Mon Blogcast: Jack Carr - "Targeted: Beirut"; Nasrallah is dead; What next?

Just One Thing: The Wicked Witch Is Dead

Well, it's Hezbollah leader Nasrallah, but he died roughly the same way, with a building landing on him

I mentioned on Friday’s show that the way an Israeli general whispered into Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ear during a meeting struck me as Bib’s having given a standing order to take out arguably the world’s top terrorist, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, when Nasrallah’s location was known, and having been given the word that it had just happened. On Friday we learned that Israel struck Hezbollah headquarters in Beirut and early Saturday, after denying it on Friday, Hezbollah announced that Nasrallah was in fact killed. Sadly, he probably died instantly without the suffering he deserved, but I’ll take it. The big questions now are: How will what’s left of Hezbollah react? How will Iran react? How will the brain-dead Joe Biden react? And will Israel invade by ground? VERY dangerous days ahead, but a great day on Friday.

Hezbollah Leader Nasrallah Is Dead | National Review

I hope you don't need a subscription to read this: How Israeli spies penetrated Hizbollah (ft.com)

The US is killing bad guys too: U.S. Central Command Conducts Targeted Strikes Against Terrorist Groups in Syria > U.S. Central Command > Press Release View (centcom.mil)

Who is longtime Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah? | AP News

Israel asks U.S. to deter Iran after Hassan Nasrallah assassination (axios.com)

Israeli Special Forces Launch Raids Into Lebanon Ahead of Possible Ground Incursion - WSJ

It's been way too long since Israel has told Hezbollah "FAFO". In fact, the last couple of confrontations ended with stalemates or even arguably Hezbollah wins, which is part of what let Nasrallah accumulate the power and, among certain people, prestige that he had. That had to change, and now it has.

Fabulous AI version of Nasrallah telling the truth (which he never did in real life, at least not in public)

And a great take by Brian Mast on reporting that Netanyahu's trip to the UN was a "diversion" to make Hezbollah leadership feel safe (and potentially make themselves vulnerable):

Remember, Nasrallah isn't the only piece of business that Israel is taking care of

Maybe Bibi encouraged Biden to grow a pair and get on board with killing bad guys. Actually that's an unfair metaphor because most, maybe all, women -- especially in the military -- are tougher than Biden and know right from wrong better than Biden.

Here's the NY Times reminding us that they're absolutely horrible:

Remarkable work from The Free Press and the Center for Peace Communications.

I wasn't aware of this series, but I guess this is #3 in the series

One More Thing: Utter devastation in Ashville, NC (and elsewhere in NC and SC)

I don't tend to think of this sort of hurricane risk so far inland, but here it is

States Work to Provide Aid as Hurricane Helene Death Toll Rises to Over 90 - WSJ

RIP, Kris Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson Remembered for his Ethics, Music, Art (vulture.com)

One of the best obituaries ever: Country Artist Kris Kristofferson Has Died - Williamson Source

The Highwaymen biography | Last.fm

Today's Guests

Jack Carr is a former Navy SEAL sniper (officer and enlisted) and best selling author of 7 thriller novels in the James Reece/The Terminal List series. His new book, "Targeted: Beirut", which was published last week,is his first non-fiction work. The timing of this book is beyond remarkable given that it explains the first ever major terror attacks by the newly founded terrorist organization Hezbollah which is now again the subject of much news -- finally a lot of it being good news with how many of its members and top leaders Israel has killed in the last two weeks.

The full title of the book, which is a truly compelling read, is: Targeted: Beirut: The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Origin Story of the War on Terror

Ruthie Blum has been on the show a lot lately! Ruthie is a columnist and analyst at JNS (a great source of news for Israel and the broader Middle East). She's an author and a former adviser to the Netanyahu government.

Of course will discuss the situation in Israel vis-a-vis Hezbollah and Iran...and the US.

Ruthie Blum Archives - JNS.org

Other Stuff

Massive congratulations to Charlie Blackmon: Rockies' Charlie Blackmon bids adieu to Coors Field in emotional finale (denverpost.com)

Charlie Blackmon takes a final curtain call before MLB retirement | 9news.com

At least he knew it was nuts: Boris Johnson: I planned to invade the Netherlands in Covid (telegraph.co.uk)

Keep an eye on this: Nationwide Dockworkers Strike Looms, Threatening U.S. Economy and Trade Just Weeks Before Election - WSJ

A brief comedic interlude: BBC Archive: April Fools' pranks at the BBC through the years - BBC

I don't usually jump on stories like this because you could talk about illegal immigration and the massive failures of the Biden-Harris administration incessantly. And often stories seem designed to gin up partisan anger. But this is a story that should infuriate Americans of every political stripe and it's worth highlighting: Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants with sexual assault, murder convictions roaming US streets: ICE data | Fox News

From the town of Springfield, Ohio, much in the news lately. I don't know if there's fire here but there's some very smelly smoke: Exclusive: In a Game of ‘Springfieldopoly,’ ‘King George’ Built an Empire with Estimated Revenues of $180M, and Feds and State AG Now Expand Human Trafficking Probe into Alleged Identity Theft and Tax Fraud (jewishjournal.com)

Springfield Haitian immigration: First Diversity Staffing responds to busing, exploitation allegations (daytondailynews.com)

RIP actor John Ashton (from Fort Collins!) 'Beverly Hills Cop' actor John Ashton has died at 76 | 9news.com

I've read this article and I still don't get it but it sounds incredible: Genetically engineered bacteria solve computational problems – Physics World

Computational Technology | Scientists coax genetically engineered bacteria to do maths using computational technology - Telegraph India

I love that we're making fun of dead terrorists: Exploding Restaurant Buzzer Takes Out Hezbollah Party Of 6 | Babylon Bee

I think Trump is STILL not doing nearly enough to appeal to swing voters and suburban voters. Who among the small subsection of still-undecided voters wants to hear "Kamala is mentally impaired"?

Trump escalates harsh rhetoric against immigrants, Harris | Reuters

Instead, he should focus on inflation, esp the cost of food, and this: Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants with sexual assault, murder convictions roaming US streets: ICE data | Fox News

And now it's not just Fox News reporting it: ICE: 662,000 criminal foreign nationals to be deported are living free nationwide – Baltimore Sun

Yes, even NBC: More than 13,000 immigrants convicted of homicide are living outside immigration detention in the U.S., ICE says (nbcnews.com)

A remarkable story that I didn't get to last week: How two Colorado ranchers falsified a drought for their own gain - The Colorado Sun

One more I didn't get to last week, as California turns into a caricature of...California: California to ban all plastic shopping bags at grocery stores after Newsom signs bill (axios.com)

Gavin Newsom signs California plastic grocery bag ban (thehill.com)

More important: And then he gets one right, in my opinion: California governor vetoes AI safety bill (axios.com)

Interesting story that seems to represent a problem the state should care about: District Attorney for the 7th Judicial District announces resignation, cites staffing (kdvr.com)

Today's (Animal) Videos

Now THAT is true love

And THAT is really cute