When you have 14 minutes, watch this
And wonder why there are so few world leaders with this clear sense of values?
(You can use the settings to play it back a little faster than normal.)
Friday UN update: Bibi shreds the anti-Semitic United Nations
Just One Thing: NYC Mayor Indicted
Eric Adams is now the first New York City mayor to face federal charges while in office. The charges, which some are calling “thin”, allege a multi-year pattern of receiving money and luxury travel from Turkish governmental and business interests, and intervening to get a building opened without a required fire inspection. Also, the government claims Adams took illegal Turkish donations through straw donors (to make the contributions look like they were legal, and from Americans) and used that to get over $10 million in taxpayer matching funds. One crazy part of the story: When the FBI got Adams’ personal cell phone, he said that he recently changed his password and doesn’t remember what it is so he can’t unlock the phone for the feds to investigate. So far he’s defiant but don’t be surprised if the governor of New York removes him from office.
Eric Adams charged with taking bribes and foreign campaign contributions | Eric Adams | The Guardian
Such petty stuff, really, to lose a career and maybe one's freedom over: ‘A true friend of Turkey’: Eric Adams bribery indictment reveals years of flights and favors | Eric Adams | The Guardian
Eric Adams Indictment Historic and Intriguing | National Review
Funny line from National Review: "Now we know what the mayor meant when he said he could attract foreign investment."
Geraldo Rivera tweeted about it...and I didn't really dig what he said:
One More Thing: "Confidential Human Sources" among the Jan 6 rioters?
Earlier this week, the Department of Justice Inspector General, being questioned by Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, seemed to confirm, and did not deny, that his upcoming report about the January 6th riot will show that there were confidential human sources, i.e. government informants, in the crowd and maybe among those who entered the Capitol. If so this will raise many questions about whether the informants had knowledge of prior planning of what turned into the storming of the building and, if so, did they tell anybody who might be able to get security increased at the Capitol? Also if so, were any of them instigating the crowd, or trying to restrain them? Unfortunately, the IG also said we will probably not even get the report, much less those answers, before the November election.
Hurricane Helene blasts Florida
Storm surge records set in areas of the west coast of the state, especially the "Big Bend" which, fortunately, is not densely populated but still whatever was there along the coast may be gone now. Even Tampa Bay, which didn't get the worst of the storm, saw 8-foot storm surge in places.
As I write this at about 5:33 AM MT, the Hurricane has weakened to a tropical storm, but it's still an enormous monster, and it's pounding Georgia and the Carolinas
Today's Guests
Paul Mauro is a former NYPD inspector, current Fox News contributor, attorney, and proprietor of the Ops Desk website and Substack. We'll discuss yesterday's House of Representatives Task Force hearing about the failures that led to the nearly successful assassination attempt against Donald Trump, and about the indictments against NYC Mayor Eric Adams.
Michael Dougherty is the Boulder County District Attorney. We'll discuss his recent successful prosecution of the man who murdered 10 people and wounded many others at the King Soopers in south Boulder in 2021. (As you probably know, the issue in the case was not whether the defendant was the prosecutor but whether he was "sane enough" (not a legal term) to be legally culpable for his crime.
CU Physics Professor Paul Beale joins the show to talk about, well, physics. Including the age of the universe and why our blue sky really does seem bluer at some times of the year than at other times.
The Dawn Of Time. - by John Ellis - News Items (news-items.com)
10 mysteries of the universe: How did it all begin? | New Scientist
Other Stuff
Just what Colorado politics doesn't need: Colorado judge rules that vote to remove Dave Williams as state GOP chair violated party bylaws | Elections | coloradopolitics.com
When I heard the rumors of an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire to be announced late Wednesday or Thursday, I was skeptical. Credible reports even said that Prime Minister Netanyahu was open to the idea. Indeed, the White House put out a statement on Wednesday night anticipating the ceasefire. But it's a bad idea, and it appears that political reaction against it has been strong and quick, and for the moment it seems that Israel will continue its attacks aimed at degrading Hezbollah capabilities and perhaps "softening the ground" for a ground invasion...which would be an iffy proposition but maybe unavoidable.
Meanwhile, reporting suggests that Bibi turning against the ceasefire has further damaged his relationship with the senile Joe Biden: Netanyahu's backtracking on ceasefire plan 'shatters' relations with Biden, report claims, setting out how effort collapsed | The Times of Israel
Meanwhile, the Israeli Air Force is highlighting its intent to prevent any more arms transfers from Iran to Lebanon. Given the geography (land and sea) that that would require covering, that's a hell of a big task. IAF chief says preventing all weapon transfers from Iran to Hezbollah is now a top priority | The Times of Israel
Ruthie sets the record straight: No, Bibi didn’t agree to the insane Biden-Macron proposal - JNS.org
There are still protests against the government regarding the lack of ceasefire with Hamas which, as much as I'd love to get the hostages back, I think is also destined to fail.
A bid deal for fans of the Nuggets and the Avalanche: Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avs games will air on streaming service, local TV - Axios Denver
Donald Trump reportedly to meet with Ukrainian president Zelenskyy today after a few very contentious days of Zelenskyy making a big political mistake by inserting himself in American politics (against JD Vance in particular) and Trump repeating his characterization of Zelenskyy as "the greatest salesman." Needless to say, Trump remains skeptical of American expenditures to help Ukraine.
A lot of folks are very worried about this: OpenAI to Become For-Profit Company - WSJ
Shift toward for-profit structure puts OpenAI's corporate soul at risk (axios.com)
Absolutely incredible: Stem cells reverse woman’s diabetes — a world first (nature.com)
Pure Trump…you decide whether it’s marketing or grifting. Donald Trump launches a new business venture during his campaign: $100,000 watches - Washington Times
Trump Launches Line of Watches, Including a $100,000 ‘Victory Tourbillon’ | GQ
Trump Watches (gettrumpwatches.com)
Oh, don't forget about these:
Following up on our Ranked Choice Voting conversation from a couple of days ago: States Will Choose Whether To Adopt or Abandon Ranked Choice Voting (reason.com)
Excellent: China’s newest nuclear-powered submarine sank earlier this year, US official says | CNN Politics
I was gonna say "of course it's Arkansas" but that would be unfair to Florida Man: Couple allegedly tried to sell their baby for $1,000 and beer (kwch.com)
Pet stuff:
Did you fall in love faster with your spouse or a pet? Nearly 9 in 10 believe in love at first sight with their pets (nypost.com)
Who are the psychopaths who sing to their pets 5 times a day? Half of Americans will ditch friends and family to hang out with their pet: study (nypost.com)
It’s easy to make fun of them but this is a real problem and they need help more than they need us to laugh at them. Because their failure will be a national failure. Gen Z hires are easily offended, and not ready for workplace: business leaders (nypost.com)
Poor old Betty White: Oakvale Farm: Man tossed beloved chicken to 'feed a hungry alligator' at NSW wildlife park (9news.com.au)
Good for her! This Hiker Just Set the Speed Record on the Appalachian Trail (outsideonline.com)
Not quite as good for him, but his attitude is great! Surfer whose leg washed ashore after shark attack is ready to 'f*** s*** up' - Daily Star
Today's Videos
She almost held out through the enhanced interrogation techniques
OK, this did make me laugh out loud