Althouse: We got rained out of the sunrise, but it brightened up and we got out into the lakeshore woods.

October 19, 2025

We got rained out of the sunrise, but it brightened up and we got out into the lakeshore woods.

Write about whatever you want in the comments.

38 comments:

Beasts of England said...: Love the top photo!!; 10/19/25, 7:53 PM
Original Mike said...: "Love the top photo!!"

Me, too.; 10/19/25, 7:57 PM
MadTownGuy said...: Bernie-backed Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner melts down

"Maine oyster farmer Graham Platner's Senate campaign is in crisis after reports of offensive online messages over many years.

Why it matters: Many national Democrats seized on Platner as a solution to the party's problems with young men and working-class voters in the wake of their embarrassing losses in 2024.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) made Platner's bid central to his mission to remake the Democratic Party as more progressive and economically focused.
Platner won the adulation of other Democratic senators, raised more than $3 million in the first six weeks of his campaign, and attracted large crowds at his events.
Driving the news: Platner, a 41-year-old military veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, made crude comments about Black diners, rural white people, police officers and sexual assault victims in years-old comments on Reddit.

CNN first reported Thursday on comments from "around 2021" where Platner called "all" cops bastards and described himself as a communist on Reddit. Platner also said rural white people were "actually" racist and stupid.

Other media reports followed detailing posts from 2013, in which he asked, "Why don't black people tip?" and said in a thread on underwear created to stop sexual assaults that people should "take some responsibility for themselves and not get so f–ked up they wind up having sex with someone they don't mean to?"

In another post from 2018, he wrote that if people "expect to fight fascism without a good semi-automatic rifle, they ought to do some reading of history."

"In the aftermath, Platner's political director, former state Rep. Genevieve McDonald, resigned from the campaign, Maine's Bangor Daily News first reported.

What they're saying: In a 5-minute direct-to-camera video Friday on the social media site X, Platner painted his past posts as the product of a young man who had returned home from his service overseas deeply disturbed.

"I had PTSD, I had depression, I had all of the things that come with serving in a war and two wars that I eventually began to not believe in at all," he said. "It left me feeling very unmoored. It left me feeling very disillusioned, very alienated and very isolated. And I think, like a lot of people, I went on the Internet to post stupid things."

Platner said that things changed in 2020 and 2021, after he moved to his hometown, met his wife and began "to feel connected again."

"For those of you who have read these things and been offended, have read these things and seen someone that you don't recognize, I am deeply sorry," he said.

Between the lines: Platner's allies are beginning to circle the wagons."

The gang that couldn't shoot straight.; 10/19/25, 7:58 PM
Dave Begley said...: Attended a steak fry fundraiser for Senator Ricketts. The featured speaker was OK Senator Markwayne Mullin. He told a story about how one of his sons was seriously injured. Trump calls and asks about the boy all the time and during the 2020 campaign he made a special trip to Bakersfield to met the boy.(He was in the hospital.)

Say what you want about Trump, but he really cares about people and he is a very personable and kind person. Some might say he has empathy.; 10/19/25, 8:07 PM
Inga said...: Gosh, who could’ve predicted this would happen?

“Artillery Shell Detonated Over Interstate 5 During Marines’ Celebration, California Officials Say

The mishap, during an anniversary celebration for the Marine Corps attended by the vice president and defense secretary, underscores safety concerns that Gov. Gavin Newsom voiced before Saturday’s event at Camp Pendleton.

A 155-millimeter shell fired during a live-fire demonstration for the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton on Saturday prematurely detonated, dropping fragments of the shell on a California Highway Patrol vehicle and motorcycle that were part of Vice President JD Vance’s protective detail, according to a patrol report.

No officers were hurt in the mishap, which dropped shrapnel onto the vehicles parked on a ramp to a major freeway that had been ordered closed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. The governor had objected to the plan to fire over the freeway, Interstate 5, and ordered a 17-mile stretch closed — against the guidance of military officials, who had said it was safe for it to remain open.

According to the patrol report, one officer described what sounded like pebbles hitting his motorcycle and the area around him, and two others saw a two-inch piece of shrapnel hit the hood of their patrol vehicle, leaving a small dent. The report says shrapnel was also found on the road near the motorcycle.

Mr. Newsom had warned that the Marine Corps’ plans to fire artillery shells over Interstate 5, the West Coast’s main north-south artery, could pose hazards for motorists on the stretch between Los Angeles and San Diego. The closure he ordered on Saturday caused significant backups on the portion of the interstate, which is used by approximately 80,000 people daily.”

NYT; 10/19/25, 8:07 PM
Kakistocracy said...: Patrol car hit by shrapnel during Marine Corps live-fire demo at celebration attended by JD Vance ~ Fox News
'California Highway Patrol calls incident 'unusual and concerning' as Marines cancel additional firing'

What exactly was the reason we needed to fire artillery shells over I-5? So JD Vance can feel like a real boy? Couldn’t he and Hegseth have just done some pushups together?; 10/19/25, 8:07 PM
Jaq said...: Sniper's nest discovered with line of site to Air Force One deplaning area West Palm Beach.

https://x.com/EricTrump/status/1979998338306195922

No kings, indeed.; 10/19/25, 8:12 PM
Inga said...: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-10-19/u-s-military-live-fire-demonstration-dropped-shrapnel-on-chp-vehicle

“The report said that an artillery round, shot from White’s Beach and aimed northward, “failed to clear the roadway and detonated midflight near Interstate 5 southbound. After the failed round, the exercise was terminated and no additional munitions were fired.”

Newsom had lambasted the White House for failing to coordinate or share safety information ahead of the Marine Corps celebration.”; 10/19/25, 8:15 PM
Beasts of England said...: SpaceX launched its 10,000th Starlink satellite into orbit today. It’s almost difficult to absorb the magnitude of that feat. Satellites are built in ones or two; occasionally a dozen or so. His vision and execution for Starlink, let alone SpaceX, are extraordinary. Ad astra.; 10/19/25, 8:31 PM
Kakistocracy said...: Who could have imagined that firing live artillery rounds over the US' busiest roadway might be a bad idea?

Nearly had a real hillbilly elegy.; 10/19/25, 8:32 PM
TickTock1948 said...: Oh my god, a small dent the size of a large dent. Lol!; 10/19/25, 8:47 PM
Maynard said...: Uh Oh!

Igna is into the chardonnay and reading through the DNC rags.; 10/19/25, 8:52 PM
FormerLawClerk said...: Annnnnd ... the "shrapnel" is a 1/2" long rock, Inga.

Nice try.

https://ca-times.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/552aafb/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1200x900+0+0/resize/1024x768!/format/webp/quality/75/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalifornia-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F53%2Fc1%2F150a691a4e00b351888897580bf1%2Fchp-shrapnel.jpg; 10/19/25, 8:57 PM
Beasts of England said...: Very odd looking piece of ‘shrapnel’ that caused a small scratch on a patrol vehicle. Anyway…; 10/19/25, 8:58 PM
FormerLawClerk said...: Kak: Who could have imagined that firing live artillery rounds over the US' busiest roadway might be a bad idea?

Kak is spot on with his analysis. As always.

If you're going to go all the way to California and start firing mortars at the Californians, seems like you'd want to aim directly at the center of the roadway to kill as many as possible to keep them from spreading to the rest of the country.; 10/19/25, 8:59 PM
buwaya said...: In Europe this is pretty common. The Swiss for instance do it all the time.; 10/19/25, 9:00 PM
FullMoon said...: Newsomes prayers were answered; 10/19/25, 9:05 PM
Mason G said...: the US' busiest roadway

Maybe back when Biden was in charge and letting the third world invade. But today? I bet not.; 10/19/25, 9:07 PM
WK said...: Who could have imagined that firing live artillery rounds over the US' busiest roadway might be a bad idea?

Why did no one think to cement their hands to the roadway to stop this insanity.; 10/19/25, 9:12 PM
Original Mike said...: "Newsomes prayers were answered"

Almost makes you wonder…; 10/19/25, 9:16 PM
Peachy+2 said...: "hate has no home here"

Another REDDIT leftist - in training.; 10/19/25, 9:21 PM
Peachy+2 said...: The Deadly Left; 10/19/25, 9:23 PM
Peachy+2 said...: Leftwing Democratic Nazis are out to kill Trump.; 10/19/25, 9:27 PM
Beasts of England said...: ’Why did no one think to cement their hands to the roadway to stop this insanity.’

Whatever happened to the protesters who would somehow lock their arms into industrial barrels and sit in the middle of the road? Those folks were at least serious about their craft.; 10/19/25, 9:28 PM
MadTownGuy said...: This type of exercise is nothing new. I'll reserve judgment until there's an official statement from US Marines.

"How long have live ammunition exercises been held at camp Pendleton?

"83 years. Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, established in 1942 as a primary West Coast training facility for amphibious and combat operations, welcomed its first units—the 9th Marine Regiment and the 1st Battalion, 12th Marines (an artillery regiment)—in September of that year. These troops immediately began intensive preparations for Pacific Theater deployment in World War II, which included live-fire exercises using live ammunition for infantry rifle qualification, machine guns, mortars, and artillery to build combat readiness. This marked the start of such training at the base, as confirmed by historical records of its role in WWII troop preparation. The base has since conducted ongoing live-fire activities, including major ranges like Edson Range (operational since 1964), to maintain Marine proficiency."

Have live fire exercises at camp Pendleton included ship to shore ammunition?

"Yes, live-fire exercises at Camp Pendleton have included ship-to-shore ammunition. The base's coastal location and extensive training facilities, like the San Onofre Beach Training Area, support amphibious operations where naval gunfire and ship-to-shore artillery are practiced. Historical records and current training programs, such as those conducted during exercises like Dawn Blitz, involve coordinated live-fire from naval vessels (e.g., destroyers, cruisers) using 5-inch guns or other ordnance to simulate shore bombardment, often in conjunction with Marine artillery and air support. These exercises, dating back to World War II when Camp Pendleton was a key amphibious training hub, continue to integrate naval gunfire support with live ammunition to prepare for real-world scenarios. Specific details on frequency or exact munitions vary by exercise and are often classified."; 10/19/25, 9:32 PM
MadTownGuy said...: Here's a report with a photo of the debris on the hood of the CHP vehicle:
https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/debris-camp-pendletons-live-fire-demo-struck-damaged-chp-vehicle-i-5/3918027/; 10/19/25, 9:42 PM
Aggie said...: Why, how dare you use facts and precedents to establish a reasonable argument to conduct training exercises for preparing troops to readiness in battle ! You can't train here ! This is a military base !; 10/19/25, 9:42 PM
Yancey Ward said...: I am going to predict it right now- the "shrapnel" will turn out to be rocks thrown at the police cars.; 10/19/25, 9:49 PM
Mason G said...: Prediction: The left will find this incident more outrageous than the murder of a young woman on a train by a psycopath who should have been in custody but was instead, running free because reparations or something.; 10/19/25, 9:52 PM
Jim at said...: It never ceases to amaze me at how some people on the left grab onto the stupidest, most insignificant things and then proceeds to run around with his/her hair on fire.

"We finally got them now!!!!! Screeee"

Until the next stupid, insignificant thing pops up.

It's truly deranged.; 10/19/25, 9:58 PM
Lem Vibe Bandit said...: There hEre…

Did you guys hear about the white light coming to city traffic lights? Aside from the usual red, yellow and green, they are adding a white light.

I’ve never heard anything so racist in my life 😜; 10/19/25, 10:01 PM
Inga said...: “Has Camp Pendleton ever fired live munitions over I-5 before October 18, 2025?

There is no record of Camp Pendleton firing live munitions over I-5 before October 18, 2025. In fact, such an action was described as highly uncommon and unusual by officials, and a live-fire demonstration over the freeway on October 18, 2025, drew condemnation and political backlash.

Key facts about live fire near I-5:
Decades of training near, but not over, I-5: Before the 2025 incident, Camp Pendleton had conducted training with live rounds for decades. However, this firing was done on approved ranges east of the interstate, and the rounds went under—not over—the freeway.

Freeway closure and political controversy: California Governor Gavin Newsom voiced strong objections and ordered the closure of a section of I-5 during the 2025 event, citing "extreme life safety risk". The incident caused significant traffic delays and sparked political debate, with some Republicans arguing the closure was an overreaction.”; 10/19/25, 10:14 PM
Original Mike said...: Sentence 1: "There is no record of Camp Pendleton firing live munitions over I-5 before October 18, 2025."

Sentence 2: "In fact, such an action was described as highly uncommon and unusual by officials, …"

Sentence 2 contradicts Sentence 1. "Highly uncommon and unusual" implies that it has, indeed happened before.

"However, this firing was done on approved ranges east of the interstate, and the rounds went under—not over—the freeway."

Do they fire rounds through a tunnel under the freeway?

I'm guessing AI. Am I right?; 10/19/25, 10:27 PM
Milwaukie guy said...: No reports of hearing or seeing an explosion near I-5? Normally rounds go "under—not over—the freeway"? I need more info.

Also, Kak, JD Vance doesn't need to feel bad, he is bad, he's a combat marine. In case you missed it, this exercise was not for the benefit of JD Vance. It was to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps founding and the Vice President was in attendance. That particular comment sounded like a sourpuss 12 year-old boy.; 10/19/25, 10:42 PM
Original Mike said...: They must shoot them under an overpass. That's some mighty fine shooting.; 10/19/25, 10:52 PM
Big Mike said...: Looking at the ignorant comments on this thread, the military trains with live ammo because we want any mistakes to happen during training exercises, when there is plenty of time to determine e what went wrong and how to fix it, and not during actual combat with lives at stake.

And what idiot authorized the building of an interstate to pass through a military training area?; 10/19/25, 11:05 PM
Iman said...: Some nasty minded signs and losers of all ages (but oldtimers largest cohort) in Carlsbad, Ca. yesterday. On the way back to the condo after breakfast, we all had fun with a “No Queens!” taunt as we encountered some of the most obnoxious protesters. Tie Dyes and black shirts (that read “were wolf”) and pants were popular with the bumfuzzled bums.; 10/19/25, 11:08 PM
Iman said...: kakinga… mentally disheveled… morally and ethically challenged… bumfuzzled and born losers.; 10/19/25, 11:14 PM