Althouse: The sunrise in the rain.

April 12, 2026

The sunrise in the rain.

Write about anything you want in the comments.

127 comments:

Lem Vibe Bandit said...: I like the middle one best.; 4/12/26, 6:29 PM
TickTock1948 said...: Puddlelucious; 4/12/26, 6:39 PM
Achilles said...: "Agents" are just an abstraction. They are essentially a while() {loop} Another analogy would be wordpress for llms.

Mostly it is humans trying to "hire" agents to replace humans so they want AGI to act like humans. This is a mistake. Most people are using AGI like a tool. A slave. "Build me a website!"

AGI is actually better used as an extension for humans, not a replacement. Perfect memory, endless mental energy, wider working memory window, rapid execution.

Most people are going to use AGI so they can be lazy. They will succeed in being lazy.; 4/12/26, 7:13 PM
Achilles said...: I like the clouds and the water. Expansive, Aspirational.; 4/12/26, 7:14 PM
john mosby said...: A month old, but was just served up by my MSN: The suspect in the RNC/DNC pipe bomb case has claimed he is covered by the blanket January 6 pardon, even though he planted the bombs on January 5, because he did so in protest of the same things the J6ers were protesting. The USAO counters that such an interpretation is against the clear language and intent of the pardon.

Should be interesting. I think this is an unexplored area of law, no?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/trump-doj-slams-pardon-door-on-man-accused-of-planting-bombs-near-capitol-a-day-before-jan-6-after-suspect-claims-he-should-be-covered/ar-AA20IQJ9?ocid=msedgntp&pc=LCTS&cvid=69dc2e4b211d4648a871c7a38a6e46c8&ei=77

CC, JSM; 4/12/26, 7:15 PM
Aggie said...: Looks like a surprise result in the Hungarian election. Orban is out, and another party has cleaned up, the Tisza party. Turnout, 80%. The EU talking heads are all ponying up with their excited yelps of relief, hallelujah the cursed Orban has been thrown out. I took a look and saw that the Tisza party is center-right, and conservative. It's just a lot closer to center than Orban's coalition was, then.

Is this really a crowing victory for the EU? They seem to think so, but it feels like wish-casting and fabulism to me. I guess we'll see, once the immigrants start lining up to pillage the new territory that's being claimed, just how far to the center the country has really moved.; 4/12/26, 7:19 PM
narciso said...: so was tusk, and he went about on a campaign of purging and lawfare of the law and society party,; 4/12/26, 7:32 PM
FullMoon said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/12/26, 7:35 PM
narciso said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/12/26, 8:01 PM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: I'm hearing people purchasing multiple Claude Max accounts because their agents are too busy.; 4/12/26, 8:03 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: 3 great photos. Yes, the middle one is my favorite, but only by a hair. I like the reflection in the puddles of water, and the streaks of sunlight in the clouds.

The last one is a striking photo of sun, cloud, and light.; 4/12/26, 8:04 PM
narciso said...: Matt Forney on X: "Hungarian friend of mine is watching and translating Peter Magyar's victory speech. Magyar has already "confirmed they'll be letting in infinite illegals...to get that sweet sweet EU money." He's also called on the Hungarian president to resign. I predicted that if TISZA won, https://t.co/8mZIaqliOg" / X https://share.google/kBFfWQi9pjgAvfRLQ; 4/12/26, 8:05 PM
narciso said...: The last one; 4/12/26, 8:06 PM
narciso said...: They have gone to the mat to destroy the culture of countries
Like the oruk hai they do not stop until crushed and even then; 4/12/26, 8:10 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: Rod Dreher, who lives in Hungary, has a weirdly subdued reaction to Orban's defeat. Judging by twitter, he's more interested in some good looking actress who's "Fighting Nazis" and what's happening in Israel.

But again, that's what happens when you're Rod Dreher's "Friend". One day he's Protestant, the next day a Catholic, and now a Orthodox. The only constant seems to be Rod's love of Rod. And $$.; 4/12/26, 8:11 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: If the hungarians want to commit suicide they can.; 4/12/26, 8:13 PM
JZ said...: I like the puddles.; 4/12/26, 8:13 PM
narciso said...: Well they will deal with hin soon enough
Ita like one has to learn the same lessons over and over; 4/12/26, 8:15 PM
Mark said...: Its been quite a week for JD.
Failed to drag Orban into the win column then a wasted day in Islamabad. Quite the international trip to boost his 2028 cred.; 4/12/26, 8:19 PM
narciso said...: How must it feel to miss the point again and again; 4/12/26, 8:20 PM
narciso said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/12/26, 8:20 PM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: Not a great couple of days for JD Vance.

We are all very lucky to have had this opportunity to see Mr Vance’s influencing skills at work twice in a weekend. Trump is fortunate to have someone like this on his team.

Reminds me of the old Dilbert reference generator: You'll be lucky to get Mr Vance to work for you.; 4/12/26, 8:25 PM
Aggie said...: Sounds a little like this Hungarian campaign was maybe run in the Intelligence Community model: Say what you need to say to be popular with the voters when campaigning, then do what the Central Administrative Borg prefers once elected, reversing course as hard and quickly as possible. One Spanberger Blitz, comin' up.; 4/12/26, 8:26 PM
Original Mike said...: JD didn't fail. He delivered the US position.

"Fox News reports that Vice President Vance’s final offer delivered to the Iranian delegation in Islamabad includes the following "red lines."

End all uranium enrichment
Dismantle all major nuclear enrichment facilities
Retrieve highly enriched uranium
Accept a broader peace, security and de-escalation framework that includes regional allies
End funding for terrorist proxies Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis
Fully open the Strait of Hormuz, charging no tolls for passage"; 4/12/26, 8:26 PM
narciso said...: Yeah thats how it looks
When you find out youre in the Matrix its too late; 4/12/26, 8:28 PM
TickTock1948 said...: The lines are drawn. Hard for the admin to retreat now.; 4/12/26, 8:29 PM
Humperdink said...: Swallwell quit the governor’s race tonight. No surprise.; 4/12/26, 8:29 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: On 2nd thought, I was too hard on the Hungarians. Why should they stand alone (almost) for sanity, when everyone else in Europe has gone bonkers? Its amazing that this small land-locked country stood so long against the tide of leftist, self-hating nonsense.

The rest of Europe is OK with being submerged in tidal wave of browns, blacks, and muslims. Hungary is now just joining the crowd. The most important thing is stopping those Goddamn Russians from taking the Donbass. Wherever that is. And supporting Israel's right to exist.; 4/12/26, 8:30 PM
Aggie said...: @narciso, do they have street lamps in the Matrix?; 4/12/26, 8:30 PM
narciso said...: Never looked agent smith was hanging around; 4/12/26, 8:31 PM
Achilles said...: Everyone with any sense saw this coming.

"American oil exports are approaching record levels. Gulf Coast refineries are running at 95% capacity. Supertankers that were mid-ocean on their way to the Persian Gulf literally turned around and headed to Texas. That's not a metaphor. Ship tracking data shows them doing U-turns in the Indian Ocean.

Meanwhile China, which was getting 45% of its oil imports through Hormuz and paying basement prices for sanctioned Iranian crude, is now competing with Japan and Europe for the same expensive American barrels. Chinese manufacturers are already raising prices 20% on goods headed to the US.

So to summarize: Iran played its biggest card and the main result is that the United States became the world's emergency gas station and China's cheap energy subsidy evaporated.

This is either the most elaborate coincidence in the history of geopolitics... or someone planned the sequence Venezuela -> Iran -> profits!"; 4/12/26, 8:36 PM
Achilles said...: Little Excursion™️ said...

Not a great couple of days for JD Vance.

We are all very lucky to have had this opportunity to see Mr Vance’s influencing skills at work twice in a weekend. Trump is fortunate to have someone like this on his team.

Reminds me of the old Dilbert reference generator: You'll be lucky to get Mr Vance to work for you.

You are such a retard.

I love watching China kneel.

Whoever pays you to be here isn't getting much return on their investment.; 4/12/26, 8:38 PM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: Ya gotta hand it to Trump for always thinking 3 steps behind.

Trump Weighs Limited Strikes Against Iran After Peace Talks Collapse ~ WSJ
'The White House is considering a menu of options in addition to blockading the Strait of Hormuz'; 4/12/26, 8:45 PM
Beasts of England said...: I’ve never been a huge fan of Rory, but have always respected his game. And his chipping on the final few holes today raised that respect considerably. Wow!

And I did appreciate that he made a cute remark about his daughter enjoying the unlimited ice cream in the player’s clubhouse at ANGC. Her reaction was priceless…

Fine work, Rory!!; 4/12/26, 8:46 PM
Original Mike said...: Vance's mission was not to negotiate a ceasefire. Vance's mission was to personally, unambiguously, state the terms under which we would stop bombing them.; 4/12/26, 8:46 PM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: On the one hand, Trump lost his war in Iran. On the other hand, he has propagandists like Achilles who say the contrary.; 4/12/26, 8:48 PM
Eva Marie said...: “Women who are conservative tend to be cagey about answering how they voted, or say they are ‘not very political’ and feign being moderate.”
Buzzfeed and the HuffPost gives liberals tips on how to unmask conservative women in their midst:
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/secret-signs-right-wing-women_n_69d407dee4b05047ac8f5a3b?origin=home-life-unit; 4/12/26, 8:49 PM
Aggie said...: That's funny, Eva Marie. "...14. “One sign is if she judges another woman for how many relationships she’s been in or if she has casual sex. Just mind your own business.”....." says the woman in the article about prying into the affairs of women to find out if they're Conservative, the f*ckers.; 4/12/26, 8:56 PM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: Stable genius right here 👇

Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy. He talks about “fear” of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church, and all other Christian Organizations, had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers, and everybody else, for holding Church Services, even when going outside, and being ten and even twenty feet apart. I like his brother Louis much better than I like him, because Louis is all MAGA. He gets it, and Leo doesn’t! I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela, a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States and, even worse, emptying their prisons, including murderers, drug dealers, and killers, into our Country. And I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States because I’m doing exactly what I was elected, IN A LANDSLIDE, to do, setting Record Low Numbers in Crime, and creating the Greatest Stock Market in History. Leo should be thankful because, as everyone knows, he was a shocking surprise. He wasn’t on any list to be Pope, and was only put there by the Church because he was an American, and they thought that would be the best way to deal with President Donald J. Trump. If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican. Unfortunately, Leo’s Weak on Crime, Weak on Nuclear Weapons, does not sit well with me, nor does the fact that he meets with Obama Sympathizers like David Axelrod, a LOSER from the Left, who is one of those who wanted churchgoers and clerics to be arrested. Leo should get his act together as Pope, use Common Sense, stop catering to the Radical Left, and focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician. It’s hurting him very badly and, more importantly, it’s hurting the Catholic Church! President DONALD J. TRUMP; 4/12/26, 9:02 PM
Dr Weevil said...: I am astonished at the comments here on Hungary. Here's a sensible and knowledgeable Canadian - if that sounds like a contradiction in terms, he's the former premier of Canada (link):

"Lots of weird takes on the Hungarian election result from both left and right here.

"Peter Magyar is a socially conservative immigration restrictionist who wants to cut taxes and double the defence budget. He criticized Orban for admitting too many guest workers, and wants to increase Hungary's already generous pro-natal incentives.

"On virtually every issue, his platform is well to the right of centre, by European standards.

"His foreign policy is to end Orban's alliance with Putin, remove the Hungarian veto on EU loans to Ukraine, normalize relations with the European Union while opposing more Euro integration, and strengthen relations with Eastern Europe's anti-Russian governments, e.g. Poland.

"His election was not a sudden shift to the left, but a rejection of Orban's corruption, the failure of his interventionist / statist economic policies, and the humiliation of his relationship with Putin."

Sounds good to me.; 4/12/26, 9:08 PM
Saint Croix said...: Swallwell quit the governor’s race tonight. No surprise.

I'm surprised. I thought he would fight back, like Kavanaugh and Trump.; 4/12/26, 9:09 PM
Dr Weevil said...: P.S. It wasn't Orban, but Magyar, who accused Asian immigrants working at a factory in Budapest of killing and eating ducks and goldfish from the local zoo.; 4/12/26, 9:09 PM
Dr Weevil said...: As for Orban's relations with Putin, someone's been recording his phone calls with Putin, in which he called Putin a lion and himself a mouse and promised to help him any way he could, like a pathetic puppet. He will not be missed.; 4/12/26, 9:12 PM
Dave Begley said...: Just talked to my daughter-in-law.

1. No problem talking on the phone, but with the internet down that has hurt many businesses. Her dad’s business, however is fine. They have food and money. She said food prices have gone down because they can’t export food!

2. “The opposition doesn’t have any guns.” That’s the key thing. No Second Amendment. Any doubt about the importance of the Second Amendment should be clear now to even the Dems.

3. People remain very scared of the IRGC. Threat on TV to parents that they will shoot kids in the street. They already killed 50k.

4. People don’t understand how Trump speaks. They didn’t like the “end civilization” tweet.

5. IRGC and mullahs are nuts. Ideologues. They don’t mind dying.

6. People are tired of war.

7. People not happy that the Kurds kept the guns intended for the Iranian opposition.

My hope is that with our blockade that the IRGC will run out of money and the regular Army will revolt. The regular Army has guns.; 4/12/26, 9:12 PM
Peachy said...: Eva - Those leftist a-holes should just switch "right-winger" to "Jew"
Not much difference to the Nazi mind crime/speech crime/ thought crime fem left.; 4/12/26, 9:33 PM
Original Mike said...: Thanks for the front-line report, Dave.
It's a big mistake (which some make purposefully) to say we are fighting the Iranians.

"This is Tehran now. They are not Iranians. They don’t speak our language. They are Hashd Al shabi jihadists from Iraq speaking Arabic."

"Iran does not have a “government” that somehow kills “its own people”. Iran is under Arab-Islamic occupation for 47 years. The Ayatollahs just learned a bit of Persian, but they are all foreign enemies to Iran, killing Iranians and will continue to do so as long as they remain in power."; 4/12/26, 9:34 PM
Peachy said...: Kak-a-bitch -bot
Do you have an off switch?; 4/12/26, 9:35 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: I gotta give it to the Masters. Augusta seems to have more thrilling 4th round finishes than any other Major Golf tournament. Its always "the thrilla in manila".

Not really a "Rory" fan, but he deserved the win. On to the US open in June and the brit Open in July.; 4/12/26, 9:36 PM
Aggie said...: Here is a quite good thread post on X regarding the sanctions that presently have Iran's economy throttled.

https://x.com/miadmaleki/status/2027708636361842854; 4/12/26, 9:36 PM
Saint Croix said...: I wonder how long it will take the Democrats to start the rehab on Stalwell?

NBC, for instance, is now downgrading the "rape" allegation to sexual misconduct.

CNN, which was the head of the Rape Brigade, has also downgraded the "rape" allegation to sexual misconduct.

Sexual misconduct? What kind of boo boo is that? It's "rape" when he's running for governor, and "sexual misconduct" when he's out of the race.; 4/12/26, 9:38 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: JP explains the war with Iran : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG6-lFdhlsg; 4/12/26, 9:39 PM
Original Mike said...: The amount of US airforce transports heading to the Middle East tonight is insane.
Something is definitely up...; 4/12/26, 9:40 PM
Dr Weevil said...: Saint Croix:
Someone on Twitter has that meme you've probably seen before, with a serious-looking guy and panels labeled (1) Is four rapes a lot? (2) If you're running for governor, yes. (3) If you're running for reelection to Congress, no.; 4/12/26, 9:50 PM
Peachy said...: Obama - the pro-Islam gift that keeps on giving.; 4/12/26, 9:50 PM
Achilles said...: RCOCEAN II said...

JP explains the war with Iran : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG6-lFdhlsg

Saying stupid shit makes some people feel good.

If you found that edifying or entertaining it just means you are being purposely stupid.; 4/12/26, 9:56 PM
Dr Weevil said...: Oops on my 9:08pm! The sensible Canadian is the former premier of Alberta, the most sensible province, not of "Canada".; 4/12/26, 9:59 PM
Jim at said...: JD didn't fail. He delivered the US position.

To the fifth-column left, that's failing.; 4/12/26, 10:00 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: "Saying stupid shit makes some people feel good."

Which reminds me of Man Carrying thing:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb7ka0yn43M; 4/12/26, 10:24 PM
Saint Croix said...: Dr. Weevil,

I actually considered the idea that Swalwell might run for reelection to Congress. Surely they couldn't rehabilitate him that fast? I guess we'll see.

This whole thing is so appalling. Even the NYT is running a "sexual misconduct" headline. Is there nobody honest in the media?

The label shifts on Swalwell over the last 72 hours are crazy. He's running for governor and he's in the lead. No, wait, he's a rapist who attacked an innocent girl. Four innocent girls. Oh! He's out of the race. And now he's guilty of no crime at all.

Down the memory hole, this never happened.; 4/12/26, 10:25 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: I think 50 percent of Mark Levin's audience comments at Althouse. Just sayin'; 4/12/26, 10:26 PM
Dr Weevil said...: Saint Croix,
I'm almost certain Swalwell won't resign from Congress. They're only dumping him from the governor's race because they think they're more likely to win without home, while dumping him from Congerss would not help them in any way except morality and self-respect.; 4/12/26, 10:29 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: Rape a lot! Rape a lot!
I know it sounds a bit bizarre
But Rape a lot, Rape a lot
That's how a Swalwell are; 4/12/26, 10:30 PM
Aggie said...: @Dr Weevil said... "I am astonished at the comments here on Hungary...."Lots of weird takes on the Hungarian election result from both left and right here...."

What I am noticing is that many are commenting on the perceived discrepancies between what Magyar has stated as his positions while campaigning, and what he is quoted as saying at his victory speech.

As always: We'll see.; 4/12/26, 10:31 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: Don’t let it be forgot that once there was a spot for one brief shining moment that was known as Rape a lot.”; 4/12/26, 10:32 PM
Dr Weevil said...: without him, not 'without home'; 4/12/26, 10:34 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: There's two thing you expect from Zionist politicans:

1) Supporing Israels Right to exist
2) Raping a lot.; 4/12/26, 10:34 PM
RCOCEAN II said...: Nobody hates Iran more than Harvey Weinstein. Just ask him!; 4/12/26, 10:35 PM
Jupiter said...: The goldfish in my pond, clump together. On a sunny afternoon, like this one, all eight of them will be hanging out together, somewhere in the pond. And if I happen to make a sudden motion, where they can see it, they will all freak out, although each of them chooses his own direction to freak out in. Which means that they scatter, since everyone chooses his own freakout direction. Presumably, whatever is hunting them, cannot pursue all of them.

But then. Why do they hang out together in the first place?; 4/12/26, 10:42 PM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: Dr Weevil writes: "I am astonished at the comments here on Hungary."

If MAGA is about traditional values, secure borders, draining the swamp, and putting American citizens first, then Orbán is a disgrace — and they should have supported Magyar from the start. The decision to back Orbán says a lot about Trump and Vance.; 4/12/26, 10:56 PM
Howard said...: The middle photo of the path and puddles reminds me a bit of David Hockney and his return to England.; 4/12/26, 11:08 PM
Mason G said...: "But then. Why do they hang out together in the first place?"

I would imagine because one out of eight of them are more likely to see a sudden movement than one out of one.; 4/12/26, 11:12 PM
DINKY DAU 45 said...: was not a surprise trumps and vlads pal ORBAN totally defeated most likely by a super majority vote which means some paper work changes to rules there when they get in office.. Betting markets Kalshi ,Poly market etc had ORBAN for defeat in some wagers at 87%.Didnt have to handicap that show to hard. Another authoritarian criminal dethroned. Starting to see a picture forming. Next up 7 months till the US ORBAN STRIKER IS SENT TO THE BACK ROOM, ORBAN actually showed some balls by congratulating and not screaming fraud etc like the present fellow in the US OFFICE. Refreshing for a change, even for a criminal.; 4/12/26, 11:15 PM
Eva Marie said...: “Not much difference to the Nazi mind crime/speech crime/ thought crime fem left.”
@Peachy: What has been a surprise to me over the years is how much intimidation appeals to them. During COVID I was lucky to work with a really relaxed group. In the city I worked in the law was that businesses had to ask visitors to wear masks, misdemeanor if we didn’t. But that was as far as our duty went. We had one very liberal young woman who was almost in orgasmic glee when it was her turn to ask folks to put on masks. She delighted in it. She was loud and intimidating and obnoxious. We soon made sure she was always otherwise occupied. It was horrifying to watch the transformation. Ordinarily she was this very nice person. Lefties really need to do some soul searching.; 4/12/26, 11:22 PM
Saint Croix said...: Agreed, Dr. Weevil. My point was that he wasn't running for reelection for Congress. And he'll be out of the House by the end of the year.

But if he went, "Fuck it, I want my seat back." And ran for his House seat. (It might be too late, I don't know).

I think that's improbable. But who knows? These are people who tried to prosecute a president for 119 felonies, or whatever it was. They are capable of anything.

Republicans ought to rebrand as Sane, Rational, and Competent while Democrats could try branding as Reality Sucks and Here Is the Cra-Cra; 4/13/26, 1:23 AM
Saint Croix said...: Improbably, there is a Sheriff running for governor in California. What if he rode in on his horse and arrested Swallow for rape?

He's got probably cause. Right, media? Right?

What if he just lassoed the fucker and dragged him through the streets of San Francisco? "I'm here to protect the women of California from Commie spies. We're still looking for his associate, Fang Fang."

Just spit-balling ideas. If you're running for office in the USA, have fun and fuck the media.; 4/13/26, 1:29 AM
Saint Croix said...: oh shit I created a bold crisis; 4/13/26, 1:29 AM
Saint Croix said...: never seen that before; 4/13/26, 1:30 AM
Saint Croix said...: whew; 4/13/26, 1:30 AM
Ralph L said...: Boldly go where no man has gone before.
Did my taxes this evening with Freetaxusa, and it was. My income was within a hundred dollars of last year, but my NC tax was $69 less!; 4/13/26, 1:43 AM
Saint Croix said...: Ralph, I saw the Star Trek reference and it took me a minute to catch the bold pun. Good one!

I haven't done my taxes yet. Or my father's, I have to do his, too. Usually I'm a turbo tax guy but I will try your suggestion.; 4/13/26, 2:45 AM
Saint Croix said...: Trump has his fans in France.

Today, Donald Trump is the most rational and the most Cartesian national leader on the planet.

He's talking about Trump's approach to the problem of Iran. I do not speak French but I probably agree with what they are saying.

I had to google "Cartesian." It's a reference to the philosophy of Rene Descartes.

I know him, a little. He's the guy who argued (logically) that we all should believe in God, and not be an atheist. His argument (I think, have not read him) is that we ought to believe in God, because if we're right, the upside is huge.

And if we're wrong, and there is no God, the downside is nothing. You don't get bonus points in the afterlife for being right on atheism.

I ought to try this argument with my brother!; 4/13/26, 2:55 AM
Saint Croix said...: The problem with this argument, from a Christian perspective, is that you have to do way more than "believe in God." The Cartesian argument is basically a selfish argument for belief. But Christianity calls on us to go beyond selfishness, and to love other people. And to love God. It's a very rational argument, which is fine, but at least 50% of Christianity is about emotions, not logic. Christ talks about love, a lot. That might seem mushy to some of you Spock fans. But it's actually really cool, to be loved. And to love. You might go to a Bible study and find out.; 4/13/26, 3:01 AM
Saint Croix said...: Here's some more logic.

Secular humanism is Christianity with the load-bearing wall removed.

Seems interesting, but a little heavy for 4:00 am. I got to get some sleep.; 4/13/26, 3:19 AM
Saint Croix said...: Stayed up to read it. He's smarter than I am. But I could follow it. Good stuff.; 4/13/26, 3:29 AM
Ian Nemo said...: St Croix @3:01 - I think you're confusing Descartes with Pascal. The 25 cent version of Pascal is Pascal's wager, that given infinite reward vs infinite punishment, it's rational to bet on infinite reward even in the absence of dispositive arguments. The 25 cent version of Descartes is "I think therefore I am," thereby presenting an entirely rationalist notion of what it is to be human and divorcing it from the body. The 10 cent version is that both of them were French mathematicians.; 4/13/26, 4:08 AM
john mosby said...: Begley: “ Any doubt about the importance of the Second Amendment should be clear now to even the Dems.”

Oh it’s always been clear to the Dems. CC, JSM; 4/13/26, 4:30 AM
Leland said...: Once again, a partisan DC political judge was overruled by the Court of Appeals, so construction can continue on the White House Ballroom.; 4/13/26, 5:44 AM
Tina Trent said...: Apparently, to know Rod Dreher is to dislike him.; 4/13/26, 6:47 AM
Curious George said...: "RCOCEAN II said...
I gotta give it to the Masters. Augusta seems to have more thrilling 4th round finishes than any other Major Golf tournament. Its always "the thrilla in manila"."

That's because the risk/reward nature of all the back nine holes. Lots of chances for birdies and eagles, but also a chance for bogie.; 4/13/26, 6:51 AM
Humperdink said...: Anyone thinking the R’s have a shot at winning the governors race in California is dreaming. The shenanigans by the Commie Left are just starting. Sorry Eric you had to go. Stand aside, go quietly and you’ll be rewarded.; 4/13/26, 7:07 AM
narciso said...: Orban has stood against the immigrant invaaion against the skydragon hoax against the islamist the things we say ee are concerned about you will see the different; 4/13/26, 7:26 AM
Dave Begley said...: Hillary on Morning Joe today and she still blames Putin for her loss.

She’s a bitter and unhinged old lady. Sad!; 4/13/26, 7:32 AM
Eva Marie said...: “john mosby said...
Begley: “ Any doubt about the importance of the Second Amendment should be clear now to even the Dems.”
Oh it’s always been clear to the Dems. CC, JSM”

That’s a sharp point.
Democrats recognize where real power comes from.
Very insightful.; 4/13/26, 7:32 AM
narciso said...: Secular humanism is a heresy,; 4/13/26, 7:36 AM
narciso said...: They stand for the criminal against the victim for the degenerate against the pious and so on...; 4/13/26, 7:42 AM
narciso said...: Look at how they danced on charlie kirks body even before he was buried; 4/13/26, 7:45 AM
Aggie said...: If Swalwell's seat runs out at the end of the year, and he's too late to register to run for re-election, I am going to be royally pissed off to see Republicans wasting their time on Umbrage Theater trying to eject him now. And I'll have company, plenty of it, with midterms approaching.; 4/13/26, 7:48 AM
Aggie said...: @narciso, 07:26: What? You forgot your capital LETTERS, man.; 4/13/26, 7:49 AM
narciso said...: No i didnt; 4/13/26, 8:00 AM
narciso said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/13/26, 8:00 AM
Iman said...: hillary clinton
ancient cackling twatwaffle
pantsuited pantload; 4/13/26, 8:12 AM
narciso said...: Tony Badran on X: "Deport." / X https://share.google/y2UEytMzTh8AuwbER; 4/13/26, 8:15 AM
imTay said...: So now that Trump has admitted that he lied to get the cease-fire, I wonder how you guys who defended his words at the time feel? Do you feel, like Trump, that the lie was a big win, because it got Iran to the table, even though, since it was all based on Trump's lies, nothing was accomplished?

Or do you think, like I do, that the lie was a climbdown from Trump from his outrageous threat, and the rest of this noise is just Trump trying to save face.

If lying is for him simply a tactic, why should anybody believe a word that comes out of his mouth? I guess if you want to believe him so bad that you will stake your own credibility on your faith in him, well, that's up to you.; 4/13/26, 8:27 AM
narciso said...: That is ghalibafs propagandist here in the states; 4/13/26, 8:30 AM
narciso said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/13/26, 8:30 AM
imTay said...: I guess he didn't admit to lying, I guess he is sticking by it, even though everybody else involved said that he is lying, he is just bragging that his lie and crazy, outrageous threat worked.

His finger is on the button. When does the seizure of Chinese oil tankers on the high seas begin? This should be fun, or how will he climb down from that one. Unlike Imperial Japan, when we did the blockade on them, China has nuclear weapons, and a manufacturing base.; 4/13/26, 8:34 AM
imTay said...: It can be true, and still be considerer propaganda by people pushing an agenda that they would prefer not to reveal to, for example, the voters.; 4/13/26, 8:37 AM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: The USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group had to be ~3000 km off the coast of Iran to be out of range of their drones and missiles.

So is that where this blockade will be set up?

I doubt this Is going to work. It might spike oil prices for a while -- doubtless the White House have their call options in place.

Trump is also going to find out just how small his navy actually is.; 4/13/26, 8:39 AM
Iman said...: Oh, itshay…; 4/13/26, 8:39 AM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: J.D. Vance was sent to the negotiations with no authority to negotiate and under a strict set of instructions guaranteed to fail. The trip to Pakistan was theater.

Vance was accompanied by Steven Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These two are Netanyahu minders who oversee all process to ensure that Netanyahu's "never-ending war" policy is closely adhered to by all officials. This policy continues. Independent policy making by Washington that might factor in American interests is not allowed.; 4/13/26, 8:41 AM
Iman said...: TinyE®, military strategist execrableaire!; 4/13/26, 8:41 AM
narciso said...: Iinconceivable!; 4/13/26, 8:54 AM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: Trump should blockade Israel and go for overall peace in the Middle East.; 4/13/26, 9:03 AM
rhhardin said...: April 7 was international beaver day. We missed it somehow.; 4/13/26, 9:08 AM
Rustygrommet said...: There's a lot your tiny brain can't comprehend, rich. Hilarity ensues.; 4/13/26, 9:11 AM
boatbuilder said...: Rod Martin: That is what the talks were really about. Not trust-building. Not a new handshake with Tehran. Not some grand diplomatic reset. They were a means of intensifying suspicion, forcing choices, and making every faction wonder which of the others was preparing to cut a deal and save its own skin. When Trump spoke publicly about Iranian negotiators being more “reasonable” in private, he was not making small talk. He was painting targets on their heads.; 4/13/26, 9:13 AM
boatbuilder said...: https://www.rodmartin.org/p/trumps-hormuz-trap-snaps-shut; 4/13/26, 9:14 AM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: "To defeat your enemy, first ensure their victory." - Don Tzu

Oil prices are set on the world market. So how high do they have to climb before Trump TACOs?; 4/13/26, 9:20 AM
Aggie said...: So, answering my own question, March 6th was the apparently cutoff for declaring candidate for either Governor or State Representative. Swalwell can't register as a candidate to retain his seat in the House.

Raise your hand if you're a Republican voter that approves of Republicans using their time to run Swalwell out, when he's all done in a few months, anyway. Like, instead of passing a budget that approaches 'balanced' or instead of passing the SAVE act, and so forth. Shaking my head.; 4/13/26, 9:27 AM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: And just before markets opened this morning , Voila..

"Mediators will continue talks with the U.S. and Iran in the coming days in an effort to bridge the remaining gaps and reach a deal. All parties still believe a deal is possible. The door is not closed yet. Both sides are bargaining. It's a bazaar.” ~ Axios; 4/13/26, 9:27 AM
Narr said...: "April 7 was international beaver day. We missed it somehow."

I'm sorry you didn't see my post.; 4/13/26, 9:33 AM
Indefinitely Extended Excursion™️ said...: Vance turned up in Islamabad with nothing. The Iranians had a wealth of detailed proposals. Basically the US is operating Gunboat diplomacy but Trump's Gunboats can't get within 500 miles of Iran without getting sunk.

Strikes me that Trump's worst option is a gradual increase in oil prices up until the Mid Terms, when he would face impeachment. So Trump's best policy is the 'madman' approach. Bomb one day, talk about a deal the next day, hoping that oil price gyrations help him -- that he can say "look I got oil down from $150!".

The Iranians know this and will likely not react to Trump's rantings.; 4/13/26, 9:37 AM
Saint Croix said...: Ian Nemo, I think you're right! Thanks for the correction.; 4/13/26, 10:15 AM
Saint Croix said...: Pascal's wager, of course.; 4/13/26, 10:17 AM
DINKY DAU 45 said...: trump= where is that football and Biscuit.? Another WAR MONGERING president.Hey I ve got so many firsts,maybe I should drop the big one and my name will go down in history/All MAGAS sold a bag of marbles when they said WE elected hIm because he'll stop all the wars.(APRIL FOOLS) And talk about an old man losing his marbles.... 7 more months and no matter how much they try and obstruct,change the rules,put the gestapo on he streets for intimidation there will be too many to turn back..... trump said he will pardon everyone near his administration,how about that for a call to do whatever and get an "get out of jail free card" beautiful..lame Congress lam SCOTUS.. AND A SENILE OLD MAN WITH A VENDETTA.... Its on you Lord, free will is a pip isnt it!!; 4/13/26, 10:28 AM
Iman said...: Feck Dinky and his Dipshit Democrats. Getting rid of a terrorist regime should be an endeavor that unites Americans. This is the last thing the Left would want.; 4/13/26, 3:05 PM
DINKY DAU 45 said...: Orban was backed by Putin AND trump . ALL CRIMINALS... :(; 4/13/26, 5:47 PM