…is champagne that will soon be made in Finland due to horrible fossil fueled boats spewing carbon pollution, you might just be a Warmist
The blog of the day is Hot Air, with a post on Tulsi Gabbard doing a great job (back in the day I said that Tulsi was a fantastic pick, and that she would be fantastic)
Read: If All You See… »
Let’s not forget that Iran had been trying to build a nuclear weapon since the 1980s, and failing. Even with all the knowledge and material they still could not do it. And then Israel and the US started messing with their program in various ways. And then along came Obama, which did a very silly deal. And now?
U.S. Is Negotiating an Iran Deal That Would Buy Time, Again
Just before Vice President JD Vance left Islamabad early Sunday morning, he described Iran and the United States as worlds apart, chiefly on the question of assurances that Iran can never build a nuclear weapon — “not just now, not just two years from now, but for the long term.”
It turns out that the Trump administration’s idea of the long term is 20 years.
As details of Mr. Vance’s 21-hour visit to Pakistan spilled out on Monday, people familiar with the negotiations said the U.S. position was not a permanent ban on nuclear enrichment by Iran. Instead, the United States proposed a 20-year “suspension” of all nuclear activity. That would allow the Iranians to claim they had not permanently given up their right, under the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NNPT), to produce their own nuclear fuel.
In response, Iran renewed a proposal that it suspend nuclear activity for up to five years, according to two senior Iranian officials and one U.S. official. The Iranians had made a very similar proposal in February during a failed set of negotiations in Geneva that convinced President Trump it was time to go to war. Days later, he ordered the attack on Iran.
First, the US should offer to help Iran build a next-gen nuclear power plant, one that cannot produce weapons grade material, as dictated by the NNPT. This is actually something that should have been done in the 90s by the US and the other nations with nuclear weapons.
But for Mr. Trump and his aides there is also the risk that any agreement that emerges may resemble the 2015 nuclear accord, which the president exited three years later and called a “horrible, one-sided deal that should have never, ever been made.”
At the core of Mr. Trump’s complaint about the Obama accord, formally called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, was that it contained “sunsets.” And it did: The Iranians were allowed gradually more enrichment activity until 2030, when all restrictions would evaporate. (Iran’s commitments under the nonproliferation treaty would still ban it from building a bomb.)
But the Obama deal did not involve a full suspension of nuclear activity, which would buy at least a few years of zero nuclear activity — past Mr. Trump’s term in office.
Wait, I thought the Obama admin and the Credentialed Media said this ended Iran’s nuclear weapons program. No? We were told it was “historic!” But, it was seriously bad. That 2030 timeframe was actually more like 2025. Obama thought we could trust Iran, and, really, Iran turned around and started doing the same old research even after giving Russia its nuke materials. It lifted all these sanctions, gave Iran lots of money, and gave them legitimacy. It allowed Iran to keep their underground weapons facility at Fordow, allowed the long range missile program to continue.
It restricted inspections, and disallowed Americans from being inspectors. And Iran could deny the inspections for up to 24 days. It didn’t require Iran to release Americans it was holding. But, you know, Obama wanted a big deal before leaving office.
(Hoover) The remaining parties are our nominal allies who must believe that this nuclear deal represents a retreat from the basic proposition of Pax Americana—the guarantee that the U.S. will provide meaningful guarantees for the security of its allies. Our allies may well become less hostile to Russia and China precisely because they cannot count on U.S. leadership in tough times. The situation is starker still for the Israelis, who fear that the deal will embolden the Iranians to create more mischief in the Middle East and elsewhere. The Saudis are probably next in line in this belief. And both are surely right.
Iran’s promises count for nothing. Iran is quite happy to fund Bashar al-Assad in Syria, to back Hamas, and to launch terrorist attacks throughout the Middle East. It is eager to confront its Sunni rivals, most notably Saudi Arabia, by supporting their enemies. It is eager to annihilate Israel. Indeed now that the agreement seems in place, the Ayatollah says flat out that deal or no deal, “we will never stop supporting our friends in the region and the people of Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Bahrain and Lebanon.”
Why then would anyone be surprised that Iran would be willing to make high-sounding promises that it has every intention to quickly break? Does anyone really agree with the President’s rosy view that Iran will reciprocate our respect with its respect? Putting our best foot forward makes sense with ordinary business deals where reputations count. It makes no sense when dealing with a Holmesian bad man who has no need or intention of reciprocating good will with good will.
That was in 2015, after the deal was signed. And Iran just kept being Iran. No real change in behavior.
So, what happens with these negotiations? Where do they go, what are the terms? I seriously doubt Trump, Vance, and the rest will allow a crap deal like the Obama one.
Read: Is Trump Admin Negotiating Another “Iran Deal” On Their Nuke Program? »
It’s about f’ing time
Maiden is really one of the most influential metal bands of all time, and this should have happened long ago. But, the RRHOF does not really like metal bands.
Now, did you watch the vid? Consider, these are the ones voted in
Only the first 5 are rock related, and, I’m not sure Joy Division nor Oasis deserve to be in. The last 3 have no business being in, because they are not rock. There should be no rap, country, hip hop, etc. Dolly Parton is great, but, should she be in? The Country Music Hall of Fame wouldn’t allow the Eagles, Lynyrd Skynard, 38 Special, Blackfoot, or any other southern rock band in, right?
Where is Motorhead, Dio, Saxon (many do not remember how influential they were), Testament, Death (really, one of the most influential and early Death metal bands), Eodus, Pantera, Megadeth, Slayer, and so many more. Judas Priest is in under the “Musical Excellence Award” rather than as a main performer, which is absurd. One of the OGs and super influential.
Where’s Huey Lewis and the News? Foreigner? Robert Plant solo? J. Geils Band? Bad Company (whoops, sorry, forgot they got in in 2025)? Boston? Kansas? Joe Walsh? Styx? Jethro Tull? 38 Special? Mötley Crüe? Peter Frampton? And so many more rock bands. Yet, there are tons of non-rock.
So, what should happen is that after the induction ceremony, the entire thing should be shut down and restarted as the Real Rock Hall of Fame. Most of the artists who are rock will be included, and we’ll put the real snubs in. And then just keep it rock!
Favorite Maiden song? There’s so many. How about the one that got me into Maiden (this is some cool AI added that someone did)
Read: Iron Maiden Finally Gets Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Nod »
Hey, don’t take my opinion for it, listen to they hyper-climate cult New Scientist
The green solution to climate change isn’t happening – and that’s good
You’ve probably seen those nice graphs showing carbon dioxide levels and temperatures falling towards the end of the century. How is this miracle meant to be achieved? The idea is that we harvest plants, burn them for energy and then capture and store the CO2. Voila, problem solved!
Except bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, or BECCS, as this idea is known, is turning out to be an unmitigated disaster. It isn’t being rolled out on anything like the scale required, in part because it’s ridiculously expensive, would be catastrophic for biodiversity if it was done on this scale and, last but far from least, it doesn’t even work. It actually increases CO2 emissions rather than reducing them on the timescales that matter.
The rest is stuck behind a pretty hard paywall, but, you get the idea: it’s like most of the cult’s ideas, idiot, expensive, and unworkable. And, would make things worse, per cult doctrine on CO2.
Meanwhile, the Montana yutes astroturfed lawsuit is looking for new life
Montana youth argue for 9th Circuit court to allow climate change case to proceed
Attorneys for a coalition of youth who challenged a series of President Donald Trump’s executive orders related to energy and climate change last year argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to allow their case to move forward.
The U.S. District Court in Montana, which dismissed the claims in Lighthiser v. Trump, erred by ruling it did not have jurisdiction to offer sweeping relief in reviewing the legality of the executive orders, argued attorney Julia Olsen with Our Children’s Trust, the nonprofit law firm representing the youth.
“Beyond question, the federal judiciary retains the authority to adjudicate constitutional challenges to executive action,” Olsen said, citing recent circuit court decisions. “And so we think there’s a clear power of Article Three here to provide redress and to remand for the merits.”
Attorneys for the federal government and Montana pushed back against Olsen’s arguments during the April 13 hearing, saying rolling back the three executive orders would not not provide the plaintiffs with any relief and that the court correctly ruled it did not have the power to take up the issue.
Sadly, no one asked the yutes if they had given up their own use of fossil fuels.
It’s exploding, you guys!
Sudden GOP infighting explodes over bipartisan immigration reform bill
Sudden outrage over a long-shot bipartisan immigration reform bill sparked a public battle among House Republicans, fueled by an onslaught of online activists, that’s putting GOP divides over immigration policy squarely into the spotlight.
The bill in question, the Dignity Act, is not new and has little chance of getting a vote in this Congress. But pent-up frustration from conservatives over President Trump delivering on mass deportations and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown turned into a pile-on over the bill.
It’s also highlighting the division between moderate Republicans aiming to combat a decline in support for the GOP among the Hispanic and Latino voters who helped propel the party to victory in 2024, and hard-liners who argue the bill would be a betrayal of promises made to voters.
At the center of the uproar is Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-Fla.), the bill’s designer who has for years advocated for immigration reform, a position that is often lonely in today’s Republican Party. Her Dignity Act is largely in the vein of compromise immigration policy bills that have come before it.
The whole thing is horrible, as I covered back in 2025 when she started pushing this garbage. Hers is about as bad as Alex Padilla’s easy amnesty bill. At the end of the there are 20 Democrats who are cosponsors of Salazar’s “it’s really not amnesty” amnesty bill, while only 19 Republicans. That’s not a good thing, Maria!
Under Salazar’s plan, those in the country illegally prior to 2021 — and who do not have criminal records — would have to pay $7,000 in restitution and any back taxes owed and would also not be eligible for welfare programs, but they would get a new legal status. The bill itself would not provide them a path to citizenship.
Salazar insists the bill would not amount to amnesty because it provides no path to citizenship — but it has been labeled as such by many Republicans and conservatives, who say giving any relief to migrants without legal status amounts to “amnesty.”
Democrats would love this, since if the illegals have legal status they will be able to vote in many local, county, and state elections. Which tend to be at the same time as federal elections, and, whoops, if they happen to fill out the parts for federal positions, bummer. And they won’t be voting GOP, Maria. And then Dems will say “well, they’re here, they paid that money, we should give them citizenship.”
Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) has been among the most vocal in slamming the bill, including by duking it out with Salazar on social media.
“This is the kind of Orwellian doublespeak we expect from the Left, not our own party,” Gill said in a post replying to Salazar, noting the bill is officially called the DIGNIDAD Act. “We are not living under an amnesty regime, and it’s dishonest to say we are.”
“Our only objective right now should be to speed up deportations by equipping ICE and DHS with the funding and resources they need. The DIGNIDAD Act does the opposite. It would give legal status to 12 million illegal aliens, while hamstringing deportation efforts for the rest,” Gill said.
This is the kind of squishy stuff pulled by George W. Bush, John McCain, Lindsay Graham, and other illegals squishes. Let’s deport them, not give more a reason to stream to the U.S.
In the Lawler interview that seemed to ignite backlash last week, Fox News host Brian Kilmeade commented that he thought Trump could be open to the bill, saying the president had told him he would be interested in “long-term work visas” for migrants.
I would be fine with short term visas, like there used to be, where they came, worked for a bit, then went back to their home countries. Then do it again. Their families did not come with. They were migrant workers. Not give legal status for breaking federal law. The immigration system is not broken, it’s the people running it and allowing insane amounts into the US who are broken. Shut it down. Deport. Have a fully lawful temporary system, and let those who want to be US citizens and demonstrate so apply.
Read: There’s All Sorts Of GOP Infighting Over Salazar’s Amnesty, Er, Dignity Act Or Something »
That there is the main problem: “purpose”
Opinion | America’s teens still see college as a pathway to purpose
As college decision day approaches on May 1, thousands of high school seniors across Minnesota and the nation are deciding where to go next and what kind of future they want to build.
The conversation about higher education often focuses on cost, skepticism and whether college is still worth it. As a professor, I have a front-row seat to something different.
Every day, I see students who want to make a difference — fighting hunger, protecting our forests and water, improving human health and strengthening communities to leave the world a better place.
New findings from the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) backs up this notion, showing American teens still believe education is essential to that future. In a recent national survey, 89% of teens said higher education plays an important role in helping society solve major challenges such as food security and climate change. Ninety-three percent said science, technology and innovation are essential to addressing hunger, protecting the environment and improving agriculture.
A college degree is worth what the degree is in, and, too many of the yutes are not looking for hard sciences, hard disciplines. It’s mostly squishy stuff, degrees ending in “Studies” and such. How many are getting degrees in installing solar panels, building hydo-electric dams, making wind turbines? Sciences in order to create actual cleaner energy sources? Figuring out a way to make solar panels less environmentally damaging and able to gather more power? Storage options? Turning roads into solar energy collectors? No, they mostly learn about spreading awareness and how to live off the taxpayer teet.
How many are trying to be scientists, engineers, medical doctors/nurses/technicians and stuff?
These statistics are a clear reminder that young people see a university degree not simply as a credential, but as a path toward purpose.
At the same time, a four-year college is not the right path for every student. For the many students who do choose college, however, the message from this survey is clear: They are looking for more than a diploma. They want hands-on experience, real-world opportunities and the chance to contribute to society, an emphasis reflected in the university’s strategic priority on experiential learning.
Some see a purpose in getting a degree in finance, and making a lot of money. Too many see a degree as a way to live their Main Character Syndrome life, just like they do online. They’ve been taught that They Are Special, hence they think they are the ones who can solve everything.
For years, I taught a senior-level course in which students worked with community organizations to address challenges such as food insecurity and access to healthy food. The projects were difficult and time-consuming, so each year I asked whether I should eliminate them. The answer was always an emphatic no. Students said these real-world experiences helped them build skills, solve problems and prepare for their future careers.
It’s cute and all, but, they aren’t learning actual distribution skills, they’re learning to yap and get others to do the actual work, while 80% of the government money they all depend on disappears into everything but helping the people it is supposed to help. These are all squishy things, almost totally dependent on government. And the kiddies are racking up huge debt for this which they do not seem to be able to dig out from.
That is especially important in fields tied to agriculture, food, sustainability and natural resources — career areas in which nearly one-third of teens have interest. These are careers that will help Minnesota and the nation solve the grand challenge of equitably feeding a growing population while preserving and protecting the planet. They help students learn about ways to produce affordable, nutritious food, protect natural resources, equitably support rural communities and prepare for a changing climate.
Sigh. They aren’t learning agriculture and things, they are learning to boss people around, to dictate on things they really do not know about, to tell others what they can and can’t eat. It’s all very high-toned and fancy too-doo. Almost all these graduates bring little value, much like influencers at Coachella.
Read: Today’s Yutes Still See Massive College Loan Debt As Pathway To “Purpose” »
…are horrible fossil fuels pumps, you might just be a Warmist
The blog of the day is A View From The Beach, with a post on the Monday Morning Stimulus.
Read: If All You See… »
Iran only has so many ports for their oil, and, I suppose those nations who depend on Iran’s oil can get over it. Besides, how many of those countries are climate cult members?
‘We Are Fully Locked and Loaded’ — President Trump: U.S. Navy Blockades Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump announced Sunday the U.S. Navy will begin blockading ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the news coming after he said Iran promised to open the strait but ultimately did not.
“So, there you have it, the meeting went well, most points were agreed to, but the only point that really mattered, NUCLEAR, was not. Effective immediately, the United States Navy, the Finest in the World, will begin the process of BLOCKADING any and all Ships trying to enter, or leave, the Strait of Hormuz,” the president wrote in a post on Truth Social early Sunday.
At some point, we will reach an “ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO IN, ALL BEING ALLOWED TO GO OUT” basis, but Iran has not allowed that to happen by merely saying, “There may be a mine out there somewhere,” that nobody knows about but them. THIS IS WORLD EXTORTION, and Leaders of Countries, especially the United States of America, will never be extorted. I have also instructed our Navy to seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran. No one who pays an illegal toll will have safe passage on the high seas.
We will also begin destroying the mines the Iranians laid in the Straits. Any Iranian who fires at us, or at peaceful vessels, will be BLOWN TO HELL! Iran knows, better than anyone, how to END this situation which has already devastated their Country. Their Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, their Anti Aircraft and Radar are useless, Khomeini, and most of their “Leaders,” are dead, all because of their Nuclear ambition. The Blockade will begin shortly. Other Countries will be involved with this Blockade. Iran will not be allowed to profit off this Illegal Act of EXTORTION. They want money and, more importantly, they want Nuclear. Additionally and, at an appropriate moment, we are fully “LOCKED AND LOADED,” and our Military will finish up the little that is left of Iran! President DONALD J. TRUMP
If Iran was smart, they would give up their nuclear weapons program in exchange for oil processing plants. They produce lots of petroleum, but, really do not have a way to refine it into usable fuels and lubricants. And, ask for help building a nuclear power plant, as that is part of the non-proliferation treaty for countries, a way to keep nations from having nuke plants that can produce weapons grade material.
The U.K. is “not supporting” the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday, insisting that the country would not get “dragged in” to the Iran war.
It came as President Emmanuel Macron confirmed France and the U.K. would, in the coming days, co-host a conference aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
Macron has not explicitly ruled-out France’s involvement in the U.S. blockade but said the planned conference would create a “peaceful multinational” and “strictly defensive” mission, “separate from the belligerents.”
Britain’s Starmer told BBC’s Radio 5 Live on Monday: “We’re not supporting the blockade, and all of the marshalling – diplomatically, politically and [in terms of] capability – we do have mine-sweeping capability, I won’t go into operational matters, but we do have that capability – that’s all focused, from our point of view, on getting the Strait fully open.”
Sure, Trump hinted that other countries could help, but, the United Kingdom was not asked. They really cannot project naval power anymore. They couldn’t operate their ship Dragon. It took a while to get it out of port to protect Cyprus, and then had to stop operating over water issues. If Argentina really decides to take the Falkland Islands again, there is little the UK can do about.
Well, while I was at NJ.com for the previous post I ran across this one, which is a hoot divorced from the way the markets act
Who should pay for climate damages: Taxpayers or polluters? | Opinion
Wait, I don’t have global heating on here?
Failing to make hard decisions today often makes tomorrow’s bill much larger.
This was the throughline of Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s recent budget address, and with the costs of climate change increasing every year, state leaders now face a clear test of that principle.
Should New Jersey families continue paying the full cost of worsening floods, extreme heat and severe storms? Or should the world’s largest polluters finally pay their fair share for the damages they created?
The “Polluters Pay to Make New Jersey More Affordable Act” offers a straightforward answer.
The legislation would require the world’s largest fossil fuel companies to help pay to rebuild our infrastructure and make our communities more resilient to climate change. This includes upgrading roads, transit infrastructure, the electric grid, public schools and much more.
Really, the headline should be “Who will actually pay for climate (scam) damages: Taxpayers or polluters?” Not that CO2 and most greenhouse gases are pollution, particularly water vapor, which is the primary GHG.
The world’s largest fossil fuel companies would pay $2.5 billion per year for the next 20 years, providing a steady stream of infrastructure funding at no cost to taxpayers.
Without this funding source, the consequences are clear: Families across New Jersey will continue paying the full cost, even as the federal government has reduced funding for FEMA and disaster aid.
Even if this actually happened, does anyone think the money would go to the NJ residents? Or, would most disappear into the pockets of NGOs and Democrat donors? Be used for other things?
If they could simply pass these costs to consumers at the pump, they wouldn’t be spending millions to fight the bill. They’re fighting it because the money would come from their profits.
But, the costs would be passed on, not too mention the companies limiting and/or ending operations in NJ. They never listen to me, but, the minute the legislation passes, and it will, the companies should stop doing business with the State of NJ government.
Let’s not forget that the state already lost a lawsuit trying to make the fossil fueled companies to pay out the nose, where the judge wrote “Because Plaintiffs seek damages for alleged harms caused by interstate and international emissions and global warming, their claims cannot be governed by state law. Under our federal constitutional system, states cannot use their laws to resolve claims seeking redress for injuries allegedly caused by out-of-state and worldwide emissions.”
NJ had no problem with forcing citizens to wear (worthless) masks during COVID. They have no problem allowing wacko (Democrat) activists to wear masks. But, they actually thought they could dictate to federal law enforcement the way they could operate
Ban on masks ignored by ICE agents during N.J. arrest
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers are being directed to not follow a New Jersey state law that prohibits federal officers from wearing masks during enforcement operations.
In a recent raid, ICE agents from the Newark office arrested Rubiel Gabriel Nolasco, an undocumented individual from Mexico, in Jackson Township. He was taken into custody on April 1 by federal agents wearing masks, a township employee told the Asbury Park Press.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said agents will not remove their masks, calling a new state law “unconstitutional.” Gov. Mikie Sherrill in March signed three bills into law regarding ICE operations in New Jersey, one prohibiting local and federal law enforcement officers from wearing masks.
“Sanctuary politicians attempting to ban our federal law enforcement from wearing masks is despicable and a flagrant attempt to endanger our officers,” the spokesperson told NJ.com. “ICE officers wear face coverings for one reason: To protect themselves and their families from real-world threats including agitators. The danger is not hypothetical.”
Good luck enforcing the ban, Mikie. There aren’t many police officers in the state who would even consider trying to enforce it. And the few who do will end up arrested themselves
Nolasco was arrested twice by Border Patrol agents in 2021 and was deported back to Mexico on both occasions, federal authorities said. He was arrested by Toms River police on July 29, 2024, on a domestic violence charge. Nolasco pleaded guilty to that charge.
He also had pending charges for driving with a suspended license or registration, according to the ICE spokesperson. He is currently being detained and awaiting removal proceedings.
Hey, maybe the story should have led with this. He committed a felony by coming back in, and, seriously, how bad did Nolasco have to be to be sent back to Mexico under the Biden regime? Then there’s the domestic violence charge.
Read: LOL: ICE Ignores NJ Law On Masks »
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