Friday, April 17, 2026

Making Cars Fun To Drive Again

Issues & Insights   

"We are grateful the Trump administration listened and is terminating what was nothing more than another ambush in the Democrats’ war on cars."


"Has there ever been an automobile feature as widely despised as the stop-start system that the Obama administration forced on the country? Unlikely. Which is why new federal action that kills the requirement is cause for celebration.

"The “feature,” which is the wrong word for what’s truly a nuisance, automatically shuts off a car’s internal-combustion engine when it is idling at a red light or stuck in traffic. It restarts the engine when either the foot comes off the brake pedal or the accelerator is pressed. The action is jerky — it too often feels like a minor collision — distracting and tiring, producing a driving experience that’s more wearisome than enjoyable.

"It’s also likely that the system increases wear on a car’s starter and battery, forcing owners to replace them sooner than they otherwise would — though its few supporters claim this isn’t so.

"The industry was coerced by the Obama administration to include the function in every new car to improve fuel efficiency and cut emissions. Automakers weren’t required to make it standard, but it became a mandate of sorts in 2012 because the government gave them a credit if they added the confounded gadget to their lineups.

"To the relief of many, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin eliminated the credit in February as part of the Trump administration’s unwinding of useless and counterproductive Obama-era environmental rules.

"Last week Zeldin followed up with an announcement that the Trump EPA had removed “the ridiculous climate participation trophy the Obama” White House “created to get this hated feature installed. The incentives for manufacturers to make your car die at every red light and stop sign have now been ELIMINATED!”

"It “is arguably one of the most annoying features of any new car,” says Motor1.com. Slashgear reports that the frustration caused by the function “is so severe that you can find ‘Autostop Eliminators’ selling online.” . . .

Mr. and Mrs. Dweller actually met one person who claims to have saved a good deal with this feature, but the TDs just had to replace a $400 Honda Pilot battery which wore out too soon.

DNI Tulsi Gabbard Outlines Reason for Criminal Referral of Trump Impeachment Collaborators

The Last Refuge 

 I am thankful that people are now starting to use the new information to review past timelines. [SEE HERE] What they will discover is that Michael Atkinson’s work with Mary McCord and the Lawfare network are not isolated events. This is a continuum of targeting against Donald Trump using all of the intelligence levers at their disposal.

"Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, appears for an interview with Katie Pavlich to outline the importance of bringing all of the information about the Intelligence Community targeting of President Trump to the public.

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and We the People want to see accountability for the Machiavellian conduct.  The intelligence community targeted President Trump and people within the CIA ran an operation to remove him.  These people have names and titles that have remained hidden, DNI Tulsi Gabbard is putting those names, specific names into the public psyche so we can have a full understanding of what took place.

"Now, for many here this may seem like information we have all known about; however, Gabbard is providing the receipts, the actual evidence, of how these IC operations took place. Watch:" . . .

Biden's Botched Afghanistan Withdrawal Is About to Get a Full Reckoning, Sean Parnell Reveals

Teri Christoph – RedState


"Department of War spokesperson Sean Parnell issued a rather lengthy social media update Thursday detailing the progress being made by the Afghanistan Withdrawal Special Review Panel, which was formed by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth – at the direction of President Trump – in May of 2025 to study the Biden administration's botched and "chaotic" withdrawal of U.S. military forces on August 26, 2021.

(The entirety of Parnell's tweet is included here.)

"At the time the panel was formed, Secretary Hegseth wrote, "President Trump and I have formally pledged full transparency for what transpired during our military withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Department of Defense has an obligation, both to the American people and to the warfighters who sacrificed their youth in Afghanistan, to get to the facts. This remains an important step toward regaining faith and trust with the American people and all those who wear the uniform and is prudent based on the number of casualties and equipment lost during the execution of this withdrawal operation."

"Parnell revealed Thursday that the panel had interviewed "key figures involved in the planning and execution of the withdrawal," reviewed more than 9 million documents related to the event, and concluded that a previous Department-wide review conducted by former SecDef Lloyd Austin was far too "narrow in scope." 

"He also said that the panel expects to have a final report ready in the coming months as part of the Trump administration's effort to deliver to the American people "a full and unflinching examination of the systemic, institutional, and leadership factors that contributed to the collapse."

"Thirteen U.S. troops were killed during botched withdrawal that occurred under Joe Biden's watch."

READ MORE: Hegseth Wants Answers on Biden's Disastrous Afghanistan Withdrawal, Makes Major Announcement 

Principle over politics.: Justice Thomas Stands Up for the Declaration and Constitution

 The American Spectator | USA News and Politics   

"Yet without question, the Justice is widely admired by millions of his fellow Americans because he is unafraid to stand up for the Declaration and the Constitution  As well he should be admired."

PragerU

"The Fox News headline was straight to the point: “Justice Thomas warns progressivism is threat to America in rare public remarks,” as was the subtitle, “Thomas’s remarks urged young people to have courage and stand up for their ideals.”
"The story focused on the Justice’s recent remarks at the University of Texas at Austin. The Justice was appearing as a guest at a celebration of America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It noted that Thomas was the longest-serving Justice on the Court. And the wisdom Justice Thomas displayed in his remarks certainly was a sign of those years of experience and collective wisdom.
"Among other things, saying that the values of the Founders had “fallen out of favor,”  the Justice was calling on his audience to revisit and stand up for the principles that had the Founders writing the Declaration in the first place.
"Said the Justice: “I think if we don’t stand up and take ownership of our country, and take responsibility for it, we are slowly letting others control how we think and what we think.”
"He went on:
Progressivism seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence, and hence our form of government.
It holds that our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from the government. It requires of the people a subservience and a weakness incompatible with a Constitution premised on the transcendent origin of our rights.
"The Justice kept going, noting that there was an increase of “cynicism, rejection, hostility and animus” in America, something that was perpetuated “by Americans” and what he called the alleged “pragmatists” or self-described intellectuals.
They recast themselves as institutionalist, pragmatists or thoughtful moderates, all as a way of justifying their failures to themselves, their consciences, and their country." . . .

. . . "It is precisely because Justice Thomas is such a clear thinker about America, its future, and its past — added to the fact that he is both black and conservative — that caused his lefty opponents of the day, and even now, to go crazy when he expounds at length on America and its governing principles." . . .

Justice Clarence Thomas: Progressivism ‘Incompatible’ With America’s Founding Documents   "U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas spoke at the University of Texas at Austin this week, and while his talk covered a number of topics, the segment on progressivism stands out in an extraordinary way.

"Thomas spoke extensively about the roots of progressivism, especially as it pertains to American politics, and made it clear that he believes it is a philosophy that is fundamentally incompatible with America’s founding documents and principles.

"Fans of history will absolutely love this." . . .

More on California v. Nick Shirley

Bear in mind this is the state that produces Democrats like Adam Schiff, Eric Swalwell, Maxine WatersSen. Alex Padilla, Nancy Pelosi, Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, and, well, we could go on and on with this Hollywood cast of a political sitcom. TD 

Thomas Yoderposted toJames Woods Fans

California Targets Nick Shirley - American Thinker   

. . . "The Supreme Court has long held that the First Amendment protects not merely the right to speak but the right to gather news and publish truthful information on matters of public concern, especially when taxpayer dollars are at stake. In New York Times Co. v. Sullivan (1964), the Court established that even harsh criticism of public programs and officials is shielded unless it involves provable falsehoods made with actual malice.  

. . . "This fits a familiar Sacramento pattern. When the ruling class dislikes what citizens discover about failing schools, street chaos, or slush-fund NGOs, it rewrites the rules to make discovery illegal. From campus speech codes to agricultural “ag-gag” laws and now this, the goal is always the same: shield favored constituencies from accountability. If signed by Governor Newsom, AB 2624 will face swift federal-court challenges from journalists, transparency advocates, and civil-liberties organizations. The First Amendment does not and should not permit the state to declare a special class of untouchables whose public activities may no longer be documented by citizens exercising their constitutional rights. Nick Shirley’s investigations and videos do not constitute "harassment"; they are the modern equivalent of the pamphleteers and investigative reporters the Founders sought to protect. California Democrats’ reckless attempt to silence scrutiny of taxpayer-funded programs is not merely bad policy; it is a direct assault on the constitutional foundations of self-government. The voters should remember who tried to ram it through."

Slimy Swalwell and His Slimy Democrat Friends  "The sexual assault allegations against Eric Swalwell have officially ousted him from the California governor’s race and led him to resign from Congress. The feeding frenzy that led Swalwell to his resignation was also fueled by the Democrats, who have left him to be ostracized by the American public.
"The Spectacle Podcast hosts Scott McKay and Melissa Mackenzie criticize Swalwell for his actions and speak on the compromised state of the Democratic Party. Scott and Melissa call out other Democrats for their deviant behavior, such as Adam Schiff and his association with sexual predator Ed Buck, and Gavin Newsom. They also discuss the Democrats who are complicit for their ties with China, such as Joe Biden, Mark Kelly, Barack Obama, and many more. (WATCH: The Spectator P.M. Ep. 205: The Impending Collapse of Eric Swalwell)" 

"Once again, Dems only care about predators when it means political losses for them."
. . . "Sex scandals remain a lone shred of bipartisanship in politics. The ability of California progressives to bottle up sex scandals stems from a very different force. In a one-party state, where Democrats dominate government and media, investigations into sexual predators with a “D” next to their name tend not to go very far.
"Just last month, women accused Cesar Chavez, for whom California celebrated a state holiday until this year, of raping and molesting them during the 1960s and 1970s." . . . 

Argus Hamilton posted:  "Nancy Pelosi led a host of Democrat power players in Washington who denied ever knowing Eric Swalwell had a sexual misconduct problem, when it was common knowledge in D.C. To be fair, I did hear one Democrat concede Eric has a zipper problem. He didn't say if it was his mouth or his pants."

About the Orion Spacecraft

 



Beautiful video: ESA - Artemis II    . . . "The European Service Module has 33 thrusters, 11 km of electrical wiring, four propellant and two pressure tanks that all work together to supply propulsion and everything needed to keep astronauts alive far from Earth – there is no room for error." . . .



Thursday, April 16, 2026

HUNDREDS in Iran reportedly executed amid internet blackout [while useful idiots on campus protest "war of choice"]

Fox News  

"Dr. Sheila Nazarian, a plastic surgeon who fled Iran as a child, discusses the regime's crackdown on protesters during 'America's Newsroom.'

California Introduces Stop Nick Shirley Act

Moonbattery

Conservative Tribune


"Nick Shirley is a genuine journalist, in stark contrast to the incurious propagandists comprising the liberal establishment media. To learn what would happen to genuine journalists were Democrats to consolidate power, look to places where leftism has prevailed, like China, Cuba — or California.

"California State Assemblymember Carl DeMaio sounds the alarm:

DeMaio is slamming state Democrats for voting to advance a controversial new law (AB 2624) to silence citizen journalists and shield taxpayer-funded organizations from public scrutiny.

"What DeMaio calls the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” Democrats bleat is all about protecting the put-upon colonists they have imported from the Third World to displace American voters:

AB 2624 claims to be about protecting immigrant organizations from “threats of violence,” when in fact the legislation would apply to any left-wing group that claims to provide any services to legal or illegal immigrants. For example, under AB 2624 entities like the Somali “Learing” Daycare centers would all be covered if they operated inside California.

"These phony daycare centers set up to facilitate the massive fraud permitted by Democrats like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison were famously exposed by Shirley.

AB 2624 would allow activists and taxpayer-funded organizations to demand the removal of video evidence — even if it captures misconduct in plain view — and threatens journalists with massive financial penalties. . ..  More...

Reasons to forgive [tone deaf] Trump his trespasses

 Andrea Widburg - American Thinker  

"Democrats have told us what they’re going to do: Pack the court, add two new states, open the borders completely, bow down to the Muslim world, escalate the lawfare they used to destroy their political opponents, double down on “transing our children,” make abortion unlimited, destroy Israel, etc."

"A friend called me today to say she was unhappy about the picture Trump posted and then deleted, in which he was shown ministering to a sick person. Although the image lacks the flowing hair and beard attributed to Christ in European and American religious iconography, it definitely has a Christ-like vibe. It was a tone-deaf thing for Trump to have done.
"Nevertheless, I hope that people, while miffed in the short term, don’t sit out the 2026 and 2028 elections to “punish Trump.” If they’re patriotic Americans, the punishment that they’ll be meting out will be to this country, not to Trump.
"In legal terms, Trump is sui generis, that is, utterly unique. He is a man of extraordinary abilities, and his core values are excellent. He’s also larger than life, blustering, self-aggrandizing, vindictive, and a counterpuncher who doesn’t always stop to think about whether it’s wiser at any given moment to pull his punches. I’m not blind to Trump’s failings, but when I look at his virtues, I still think he’s the best thing to happen to America since George Washington. 
"Big Picture things:
"Trump is a politician who keeps his promises. That’s because he’s not really a politician; he’s a businessman. And in business, especially the rough and tumble world of commercial real estate, your word had better be your bond." . . .

To see the atrocities committed on peaceful Israeli villages that October 7th: families murdered, babies cooked alive in Israeli homes, men, women and children taken away to terror in Hamas tunnels, being starved and raped, toddlers killed by bare hands of men from Gaza while "gaslit" products of Western educator's cheer those same executioners.

Gaslight  “Gaslighting” means “to psychologically manipulate someone over a period of time.” It can cause a person to second-guess their thoughts, memories, and even perception of reality. Say a friend promises to talk about an argument later, but when the time comes, they deny that the conversation or argument ever happened. This is an example of gaslighting; it can make you question your own memory of the event, which can be deeply upsetting if it happens repeatedly.

"In modern slang, people incorrectly apply this term to everyday disagreements, as in, “He said he didn’t like the movie. He’s gaslighting me!” True gaslighting distorts reality; it isn’t about differing opinions. The misuse of this term — and other therapy speak — can make it hard to determine whether the speaker is referring to the clinical or casual definition." . .

In a Democrat college town, voters finally get a taste of their own medicine

 Andrea Widburg - American Thinker   

"As for me, all I could think of is H. L. Mencken’s sardonic take on democracy: “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.'”  . . .


"One of the things that’s so often said about affluent, white Democrat voters is that they’re insulated from the effects of their own policies. When they import illegal aliens, their enclaves don’t see rising rents and crimes, along with lost jobs. (Indeed, as Martha’s Vineyard shows, they make sure it doesn’t happen in their communities.) Likewise, sheltered in their cars and upscale homes, they don’t feel the effect of recidivist crime waves on subways and in home robberies.

"But sometimes, the nasty stuff they sent downhill to “the little people” rolls right back uphill and bites them in the derriere. In South Hadley, Massachusetts, it wasn’t a horrible crime, but it was something just as meaningful: A straight hit to the pocketbook.

"To appreciate what’s going on in South Hadley, located in western Massachusetts. You need to know a few things:

  • First, it’s a college town, home to Mount Holyoke College (annual cost of a year’s attendance, including food and housing: $88,427).

  • Second, it bills itself as a “gender diverse women’s college,” which means that this women’s college accepts mentally ill men who claim to be women (although I wonder whether it rejects mentally ill women who claim to be men).

  • Third, its official faculty policy is to fight Trump.

  • Fourth, a cohort of its students strongly supported waging a violent war against Israel.

  • Fifth, Mount Holyoke is the town’s biggest employer.

"From these facts, you can probably readily discern a few other pertinent facts about South Hadley:" . . . More...

 

AfterMath - Home

Oddly not unlike this Atlas rocket launch tower at Vandenberg Space Force Base on the Central California coast:


From the UK Daily Mail, Dec 2025: New photos show inside Obama's 'eyesore' presidential library   "The first facility at the Obama Presidential Center opened its doors, giving the public its first look at the controversial library. 

Home Court is a 60,000 square-foot structure that features the same sharp, gray, modern architecture that gave the rest of the Obama library complex viral fame. 

The presidential center invited honored guests to get a glimpse of the newly completed building designed by Black-owned architecture firm Moody Nolan. 

It features an NBA-regulation basketball court, seating, and meeting spaces.

The main court is complete with a signatory 'O' in the center and Obama's campaign slogans 'Hope' and 'Yes we can' are painted on the court.

Even the metal outside is adorned with a basketball net pattern to keep in line with the theme, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. 

According to the website, the 60,000 square-foot-building serves as 'a place for health and wellness activities, events, and a wide range of opportunities for community engagement.'

Outside the building are play areas, a walking trail, and even a hill designated for sledding." . . . 


Wednesday, April 15, 2026

California exodus strikes again as homebuilding giant pulls out

 NY Post  

"Arizona's income tax is a 2.5% flat tax. Compare that to Mexifornia's top tax rate of 13.3% max tax rate, and just about all deductions have been eliminated, like long-term capital gains (selling stocks, selling your home, etc.)." Reader comment


Another billion-dollar business is ditching California.

KB Home announced it’s packing up its Los Angeles headquarters and heading to Tempe, Arizona — the latest corporate exit from the Golden State.

The move to the Phoenix suburb is set to kick off in spring 2027, with the company planting its flag at Hayden Ferry Lakeside near Tempe Town Lake — just minutes from the airport and smack in the middle of the booming Valley." . . .

. . . "Still, it joins a growing list of companies heading for the exits.

"Realtor.com, Public Storage and Yamaha Motor Corporation have all expressed plans to move operations out of California — a trend that’s raising fresh questions about the state’s business climate." . . .More...