Just One Thing: The horror in Texas
Please read and subscribe (for free) to my Substack: Monday thoughts: Texas flooding & conspiracy theories
I don't ever want to talk about the deaths of dozens, maybe more than a hundred, people. Especially not Americans. And extra especially not children.
As a parent, these stories are truly hard to think about, and, not that any of this is about me, just brutal to have to talk about.
Texas floods kill at least 80, multiple missing as death toll rises
Generations of Campers Mourn a Texas Institution Devastated by Floods - WSJ
Here’s Why the Deadly Storm Quickly Intensified in Texas - The New York Times
The camp's founder is among the dead: Youngest girls at Camp Mystic were sleeping just feet from the river before Texas floods
If you're a person of faith, I trust you're already offering your prayers for the victims and their families in central Texas.
Some small glimmers of sunshine in this terrible gloom:
How one Texas summer camp successfully evacuated from the floods | AP News
Exclusive | Coast Guard 'American hero' Scott Ruskan helps save Texas flood victims
I was going to share this as a glimmer as well but the story is not true: Miracle rescue of 2 girls from Texas floods after they were found clinging 30-feet up in a tree
To give you a sense of just how fast the river exploded over its banks, check out this time-lapse video. You'll see the river at least triples in width in just over two minutes. It's almost impossible to imagine, and no way to escape if you weren't watching. And the river peaked way above this...
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Today's Guest
Andy McCarthy is a former federal prosecutor and a current contributing editor at National Review and Fox News Contributor.
Andy has written a fascinating article suggesting something between bad policy and corruption with the Trump administration's claimed efforts to go after MS-13 members and leaders.
Trump DOJ Drops Cases Against Top MS-13 Leaders | National Review (gift link; no subscription needed)
Trump Vowed to Dismantle MS-13. His Deal With Bukele Threatens That Effort. - The New York Times
I also want to ask Andy's take on the prosecutors in Idaho accepting a plea deal for the barbarian who murdered four college students: Bryan Kohberger 'beat' Kaylee Goncalves before Idaho murders, mom says
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Other Stuff
Elon Musk formed a new political party over the weekend, or at least he said he did. He's really angry (and rightly so) about federal spending and about the so-called Big Beautiful Bill adding to the deficit and debt. He's correct: It's disgusting and outrageous that Republicans would do that. I say that while understanding that they're somewhat constrained with such narrow majorities. The bribes to Lisa Murkowski were shameful, but really the Trump giveaways to a few constituencies is shameful. It will be VERY interesting to see if congressional Republicans start getting truly aggressive with spending cuts when those budget and appropriations bills come around later this year. I note that Musk is suggesting he may start by supporting a small number of House and Senate candidates.
Musk Announces New America Party Is Formed Amid Trump Split | TIME
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They better do a better job cutting spending than they did with BBB: House Speaker Reveals One Big Beautiful Bill Act is First of Three Reconciliation Bills
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Didn't seem to get nearly the attention that the King Soopers trike got earlier this year: Safeway strike ending after tentative agreement reached
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A thought in the days after Independence Day, the most American of holidays: Have You Heard the Good News?
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To me, the weirdest thing about this story is how much MAGA actually WANTS to believe he didn't kill himself. Psychologically (and politically), this deep desire for a conspiracy is quite odd:
Jeffrey Epstein documents: DOJ, FBI conclude no "client list," death was suicide
Trump’s DOJ: There Is No Jeffrey Epstein ‘Client List’ | National Review
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I think I would have moved out of the US to a place without extradition: District of Columbia | Additional 12 Defendants Charged in RICO Conspiracy for over $263 Million Cryptocurrency Thefts, Money Laundering, Home Break-Ins | United States Department of Justice
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The semicolon is quite a useful little thing; I wish more people agreed with me. Opinion | The semicolon is semi-dead. People have thoughts. - The Washington Post (This is a gift link; no subscription is necessary)
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Some things to know about impacts of the Big Beautiful Bill: GOP tax bill clears House, alters credits for small businesses - Denver Business Journal (gift link; no subscription necessary)
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Great job, dad! Disney Cruise young passenger, 5, fell backwards off railing into open porthole before father rescued her
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New details emerge on Gaza ceasefire proposal as Netanyahu heads to the White House | AP News
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Hmmm: Denver elevator operators have expired safety certificates, inspections (may require subscription)
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This is going to continue to be an issue in blue states like Colorado until voters punish the lunatics: Parental rights debate heats up in Colorado | Education | coloradopolitics.com
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This is tricky. On the one hand there is public support for much more deportation than in the past. But this girl? And like this? ICE arrest of student after traffic stop spotlights Colorado's non-cooperation policy | News | coloradopolitics.com
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Even though this is almost a week old, I didn't get to it last week so will mention briefly. I still wonder: Why did Penn need to be threatened when the right answer is so obvious?
Dept of Ed statement: U.S. Department of Education Announces the University of Pennsylvania Has Entered into a Resolution Agreement to Resolve its Title IX Violations | U.S. Department of Education
Penn statement: Title IX Compliance in Athletics | Associate Vice President for Equity and Title IX Officer
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Farewell: Ozzy Osbourne says farewell to live performance with a hometown show for 40,000 fans | AP News
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Interesting in-depth reporting: Wolves are killing cattle in Colorado. Now ranchers want a solution. - The Colorado Sun
Special meeting of CPW about wolves today: Legislators say Colorado's controversial wolf program in trouble