Martha Raddatz, the ancient witch of the US ABC as she was working herself up to her tirade blaming Trump for getting shot.

Rosie
Rosie
July 16, 2024 1:20 pm
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
July 16, 2024 8:45 pm
Reply to  Rosie

That’s much more reassuring.

They need to keep it up now, No more ladies on that job.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
July 16, 2024 1:29 pm

Crossie
 July 16, 2024 12:12 pm

I’m watching the RNC Convention on Fox. Trump arrived and was on stage with his family, there was also Speaker Johnson but no McConnell.

Apart from the impact of the Dimocrat inspired shooting on Saturday on their own campaign, it will have an effect of Republicans as well.
Expect to hear very little from ageing RINOs and Never Trumpers. Yes, no doubt the likes of McCain Jnr will still be howling at the moon, but those with one eye on their career will go vewwy, vewwy quiet.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
July 16, 2024 1:32 pm

Roger
 July 16, 2024 12:52 pm

This is in huge contrast where the Democrat party refused to have God even mentioned at their convention in 2020.

They did, however, invoke Satan.

And in 2016 they confirmed Satan as their candidate.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
July 16, 2024 1:35 pm

vr
 July 16, 2024 1:08 pm

Trump getting roundly criticised on twitter for playing a round of golf yesterday morning instead of visiting victims and their families.

The last report I say that he still hadn’t called the widow. But, WH had tried to reach out.

Mmmyes.
And the widow refused to take the call.
Why would she give the time of day to the enablers of her husband’s murderer?

Zatara
Zatara
July 16, 2024 1:42 pm

Another event to highlight on your calendar and set in supplies for –

The VP debate between Vance and the cackler.

Must see TV.

Last edited 6 months ago by Zatara
Boambee John
Boambee John
July 16, 2024 1:42 pm

On the selection of JD Vance as VP, it seems that the DemonRats now oppose lifting yourself out of poverty by your own efforts?

Now giving up any pretence to support the poor in society?

vr
vr
July 16, 2024 1:46 pm

American Conservative has featured Vance on many occasions. I remember first reading about him via the interview Rod Dreher had done about the book.
J.D. Vance Becomes Catholic

Pogria
Pogria
July 16, 2024 1:56 pm
Reply to  dover0beach

I believe it was planned.

BobtheBoozer
BobtheBoozer
July 16, 2024 2:41 pm
Reply to  Pogria

Et moi.
And as usual for lefties – they stuffed up the implementation.

Vicki
Vicki
July 16, 2024 2:58 pm
Reply to  dover0beach

I guess I am just guileless. It was the same with Covid & the vaccines. I tend to presume incompetence and stupidity, rather than evil, in most cases. Always puts me at a disadvantage, though.

Pogria
Pogria
July 16, 2024 2:03 pm

After the violence and tragedy of the last few days, it is good to able to read something funny. Enjoy.

https://redstate.com/bradslager/2024/07/15/vp-harris-challenges-jd-vance-to-a-debate-when-2-people-debate-each-other-in-a-debate-format-as-people-n2176920

Bungonia Bee
Bungonia Bee
July 16, 2024 2:12 pm

Firstly, J.D. Vance was a regular guest on Fox with the main people in the evening for at least a year before he won election into the Senate.
Secondly, Tucker Carlson was sitting in the front row, the Trump row – only Byron Donald sat between him and Trump himself.

Zippster
Zippster
July 16, 2024 2:12 pm

Special Counsel Jack Smith spokesman:

“The dismissal of the case deviates from the uniform conclusion of all previous courts to have considered the issue that the Atty General is statutorily authorized to appoint a Special Counsel. The Justice Dept has authorized the Special Counsel to appeal the court’s order”

Zatara
Zatara
July 16, 2024 2:16 pm
Reply to  Zippster

The left need to remember that position 6 months from now when the AG is a bulldog selected by Trump to clean house and right wrongs.

In fact, I’ll save it to remind them.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 2:30 pm
Reply to  Zippster

Mistake. I took it to be Cannon giving the regime an out.

Now she will have to address the real issue, which is that Smith raided Mar-a-Lago, turned off the cameras, planted classified files then “found” them (right after searching Melania’s undies drawer).

Rosie
Rosie
July 16, 2024 2:22 pm

I agree Dover, malice preceded and created the incompetence.
When you have people screaming to (local) police that there is a person crawling on a roof and no-one has relayed that to the agents around the president you have to ask why Trump was given such a meagre disorganised team.
The truth is there must be dozens if not hundreds who might make such an attempt if the circumstances arose and this time malicious incompetence at the most senior level gave Crooks the opportunity.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
July 16, 2024 2:27 pm

dover0beach
 July 16, 2024 1:47 pm

I see some people are settling on the incompetence angle.

I can’t speak for others, but I haven’t “settled” on anything.
However, if you are to critically examine it, you must include the broad category of “f-ck up” as one possibility.
This could have several sub-categories including petty competing jealousies between agencies resulting in poor communication and role clarity, general complacency and laziness or poor training.
The incident can be divided into two strands.
Firstly, the motivation of Crooks. I have no doubt he acted as he did largely due to his entire teenage years being filled with TDS propaganda to the point where he thought he would be doing a great service by shooting Trump. Was he further directly encouraged by others either in authority or not? Who knows?
Secondly there is the security. It seems to have suffered a couple of “101” level lapses, which Ms SS Chief needs to explain. The longer she goes without issuing at least a preliminary report, the more suss it looks.
One thing is for sure. If Trump wins, there will be a Secret Service clean out and you will see less DEI, and more ex-Marine hard-heads.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
July 17, 2024 8:25 am
Reply to  Sancho Panzer

We saw them already when he walked in to the auditorium at the Convention. Six big burly blokes on high look-around alert.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
July 16, 2024 2:32 pm

But if the Judge Cannon is anything to go by, the regime is almost resolved that Trump will now be President barring any future surprises.

Reports on their ABC last night that they were privately conceding.
Which means they will soon go into “save the furniture” mode to try to contain the down-ticket damage in the House and the Senate.
I don’t see a role for Sniffy or Kamal in the furniture preservation project.

Zatara
Zatara
July 16, 2024 2:35 pm

2024 Election tidbit – J.D. Vance is the first US Marine in history selected to be a candidate for president or VP (John Glenn was considered but not selected).

Last edited 6 months ago by Zatara
Tom
Tom
July 16, 2024 2:36 pm

The US news media commentariat has immediately switched from Trump’s “threat to democracy” to the “bomb throwing radical” vice-presidential nominee J.D, Vance.

I think they fear Vance because he’s more articulate than Trump and wrote a best-selling book about overcoming his deprived upbringing in the back blocks of America to become a successful family man — i.e., the American dream.

They have no comeback except gaslighting propaganda and fear-mongering.

Zippster
Zippster
July 16, 2024 2:36 pm

Trump looks still shell shocked to me. Not surprising really when you come within millimeters of having your brains scattered around you. Probably takes a few weeks to process what actually happened and recover mentally.

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
July 17, 2024 8:28 am
Reply to  Zippster

Yes. Two days later then ‘delayed shock’ sets in.

It’ll only take a few days to get over that physical reaction, but the mental processing of it might take longer.

Zatara
Zatara
July 16, 2024 2:41 pm

The Justice Dept has authorized the Special Counsel to appeal the court’s order”

Apparently someone just refuses to get the point.

The Court has found that Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed, therefore he is not a Special Counsel and has no standing to appeal anything.

Zatara
Zatara
July 16, 2024 3:33 pm
Reply to  Zatara

One more note. The Special Counsel, while appointed by the AG, is independent of the DoJ, and the AG.

That’s why they exist instead of just using a DoJ prosecutor.

The DoJ therefore can’t authorize them to do squat, but they are acting as if they can, thus putting their thumb on the scale.

This is a huge red flag indicator of how deep the weaponization of the DoJ by the left goes. So far that they think they can do whatever they want.

Last edited 6 months ago by Zatara
Cassie of Sydney
July 16, 2024 2:42 pm

Trump looks still shell shocked to me

Agree. He came close to having his brains blown out, like JFK.

He knows he’s a lucky man. He can thank God for this. And we must thank God he was spared.

BobtheBoozer
BobtheBoozer
July 16, 2024 3:20 pm

I admit I’m having difficulty still denying an intercession by God. Because if there’s one thing the world needs right now it’s a hand against the bastards.
The only thing that can stop the election now is a war. And I wouldn’t put it past the mongrels to start one.

Aaron
Aaron
July 16, 2024 5:36 pm

I’m still shell shocked.

Miracle, but one ponders the “What ifs” had the unthinkable happened.

132andBush
132andBush
July 16, 2024 2:46 pm

It just gets more fuked:

Over 20 minutes on the roof!!?

How is it even possible to screw things up that badly?

Vicki
Vicki
July 16, 2024 2:46 pm

Great article from bystander with experience at Trump rallies.
A First-Person Account Of Security Issues On The Ground In Butler, PA
By Gabriel Williams

To the iconic question “Where were you when JFK was shot?” we can now add “Where were you when Trump got clicked?” As it happens, my wife and I were 40-50 yards from the podium in Butler, PA, and approximately 200-225 yards from the shooter. This essay records my impressions of and thoughts about events I witnessed.

Preliminarily, though, I want to applaud the counter-sniper team that took out Thomas Crooks. Within a matter of seconds, these snipers, whose job is to be reactive, not proactive, identified the target, acquired him in their optics, and fired successful headshots on a prone, low-profile target. Crooks was dead before Trump was on his feet, pumping his fist. I don’t care who you are, this was top-shelf, gold-standard suppression on an active threat.
Putting aside rumors about instructions they did or did not receive before Crooks fired, I believe they did their job as swiftly and flawlessly as could be expected in the heat of the moment. For my part, respect is owed here until I’m definitively shown otherwise.

That said, everything else about yesterday was an absolute train wreck. Let’s start with entry to the venue.My wife and I have attended five Trump rallies, three of which were held outdoors. Once you get to the gate, security requires you to put everything you’re carrying on a table for inspection. Then, you go through a metal detector, after which an agent with a wand gives you the once-over. At least, that’s what happened at four of the five rallies.

Yesterday, I didn’t get wanded. Instead, when I went through the metal detector (which didn’t go off) and then presented myself in the usual ‘T’ stance with arms out, the uniformed agent simply said, “You’re good. You can go on through.”That struck me as peculiar but not alarming. I never thought a U.S. Secret Service agent—whose principal was not only the presumed Republican nominee for the presidency but a former U.S. president—would be so relaxed, but I knew I was safe, so I put it out of my mind.

The venue itself was also a problem. Here are two videos I took of the scene before Trump was shot:
 

 
In those videos, you saw:

  • dense trees somewhat close in and to both sides of the venue, with clear lines of sight to the podium;
  • open umbrellas;
  • a water tower(!) about a quarter-mile off the venue, but with an excellent line of sight (I’m talking about Texas Tower/Book Repository-grade line of sight) to the podium. I noticed the counter-snipers repeatedly checking the tower;
  • a utility pole almost right next to me with foot pegs in (which a couple of people actually partly climbed, without security protests, to get a better camera shot of Trump as his motorcade arrived; and
  • elevated terrain that sloped downwards from spectator to podium.

When has the low ground ever been advantageous to a defender? The whole point of a podium is that the attendant protective detail has an advantageous and unobstructed view of the crowd. Indoors, I concede that this is probably acceptable, but that’s a finite and much more easily controlled space.Given these factors, who was running the advance team, and how did they conclude that this was a safe space for a presidential candidate in a heated campaign?

Between the water tower and the downward-sloping terrain, each should have been a red flag nixing the venue. At the very least, these deficiencies should have had dedicated members of either local law enforcement or USSS personnel assigned to them exclusively (such as shooters or just eyes on top of that water tower). Those who inspected and signed off on this location should be the first ones hauled before a congressional inquiry about this of course, the more pressing question is how a shooter armed with a long gun got within 130-150 yards of one of the most polarizing figures in U.S. political history–unchallenged. The fact that spectators apparently were shouting the alarm about this guy makes it even worse.

It’s infuriating and inexcusable that matters got to the point at which Trump was shot. If the venue had been properly vetted and analyzed, a young, inexperienced shooter could never have gotten within 400 feet of Donald J. Trump, climbed onto a roof, gotten into a prone firing position with even just a slight advantage in elevation, and fired off 6-8 shots before being neutralized.

It was Crooks’ own experience that saved Trump. There’s a small airfield immediately outside the venue, with the usual windsocks. As a pilot, I know how to read them. During the rally (allowing that windsocks are the roughest of measurements), I estimate that the wind was 8-10 knots, slightly gusting (breezy).
At 130-150 yards, that would have mattered very little to an experienced shooter who knew how to correct for windage. An inexperienced shooter, however, would not know that. I firmly believe Donald J. Trump is only alive right now because Crooks was a poor shot, almost certainly under immense emotional pressure.

The poor shot wasn’t because of security pressure. After all, Crooks got into position, set up, had Trump in his sights, and got off 6-8 shots, scoring one graze on a headshot, all without any serious challenge or impediment. Crooks had a clean shot on target, and, thank God Almighty, he blew it.
When I say the failures of the Secret Service here are inexcusable, the word “inexcusable: itself seems insufficient. We’re supposed to be the varsity, and the world just saw some of the best we have get punked by a 20-year-old with Dad’s AR.

I loathe pointing the finger at law enforcement officers or USSS. It’s a thankless job, and I easily believe they have problems with having sufficient personnel—but not an excuse. If you cannot properly and adequately protect the principal at an event, then you must tell the principal that the event cannot go forward. The director of the USSS, Kim Cheatle, is going to have some very uncomfortable questions to answer in the coming days, and it’s not hyperbole to call what happened yesterday a career killer. In a different era, any person failing this badly would have been expected to fall on her sword.

However, there is a silver lining to all this. Democrats and the radical left really are the undisputed masters of unintended consequences. By virtue of surviving (and getting back to his feet like a boss to pump the crowd), Crooks just banked Trump the kind of political capital that all of Trump’s money would never have been able to buy on its own.

Good luck throwing Trump in jail now, Justice Merchan.

Welcome back, Mr. President. We’ve missed you.

H B Bear
H B Bear
July 16, 2024 3:40 pm
Reply to  Vicki

By virtue of surviving (and getting back to his feet like a boss to pump the crowd), Crooks just banked Trump the kind of political capital that all of Trump’s money would never have been able to buy on its own.

Acme Corporation stuff.

Vicki
Vicki
July 16, 2024 2:53 pm

Trump looks still shell shocked to me. Not surprising really when you come within millimeters of having your brains scattered around you. Probably takes a few weeks to process what actually happened and recover mentally.

I wasn’t able to see the rally today. ButI would think any after effect could be similar to a near fatal incident in battle, since the attacker intended to kill him.

Indolent
Indolent
July 16, 2024 2:59 pm

This has to be the most outrageous comment yet. It’s outright incitement.

Entire post.

Pogria
Pogria
July 16, 2024 3:46 pm
Reply to  Indolent

She has made a huge mistake.
Being of the crazy left is no longer a protective blanket. That time is past. I’d wager her social media presence has been obliterated by now.

Crossie
Crossie
July 16, 2024 4:06 pm
Reply to  Indolent

Outrageous is too mild, she is a vile creature. The heartless dismissal of the member of the audience who was shot dead puts her in the monster category. She doesn’t know how that person voted yet thinks he should die simply for being near Trump.

Were these people always among us and it’s just without the social media exposure we didn’t know how awful they were?

Last edited 6 months ago by Crossie
Indolent
Indolent
July 16, 2024 3:00 pm

@DC_Draino

The FBI has opened the Trump assassin’s phone and can’t seem to find a motive

Shocking

Just like they couldn’t find a motive with the Nashville Trans Terrorist who shot up a Christian school

The FBI continues to hide the truth about who the *real* violent extremists are in this country

And it ain’t the people wearing red hats

Rosie
Rosie
July 16, 2024 3:06 pm

“I only hope J.D. Vance has imagined what can be, unburdened by what has been.
Reply
“If he opens the VP debate with that before Kamala goes, she’ll have nothing.”

https://x.com/D_B_Harrison/status/1812933420940730500?t=Y_nqtJZO1sq0x8CewJBTHw&s=19

Pogria
Pogria
July 16, 2024 3:47 pm
Reply to  Rosie

oh God!!! So funny, I scared the doggos when I laughed!

calli
calli
July 16, 2024 3:13 pm

Being a bit “shaky” is perfectly normal after an adrenaline pumping near miss. And the knowledge that a decent man behind you was killed with the bullet meant for you. Sobering stuff.

Trump can take inspiration from “missed me” Reagan and Bull Moose Roosevelt.

I had a look at his family there. He has the most important thing – solidarity.

Indolent
Indolent
July 16, 2024 3:15 pm

Because she’s not their lapdog they’ve been attacking her nonstop. Impartial justice is totally beyond their comprehension.

Liberal freakout over Trump judge ruling shows they don’t really believe in judicial independence

Boambee John
Boambee John
July 16, 2024 3:25 pm
Reply to  Indolent

Anyone who still thought they did believe in it hasn’t been watching for the past decade.

Rosie
Rosie
July 16, 2024 3:15 pm
Mother Lode
Mother Lode
July 16, 2024 3:15 pm

When Biden made his remarks after Trump had his ear clipped in an attempted assassination, did he mention his son, Beau, hinting (but carefully avoiding actually saying) that he had died in Iraq?

Indolent
Indolent
July 16, 2024 3:21 pm
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Beare
July 17, 2024 8:55 am
Reply to  Zippster

Excellent speech and audience response. This Convention is out there speaking to the working people of America, putting the boot into the elites and the Democrat failed years. It is clear there is no place for racism in this crowd. Patriotism is what makes America great, and everyone’s included in that.

cohenite
July 16, 2024 3:49 pm

Indolent
 July 16, 2024 2:59 pm

This has to be the most outrageous comment yet. It’s outright incitement.
Entire post.

The creature is a trannie:

(6) Linda Peterson – Search Results | Facebook

Louis Lit
Louis Lit
July 16, 2024 11:39 pm
Reply to  cohenite

Phew – I clicked on the link to say this page is unavailable – was this one of your owls

Indolent
Indolent
July 16, 2024 3:50 pm
Last edited 6 months ago by Indolent
m0nty
m0nty
July 16, 2024 3:53 pm

Trump looks still shell shocked to me.

He looked asleep to me.

Vicki
Vicki
July 16, 2024 4:04 pm
Reply to  m0nty

And it’s hardly surprising that, after all he has been through, he’d be having a little snooze at any opportunity! I would be! Other wags say he was praying.

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 4:35 pm
Reply to  m0nty

Ever been shot at Monty?

I haven’t, not quite, although I have had machine guns firing over my head and ricochets around my ankles when raising and lowering the targets at the range in Maroubra. Interesting experience.

Cassie of Sydney
July 16, 2024 5:16 pm
Reply to  m0nty

You’re obscene, but Nazis are obscene.

Bruce in WA
July 16, 2024 10:07 pm
Reply to  m0nty

Let me fire a 55 grain soft point .223 at you at about 3200 fps, 1280+ ft/lbs energy, tear it through your earlobe, literally millimetres from your temple … and see you feel when the shock and adrenaline wear off. Cockhead!!

Anders
Anders
July 16, 2024 3:56 pm

Investigators have been able to piece together some clues about Crooks’ movements in before the shooting at 6.11pm on Saturday in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Earlier in the day, he bought 50 rounds of ammunition from Allegheny Arms & Gun Works and a metal ladder from Home Depot, which he used to climb to the roof of a factory with a clear sightline to Trump’s podium, sources said.

Sources said the AR-style assault rifle Crooks used belonged to his father — Matthew Brian Crooks, a licensed counsellor who registered to vote as a Libertarian.

[School Councillor] Mr Knapp said he never knew Crooks to be political in any way, even as other kids would sometimes wear Trump or Biden attire.

Thomas Crooks’ phone yields no clues about motive for Trump assassination attempt

Pogria
Pogria
July 16, 2024 3:58 pm

Muntsac paraphrasing Obama,
“If I had a son, he’d look like Thomas Crooks”.
Prove me wrong Nazi pervert.

m0nty
m0nty
July 16, 2024 4:12 pm
Reply to  Pogria

I have a son. Leave him out of this.

Pogria
Pogria
July 16, 2024 4:28 pm
Reply to  m0nty

He looks like Thomas Crooks, right.

Black Ball
Black Ball
July 16, 2024 4:39 pm
Reply to  Pogria

Fark orf.

Sancho Panzer
Sancho Panzer
July 16, 2024 3:59 pm

Mother Lode

July 16, 2024 3:15 pm

When Biden made his remarks after Trump had his ear clipped in an attempted assassination, did he mention his son, Beau, hinting (but carefully avoiding actually saying) that he had died in Iraq?

Bwah ha ha ha.
This is going to be something else.
I think it was JC who coined the term “toppering” here.
The Sniffer is an inveterate “topperer”.
He will no doubt spit out a garbled story at some stage of himself being in mortal danger.

H B Bear
H B Bear
July 16, 2024 4:10 pm
Reply to  Sancho Panzer

Hasn’t Beau suffered enough?

H B Bear
H B Bear
July 16, 2024 4:16 pm
Reply to  H B Bear

Nobody has done more for the Democrat cause, although Mary Jo Kopechne has an arguable case.

Last edited 6 months ago by H B Bear
Boambee John
Boambee John
July 16, 2024 4:22 pm
Reply to  Sancho Panzer

Landing in Ukraine under sniper fire?

BobtheBoozer
BobtheBoozer
July 16, 2024 6:38 pm
Reply to  Sancho Panzer

The term ‘topper’ has been around for at least a decade.
There’s no need to attribute something like that to J.C, to show your manlove, Sancho.

Last edited 6 months ago by BobtheBoozer
cohenite
July 16, 2024 4:09 pm

He will no doubt spit out a garbled story at some stage of himself being in mortal danger.

Correct. The only thing the old cadaver pervert hasn’t lied about is the assassination attempts on him. Cornpop and a horde of MAGAs who were fought off by the old pervert and Hunter.

Mother Lode
Mother Lode
July 16, 2024 4:10 pm

Sources said the AR-style assault rifle

What does that mean? That it is not with the old wooden stock?

So, they are saying he knew he would need a ladder. What was his plan? To walk around with it until he found a place to fire from? Perhaps he had foolishly assumed the Secret Service could not take up places outside the venue and it was his fool’s luck that the SS indeed left it unguarded.

Anders
Anders
July 16, 2024 4:26 pm
Reply to  Mother Lode

Google Street View would have given him an easy way to scope out possible shooting sites. If you look the site up it’s clear you can just drive straight in and right to where the ladder was positioned.

m0nty
m0nty
July 16, 2024 4:10 pm

The Republican talking point about how the convention was going to be about national unity lasted less than a day. Jon Don Vance was picked because he hates the same people Trump hates. He will convert zero Democratic voters.

Still zero credible evidence of Crooks being anything other than a standard loser incel white male Republican.

Boambee John
Boambee John
July 16, 2024 4:24 pm
Reply to  m0nty

Surprise! mUnturd hates people who work their way from extreme poverty to success in society.

Why do lefturds want the poor to stay poor and in their place?

BobtheBoozer
BobtheBoozer
July 16, 2024 6:42 pm
Reply to  Boambee John

Because they’re dicks?

Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 4:40 pm
Reply to  m0nty

Well yeah. It is war. We know that.

Biden’s tone it down schtick was hypocritical even as he opened his mouth to say it.

Boambee John
Boambee John
July 16, 2024 4:48 pm

You can smell mUntyfa’s fear.

BobtheBoozer
BobtheBoozer
July 16, 2024 6:44 pm
Reply to  Boambee John

That’s not fear, BJ. That’s a loose bowel movement as he contemplates his imaginary future of a helicopter ride to Tasmania.
The reality is that a a Fascist Warmongering Trump wouldn’t even waste his time with a creature like Monty.

cohenite
July 16, 2024 4:14 pm

Another evil kunt, a medical doctor, who made light of the assassination attempt:

Dr Karen Pinder – Search Results | Facebook

Boambee John
Boambee John
July 16, 2024 4:26 pm
Reply to  cohenite

LOL, a Karen. How appropriate.

Tom
Tom
July 16, 2024 4:15 pm

LOL. Monty keeps pumping out the regime talking points — such a useful online idiot in a country that can’t vote in American elections.

Rosie
Rosie
July 16, 2024 4:15 pm

LOL Monty’s friend said he was asleep for a whole ‘one or two minutes’.
As though no-one has ever nodded off during a long day of speechifying.
And her medical expert buddies; it’s a fake bandage for a fake wound.
Sure, champs.

shatterzzz
July 16, 2024 4:18 pm

He will no doubt spit out a garbled story at some stage of himself being in mortal danger.

Birt surprised Luigi hasn’t used the moment to emphasise why he no longer uses his electoral office in Marrickville .. cos “threatening” .. LOL!

Old Lefty
Old Lefty
July 16, 2024 8:13 pm
Reply to  shatterzzz

If I had my way, anyone who impeded a member of parliament in the performance of his or her duties would be tried before the bar of Parliament and given a stiff stretch in the chokey.

cohenite
July 16, 2024 4:20 pm

Still zero credible evidence of Crooks being anything other than a standard loser incel white male Republican dickless having a dick.

FIFY dickless.

Boambee John
Boambee John
July 16, 2024 4:49 pm
Reply to  cohenite

Is he transitioning to become an incel cat lady?

Anders
Anders
July 16, 2024 4:22 pm

Still zero credible evidence of Crooks being anything other than a standard loser incel white male Republican.

His father was a Libertarian. You’ve frequently told us you’re the most Libertarian on this blog.

m0nty
m0nty
July 16, 2024 7:35 pm
Reply to  Anders

As I recall, my argument is that I am the most conservative person here, since the rest of you are either bomb-throwing anarchists or the things you profess to want to conserve don’t exist any more. Conservatism is not the same as libertarianism.

Roger
Roger
July 16, 2024 4:30 pm

Sheridan is an “inside the Beltway swampie”.

Of course he hates Trump because he isn’t part of the club. 

OK…

Who’s going to break it to Greg that he’s not actually in the club either?

And that as a practicing Catholic he’s merely tolerated because he’s useful?

Last edited 6 months ago by Roger
Bruce of Newcastle
Bruce of Newcastle
July 16, 2024 4:32 pm

Being a bit “shaky” is perfectly normal after an adrenaline pumping near miss.

His instinct was to get back on the horse.
Shaky or not shaky.
He’s a true leader.

Barking Toad
Barking Toad
July 16, 2024 4:51 pm

Yep. First instinct was to show courage and toughness.

That will resonate with the fence sitters and bed wetters too.

Meanwhile, in Australia, the Prime Minister is too scared to open his Electoral Office let alone attend it.

Cassie of Sydney
July 16, 2024 4:34 pm

Our very own Nazi appears.