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D.C.

D.C. Showdown

Plus: Showdown between mayor and attorney general, Zohran booed off Staten Island, and more...

Liz Wolfe | 8.15.2025 9:30 AM

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Homeless tents in Washington D.C. | Jemal Countess/UPI/Newscom
(Jemal Countess/UPI/Newscom)

Federal deployment in D.C. continues: Starting at around 9 p.m., FBI and Secret Service agents arrived in D.C.'s Foggy Bottom to remove a few tents from a homeless encampment. "We were told that there would be a list of sites that would receive closure activity from the National Park Service and other law enforcement officials, and we would support that effort by providing a connection to homeless services for those who are adversely impacted," said Wayne Turnage, Washington's deputy mayor for health and human services, to reporters assembled at the encampment clearing.

They ran into some thorny jurisdictional problems. A 34-year-old homeless woman named Meghann Abraham presented federal enforcement with a notice she'd received from the city saying she had until Monday to leave the area; federal agents acquiesced and stopped trying to force her and fellow trespassers to leave. But city officials and other law enforcement agents also worked earlier in the day to get homeless people who were camping to leave; shelters are reportedly not at capacity.

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"Earlier in the week, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt warned of prosecution or fines against people who refuse to leave encampments," reports Axios. "Leavitt said homeless individuals will be offered transportation to shelters or provided with mental health and addiction resources."

Using federal law enforcement might actually make sense here: "Many, but not all, of the encampments are in parks, traffic circles and medians in Washington that are federal government property," notes The New York Times. The executive order signed by President Donald Trump back on March 28 indicated that such cleanups would happen. None of this can come as a shock, and there appears to be decent collaboration between Turnage's department, the feds, and the White House to get this done in an orderly fashion that attempts to steer homeless people toward existing social services the city provides.

Showdown between Bondi and Bowser: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser are at loggerheads over who has jurisdiction to do what when policing the city. "Bondi ordered the mayor and D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith to recognize Terry Cole, the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, as the District's 'emergency police commissioner,' empowering him to assume the full powers of the D.C. police chief and issue department policy," reports The Washington Post. Bondi "also ordered the immediate suspension of D.C. police policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities."

Both Bowser, a Democrat, and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb have said they will not follow Bondi's orders. "Let us be clear about what the law requires during a Presidential declared emergency: it requires the mayor of Washington, DC to provide the services of the Metropolitan Police Department for federal purposes at the request of the President," said Bowser. "We have followed the law." Schwalb is suing the Trump administration over this, reports Politico.

Let us be clear about what the law requires during a Presidential declared emergency: it requires the mayor of Washington, DC to provide the services of the Metropolitan Police Department for federal purposes at the request of the President.

We have followed the law.

In… pic.twitter.com/XfaNqLalFU

— Mayor Muriel Bowser (@MayorBowser) August 15, 2025

However, "the very law that gave D.C. the right to an elected local government also includes a provision allowing the president to 'direct' the D.C. mayor to provide police services for federal purposes if the president declares an emergency—the provision Trump triggered on Monday," notes the Post. 

Your tax dollars at work:

Iced out. ???? pic.twitter.com/xhexqgmbzS

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 14, 2025

Though I appreciate the use of DaBaby, and think there's probably some segment of Trump voters this might play well with, both the new livery and the fact that they spent time filming and distributing this video (which goes pretty hard) just indicates that Trump really really cares about the show of it all, the spectacle, the illusion he can create: one of taking matters into his own hands, under his control, being tough on the bad guys. It's sort of a Bukele-esque playbook (though Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's not the first to embrace this aesthetic, he's just one of the first to be so social media–forward with it), very strongman-coded.


Scenes from New York: I kinda love Staten Island, booing Zohran Mamdani out of a restaurant with "there's the communist."

BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani get BOOED out of a restaurant in Staten Island.

"There's the communist. You are not welcome, you Jew-hating piece of sh*t. You hate this country."

pic.twitter.com/59baUscwFW

— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) August 14, 2025


QUICK HITS

  • President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting at a summit in Alaska to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine—with no Ukrainian leaders present. "The US president sees any kind of ceasefire in Ukraine as a key objective of the talks. For the Russian leader, getting face time with Trump on American soil without having made any concessions on the war is already a win," sums up Bloomberg. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt oddly called the summit "a listening exercise for the president," while Trump said it was a "feel-out meeting" to understand where Putin's coming from. "The more important meeting will be the second meeting that we're having: We're going to have a meeting with President Putin, President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy, myself, and maybe we'll bring some of the European leaders on. Maybe not," he added yesterday.
  • "The final arguments in prominent Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai's national security trial were postponed Friday after his lawyer said the former pro-democracy newspaper founder had experienced heart palpitations and the judges wanted him to receive medical treatment first," reports The Independent. "Lai, the 77-year-old founder of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper, was arrested in 2020 under a national security law imposed by Beijing following anti-government protests in 2019. He faces charges of colluding with foreign forces to endanger national security and conspiring with others to issue seditious publications. If convicted, he faces up to life imprisonment."
  • More examples of the federal government attempting to get a stake in private companies:

The Trump administration is in talks with Intel to have the US government potentially take a stake in the beleaguered chipmaker, helping support the company's effort to expand domestic manufacturing https://t.co/destNZJX6R

— Bloomberg (@business) August 14, 2025

  • "House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) on Monday said former President Clinton's alleged ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein should be uncovered during his testimony before members of Congress," reports The Hill. "'Everybody in America wants to know what went on in Epstein Island, and we've all heard reports that Bill Clinton was a frequent visitor there, so he's a prime suspect to be deposed by the House Oversight Committee,' Comer said Monday during an interview on Newsmax."
  • Dark:

Disappointing to hear that Finland, education's golden child, is on about the same trajectory of lowered standards - even for the brightest students - as apparently everywhere else. pic.twitter.com/CvL0eQiNma

— Pamela Hobart (@gtmom) August 14, 2025

  • Pretty much:

pic.twitter.com/Mom7NcwEaC

— Chris Freiman (@cafreiman) August 15, 2025

Start your day with Reason. Get a daily brief of the most important stories and trends every weekday morning when you subscribe to Reason Roundup.

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NEXT: Firing BLS Director Over Weak Jobs Report Is 'Banana Republic' Behavior

Liz Wolfe is an associate editor at Reason.

D.C.WashingtonHomelessnessCrimePoliceLaw enforcementFederal agentsTrump AdministrationVladimir PutinRussiaForeign PolicyPoliticsReason Roundup
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  1. Chumby   2 months ago

    Supreme Leader Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin Invades US!

    What happens when an assault bear in trunk springs free and teams up with VVP:

    https://tenor.com/view/putin-bear-gif-24815854

    1. Randy Sax   2 months ago

      I'm more worried about the nukes that are triggered to go off when Vlad's heartbeat flatlines.

    2. Ajsloss   2 months ago

      I am the Walrus?

      1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

        Goo goo g'joob

        1. InsaneTrollLogic (Muting Sarc like he mutes us)   2 months ago

          I told you about the walrus and me, man
          You know that we're as close as can be, man
          Well, here's another clue for you all
          The walrus was Paul

          1. Chumby   2 months ago

            Where fascists sits,
            Putin on the blitz.
            Dressed up like a million dollar trooper,
            Portland needs a massive pooper scooper.

          2. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

            As long as we're on the White Album, let me proselytize for the Beatles most underrated song: Long long long. I think George's song writing really started to shine in this era.

            1. Dillinger   2 months ago

              may be Ringo's finest example of perfect time.

            2. Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)   2 months ago

              I am the walrus is from magical mystery tour.

              1. Zeb   2 months ago

                And Glass Onion was from the White Album.

                1. Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)   2 months ago

                  Thread structure misread. My bad.

              2. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                Yeah, ITL's lyrics were from Glass Onion.

                1. InsaneTrollLogic (Muting Sarc like he mutes us)   2 months ago

                  Yep. It was John’s answer to journalists who tried to find deep meaning in some of the lyrics.

                  1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                    Cool. I didn't know that.

                    1. InsaneTrollLogic (Muting Sarc like he mutes us)   2 months ago

                      I believe John’s exact quote was, “let the fuckers work that one out.”

    3. Minadin   2 months ago

      And in related news: Nancy Pelosi is still a senile old evil wine mom:

      NEW: Nancy Pelosi says Ukraine is fighting for the world's democracy.

      "Ukraine... in fighting for their democracy, are fighting for ours as well... I don't know what Putin has on the president... They shouldn't be going to Alaska. Russia claims Alaska."

      https://x.com/ResisttheMS/status/1956157902399361474

      1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

        I guess a dried-up, wrinkled old cunt is still a cunt.

        (Sorry for that morning image)

      2. Chumby   2 months ago

        When says DeMoCrAcY she means color revolutions, puppet dictators, wealth transfer, and suspension of elections then by all means. Perhaps Paul Prlosi could join her to help hammer home the idea.

      3. Fats of Fury   2 months ago

        Her Democracy means suspending elections, religious persecutions and kidnapping men off the street and forcing them into military conscription.

  2. Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)   2 months ago

    I kinda love Staten Island, booing Zohran Mamdani out of a restaurant with "there's the communist."

    He’s going to win.

    1. Chumby   2 months ago

      And it is going to be something wonderful.

      1. Rick James   2 months ago

        This x 100

      2. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

        Like Lawrence Welk wunnerful?

        1. Its_Not_Inevitable   2 months ago

          Lawrence Welk? Ah, memories. It might be an Ed Sullivan Really Big Shew.

    2. creech   2 months ago

      Staten Island can secede and become part of New Jersey. Not that that would solve anything for them.

      1. But SkyNet is a Private Company   2 months ago

        That could tip NJ red in some races

      2. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

        Or become the 52nd state, to balance D.C.

      3. charliehall   2 months ago

        There was a secession movement a few decades ago. It crashed and burned when they found out that their property taxes woudl triple.

    3. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

      "There's the communist. You are not welcome, you Jew-hating piece of sh*t. You hate this country."

      Every single statement in that rant is true.

      1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

        But truth is racist.

      2. charliehall   2 months ago

        He is not a communist. And the false allegations of him being a communist are creating a backlash in his favor.

    4. I, Woodchipper   2 months ago

      does he have a five year plan?

      1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

        Free shit and oppose Trump.

    5. charliehall   2 months ago

      Reason should write an article about Cuomo's absolutely horrible campaign. Cuomo criticized Mamdani living in a rent stabilized apartment while earning $142,000/year. Hundreds of thousands of New York residents make that or more and live in rent stabilized apartments and they just realized that they need to vote for Mamdani to maintain their lifestyle.

  3. Chumby   2 months ago

    Dems Not Sending Their Best

    South Carolina D candidate for governor had a little incident.

    https://wach.com/news/local/scdp-chair-releases-statement-on-arrest-video-of-gov-candidate-mullins-mcleod

    1. Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)   2 months ago

      He will probably end up winning as well.

    2. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

      You did look like a Lex Luther voter and not a superman voter.

      The best is him saying this incident is why he should be elected.

      1. Chumby   2 months ago

        Superman’s akita stopped respecting him.

        1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

          Superman was the original crypto owner.

          1. Chumby   2 months ago

            Nite! We don’t do phrasing here.

    3. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

      "An incident report from the Charleston Police Department stated that an officer was in the area of King Street and Murray Boulevard where they observed McLeod walking along the battery screaming,

      "According to the report, he was wearing only his underwear and shoes during the incident."

      Come on, man. That kind of thing happens all the time and could be anyone.

      1. Jefferson Paul   2 months ago

        He should have said there was a Pride parade going on and he was just trying to fit in with all the naked gay dudes whipping each other.

    4. Rick James   2 months ago

      After reviewing the transcript of the dash cam footage from his recent arrest, it is clear that Mr. McLeod is navigating profound challenges and should focus on his mental and emotional well-being instead of a campaign for governor.

      Smells like a manic episode.

    5. Minadin   2 months ago

      What worries me: What if they are sending their best?

      1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

        Now you know why Democrats demand "equality".

        1. Minadin   2 months ago

          'Equity'. It's like equality, but you treat everyone different based on CRT and other intersectional woke theories.

          1. Vernon Depner   2 months ago

            In other words—racism.

  4. Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)   2 months ago

    .. with no Ukrainian leaders present.

    Good. Maybe now some progress can be made.

    1. Chumby   2 months ago

      There are none. By suspending their elections, the puppet regime in Kiev including the bandera dictator are operating extra-constitutionally. A few weeks ago, Putin gave a presser explaining the legal issues with this. I’m confident nobody at CUCLL Weekly bothered to review that. And it has precedent where Berlin made the treaty of Versailles null and void over the perceived illegitimacy of Germany signing that (stab in the back theory). Moscow avoided that later legal our by demanding that the national socialists also surrender to her at the end of the second world war when the nazis had already done so to (some of?) the western allies. I believe Mark Felton uploaded a video about this on YT.

      1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

        Now you're going to make sarc defend big Z no elections while claiming he found out Trump was suspending elections from Maddow.

        1. Chumby   2 months ago

          That 4D chess given they got suspended in the spring of 2024, while Otto Penn the First was still reigning.

  5. Chumby   2 months ago

    Libertarians for a New Soviet?

    https://www.lewrockwell.com/2025/08/ryan-mcmaken/the-libertarians-who-say-the-private-sector-is-the-real-threat-to-freedom/

    1. Social Justice is neither   2 months ago

      Their framing is a bit dishonest as they claim "He states that libertarians have been wrong for “ignoring threats to liberty posed by non-state institutions (“local bullies”) like corporations, churches, and schools" is a false claim because they don't see it with a recent backdrop of Visa and Mastercard forcing game distributors to drop thousands of titles (depriving the purchasers of those titles).

      Dude may be a Marxist but they're retards if they cannot see that the private sector can pose risks to liberty too and if the force me to "educate myself" on their thesis to make it make sense.

      1. Randy Sax   2 months ago

        non-state institutions (“local bullies”) like corporations, churches, and schools"

        Not sure that one counts.

      2. Moonrocks   2 months ago

        On the flip side, can you really consider the financial sector "private"?

        1. mamabug   2 months ago

          At this point, there is no economic sector in America or corporation with over 150ish people that is truly private.

  6. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

    March of the activist judges continued as injunction is placed on using government database to get addresses of illegal immigrants.

    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judge-orders-rfk-jrs-hhs-stop-sharing-medicaid-data-immigration-officials

    The odd part is the continued claim that illegals dont qualify for government programs.

    "Using CMS data for immigration enforcement threatens to significantly disrupt the operation of Medicaid—a program that Congress has deemed critical for the provision of health coverage to the nation’s most vulnerable residents," Chhabria wrote.

    If illegals dont get government funded Healthcare, how is this possible?

    Expecting another injunction to stop the 275k illegals already kicked off Social Security.

    https://thepostmillennial.com/trump-admin-drops-275000-illegal-immigrants-from-social-security

    1. Michael Ejercito   2 months ago

      Nelson said illegals do not get welfare because it is illegal for them to do so.

      1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

        What's funny about social security story is it says they knew they were sending checks even out of country.

        1. Minadin   2 months ago

          If I retired to Mexico, would I become ineligible for social security?

          1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

            Are you here illegally?

            1. Minadin   2 months ago

              I am not. I was born here to parents who were also born here or otherwise legal (citizens).

          2. Jefferson Paul   2 months ago

            No, but it should cause them to check a little more carefully that the SS checks sent abroad aren't a result of fraud. It should at least be a big red flag that warrants extra scrutiny, especially after all the fraudulent payments during Covid that went to "recipients" in other countries.

      2. Rick James   2 months ago

        Unless I missed a recent discussion, I'm not sure if even the high-dudgeon, open borders 'tards continue to claim this. I think that debate was won, rode hard and put away wet. I mean, Reason literally wrote an article celebrating illegal immigrants receiving welfare and all other public services in Colorado. So anyone still making that claim is like Nick Gillespie on the trans question.

      3. Medulla Oblongata   2 months ago

        And felons don't have guns because it is illegal for them to do so.

    2. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

      "If illegals dont get government funded Healthcare, how is this possible?"

      It's not happening and it's good that it is.

      1. Medulla Oblongata   2 months ago

        https://americanmind.org/salvo/thats-not-happening-and-its-good-that-it-is/

        The Law of Salutary Contradiction

        Which brings us to the Law of Salutary Contradiction, whose formulation is: “That’s not happening and it’s good that it is.” While the Law of Merited Impossibility applies to the future, this one is about the present. It’s what the ruling class immediately switches to after what they insisted would “never” happen is happening before everyone’s eyes.

        Is the NSA spying on Tucker Carlson? That’s an insane conspiracy theory … which is also warranted by Tucker’s treasonous contacts with Russian officials as he seeks an interview with Putin.

        Is the Biden Administration inviting in illegal immigrants, then putting them on military planes and shipping them to the heartland? Absolutely not … and these future Nobel Prize winners deserve their shot at the American Dream.

        Once you learn to recognize this pattern, you see it everywhere.

        1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

          A classic piece.

        2. Chumby   2 months ago

          1) It is not happening
          1.5) It is not happening and it is good.
          2) It is happening but only a little.
          3) It is happening but not what you think.
          .
          .
          .
          The list is evolving!

  7. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

    To save Boehm, STG, Mike, and Sarc some embarrassment when they start shouting PPI today... a look at the drivers of PPI. Majority is in services. A lot of it is in machining (reshoring of domestic manufacturing), while just a small part of it is for tariffed goods. The latter was only 0.4%, a yearly rate in line with the last decade.

    https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/producer-prices-spike-most-3-years-july-services-costs-soar

    Far cry from their tariffs are fully passed to consumers lie. Still shows producers, importers, and foreign suppliers eating the cost of consumers with minimal costs passed to consumers.

    1. But SkyNet is a Private Company   2 months ago

      The Obama and Biden Admins never put out social media. Only Trump cares about The Spectacle of a 1 minute video put together by low level employees.

      At least they film themselves doing their jobs, as opposed to the Obama Era GSA making hype choreographed videos for their million dollar Vegas excursions

      1. But SkyNet is a Private Company   2 months ago

        Meant to be a separate comment on Subpar Liz’s ridiculous comment

    2. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

      To save Boehm, STG, Mike, and Sarc some embarrassment when they start shouting PPI today...

      Much appreciated!

      Let me return the favor:

      3 Things:
      1 The increase in services price is due to mass deportation

      2 from your link Final demand goods: Prices for final demand goods moved up 0.7% in July, the largest advance since rising 0.7% in January. Forty percent of the broad-based increase in July can be attributed to the index for final demand foods, which jumped 1.4%. This part is tariffs

      3 It's Trumps economy and inflation is back

      For tracerv: You'll see

      1. tracerv   2 months ago

        Ha! That's my man!

      2. Dillinger   2 months ago

        >> The increase in services price is due to mass deportation

        negligible results from an event. kewl.

        1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

          Note the Mike doesn't even register in his leftist brain that 1.5M citizens getting jobs reduces taxpayer welfare costs.

          Mike's entire leftist belief is import poverty, export jobs, American taxpayers get taxed. That is the sum of his views.

          1. Chumby   2 months ago

            Who is going to pluck the feathers from the GMO turducken?

            1. InsaneTrollLogic (Muting Sarc like he mutes us)   2 months ago

              Maybe after the glass of HO2?

          2. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

            1.5M citizens getting jobs reduces taxpayer welfare costs.

            The recent employment numbers indicate citizens are not getting jobs.

            This is likely the reason:

            an increase in deportations will result in fewer jobs for both immigrant and U.S.-born workers....

            ...deportations can cause a sharp and abrupt enough fall in labor supply that some employers will respond by shutting down operations entirely. For example, Ali, Brown, and Herbst (2024) found that Secure Communities, which led to increased immigration-related arrests and deportations, reduced the number of child care facilities, harming both immigrant and U.S.-born employment in the child care sector...

            ...Because jobs held by U.S.-born and immigrant workers are often complementary and economically linked, the shrinking supply of immigrant labor can adversely affect employer demand for jobs held by both groups of workers. As Howard, Wang, and Zhang (2024) observe, when there are fewer immigrant roofers and framers to build the basic structure of homes, there will be less work available for U.S.-born electricians and plumbers.

            https://www.epi.org/publication/trumps-deportation-agenda-will-destroy-millions-of-jobs-both-immigrants-and-u-s-born-workers-would-suffer-job-losses-particularly-in-construction-and-child-care/

            This basically boils down reducing immigrant labor slows the economy which reduces job opportunities.

            1. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

              Unchecked growth is the logic of a cancer cell.

              1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                Oh boy

              2. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

                Unchecked growth using CPI (gov spending) and intentional inflation. Mike doesn't see the issue. Lol.

                1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                  I'm the one who has been arguing against these inflationary policies since April.

      3. Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)   2 months ago

        Must must have slavery to reduce inflation!

        1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

          Oddly the exact same argument they make when misunderstanding comparative advantage.

        2. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

          Yes people are coming here illegally, risking their lives, enduring hardship of travel and coyotes to be slaves. That makes sense.

          1. Jefferson Paul   2 months ago

            I disagree. I'm confident a good number of them think being an indentured servant will be a temporary blip, or that they can escape and not fulfill the terms imposed by the coyotes and smugglers. Some probably think the coyotes will uphold whatever agreement they made to bring them across the border, and not indefinitely extend the migrants' forced employment.

            1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

              Wouldn't they voluntarily self deport if that was true?

              1. Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)   2 months ago

                Slaves can’t do many voluntary things.

                1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                  So you meant they are literal chattel slaves?

              2. Jefferson Paul   2 months ago

                Because if they were going through the cartels/coyotes to get across the border into the US, those cartels aren't going to accept a resignation letter.

                But my point was that I don't think everyone coming across the border knew exactly what they would face once in the US, or even the trip to the US. I've heard (so it could be false, but I doubt it) that the cartels will promise a quick and easy trip to the US with very few strings attached, for a relatively small fee, so I can understand if some of them fall for it--they get here and then the cartel tells them the fee they paid was just the first payment. They need to pay them 10x as much now. If they can't come up with that amount (which ones even could?), they need to work off their debt. There's the indentured servitude or "slavery." I don't think EVERY single migrant/illegal is enslaved to the cartels, but it's not an insignificant number.

                Come on, QB. You don't think ANY of the migrants are in this situation? Or do you think it's just such a small number of them that it's the glaring exception?

                1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                  Thanks Jefferson. My understanding has been that those immigrants that indentured to cartels after getting accross the border were working in criminal activities for the cartels (drug trafficking, prostitution etc.) not doing day labor and making payments. So yes, I do think it is the exception rather than the rule.

                  I plan to look deeper in to this though.

                  So what happens to these cartel slaves once they're deported?

  8. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

    D.C. police DEI chief praises chain of command after learning what it means.

    https://justthenews.com/government/local/dc-police-chief-praises-federal-assistance-after-trump-admin-helps-arrest-over-100

    1. Chumby   2 months ago

      Someone must have provided her a link.

    2. TrickyVic (old school)   2 months ago

      Even Morning Joe thinks the crime is bad in DC.

      1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

        Bad that D.C. crime is bad, or bad that bad people are talking about how bad D.C. crime is?

        1. TrickyVic (old school)   2 months ago

          https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/scarborough-to-democrats-stop-quoting-crime-statistics-91-of-dc-residents-say-crime-was-a-serious-problem/ar-AA1KAQKE?ocid=msedgntp&pc=DCTS&cvid=689f76cf796c4fe18330be1b2c530db8&ei=21

  9. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

    About that crime drop...

    The District of Columbia has quietly settled a lawsuit from a sergeant who accused Metropolitan Police Department leaders of misclassifying offenses to deflate the district's crime statistics, court records obtained by the Washington Free Beacon show. Police brass repeatedly told officers to downgrade theft cases, knife attacks, and violent assaults to lesser offenses, according to internal MPD emails, depositions, and phone call transcripts the Free Beacon reviewed.

    https://freebeacon.com/crime/a-dc-police-sergeant-exposed-her-superiors-for-misclassifying-crimes-to-make-stats-look-low-the-city-just-quietly-settled-her-lawsuit/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

    1. Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)   2 months ago

      I was told government data was pure as the driven snow.

      1. Longtobefree   2 months ago

        Ever seen the snow in DC after it is driven over?

        1. Randy Sax   2 months ago

          Brown to black, half ice-half slush, stays on the ground for a week.

          1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

            With a fentanyl coma zombie on it.

      2. creech   2 months ago

        You mean (D)riven snow?

    2. Medulla Oblongata   2 months ago

      Anecdotal, to be sure

      https://x.com/Anna_Giaritelli/status/1956012350395355521

      This is the most important story I’ve told. It’s my story. I’ve waited five years to share it, and I’m ready now.

      I’m Anna Giaritelli. The DC police are covering up crime. I know because they covered up what happened to me.

      ...

      When I asked
      @DCPoliceDept
      in 2020 why my incident was not on its crime map, an MPD spokesman said the city only includes 1st degree felonies under its crime stats. That would mean that for every person robbed, assaulted, or sexually abused in anything less than egregious ways, you have not been counted into the total tally. The pain you suffered was not severe enough, according to MPD’s standards.

      ...

      In a follow-up email to
      @DCPoliceDept
      this week, an MPD spokesperson stated after a back-and-forth exchange that the map includes some sex abuse charges, but not all of them. In my case, my attacker’s crime against me, which landed him in prison, is still not listed.

      The 54 sex abuses over the past year listed on https://crimecards.dc.gov are a lie. There are COUNTLESS more sex abuse victims who have cases moving forward that the DC police have refused to tally in their counts.

  10. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

    (though Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's not the first to embrace this aesthetic, he's just one of the first to be so social media–forward with it), very strongman-coded.

    Lol. God damn Liz. Just stop.

    1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

      It goes with the soldiers and cops in masks on the streets.

      1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

        Lol. Fucking Mike. Doesn't even understand the argument.

        Mike, I know you're not well read in libertarian essays and what not... but do you know why people like Hoppes wrote essays about not conceding language to the left? Now as you're from the left this concept confuses you.

        And I'm also glad to you shouting similar to your cries of unmarked vans.

        Are you honest enough to admit to why they wear masks? Admit the doxxing and threats to their family? Are you honest enough to admit the 1000% increase in attacks on them? Are ya buddy?

        Just yesterday an illegal seemingly intentionally crashed into CBP. We've had ambushed set up. We've had antifa sending threats to their homes.

        Can you admit to that Mike?

        1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

          There's nothing leftist about keeping soldiers off the streets...unless you think the American revolution was leftist. This is completely consistent with not wanting a powerful federal government using martial law to rule over individuals for the welfare of the state.

          Yes, I admit the feds are masking to protect themselves from doxing...which indicates a major problem. When the state declares people the enemy, agents of the state face pushback from the people.

          Antifa has active for decades, but it's only recently that this huge uptick in masked agents has arisen. Why is that?

          1. Z Crazy   2 months ago

            I just want peace and order.

            Look at what this illegal alien did.

            https://x.com/John_Kass/status/1955587928626745826

            Fuck due process!

            Screw freedumb!

            1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

              That's understandable.

              We all choose our desired balance between freedom/risk and law and order/oppression.

              My issue is about that law and order being used against ever increasing targets, especially if the original problem is resolved.

              So if Trump floods the streets with police/soldiers and successfully removes all illegal aliens we're left with an underemployed, unionized, voting domestic army. Surely the next target is waiting in the wings...perhaps conservatives...again.

              1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

                Increasing targets being more than the conservatives it seems.

                Again. Fuck the victims of crimes.

                You have massive white savior syndrome. All at the expense of taxpayers and citizens. Bet you donate zero time or money for your virtue signaling.

              2. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                Bukele turned El Salvador from a cartel-ridden shit hole in to one of the safest countries in Latin America by putting about 5 percent of its population in jail.

                This is what happens when the left lets crime run rampant. The right has to take draconian measures to correct their retardation. Deal with it.

                1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                  Is El Salvador's system a goal to strive for?

                  1. Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)   2 months ago

                    No, but the results are desirable.

                    1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

                      Only if you think criminals should be held accountable. Mike doesn't.

                    2. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                      Are they? How are rights and freedom in El Salvador?

                    3. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                      Are they? How are rights and freedom in El Salvador?

                      The people who are free from being terrorized by cartel members and had their rights to not be abused by them restored seem pretty happy about it.

                      But I realize you think they should have just put up a stiff upper lip about it and migrated to the US instead.

                    4. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                      The people who are free from being terrorized by cartel members and had their rights to not be abused by them restored seem pretty happy about it.

                      Yes, scared people like you that haven't learned from history are the most common path to authoritarian dictatorship. And they are happy...for a little while then...well there's that history again.

                    5. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                      Yes, scared people like you that haven't learned from history are the most common path to authoritarian dictatorship.

                      Yes, I realize you support those people being terrorized by cartel members. That's not authoritarian at all, is it, you mendacious faggot?

                    6. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                      I realize you support those people being terrorized by cartel members. That's not authoritarian at all, is it, you mendacious faggot?

                      No. It's not.

                      Also, did you forget what the conversation was about or do you think DC residents are suppressed by cartels? Like really do you think a DC resident has more to fear from cartels compared to the feds? Who takes their money? Who watches their bank accounts. Who monitors their online activity?

                    7. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                      Bitch, you're the one crying that your cartel member buddies and criminals in DC might not have free rein anymore. Just because you enjoy living in a deep blue urban shithole doesn't mean everyone else has to suffer for that shit.

                  2. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                    It worked in the 90s.

                  3. Marshal   2 months ago

                    Is El Salvador's system a goal to strive for?

                    It's interesting to note how little left wingers care for the lives of poor people criminals largely live among.

                    Surely the next target is waiting in the wings...perhaps conservatives...again.

                    It's cute when they pretend to care. When it was actually happening though they expressed no such concern, nor will they when it happens again.

                    1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                      You poor fool.

                      If I don't care about poor people, thats proof of my libertarianism. Not that I would expect a severely limited intellect, only capable of understanding 1D binary left-right paradigms that thinks a big spending, tax raising, company nationalizing authoritarian is a conservative because he has an R by his name on the ballot.

                      My concern is freedom, over safety and over the social safety net of big brother you advocate for.

                    2. Marshal   2 months ago

                      I love when the mask comes off.

                    3. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                      I can tell. I bet you scared beta men feel like the alpha when you advocate for a police state.

                    4. Marshal   2 months ago

                      I bet you scared beta men feel like the alpha when you advocate for a police state.

                      I admit I did not have you pegged as one of the juvenile alpha-male worshipping incels, but I do appreciate you sharing something new with us.

              3. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                "Just wait until the left comes for you!" isn't a scare tactic when they already did that for the last 15 years. You're simply trying to nerf resistance to your lefty boos from the relative safety of your suburban whiteopia.

                1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                  they already did that for the last 15 years.

                  And you learned nothing and instead advocate more state power for the next time?

                  1. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                    What I learned is that the left doesn't like having its own Marcusian "liberating tolerance" shoved back down their throat. That's why they screech when the right does something they've already been doing for years, which just happens to be a threat to their socio-political hegemony.

                    1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                      We're making progress here. You realize you are becoming your enemy and adopting leftist totalitarianism. And when you win, they have achieved their goal.

                    2. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                      Yes, I realize you think that resisting your lefty boos shouldn't be done.

                    3. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                      You're the one that has accepted nearly everything the leftists want. Wokeness cancel culture (for Israel), centralized controlled economy by a party leader, tax increases, nationalized corporations, authoritarian control of the population, pro union, wealth transfer to "the workers", limiting speech.... only open borders and trannies separate you and the far left now...or did you already dye your hair blue?

                    4. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                      Yes, I realize these "no u" arguments are all you have now that the Overton Window isn't moving in the direction your lefty boos want it to.

                  2. Marshal   2 months ago

                    And you learned nothing

                    Not true. We learned that refusing to target left wingers like they do the right will not slow them down for even one second. So we stopped doing that.

                    I'd say that's learning. So interestingly you're upset we are learning.

                    1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                      I'm upset you're embracing authoritarianism.

                    2. Marshal   2 months ago

                      I'm upset you're embracing authoritarianism.

                      I see fantasy is the key component of your analysis.

                2. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                  the relative safety of your suburban whiteopia.

                  Dude. I live just outside Baltimore. I literally heard the gunshots of a drive-by murder take place while sitting on my couch. I've driven into shooting scenes before the police arrived on my commute. I've seen people held up a gunpoint. We'd love to have DC's crime numbers up here.

                  1. Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)   2 months ago

                    By staying there, you admit to being a fool.

                    1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                      I get it. Either I live in suburban whiteopia or I'm a fool.

                  2. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                    Well, that explains it. You think that kind of way of life is normal and people shouldn't fix it.

                    1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                      You get used to it.

                    2. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                      That's the fucking problem, is that you think it's no big deal. No wonder you shrug at Salvadorans being terrorized by cartel members.

                    3. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

                      How do you expect anyone to take you seriously when you say I can't understand because I'm sheltered from the crime, then when I say I live amongst the crime, you pivot to I can't understand because Im not sheltered from the crime?

                    4. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                      How can you expect anyone to take you seriously when you say that people should be okay with high crime?

                    5. Quicktown Brix   4 weeks ago
          2. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

            Because your allies on the left are failing hard working Americans by allowing and ignoring crime dumbfuck.

            When you say you dont want soldiers on the streets you just mean you want violaters of the law to not be held accountable.

            You want citizens to be impacted by your reformative justice desires.

            Criminals over non criminals.

            Every argument you make is a sloppily crafted libertarian argument for leftist policy.

            You don't have 2 fucks about the victims of criminals. You care about the narrative and protection of criminals. You, jeff, sarc are all the same.

            And your desire is political. You defended attacks against anti abortion protestors by the doj. You defended use of IC against conservatives including their lawyers. What you actually want is for federal and state powers to be fully controlled by the left.

            Youre fooling nobody Mike. You dont criticize the left for their abuses. Even with all the examples now declassified you've been absolutely quiet.

            Fuck off.

            1. Quicktown Brix   2 months ago

              This comment and the previous comment is 100% attack on me; 0% rebuttal of my argument.

              We discussed me 2 days ago. That's done now.

              1. Red Rocks White Privilege   2 months ago

                You deserve every attack that you get.

        2. Medulla Oblongata   2 months ago

          The sandwich chucker has been arrested, charged with felony assault of a police officer and fired from his job...as a DOJ lawyer.

          I guess he can count himself lucky he was not shot in the face be an officer fearing for his life.

          1. Medulla Oblongata   2 months ago

            https://babylonbee.com/news/jb-pritzker-joins-police-force-in-hopes-of-getting-sandwich-thrown-at-him

            1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

              Lol.

              One of their best.

  11. Bubba Jones   2 months ago

    Did the homeless person have a court order demanding she leave by Monday, or did she have a court order authorizing her to stay until Monday?

    These are different things.

    1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

      Is this that due process stuff?

  12. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

    President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting at a summit in Alaska to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine—with no Ukrainian leaders present.

    Big Z was launching attacks just yesterday. He doesn't want peace. He wants continued graft.

    1. Michael Ejercito   2 months ago

      How is he different than the mujahedeen?

      1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

        His game plan is very similar to Hamas.

    2. Social Justice is neither   2 months ago

      I have been assured that Z's winning strategy is to kill a few 10k Russians at 10x the cost in Ukrainian lives so he and his cronies can disappear with maximum Western money.

      1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

        Is Hunter still on the distribution list?

    3. Mickey Rat   2 months ago

      And how does Putin want peace?

      1. JesseAz (Prime Meanster of Sarcasia)   2 months ago

        His actual goals have been fairly clear from the outset. Stopping NATO expansion east while securing a path to the black Sea. The initial targets in Ukraine had voted for succession to Russia. It could have likely ended there and the Donna's region if not for NATO and Ukraine allowing the succession.

        1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

          But if local people vote for the wrong thing, they threaten Democracy.

  13. sarcasmic   2 months ago

    "May you live in interesting times." -Ancient Chinese curse

    1. InsaneTrollLogic (Muting Sarc like he mutes us)   2 months ago

      “You went full retard, man. Never go full retard.”
      - Kirk Lazarus

      1. Randy Sax   2 months ago

        Confucius say;
        Wise man never play leapfrog with unicorn

        1. InsaneTrollLogic (Muting Sarc like he mutes us)   2 months ago

          But Sarc is not a wise man.

          1. Don't look at me! ( Is the war over yet?)   2 months ago

            The Akita nods in agreement.

    2. Bertram Guilfoyle   2 months ago

      -Ancient Chinese curse

      Look at the racist up there.

  14. But SkyNet is a Private Company   2 months ago

    The Obama and Biden Admins never put out social media. Only Trump cares about The Spectacle of a 1 minute video put together by low level employees.

    At least they film themselves doing their jobs, as opposed to the Obama Era GSA making hype choreographed videos for their million dollar Vegas excursions

  15. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

    "Leavitt said homeless individuals will be offered transportation to shelters or provided with mental health and addiction resources."

    Like on Martha's Vineyard?

  16. Mickey Rat   2 months ago

    "...while Trump said it was a "feel-out meeting" to understand where Putin's coming from."

    Putin is coming from the desire to have a Russian jackboot stamping on a Ukrainian face, forever.

    1. Z Crazy   2 months ago

      I heard the much more powerful Soviets had trouble in Afghanistan.

  17. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

    What if the District of Columbia was not a legal residence for anyone, in a tent or in a brownstone? People can still live there but must be a legal resident of some actual US state (or other nation). Would that simplify governance? At the very least, no legal residents mean no "domestic" D.C. city government.

    1. Zeb   2 months ago

      Maybe reduce the district to just the parts with government offices and federal property and make the rest part of Maryland.

  18. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

    'Though I appreciate the use of DaBaby, and think there's probably some segment of Trump voters this might play well with, both the new livery and the fact that they spent time filming and distributing this video (which goes pretty hard) just indicates that Trump really really cares about the show of it all, the spectacle, the illusion he can create'

    Jesus Christ, Liz, can you point to any US President (or any politician) that does not work to broadcast an image and put on a show? Or are you, and the other Reasonistas, upset that the Tump Show is overt and sometimes crude (and that it appeals to Those People in fly-over country)?

    1. Zeb   2 months ago

      I think it's the crudity and overtness of it. I find it all fairly distasteful (as I also have with the less ostentatious versions from previous presidents) and I'm not a fan of Trump's public persona. But given the alternatives, it's pretty low on my list of things to worry about.

  19. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

    'I kinda love Staten Island, booing Zohran Mamdani out of a restaurant with "there's the communist."'

    Damned deplorables!

  20. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

    '"The more important meeting will be the second meeting that we're having: We're going to have a meeting with President Putin, President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy, myself, and maybe we'll bring some of the European leaders on. Maybe not," he added yesterday.'

    POST THE LIST!

  21. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

    'More examples of the federal government attempting to get a stake in private companies'

    True, not very libertarian, but a better deal than the Democrat approach of staking private companies to billions of dollars in free money.

  22. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

    "'Everybody in America wants to know what went on in Epstein Island, and we've all heard reports that Bill Clinton was a frequent visitor there, so he's a prime suspect to be deposed by the House Oversight Committee,' Comer said Monday during an interview on Newsmax."

    Uh oh. Bill might end up on the Clinton Foundation suicide list.

  23. Z Crazy   2 months ago

    This is why we need Alligator Alcatraz!

    This is why we need Dade County Dachau!

    Fuck their due process and screw their freedumbs!

    https://x.com/John_Kass/status/1955587928626745826

  24. Rick James   2 months ago

    Though I appreciate the use of DaBaby, and think there's probably some segment of Trump voters this might play well with,

    *cough* black people.

    1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

      "If they vote for Trump, they ain't black."
      - Biden or Sharpton or some (all) left wing shill

      1. InsaneTrollLogic (Muting Sarc like he mutes us)   2 months ago

        “They're gonna put y'all back in chains."
        - Joe Biden

  25. Rick James   2 months ago

    . "We were told that there would be a list of sites that would receive closure activity from the National Park Service and other law enforcement officials, and we would support that effort by providing a connection to homeless services for those who are adversely impacted," said Wayne Turnage, Washington's deputy mayor for health and human services, to reporters assembled at the encampment clearing.

    How do you tell me this is working without telling me it's working.

    1. Rick James   2 months ago

      They ran into some thorny jurisdictional problems. A 34-year-old homeless woman named Meghann Abraham presented federal enforcement with a notice she'd received from the city saying she had until Monday to leave the area;

      How do you tell me this is working without telling me it's working.

    2. Rick James   2 months ago

      None of this can come as a shock, and there appears to be decent collaboration between Turnage's department, the feds, and the White House to get this done in an orderly fashion that attempts to steer homeless people toward existing social services the city provides.

      How do you tell me this is working, without telling me it's working.

  26. Z Crazy   2 months ago

    I heard of proposals for gun owners to have insurance in order to compensate the victims of gun crimes.

    I wonder if all immigrants be required to have insurance (on pain of deportation) that would compensate victims of crimes committed by illegal aliens.

    1. Rick James   2 months ago

      With Colorado, New York, Chicago and California providing free insurance to all, regardless of citizenship.

    2. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

      Given that much gun crime is committed by young black males (and mostly on other black folk) perhaps we could require gangs to have liability insurance.

  27. I, Woodchipper   2 months ago

    Trump really really cares about the show of it all, the spectacle, the illusion he can create

    The man is a tv star first and foremost.

    1. Dillinger   2 months ago

      D.C. is Hollywood for the Ugly.

      edit: and seriously Liz all politics is an illusory spectacle

      1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

        BUT TRUMP!

        1. Chumby   2 months ago

          BUT TRUMP is an anagram for BUTT RUMP

  28. Dillinger   2 months ago

    >>Attorney General Pam Bondi and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser are at loggerheads over who has jurisdiction to do what when policing the city.

    zero question exists.

    1. Earth-based Human Skeptic   2 months ago

      "Loggerheads"?

      The 19th century called and wants its word back.

  29. Dillinger   2 months ago

    >>President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting at a summit in Alaska to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine—with no Ukrainian leaders present.

    the gnat running Ukraine into the ground fucks things up every time.

  30. Dillinger   2 months ago

    >>Everybody in America wants to know what went on in Epstein Island

    not true, James Comer

  31. InsaneTrollLogic (Muting Sarc like he mutes us)   2 months ago

    Just for our friends J(ew)free, misconstrueman, Misek, Sarc, and others, including Mr. Open Society himself, Shrike.

    https://x.com/datarepublican/status/1956367671051846027?s=46&t=qeA47-JjK6vq0pfnxg60dA

    FOLLOW THE MONEY: PALESTINIAN “KIDS’ SHOWS”

    For years, children’s programming in Palestinian territories has doubled as political indoctrination, often bankrolled through foreign donors ... but also our own taxpayer dollars.

    Over the next posts, I’ll trace how entertainment for kids became propaganda for war, and how we ended up bankrolling that.

    Patience as I pull the thread together.

    The most infamous show was Tomorrow's Pioneers, which aired in 2007-2009, with a revival in 2013. In one of its episodes, a Mickey Mouse look-alike was "safeguarded" with the trust of getting Tel Al-Rabi land back (Tel Aviv).

    After being safeguarded with the trust to get the land back, Farfour's grandfather died and Farfour is in agony about how to get the land back for him.

    Farfour is approached by investors and refuses to give the land over. He is also approached with peace deals, saying that he can co-exist in the land. He rejects them all - the only acceptable condition is that Farfour's people own all the land.

    At the end of the program, Farfour is martyred in defending his land.

    This was just one episode of Tomorrow's Pioneers. Many of its episodes echoed similar sentiments, including a bunny mascot that declared "I, Assud, will get rid of the Jews, and I will eat them up, Allah willing!"

    The show was produced by Al-Aqsa TV, strictly controlled by Hamas and designated a terrorist group by US Treasury in 2010.

    The director of Al-Aqsa TV at the time of the production was Fathi Hammad, a longtime member of the Muslim Brotherhood and a member of the now-defunct Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) which had been the legislative body of Palestinian Authority.

    I have to take back a step here and explain a little about how Palestine government works (my understanding is limited, so please correct).

    Palestinian Authority (PA) was created under the 1994 Oslo Accords and gets foreign aid. It governs part of the West Bank along with Israel. Hamas controls Gaza Strip.

    PA can coordinate some foreign aid to Gaza, but UNRWA runs most of the foreign aid operation.

    Hamas Political Bureau (Politburo) is Hamas' main decision-making body.

    Fathi Hammad, who oversaw the Al-Aqsa TV network during the run of Tomorrow's Pioneers, ia a member of Hamas Politburo, positioning him as one of the most powerful Hamas politicians.

    The overlap between Hamas and UNRWA goes deep. For example, Suheil Al-Hindi is a member of Hamas Politburo -- while being a principal of UNRWA school and head of the UNRWA Palestinian worker's union.

    Another infamous instance of overlap was when Fateh al-Sharif, UNRWA school teacher, was found to have been responsible for Hamas' political and military actions in Lebanon and was working with Hezbelloah to attack Israel.

    Under Obama and Biden administrations, UNRWA received heavy funding from the United States. 19 UNRWA members were alleged to have participated in Oct 7th attacks and even an internal UNRWA investigation concluded that nine "may" have participated.

    One of UNRWA's partner organizations is Open Society Foundations.

    The official broadcaster of the Palestinian Authority is Palestinain Broadcasting Corporation (PBC). They, too, have hosted kids' shows celebrating martyrdom.

    A 2016 Congressional report shows the extent of the US support for Palestine. In it, the US is the single largest state donor to UNRWA. The US also provided money directly to Palestinian Authority, although it was well aware that PA funded questionable activities.

    These children's TV shows have been recurring subjects of Israeli media outrage. Palestine accused them of "double standards" due to as Israel's own occupation of Palestine.

    Note the name of the Palestinian Information Minister below who denounced the criticism - Mustafa Barghouti.

    Barghouti is a regular participant in UNRWA conferences, including their "Engaging Youth" project which aims to improve the well-being of children.

    A declassified Israel report found that 12% of UNRWA members were members of Hamas or other terrorist factions. The vast majority were employed in education and teaching.

  32. Medulla Oblongata   2 months ago

    Racist fascist xenophobic bastards!

    Wait, I thought they couldn't get welfare benefits...

    https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/more-cuts-illegal-immigrants-suffer-blow-in-blue-states/ss-AA1Kxwxv

    More Cuts: Illegal Immigrants Suffer Blow in Blue States

    Several Democratic governors have cut health coverage for illegal immigrants amid budget pressures and projected savings, with Illinois expecting savings of approximately $330 million.

    In Illinois, Gov. JB Pritzker ended a program for more than 30,000 adults, while Walz removed undocumented individuals from MinnesotaCare. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed capping new Medi-Cal enrollment with premiums in 2027.

    Advocates have warned that the rollbacks may raise emergency costs and strain safety-net systems. St. John's Community Health President Jim Mangia wrote, "These governors may be known for their sharp anti-Trump rhetoric, but their recent policy choices echo the very worst aspects of his administration: using immigrants—particularly those without the right to vote—as economic scapegoats."

    Amid the shift in priorities, Democratic strategist James Carville has suggested that the party is moving past 2024 figures such as former Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz. Republican lawmakers have pointed to the changes to press for similar limits, arguing that state funds should prioritize citizens.

    Carville stated, "Anybody that had anything to do with 2024, the party wants to move on from that." He added, "This isn’t anybody’s fault. This goes to Walz, too. I wouldn't run again." Carville added, "That would be my—if I were your friend, if I would be your chief advisor, I'm doing this not—from a personal standpoint. This is not going to be the environment that a 2024 Democrat that—the Democrats are not going to look to anybody that had anything to do with the 2024 campaign."

  33. Medulla Oblongata   2 months ago

    Rep. Brian Harrison (R-TX) said, "The dirty little secret is Democrats have no problem whatsoever with states redrawing their congressional maps to maximize partisan political advantage. They're just furious that Republican states are starting to redraw their maps."

  34. Medulla Oblongata   2 months ago

    "Trump is destroying the economy!"

    WSJ:

    Dow Touches Intraday Record
    The Dow industrials are poised to end the week strongly, after a vote of confidence from Warren Buffett in UnitedHealth.

  35. Medulla Oblongata   2 months ago

    Scenes from D.C.

    P.S. I find it telling that D.C. refers to their metrics as "statewide".

    https://dcps.dc.gov/release/dc-releases-2024-statewide-assessment-results

    Overall, 34.0% of District students are meeting or exceeding expectations in ELA, a 0.3 percentage point increase over results from the prior year, and 22.8% of students are meeting or exceeding expectations in math, a 0.7 percentage point increase over results from the prior year.

    In ELA, 32.3% of students in grades 3-5 met or exceeded expectations, up from 31.4% the prior year; 36.3% of students in grades 6-8 met or exceeded expectations, down from 36.4% in the prior year; and 33.2% of students in grades 9-12 met or exceeded expectations, down from 33.6% the prior year.

    In math, 28.4% of students in grades 3-5 met or exceeded expectations, down from 28.6% the prior year; 22.2% of students in grades 6-8 met or exceeded expectations, up from 20.6% the prior year; and 11.2% of students in grades 9-12 met or exceeded expectations, up from 10.8% the prior year.

  36. Fist of Etiquette   2 months ago

    President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are meeting at a summit in Alaska...

    Rub it in Ivan's face who got the worse deal in the Alaska purchase.

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