Worth Knowing, Probably Not Quite Threadworthy 1/13

[SVPete]

California to Keep Bird Broiling Solar Plant in Operation

https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2026/01/12/california-to-keep-bird-broiling-solar-plant-in-operation-n3810764

I was in Las Vegas with my family the week before Christmas. On the drive back to California we passed a solar generation site called Ivanpah. If you haven't seen this before it's pretty striking in person. Instead of using photo-voltaic cells, the site has three towers surrounded by mirrors. The mirrors focus light and heat on the towers which use the concetrated heat to turn turbines.

The site was built with funds from several major companies including Google and a federal loan guarantee of $1.6 billion dollars. When this site opened in 2014, it was considered a step into the future of solar energy, but that quickly changed for several reasons. First, the site never produced as much power as was promised. ... And thirdly, the site had some environmental problems including interfering with local tortoises and killing as many as 6,000 birds a year.
...
For all of these reasons, both the Biden administration and the Trump administration agreed the state should shut down Ivanpah. ...
...
Only it turns out that's not going to happen after all. The California Public Utilities Commission decided Ivanpah needs to remain open because the state doesn't have enough electricity to replace it at the moment.

What kind of moron thinks that continuing to operate a terrible power generation facility that is also a disaster environmentally? Enviromoroncrats.

[SVPete]

State Department Revokes 100K Visas for Criminal Activity

https://pjmedia.com/catherinesalgado/2026/01/13/state-department-revokes-100k-visas-for-criminal-activity-n4948212

The U.S. State Department posted a photo on X of President Donald Trump doing his Trump dance and announced that among the revoked visas are some 8000 student visas. Anyone witnessing the pro-Hamas student protests over the last couple of years, some of which, if not many of which, foreign students who propagandized American peers launched or fueled, understand the importance of that move.

The federal agency made its announcement Monday, Jan. 12: “BREAKING: The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized visas for individuals who had encounters with U.S. law enforcement for criminal activity. We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe.”

The first most obvious example, of course, is Mahmoud Khalil, the “Palestinian”-Algerian student who made such a name for himself at Columbia University leading rowdy riots in a support of Palestinian terrorists and against Israel in particular and Jews more generally.

[SVPete]

No (Federal) Charges Are Expected Against ICE Agent Whom Renee Good Attacked

https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/01/13/no-charges-are-expected-against-ice-agent-whom-renee-good-attacked-n4948214

Federal investigators have no plans to charge the ICE agent involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, and the Justice Department won't open a civil rights investigation into the incident from last week in Minneapolis.

The agent fired three shots after Good, 37, accelerated her SUV while he was in front of the car during an immigration enforcement operation that Good and other anti-ICE activists were attempting to obstruct.

The FBI took over the case from local authorities, and continues to review his conduct and physical evidence, including his service weapon. However, sources close to the investigation say the likelihood of criminal charges has decreased, though the decision isn't final.

I added the qualification, "Federal", because it's almost guaranteed that MN or the county pertinent to that part of Minneapolis will try lawfare and railroading the officer.

[DLR Pyro]

California to Keep Bird Broiling Solar Plant in Operation

https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2026/01/12/california-to-keep-bird-broiling-solar-plant-in-operation-n3810764

What kind of moron thinks that continuing to operate a terrible power generation facility that is also a disaster environmentally? Enviromoroncrats.

 The massive solar power generating facility at Ivanpah has to use natural gas fired turbine generators in the early morning hours to keep a minimal amount of power produced because (checks notes) the sun doesn't shine at night.

[SVPete]

CNN Drops a Truth Bomb on the Left’s Legal Efforts Against ICE

https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/01/13/cnn-drops-a-truth-bomb-on-the-lefts-legal-efforts-against-ice-n4948217

As PJ Media previously reported, the ICE agent who shot Renee Good in self-defense is unlikely to face charges for doing so. However, the left is still exploring options to grandstand its opposition to immigration enforcement. Minnesota Democrats are even looking at suing the federal government to stop it from enforcing immigration law in their state.

If the very concept sounds absurd to you, it should, and even CNN’s legal analyst Elie Honig said this effort is doomed to fail.

During a discussion with Anderson Cooper, Honig, a former federal prosecutor, made it clear that blue state efforts to sue Immigration and Customs Enforcement amount to political theater rather than a viable legal strategy. Minnesota, like Illinois before it, is asking a federal judge to do something courts simply do not do: block federal agents from enforcing federal law.

“Former Federal Prosecutor and CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig is here,” Cooper began. “I mean, does this lawsuit have any chance of doing anything?

Honig did not hedge. “No, I don’t think so.”

MN will almost certainly pursue Hate-Trump lawfare.

[enslaved1]

Scott Adams, 'Dilbert' creator and conservative commentator, dies at 68

“Dilbert” cartoonist and conservative political commentator Scott Adams died months after revealing his diagnosis with prostate cancer, his family said on Tuesday.

He was 68.

"Unfortunately, this isn't good news," his ex-wife Shelly Miles told Adams' fans on YouTube. "He's not with us ... anymore."

The grave-dancing from the ghouls will no doubt be very thread worthy. 

[SVPete]

Scott Adams, 'Dilbert' creator and conservative commentator, dies at 68

The grave-dancing from the ghouls will no doubt be very thread worthy.

Sadly, that is what I anticipate. Adams was working (in Pleasanton?) for AT&T when he started "Dilbert", and eventually quit his day job. His portrayal of Silicon Valley style cubicle culture was at least partly based on observation. The Pointy-Haired Boss is pretty universal, typical, generally, of some in manglement.

[SVPete]

I started a DUmpster thread with quotes from a DU thread about Adams' death. It is as classy as an observer of DU would anticipate.

BREAKING: Bill and Hillary Clinton Defy Subpoena, Refuse to Testify in Epstein Probe

https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/01/13/bill-and-hillary-clinton-defy-subpoena-refuse-to-testify-in-epstein-probe-n4948223

Last month, House Oversight Chair James Comer warned Bill and Hillary Clinton that they would be held in contempt of Congress if they continued refusing subpoenas to sit for Jeffrey Epstein-related depositions. The Clintons were subpoenaed in August after a bipartisan subcommittee vote, yet Comer says they have stalled and obstructed efforts to schedule testimony. Epstein’s extensive ties to Bill Clinton, including numerous White House visits and flights on Epstein’s plane, are central to the probe.

Comer initially subpoenaed the Clintons in August, but in November, the Clintons’ attorney insisted they would provide only “a written proffer of what little information” they had. Comer vowed to initiate contempt proceedings if they do not appear this month or in early January.

Well, on Tuesday, they made their move. They are refusing to testify.

“Bill and Hillary Clinton refused on Tuesday to testify in the House’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation, escalating a monthslong(sic) battle with Representative James R. Comer, Republican of Kentucky, and effectively daring him to follow through on his threats to hold them in contempt of Congress,” the New York Times reports.

Obstructing and brazening things through is Clintonian DNA.

[SVPete]

Hochul agrees to allow more child abuse in New York City

https://nypost.com/2026/01/11/opinion/hochul-agrees-to-allow-more-child-abuse-in-new-york-city/

Caving to progressive activists, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill late last month that will all but guarantee more child abuse goes unreported — in the name of fixing “racial disparities” in the child welfare system.

The new law bars callers to the city Administration for Children’s Services from leaving tips anonymously — on the supposed grounds that false tips help drive “inexcusable racial disparities that disproportionately impact Black and Brown families by leading to unnecessary interactions with child welfare services.”

What this really means is that more kids will be abused — and some killed — with minority children suffering the most.

Advocates insist that anonymity lets abusive exes and vindictive or racist landlords, neighbors and so on use ACS to harass innocent parents with “disruptive” probes.

1. AFAIK, serious investigation of anonymous child abuse reports is mandated by Federal law (thank you ex-Senator, -VP and Mondull!).

2. Personally, I absolutely oppose forcing investigation of anonymous child abuse reports - regardless of race, religion, and the phase of the Moon - because anonymous reports have been used to harass and ensnare good parents with "investigations" by sometimes-hostile CPS/DSS/etc. social workers with a messianic complex who think they are above the US Constitution ( https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/us-9th-circuit/1149036.html ).

[ADsOutburst]

“Bill and Hillary Clinton refused on Tuesday to testify in the House’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation, escalating a monthslong(sic) battle with Representative James R. Comer, Republican of Kentucky, and effectively daring him to follow through on his threats to hold them in contempt of Congress,” the New York Times reports.

There's the real issue. No one wants to hold Hillary Clinton accountable any more than they'd want to jump into a volcano.

[enslaved1]

Actor Timothy Busfield turns himself in amid child sex abuse allegations

Actor Timothy Busfield "presented himself" to authorities, a representative for Busfield confirmed Tuesday, after two children accused him of sex abuse in New Mexico.

Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed it had joined the Albuquerque Police Department in its search for the actor. Authorities had been unable to locate Busfield since an arrest warrant was issued in New Mexico last week.

The warrant was issued after the children reported that Busfield allegedly touched them inappropriately on the set of the Fox series “The Cleaning Lady,” in which he directed and acted.

Busfield's attorney, Larry Stein, said his client was not attempting to avoid being arrested and had asked authorities to drop the arrest warrant and let him turn himself in, which they declined.

Apparently, it's not the first time he's been accused, settling out of court back in 1994.  No mentions of any political affiliations, but the silence in these cases typically speaks volumes. 

[SVPete]

Actor Timothy Busfield turns himself in amid child sex abuse allegations

Apparently, it's not the first time he's been accused, settling out of court back in 1994.  No mentions of any political affiliations, but the silence in these cases typically speaks volumes.

He was sued and settled, amount not disclosed. In parallel, he sued for defamation, lost, and paid $150K - lawyer's fees, etc.. His current wife, Melissa Gilbert ran for Congress a while ago as a Dem. I'm not sure if they were married to each other at the time (both have prior marriages). They're Hollyweirders, and not blacklisted from employment, so both are probably still Dems.

[SVPete]

Democrat Says Sanctuary Sheriff Threatened Her To Kill Pro-ICE Bill

https://dailycaller.com/2026/01/12/sanctuary-sheriff-threatened-democrat/

A moderate Democrat is blowing the whistle on a sanctuary sheriff’s alleged attempt to threaten her into voting against more cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

North Carolina State Rep. Carla Cunningham, a Charlotte Democrat with a well-established independent streak, was intensely pressured by her party to vote against a July 2025 override of Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of House Bill 318, legislation requiring sheriffs to honor ICE detainers. She is now alleging that the sheriff of Mecklenburg County attempted extortion when he suggested that she’d “get hurt” if she helped Republicans pass the bill.

The threat may simply have been she would be primaried or otherwise voted out of office, but being non-specific, may have been more sinister. If they haven't already, Mecklenburg County might need some attention from ICE or CBP.

[SVPete]

FTC slams CarShield: $10M scam exposed

https://www.theblaze.com/align/ftc-slams-carshield-10m-scam-exposed

Most drivers don’t expect to hear from the federal government — unless something has gone very wrong.

But this month, more than 168,000 Americans opened their mailboxes to find checks from the Federal Trade Commission, tied to a case that exposed widespread deception in the vehicle service contract industry.

The fallout is significant: More than $9.6 million is being returned to consumers who were misled and often left paying for repairs they believed were covered by CarShield and American Auto Shield.

CarShield's warranty has expired.

[SVPete]

VA goes from Biden backlog to Trump turbo with claims cleared and clinics opened

https://justthenews.com/government/federal-agencies/va-goes-biden-backlog-trump-turbo-claims-cleared-and-clinics-opened

Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins is touting significant reforms in serving America's veterans, arguing the Trump administration is reversing Biden-era trends by increasing visits while reducing backlogs and wait times.
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The improvements have come quickly in many areas that were suffering prior to Collins taking over the department.

The backlog of veterans waiting for VA benefits has decreased more than 49% (and up to 57% in later reports) since January 20, 2025, following a 24% increase during the Biden Administration.

The progress, officials say, stems from enhanced processing efficiency, with the VA achieving an all-time fiscal-year high by processing three million disability compensation and pension claims by September 30, 2025 — surpassing the previous record set in FY 2024.

To improve convenience and timeliness of care, the VA has opened 20 new health care clinics nationwide, expanding services for veterans across the country. Since January 20, 2025, the department has provided more than 1.4 million appointments outside normal operating hours, including early-morning, evening, and weekend slots, offering veterans greater flexibility.

Hopefully these are real numbers and improvements, and not just local facilities' gaming their numbers.

[SVPete]

Court Sides With Father After School Exposed 5-Year-Old to LGBT Books

https://pjmedia.com/michaelcantrell/2026/01/12/court-sides-with-father-after-school-exposed-5-year-old-to-lgbt-books-n4948197

A Massachusetts father won a huge legal battle as a court granted an injunction against a local school district that sickeningly insisted on exposing his five-year-old son to pro-LGBTQ books. It boggles the mind that people in this country still don’t see liberals attempting to indoctrinate children to accept deviant sexual behavior as normative. How many of these cases do folks need to see before they get a clue?

The case featured Alan L., the father of J.L. in court documentation, against the Lexington Public School District (LPSD) and Joseph Estabrook Elementary School (JEES). Alan is a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ. The school likely knew this fact, understood why the father objected to exposing his son to pro-LGBTQ material, and disregarded it—showing how the so-called “tolerance” of the left applies only to ideas they already hold. In reality, it isn’t tolerance at all.

Alan objected to the content of specific books containing sexual themes and stated that his son faced “classroom instruction that promotes sexualized and ideological messages directly contrary to his family’s faith.” He also insisted that, as the boy’s parent, he should have received notification before his son encountered the sexual content in the books and classroom activities. He’s right on the money. Parents should control what their children are being taught and know exactly what curriculum teachers use in the classroom.

As for educrats "getting a clue", it probably well take several hundreds being held personally responsible - losing jobs and significant $$$. Ans then 5 or 10 a year as refreshers. Educrats are not pulling this @#$% out of ignorance, they are doing it in defiance and out of bigotry. @#$% like this is, sadly, an ongoing staple for the ACLJ, one of the non-profits who represented the Dad.

[SVPete]

Minnesota ‘ghost students’ stole $12.5 million in loans, sparking calls for new safeguards

https://www.thecollegefix.com/minnesota-ghost-students-stole-12-5-million-in-loans-sparking-calls-for-new-safeguards/

Nearly 2,000 “ghost students” in Minnesota stole $12.5 million in taxpayer-funded grants and loans, Education Secretary Linda McMahon recently revealed in a letter to the state’s governor.

The letter states that “ghost students” are financial aid applicants who “were not ID-verified and often did not live in the United States, or simply did not exist.” The fake applicants “collected checks from the federal government, shared a small portion of the money with the college, and pocketed the rest—without attending the college at all.”

The letter accuses Minnesota’s political elite of “turn[ing] a blind eye and even help[ing] facilitate the laundering of money that was meant to help America’s least fortunate.”
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Los Angeles Pierce College Professor of Criminal Justice Kim Rich told The Fix via email that she first noticed the “ghost student” phenomenon firsthand when she led an online class during the COVID pandemic.

After discovering that “bot accounts” comprised nearly half of the enrollment in her class, she began writing, teaching, and campaigning on the issue in California.
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When asked about the role that higher education institutions play in such cases, Professor Rich said, “There are several California community colleges that have implemented procedures to greatly reduce the instances of application/enrollment/financial aid fraud.”

Where safeguards are established and enforced, colleges, universities, and governments are capable of preventing billions of dollars of fraud. When removed or made optional, they cost taxpayers millions, she said.

Educrats being educrats, this "ghost student" fraud has probably happened in some significant degree in every US state and territory.