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."
...
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.

[SVPete]

Things Do Not Go Well for Dem Senator When He Shows Up at Detention Center Amid Anti-ICE Action

https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2026/05/25/anti-ice-activists-go-off-the-rails-in-newark-member-of-congress-is-also-there-n2202693

Most Americans are spending time with their families this weekend for Memorial Day, remembering and honoring those who gave their lives for our country.

But some were busy doing other things. For example, there were activists at the ICE detention center in Newark, N.J., over the weekend. Democratic politicians also made an appearance. Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) was trying to get into the facility on Sunday.

Kim was back on Monday. Gov. Mikie Sherrill also showed up.

A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said Kim personally called Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and that he was allowed in the facility to conduct his congressional oversight responsibilities. However, the spokesperson criticized Sherrill over the appearance at the detention center.

"Governor Sherrill’s visit to Delaney Hall is nothing more than a political stunt on Memorial Day when visitation is currently suspended due to riots outside the facility," the spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Yesterday, approximately 125 agitators surrounded Delaney Hall Detention Facility, many carrying anti-ICE signs and Antifa flags. They formed a human chain around entrances to the facility and set up barricades, blocking all entries and exits."

The activists were at it again on Monday. Here's one digging up large blocks to help add to their blockade of an exit from the facility.
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Here's the blockade they assembled, with all the random garbage they were able to grab.
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Kim was telling the activists to let the agents through the blockades, saying he would make sure there were no detainees in the vehicles. Here on X.

Police reportedly had to deploy pepper spray, and carted away some of the agitators. Here on X.

And it looks like Kim may have been affected.

Kim has claimed (on X?) that he got pepper-sprayed in the midst of a peaceful protest.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Things Do Not Go Well for Dem Senator When He Shows Up at Detention Center Amid Anti-ICE Action

https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2026/05/25/anti-ice-activists-go-off-the-rails-in-newark-member-of-congress-is-also-there-n2202693

The activists were at it again on Monday. Here's one digging up large blocks to help add to their blockade of an exit from the facility.
...
Here's the blockade they assembled, with all the random garbage they were able to grab.
...
Kim was telling the activists to let the agents through the blockades, saying he would make sure there were no detainees in the vehicles. Here on X.

Police reportedly had to deploy pepper spray, and carted away some of the agitators. Here on X.

And it looks like Kim may have been affected.

Kim has claimed (on X?) that he got pepper-sprayed in the midst of a peaceful protest.

"Mostly peaceful". I've never heard of this Senator, but the name reminds me of a 1970's Canadian singer also named Andy Kim, known for the song "Rock Me Gently":

https://youtu.be/bfQfjAb2_fo?si=zUavcFtQiWr_U99M

[SVPete]

A Senator Got Pepper-Sprayed, and Greg Gutfeld’s Response Was Brutal

https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2026/05/26/a-senator-got-pepper-sprayed-and-greg-gutfeld-called-him-scum-n4953284

While Americans spent Memorial Day honoring the fallen, New Jersey Democrats turned an ICE detention facility in Newark into the scene of a political circus. What was billed as a protest outside Delaney Hall quickly spiraled into chaos, complete with screaming activists, clashes with law enforcement, and a sitting U.S. senator getting pepper-sprayed in the middle of the mayhem.

And while the media was using footage of Sen. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) getting his eyes flushed out after being pepper-sprayed to push their preferred narrative, Greg Gutfeld wasn’t buying into the propaganda. On Tuesday’s edition of The Five, he immediately trashed the Democrats for their stunt, particularly the day they chose to do it.

“It took place on Memorial Day," he said. "The message is clear. Illegal immigrants, no matter how criminal they are, take priority over dead soldiers."
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“Do I care that Andy Kim got pepper-sprayed? No, I don't care," he said. "You are doing this on Memorial Day, champ. You're actually participating in something that undermines our country's security."
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The broader point Gutfeld made was about motive. Kim and the other demonstrators, as far as he was concerned, were never really there about immigration policy. They were there for the moment itself. "What Kim got was what he wanted. He wanted the attention off Memorial Day and on him. But it's not going to change the way we feel about him or anything else."

And that, Gutfeld argued, is the whole playbook: Stage a confrontation, generate visuals of chaos, then point to the chaos as evidence that the policy itself is the problem.

When you lie down with stray dogs, don't whine when you get fleas.

[SVPete]

ICE Rejects Democrats' N.J. Detention Site Claims

https://www.newsmax.com/us/ice-dhs-detention-site/2026/05/26/id/1257540/

“There is no hunger strike at Delaney Hall. There are no subprime conditions or abuse at the facility,” Lauren Bis, acting assistant DHS secretary said as the Department of Homeland Security pushed back against New Jersey Democrats accusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement of mistreating detainees at a Newark detention center.

Bis accused Democrats of spreading “falsehoods” and “smears” about the Delaney Hall ICE facility during Memorial Day weekend demonstrations outside the center.

“These sanctuary politicians should be thanking ICE law enforcement for removing murderers, rapists, pedophiles, and drug traffickers from their communities,” Bis said.

Typical Lib/Prog strategy:

* Publicize false claims;

* Demand "investigation" access;

* Organize violent protesters;

* Force decisive response;

* Make false claims about the response;

* Rinse and repeat ad infinitum.