TGIF Blogcast: FBI thieves; New casino games; It's a DIFFERENT Stanley

Just One Thing: No, it's not THAT Stanley Cup!

Yesterday I was talking about how remarkable it is than an old stodgy and kinda boring company like Stanley has been able to turn itself into a viral sensation with its insulated drink holders, particularly the 40-oz "Quencher" becoming a product that people will sleep outside a Target store overnight in order to try to buy in the morning. As far as all that goes, I was right...but also wrong. Because I was thinking, and I said, that it's the same company as Stanley Tools (now part of a merger of Stanley Tools and Black and Decker).

Stanley cup craze: What is it? (thehill.com)

Stanley Tools is 167 years old. The company that makes the "Quencher" is also a geezer at 110. But they are NOT the same company.

Also, I was surprised, looking at Stanley's stock price yesterday -- Stanley Tools that is -- that has been fairly weak over the last year or so which didn't make sense. Now it does, since it's a different company.

I think Stanley (the drink container company) is private and their revenue has absolutely exploded in recent years. Here's a very interesting video about them that a listener sent. It's worth watching as a business story.

THIS, from Chris Rufo (the guy who really got Claudine Gay fired/resigned)

Nikki Haley is right about Trump and chaos

Today's Guests

Angel Espino is a former Army medic who decided that many casino table games were old and boring. He founded Casino Gaming Development here in the Denver area to solve the problem, creating new games and new versions of games like blackjack.

This Colorado company wants to revolutionize the casino gaming world as you know it (msn.com)

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Rob Johnson is a senior attorney at one of my favorite organizations, the Institute for Justice. We'll discuss an insane case where the FBI tried to steal $85 MILLION of other people's LEGALLY-OWNED property.

Rob Johnson - Institute for Justice (ij.org)

US Private Vaults Missing Property - Institute for Justice (ij.org)

Other Stuff

Offered, sadly, without comment: Iowa school shooting suspect Dylan Butler posted on TikTok before shooting (desmoinesregister.com)

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I love this story: He’s a Colorado prisoner. He’s also a college professor. - Chalkbeat

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Just as I predicted yesterday, not that it was a very difficult prediction: Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly Iran attack, Tehran vows revenge | Reuters

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An armed boat drone is a massive threat to shipping: Houthis launch sea drone after US, allies issue 'final warning' | AP News

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Speaking of Islamic terrorists: Your Aid Dollars for Palestinian Terrorists - WSJ

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I have no idea what to make of this:

Gypsy Rose Blanchard is free from prison. Now she's everywhere. (yahoo.com)

Gypsy Rose Blanchard to tell her story in new 6-episode series. How to watch (yahoo.com)

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Ozemipic/Wegovy NOT linked to increased suicidal ideation after study based on suspecting that they were: Wegovy, Ozempic not linked to increase in suicidal thoughts, US study finds | Reuters

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Congrats to "Mr. Irrelevant": 2024 NFL Pro Bowl: Brock Purdy headlines roster announcement with league-high nine players from 49ers | CNN

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This continues to be one of the most important long-term stories on the planet. I've mentioned it before, of course, but here's an update: China Is Pressing Women to Have More Babies. Many Are Saying No. - WSJ

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A bunch of topics I didn't get to earlier this week:

How a Conservative Activist's Crusade Led to Claudine Gay's Resignation - POLITICO

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Saving the Panama Canal Will Take Years and Cost Billions, If It’s Even Possible (yahoo.com)

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Mickey Mouse, the Original 1928 Version, Is Now In the Public Domain (reason.com)

Mickey Mouse entered the public domain. Now he’s a horror movie villain. (msn.com)

ALSO: Check out how the copyright system works...it's kind of a mess: The Mouse Is Free: Steamboat Willie and Intellectual Property - Foundation for Economic Education (fee.org)

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My favorite story of the week: 'An architectural masterpiece': Locals hail TripAdvisor reviews ranking a hole in a wall at NatWest cashpoint as their town's number one attraction | Daily Mail Online

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Yep, it's those dreaded "migrants from Texas"!

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The worst people in the United States are these a-holes protesting in support of terrorism and murder...check out the part in the middle where they chant in support of the Houthis (it's where they mention Yemen)

This is your weekly reminder that there is massive overlap between the political far-left and anti-Semitism, every bit as much as there's that overlap on the far right. You go far enough in either direction and you just start coming around the other side.

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They were mad at...the cops? Angry crowd confronts San Francisco police during arrest of gunman - CBS San Francisco (cbsnews.com)

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Vegan porn has prof in hot water: Fired for OnlyFans? UW chancellor in hot water over adult-entertainment alter ego. | The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (thefire.org)

More about the couple: UW-La Crosse Chancellor Joe Gow and Carmen Wilson share their story (jsonline.com)

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