WendyMcElroy.com

I am delighted to announce that my book on my old friend Samuel E. Konkin III (SEK3) is now available. The book was released on December 20th and is offered in both digital and paperback formats. The paperback can be purchased on Amazon, while the digital copy is available on the website https://www.agoristnexus.com/shop/, which also acceptd cryptocurrency through NowPayments. This link will also lead to the amazon URL for the paperback. Please take a moment and check out the remarkable human being who was SEK3. I thank you.

P.S. I would be most grateful for any publicity readers can provide to this book and SEK3.

Tik Tok. From TechCrunch: Xiaohongshu, China’s answer to Instagram, hits No. 1 on the App Store as TikTok faces US shutdown. [Ed: shutdown, if it occurs, will be in force by Monday.] From TechCrunch: As TikTok faces a US shutdown, here are some alternative apps to check out. From Reason: So…Is TikTok Really Getting Banned? The Supreme Court appears poised to uphold a ban on the app, but many creators aren't so sure.

From the Bored Panda: This NYC Dog Joyfully Howls At Ambulances And People Can’t Stop Loving Him

From Globe and Mail: Alberta refuses to sign joint statement on Trump tariffs from first ministers’ meeting. [Ed: damn straight. The other provinces want to use energy/oil as a weapon against Trump, while Alberta wants a full-speed ahead association with Trump on the same issue. Besides which, Ontario and Quebec always screw Alberta over economically and politically.]

Mainstream Media. From NPR: Will Lewis's first year at 'Washington Post': Cancellations, red ink and an exodus. [Ed: Will Lewis became CEO and publisher a year ago.] From PJ Media: Expect Big Changes in the White House Press Room as Trump Will All But Sideline Legacy Media. [Ed: and include Internet personalities, apparently.]

Ukraine. From Gilbert Doctorow: Transcript of ‘Judging Freedom’ edition of 15 January. [Ed: a must read.]

From Undercover DC: Trump's Plan for a New Agency to Tackle Foreign Debt Collection. [Ed: the External Revenue Agency. Hmm.]

California Fires. From the New York Times: The Design Legacy of Los Angeles That Fell to the Fires. The finality of the wildfires’ destruction has taken 10 more cherished buildings — by Richard Neutra, Gregory Ain, Eric Owen Moss and others. [Ed: reader friendly.]

From Newsweek: Hero Dog Getting Help to 'Save Grandpa's Life' Captured by Doorbell Cam

From the BBC: SpaceX rocket launches private missions to Moon. [Ed: while NASA's rocket can't hit its landing pad on earth.] AND Watch as SpaceX rocket blasts off to the Moon. A SpaceX rocket has blasted off from Florida carrying two privately constructed lunar landers and a micro rover to the Moon

Everyday Economics. From Real Clear Wire: Food Buyers Have Paid For the Tariffs On Steel. [Ed: this twist never occurred to me.] From the American Dream Blog: 18 Incredible Statistics About America's Rapidly Growing Retirement Crisis That Will Blow Your Mind. ...estimated that 80 percent of our retirees are either struggling right now or are in serious danger of falling into financial insecurity.

From Puppy Toob: 20 Heartwarming Stories of Dogs Rescuing Their Owners: Loyalty in Action

Ross Ulbricht. From Reason: Reminder: Donald Trump Promised To Free Ross Ulbricht on 'Day One' From Protos: What are the odds Trump will free Ross Ulbricht?

From Of Two Minds Blog: Catch-20: The 20 Dynamics That Will Shape the Next Decade

From NBC News: FDA moves to slash nicotine in cigarettes. The proposed rule would drastically reduce the level of nicotine allowed in combustible tobacco products, but it would not apply to vapes. [Ed: this is meant to destroy the tobacco industry...and it might succeed, if allowed to stand.]

Suchir Balaji. From the Daily Mail: Elon Musk questions 'suicide' of ChatGPT whistleblower who warned world about AI. [Ed: this scandal is about to break...big time.] From Republic World: Suchir Balaji's Death 'Open & Active Investigation': San Francisco Police's Big Shift. [Ed: Balaji's parents have been crying out for this shift for months.] The San Francisco Police Department updated the status of Suchir Balaji's case, changing it from 'Closed - Suicide' to 'Open and Active Investigation.

From the Epoch Times: "Great News... Good For Everyone" - California Abandons Regulations Phasing Out Diesel Trucks

From Zero Hedge: After Giving Medals To Billionaires, Biden Warns Of "Oligarchs", "Abuse Of Power", & "Tech-Industrial Complex" In Farewell Address. ...as he leaves with a record low approval rating.

From Cheezburger: 20 Dog Owners Share Their Silliest Stories That'll Make You Sit, Stay, and Laugh Your Tail Off.

Ceasefire. From Zero Hedge: Israel Delays Approving Hostage Deal, Accusing Hamas Of Reneging & Stoking 'Crisis'. Could prove deeply awkward & embarrassing for US & Qatar... [Ed: predictable. See yesterday's post.] From Haaretz: Netanyahu Just Agreed to a Hostage Deal With Hamas. But It’s Not the Deal He’s Selling His Supporters. [Ed: you mean Netanyahu is two-faced? What a shock!]

From IFL Science: For Possibly The First Time Ever, A Meteorite Was Captured Hitting The Ground On Video And Audio

Luigi Mangione, Western Hero
by Robert Franklin

READ IN APP

The worst are full of a passionate intensity. - Yeats

We live in times of extreme moral certainty. Dangerous times.

From all points of the political spectrum and in every medium of communication, doubt is rare. What critical thinkers know to be shades of gray, is now only stark black and white. Ukrainians wear white hats, Vladimir Putin, black. Criticize Israel’s slaughter of Palestinians and you’re an antisemite. Criticize Palestinian terrorism against Israeli Jews and you support genocide. Suggest that unlimited immigration isn’t wise policy and you’re a racist, that men shouldn’t compete against women in athletics, and you’re transphobic. Agree with the Dobbs decision and you hate women. Etc.

Where is the subtlety or nuance that makes up about 99% of human life? When do we hear “Let’s discuss this calmly?”

[ Read the rest ... ]

Breaking. From AP: Live updates: Israel-Hamas ceasefire in Gaza is confirmed by the US and Qatar

From the New York Times: Full Transcript of President Biden’s Farewell Address. The president delivered the 17-minute speech from the Oval Office in the White House. [Ed: I expect it was pre-recorded.]

From the Post Millennial: Colorado apartment complex closes over 'imminent threat' after Tren de Aragua infiltration. The 60-unit complex is posing an "imminent threat to public safety and welfare." [Ed: how long has this vile situation stretched on? Now that Trump's inauguration is nigh, voila, the sitch is resolved.]

From Modern Dog: These Incredible Dogs Saved Lives. From rushing into a burning building to getting life-saving help...

Wednesday Confirmation Hearings. From Newser: It's a Busy Day for the Senate. Pam Bondi, Marco Rubio among a half-dozen Cabinet picks slated to appear. [Ed: a news round-up.] From FOX News: Confirmation delays stack up for Trump nominees as paperwork lags in federal offices. [Ed: standard tactic.]

Trump Inauguration. From the Independent: Carrie Underwood met with intense backlash after announcing Trump inauguration gig. The country singer will sing ‘America the Beautiful’ at the swearing-in ceremony next Monday. [Ed: Trump could not get anyone of note to sing at the first inauguration. Now Underwood and the Village People. A wall is cracking.] From Zero Hedge: Fortress DC: Trump's Inauguration Braces For The Worst With Troops, Drones, And Fences

From the Gothamist: "Brink Of Collapse": New Report Details How MTA Has Put Its Riders On A "Fast Track To Ruin". The city’s subway system isn’t just teetering—it’s already breaking down... [Ed: what are New Yorkers paying taxes for?]

From Puppy Toob: Man Walks His Paralyzed Dog In A Cozy Wagon and It Goes Viral

Politics of California Wildfires. From CBS News: Los Angeles fire victims get protections from predatory real estate investors under new order from Gov. Gavin Newsom. [Ed: so he is preventing people from selling what may be their only asset and path to recovery.] From the Post Millennial: Trump Heading To California Wildfires As Early As Next Week: Report. [Ed: I wonder if Newsom actually thought Trump would say 'yes'.]

From the Hill: House barrels toward fight over placing conditions on California fire aid. From the Daily Caller: CNN Panel Has Fiery Exchange After Scott Jennings Backs ‘Conditions’ On Wildfire Aid. [Ed: why should average Americans in the midwest pay for the choice of wealthy Americans to live in a high-risk fire area?]

From I Love My Dog So Much: Couple Adopts Dog Without Meeting Him First, Then Rescue Truck Pulls Up And Trailer Door Opens. [Ed: better than title suggests.]

Tik Tok. From MSN: TikTok prepares for US shutdown from Sunday, sources say. [Ed: ban is effective then.] From BBC: What happens if TikTok is banned? From Forbes: Here’s How Much Elon Musk Could Buy TikTok For—As China Reportedly Eyes Deal. [Ed:China denies reports, but it would deny reports even if they were true.] From Just the News:
Over 700,000 social media users in US, elsewhere flock to China's RedNote app as TikTok ban nears, Over 50,000 American and Chinese users have joined the app this week, according to reports. [Ed: I would not be surprised if Tik Tok sells this week.]

From X: Google's Re-Education 'Camp'. [Ed: post by Dr. Drew. One of the creepiest things I've seen in a while. Must read.]

From Unherd: The cruelty of ‘corridor care’ . [Ed: a growing trend wherever there is socialized medicine.]

Damn Your Soul to Hell, Trudeau. From the Epoch Times: Visualizing All Of Canada's Cancelled Energy Projects. Impediments to Canada’s pipeline and resource projects aren’t limited to the ones crossing the border... [Ed: another reason Canadians are so eager to get rid of Trudeau.] From Unherd: Farewell to Canada’s Sun King Justin Trudeau ruled through spectacle and artifice.

From Cheezburger: Little Girl Finds Her Soul Puppy with Frightened Stray Dog Who Wouldn't Come Out from Hiding for Anybody Else, Names Her Magic.

From Deep Dive with Lee Slusher: The State of Western Warcraft.. [Ed: a must read.]

Big Picture Economics. From Doug Casey's Crisis Investing: Credit Card Default Wave Hits U.S. Banks. Credit Card Delinquencies Hit 14-Year High. [Ed: take this one seriously.] From the International Man: 2025: The Year the Federal Debt Bubble Bursts. From PGurus: Will 2025 Witness the Onset of the US Dollar Crisis?

From Reason: Javier Milei Slashes Argentina's Inflation in Just 1 Year. Austerity measures and bold economic reforms led to the country's lowest inflation rate in over four years.

From the Associated Press: Israel, Hamas Agree to Gaza Ceasefire Deal. Officials say agreement was reached after weeks of negotiations. [Ed: Caveat...this still needs the approval of Netanyahu's cabinet.]

From the Organic Prepper: Rotation Soup: Prep Well and Eat Well

Beware the Scams. From the Union Democrat: LA fires: Is that GoFundMe account legit? How to spot scams when helping victims From the BBC: Woman Horribly Duped by an AI-Generated Brad Pitt. The first rule of dating 'Brad Pitt' is don't send him $855K because it's not really him. From PC Scam: The Biggest Online Scams to Watch for in 2025—And How to Avoid Them. Be on the lookout for these scams this year, and follow our advice to stop criminals in their tracks. ]Ed: i encounter at least one scam a day, mostly thru emails that I never open.]

From Moon of Alabama: Preventing Peace With Russia - By Sanctions And Kinetic Means

From the Bored Panda: Story of a Rescued Puppy.

From Zero Hedge: Return Of Strong Winds Spark "Dangerous Situation" Across Fire-Ravaged Palisades. Goldman analysts believe estimated insured losses could be between $10 and $30 billion, with the figure for uninsured losses north of $40 billion. [Ed: and this is just the preliminary estimate.]

Pete Hegseth Confirmation Hearing. From Newser: 'I Do Not Believe That You Are Qualified'. Pete Hegseth, defense nominee grilled at Senate hearing, cites a 'smear campaign' against him. From Axios: Scoop: Trump team sets red line on Hegseth’s FBI background check. [Ed: Trump insisting that his nominees be treated in the same manner as Biden's.] From Townhall: Hegseth Lands Key Vote for Confirmation. [Ed: he has the votes to confirm.]

From ASPCA: A Big Dog with an Even Bigger Heart: Maggio’s Story. [Ed: Brad, get past the beginning.]

From Zero Hedge: Thousands Of South Korean Police Attempt To Raid President Yoon's Residence: Who's In Charge? Supporters form human chain, block police from entering compound... [Ed: it is an untenable situation that may well erupt in violence.] UPDATE. From Sky News: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol finally arrested after attempt to impose martial law.

From the Federalist: Canadians Flee To U.S. After Doctors Threaten To ‘Unplug’ Their Son And Harvest His Organs. [Ed: the Canadian medical system is frightening and anything but pro-patient.] From Spiked: Why is Labour putting ‘assisted dying’ ahead of social care? Elderly and disabled people need a national care service, not a national suicide service.

From Pomsky Dog: Watch As This Dog Picks Out And Pays For His Own Treats At The Store. Here is the YouTube.

From Salon: The top crypto predictions for 2025. Industry experts say they expect the momentum from 2024 to continue.

Gavin Newsom's Governorship. From Mish Talk: Let’s Discuss Governor Gavin Newsom’s Los Angeles Fire Fact Check "Dear governor, your own fact list says you are a miserable failure with piss poor priorities. Please apologize, then resign." [Ed: devastating analysis.] AND Governor Newsom Issues Executive Order to Cut His Own Red Tape.

From Quillette: My Experience Working With Justin Trudeau: Quillette Cetera Episode 43. Zoe interviews her colleague Jonathan Kay, who once ghostwrote for Trudeau, about his time working with the Canadian soon-to-be ex-Prime Minister.

From Reasons to be Cheerful: The Hidden World of ‘Hedgehog Highways’. As urbanization fragments the animals’ habitat, homeowners across the UK are creating a network of garden pathways just for them. [Ed: from near extinction, hedgehogs are making a comeback in the UK. I always liked hedgehogs.]

Ukraine. From Remix News: Zelensky 'Blackmailing' Europe For Aid, Says Slovak PM Fico In Latest Spat Over Russian Gas. “Russia has never deceived us, unlike Ukraine...” [Ed: Zelensky is putrid pond scum.] From Responsible Statecraft: Could a Ukrainian pipeline attack thrust Europe into a gas war? Energy insecurity in Europe is growing again as winter comes and as war sees no end. AND Who pays for Zelensky's gas cut-off gamble? Ukraine loses billions in transit fees, Europe faces soaring energy prices, with Russia largely insulated from the fallout. From Zero Hedge: Trump Affirms He'll Meet Putin 'Very Quickly' After Inauguration. "there is only one strategy, and it’s up to Putin."

From Politico: Johnson confirms ‘discussions’ on tying wildfire aid to debt limit. [Ed: this will be tremendously controversial...but will Trump care this time around?] AND ‘Non-starter’: California Democrats blast GOP’s fire trade.

All Things Musk. From FOX News: Musk Deploys Cybertruck Fleet to Fire-Ravaged LA. Starlink is keeping city online; officials had previously asked for service 'for expressly this type of scenario'

From the Dogington Post: Heroic Dog Saves 10-Year Old Girl From Attempted Abduction.

Mainstream Media. From the New York Times: Rachel Maddow Will Return to Nightly Shows on MSNBC for Trump’s First 100 Days. The cable news network rejiggers its prime-time lineup ahead of Donald Trump’s second stint in the White House. [Ed: reader friendly. Good list of links of media stories at the end.]

From the Washington Post: Arrested by AI: Police ignore standards after facial recognition matches. Confident in unproven facial recognition technology, sometimes investigators skip steps; at least eight Americans have been wrongfully arrested. [Ed: reader friendly.]

From Human Events: 250 African migrants occupy leftist-run Paris theater for 5 weeks, refuse to leave after free 'welcome' event. "Although this occupation is forced, it is unthinkable for the Gaîté Lyrique to throw these people out onto the street in the middle of winter." [Ed: sort of epitomizes the migration problem in Europe.]

Gaza. From Scheer Post: Juan Cole: CBS’ 60 Minutes Exposes the Biden Administration’s Complicity in Gaza Genocide, Interviews the Whistleblowers. From Zero Hedge: Hamas Accepts US-Mediated Ceasefire, Netanyahu Convenes Urgent Security Cabinet Meeting. "on the brink" & hours away from likely breakthrough deal... [Ed: Israel has a history of adding on terms at the last minute.] From Politico: Israeli minister makes last-ditch effort to block cease-fire with Hamas — again. From Moon of Alabama: Trump's Action Demonstrates Biden's Failure In Stopping The Genocide.

From ABC News: Bezos' space firm calls off debut launch of new rocket in final minutes of countdown. Blue Origin will try again to launch its massive new rocket as early as Thursday after calling off the debut launch because of ice buildup in critical plumbing

From PawBuzz: Mom And Dog’s Favorite Song Comes On And Neither One Of Them Hold Back. [Ed: delightful. And that's one of my fav songs, as well.]

From Just the News: David Weiss confirms Hunter made millions on family name in final report, blasts Joe Biden. The report, which was reviewed by Just The News, slammed the president for accusing prosecutors of being political when he pardoned his son. [Ed: the unconditional pre-emptive pardon makes more and more sense... Not that there was ever any question of why it was granted.]

Climate Change and Legal Matters.From Just the News: Supreme Court denies request to consider climate lawsuits, which critics say will harm consumers. O.H. Skinner, executive director of the Alliance for Consumers, said the overall effect of all these cases will in effect be passing the Green New Deal through court orders instead of the legislative process. From Watts Up With That?: CNN Freaks because polls show most people don’t think “climate change” is responsible for the LA fires. [Ed: the Left is desperate to blame the fires on climate change.]

From NPR: The first full moon of 2025 is here. This moon phase is nicknamed the Wolf Moon, which is rooted in Native American culture.

From Politico: Judge Clears Way for Partial Release of Trump Report, Aileen Cannon agrees to let DOJ release portion about election interference in Jack Smith's investigation. [Ed: a hearing has been scheduled for Friday for the rest of the documents.]

From Pawbuzz: 11-Man Bachelor Party Rescues Dog Stuck in Mud, Capturing Media Attention

From Zero Hedge: In Huge Protest, Romanians Rail Against Do-Over Election Targeting Populist NATO Skeptic. "At this rate we won't be voting anymore, they will impose a leader like in the old days" [Ed: I doubt that the 2nd election will offer different results.] From Anadolu Agency: Bulgaria, Romania join EU’s Schengen zone. Schengen area now spans 29 countries, including several non-EU states, allowing seamless travel without border checks.

From Krebs on Security: A Day in the Life of a Prolific Voice Phishing Crew. [Ed: fascinating. Recommended.]

From Give It Love: These Animals Are Accelerating The Whole ‘Taking Over The World’ Thing A Little Too Quickly And It Should Terrify You. [Ed: very cute,especially if you have seen the movie Cats and Dogs.]

From True Prepper: The 10 Best Canned Foods to Stockpile for Survival. [Ed: much more info than just a list of canned goods.]

Candidate Confirmations. From NBC: Senate braces for 'train wreck' as hearings kick off for Trump Cabinet picks. Some are expected to have smooth confirmation paths, like Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, while others, like defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth, face headwinds. From the Hill: Democrats want to slow Gabbard confirmation path. From the Associated Press: Hegseth’s views on women in combat, infidelity and more — in his own words. “If confirmed, [Hegseth] has said there will be no more ‘social justice, politically correct approaches to how we fight and conduct wars.’ Instead, he said, ‘this is about lethality, meritocracy, readiness.'” From Axios: Trump’s Cabinet disruptors soften key views as hearings loom

From Remix: German Chancellor Scholz Blocks €3 Billion Arms Package To Ukraine Ahead Of Election. ...so as not to antagonize voters ahead of next month's election.` [Ed: shows support for Ukraine is unpopular with the German public.]

From the Wall St. Journal: Fake Job Postings Are Becoming a Real Problem. One in five jobs advertised is fake or not filled, according to a new analysis; ‘more soul-crushing than ever’. [Ed: fascinating. It is tough out there. Reader friendly.]

Legacy Media. From Zero Hedge: MSNBC Attacks Trump And Musk For Telling The Truth About Suspicious LA Fires. LA is, at the very least, a victim of its own DEI incompetence... AND Regime Media Mouthpieces Chuck Todd, Jenn Rubin To Quit Outlets. Oh no! So anyway... [Ed: a sign of the establishment media weakening?] From PJ Media: The Death of the Washington Post: Web Traffic Crashes by 90% [Ed: in fairness, some conservative venues are equally biased.]

From Lew Rockwell: Wildfires, Fried Smelt, and the Hoary Hoax of a Burning Planet. [Ed: hat tip to David L. who comments, This is an excellent piece. I agree.]

From Politico: Gavin Newsom and California Democrats reach $50M deal to Trump-proof the state. The first-of-its-kind agreement would fund litigation against the incoming White House and protect against a potential mass deportation of immigrants. [Ed: anti-Trump legislation prioritized while L.A. county burns.]

From antiwar: Judge Threatens To Break the UK’s Wall of Secrecy Around Assange’s Persecution. [Ed: what are they hiding? Why such a thick brick wall?]

From Pupvine: This Deaf Pittie Was So Happy To Meet An Orphaned Baby Goat His Owners Took In Their Arizona Home.

From Tom's Hardware: Researchers 3D-print fully-functioning microscope in less than 3 hours — total system costs around $60, including lenses, camera, and Raspberry Pi.

Russia. From Armageddon Newsletter: Russian elites are delighted with Donald Trump’s Mar a Lago press conference. [Ed: by Gilbert Doctorow.] AND Firstpost (India) Spotlight program: US Sanctions On Russia’s Oil Hit India. From Politico.EU: Russia and Iran to sign partnership treaty this week. Putin signed a similar agreement with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un last June.

From Reasons to be Cheerful: The Revival of India’s Stunning Stepwells. Long abandoned, these deep, intricately designed wells are once again quenching water needs across India. [Ed: the most amazing architecture!]

California Wildfires. From American Greatness: Woke DEI + Green Nihilism = Dresden In California. California’s DEI “humanism” and Green New Deal environmentalism ensured the cruelest imaginable treatment of thousands of people and unrivaled destruction of the natural ecosystem... [Ed: will this make at least some of 'the woke' snap out of it and snap awake?] From the L.A. Times: Live updates: Increasing winds bring potential for ‘explosive fire growth’ across L.A. County this week. From Zero Hedge: L.A. Residents Sue Edison Utility Over Potential Role In Palisades Fire. "It's everyone's fault but the democrat leaders and politicians in charge."

From the Political Movement: Orwell Wept: WV County Unveils AI-Powered Total Surveillance System to Monitor Americans 24/7 for Their Own Good

From Townhall: DeSantis Just Made an Announcement About Trump's Deportation Program, "... a special session of the Florida legislature the week of January 27 to prepare Florida to lead on the Trump Administration’s deportation program."

From the Associated Press: Free Ride at Starbucks Ends. Only paying customers can make themselves at home, new policy says. [Ed: a lot of paying customers stopped going there when Starbucks pretty much invited vagrants to occupy the place.]