WendyMcElroy.com

From Quoth the Raven: Mamdani's Housing Czar vs. The Entire Field Of Economics. [Ed: God help NYC.] From the New York Post: Black New York homeowners blast Mamdani's radical tenant advocate Cea Weaver: 'White supremacy? I'm not white'

From Forward: Mamdani denounces Hamas chants, but his delay draws scrutiny. The New York City mayor’s delayed condemnation of pro-Hamas chants has Jewish New Yorkers — and some allies — wondering what guardrails are in place.

From Pupvine: Woman Took In A Shelter Dog For One Night, But Then Everything Suddenly Changed

From the Epoch Times: US, Partners Launch New Strikes On ISIS Targets In Syria. The strikes are part of a continuing bombing campaign in response to a Dec. 13 ISIS attack that killed two U.S. troops and a civilian interpreter... From Al Jazeera: US launches new attacks against ISIL in Syria over deadly ambush. US military says the strikes are in response to an ISIL ambush that killed three American personnel in Palmyra last month.

From the Post Millennial: Militant punches cop as Antifa, leftist agitators counter Canada First rally in Toronto. During a clash with the police officer, the individual was seen punching the cop in the face. [Ed: I had to put this up just for the headline.]

Ilhan Omar. From FOX News: Ilhan Omar kicked out of ICE facility after DHS requires week's advance notice. Minnesota congresswomen say they were fulfilling congressional oversight duties in Minneapolis

From Good News Network: Plushie Kindness Confetti: Hockey Team’s Teddy Bear Toss Collects 80,000 Stuffed Animals With Help From Local Teen

From Zero Hedge: White House Amplifies Shocking Claims Of US Super Soldiers Deployed In Maduro Raid. [Ed: I don't know what the heck to think of this.]

From the Associated Press: Leaders of Greenland Ask US to Curb Its 'Contempt'. 'We don't want to be Americans, we don't want to be Danes,' PM Nielsen, others say in statement

Iran. From the Guardian: Despite Threats, Iranian Protesters Turn Out, Praise Deposed Monarchy. Khamenei denounces demonstrators and Trump, signaling a crackdown From Politico.EU: Iran threatens preemptive strikes against Israel and US bases. Tehran would consider U.S. military facilities and Israel “legitimate targets” if it detects signs of an impending attack, Iran’s parliamentary speaker warned. From Just the News: Europe leaders are in rare unity over Iran but stop short of plan to tip country into instability. The protests touch on multiple hot-topic issues for Europeans including geopolitical instability, unpredictable energy markets, nuclear containment and fears related to mass migration.

From the Independent: China’s ‘artificial sun’ breaks nuclear fusion limit thought to be impossible The Independent From PC Mag: I Came to CES to Check Out Energy and Solar Power Innovations and Found That China Is Running Laps Around Us. "In Las Vegas, I saw a tale of two nations’ energy priorities. The US needs to get its act together." From Unherd: The Ayatollah will fight to the death He could unleash a killing machine

MAiD. From the Post Millennial: Canadian prisoners opt for government-assisted suicide rather than live behind bars. The Canadian government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has shown support for maintaining the MAID framework. [Ed: first, they imprison a person and make his/her life a living hell and then they compassionately murder them..at the victim's request, of course.] From the Western Standard: 'Healthy' 26-year-old man killed by MAiD for 'mental illness'. [Ed: for the love of God, do not allow government to murder people.]

From Scheer Post: From Noriega to Maduro: The Long US History of Kidnapping Foreign Leaders.

Venezuela. From the Epoch Times: US Warns Americans To Leave Venezuela Immediately. From Pepe Escobar: Escobar: How Trump's Oily Dreams May Collapse In A Venezuelan Dark Pit. So the Big Oil Picture in Venezuela is way more complex than the Trump 2.0 gang suspects... From Politico: What I Saw in Venezuela After Trump Seized Maduro. Locals are still sorting through the fallout of the American attacks on Venezuela.

From Sunny Skyz: Pet Owners Share Hilarious Stories Of Paying The Vet… Just To Find Out Their Pets Are Weird

From AP News: A battered Cuba braces for aftershocks as US seizures of oil tankers linked to Venezuela surge

From Peekskill Herald: The heartwarming story of Dudley the Dog. The ‘tail’ of how Dudley brought two communities together in search of him

From Zero Hedge: AOC Joins Top Dems In Abrupt Pivot Against 'Antisemitism'. "Guys, something is happening."

From Politico.EU: Polish president aligns with Trump to block Brussels’ Big Tech law.. Nawrocki called EU social media law “Orwellian,” echoing Washington’s main line of attack.

From American Greatness: The Democrats' "Affordability" Ploy To Avoid Accountability

From CNN Business: Trump suggests Fed renovations could be fireable offense for Powell [Ed: hmm. Will Trump finally remove this raspberry seed from his teeth?] From Bloomberg: Dollar Drops Most in Nearly Three Weeks as Fed Gets Subpoenas. [Ed: expect Trump to cut interest rates...as soon as Powell is laid flat.]

From the Gateway Pundit: MUST WATCH: Peter Doocy Shows Footage of Himself Being Hit By Similar Sonic Weapon Recounted by Venezuelan Soldier During Maduro Capture. [Ed: given that this is from 2013, the weaponry cannot *that* new.]

From People: Golden Retriever Beloved for Cheering on the Boston Marathon Gets Statue Near His Favorite Spot on the Route

ICE Shooting Fall-Out. From CNN: Anti-ICE protests held across US after agent’s fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis From the Detroit News:After ICE shooting, Minneapolis mayor emerges with blunt rebuke of Trump. [Ed: politicians are deliberately ratcheting up tension and conflict.] From MS Now: Trump administration to send ‘hundreds more’ federal agents to Minneapolis. The announcement comes after an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good in the city on Wednesday. From Reason: Video of the Minneapolis ICE Shooting Does Not Resolve the Issue of Whether It Was Legally Justified. The crucial question is whether the agent reasonably believed the driver he killed posed a threat, even if she was not actually trying to run him over.

For those who check the blog regularly, I should explain... For the last two days, I've had the flu, which I contract every single year without exception. It is a misery for about two days and, then, I revive. I'm starting to feel a bit better today and I expect things to head toward normal and to arrive at that point on Monday. Thanks for stopping by!

From the Center Square: Prosecutor Calls Newsom 'King Of Fraud' For Oversight Failures. "When you talk about the amounts of billions of dollars the governor’s spent in homelessness, he could almost buy a home for every homeless person"

From MSN: A very, very smart dog.

Iran. From Press TV: Iranian security forces hunt Mossad agents as policemen fall to terror attacks. From Iran International: US says watching Iran response to protests after millions pour into streets (Live). From RT: Iran shuts down internet amid protest groundswell – monitoring group.

From Newser: Oil Executives Resist Push by Trump to Invest in Venezuela. At White House, companies point to legal risks and instability [Ed: well, as some executives said...they've already had their assets seized twice down there.]

From CNBC: Houses passes ACA subsidies; fate of bill murky in Senate. "The proposal will likely fail in the Senate, though lawmakers are working on a compromise deal to address rising premiums."

From the Associated Press: 5 States Sue After Trump Freezes Federal Funds. Democratic-led states say move is an unconstitutional abuse of power. [Ed: withheld due to concerns about fraud.]

From Newser: News Outlets Parse the Video in Fatal Minneapolis Shooting. New York Times, Washington Post cast doubt on claims that the officer who fired was in danger. [Ed: this incident does not have the same energy behind it as George Floyd, for example.] From Zero Hedge: Watch: New Footage Shows Federal Agent's Perspective In Minneapolis ICE-Involved Shooting. "What the press has done in lying about this innocent law enforcement officer is disgusting. You should all be ashamed of yourselves."

From Zero Hedge: Watch: Conservative Honduran Lawmaker Narrowly Survives Bomb Hurled At Her In National Congress. Detonated just behind her head, which she survived... [Ed: with everything happening in Venezuela, Honduras did not cross my mind.]

US Troops in Mexico? From the Epoch Times: Trump Says US Will Begin Strikes On Cartels In Mexico. "We knocked out... the drugs coming in by water, and we are going to start now hitting land with regard with the cartels," the U.S. president said... From Reuters: Mexico's Sheinbaum urges closer US coordination after Trump threatens land attacks on cartels

From News 18: ‘Well Done, Dogesh Bhai’: German Shepherd Jumps Off Balcony To ‘Save Kids’ From Stray Dog | Video

Cost of Living. From Zero Hedge: Residential Electricity Prices Are Surging Even More. "Power prices emerged as a a major campaign theme in off-year elections in New Jersey and Virginia in 2025, and will play a big role in 2026's upcoming national midterms and state elections."

From Balanced Weather: Will “AI Slop” derail a potential revolution in weather forecasting?

From Sinification: A Tale of Two Ecosystems: Why China Has Not Yet Surpassed the US in Original Innovation

From the 100 Days: Truest Crime: A deep dive into the sociopathy of the Opioid Crisis. [Ed: this series of articles is interesting enough for me to provide a link to each one.] Part II: The conspiracy to game the medical literature. Part III: The conspiracy widens. Part IV: ‘No family more evil’ fights on. Part V: Welcome to the Tupperware Party

From Spiked: Why can’t the right say Renee Good’s death is a tragedy? It used to be the woke left that revelled in the death of its opponents – now the digital right does the same. [Ed: by Brendan O'Neill.]

Ukraine-Russia. From Moon of Alabama: Winter Strikes Kiev. Last night Ukraine was finally confronted with the consequences of attacking Russian infrastructure.

Mamdani declared, "Together we will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism."

From CBS News: Suddenly, Trump Is Inviting Colombia's Petro to White House. Leaders have surprisingly warm phone call. [Ed: Trump is never boring. Sometimes, I wish he were.]

From Pet Buzz: Clever Six-Year-Old Rescues Runaway Dog That Had Evaded Grown-Ups For Weeks

From the Associated Press: Trump Pulls US From 66 Global Organizations. Agencies dealing with population, climate are among those being dropped. From Politico: Trump quits pivotal 1992 climate treaty, in massive hit to global warming effort. The U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change underpins global efforts to address rising temperatures.

From Zero Hedge: Gold Exposes Dollar Reset While Media Pushes False Narrative.

From Just the News: Justice Department releases transcript of videos made by alleged Brown University shooter. Neves Valente allegedly confessed in the videos, which were done in Portuguese, that he had been planning the Brown University shooting for a long time and that the Rhode Island school was his intended target.

Backlash over Woman Killed by ICE. From the Post Millennial: Tim Walz preparing National Guard after woman who attempted to run over ICE agent fatally shot. [Ed: in case of riots.] From ABC News: Federal Agents Shoot Man, Woman in Oregon. Portland mayor blasts Trump administration's deployment as senator demands federal force leave

Ukraine-Russia. From Spiked: Starmer and Macron’s plan for Ukraine is a reckless empty gesture.

From Spiked: Why Tim Walz ran cover for the Somali welfare fraudsters. Democrats would rather allow industrial-scale theft from the needy than risk being accused of racism. [Ed: interesting. But I would not under estimate the incentive of pure greed.]

From Politico: How Europe will try to save Greenland from Trump. POLITICO spoke with officials, diplomats, experts and NATO insiders to map out 4 potential strategies for deterring the U.S. president. [Ed: I did not have Greenland on my '26 bingo card.]

From the Department of Justice: Justice Department Sues Arizona and Connecticut for Failure to Produce Voter Rolls. [Ed: this brings the total of states sued to 23.]

J6. From the Post Millennial: Trump White House launches website detailing 'true story' of J6. [Ed: the webpage, titled "January 6: A Date Which Will Live in Infamy."]

From Pet Buzz: Little duck anticipates giant ‘best buddy’s’ playful visit. [Ed: love the video of the dog and the duck.]

Venezuela. From the Epoch Times: Venezuela Commits to Buying American Goods in Oil Deal: Trump. The purchases will include American agricultural products, medicines, medical devices, and equipment to upgrade Venezuela’s energy infrastructure. From CNBC: Trump: I Called Off 2nd Wave of Attacks on Venezuela. He says the US and Venezuela are 'working well together,' especially on oil,

From the Associated Press: Resolution to Limit Trump's War Powers Passes Senate. It passed in a 52-47 vote with 5 Republicans in support.

From Slay News: Canadian Government Euthanizes 'Young & Healthy' 26-Year-Old for 'Depression'. "Canada’s euthanasia regime has claimed yet another young life after a 26-year-old man suffering from depression was euthanized by the government's assisted death program, despite previously being rejected for the lethal injection by a doctor who said he was too “young and healthy” to be killed."

From Al Jazeera: Iranians Lose Internet as Protests Spread. Authorities cut connectivity as protests over economic crisis intensify

Socialist Mayors. From Townmhall: A Deep Dive Into Mamdani's Housing Advisor Cea Weaver Shows Just How Dangerous She Is. [Ed: the social media posts against the very concept of private property are frightening but they are also a few years old. Does she still stand by them or do they reflect 'college' radicailsm? Probably...but I'd like to know.] AND Seattle's Socialist Mayor Has a 'Solution' for the City's Empty Offices. Guess What It Is.

From Newsweek: Couple Adopt German Shepherd To Protect Their Home, Then Have Realization

Greenland. From PJ Media: Greenland, Denmark Request a Special Meeting With Rubio. [Ed: details are not provided.] From Reason: Trump Wants To Seize Greenland Because He Doesn't Understand Trade. Presidents should try to nudge the world toward more trade and less war whenever possible. Trump is doing the opposite.

The MSM. From Front Page Magazine: MSNBC Parent Company Shares Fall 15% on First Day of Trading. The death of the media is closer than you think.

House Hearing on Minnesota Scams. From the Committee on Oversight: Chairman Comer Opens Hearing on Massive Fraud in Minnesota’s Social Programs. [Ed: opened yesterday, Wednesday.] From Politico: Comer threatens subpoenas for Walz, Ellison in Minnesota fraud scandal. [Ed: I expect subpoenas will be necessary; I suspect they will not be obeyed.] From the Hill: Comer, Lee get in heated exchange during Minnesota fraud hearing: ‘You all have failed’.

From Moneywise: If you make extra cash from gig work or selling stuff online, Trump and Congress just made your life a little easier with this tax change. [Ed: this will be a very popular change.]

Committee Hearings in the House Next week. From Just the News: House J6 subcommittee chair says first hearing of 2026 will take place next week. [Ed: I'll follow this news item carefully and 'report' it on this newsfeed.] AND House Oversight committee to hold first hearing on Minnesota fraud Wednesday. “American taxpayers demand and deserve accountability for the theft of their hard-earned money,” said Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., the committee’s chairman. [Ed: fast tracked, probably to ensure all the dirt on the Dems gets out before the midterm election.]

U.S. Seizes 2 Oil Tankers. From Zero Hedge: Donroe Doctrine: US Seizes Russian-Flagged Tanker In Atlantic, Intercepts Dark-Fleet Ship In Caribbean. [Ed: operating in international waters.] From the BBC: US seizes Russian-flagged tanker in Atlantic as UK confirms it gave support to operation.

The Midterm Elections. From Jonathan Turley: “Are You Not Entertained?” Democrats Announce New Impeachment Games to Draw Midterm Voters. [Ed: I think enough safeguards may be in place to prevent the massive ballot fraud of 2020 but the midterms will be as dirty in their own way.]

From the Greater Good: When His Dog Couldn’t Climb Stairs Dad Moved His Bed Instead.

Somali Scam Scandal. From PJ Media: Massive Coverup Underway in Washington State to Stop Reporting of Somali Daycare Fraud. [Ed: this is going to backfire, and badly so.] From :the Epoch Times Somali UN Ambassador Linked To Ohio Health Care Company Sanctioned For Medicaid Fraud, HHS Says. “HHS has previously taken action against Progressive in response to a conviction for Medicaid fraud. More to come.” [Ed: Abukar Dahir Osman, Somalia’s permanent representative to the United Nations and the current president of the U.N. Security Council.] AND Medicaid Will 'Claw Back' Fraud Funds From Minnesota: Agency Head. Minnesota will feel an “increasing vise grip of financial penalties” to help make up for taxpayer dollars lost to fraud... "...A large percentage of Minnesota fraud defendants charged so far are of Somali descent, federal prosecutors have said."

Government Shutdown? From Yahoo: Is there going to be another government shutdown? What senators are saying. [Ed: it is unlikely.]

Ukraine-Russia. From Zero Hedge: Paris Summit Wants Ukraine 'Peace' Through NATO Boots On Ground. Multinational Force for Ukraine...would "monitor" ceasefire. [Ed: Putin will balk.] From Son of the New American Revolution: Did Russia Just Send a Message to Donald Trump? Who Ratted out Maduro?

Cost of Living. From Law & Liberty: The Year of Unaffordability.

From Cuteness: This Reluctant Hiker Was Trailed By A 'Sneaky' Stray Dog & It Turned Out To Be Fate All Along

ICE Kills Woman in Minneapolis. From the CBC: FBI investigating after ICE officer fatally shoots woman in Minneapolis. From ABC News: Minneapolis Mayor Frey disputes DHS claims in lead-up to deadly ICE-involved shooting. DHS alleged the woman was "attempting to run over our law enforcement officers." From KARE: Frey 'demanding ICE leave the city' after civilian shot, killed by agent. The DHS has stated the woman tried to run over ICE agents in her car. Witnesses posted videos, saying the woman was attempting to flee when an agent shot her. [Ed: I'm imposing the 2 day rule on myself. That is, I'm not going to reach any conclusions until 48 hrs pass, which is usually long enough for 'missing' facts to appear, etc.] From the Post Millennial: Mother confirms daughter Renee Nicole Good was killed in Minneapolis ICE shooting. [Ed: a useful video is embedded.]