Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup

Happy Sunday! Another gorgeous day in the Once And Future Nation Of America. The Sun is shining, the mockingbirds are annoying the squirrels, and the Dodgers are on fire. This pinup is by Ren Wicks with a wee bit of help.

What’s happening in Ye Olde Blogosphere? The Fine 15

  1. Not A Lot Of People Know that discusses the British Army’s new solar farm
  2. Watts Up With That? notes the German coal phaseout lasted 8 days
  3. 357 Magnum wonders about NYC being a Progressive utopia in wake of attacks on Asians
  4. American Greatness discusses the rise of the new state religion
  5. Blazing Cat Fur covers racism being a one way street
  6. Bustednuckles has a few rules for approving reparations
  7. Chicks On The Right notes the Chauvin trial judge threatening prosecution with a mistrial
  8. Datechguy’s Blog has questions on the WNBA draft
  9. Dissecting Leftism highlights a poll on voters being ideologically deluded
  10. Free North Carolina covers the Arizona senate beginning an audit of the 2020 vote
  11. Gen Z Conservative has a great article on the dangers of the “Equality Act”
  12. hogewash has a cool video of neutron stars
  13. Moonbattery notes there’s more to that story about a military member pushing a black guy
  14. Never Yet Melted discusses why Derek Chauvin must be declared not-guilty
  15. And last, but not least, Pacific Pundit has the videos that got James O’Keefe banned from Twitter (for exposing CNN)

As always, the full set of pinups can be seen in the Patriotic Pinup category, or over at my Gallery page (nope, that’s gone, the newest Apache killed access, and the program hasn’t been upgraded since 2014). While we are on pinups, since it is that time of year, have you gotten your “Pinups for Vets” calendar yet? And don’t forget to check out what I declare to be our War on Women Rule 5 and linky luv posts and things that interest me.

Don’t forget to check out all the other great material all the linked blogs have!

Anyone else have a link or hotty-fest going on? Let me know so I can add you to the list. And do you have a favorite blog you can recommend be added to the feedreader?

Read: Sorta Blogless Sunday Pinup »

Nutter In FedEx Shooting Purchased Rifles Legally

China Joe says that universal background checks will stop this stuff or something

Suspect in FedEx shooting used two assault rifles he bought legally: police

The suspect in a mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Ind., used two assault rifles during the attack that he purchased legally, police said Saturday.

Brandon Scott Hole, 19, allegedly open fire on a Fedex facility late Thursday evening, resulting in the deaths of eight people. He was identified as the suspect by Friday afternoon.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed on Twitter that Hole was “witnessed using assault rifles in the assault.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) traced the two weapons, and found that Hole legally purchased them in July and September of 2020.

Legally purchased means he passed the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which is the law in Indiana. This, even after warnings to the FBI

The update comes after the FBI revealed that Hole’s mother in March of 2020 warned that her son might try to commit “suicide by cop.”

The Indianapolis Metro Police Department last year placed Hole “on an immediate detention mental health temporary hold” after officials received the warning, the FBI said.

Indianapolis Police Chief Randal Taylor told The New York Times that Hole’s ability to legally purchase a gun despite his mother’s warning meant that he was not subjected to the state’s “red flag” law, which prohibits those deemed a risk by a judge from possessing a firearm.

So, Red Flag laws were ineffective. And, if the FBI was involved, there was no excuse that the information wasn’t in their database, unlike many times where someone commits a criminal act and the info never makes it to the background check system. Of course, Hole may have simply been cleared by the FBI, hence, not blocked from purchase because people still have Rights. But, the FBI did seize Hole’s shotgun during their interview, and hadn’t returned it. Huh.

(Breitbart) Breitbart News reported that the March 22, 2021, Boulder attacker bought his gun “legally” too, as did the March 16, 2021, Atlanta-area gunman.

In fact, the overwhelming majority of high profile attackers acquire their guns by complying with background checks, rather than going around them.

Here is a just a partial list of other attackers who got their guns by complying with gun control laws:

  • Parkland high school attacker (February 14, 2018)
  • Texas church attacker (November 5, 2017)
  • Las Vegas attacker (October 1, 2017)
  • Alexandria attacker (June 14, 2017))
  • Orlando attacker (June 12, 2016)
  • UCLA gunman (June 1, 2016))
  • San Bernardino attackers (December 2, 2015)
  • Colorado Springs attacker (October 31, 2015)
  • Umpqua Community College attacker (October 1, 2015)
  • Alison Parker’s attacker (August 26, 2015)
  • Lafayette movie theater attacker (July 23, 2015)
  • Chattanooga attacker (July 16, 2015)
  • Alleged Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal attacker (Jun 17, 2015)
  • Muhammad Carton Contest attackers (May 3, 2014)
  • Las Vegas cop killers (June 9, 2015)
  • Santa Barbara attacker (May 23, 2014)
  • Fort Hood attacker (April 2, 2014)
  • Arapahoe High School attacker (December 13, 2013)
  • D.C. Navy Yard attacker (September 16, 2013)
  • Aurora movie theater attacker (July 20, 2012)
  • Gabby Giffords’ attacker (January 8, 2011)
  • Fort Hood attacker (November 5, 2009)
  • Northern Illinois University attacker (February 14, 2008)
  • Virginia Tech attacker (April 16, 2007).

Oops? So, universal background checks will totally work, right? Anyhow, while all the articles say that Hole bought and used 2 “assault rifles”, I can’t find anyone who says what they were or shows them.

Meanwhile, neither China Joe nor most Democrats are concerned with the continuing shootings in Democrat run cities like Chicago, Baltimore, LA, NYC, and so many others. Mostly because they don’t care that blacks are shooting blacks. I bet universal background checks will totally stop this, right?

Read: Nutter In FedEx Shooting Purchased Rifles Legally »

China Joe Takes Long Fossil Fueled Helicopter Flight Home To Delaware

This is nice

The train runs from D.C. to Delaware. Remember how they used to tell us that China Joe rode the train all the time? Seriously, one of his old nicknames was Amtrak Joe, because he used to take it all the time. Now he wants to force you to take the train, but, he takes a low NMPG (nautical mile per gallon) helicopter. Go figure. He’s pushing major “investments into rail. He’s even yammered about high speed rail. You know, like California’s, which ballooned from around $38 billion to $100 billion, is years to a decade behind, and the number of tracks has been reduced.

BTW, why is Joe going home when the Japanese prime minister and his retinue are in town? First Joe let Kamala meet the PM, finally showing up later (imagine if Trump had let Pence meet a foreign leader at the White House first. The media bleating would be epic. And deserved). Shouldn’t Joe be around for this?

Elsewhere

Study: Climate Change Could Impact Your Favorite Cup of Coffee

Climate change could make it harder to find a good cup of coffee, new research finds. A changing climate might shrink suitable areas for specialty coffee production without adaptation, making coffee taste blander and impacting the livelihoods of small farms in the Global South.

More doom. And to clear out the climate apocalypse stuff from Pocket

New York is about to spew a lot more carbon into the air, thanks to Andrew Cuomo and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s anti-nuclear crusade

New York’s air is about to be filled with a whole lot more carbon dioxide, thanks in large part to the efforts of a couple of science-denying scions of political dynasties who claim to be acting in the interests of the environment.

The Indian Point nuclear power plant – located in Buchanan, New York, about 30 miles north of Manhattan – is slated to have its third and final reactor permanently shut down by the end of April, thanks to an order signed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in 2017.

And they don’t have the energy to replace it with solar and wind, so, they’ll have to use way more natural gas, which is Evil for ‘climate change’.

Read: China Joe Takes Long Fossil Fueled Helicopter Flight Home To Delaware »

If All You See…

…is an Evil fossil fueled vehicle, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is The Daley Gator, with a post on paint with white privilege.

Doubleshot below the fold, check out Climate Scepticism, with a post on CNN milking ‘climate change’, as fear sells.

Read More »

Read: If All You See… »

China Joe Wonders Just Who Needs A 20 Round Magazine

I know a few people Joe can ask

Joe Biden: ‘Who in God’s Name’ Needs a Weapon that Can Hold 20 Rounds?

President Joe Biden defended his record on gun control despite spending his energy on infrastructure spending, angrily condemning gun owners for owning weapons with the capacity of holding 20 rounds

“Who in God’s name, needs a weapon that can hold 100 rounds, or 40 rounds, or 20 rounds?” he asked. “It’s just wrong.”

Biden repeated he strongly supported a ban on assault weapons and even a ban on magazines holding more than ten rounds.

“It’s just wrong, and I’m not going to give up until it’s done,” he said.

So, perhaps China Joe could ask the Secret Service, since they carry many weapons that carry 20 or more rounds per magazine. They’re also carry real assault weapons, rifles and submachine guns that fire on automatic, firearms that it is almost impossible for most citizens to legally purchase. Same with the military. And so many police officers. How about we restrict the Secret Service, FBI, and other federal agents who carry firearms (some IRS agents do) to mags that only hold 10?

Biden complained that gun violence had become a “national embarrassment” in the United States.

“It’s not only these mass shootings that are occurring, every single day, every single day there’s a mass shooting in the United States if you count all those who are killed on the streets and our rural areas,” he said.

Rural areas? Most of this occurs in cities run by Democrats. Five more were shot, one killed, in Chicago on Friday into Saturday. At least three shot in Baltimore. Four were shot, including a teen girl, in D.C.. That’s only a mile or two from the White House. Those cities aren’t run by Republicans.

Read: China Joe Wonders Just Who Needs A 20 Round Magazine »

Washington General Assembly Passes Bill Getting Rid Of Fossil Fueled Vehicles, Including A Tax

So, when does the Washington state government give up the use of fossil fueled vehicles for state business? Stop the use of fossil fueled flights for state employees on government business? Stop using fossil fueled vehicles for the General Assembly, including their own personal use? Oh, right, this will only really affect the plebes

Washington state passes bill with goal to phase out gasoline cars

Washington state lawmakers passed a bill on Thursday setting a target to stop sales of gasoline-fueled vehicles there beginning in 2030, five years sooner than California.

The target is not a firm mandate and is contingent on the state adopting a tax on vehicle miles traveled, a measure to help pay for new transportation infrastructure, according to the text of the bill.

The move by the Pacific Northwest state comes as efforts to boost adoption of electric vehicles are accelerating over concerns about fossil fuels’ contribution to climate change.

Residents would not be allowed to go to, say, Idaho, and buy a fossil fueled vehicle as they won’t be allowed to register it in Washington. Good luck actually running the state and businesses. They’ll see a large exodus from the state, eroding the tax base

Washington’s 2030 electric vehicle goal would kick in once three-quarters of the state’s registered vehicles are subject to a so-called road usage charge, according to the bill’s text.

The legislation must be signed by Democratic Governor Jay Inslee before becoming law. Inslee’s office did not immediately respond to a question on whether he would sign it.

Of course there’s a tax. There’s always a tax, right? I’ll come back to that in a minute. As for Inslee, this stuff might be popular in theory, but, in practice, Inslee dropped out of the Democratic primaries as he was barely getting any support as the “climate change candidate”. His entire campaign was based on it, and no one cared.

Washington-based environmental activist group Coltura called the passage of the bill a victory for the fight against climate change, saying it would accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles.

Nah. Most people can’t afford them. Even tiny ones. And then the GA will raise taxes because all that tax on fossil fuels will be gone.

(CleanTechnica) Washington state’s Clean Cars 2030 bill just passed both houses of the state legislature. If implemented (there are some catches), the bill would put Washington ahead of all other states and many other countries in terms of how fast they’ll require new light vehicles to be zero-emission.

The key section of the bill says:

Sec. 6. (1) Once a road usage charge, or
equivalent fee or tax based on vehicle miles traveled, is in effect
in the state of Washington with at least 75 percent of the registered
passenger and light duty vehicles in the state participating, then a
goal is established for the state that all publicly owned and
privately owned passenger and light duty vehicles of model year 2030
or later that are sold, purchased, or registered in Washington state
be electric vehicles.

You’ll notice the big catch in that. The electric vehicle requirement doesn’t kick in unless 75% of registered passenger and light duty vehicles are being charged by the mile for road taxes. According to Autoweek, this hasn’t been implemented in the state at all, and would require separate legislation to be passed, but there is a pilot project underway that the state intends to use to learn enough to create a good by-the-mile taxation system.

What such a measure would look like in its final form is unknown. I’ve seen some state proposals that want to place a GPS tracker in all vehicles, but that obviously raises the ire of citizens with privacy concerns. It may be that an annual odometer check or possibly a system where citizens self-report and are randomly audited can achieve the same results. Either way, it’s going to be necessary to have such a system in place if no new vehicles in the state are using gas or diesel, because they wouldn’t have enough money to maintain the roads otherwise.

Basically, people will be taxed on their vehicles for purchase and property tax, then on the gasoline they purchase, then on how many miles they drive (say, what about the state government? And local and county governments?). And, once that system is in place (you can bet they’ll go with a GPS tracker or something), it will apply to those EVs, and the tax will have to rise quite a bit to, again, cover the loss of tax revenue from gasoline. It’s already happening, as road taxes have increased due to the push for hybrids and the lower revenue from gas taxes. Many states are increasing direct taxation on EVs and hybrids to cover the revenue loss. All that money you’ll supposedly save will then just go to government.

Read: Washington General Assembly Passes Bill Getting Rid Of Fossil Fueled Vehicles, Including A Tax »

Durham, NC, Sees Mostly Peaceful Protest Over Latest Police Shootings Of People The “Protesters” Didn’t Know In The Least

Per the US and North Carolina Constitutions, once you engage in arson and graffiti it is no longer peaceable. It wasn’t a riot, but, it wasn’t peaceful

Flag burning, graffiti in Durham as protests surge through the Triangle in response to recent police shootings

Protests took place Friday night in many locations around the Triangle as many voiced their displeasure after recent acts of violence toward people of color around the country.

Protestors are fueled by the outrage of recent police shootings that resulted in the deaths of minorities, including 20-year-old Daunte Wright and 13-year-old Adam Toledo.

Wright was fatally shot by police officer Kimberly Potter during a traffic stop in Brooklyn Center, Minn. Potter claims she meant to use her taser instead of her gun.

Toledo, a seventh grader, was shot by Chicago Police on March 29, but the bodycam footage of the shooting wasn’t revealed until Thursday.

Wright was a tragic accident, and the officer has been charged with 2nd degree manslaughter. No mention that Wright had a warrant for his arrest for felonies, nor that he failed to comply after being pulled for being dumb enough to drive with expired tags. Prosecutors in Chicago are saying the shooting of Adam was lawful, a split second decision. No mention of Adam being out at 230am Monday morning, hanging with a 21 year old shooting his gun, then taking the gun and running when police showed up, in an area know for gangs, particularly the Latin Kings.

Crowds gathered in downtown Durham around 7:30 p.m. A large crowd began at the Durham County Courthouse, then made its way to the Durham Police Department headquarters.

Graffiti could be seen on multiple surfaces, with clear messages aimed at authority.

Such nice people. There were plenty of Anarchy symbols, one pictured at the link. Which means Antifa is around. Which means it could get much worse Saturday.

WRAL’s Rosalia Fodera reports that protestors were burning an American flag, while firecrackers could be heard going off near the Durham Police Department building, as well.

Durham protestors could be heard chanting, “Justice for Daunte Wright.” Additionally, some protestors egged buildings, and tore down barriers outside of restaurants, including Durham staple, Copa.

What did the Durham police do? How about those restaurants? The cop in the Wright case is going to go to trial. Let that happen. Or, are they calling for mob justice? If anything WRAL minimized the damage

(CBS17) Protesters in Durham Friday night set a small fire outside the city’s police department headquarters and caused damage at some businesses downtown.

There appeared to be several dozen protesters who lit the fire around 8:45 p.m. Some doors and windows at businesses were shattered by the protesters, which also included members of the group NC Born, according to a tweet by that organization.

Several businesses along Mangum Street had windows broken along with some graffiti spray-painted on the buildings. Trash cans and barriers were thrown into businesses to break the glass.

An U.S. flag was also burned and fireworks were lit during the protests. The sign for the Durham police department was also defaced with graffiti.

At one point, the protesters even approached people dining out at a downtown restaurant.

Elizabeth Turnbull, the owner of the Copa restaurant, said the protesters “broke down some of the barricades — the traffic barrier that we have for outdoor dining — threw some drinks and broke some glass — minor vandalism for us. But it was very scary for the guests.”

And where were the police in protecting property and citizens just trying to have a meal? They were apparently allowed to menaced by the mob.

There appeared to be about 100 protesters, who also said they were there because of the death of “Jaida,” apparently in reference to Jaida Petersen, a North Carolina transgender woman who was murdered this week.

Remi Fennel and Jaida Petersen were the two Black transgender women who were shot. Police say Joel Brewer, 33, and Dontarius Long, 21, were the men who murdered them.

Nothing for Remi? BTW, both of the killers are black.

The protesters also took rental e-scooters and placed them across at least one street.

That would be called “theft.”

In Raleigh the protests were small and protests, no violence reported, though businesses did board up. The mayor said she would not announce a curfew. We’ll see if that’s a mistake come tonight.

Read: Durham, NC, Sees Mostly Peaceful Protest Over Latest Police Shootings Of People The “Protesters” Didn’t Know In The Least »

Duke Energy Says EVs Are Totally Competitive With Regular Cars Now Or Something

This article from WRAL reads more like a sponsored article written by Duke Energy, with zero questions asked

Cost of electric vehicles now competitive with gas-powered cars, according to Duke Energy

The price of a owning an electric vehicle is now closer to that of gas powered cars, and experts say the savings not seen on the sticker price could make them even more appealing.

Scot Wingo is the CEO of Raleigh-Durham based “Spiffy,” a vehicle maintenance company which now operates in 20 markets across the country. He hopes his large fleet of service vans will soon run just like his own battery-powered Tesla.

“Our vision is to move towards electric vans totally in the next two or three years. They are just not available today,” said Wingo. (snip)

Though the vans still run on gas, the equipment inside Spiffy vehicles run on electric power. An “EV” owner since 2014, Wingo understands the potential savings at the end of the year.

“Well over $1,500, and that’s just saved on the gas component,” said Wingo.

What charges the equipment? $1,500 saved compared to? Let’s say that’s true. Over 4 years, the average time people keep their cars, that would be $6,000 savings. But, a Honda Accord EXL is $30K, a base Tesla is around $37k. Once again

Beyond that, who’s paying for the EVs? They aren’t cheap, you know. The least expensive out there, excluding the tiny ones like those you rent in places like Bermuda (which makes sense there), is the Mini Cooper SE, with a range of 110 miles and a base price of $30,750. For that kind of money you could get a Honda Accord EXL or the Toyota Camry equivalent, higher end standard sedans, or the same trim levels for the CRV or RAV4. Their hybrid versions aren’t that much more expensive. And will go a lot longer, have a much lower cost of ownership, and much higher residual values.

What would the residual value of an EV be after 4 years? Even now, hybrids drop like a stone vs straight gas cars, because people are worried about replacing the batteries, even if it is a 3 year old Prius with 36,000 miles coming off lease. A straight EV?

(Autoweek) The folks over at the Mach-E Club forum snagged some alleged documents from Ford to dealers saying dealers should expect about a 40 percent residual value on the new EV after three years and near 30 percent by year four. That puts a $60K Mach-E at about $18,000. An average car loses about 25 percent in the first year, and 15-18 percent from years 2 to 6, according to Black Book. Overall, residual values average about 52 percent over 36 months. But the Mach-E isn’t alone in this depreciation, as many EV owners are learning the same thing. (snip)

The Kia Soul EV, with a 111-mile range, has a residual of just 29 percent of its original value over three years, according to Kelley Blue Book. The Nissan Leaf (150 miles) is at 34.3 percent; the Hyundai Ioniq Electric (124 miles) is 35.5 percent; the Chevy Bolt, with its solid 238-mile range, comes in near the Mach-E’s expected rate at 41 percent.

The residual on a 2021 Honda Accord EXL is 56%. The only only hybrids on the top 100 list are 2 Prius’. No EVs. And that $7,500 tax rebate only applies to the 1st owner, and goes away after so many are sold. And, it’s not $7500 in your pocket. Just a tax liability depreciation.

Duke Energy offers an EV cost calculator to compare gas vs. electric vehicles.

“The electric vehicles you’re seeing on the road coming out by the manufacturers now are much better than they were five or 10 years ago,” said Randy Wheeless, a media spokesperson for Duke Energy.

That’s not saying much.

According to Wheeless, when EV owners like Wingo charge up, more than half of it is more likely to come from nuclear, solar and hydroelectric power.

Except, most Warmists and eco-nuts are dead set against nuclear, and sue to stop hydro. Oh, where does the other half come from?

Wingo says that’s his and his company’s mission. “Our customers care deeply about the environment. So do we,” he said.

Yet, hasn’t replaced those vans yet.

Read: Duke Energy Says EVs Are Totally Competitive With Regular Cars Now Or Something »

If All You See…

…is a lonely tree surrounded by carbon pollution drought, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is The Other McCain, with a post on nothing being able to placate the BLM mob.

Read: If All You See… »

Iran Claims It Has Enriched Uranium To 60% Purity

Real, or just a way to attempt to demand more stuff from China Joe-Kamala?

Iran says it has enriched uranium with 60% purity

Iran started enriching uranium up to 60% purity on Friday after an attack targeted its Natanz nuclear plant, Tehran’s parliament speaker said.

Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf tweeted: “I am proud to announce that at 00:40 last night, and on the night of the pilgrimage of Sayyid al-Shuhada, young and pious Iranian scientists were able to obtain a product of 60% enriched uranium.”

He added: “Congratulations to the brave people of Islamic Iran on this success.”

The alleged enrichment level is now at its highest ever and comes in the wake of a sabotage at the Natanz nuclear plant last week. Iran said Israel was responsible for the attack.

Though 60% enrichment of the chemical element is is a record high for Iran, it is still below the 90% threshold required for nuclear weapons.

Friday’s announcement marks a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East and casts doubt over the chances of finding any middle ground on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal.

The 2015 accord between Iran and six nations — Germany, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States — is currently under discussion among representatives in Vienna.

The officials are hoping to resuscitate a deal that has been on life support ever since former US President Donald Trump announced Washington’s withdrawal.

This is all about attempting to sway Biden, extorting him to give Iran all sorts of stuff while removing every single sanction, and all Biden gets back is Iran pretending to abide by the deal that they were breaking the minute Obama signed it. Iran never once hit the 60% threshold, even before the silly Iran deal, when they were mostly free to do so.

(Jerusalem Post) Former IDF intelligence chief Aharon Ze’evi Farkash told The Jerusalem Post that “I would treat the announcement at this point as a signal of intent to improve its [Iran’s] negotiating hand on the eve of returning to negotiations this week in Vienna with the EU-3.”

Exactly.

Rather, the threat or any 60% enrichment could be minimal and symbolic so as not to risk getting so close to the nuclear threshold that Israel might feel the need to launch a major preemptive strike.

BTW, where are they getting all this uranium and enrichment infrastructure? Even if Trump pulled the U.S. out, the rest of the nations were still in it. Weren’t they supposed to give all that stuff up? Maybe China Joe could send them pallets of cash.

Read: Iran Claims It Has Enriched Uranium To 60% Purity »

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