Californians Are Prepared To Run Their State Into The Ground

We will soon see whom Californians choose to run their state.

American Thinker  

"If California voters haven’t suffered enough, then let them hurt some more until they come to their senses and beg for change. Until then, let them suffer until they have nothing left with which to ruin the state."

"According to recent polling, the California Voter ID initiative is in danger of losing this November, even though a supermajority of Americans across the political spectrum support Voter ID. Meanwhile, a 5% billionaire tax looks likely to win, even though the evidence against such proposals could not be clearer: higher taxes mean more rich people will flee to low-tax states, thus further depleting California’s already dwindling coffers.

"What’s the matter with California voters? Why are they so addicted to failure? Why do they celebrate the continued demise of their once-great state?

The state of California remains the land of fruits and nuts, and all common-sense reforms are failing. This is a hard pill for many to swallow on the right in general, among Republicans in particular, and for the rest of the world watching, but Democrats don’t care. Power is the game, and the rest is chicken feed.

"They dominate the voter rolls two-to-one.

"They control every level of government.

"They run the unions.

"They have forced a hostile political takeover of big business, too. Chevron, pharmaceutical companies, and major financial firms are all trying to get a seat at the table to protect themselves.

"Meanwhile, every major identity politics special interest runs riot in the state. From LGBT to Black Liberation, to everything in between, the left-wing smorgasbord of “give me money” hunkers down on Democratic lawmakers, demanding their piece of the increasingly receding budget.

"The Democratic Socialists of America have been on a tear across California, taking over major city councils and pushing out weak Democratic lawmakers for the last ten years. The 2024 election witnessed a particular bloodbath for the party's more establishment wing." . . .

. . . "Never mind the fact that California teachers are terrified of their students. They cannot discipline them, and they cannot focus on basic academics since the state, the county, and the district administration adamantly insist on promoting all the government-funded extracurriculars." . . .More...

Arthur Schaper is a writer, blogger, and political commentator on topics both timeless and timely; political, cultural, and eternal. He is a lifelong Southern California resident. Arthur currently lives in Torrance.

Americans Fear Higher Costs, Strains On Electricity Grid, From Data Centers: I/TIPP Poll –

Issues & Insights  

"But as recent studies also strongly suggest, Americans’ lives will likely be far better, not worse, thanks to the beneficial impact that AI and data centers will have on the overall economy."

"Americans are clearly torn over artificial intelligence and the electricity-hungry data centers now being built around the country that make it all possible. As the latest I&I/TIPP Poll shows, voters are at best ambivalent about the giant AI high-tech transformation, and worry about its impact on energy costs and their household budgets.

"In its latest survey, the national online I&I/TIPP Poll began by asking 1,463 voters: “How concerned are you that your household’s electricity bills will increase over the next 12 months?”

"In something of a landslide, a hefty 75% majority overall responded that they would be either “very” concerned (41%) or “somewhat” concerned (34%), while just 20% said they would either be “not very” concerned (14%) or “not concerned at all” (7%)." . . .  More.

Terry Jones is an editor of Issues & Insights. His four decades of journalism experience include serving as national issues editor, economics editor, and editorial page editor for Investor’s Business Daily.

Data Center Backlash Brings Thousands of Projects to a Screeching Halt

"Americans’ growing opposition to the prevalence of data centers has led many politicians to limit or pause their increase altogether.

Lawmakers in New York and Texas, for example, have effected stoppages of data center projects, while other states, such as Pennsylvania, have issued more restrictions on data center construction. Americans’ support for data centers has generally plummeted, as critics have linked them to higher utility bills—reflecting extraordinary water and energy usage—being experienced by local communities.

Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott issued a sprawling data center moratorium in early August as residents soured on data centers. Abbott claimed his moratorium would protect Texans.

“My directive has halted up to 1,800 data center projects. I established guidelines & guardrails to protect Texas communities,” he wrote in a Wednesday post to social media, adding that data centers must not take water from communities, tax the Texas energy grid, or otherwise disrupt communities." . . . More.

Why Hasan Piker Mocks a Murdered Man

 Jewish World Review: Dan McCarthy   

"The Piker audience is a Democratic audience, and the party wants his support, even if Democratic candidates don't want to take responsibility for what Piker and his followers actually believe."

Why Democrats defend Hasan Piker

"Hasan Piker is deeply envious of Charlie Kirk.

"The hard-left influencer debated Kirk in 2017 and was set to do so again before Kirk was murdered last year.

"Yet now Piker is going around mocking Kirk's assassination, leading a crowd last weekend, during his live podcast tour, in a sarcastic singalong of an AI-generated song called "We Are Charlie Kirk."

"'We are Charlie Kirk, we carry the flame. We'll fight for the Gospel, we'll honor his name," Piker sang off-key, the crowd howling along, while the celebrity socialist's co-hosts guffawed and waved their arms in the air.

"This wasn't satirizing a political opponent — Kirk has been dead nearly a year.

"Why make him the subject of this derision?

"It's because Piker knows his audience, and they're not looking for thoughtful politics. They want a hatefest.

"Readers of George Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four" might remember the totalitarian leftist party that runs the dystopian state in that novel regularly held events called a "Two Minutes Hate" to whip up hostility against the regime's enemies.

"Piker has improved on that — his podcast and live events like this offer more than an hour's hate.

"And nobody stirs the Piker crowd into a frenzy like Charlie Kirk.

"The slain Turning Point USA founder represents everything they're against, and not just because he was a widely successful conservative organizer who won young Americans away from socialism on the unfriendly campuses where he spoke — and where he ultimately died for his beliefs.

"Kirk's faith in God, his devotion to his family, his happiness all infuriated his enemies.

"His self-sacrifice did, too, and more than anything else:

"Kirk knew the risks he took by going where he wasn't welcome and speaking truths the left didn't want to hear — and was determined to prevent anyone else from hearing.

"Yet Kirk did it anyway, fearlessly, and put his life on the line because of the strength of his convictions." . . .   More...

Evil Rewarded   

"Ms. Attiah’s remarks about Mr. Kirk’s assassination, which she posted to the social network Bluesky on Sept. 10, the day he was shot, responded to the outpouring of grief after the shooting. “Refusing to tear my clothes and smear ashes on my face in performative mourning for a white man that espoused violence is … not the same as violence,” Ms. Attiah wrote in one of the posts."

Some teachers caught vilely mocking Charlie Kirk's death may still be [in the] classroom    

“These are not isolated missteps. They reflect a broader, deeply troubling trend of radical ideology festering unchecked in our education system,” Stefanik wrote. “Those who abuse their positions to promote hate and division must be immediately investigated and held accountable.”

 Hasan Piker loves all the political cartoon about him (Language)

As Goes Florida?

"Florida Republicans could flip more than four Congressional seats this year."

 American Greatness  

"Socialists are tightening their chokehold on the Democratic Party, and Republicans are learning how to separate the wheat from the chaff while strengthening their commitment to a complete MAGA agenda."

"Florida’s election primaries ended last week.

"They were among the most contentious, silliest, and perhaps most portentous for the country’s future.

"Can we predict what’s going to happen in 2028 based on what happened in Florida? It’s possible. It’s worth keeping in mind that if President Trump can achieve military victory in Iran and the major Islamic terrorist leaders in Tehran leave once and for all, that will bring oil prices down. Republicans will have the wind at their backs going into November.

"President Trump has broken many precedents, not the least of which is that he is the second president elected to two nonconsecutive terms. It’s no surprise that he will hold on to the U.S. Senate, maybe win an extra seat, but I will go out on a limb that Republicans will hold the House, too. Yes, it’s an uphill climb, but a month is like a year in politics, just as a year is an eternity.

"Now, let’s get back to Florida.

"The governor’s race took contention to a new level. Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins was the preferred candidate for conservatives who wanted someone to continue the DeSantis legacy. Mainstream Republicans and MAGA types lined up behind Congressman Byron Donalds because President Trump had endorsed him.

"Donalds’ pedigree and resume may not impress, but he is a committed foot soldier in the MAGA movement. Ultimately, that’s what you want to look for. No matter what his past or his stance on immigration or other issues may be, newly elected officials in red states following contentious primaries have become more beholden to MAGA media, messaging, and the mission. He can’t escape those standards, and he will play along.

"Besides, Donalds was going to be the nominee. There were no scandals and no issues that would have undermined his support! I hope disappointed Republicans give him a chance. I believe he will build on Governor DeSantis’ unshakeable legacy. Donalds may not be as bold or as creative, but Florida will be in decent hands for the foreseeable future.

"The Florida primary also proved that social media is not the “it” factor. Online content and engagement do not drive voters to the polls, and more likes, views, and shares do not confer victory. " . . .  More...

Hasan Piker called 'evil' after singing 'We Are Charlie Kirk' meme song at live show

20 Minute Compilation of Liberals CELEBRATING The Death of Charlie Kirk

"Outrageous. These people need to remember what it's like to be human. Leaving a family deprived of a father and husband because you disagree with him is disgusting. God forbid we turn to God instead of perverting everything we touch.

"Charlie was truly making a difference. I loved him, along with his content and message. He peacefully stood for justice and welcomed anybody and everybody to speak with him. He even welcomed everybody to be conservative and united as a nation if he didn't agree on multiple things. He was a shining example of who we should be as Americans, living in a country under God. Celebrating such a blameless person's death is absurd. Mourning such a death is honorable. He was killed for speaking freely about FAITH and related political problems. Charlie is a martyr, assassinated by someone who doesn't understand Philippians 1:21. To live is Christ, to die is gain. Charlie is with Jesus in Heaven. The Lord will work everything out for good. Jesus will reign victorious no matter who of His people resode in Heaven or on Earth. Evil will be unrightfully loud and haughty until the flames of hell engulf their very existence, or they are redeemed and choose to live in a manner similar to the way Charlie did; Charlie was actively seeking first the kingdom. We will not lose. We can not be silenced. Our names are written in the book of life, and therefore we shall partake in the blessings of Heaven for all eternity the very moment Christ calls us home. Every knee will bow and tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, willingly or otherwise. We will be with Charlie laid prostrate before our King, overjoyed to proclaim the glory of which belongs to Him alone." Comment to the above video.

House Democrat denounces Hasan Piker’s ‘calls for violence against American Jews’: ‘Unacceptable. Full stop.’  "Leading a cheering crowd, Piker sang, “We are Charlie Kirk, we carry the flame. We’ll fight for the Gospel, we’ll honor his name,” while his co-hosts could be seen laughing on stage."

Finally, a decent Democrat.

Hasan Piker shouts 'fire' -   . . . "This is clearly CYA, a pathetic attempt to excuse the almost open threats expressed previously. It's a basic element in the repertoire of every anti-Semite who has ever breathed this planet's air: that it’s their own fault. That the Jews are to blame for their haters. That they actually trigger it just by being there. That when the pogrom starts, when the trucks appear at the ghetto gates, when the cattle cars pull into the rail yards, it will be their responsibility." . . .

But if Candace’s exploitation of Charlie’s death dwarfed the Left’s celebrating, Hasan Piker somehow manages to top them all.

What most people who are just waking up to the true evil that is Hasan Piker singing We Are Charlie Kirk don’t know is that just over a month after Charlie’s murder, one of Piker’s putrid streams brought him a tiny bit of internet fame for mocking the song.

Oh, this is rich! Hasan Piker, popular far-left hate-streamer and Muslim spokesjihadi, offers advice to Jews on how to avoid inciting anti-Semitism against them in America   

A murder so strange it feels like a novel

This article is actually a sociological commentary on crimes and victims. But TD chooses to focus on those proponents of child raising who fell far short of their teachings.

Andrea Widburg

"This tragedy begs to contemplate parenting philosophies versus actual practices, but also to acknowledge that some children are just born psychopaths."

" . . . However, without knowing anything beyond what was reported in the New York Post, I was reminded of how often people state one child-rearing philosophy, only to take a very different approach with their own children.

"The most famous child-rearing schism, of course, was Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In Émile, or On Education (1762), he challenged Europeans’ rather brutal approach to child-rearing, arguing that children are born innocent and must be subject to a gentle, philosophical upbringing that preserves their goodness while creating moral principles. He especially advocated parental involvement, criticizing parents who used wet nurses and tutors.

"However, Rousseau followed a different approach with his own children. As he reported, he had five children with his long-time mistress. Upon each child’s birth, he had the child delivered to the Paris foundling hospital, a place that, like all 18th-century orphanages, had a terrible mortality rate and treated children with disdainful cruelty.

"In America, Benjamin Spock changed American culture by advocating a more loving parenting style, one that too often slipped into damaging permissiveness. Meanwhile, Spock himself barely touched his own children. (Think Star Trek’s Mr. Spock with children!)

"Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Universal Compassion, treated his sons with physical and emotional cruelty. He forced them to adhere to his mentally bizarre, austere lifestyle and, when they resisted, dealt with them harshly.

"Charles Dickens, whose novels were replete with narratives about the importance of a loving family, the horror of neglected children, and the need to treat children with care and respect, behaved atrociously to his family when, in middle age, he fell in love with a famous actress. He cruelly and publicly dumped his wife of 20 years and abandoned their 10 children.

"My own great aunt, an early disciple of psychotherapy (I think she studied or worked with Jung), eventually carved out a niche as one of the West’s best-known child therapists, focusing especially on impoverished children. Her daughters loathed her.

"Sometimes, people have very good ideas, but their own issues prevent them from bringing those ideas into their personal lives. " . . .  More...

Handicapping the Senate races; How many mail-in votes Democrats need to win, state by state

  Don Surber  

"They may be right but if I ran the RNC, I’d be reminding voters where the Democrat Party stands on transgendering, illegal aliens and anti-Semitism because the moment Democrats take power back, those three things become issues again because believe it or not, issues still can decide an election."

"The only accurate prediction I see this year is everyone in politics will make a prediction about the midterm election. The primary season shows how well everyone is doing.

"In Wisconsin, Democrat Francesco Hong went from 23-point favorite on Election Day to loser on Election Night. Turns out even cheeseheads like Thanksgiving.

"In Florida, Democrat Alex Vindman the Vindictive outspent some commie 16-to-1 and wound up in second place. Turns out even Democrats hate carpet baggers.

"In Michigan, mental midget Shri Thanedar lost to a commie.

"Other shoo-ins who got the boot include George Conway, Bill Cassidy and Dan Goldman. Politics is a lot like Nascar racing. Fans go to see who gets the flag and who kisses the wall.

"Half the candidates in November will kiss the wall.

"Real Clear Politics shows Democrats lead in the polls and the online bookie joints in eight of ten close Senate races.

"After spending the last 10 years pimping transgender rights, demanding super citizenship for illegal aliens, and calling for the obliteration of Jews from the river to the sea, Democrats have discovered the word affordability and are championing the cost of living.

"The alignment of the bookies and the polls show that you can fix either if you have enough money. Why bother campaigning? Just place millions on bets on yourself, coast to victory as the inevitable winner and then collect the money.

"Well, unless you are billionaire Tom Steyer. Turns out there is a thing called ad overload and fatigue. He advertised during the Puppy Bowl? Really? Is there no safe haven from politicians?

"I am not going to predict who will win on Election Day. I expect a Democrat sweep because Republicans failed to pass the SAVE Act." . . . More...

Had enough yet, Californians? California slays the free press, repeals the First Amendment -

"The Stop Nick Shirley Act shows how upset Democrats get when fraud is exposed by investigative journalists."

Eric Utter   

"The media long ago picked sides. Which led to the death of “journalists.” The erstwhile “Land of Milk and Honey” just codified this travesty. The “Golden State” is no more. But don’t try to investigate what happened. Or else."

"California, a state whose very name used to conger up images of freedom, has passed a new law which effectively criminalizes investigative journalism. At least investigative journalism that could in any way reflect poorly on Democrats and their various propaganda arms. The “Stop Nick Shirley Act” officially takes effect on Oct. 1, 2027, after being passed by the Senate on August 18 and the state Assembly a day later. It was then sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, and The Slick One, Hand Dancer, signed it into law a few days later.

"AB 2624, the preposterously anti-American and seemingly unconstitutional law, was introduced by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, who -- get this -- is married to California’s far-left Attorney General, Rob Bonta. Can you say, “conflict of interest?” “Nepotism?” This openly tyrannical law erases freedom of the press from the confines of California, at least partially repealing the First Amendment — and seems more in keeping with a China, North Korea, or Iran.

"Which is ironic. Just two days earlier, Newsom was braying about Trump shutting down 'the free press.'  

"The law is designed so that NGOs who receive money from government immigrant services don't have to disclose where that money came from, or what they have done to “deserve” it. It ostensibly safeguards “immigration support service providers” from harassment, though its real intent is to protect laughably fraudulent illegal alien and undocumented immigrant businesses from scrutiny … and Democrats from having their kickbacks and other “shenanigans” discovered. They don’t want their “Learing Centers” disturbed, because if they give them millions their votes are assured." . . .   More...

IT’S OFFICIAL: California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs “Stop Nick Shirley Act” into Law –

"Journalists Can Now Be FINED and JAILED for Uncovering Democrat Fraud " 

  The Gateway Pundit  

"But now, Shirley’s videos can be forced offline. Worse, journalists and citizens like him can be dragged into court, financially ruined, and even jailed."

"The formerly great state of California took a giant step toward becoming a complete leftist dictatorship with a new law that completely destroys the 1st Amendment.

"As The New York Post reported, Governor Gavin Newsom officially signed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act” into law on Saturday. This comes just days after a leftist operative interrupted an interview the independent journalist was conducting at the State Capitol and launched a disgusting and bizarre personal attack against him.

"The legislation, which officially takes effect on October 1, 2027, passed the Senate on Tuesday and cleared the state Assembly on Wednesday.

"The “Stop Nick Shirley Act” was introduced by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, who is married to California’s far-left Attorney General, Rob Bonta. AB 2624 claims to expand California’s “Safe at Home” confidentiality program to safeguard “immigration support service providers” from harassment.

"But in reality, this is a disgusting Democrat power grab designed to silence brave conservative citizen journalists like Shirley who expose the rampant fraud bleeding American taxpayers dry in government-funded immigrant service centers.

"For example, Shirley has exposed over $110 million in alleged Somali-run daycare fraud in Minnesota — empty “learning centers” billing taxpayers while no children were present.

"He then followed up with a shocking exposé on California daycare and hospice fraud schemes. This included ghost operations in Los Angeles tied to massive looting of Medi-Cal and Medicare." . . . More...

One can be sure that a check of CNN and MSNOW will show their panels will love what beautiful Gavin has spawned. TD

Trump’s Iran Gamble: ‘Economic D-Day’ and the Strait of Hormuz

 The American Spectator

The U.S. is now more than $40 trillion in debt. How long can we sustain this war? It won’t be up to the president if he loses the 2026 election which now seems likely.

 "On Thursday, President Trump threatened Iran with an “economic D-Day” if they didn’t make a diplomatic agreement on his terms. On Friday, President Trump declared the Strait of Hormuz to be American territory. What does all that mean?

"Not much. The Strait could be the coastal waters of Iran, the UAE, or Oman. But it’s not: it’s supposed to be an international waterway and Iran wants to control it.

"Mr. Trump’s Hormuz declaration is the easy part. It’s meaningless unless U.S. forces impose our national will on the Iranians and reopen the Strait, free of any Iranian interference. Anything less would be a U.S. capitulation. That seems more and more likely because the war is at a stalemate.

"Mr. Trump finds himself in a situation reminiscent of his dispute with Denmark over Greenland and his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America. The Danes aren’t anything like the Iranians but they had no interest in turning Greenland over to the U.S., even if we bought it. Denmark is a NATO ally, and Mr. Trump’s attempts to push them around didn’t work.

"Neither did his attempt to rename the Gulf of Mexico. While U.S. federal agencies and a few among the news media agreed to relabel the Gulf, no one else does. There are billions of maps and globes around the world that still show the Gulf of Mexico.

"But now, with Mr. Trump’s asserting ownership of the Strait, how are we to force Iran to accept that? There is no way to do so short of resuming the bombing campaign and seeing it through to conclusion. Think about it.

"If the Strait is U.S. territory, we have the right to possess it, to run shipping through it and to assert U.S. authority over it. Iran won’t tolerate that so we are clearly — for a second reason — at war with Tehran. It was right for Mr. Trump to take us to war with Iran to overcome its nuclear ambitions but has the Strait become so valuable that we should go to war over it? It obviously hasn’t." . . .  More...

Why Christians Are Finally Turning On Joel Osteen

 2 Peter 2:3   "In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep."

Comment to the video:. . . "glad to see this....if people would listen to God's Word over what some popular so called preacher says..............they will know a false teacher.......we are to be like the Bereans and search scripture to see if what a teacher says is true according to God's Word so we dont end up following these false ones........"Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." Acts 17:11 not to mention if popular figures like Oprah who believes in pantheism, loves someone then christians should question WHY."

In the same vein but way bolder, not to say heretical is Jesse Duplantis: Jesse Duplantis Claims Christians Can ‘Speed Up’ Jesus’ Return By Giving Money To Ministry

Why German Engineers Were Stunned After Testing a Captured Sherman. "Relentless mechanical certainty".

For gearheads out there who may thrive on machinery documentaries.

WW2 POW Stories

"In the spring of 1943, German engineers took apart a captured American Sherman tank at the secret Kummersdorf proving ground south of Berlin. "They measured. They tested. They documented. And what they found inside that tank did not make them laugh. "It made them quiet. "This is the story of what they discovered in War Daddy 2 — and why, two years later, Albert Speer kept their report in his pocket as the artillery closed in on Berlin. 00:00 The tank that arrived at Kummersdorf 11:40 The engine that started the first time 23:20 The transmission that hummed 34:10 The stabilizer the Germans could not build 47:50 The verdict that Germany already knew