Worth Knowing, Probably Not Quite Threadworthy 5/26

[SVPete]

The Flotilla Farce

https://hotair.com/david-strom/2026/05/26/the-flotilla-farce-n3815273

The latest Gaza flotilla was a propaganda bonanza for the pro-Hamas crowd.

The reason? European elites are looking for excuses to bow to pressure from radicals in their own population, and many have become willing participants in hoaxes that make Israel look bad and the radicals in the flotilla—many of whom are directly associated with Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations—look like victims of Israeli abuse.

The flotilla's strategy was simple: put on a performance where fake "humanitarians" make a show of breaking Israel's blockade on Gaza, claiming to bring vital supplies to a starving population.

It's a farce. The war in Gaza is, for all intents and purposes, over. Nobody is starving, luxury bars and restaurants are open and thriving, and in most parts of Gaza, life is back to normal. There was never a genocide, and most civilians had evacuated the areas where fighting took place. Where they hadn't, Hamas had prevented it.

The blockade exists for a simple reason: to prevent the flow of weapons into the Gaza Strip. Food and supplies flow into Gaza just fine.

As has been documented extensively, the flotilla was a big party/sex cruise for the participants until they arrived at their destination.

Israel stopped the flotilla, arrested the participants, and expelled them.

Several European countries condemned the Israelis for mistreating the participants, based solely on the "testimony" of the propagandists. They loudly condemned Israel as barbaric after tales of rapes and beatings were spread.

"Sex cruise"? Well I think I understand why not-a-Saint Greta is continually angry,     .

[SVPete]

Tulsi Gabbard and Others Go Above and Beyond for a Gold Star Widow

https://pjmedia.com/sarah-anderson/2026/05/25/tulsi-gabbard-goes-above-and-beyond-for-a-gold-star-widow-n4953238

On the night before Memorial Day, Sharrell Shaw posted a special request on social media. "This is probably a long shot, but if anybody happens to be in D.C. this weekend and plans on visiting Arlington, I would love to see a fresh photo of my husband’s grave in Section 60," she said. "There’s just something about knowing people still stop by, still say his name, still remember." 

The Gold Star widow's husband was Staff Sergeant Alan W. Shaw. He was killed in action in Iraq on February 9, 2007. Alan was only 31, and while he's from Little Rock, Ark., he's buried Arlington in Section 60, Grave 8451 at Arlington.

Sharrell, who goes by @SharrellAnne2 on X, didn't have high expectations, so I imagine she was mighty surprised on Monday when dozens of patriotic Americans visited her husband's grave to pay their respects and take a photo for her, including members of the Donald Trump administration.

One of the first was outgoing Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. A veteran herself, Gabbard posted a response to Sharrell, which included a picture of her placing a challenge coin on Alana's headstone.

"It was an honor to visit your husband’s grave today on your behalf, and to pay my respects," she said. "It was wonderful to see the beautiful flowers representing many others who did the same. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and to the loved ones they left behind. Thank you for your service and sacrifice."
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Later, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and his wife and children also stopped by to pay their respects.
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Journalist Nick Sortor stopped by and laid fresh roses on Alan's grave. He also got the challenge coin and plans to mail it to Sharrell and her children.