Tim Walz and the National Guard Controversy: Does it Matter?

 This article first appeared in New English Review.

Among all the issues surrounding Tim Walz and his liberal policies as governor of Minnesota, the one issue I think really stands out is that of his reserve military service and the question of when he left before his unit was deployed to Iraq. JD Vance, who served a tour of duty as a Marine in Iraq as a correspondent or press officer, has also accused Walz of being guilty of stolen valor, that is, claiming military or other heroic achievements that are not factual, thus diminishing those who truly were in combat or similar situations. Some who were in the same unit as Walz have claimed that he ducked out of the reserves just before they were deployed. Others have disputed that.

Just what the circumstances were as to when and why he left the Army National Guard-to run for political office- are still being argued back and forth, and I am not going to judge until everything is clarified on that point. Another aspect of this issue is when he was once talking about gun control, he referred to taking the weapons of war “that he carried in war” and make sure they were only for military use.  Was he consciously trying to imply that he served in combat, or was it just a slip of the tongue? It brings back memories of when Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal was making reference to the bad way “we” were treated upon returning from Vietnam. Apparently, it hasn’t hurt his standing with the voters of Connecticut because he is still in the Senate.  So the question is how much this issue will hurt the Harris-Walz ticket come November.

I think it is appropriate for all of us when we comment publicly about this issue to disclose what our own military record is. That includes many conservative TV commentators who are accusing Walz of cowardice and leaving his troops in the lurch while they (the commentators) have never served in the military, active duty or reserves. In my case, I am what people call a Vietnam-era veteran-as opposed to Vietnam veteran. I served in the US Army as a military policeman for three years 1966-68, which was during the Vietnam war.  I am proud to be a veteran, however, I am always quick to add that while others were fighting and dying in Vietnam, I was in Germany. Looking back, probably the most dangerous thing about our job was breaking up fights in GI bars. Yes, there were the occasional serious incidents, but you get the point. To be in Germany during the Vietnam war was a picnic. Those who were in Vietnam are much higher on the military totem pole than I. In fact, I would consider it a cardinal sin to ever claim that I served in Vietnam.

I also consider JD Vance to be higher on the totem pole than I am. That’s because he did a stint in Iraq. Whether he ever was in a firefight or not makes no difference to me. Whether he was an infantryman or press officer makes no difference to me. Vance served in a war zone and I did not.

A note about being in the National Guard, in which Walz spent 24 years. During Vietnam, it usually took connections to get into the National Guard. That’s because so many young men wanted to join the Guard, especially when we had the draft in effect. At that time, if you were in the Guard, you were pretty much assured you would not be deployed to Vietnam. Today, that is not the case. Many Guard units have been deployed to combat duty in Afghanistan and Iraq since 9-11.

As a side note, I note that at some point in Walz’s career he was “deployed” to Vicenza, Italy. I know Vicenza well. Back in the 1980s when I was stationed in Milan with DEA, my family and I would make periodic trips to the Army base at Vicenza where, as US Consulate employees, we had PX privileges. I can assure you that there was no hardship involved in being deployed to Vicenza (other than the normal issues of family separation, etc). It was a pleasant little town about halfway between Milan and Venice. On a couple of occasions, we would overnight there, either on post or in a hotel.

None of this is to demean the reserves, especially now when reserve units are being deployed to combat zones. It is hardly a blot on Walz’s resume-unless the worst accusations, outlined above, prove to have merit. But what if they do? If it turns out that Walz decided to get out because his unit was facing deployment to Iraq, and/or he deliberately misrepresented himself as having served in combat, I think that would be a big problem for him and the ticket. There are many reasons to vote against Walz, most of which will not result in his having to withdraw from the ticket. This, however, has the potential, in my view, of forcing him to withdraw.  I’m not making a final judgment, but I think it is a serious issue. If true, it matters.

And if that happens, will Josh Shapiro (with all those Jewish/Israel issues) get another bite at the apple? That would be interesting to watch.

But that’s a topic for a different essay.

Funeral Ceremony for One of the Southport Victims

The below article in the Portuguese daily, Correio da Manhã, is reporting on the funeral ceremony for Alice Aguiar (9), one of the three girls killed in a knife attack in Southport, England last week. The killing has sparked riots all over England. The article is translated by Fousesquawk. 

Alice Aguiar

"Our dear angel, keep dancing": Multitudes attend funeral of the Portuguese girl, victim of an attack in the United Kingdom

The church was packed and loudspeakers were set up so that the multitude outside could follow the ceremony

Nuno Adães e Sara Reis Teixeira18:44
A cortege with white horses, balloons, flowers, and a crowd. This was the farewell to Alice Aguiar, one of the victims of the knife attack in Southport in the UK. About 300 people attended the funeral of the Portuguese girl in the St Patrick Church. The ceremony was broadcast live so that Portuguese relatives could bid farewell to the child. "For now, our dear angel, keep dancing. Mama and Papa will always love you, always," the parents wrote in the eulogy, quoted by BBC. 
The church was packed and loudspeakers were set up so that the crowd outside could follow the ceremony.
Alice's parents, who were born on the island of Madeira, described their daughter as a "playful, energetic, friendly, and respectful "girl, who "was born and grew up with much love". They believe they "will never overcome the pain" and gave thanks for the support of the community, which has been "marvelous" at this time. 
"We ask ourselves if (Alice) at some time thought of us, called for us, (and) we ask ourselves if she felt any pain. We hope not," they vented. 
During the tribute ceremony, Alice's uncle, Richard Lira, read a tribute speech written by the child's  parents. "We talked about the high school you could attend, about growing up, having a big house with a garden, and having children. Children who we will never help you raise. It hurts, we will never see you grow up," the relative read.
The Secretary of State for the Portuguese communities, Jose Cesario, was represented by his adjutant, Sara Madruga da Costa. "If it is certain that the pain you feel is unique, personal, inside, and, perhaps, at this time, inconsolable, I wanted you to know that there is a country, an entire nation with you," she said. 
The body of Alice Aguiar will be cremated in a private ceremony.

 

 

UK: London Police Commissioner Threatens Prosecution of US Citizens for Wrong Speech

Hat tip Red State

Mark Rowley

As most of you know, riots have been going on all over England in response to the horrific stabbing murder of three little girls by a 17-year-old of Rwandan descent. (He was born in the UK.) It appears that the Brits have had enough and have turned out in cities all over the nation to protest, demand a stop to immigrant crime, and in addition, destroy property, set fires, and throw objects at cops. As I wrote before, I condemn the violence and attacks against cops, but I can understand the anger and frustration on the part of those who are rioting. Their government is simply not protecting them and addressing their legitimate concerns.

Oops! That comment might just get me picked up by the FBI, extradited to Merry Olde England, and delivered into the hands of the London Police Commissioner, a chap by the name of Mark Rowley. He has issued a public statement that he will prosecute not just Brits who say the wrong things about the riots, but people outside the UK as well, meaning online commentators, bloggers and writers like me. He specifically mentioned the US.

The government has promised stiff prosecution for the rioters (as long as they are of a certain persuasion, of course). The UK, like the rest of Europe, enjoys fewer rights of speech than we do in the US. But this is troubling. I can see it if American citizens are secretly sending arms to the rioters, which would be illegal in the US as well, but this is a stretch.

But just to play Devil's advocate- Under US laws, particularly our conspiracy laws (which I support), the US can prosecute foreign nationals in US federal courts for violations committed against the US. Let me give you an example, which I observed many times as a DEA agent working overseas in Asia and Europe. It's no secret that there are numerous foreign drug organizations that are sending drugs to the US. They themselves may not have committed any illegal act on US soil, in fact, they may never have set foot on US soil. The key legal factor here is that they have committed an offense against the US, just as Uasma bin Laden was committing an offense against our country when he orchestrated 9-11.  We have seen many cases of both foreign terrorists and foreign drug dealers extradited to the US and successfully prosecuted here. Joaquin "Chapo" Guzman, the Mexican drug lord, is serving life in a US federal prison because he committed crimes against the US-even while in his home country. In addition, Colombia has extradited several of its most notorious drug traffickers to the US (at times when extradition has been in effect in that country-it being a judicial and political tug-of-war). Pablo Escobar literally carried out a campaign of terror against his own country in an effort to fight the Colombian extradition law.

Of course, all of these prosecutions are predicated on other countries cooperating in terms of making provisional arrests and agreeing to extraditions. Extradition treaties come into play and there is always the question of whether the subject is a citizen of the originating country or a third country. In other cases, many countries will cooperate in simply deporting non-citizens who have violated their own laws as well as American laws. If it is an American citizen, the US embassy could simply cancel their passport and issue a temporary ID valid only for travel back to the US.

I would be astounded if the American government ever agreed to send a US citizen to Britain or any other country simply for expressing his or her opinion on such a topic. ( I'm not so sure under a President Harris.) So it's easy and tempting to give a big middle finger to Commissioner Rowley in this case. But consider if an English court were to issue an international arrest warrant for me because I said I understood the anger that was driving the riots-remember, I did not condone them, mind you. Suppose I am vacationing in some other European country or any country for that matter, and they had an extradition treaty with the Brits. Before you know it, I am having tea with Commissioner Rowley.

In the meantime, here is my response to Commissioner Rowley

Belgium: Jewish Organization Files Complaint Against Anti-Semitic Column

Herman Brusselmans

Herman Brusselmans is a Belgian (Flemish) writer who has caused quite a stir in his country with a recent column he wrote for Humo, a radio and TV magazine in Belgium. In the op-ed, Brusselmans wrote that every time he saw an image of a Palestinian boy screaming for his mother lying beneath rubble, it made him want to ram a sharp knife into the throat of every Jew he encountered.

In response, the European Jewish Association (EJA), a Jewish umbrella organization, is filing a criminal complaint against Brusselmans and Humo for incitement to murder and a hate crime. Humo insists the op-ed was satirical in nature, but has removed it nevertheless.

For more background on the matter, here is an article in Jewish Breaking News.

This article in the Belgian Dutch-language daily, Nieuwsblad, appeared earlier in the week and is translated from Dutch by Fousesquawk,.

Jewish organization appoints lawyer Sven Mary in the case against Herman Brusselmans

Source: Belga

Yesterday at 03:58

The European Jewish Association (EJA) is preparing a criminal complaint against Humo and writer Herman Brusselmans. The organization wants to charge Brusselmans for incitement to murder and a hate crime. The media group, DPG, is also in trouble. The Jewish umbrella organization is employing attorney Sven Mary.

In his controversial column, Brusselmans writes that "the image of a Palestinian boy screaming for his mother lying under rubble-his own girlfriend and son in mind- makes him so angry that he wants to ram a sharp knife in the throat of every Jew he encounters.

EJA announced Tuesday that it is taking legal steps against Brusselmans because he was guilty of anti-Semitism in his column. On Thursday, EJA will come out with a more detailed statement on further steps. "EJA has decided to file a criminal case against Mr Brusselmans for incitement to murder and a hate crime, as well as a criminal case against the media group, the owners, the board members, and the editor in chief," it says. 

The organization is looking at the legal options. There would be different ways to file a complaint: The complaint will reportedly be filed next week. Notable: The umbrella organization is being represented by attorney Sven Mar. Among others, he was the lawyer for the father of Sandra Dia in the Reuzegom case and has a lot of experience with anti-racism legislation. Sven Mary will collaborate with Brussels lawyer David Szafran and the legal service of EJA.

The equal opportunity institution, Unia, also announced it is filing a complaint against Humo and Brusselmans. Humo earlier refuted that the passage was an incitement to murder. "The statements of Herman Brusselmans were part of a satirical column, not from a journalistic article or an interview.  For whoever reads the complete column, it is obvious that Herman did not literally mean the sentences," it says.  

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Fousesquawk comment: Even if Brusselmans was trying to be satirical, in this era of exploding anti-Semitism, it is hardly appropriate to make statements about wanting to kill every Jew you meet whether in humor or not. Even if you feel sympathy for the Gazans, it is wrong to hold every Jew in the world responsible. That is part of the definition of anti-Semitism as stated by the International Holocaust remembrance Alliance and our own State Department.

Those of us who are rightly horrified by the atrocities of October 7, 2o23 do not wish to kill every Palestinian or Arab we encounter on the street.

Finally, even if Humo wants to explain away the comment about stabbing Jews by calling it satire, Brusselman's other comments about Jews in the op-ed give him away. The situation for Belgium's Jews, like Jews all over Western Europe, is downright dangerous. We don't need to be giving inspiration to angry, disaffected, radical Muslims in Europe or elsewhere who are all too ready to act out Brusselman's fantasies.

More on Taylor Swift Concert in Vienna

Beran A. aka Beran Aliji

(RAIR USA)

Yesterday, we translated an article in the Austrian media on the foiled terror plot directed at a scheduled Taylor Swift concert in Vienna. A third suspect is now also in custody. Austrian police believe that the three suspects planned to attack one of three Swift concerts with homemade bombs and knives. RAIR USA is reporting the full identity of one of the suspects, previously identified as Beran A. as Beran Aliji based on Albanian-language and Norwegian news sources.

In this article from the Austrian news outlet, Kronen Zeitung, it is being reported that the suspects were radicalized online and were followers of at least one Germany-based Salafist preacher. 

The article is translated by Fousesquawk.

Radicalized online

Terror teenagers were fans of these hate preachers

It is not only Taylor Swift fans, who after the Vienna concert cancellation, were disappointed but at least unharmed, who emulated their idol on various social media channels. Those young Islamists, who wanted to drag as many people as possible to their deaths, found their questionable role models on the Internet.

They had a "big plan" (and) wanted to kill as many unbelievers as possible. The alleged members of a terror cell who planned an attack on a Taylor Swift concert radicalized themselves online.

TikTok instead of basement mosque

Because instead of a backyard or basement mosque, TikTok and others are the new platforms that radical hate preachers use. In the case of the Swift terrorists, it was a Berlin Salafist, in particular, who is himself in the sights of authorities.

Caption: Abdul Baraa has 96,1000 YouTube subscribers and on TikTok around 80,000 followers.

Abdul Baraa, true name Ahmad Armih, operated a mosque in the German capital. In the past, this (mosque) was raided and later closed due to suspicion of terror financing. The 51-year-old is one of the most influential online preachers with tens of thousands following him on YouTube and TikTok.

Toxic messages allow terror plans to grow

"In his statements and his activities, Abdul Baraa spreads his Salafist worldview, which runs counter to free, democratic basic order. Moreover, in his sermons, he constructs a conspiracy by the Western world against Islam, Muslims are for him, basically, victims," wrote the German Protection of the Constitution (agency) in a report.

Caption: The main suspect, Beran A. (small picture). He gave himself the battle name "Mo" in reference to the Prophet Mohammad.

These toxic messages, according to a report by Bild (news), may have also helped the terror plans to grow in the heads of those boys, who are expected to be remanded to pre-trial custody on Friday. The 19-year-old main suspect and the 17-year-old co-accused have been delivered to the Vienna Neustadt detention facility.

In the meantime, an 18-year-old has also been arrested, (and) a 15-year-old stopped and questioned. There is currently no suspicion against him (the latter); he is listed as a witness.

Islam influencers in the sights of authorities

 In addition to Abdul Baraa, there are also other German Salafists active on TikTok and YouTube, among them, Pierre Vogel and Ibrahim al-Azzazi, who calls himself, "Sheikh Ibrahim". 

In short clips, they pretend to answer religious questions, (but) on closer inspection, the radical way of thinking of the Islam influencers is clear. For example, in a documentary by the Y-Kollektif reporter, Selma Badawi, Ibrahim El-Azzazi refused to appear in the picture with her because she was unveiled.

Though the "Sheikh" does take occasional positions on current questions, (like) which kind of ice tea is better, he otherwise stands out with his Stone Age rules of behavior. He is also already in the sights of German authorities and is currently facing trial for bodily injury and sexual abuse of his own wife, as Welt reports. 

Caption: TikTok Salafist Ibrahim El-Azazzi, alias "Sheikh Ibrahim" (l) and the German preacher, Pierre Vogel.

Former boxer, Pierre Vogel, has called the ISIS terrorists, among others, as "freedom fighters" and is one of the most influential preachers in the German Salafist scene. Switzerland has already imposed a travel ban on him, (and) recently, Vogel claimed that Austria has imposed a similar ban on him. 

According to his own statements, Vogel is one of the leading figures behind the Koran distribution campaign, "We love Mohammad", a follow-up program to the "Lies" campaign, which was banned in Germany in 2016.

Austria: Police Thwart Terror Attack at Taylor Swift Concert

Suspect, Beran A. 

(The Sun)

Three Taylor Swift concerts scheduled for this coming weekend in Vienna have been abruptly canceled after police uncovered a terror plot believed to be targeting one of the three events. Two men are in custody, one 19-year-old Austrian citizen with roots in North Macedonia and a 17-year-old. Neither subject has been named. The 19-year-old was arrested during a search of his residence in Tirnitz (Lower Austria). Chemical substances were reportedly found by police in his residence. Police believe that the two suspects were planning a terror attack in Vienna and most likely the Swift concerts were the target. Accordingly, all three concerts have been canceled. It is believed that at least one of the suspects has sworn allegiance to ISIS. In addition, three other suspects, not identified, are reportedly on the run and believed to be in Vienna.

Here is an article in today's Austrian daily, Heute, which is translated by Fousesquawk. It was posted prior to the actual cancellation of the events. We are working on translating a video of the action in Tirnitz. That report was published prior to the announcement of a connection between the raid in Tirnitz and the Vienna concerts by Swift.

 Taylor Swift Concert

Terror in Vienna planned- other suspects on the run

A 17 and 19-year-old planned an attack on one of the Taylor Swift concerts in Vienna. Explosive: Suspects reportedly on the run! 

By Newsdesk Heute

August 7. 2024 at 21:02

Caption: Special units, Wega and Cobra, called in to Taylor Swift concerts

A police operation in Ternitz on Wednesday has expanded into a massive terror investigation by the authorities. A radical Islamist duo, who had sworn allegiance to the Islamic State and its leader a few weeks ago, reportedly were planning a terror attack in greater Vienna. Most probably at one of the three mega concerts by Taylor Swift with ten thousand fans in Ernst-Happel Stadium. The 19-year-old Austrian with North Macedonian roots was (arrested) in Ternitz, the 17-year-old in Vienna.

As to the young suspects, no further details are as yet known. What is certain, according to the authorities, is: Preparations were being made for a terror attack. The target is believed to be events in greater Vienna- for sure one of the Taylor Swift concerts was "in focus" of the Islamists. During the house search in Ternitz, "chemical substances" were reportedly found which will be analyzed by the specialists. Security measures at the concerts would be massively heightened, the police announced.

Search for other suspects

Is cancellation of the concert possible on short notice? "We as police authorities cannot simply cancel an event," (police) stated on Wednesday afternoon, but the organizer has been informed. But now explosive news is coming from police circles. Three other suspects are believed to be in the middle of Vienna and on the run! The search for the suspected Islamists continues at high speed. As for the concerts in Vienna, the police did not speak of anything "concrete", but certainly of an "abstract"  threat situation. 

The security measures, therefore, will be massively strengthened, and hundreds of officers will be deployed. Fans will be protected by police with attack weapons and sharpshooters, the special units Wega and Cobra, special forces in plain clothes, as well as dozens of police in and around the Ernst-Happel Stadium. The police have announced tight controls of persons, bags, and access, cameras will be widely used and the happenings will be surveilled from the air.

Kamala Finds Her Frog Prince

 

He's still a frog, Kamala.

Calls for Violence and Insurrection at Duke, UNC

Hat tip Campus Reform

Compared to most of the country, universities in the South have managed to avoid much of the insanity brought to so many campuses by the "from the river to the sea" crowd. Unfortunately, Duke University and the neighboring University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have experienced more problems than most southern campuses.

This latest report from Campus Reform is really troubling. Anti-Israel groups at both campuses have apparently put out  Instagram posts that openly call for violence and insurrection as part of the anti-Israel campaign. Not surprisingly, we find that Students for Justice in Palestine and Faculty for Justice in Palestine are front and center.

The current issue of the Daily Tarheel (UNC) has no mention of this, but it does have an article dated July 21 reporting that campus police obtained a search warrant for the Instragram account of SJP/UNC relating to previous campus disturbances in which graffiti was spray-painted onto one of the older buildings on campus. The Duke Chronicle, as yet, has no mention of this.

I fully recognize that no individual names appear in these missives (at least not in the linked article). However, calling for violence and insurrection is not protected speech. To the extent that the actual authors of these posts can be identified, it would be altogether proper for the students to be expelled and any faculty involved in this to be promptly fired. It also seems proper that law enforcement delve into this. 

Germany: Taxi Driver Goes on Rampage in Cologne

Alter Markt (Old Market), Cologne

On Monday night, a Jordanian taxi driver in the German city of Cologne went on a rampage, driving his taxi at several women and hitting several. He apparently ran down a woman pedestrian in the nearby city of Essen one hour earlier. He was chased down by a waiter in a restaurant who witnessed one of the incidents and held him until police arrived.  It appears he was deliberately targeting women. Police say they don't yet know the motive, but I'm sure they will eventually figure it out.

This article in Bild is translated by Fousesquawk.

Several injured in driving rampage in Cologne-Taxi driver apparently deliberately runs down women

Caption: The taxi driver knocked down several pedestrians in the Cologne Old Town. In front of this brew house, he hit a woman-one of the waiters followed him

Photo: Christian Knieps

Cologne-What an unbelievable driving rampage

On Monday evening in the Cologne Old Town, a Jordanian (44) deliberately ran down several women, and some of them were seriously injured. 

According to witnesses, the taxi driver from Velbert (North Rhine-Westphalia) raced his car shortly after 10 pm in the Kleine Budengasse (Little Buden Alley)- there he hit two women (22,23) head-on who were heading to the Old Market.

But that did not stop the man's rampage. Then he raced his VW Passat further in the direction of the Rhine, and there he (drove at) three other women. He hit two of them, (and) one woman was able to jump to the side.

What is striking about the rampage: The Jordanian apparently was targeting only women. According to initial investigations and evaluations of video material from surveillance cameras, the 44-year-old deliberately drove toward his victims and hit the gas before impact. The police commission for rampage crimes has taken over the investigation. As yet, the motive of the taxi driver is not exactly clear.

Waiter is a hero

A waiter (34) at the brew house, in front of whom the crime occurred, was a brave hero. The police report: "On foot, he took chase." In doing so, he put himself in great danger: At the "Grossen Neugasse" (street), the taxi drove at him-the driver drove out him without braking.

Despite a leap to the side, an outside mirror struck him on the upper body. Finally, the waiter managed to hold the driver, who had gotten out of the vehicle at the Alter Markt (Old Market) until the arrival of the police.

 Taxi rammed a woman one hour earlier in Essen

The man's rampage probably began an hour earlier. Around 9 pm, the same taxi hit a woman (50) while making a right turn in Essen. The pedestrian suffered life-threatening injuries. "This matter has also been taken over by police in Cologne. Whether it is the same driver is still under police investigation," according to a report. 

Since the man was suspected to be under the influence of cocaine and cannabis, and cocaine was found in the auto, police ordered a blood test. After a medical examination, the emergency doctor referred the accused detainee to a psychiatric clinic.

The police are asking witnesses to the incidents to report to the police: 0221/2290.

The Pick Is in: It's Tim Walz

 

(Hat tip Don Martin-Mad Magazine)

The suspense is over. Kamala Harris has picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her candidate for VP. In the past week, all the prognosticators were predicting that Harris would choose Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Then we started hearing whispers that the far-left wing of the Democrat party, namely the so-called "Squad" were against a Jewish candidate-one who was considered (somewhat) pro-Israel.  While in college, it was reported, Shapiro had written an article stating that there would never be peace in the Holy Land because all the Palestinians wanted was war and, in fact, were incapable of running a country of their own. Actually, he was right, but that certainly would not have fit in with Harris' worldview. At any rate, you can bet that there will be much discussion in the campaign as to whether Harris gave in to pressure and decided that a Jewish candidate just would not do. It also buttresses the argument that there exists anti-Semitism within some quarters of the Democrat Party.

But I digress. Let's talk about Mr Walz.

Like with Shapiro, the Trump campaign and conservative media ( what little there is) are ready with their talking points about Walz. He is a solid liberal, who as governor of Minnesota, fiddled while Minneapolis burned with the George Floyd riot and is not considered pro-police. He enforced a strict lockdown during the Covid pandemic, and lo and behold, he was reportedly arrested for DUI in the 1990s in Nebraska. I mean, who knew?

All that aside, as one who will be voting for Trump in November because I can't stand the thought of Harris being president, I am happy with this pick. I think Shapiro would have helped Harris' ticket more being from Pennsylvania. Walz seems colorless and more in tune with Harris' left-wing policies. He looks like someone from the Pipefitters Union Local 452  bowling team (kind of like Harris' husband, whatever his name is. Maybe that's why she chose him). 

Can the Democrats really argue that this adds pizzazz to the ticket? Will Harris/Walz really get a bump in the polls with this announcement? On the other hand, it will be hard to argue that Walz represents quiet efficiency for the ticket. His record in Minnesota has received a lot of criticism, albeit from the right.

It may be too early, but I somehow now feel more comfortable about Trump's chances in November. That's my take, anyway. Now we can turn on the TV and listen to the experts tell us what all this means.

Italy: Afghan Gang Stabs Group of Pakistani Boys in Trieste

Molo Audace (pier) in Trieste

The city of Trieste sits on the Adriatic in the northeast corner of Italy. It is one of my favorite Italian cities. When I was working for DEA in Milan in the 1980s, we made periodic liaison trips to Trieste to work with Italian anti-drug units. The city has a great mixture of Italian and Slovenian culture since it sits on the border with Slovenia.

But it seems now that the city is suffering from migrant delinquents like so many other Italian cities. In this latest episode, a group of about 15 Afghani youths, cornered a group of Pakistani teenage boys in the area of the Molo Audace pier in downtown Trieste. They reportedly solicited the Pakistani boys for sexual favors and money. When the victims refused, they were set upon by the Afghanis and stabbed. They have all survived and the search is on for the Afghani suspects who are still unidentified.

Here is an article in Ansa (It) describing what occurred. It is translated by Fousesquawk.

Gang injures some boys for refusing (to give) sexual favors

Among those stabbed also a minor

August 5, 2024 at 11:51

A gang of about 15 persons, Afghan migrants, last night injured young Pakistani immigrants-including one minor- who refused to offer their sexual favors.

The latter subjects were stabbed in various parts of the body and one of them has very serious injuries; all of them are being treated at the Cattinara hospital. 

According to what has been learned, at Molo Audace* in the city center, the gang approached the 4 Pakistanis asking for sexual favors and money. When it was refused, the attack broke out.

One of the wounded managed to get to the Questura (police station), where he was aided by some officers.

The attack happened in the zone of Molo Audace, a gathering place, especially in the summer for people who live in the city but also for many immigrants.

According to a reconstruction, based on the report of the victims, the (attack) broke out around 10 pm. The alarm was given by a patrol of the Flying Squad (mobile unit) that intervened in the vicinity of the Questura because a Pakistani citizen, just turned (18), reported that he had been stabbed in the back because shortly before, he had refused to provide a sexual favor.

The victim, shortly after giving his version of what happened, lost consciousness due to the deep wound he had suffered and was urgently taken by ambulance to Cattinara.

Within the space of a few minutes, however, three other victims of attack showed up independently at the same hospital, all of Pakistani nationality. They were a 19-year-old boy, who had reported deep stab wounds and who was received in code red, a 16-year-old adolescent with obvious injuries to his face, and another 19-year-old youth with minor injuries.

The trio was brought to emergency services in a car (driven) by an uninjured co-national who confirmed the version of the attack. 

The investigations are being conducted by the Flying Squad, who, given the gravity of the episode, is in constant contact with the top leaders of the Questura and the Prefecture. At the site of the attack, at Molo Audace, there are no surveillance cameras, nor are there individual witnesses. However, the zone does have a system of video surveillance, which hopefully will enable (police) to reconstruct what happened and trace the identities of the attackers. 

* Molo Audace: (a pier in Trieste)

Kamala: Who Will Get the Rose?

 News item: Kamala Harris is interviewing her vice-presidential running mate finalists. The big announcement is reportedly just hours away. Can you stand the suspense?

I'm betting on the guy next to her on her right.

(Apologies to The Bachelorette.)