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Howdy Gmenfan & @pos_stock_hoarder The board wins...
After Blasphemous Biden's "proclamation," I no longer have a choice when it comes to voting.
Looks like I'll be pulling the trigger for Trump when I get in the voting booth Nov. 5th.
(I'll abstain from voting for president in the nj primary -- it won't matter then.)
I believe today is the White House Easter Egg Hunt.
Fingers crossed the parents have the good sense to boycott it.
No telling what kind of twisted freaks will be attendance celebrating mutilation.
I am sickened and disgusted. What's the old saying...
"PRIDE cometh before the fall..."
SACRILEGE !!! Joe Biden Declares Easter Sunday ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’
BRADLEY JAYE 30 Mar 2024 3:44
(This stupid mf must d*i*e. omg How f'ing low can you go?
I'd like to see the reaction if he did this on the first day of Ramadan.)
President Joe Biden’s White House has declared the holiest of Christian holidays “Transgender Day of Visibility,” announcing that “transgender Americans are part of the fabric of our nation.”
Biden issued an official proclamation on Good Friday, reading, “We honor the extraordinary courage and contributions of transgender Americans and reaffirm our Nation’s commitment to forming a more perfect Union — where all people are created equal and treated equally throughout their lives.”
The official proclamation continued:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 31, 2024, as Transgender Day of Visibility. I call upon all Americans to join us in lifting up the lives and voices of transgender people throughout our Nation and to work toward eliminating violence and discrimination based on gender identity.
Biden’s chosen day for the inaugural celebration is Easter Sunday — a day on which, even Biden, who discusses his Catholic faith often, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Despicable Biden Spits In Face of the 63% American Christians (210 million). Sacrilegious.#TransDayOfVisibility #FJoeBiden pic.twitter.com/JRO2EflYJc
— Andrea Shaffer, Employment/Labor Law (@Andreafreedom76) March 30, 2024
Report: White House Press Corps Loots Air Force One — Wine Glasses, Tumblers, Gold-Rimmed Plates
WENDELL HUSEBØ 29 Mar 2024 3:42
(No scruples whatsoever...)
Journalists in the White House press corps covering President Joe Biden’s administration habitually steal insignia items from Air Force One, four people told West Wing Playbook.
The looting reportedly grew to such a degree under Biden’s tenure that the president of the White House Correspondents’ Association, NBC correspondent Kelly O’Donnell, issued a “terse reminder” that stealing from Air Force One is not allowed, several individuals who saw the off-the-record email confirmed to Playbook.
None of the members of the press corps reportedly responded to O’Donnell’s email.
Items allegedly stolen include:
Wine glasses
Tumblers
Gold-rimmed plates
Embroidered pillowcase
“For years, scores of journalists — and others — have quietly stuffed everything from engraved whiskey tumblers to wine glasses to pretty much anything with the Air Force One insignia on it into their bag before stepping off the plane,” Playbook reported:
“On my first flight, the person next to me was like, ‘You should take that glass,’” one current White House reporter told West Wing Playbook. “They were like: ‘Everyone does it.’”
When we raised the subject with current and former White House correspondents, stories spilled forth. There’s one about the senator in the front of the plane who — as a chatty aide told reporters — was taking everything not bolted down. Several colleagues of one former White House correspondent for a major newspaper described them hosting a dinner party where all the food was served on gold-rimmed Air Force One plates, evidently taken bit by bit over the course of some time. Reporters recalled coming down the back stairs after returning to Joint Base Andrews in the evening with the sounds of clinking glassware or porcelain plates in their backpacks.
The reported looting has gotten so bad that O’Donnell is being pressured to crack down on the alleged theft, White House officials familiar with the matter told Playbook, noting the crackdown is not meant to “embarrass individual reporters but to send a message that the thefts needed to stop.”
In one reported instance, an email went out asking reporters to return any items “inadvertently” taken “by mistake.” One reporter, who reportedly received the email, allegedly stole an embroidered pillowcase. That person reportedly admitted to the alleged theft and scheduled a time to return the item in Lafayette Square just outside the White House.
When the reporter returned the item to the White House staffer, known as a press wrangler, the “pillowcase changed hands, and that was that.”
The reported looting of Air Force One reflects poorly on a press corps that already suffers from low trust. Confidence in establishment media to accurately report “news in a full, fair and accurate way” fell to the lowest level since 2016’s record low, a Gallup poll released in 2023 found.
Distrust in the media is well documented. Gallup also found that 50 percent of Americans said the national media intend to mislead, misinform, and persuade the public, as just 35 percent said most news organizations could be relied upon. In addition, six out of ten Americans said the establishment media are to blame for misinformation, another Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights poll revealed.
Wendell Husebo is a political reporter with Breitbart News and a former GOP War Room Analyst. He is the author of Politics of Slave Morality. Follow Wendell on “X” @WendellHusebø or on Truth Social @WendellHusebo.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/03/29/report-white-house-press-corps-loots-air-force-one-wine-glasses-tumblers-gold-rimmed-plates/
Letitia James Faces Growing Pressure to Prosecute Jon Stewart over Property Overvaluation
DAVID NG 29 Mar 2024 1:26
(Not holding my breath but I'd love to see Jon Stewart prosecuted... the pot calling the kettle black.)
New York Attorney General Letitia James is facing mounting pressure to prosecute comedian Jon Stewart after it was revealed that he overvalued his Manhattan home — the same so-called “offense” for which James is prosecuting former President Donald Trump.
Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), radio host Andrew Wilkow, and Trump attorney Alina Habba are among those calling for “Tish” to show that no one is above the law.
Jon Stewart was recently found to have overvalued his Tribeca duplex by more than 800 percent when he was selling it back in 2014. The embarrassing revelation comes after the comedian used Monday’s episode of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show to claim Trump was “lying” when valuing his own properties.
Now Stewart has egg on his face, with pressure building on James to ensure the equal application of the law.
Rep. Collins recently posted that he is looking forward “to Letitia James sending the NYPD to haul Jon Stewart to jail and seize his property.”
Radio host Andrew Wilkow voiced a similar sentiment.
Attorney Alina Habba called on “Tish” to hold Stewart to the same standard as she is holding Trump.
https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2024/03/29/letitia-james-faces-growing-pressure-to-prosecute-jon-stewart-over-property-overvaluation/
YW. I loved that the crowd applauded when she left.
You'd think she'd get a clue.
Nah...
Hope you had a blessed Good Friday and are headed into a Happy Easter.
Gov. Hochul confronted by mourner at NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller’s wake, crowd applauds as she leaves
By Craig McCarthy , Vaughn Golden and Olivia Land Published March 29, 2024, 2:22 p.m. ET
Gov. Kathy Hochul was confronted by an emotional mourner as she left the wake for slain NYPD hero Jonathan Diller Friday afternoon – with bystanders cheering as she made her exit.
The unidentified man dressed in a black suit gestured firmly and was visibly agitated as he spoke to the Democratic lawmaker, according to footage of the incident.
The tense clash received support from onlookers gathered outside the venue, who applauded as the blank-faced governor shuffled back to her car.
Hochul — who had asked the NYPD, the NYPD Police Benevolent Association, and the Nassau County Police Benevolent Association ahead of time about attending — arrived at the Massapequa Funeral Home on Long Island for the second day of viewing around 1:45 p.m..
While at the emotional event, Hochul had an “animated” conversation with Diller’s 29-year-old widow, Stephanie, one witness told The Post.
“[It looked] like she was telling [Hochul] off,” they said of the tense exchange. “It didn’t look like the widow had a kind word to say.”
Hochul left immediately after that, the individual claimed.
Another source, however, said they saw the governor having a “short, respectful conversation” with the devastated family.
“She greeted the family members, then walked out,” they told The Post, noting that she was inside for “10 to 15 minutes.”
“It was a brief respectful visit. She was not asked to leave,” the source added of the incident outside.
Hochul’s brief stop came one day after former President Donald Trump paid his respects at the first day of viewings – where he stayed for around 40 minutes.
The real estate mogul – who told The Post he was invited to the wake by the family – spent time talking to Stephanie and even met the couple’s young son, Ryan.
Ahead of Friday’s proceedings, Diller’s brother-in-law shared a stirring image of Trump embracing a woman in the family line-up.
“No words needed,” Jonathan McAuley, who is also an NYPD officer, captioned the post.
Trump referred to the murdered cop as a “great officer, top of his class.”
“I said something has to come out of it, and the only thing that you could really think that could come out of it is we get stronger and tougher so this doesn’t keep happening,” he told The Post of his conversation with Stephanie.
In the days since Diller’s killing, Hochul has come under fire as the face of controversial bail reform, which law enforcement blames for the rise in recidivism.
Despite her own efforts to roll back the reforms, Hochul has failed to cut down the changes that many argue allow violent criminals onto the street and put cops and everyday New Yorkers at risk.
The prime suspect in Diller’s murder – 34-year-old Guy Rivera – has at least 21 prior arrests and did a five-year prison stint.
At the time of the shooting, Rivera was seated in a Kia driven by 41-year-old Lindy Jones, who was previously convicted of attempted murder but was let loose on $75,000 bail for an illegal gun charge last spring.
Mayor Eric Adams – a former NYPD captain – lashed out at Albany for its lackadaisical approach to bail reform and recidivism at a somber press conference on Tuesday.
“What’s interesting is that our practices, laws and policies are not going after these issues,” Hizzoner said.
“We’ve always had a problem with recidivism, it’s always been a problem but we’ve really never zeroed in on it with case after case,” he told reporters.
Ahead of the weekend services, Sergeants Benevolent Association President Vincent J. Vallelong also wrote a scathing letter warning members of City Council not to show their faces.
“Adrienne Adams, Jumaane Williams and their cohorts should stay home,” he told The Post, namechecking the two local lawmakers who pushed the council to reject Mayor Eric Adams’ veto on the “How Many Stops” Act in January.
“They detest cops and have no appreciation for what they do. They should stay home and not pretend they are grieving. They have caused enough heartbreak and destruction,” Vallelong insisted, adding that their presence “is a stain on the legacy of a true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
Michael Rapaport: ‘I Won’t Vote for Biden. At This Point, Voting Trump Is on the Table’
DAVID NG29 Mar 2024 1:53
Actor Michael Rapaport said he won’t vote for President Joe Biden in November, explaining he “won’t support anyone anti-Israel or anti-making America safe.”
He added that voting for former President Donald Trump — who has consistently been pro-Israel — “is on the table.”
Michael Rapaport discussed the upcoming presidential election in an interview this week with the outlet Visegrád 24.
“I won’t vote for Biden. At this point voting Trump is on the table (…) I won’t support anyone anti-Israel or anti making USA safe,”
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) March 29, 2024
Visegrad24 spoke with @MichaelRapaport about his how his political views have changed since Oct. 7th.
Link to full interview in the comments ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/FAxhxOJleq
Obama Snaps at Protesters at Glitzy Fundraiser with Joe Biden, Bill Clinton
KRISTINA WONG 29 Mar 2024 3:01
Former President Barack Obama snapped at protesters at a glitzy star-studded fundraiser in New York City meant to bring in millions for President Joe Biden’s 2024 presidential campaign.
After several interruptions, Obama, who was joined onstage at the Radio City Music Hall with Biden and former President Bill Clinton, told the protesters, “You can’t just talk, you have to listen,” according to a Reuters reporter.
.@POTUS @JoeBiden @BarackObama @BillClinton on stage at Radio City Music Hall. The fundraiser has been interrupted multiple times by protesters. Obama snapped at one of them: you can’t just talk, you have to listen. pic.twitter.com/qtcWJ2oqCy
— Jeff Mason (@jeffmason1) March 29, 2024
"F Joe Biden F Joe Biden!" and "Genocide Joe has Got To Go!" chant Hundreds of Pro-palestine protesters outside of Radio City Music Hall where President Biden, Obama and Clinton are attending a fundraiser #NYC
— Oliya Scootercaster 🛴 (@ScooterCasterNY) March 29, 2024
Video by @yyeeaahhhboiii2 Desk@freedomnews.tv to license pic.twitter.com/3XPNR6B62D
The biggest crane on the East Coast is coming to help lift up to 4,000 tons of a Baltimore bridge dangling from a cargo ship
By Elizabeth Wolfe, Holly Yan, Elise Hammond and Aditi Sangal, CNN Published Mar 29, 2024 10:00 AM EDT | Updated Mar 29, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
(I noticed that the nationalities of the two pilots and one of the crew members was not mentioned. Hmmm. Pictures and video at the link.)
(CNN) — A massive crane inched closer to Baltimore’s scene of destruction Friday, tasked with clearing up to 4,000 tons of precarious debris that has hampered search crews after this week’s catastrophic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
The crane – the largest on the East Coast – was headed to the site in the Patapsco River where a 984-foot cargo vessel slammed into the bridge Tuesday. Six people were killed, but four of their bodies remain missing.
The crane will help expedite the monumental challenge of moving dangerous debris so crews can resume their search for the missing victims and reopen a cargo channel that’s vital to the local and national economy.
In addition to the crane, three heavy lift vessels are expected to start arriving Friday, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg told CNN.
But workers at the scene still face “an incredibly complex job,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday.
“When you have a chance to see that wreckage up close, you fully understand the enormity of the challenge,” the governor said. “Our timeline will be long.”
The cargo ship – about the length of three football fields – has as many as 4,000 tons of steel frame hanging on its bow since the ship plowed into the Key Bridge – sending a crew of construction workers plunging to the frigid water below.
Only two of those workers survived. The bodies of two others were later pulled from the water. Authorities believe the remaining four victims are trapped in the tangle of steel and concrete submerged under water.
Recovering those victims is a top priority, and it is “our obligation to bring a sense of closure to these families,” Moore said.
But first, officials are conducting a full assessment of the debris pieces before they can be lifted from the water, US Coast Guard Rear Adm. Shannon Gilreath said. This appraisal is critical in determining how small to cut the bridge pieces so cranes can lift them, he said.
In addition to the human toll, the destruction of the Key Bridge and closure of the Port of Baltimore could lead to widespread economic fallout.
The port is the largest in the US for cars and light trucks, handling a record 850,000 vehicles last year, Moore said.
Demolition workers may be able to clear a channel large enough for ships to pass through as soon as a month after the required equipment arrives on scene, according to an expert in the field familiar with ongoing discussions.
The expert, who spoke to CNN on condition that his name not be used, said it will likely take longer than that to remove all the debris, but clearing the 1,200-foot area between the two pillars that supported the bridge’s main span will be enough to reopen the port to traffic.
Over 2,400 feet of boom have also been deployed to contain any potential pollution leaks from the ship, Moore said. National Transportation Safety Board investigators have said 56 containers on the vessel contain hazardous material, mostly corrosives and flammables, as well as some lithium-ion batteries. The Army Corps will cover the full cost of clearing the channel where the bridge collapsed, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said.
Federal transportation officials said Thursday they would provide the $60 million requested by Moore as a “down payment” toward clearing and rebuilding the Key Bridge. The funds, requested by state officials earlier Thursday, will go toward removing debris, rerouting traffic and ultimately rebuilding the bridge.
The state can later request additional funding, and Maryland’s congressional delegation said they would press fellow lawmakers to fund the rebuilding project.
‘This is about the nation’s economy’
The economic fallout of the bridge collapse could be wide-ranging as the crisis has indefinitely halted the flow of ships in and out of the Port of Baltimore and delivered a stunning blow to the thousands of dock workers who rely on the busy port.
“This is not just about Maryland, this is about the nation’s economy,” Moore said Thursday. “The port handles more cars and more farm equipment than any other port in America. And at least 8,000 workers on the docks have jobs that have been directly affected by this collapse.”
To help port workers, the Maryland Department of Labor has established a hotline for unemployment insurance, the governor said.
Ports up and down the East Coast are gearing up to temporarily accommodate cargo shipments that would have otherwise arrived in Baltimore. And several sectors will have to reroute supply chains, including railroad and trucking operations, Buttigieg told CNN Thursday.
Earlier, the governors of New York and New Jersey said their Port Authority could take on additional cargo to minimize supply chain disruptions.
Managing supply chain disruptions and reopening the port “is not going to be a small project by any stretch,” Buttigieg said.
“We know that it’s going to be costly,” he said. “But we also know that that cost is worth it to get Baltimore back on its feet, to get everything back to normal and to support our traffic systems and supply chains.”
Investigators interview the ship’s crew
The National Transportation Safety Board has been gathering evidence at the scene of the crash, interviewing witnesses and analyzing the ship’s data recordings.
Two pilots who were tasked with guiding the ship out of port were expected to be interviewed by authorities Thursday. The vessel’s captain, his mate, the chief engineer and another engineer have already spoken to investigators, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said.
Investigators have used audio and data from the 213-million-pound ship’s voyage data recorder to extract clues as to what happened in the moments leading up to the collision.
The first sign of distress came just under three minutes before the crash when the cargo ship’s pilot called over the radio requesting any tugboats in the area to respond to the vessel, Homendy said.
Within a minute, police officers on both ends of the bridge were ordered to stop traffic crossing the bridge, said Marcel Muise, the NTSB investigator in charge of the collapse inquiry. Officials have credited this swift action for saving lives.
During their first full day at the scene Wednesday, investigators saw the “utter devastation” of the mangled bridge – pieces of which are still draped over the ship’s bow, Homendy said.
The Dali, a Singaporean-flagged container vessel, had 23 people on board – 21 crew members and two pilots. Of the crew members, 20 are Indian nationals who are “in good shape” following the crash, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Thursday.
Only one member was slightly injured and required some stitches, said spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
All crew members were still onboard the cargo ship as of Thursday, said an Indian Ministry of External Affairs senior official familiar with the matter.
CNN’s Kristina Sgueglia, Mark Thompson, Chris Isidore, Greg Wallace, Justin Lear, Elise Hammond, Tori B. Powell, Vedika Sud, Sania Farooqui and Chris Boyette contributed to this report.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/the-biggest-crane-on-the-east-coast-is-coming-to-help-lift-up-to-4000-tons-of-a-baltimore-bridge-dangling-from-a-cargo-ship/1635923
Good Morning, hap. What a cutie! And Mom knew how to dress her.
She's still recognizable and to my eye is still as pretty as she was at 16.
The face nature gave her is the face she earned. Wow. And good work.
Celebrating "monthaversaries" is brilliant! Love the idea.
May you both enjoy many more in good health.
Take care.
Hey, pete. Good to see you.
Rest assured. I will never vote for Brandon or Booby, Jr. with his VP choice Shaghai Lil.
21 years in Manhattan while Trump was on the rise. Hated him. Prayed for his failure. I was not alone. Never watched his clown show... "You're fired." He's crude, rude, and unattractive. He appeals to those who think boorish and crass are winning qualities. So goes the country thanks to social media, reality TV, and holding people to standards is a big no no. (There's more to it than that.)
I voted for Trump twice. Hillary hatred. Didn't want Biden either plus which life in these United States was good.
Thanks to listening to 3-1/2 years of the vote was stolen and the demorrhoids will rig this election too... I'm convinced voting is an exercise in futility. Not really, but I bet all that whining will discourage a lot of folks. I'll be in the voting booth making my choices on the down ballot. As for president, I may do something I've never done in my life... abstain from making a choice and let the chips fall where they may. Hell, the polls say Trump has nj in the bag. We all know how reliable polls are (sarcasm).
Chances are strong that Booby will pull enough votes from Dementia Joe to hand the election to Trump (unless he goes the way of Uncle Jack and his father). If that changes, I may have to swallow my bile and pull the lever for Mr. Big Mouth. 330 million people (or thereabouts) and look at the choices we've got. Makes me sick.
I want to thank you and hap for realizing (even if you don't understand) why women can't stand Trump. FWIW, I was convinced it was only women who felt that way until I got a visceral reaction from a male at the mention of Trump's name shortly after the 2020 election. This was someone I admire and respect. Re Biden he said that he didn't care that he got elected. At least Trump was out of there. It opened my eyes. I truly did not get how much Trump is hated by many in this country.
He is divisive. And you can't force people to love him.
Plus which, his enemies will continue to pile on him.
When will he be able to focus on the country?
I wish him luck but I dread the next presidential term no matter who's in charge.
Take care and continue to enjoy marital bliss with your dearly beloved.
@hap0206
SBF got off with a slap on the wrist.
This is currently on the cyber front page of the WSJ.
https://www.wsj.com/
Mon Dieu! I could tell by looking at her, she had to be the queen.
What fun to be her date.
You've both still got it.
Life is indeed good.
Who knows? Maybe the little cretin genius would enjoy it.
Ding ding ding. Yes. The story is ringing my memory bell.
It is a wonderful story.
You two are a fine-looking couple.
She is cute-as-a-button and you, Sir, are quite handsome.
I can envision you two as the King and Queen of the prom.
Dang. Time flies. Keep doing what you're doing and last a healthy long time.
You're inspiration for those of us who are following close on your heels.
Cheers!
Animal instincts are pretty amazing.
Glad they're still showing up in the neighborhood.
Take care.
Sounds like a nice day for you.
Living on the edge... yep. Makes me feel alive.
Car is handling much better without them since they are positioned on the front-end drive wheels.
Lucy could use a new set of sneakers.
I may spring for four new all-weather tires before winter.
The snows have their own rims.
They're getting harder to get in and out of the trunk.
Enjoy your day.
P.S. Really appreciate your posts. Thank you.
Morning, Gmenfan...
Once again the Lamestream Media shows its true colors.
How be ye?
Cloudy and wet around here...
But hey. We are not shoveling.
Have a good one.
P.S. Had my snow tires taken off on Tuesday.
Prepare for a blizzard. < g >
Researchers ‘optimistic’ that manatees are making a comeback in Florida
Their alternate name of “sea cow” is fitting as manatees are large, slow and gentle creatures that graze. Take a moment to learn about the beautiful creatures on Manatee Appreciation Day.
By Monica Danielle, AccuWeather senior producer
Published Feb 20, 2024 12:26 PM EDT | Updated Mar 27, 2024 9:04 AM EDT
(Video and pictures at the link. I'm confused. Are manatees able to live in salt and fresh water? I always thought they were saltwater animals.)
Record manatee sightings have experts optimistic for the future, following years of habitat loss, a vanishing food supply and boat strikes in Florida.
March 27 is Manatee Appreciation Day and while the number of manatees roaming Florida’s rivers, harbors, and coastline has dwindled in recent years, experts are ‘cautiously optimistic’ that the population is rebounding.
A sighting of nearly 1,000 manatees at Blue Spring State Park on a chilly January morning was the latest sign of a turning point for the gentle giants that have been struggling to survive.
There is a constant flow of 72-degree F water from the natural springs near Orange City, 30 miles inland from the Atlantic coastline.
The warmer waters bubbling up from the springs, 120 feet below the surface, have made Blue Spring a protected haven for manatees in the winter months; they can face cold stress or other health problems if water temperatures drop below 68 degrees.
Manatee population in jeopardy
Research Associate Cora Berchem said members of Save the Manatee Club have been concerned about natural habitats and vegetation vanishing long before an ‘Unusual Mortality Event’ was declared in 2020.
“We’ve seen a very large die-off of seagrasses and manatees were literally left without a food source, especially along the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Coast of Florida,” said Berchem. “Manatees really have no significant natural predator, so most of what’s happening to them is really human-related.”
Cases of serious boat strikes and red tide blooms impacting manatees have dropped over the past year, but Berchem is worried about other emerging threats to the massive herbivores.
“With more people moving to Florida, there is more of a strain on the groundwater. There’s a lot of pumping from the groundwater. We really need to make sure we don’t over-pump our springs,” said Berchem.
Following a summer of well-above-average sea surface temperatures off the coast of Florida, researchers say the biggest threats manatees now face are impacts linked to extreme weather and our warming atmosphere.
“We have seen longer and warmer summers, so a lot of manatees have been migrating further out to the Carolinas or Georgia, and the other side of the state, towards Texas. If we have sudden cold spells in these other areas, it’s always a danger for manatees not to make their way back to Florida in sufficient time,” said Berchem. “A lot of people think, if we have warmer waters, that’s going to be great for manatees. That is true, however we’re also seeing stronger storms and stronger hurricanes, which is something that manatees are very sensitive to. They can get displaced during those storm events.”
Glimmers of hope in the water
Florida leaders say investments of nearly $2 billion in water quality improvement projects and manatee protection programs since 2019 are paying off.
“The state is seeing incredible momentum for environmental protection to ensure Florida’s natural resources are preserved for generations to come,” said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “Clean, sustainable water resources are critical for Florida’s residents, visitors, economy and manatees.”
Manatee mortality rates in 2023 were the lowest reported since 2017, according to Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Mortality reports show 556 manatee deaths in 2023, compared to the five-year average of 793. FWC data lists watercraft strikes and natural disease as the leading causes of death; 20 percent of mortality cases were linked to a red tide bloom in southwest Florida.
Distressed manatees rescued and rehabilitated are getting a second chance at life in the wild, in protected habitats like Blue Spring State Park. One of the newest residents, named ‘Lizard’ is now roaming the waters of St. Johns River, after being rescued from the Atlantic Coast.
“Lizard looks amazing; this is the second time she’s been released. She was orphaned in 2021. We’re not really sure what happened to her mom, but she was found without her mom for an extended period of time, said SeaWorld Animal Care Specialist Nik Ricci. “After that release, it seemed like she wasn’t finding food the right way, so she got a little bit too skinny. She got rescued again; this time we brought her up to SeaWorld, and we continued that rehabilitation. After about a year, she looks great and is ready to come back out here.”
Ricco told AccuWeather there’s a reason why rescued manatee names are becoming more unique, peculiar, and ironic.
“Naming manatees is very challenging. Anytime that any of us either rescue a manatee or track a manatee, it's going to get a name, and we can't double-name, so we have to be very creative,” joked Ricco.
More than 140 manatees were rescued throughout Florida last year.
Before the 600-pound manatee was unloaded from a SeaWorld truck and carried to the edge of the water by nine volunteers and researchers, one member attached a GPS tracker to ‘Lizard’s’ tail.
The FWC says trackers provide critical information about the location and travel patterns of manatees recovering from injuries or rebounding from emaciation.
“We are really optimistic about her chances; we’re hoping that she’s going to pair up with another animal, be able to find that food, and learn how to stay in the warm water,” said Ricci. “They just kind of like to make a new friend; hang out for a little bit, and then go and find another new friend. They’re very interesting animals, very laid back.”
Fighting for a better future
Despite a surge in manatee sightings in Florida’s springs and rivers during cold spells this winter, experts say their mission to protect manatees is far from over.
Save the Manatee Club members are worried about hundreds of manatees that rely on warm water discharge from power plants across the Sunshine State.
“It’s really important to protect these habitats, because more manatees may be relying on them in the future. They thought the carrying capacity for Blue Spring would be somewhere around 200 or 400 manatees,” said Berchem. “Obviously, we have way surpassed that. What we need to do is really make sure there’s enough food sources in the area. In the future, when we have power plants potentially going offline, it’s going to be really difficult to ween those manatees off those powerplants and use these natural springs.”
More distressed manatees rescued and rehabilitated are being released near springs rather than returned and released in the location where they were found.
“One of the things that’s currently in the works is releasing some of these manatees that were rescued as small calves on the Atlantic coast here, so they’re imprinting on this habitat,” Berchem told AccuWeather along the banks of the St. Johns River. “Just because the mortality is down; we have seen some regrowth of the seagrass, but all of that is really a long way to go. Just because it’s looking better for a couple of months, we really need to continue that work to make sure its long term.”
Specialists at SeaWorld said the best thing Florida families and tourists can do to help manatees is to slow down when boating on rivers, obey no wake zones, stop littering near waterways, and publicly support conservation efforts.
“Seagrass is very depleted, so that has been a challenge with manatees. We’ve had a lot of emaciated manatees. We are currently still in an ‘Unusual Mortality Event’ because of that lack of food, said Ricci. “That is why anything we as humans can do to help protect our environment, help clean our environment, allow that seagrass to regrow, that allows the manatees to come back in; that’s a great sign that things are moving in the right direction.”
Reporting by Bill Wadell
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/researchers-optimistic-that-manatees-are-making-a-comeback-in-florida/1623790
Condolences from across the political spectrum stream in after Lieberman’s death
“He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored,” Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy said on social media.
By OLIVIA ALAFRIZ 03/27/2024 08:11 PM EDT
Democrats and Republicans offered lavish praise for longtime Connecticut senator and former Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman following his death at age 82 on Wednesday.
“In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored,” Connecticut Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy said on social media, offering his condolences to Lieberman’s family.
Lieberman served in the Senate from 1989 to 2013 and became the first Jewish candidate to run on a presidential ticket in 2000.
Former Republican President George W. Bush, who defeated Al Gore in the razor-thin 2000 presidential contest, praised his one-time rival’s legacy.
“Joe wasn’t afraid to engage with senators from across the aisle and worked hard to earn votes from outside his party,” Bush said in a statement. “He engaged in serious and thoughtful debate with opposing voices on important issues.”
Connecticut’s senior senator, Richard Blumenthal, highlighted Lieberman’s political legacy.
“He was a fierce advocate, a man of deep conscience and conviction, and a courageous leader who sought to bridge gaps and bring people together,” Blumenthal said in a statement. “He leaves an enduring legacy as a fighter for consumers, environmental values, civil rights, and other great causes of our time.”
Lieberman, who was known for his centrist approach, became an independent during his final term in the Senate, although he continued to caucus with Democrats. More recently, he played a leading role in efforts to find a candidate for the No Labels presidential ticket, angering many of his former Democratic colleagues.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont successfully wrested the Democratic Senate nomination from Lieberman in 2006, but ultimately lost to him in the general election. Lamont acknowledged that he had “political differences” with Lieberman, but said they “agreed to disagree from a position of principal (sic).”
Lieberman was a stalwart supporter of Israel, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was among those who saluted his legacy.
“Joe was an exemplary public servant, an American patriot and a matchless champion of the Jewish people and the Jewish state,” Netanyahu said on social media.
Lieberman recently attacked Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer for saying that Israel needed to replace Netanyahu. But that didn’t prevent Schumer from saluting his former colleague.
“I am devastated to hear about the passing of our former colleague Senator Joe Lieberman,” Schumer wrote on X. “My heart is with his beloved wife Hadassah and his family, and I am praying for all who knew and loved him.”
https://www.politico.com/news/2024/03/27/condolences-from-across-the-aisle-stream-in-after-liebermans-death-00149472
Hey, hap. Good to see you.
You married well.
Here's to a happy wife and a good, long, happy, healthy life for both of you.
That rascally groundhog!
Now we know how Punxsutawney Phil whiles away the winter.
No wonder he looks so cranky when they pull him out of his hole.
Congrats to the happy couple.
Not sure what he has in mind. Veep choice Shanghai Lil is not going to win over any middle-of-the-roaders or Republicans who are unhappy with Trump.
He's definitely going to destroy Biden though. TG
I guess we can be grateful for that.
I think I finally know who to vote for this November.
It won't be Dementia Joe/Kamaltoe or Bobby, Jr./Shanghai Lil.
Not happy about my choice but the leftists MUST be stopped.
What a stinkin' mess.
Will I ever live long enough to vote for someone???
I doubt it.
RFK Jr.’s progressive VP pick Nicole Shanahan will doom Biden’s re-election
By Paul du Quenoy Published March 27, 2024, 2:22 p.m. ET
And the good news is...
Nolte: RFK Jr.’s VP Choice of Ms. FarLeftMoneyBags Should Worry Biden
JOHN NOLTE 26 Mar 2024 4:02
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. choosing Nicole Shanahan as his running mate should terrify President Joe Biden and his floundering reelection campaign.
The question has always been, Whose voters will RFK Jr. target? Trump’s or Biden’s? Well, now we know. Shanahan is a committed leftist. If you want to attract Trump voters, you don’t choose as your running mate a woman who, per the far-left New York Times:
…was once married to the Google co-founder Sergey Brin, has a history of making donations to Democratic campaigns, including to President Biden’s 2020 run. But she gave to Mr. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in May 2023, when he was running as a Democrat.
That’s not the least of it, per San Francisco Magazine:
Another important area of investment—criminal justice reform—is one that Shanahan has been devoted to for years, long before the Black Lives Matter movement. “I remember telling Sergey’s foundation head about five years ago that criminal justice reform was going to be one of the biggest topics of our generation,” she says. “I’m happy that I could be a major donor for Measure J in Los Angeles County, which was voted in and will be rerouting some of the law enforcement budget toward mental and social support services.” Shanahan notes that having a mental health professional on the scene of George Floyd’s arrest would have de-escalated the situation and possibly saved his life.
Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk laid it out this way:
Nicole Shanahan, is a six-figure donor to… George Gascon, the pro-crime, Soros-backed prosecutor who helped wreck San Francisco and is currently wrecking LA. She also spent big on Measure J, a Los Angeles measure to reroute spending from law enforcement and prisons to “social services” and “mental health treatment” — in other words, not putting criminals and dangerous psychos behind bars.
“This is a far-left pick by RFK, who is apparently looking to shore up his progressive bona fides,” Kirk adds. “Major red flag for commonsense independents and centrist voters who are also sick of rising crime but intrigued by his campaign.”
EXACTLY.
So what have we learned?
We’ve learned that RFK is going for the leftist vote — Biden’s base. We’ve also learned that he’s savvy enough to choose a vice presidential candidate with a bottomless pile of money to campaign with. Shanahan is worth around a billion dollars. I’m pretty sure an appealing candidate like RFK can cause Biden some real problems with that kind of loot on hand.
As far as I’m concerned, as long as New Media spreads the truth about what RFK Jr. and his running mate stand for — just how far-left he is — this VP pick is excellent news for Trump and his campaign.
Best of all, it’s far-left voters Biden has to worry the most about losing, which is why he has worked so hard to shore up his base with lunatic policies that betray Israel, open our borders, and destroy the American auto manufacturing industry.
RFK’s VP choice is a direct attack on Biden’s base, and attached to that choice, there is enough money to do real damage to Biden’s reelection chances.
Tee hee.
https://www.breitbart.com/2024-election/2024/03/26/nolte-rfk-jr-s-vp-choice-of-ms-farleftmoneybags-should-worry-biden/
God bless 'im. One last bloomin' season and then the ax will fall.
Morning, Larry.
Aren't we glad we aren't trees? < g >
Poor "Old Stumpy... " TWC had a story about the tidal basin overflowing and the damage that was doing to the cherry trees.
Old Stumpy put up a valiant fight and now he's firewood.
They're going to raise the wall around the basin.
Hope it works.
Good one. Thanks, Mr. G.
rotf... Kudos to Senator John Kennedy.
That cross country skier is an idiot.
A high school gra-du-ate who knows nothing about anything.
Very, very funny.
Thanks, Bull. I needed that.
‘I want a fighter’: Donald Trump Jr. lobbying dad to pick one of these possible running mates
By Jon Levine Published March 23, 2024, 8:49 a.m. ET
(Well, Gang. What say you? My gut says Vance. Can't stand slimy suck up Ramaswamy. Tucker... nah.
A senator might be best equipped to go up against the Swamp. Insiders are on to the dirty tricks. What the hell do I know?)
Donald Trump Jr. is lobbying his father to select a running mate who can take a punch — and hit back even harder, he told The Post.
“What I want in that role is I want a fighter,” Trump Jr. said. “I understand what they are going to throw at us.
“In 2016 you needed someone to balance out [the ticket] — that’s where Mike Pence made sense, sort of the yin and yang, but [given] the vicious nature of the swamp and the insanity we see on a daily basis, you need someone who can take those hits,” said Trump Jr., 46, the oldest of the former president’s five children.
The former first son — who speaks to his father daily, often several times a day — said he’s been pushing people like Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio); Vivek Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former GOP presidential candidate; and Tucker Carlson, a former Fox News host who now hosts a program on X.
Trump daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner both served in senior White House roles during his last term, but Trump Jr. said he and fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle, who also remains close to the campaign, had no plans on becoming a second “Javanka” in the West Wing — but that he’d “never rule anything out.”
Should his father retake the Oval Office, Trump Jr. said he plans to take a “very active” role in the the 2024 presidential transition team, while Guilfoyle would remain focused on fundraising.
“Mostly just to make sure we stop some of the D.C. swamp rats and the swamp creatures from getting in there and doing their thing,” he said.
Trump Jr. was coy about who else he wanted around him during the transition but after some prodding, mentioned John Ratcliffe, a former director of national intelligence; and Cliff Sims, a former special assistant to President Trump, who also wrote a bestselling memoir of his White House years in 2019. “Team of Vipers.”
Both men were veterans of Trump Sr.’s first term — something Trump Jr. appeared to prioritize.
“There are so many great people to choose from now with the first four years of the administration you have a good understanding of who would be great and loyal and implement the America First policies,” he said.
Trump Jr.’s father recently warned President Biden that indicting a former president would be a two-way street should he return to the White House.
“[Biden] opened up a Pandora’s box that will never let our country be the same. I can only say to Joe: Be very careful what you wish for, but what you have done is a terrible thing,” Trump thundered at the New York Young Republicans gala in December.
But his son dismissed the fire and brimstone rhetoric as “jokes.”
“He’s going to lead the country the way it’s supposed to be led,” Trump Jr. assured. “His retribution will be success for our country.”
https://nypost.com/2024/03/23/us-news/donald-trump-jr-is-lobbying-trump-for-these-vp-candidates/
@Bull_Dolphin @SkeBallLarry @pos_stock_hoarder
Morning back atcha, Mr. G.
No argument here.
Gotta run. Family business beckons.
Have a good one.
You got that right... Over 100 migrants break through razor wire, knock down guards as they illegally cross El Paso border in wild scene
By Jennie Taer and Megan Palin Published March 21, 2024 Updated March 21, 2024, 7:17 p.m. ET
https://nypost.com/2024/03/21/us-news/migrants-break-barriers-and-rush-border-guards-in-el-paso/