J.J. Watt offers to pay funeral expenses for victims of Santa Fe High School shooting

SB Nation

"Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt has reportedly reached out to Santa Fe High School — the site of Friday’s mass shooting in Texas — and offered to cover the funeral expenses of the victims. At least 10 people have died following the tragedy, with another 10 injured — the majority of which are students.

Mark Berman@MarkBermanFox26

Santa Fe High School officials have been notified that @JJWatt is personally going to pay for the funerals of all the victims of the Santa Fe High School shooting tragedy.

10:22 PM - May 18, 2018 · Houston, TX

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"Watt expressed his grief on Twitter yesterday before reportedly contacting school officials. Houston is just 37 miles northwest of Santa Fe High School." . . .

Deviant Art

The Best Explanation for Our Spate of Mass Shootings Is the Least Comforting

National Review

. . . "Those who advocate for gun control have an immediate answer — the prevalence of guns in the United States. Yet guns have been part of the fabric of American life for the entire history of our republic. Mass shootings — especially the most deadly mass shootings — are a far more recent phenomenon.

"Writing in 2015, Malcolm Gladwell wrote what I think is still the best explanation for modern American mass shootings, and it’s easily the least comforting. At the risk of oversimplifying a complex argument, essentially he argues that each mass shooting lowers the threshold for the next. He argues, we are in the midst of a slow-motion “riot” of mass shootings, with the Columbine shooting in many ways the key triggering event. Relying on the work of Stanford sociologist Mark Granovetter, Gladwell notes that it’s a mistake to look at each incident independently: . . ."

But Granovetter thought it was a mistake to focus on the decision-making processes of each rioter in isolation. In his view, a riot was not a collection of individuals, each of whom arrived independently at the decision to break windows. A riot was a social process, in which people did things in reaction to and in combination with those around them. Social processes are driven by our thresholds—which he defined as the number of people who need to be doing some activity before we agree to join them. In the elegant theoretical model Granovetter proposed, riots were started by people with a threshold of zero—instigators willing to throw a rock through a window at the slightest provocation. Then comes the person who will throw a rock if someone else goes first. He has a threshold of one. Next in is the person with the threshold of two. His qualms are overcome when he sees the instigator and the instigator’s accomplice. Next to him is someone with a threshold of three, who would never break windows and loot stores unless there were three people right in front of him who were already doing that—and so on up to the hundredth person, a righteous upstanding citizen who nonetheless could set his beliefs aside and grab a camera from the broken window of the electronics store if everyone around him was grabbing cameras from the electronics store.

. . .  

Student Says School Shooter Was Picked On By Coaches, Wore Trench Coat Daily

Prepare for more CNN appearances by those foul-mouthed Parkland brats.

Daily Wire . . . "He's been picked on by coaches before for smelling bad and stuff like that and he doesn't really talk to very many people," the student said. "He wears a trench coat every day and it's like 90 degrees out here."
"I heard that he wore a shirt today and it said 'born to kill,' the shirt he was wearing, I don't even know how the school can allow that," the student continued.
The reporter then asked the student about his reaction to the school's handling of the shooting, asking him if they handled it appropriately.
"No, they pulled the fire alarm and got everyone in one position, that's not smart," the student replied. "They should have done the right thing and left the people in the classrooms."
The reporter then appeared to try to bait the student into making a statement on gun control, asking him what he thought about the state of America today.

"The student once again pointed out the alleged gunman was supposedly bullied by coaches, saying, "I think it's stupid, the coaches can't talk to students like that and make fun of them. That's their fault, and strictly their fault. Not the kid's fault, but their fault, no one has talked to him or tried to be nice to him."

Texas Colonel Describes How Police Must Engage A School Shooter – Puts Parkland Police To Shame "Multiple law enforcement officers engaged the shooter who killed 10 and wounded 10 at Santa Fe High School in Texas Friday morning.
"That’s according to Texas Department of Public Safety director Steve McCraw." . . .
"One of the Texas police officers was shot and severely wounded when he engaged the shooter. The officer has not been identified and is in the hospital.
"The actions of the Texas officers present a stark contrast to the actions of the Broward County Sheriff school resource officer during the Parkland, Florida shooting earlier this year." . . .

Two thousand years waiting for a restoration of Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem

"Two thousand years waiting for a restoration of Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem via Instapundit, and for some American Jews, today’s significance is that it gives them a chance to emote their hostility to Trump. Sad!"

"BECAUSE LEFTIST POLITICS HAS BECOME A RELIGION: Two thousand years waiting for a restoration of Jewish sovereignty in Jerusalem, and for some American Jews, today’s significance is that it gives them a chance to emote their hostility to Trump. Sad!"

MS-13; the corrupt media throws this nation under the bus

"What rational Americans heard as a slam against the violent Salvadoran gang MS-13, the media heard as a racist rant. Kinda like that whole Laurel/Yanny thing… Cartoon by A.F. Branco."

Fake Racism News – A.F. Branco Cartoon

Thomas Lifson: MSM drive another nail in their own coffin with distortion of Trump's 'animals' comment  "The mainstream media have forfeited the trust of all but the dedicated progressive faction of the American public, roughly 20-30% of the populace.  Now that a majority distrusts their word, and now that we have a president who is a counter-puncher, they can't get away with their old tricks all the time.

"It was outright malpractice for many outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, and the Associated Press, to create the impression that when he used the word "animals" in public, Trump was referring to all immigrants, or to all illegal aliens, as he was responding to a question about MS-13." . . .

Below: "Rant"?

Left-Wing Media Now Hate Trump More than They Hate Bloodthirsty Gangs

. . . "Like sobbing children, the left-wing media can’t get over the fact Trump beat Hillary Clinton and is systematically dismantling President Obama’s policy legacy, and it’s driving some of them, quite literally, insane."

Planned Parenthood, NARAL Are Very Upset That 
The President Called Violent Gang Members 'Animals' . . . "Hogue stepped foot into more bizarre territory, warning that dehumanizing even murderous individuals was the pathway to "very dangerous territory," where more human beings might face dehumanization. Hogue is apparently unaware that her own organization fights for the right to murder innocent, tiny humans in the first three to nine months of their lives — definitely dangerous territory." . . .

nwsltr‏ @nwsltrMe

“When all of our great-great-grandparents came to America they weren’t ‘animals,’ and these people aren’t either.” —@SenSchumer #MS13

Scarcely a day goes by without the news media lying about the president and his administration. No wonder trust in the press is at an all-time low. It should be.  . . . "The round table had nothing to do with illegal immigrants in general, or “those trying to breach the country’s borders” (the caravaners, I take it). This was the president’s reference to animals; again, he obviously was referring to MS-13 gang members:. . . "

Pelosi: Trump Using 'Animals' Term in Sanctuary Debate Ignores 'Spark of Divinity in Every Person'. . . "If the media and liberals want to defend MS-13, they're more than welcome to," White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters. "Frankly, I don't think the term the president used is strong enough." . . .

terrellaftermath

Iran and President trump

Charles Krauthammer once said, "It's not that we have a new sheriff in town; it's that we now have a sheriff"

The Crashing Iranian Economy and the Mullahs’ Last Stand

. . . "The Washington Free Beacon reported the following:

European diplomats are said to be blaming the Obama administration for drumming up business with Iran and telling these allies that they could engage in economic transactions without penalty. The reaction from lawmakers has been unsympathetic, source said, explaining that congressional opponents of the deal long warned these European countries the deal would be subject to harsh scrutiny after President Barack Obama left office. . . . 

 “As President Trump has always said, the Iran deal was great for the mullahs and terrible for the American people,” the source said, speaking only on background. “Obama gave Iran more than they could ever have imagined, and now Trump is taking it away. The Iranians are rushing to grab and save whatever they can. Europe will have to choose a side.” . . .

Caroline Glick: Netanyahu’s finest hour  . . . "Apparently unaware that the US is a more important EU ally than Iran, Mogherini insisted, “The European Union is determined to preserve it. Together with the rest of the international community, we will preserve this nuclear deal.”

"The liberal US media outlets were also aghast. Commentators joined the chorus of former Obama administration officials condemning Trump and insisting his move will isolate the US from the international community.

"Trump brushed off his critics by noting, “You saw [Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu get up yesterday and talk so favorably about what we did.”

"In other words, as far as Trump is concerned, Israel’s support is just as valuable as Mogherini’s. He’s perfectly willing to suffice with Israeli support. Having Israel in his corner means that the US is not isolated." . . .

10 Key Takeaways From The New York Times’ Error-Ridden Defense Of FBI Spying On Trump Campaign

You know you have hit the bullseye when Rush Limbaugh introduces you:

Rush Limbaugh

Mollie Hemingway

It's reasonable to assume that much of the new information in the New York Times report relates to leakers' fears about information that will be coming out in the inspector general report.

 The New York Times published an article yesterday confirming the United States’ intelligence apparatus was used to spy on Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016.

Here are a few quick takeaways.

1. FBI Officials Admit They Spied On Trump Campaign

"The New York Times‘ story, headlined “Code Name Crossfire Hurricane: The Secret Origins of the Trump Investigation,” is a dry and gentle account of the FBI’s launch of extensive surveillance of affiliates of the Trump campaign. 

"Whereas FBI officials and media enablers had previously downplayed claims that the Trump campaign had been surveiled, in this story we learn that it was more widespread than previously acknowledged:

The F.B.I. investigated four unidentified Trump campaign aides in those early months, congressional investigators revealed in February. The four men were Michael T. Flynn, Paul Manafort, Carter Page and Mr. Papadopoulos, current and former officials said…
The F.B.I. obtained phone records and other documents using national security letters — a secret type of subpoena — officials said. And at least one government informant met several times with Mr. Page and Mr. Papadopoulos, current and former officials said.

"This is a stunning admission for those Americans worried that federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies might use their powers to surveil, leak against, and target Americans simply for their political views or affiliations. As Sean Davis wrote, “The most amazing aspect about this article is how blasé it is about the fact that the Obama admin was actively spying on four affiliates of a rival political campaign weeks before an election.”

"The story says the FBI was worried that if it came out they were spying on Trump campaign it would “only reinforce his claims that the election was being rigged against him.” It is easy to understand how learning that the FBI was spying on one’s presidential campaign might reinforce claims of election-rigging." . . .

Israel’s Interrogation of Captured Gazan Infiltrators Reveal Hamas’ Strategy

Israel Rising

. . . "Salim Abu Daher, 21, a resident of the Gaza Strip, was arrested on 28 April 2018 upon infiltrating into Israel in order to burn fields and groves. Officials learned the following from Salim:

1. Hamas is financing the violent action in the framework of which kite-borne firebombs are sent toward Israeli territory.

2. Hamas members in civilian clothing circulate among violent activists and supply gasoline for the kite-borne firebombs which are designed to ignite and burn Israeli fields.

"Other detainees revealed the following:

1. Hamas encourages children and young people to cross the fence.

2. Hamas militants in civilian clothes encourage children to try and cross the fence in order to steal IDF equipment.

"This resulted in an event on May 4th in which a 13-year-old youth was wounded while taking part in an attempt to infiltrate into Israeli territory in order to steal a security camera at Karni Crossing, east of Gaza City." . . .

Sleepless in Seattle: Head Tax Edition [VIDEO]

Rich Terrell

Victory Girls Blog  "The cuddly socialists of the Seattle City Council got together for some old fashioned Kurt Cobain headbanging Monday afternoon. They must have been wearing protective headgear, to protect eardrums from the yowling that went up as they passed their “scaled down” head tax on large employers.

"And they didn’t leave any council members out in the cold on the maneuver either. This blatant money grab was a 9-0 slam dunkaroo.

The Seattle City Council voted unanimously Monday to adopt a new tax on the city’s largest employers to help address homelessness.

The ordinance will impose a tax of $275 per employee, per year on for-profit companies that gross at least $20 million per year in the city — down from a $500-per-head tax that Mayor Jenny Durkan threatened to veto.

About 3 percent of Seattle businesses will be affected, according to the council.

“We have community members who are dying,” Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda before the 9-0 vote. “They are dying on our streets today because there is not enough shelter” and affordable housing.

"Oh, there is no doubt that there are people on the streets of Seattle in record numbers. But the council might want to look at a few of the economic factors (in addition to a relatively comfortable climate) driving that before they go raiding the pockets of the area’s larger employers." . . .

"Partner Of Slain Cop Reveals What Trump Told Him In Private Conversation – Wow"

Meanwhile Mayor de Blasio did not attend". . . the 109th mayor of New York City, made news of recent for all the wrong reasons (again). He elected to travel to Hamburg, Germany, to be part of the #Resistance, and forego the memorial service held for one of the New York City Police Department’s service martyrs, Officer Miosotis Familia, a 12-year veteran of the NYPD.". . . *

The left will condemn this photo in three...two...one...

Daily Caller  "President Trump gave an impassioned speech to the 37th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service at the U.S. Capitol Building Tuesday.

"During a deeply emotional moment, Trump invited up the family of slain NYPD officer, Miosotis Familia, onstage. The family was joined by Familia’s partner, Vincent Maher.

"Familia was executed while sitting in her NYPD cop car by a mentally disturbed gunman with anti-cop views. During the ceremony, Maher gave president Trump a challenge coin in honor of Familia and the two men shared a private conversation away from the microphone."

"Maher said that his former partner “loved” being a police officer and that it was “very unexpected” to be put on the spot by commander-in-chief.

"Maher said in conclusion that he appreciates Trump’s support of law enforcement, “I definitely feel the love from the higher ups these days as far as supporting law enforcement all over the country and it is nice to have it come from the top.” . . .

 CNN. Oops, no.

*. . . "Now, I don’t blame these Leftist politicians for anyone’s murder. I blame the murderer, alone, for that. But Bill de Blasio and Barack Obama certainly don’t have clean hands when it comes to the diminution of the relationship between police and the communities of color they serve."

Here Are The Five Senators Who Voted Against Haspel

If rejected, will she go on a years-long speaking tour to discuss all the reasons she did not get the post? Misogyny? TD

Daily Caller

If she passes confirmation, Haspel would become the first female director in the agency’s history of over 70 years

"A handful of senators on the Senate Intelligence Committee voted against President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the CIA Wednesday.

"The committee voted 10-5 Wednesday in favor of Gina Haspel, who must now be confirmed before the entire Senate body before she can become the next CIA director. (RELATED: Gina Haspel Passes Crucial First Step)

"Every Republican member of the committee voted in favor, including two Democrats — Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia and Joe Manchin of West Virginia. Four Democrats and one independent voted against Haspel, including:

• Dianne Feinstein of California
• Ron Wyden of Oregon
• Kamala Harris of California  (Naturally)
• Martin Heinrich of New Mexico
• Angus King of Maine, who is an independent

. . . 

93 Percent of Israeli Jews Support Trump’s Jerusalem Embassy Move

PJ Media

A full 93 percent of Israeli Jews support the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. Nearly three-quarters (73 percent) of them said they support not only moving the embassy, but doing so now. Another 20 percent said they support the move, but disagree with the timing. They suggested Trump should have waited until he unveiled his plan for ending the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Support for the embassy move and the timing ran highest among Israeli Jews who identified as "national religious" (89 percent) as opposed to Haredi (77 percent), traditional (84 percent), or secular (60 percent). Secular Israeli Jews proved most likely to disagree with the timing (30 percent) and most likely to disagree with the move overall (8 percent).

Previously posted in the Tunnel Wall:

Rabbi Aryeh Spero writes: God uses this American President to Fulfill Prophecies and Move Our Embassy to Jerusalem.
The endorsement of President Trump by the Rabbi is not the main point pro or con; I feel the significance is the 70 year time span. TD

 How Trump is reshaping American foreign policy in the Middle East
"So, fearful of a crisis on his watch and like the frightened schoolboy giving up his lunch money to the bully, Obama was content to appease evil regimes, leaving problems to be cleaned up by better presidents than he. Hey, it worked with the Hollywood crowd. TD"

New York Daily News hits new low with disgusting Jerusalem embassy opening cover