Sunday, December 7, 2025

Documenting a Disaster: The WW1 Combat Cameraman (No AI)

Battle Guide  "Using a WW1 combat cameraman's diary and trench maps, this Battle Guide video precisely recreates a single day's filming. Original footage is overlaid on modern maps and drone shots. Experience the Battle of the Somme through a unique and perilous perspective." . . .

"These haunting battlefield scenes may well be the most recognisable footage of the First World War: men huddled in a sunken road, troops waiting to go “over the top,” a massive mine erupting under enemy trenches, and wounded men being rescued from no-man’s-land, but, did you know, it was all captured under fire by a single cameraman on a single day. "Join us as we follow that one man, using his own diary entries, matched precisely with trench maps, modern terrain footage, and the original film he shot, we’ll retrace his steps and investigate what he captured on the infamous opening day of the Battle of the Somme."


From the comments to this video:
"This is gold! I've seen this footage in piecemeal spread across various presentations without ever knowing where these places were. Like the scene with the men in the "sunken road." I never knew that footage was part of the Somme or that it had the name "sunken road." As a writer, I search for the littlest details in everything I write, so when I can see someone else pulling out details like that in a video, it's priceless. You put the actual trench lines to the current topography and you can still see where there are areas following trenches: the tree line in one place seems to just hug it like it can't grow any farther. I can understand why this was your hardest; this is also the most personal. Names and dates attached to faces. These aren't casualty numbers that get lost in history books: these are human beings. You did your part to keep them alive, to keep them human in a war that dehumanized and erased people by the thousands. Thank you!"

Beaumont-Hamel
The 1st Newfoundland Regiment was ordered in battle at the village of Beaumont-Hamel at the start of the Battle of the Somme, and at 07:30 on 1st July a coordinated attack on the German lines began.

 Beaumont Hamel -Memorial pictures

One of the few photos from before the Great War. No remnants of pre war locations exist because everything there was wiped off the map.


And after the battle of The Somme:


Patty Murray BRUTALLY 'Introduced' to Illegal She's Been Defending and Fighting for and ...

 Twitchy


"Patty Murray is furious that one of her so-called constituents was bitten by an ICE agent's dog and then VIOLENTLY DRAGGED AWAY.

"She wants him released immediately."  She stated:

My constituent, Wilmer, was mauled by an ICE attack dog despite the fact that, as he has consistently explained, he was not resisting arrest or trying to flee—his wife and young children, all U.S. citizens, were forced to watch helplessly as Wilmer was violently attacked and dragged away. I am calling for Wilmer’s immediate release from NWIPC—he has NO criminal convictions, he poses no threat to the community, and he urgently needs appropriate medical care since ICE is denying him the treatment he requires.   . . . — @PattyMurray (@Senator Patty Murray) Dec 4, 2025

"Interesting how that post is showing as not found ... hrm." . . .

We shouldn’t reward Russia with a ‘peace’ that leaves Ukraine carved up and helpless

Douglas Murray  

"And that unless Russia is deterred from doing so, President Vladimir Putin will simply wait for President Trump to leave office and come back and try to take the country all over again. After all, if he keeps being rewarded for his aggression, why wouldn’t he?"

"Despite President Trump’s calls for the fighting to stop, Russia this week again stepped up its war against Ukraine.
"On Wednesday, Russian forces fired X-101 cruise missiles at sites in western Ukraine.
"This is far from the east of the country, where most of the fighting has been taking place since the full-scale Russian invasion of February 2022.
"The targets for Wednesday’s strikes included not just energy infrastructure sites, but residential buildings in the city of Ternopil.
"Not least apartment tower blocks where dozens of residents were killed and wounded." . . .


. . . "You have to marvel at the logic — as well as the manners — of these people.
"On the one hand, they accuse Jews who live in their historic homeland of being “settlers.”
"On the other, they scream abuse at Jews in every country outside Israel.
"Surely, in the process, making more Jews want to move to Israel.
"After all, if you are going to scream at, and urge violence against, Jews in the middle of Manhattan, can you be surprised if some of them might want to move?
"Particularly to somewhere where they might be better protected?
"It reminds me of those charming students at Columbia University who chased Jews across campus last year shouting, “Go back to Poland.”
"When there were a lot of Jews in Poland, those same Jews would be told to “go back home” to the Middle East.
"It really is almost as though some people don’t want Jews to exist anywhere at all, isn’t it? . .

Gavin Newsom Tries to Blame Trump for Lack of Rebuilding After L.A. Fires

Gavin and Rosie in the rubber room.

Legal Insurrection

. . . "As for Newsom’s claims about Trump, he should be laughed off the national stage. Instead, at least one outlet, Politico, is taking him seriously:

Newsom accuses Trump of wildfire aid snub

Gavin Newsom accused the Trump administration of rebuffing a meeting request as the California governor seeks more wildfire recovery aid in Washington, casting the refusal to make a staffer available as an unprecedented breach.

The Democratic governor’s staff said the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Federal Resources Management Agency, told them FEMA’s acting director was unavailable and did not offer another official to meet with as Newsom presses Congress for $33.9 billion. The Newsom administration framed that freezeout as part of a larger abandonment of the Los Angeles area, arguing the White House has broken with precedent by not sending a funding proposal to Congress.

“The Trump Administration refused a routine wildfire recovery meeting — a rejection we’ve never seen before — even as LA families near a year without long-term federal financial help,” Newsom spokesperson Izzy Gardon said in a statement. “The message to survivors is unmistakable: Donald Trump doesn’t care about them.”

"It has been almost a year since the fires, yet Newsom and Bass have done almost nothing.

"Adam Carolla predicted the rebuild would be nonexistent back in January. He was right.

"Featured image via Twitter/X video." . . .

Rosie O'Donnell's therapist urged her to 'detach' from social media due to bizarre fixation on Trump  "Rosie O'Donnell's therapist begged her to cut herself off from social media over what friends and family have described as a spiraling fixation with President Donald Trump - but the comedian couldn't even hold out for half a day.

The day before Thanksgiving, O'Donnell vowed to her therapist that she would go two days without posting anything about the Republican president, according to The Washington Post's profile of her life in Ireland. 

"The pledge collapsed almost instantly. 'It lasted maybe a few hours,' the paper reported.". . . 

The Democratic Party Is the Most Racist Organization in America | Opinion

 Newsweek  Oct 28, 2024 

  "Clearly, racial division is no longer working as an electoral strategy. Fighting racism with more racism is deeply unpopular."

Nancy says.....

. . . "The Democrats' long-term strategy is to stoke racial resentment to build their coalition and energize non-white voters. The rhetoric is designed to convince minorities that America is irredeemably, structurally racist, and only Democrats will look out for them. Social justice ideology, DEI, and wokeness are used in businesses, institutions, and schools to enforce Democratic rule and used internally to enforce party discipline. Note how Democrats united an entire coalition around Kamala Harris. No one wanted to look racist for suggesting there might be a better option.

AOC and the author

"During the summer of 2020, I was a fundraiser for progressives and saw crazy things. Campaigns started replacing consultants and campaign staff with BIPOC staffers to appear more inclusive. A prominent Democratic group announced funding was reserved solely for organizations led by non-whites. Another campaign pitched a donor-backed plan to source poor white people from Craigslist, pay them to be interviewed, then bait them into racially insensitive remarks. The candidate could then expose their racism as a "white whisperer" who could change their minds. The idea was insane and shut down by consultants who knew better, but still came disturbingly close to happening.

"At first, I went along with the Democratic crusade for racial division. I was scolded for using yellow emojis in Slack, which are complicit in white supremacy, so I switched them to white. When speaking to BIPOC consultants, I made sure to mention how white women are the worst, so they knew I wasn't racist. While reviewing resumes for potential hires, I tracked their race to ensure all people of color received interviews, and ignored most resumes from white men." . . .   More...

Evan Barker is a former Democratic campaign operative, campaign finance reform advocate, and podcaster. You can follow her on X @evanwch.

The REAL Racism the Lefties Won't Talk About   "Race hustling weasels such as Al Sharpton have long suggested that white people don't want to have a talk about race, because we crayolas are all racist and whatnot. Good news, Al, I'm ready for that talk now!" . . .

Rep. Jasmine Crockett Goes on Ugly Racist Rant About 'White Tears,' Gets Zero Pushback from CNN Anchor    

. . . "Newsflash to Rep. Crockett: the history of the world is colonization. The first North American “natives” are thought to have likely crossed a Bering Sea land bridge, while those in South America probably came across the Pacific Ocean by boat." . . .

Much more here:  Jasmine's racism - Search  It seems a race war is wanted.

What are the motives and what do they want to see happen?

Pentagon reporters self-deported. America won.

 Don Surber  

“ 'Skepticism is one thing. Flat-out lying is another.” The problem with the legacy media is that their job was to make Republicans look bad and to protect Democrats from any damaging information. Good riddance!" Comment by MLR


"On October 15, roughly half of the 101 members of the self-important Pentagon Press Association turned in their credentials as Pentagon reporters to protest new rules such as not giving reporters free range in the military headquarters.

"These are the eagle-eyed journalists who never noticed that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was in the hospital for a month.

"The quitters now complain that they are being denied access. Huh?

"Disney’s ABC said, “Outlets that reach millions of news consumers are being denied access to rare briefings by Pentagon officials this week—sessions that are being held instead for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s hand-picked media organizations.

"Only in Paragraph 4 did the Disney channel admit that it voluntarily surrendered its press credentials.

"The story boasted, “The rules haven’t kept journalists from working, even without the physical access. The Washington Post reported Friday that Hegseth ordered a second strike in September on a boat with suspected drug smugglers after not everyone had been initially killed. President Donald Trump said Hegseth had denied he did this, which some critics have said was a potential war crime if true.”

"If true.

"Bullwinkle J. Moose once observed that if it’s in the newspaper, it must be true. Newspapers dropped that standard long ago.

"AP, whose Pentagon reporter was among the quitters taking their ballpoint pens and going home, said at the time, “In an essay, NPR reporter Tom Bowman noted the many times he’d been tipped off by people he knew from the Pentagon and while embedded in the military about what was happening, even if it contradicted official lines put out by leadership. Many understand the media’s role.”

"AP doesn’t understand. Chief among those reports that contradicted the Pentagon this summer was AP’s story that began, “A U.S. intelligence report suggests that Iran’s nuclear program has been set back only a few months after U.S. strikes and was not ‘completely and fully obliterated’ as President Donald Trump has said, according to two people familiar with the early assessment.”

"The story is based on the 47th Rule of What Passes for Journalism These Days: Never believe Trump." . . .

Unhinged MSNBC Analyst: ‘Criminal’ Trump Is Trying to Distract Us from the Fact that ‘a Crime Family Is Atop the White House’

TFPPWire   

"The Bottom Line: An MSNBC guest accused Trump of running a “crime family” from the White House and using urban crime concerns to distract from alleged corruption. These remarks were made without supporting evidence, raising questions about the ethics of broadcasting such claims. The exchange reflects the ongoing use of sensational political rhetoric on cable news, where accusation often outweighs verification."


"Donald Trump’s critics on MSNBC are pushing a new narrative, accusing him of operating a “crime family” from the White House and using public safety concerns to distract from alleged corruption. The exchange featured heated rhetoric but no presented evidence.

Key Facts:

  • MSNBC’s Anand Giridharadas accused Donald Trump of leading a “crime family” from the White House.
  • He claimed Trump was “running crypto schemes” and enriching “billionaire cronies.”
  • Giridharadas alleged Trump uses crime concerns in cities like D.C., Chicago, and New York to deflect from larger wrongdoing.
  • The discussion aired during “Morning Joe” with host Joe Scarborough.

The Rest of The Story:  During a “Morning Joe” segment, Joe Scarborough and Anand Giridharadas discussed urban crime and public safety. Scarborough suggested that Americans can be concerned about multiple issues at once, including crime, the environment, and political integrity.

"Giridharadas agreed on the importance of public safety but quickly pivoted to accuse Trump of exploiting crime fears. He asserted Trump is “weaponizing” safety concerns in major cities, particularly D.C., Chicago, and New York, for political gain." . . .  More...  

  'Beyond sick': MS NOW correspondent blasted for disgusting comments on National Guard shooting  


‘Beyond sick’: Sky News Australia. . . MS NOW correspondent Ken Dilanian has been slammed over his comments following the shooting of two National Guard troops. "On Wednesday, two National Guard troops were shot in Washington, DC, with both currently in critical condition and the shooter in custody. "During MS NOW’s coverage of the shooting, Dilanian spoke about the environment in the US capital since the National Guard’s deployment. "The correspondent observed that the guard’s presence in DC has been normalised and not seen as controversial, as when they were first deployed. “ 'Of course, you know, there's so much controversy happening in the United States right now with ICE, who are also wearing uniforms and wearing masks,” he said. “ 'And so there's — you don't know — people walking around with uniforms in an American city. There are some Americans that might object to that. And so, apparently, this shooting has happened.” . . .

Trump reveals his character    . . . "He's grown in office too. The counter puncher prone to fire off unguided mean tweets has, with the benefit of age and experience, remained a counter puncher, but a more restrained tweeter. Having survived multiple assassination attempts has doubtless reminded him of his mortality, God’s apparent plan for him, and has noticeably humbled him. Those with defective character would have seen that as a sign of their invulnerability. Trump seems to have understood the opposite.

"Many don’t know how many acts of kindness Trump and his family regularly do. They don’t publicize them, nor do they have to do them. " . . .

ANN’S 1-STEP GUIDE TO SAVING NORTH CAROLINA

 Ann Coulter  

"But I’d really rather he round up illegals in North Carolina, so maybe we could have a shot at preventing this “purple state” from becoming California."


"Although the media are not typically interested in helping Republicans win elections, they seem awfully concerned that Donald Trump’s immigration raids in Charlotte, North Carolina, could hurt the GOP’s electoral prospects. The New York Times reports, for example, that the raids “brought one of the Trump administration’s showiest crackdown strategies into a purple state … creating a rare test of one of his core priorities in fiercely contested political territory.”
"Hold it right there. A purple state? When did North Carolina become a purple state? The state of “Senator No” (Jesse Helms) and other staunch conservatives like John East?
"Here’s a clue! From 1900 until around 1980, North Carolina’s foreign-born population was less than 1%. Today, it’s 15% — and that’s not including third-generation immigrants. The immigrants are mostly Hispanic and Asian, groups that block vote, 70% to 30%, for the Democrats.
"In Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte is located, 65% of new residents were born outside of the country. Talk about a sanctuary: The Mecklenburg County Sheriff, Garry McFadden, is a black man who not only thinks “Black Lives Matter,” but also “Illegal Alien Child Rapist and Murderers’ Lives Matter.”
"Ignoring ICE detainer requests — and common sense — he promptly releases those accused of committing such minor and inconsequential infractions as car theft, drunk driving, rape, child molestation and murder onto the streets, never to be heard from again. [ATTENTION SEN. MARK KELLY: Sheriff McFadden’s underlings are being forced to comply with illegal orders!]
"Arguably, the state isn’t turning blue because enforcement of immigration laws has been too aggressive, but rather because it’s been nonexistent." . . . More...

Saturday, December 6, 2025

How To Identify Fraudulent Activities Online

  Spotting Spooky Scams Online   

Remember: If you ever see something online that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, talk to your parents or a trusted adult. They can help you figure out what to do. 


"Are you tired of being bullied or harassed online? Or do you want to take precautions? This blog post on how to identify fraudulent activities online will help you a lot.

"The internet is a fantastic place to learn, play, and connect with friends. But just like the real world, there can be dangers in staying online for any purpose. That’s where cybersecurity comes in!

"The use of the internet is beautiful but its users are making it difficult for some people around the cyber space.

"We have noticed a higher increase in cyber theft, bridge, and cyberbullying in the 21st century than in centuries past.

"This has cost a lot of businesses and organizations their valued trademark and treasures

"So, we will explain how to identify fraudulent activities online. But let us have a deep dive into cybersecurity first." . . .  More...

. . . "How To Identify Fraudulent Activities Online:  "Being a good online detective is all about learning the tricks of the trade! Here are some things to watch out for to keep your information safe and avoid online scams:

  • "Stranger Danger Goes Digital: Just like in the real world, it’s important to be careful about talking to strangers online. Don’t share personal information like your address, phone number, or school name with people you don’t know well, even if they seem nice.
  • Beware of Phishing: Phishing is when someone tries to trick you into giving them your information by pretending to be someone or something they’re not. They might send you an email that looks like it’s from a bank, a game company, or even a friend. Here’s how to spot a phishing attempt:
    • Check the Sender: Does the email address look strange or misspelled? Legitimate companies will usually have email addresses that end with their company name (e.g., [email address removed]).
    • Too Good to Be True? It Probably Is! Does the email offer you something amazing, like free virtual currency or a chance to win a big prize? If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
    • Urgency Alerts: Does the email pressure you to click on a link or reply right away? Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency to make you act without thinking.
    • Suspicious Links: Never click on links in emails from unknown senders. If you’re unsure about an email, even if it seems to be from someone you know, talk to your parents or a trusted adult before clicking anything.
  • Pop-Ups & Download Dangers: Sometimes, scary pop-up windows might appear on your screen, warning you about viruses or offering you free software. Don’t click on these pop-ups! They might be trying to install malware (bad software) on your device. Also, only download games and apps from trusted sources, like official app stores.
  • Social Media Savvy: Social media platforms are great for connecting with friends, but it’s important to be careful about what you share. Remember, once you post something online, it can be difficult or even impossible to erase it. Don’t share personal information or anything you wouldn’t want everyone to see. Be mindful of who you accept as friends – only connect with people you know and trust in real life.
  • Strong Passwords are Super Important: Think of your passwords like the keys to your online treasure chest! Make sure your passwords are strong and unique for each account. They should be long (at least 8 characters) and include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Don’t share your passwords with anyone, not even your best friend!" . . .

  • Avoid Being Scammed: How to Identify Fake Emails and Suspicious Links | McAfee Blog

By Gutting CAFE, Trump Can Make Autos Beautiful Again

 Issues & Insights 

 "But the combination of Congress’ and Trump’s actions will make it all the harder for the next administration to try to dictate car-buying choices for Americans." 

"President Donald Trump took another welcome step this week to free the auto industry from the grip of federal regulators who are largely to blame for the boring, homogenized fleet of cars that fill up the roads these days.

"On Wednesday, Trump released a plan to roll back federal corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard to levels that won’t force Americans into electric cars.

"In what he’s calling a reset, the plan is to chuck the Biden administration’s fuel mandate – a mandate specifically designed to force car buyers into EVs.

"As the White House correctly put it, “The Biden standards would have compelled widespread shifts to EVs that American consumers did not ask for, accompanied by significant cost-of-living increases. Since EVs are so expensive to build, automakers must sell them at a loss and make up the difference by significantly raising the sticker price of gas cars.”

"As a refresher, the CAFE standards came into being during the 1970s energy crisis – a crisis itself caused by inept government regulations. The standards require the fleet of cars sold by a manufacturer to meet government-dictated average fuel-economy targets, or face hefty annual fines.

"As we noted in this space in July:

From the beginning, these standards were a disaster, forcing automakers to radically downsize their fleet, which research showed cost thousands of lives because, all things being equal, smaller, lighter cars are less safe than larger ones.

"They also resulted in cars being stripped of anything that added weight – including spare tires –dreary designs that only a socialist could love, and stuffed with hated features such as the “start-stop” system.

"But the administration’s move, while welcome, isn’t as big a deal as it might seem. After all, the best solution would be to jettison CAFE standards entirely, not ratchet them up more slowly. The justification for these standards – an energy crisis – is long gone, and the government simply has no business dictating what kind of cars, or how many of each kind, automakers must sell.

"What’s more, Congress rendered the debate over CAFE standards largely moot this summer, when – in a genius move completely overlooked by the press – lawmakers zeroed out the fines for missing whatever the CAFE targets are." . . .   (See, “CAFE Standards Are Dead.“)

George Soros wrecked American criminal justice — one leftist DA at a time

NY Post    

"George Gascón, the Los Angeles district attorney who survived multiple recall attempts, was finally ousted in 2024, and at least 21 other Soros-linked DAs have been replaced by tough-on-crime counterparts since 2022. To put it plainly, Soros’ “movement” has failed. The question is how much longer communities will have to suffer before progressive prosecutors admit it."


"This week a Washington Post puff piece leaped to the defense of the progressive district attorneys propelled into office by the campaign cash of billionaire George Soros, portraying these prosecutors as well-meaning reformers besieged by racist Republicans.

"But while Soros’ left-wing fans thrill to the way his funding has fundamentally transformed criminal justice across America, here’s what they won’t acknowledge: The results have been disastrous.

"Through both direct and indirect donations, Soros has poured money into a staggering number of DA races across the country.

"By 2023, progressive prosecutors had jurisdiction over at least 20% of the US population, and half of Americans living in its biggest cities, reports Matt Palumbo in his book “The Heir.”

"Soros-funded district attorneys have won in Tampa Bay, Denver, Orlando, Northern Virginia, Portland, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Philly, St. Louis, Dallas and many others; 126 of them have held office at some point, per the Media Research Center.

"Over the past decade, Soros’s Justice and Public Safety PAC alone has spent money in at least 62 primary and general elections, according to the WaPo report, winning 77% of the time — without having to lay out much to tilt those typically low-spending local elections.

. . . "Back in 2016, Politico wrote of Soros’ “quiet overhaul of the US justice system,” describing how he recognized DA races as an untapped opportunity to remake cities according to his progressive ideology.

"Soros realized these races are particularly vulnerable to outside influence: Few voters know who their district attorney is, despite the DA’s major role in shaping crime enforcement.

"As Soros spokesman Michael Vachon admitted, “We started a movement . . . the knee-jerk, so-called tough-on-crime philosophy has been discredited in many communities.”

"He is right, and the results are catastrophic.

"The foundational belief these progressive DAs share is that systemic social change, not aggressive prosecution, is the answer to crime.

"This ideology fit perfectly with the ascension of woke politics, which blamed problems on systems and focused on identity above all else.

"That’s why the core of their radical criminal justice reform involved eliminating cash bail, declining to prosecute minor offenses, and drastically limiting the use of sentencing enhancements such as “three strikes.” . . .  More...