THREAD: sp on shaky ground

SECURITY FAILURES at Trump Rally Spark Outrage

24 July 2024 — Two local law enforcement officers left their post to search for a suspicious man before the shooting at former President Donald Trump’s rally. This decision raises questions about whether a key position was left unattended as the shooter climbed onto a roof.

Pennsylvania State Police Col. Christopher Paris testified that the officers were stationed at a second-floor window with a clear view of the roof where Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire. Paris admitted uncertainty about whether staying at their post would have allowed them to see Crooks climbing onto the adjacent building’s roof.

The testimony before the House Homeland Security Committee sheds light on security preparations for Trump’s rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, but also highlights potential lapses in law enforcement decisions. The Butler County District Attorney and Secret Service have not responded to requests for comments on who ordered the officers to leave their post.

The incident has sparked growing concerns over multiple security failures that enabled Crooks to fire eight shots into the crowd, resulting in one death and two injuries. Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after being criticized by lawmakers for what she called the agency’s “most significant operational failure” in decades.

ISRAELI STRIKES in Gaza Spark Outrage, Kill 37

29 May 2024 — Israeli shelling and airstrikes killed at least 37 people near Rafah, Gaza Strip, mostly in tents. This follows a deadly fire days earlier in a camp for displaced Palestinians. Witnesses and emergency workers confirmed the casualties.

The tent camp inferno has sparked international outrage, even from Israel’s allies. Spain, Norway, and Ireland recognized a Palestinian state on Tuesday. The Israeli military suggested the blaze might have been caused by secondary explosions from militants’ weapons.

Israel’s initial probe into the fire is ongoing. Military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that Israeli munitions were too small to cause such a fire. Prime Minister Netanyahu called it a "tragic mishap.

The strikes have forced over 1 million people to flee Rafah since May 6th, according to the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees. Most of these families are now scattered across makeshift camps and war-torn areas in Gaza.;

SUNAK SHOCKS Nation: Calls Surprise Election for July 4

23 May 2024 — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has shocked many by calling a general election for July 4. Known for being thorough and evidence-led, this move contrasts sharply with his usual cautious approach.

Opinion polls suggest that Sunak’s Conservative Party is trailing behind the opposition Labour Party, which could spell trouble for his leadership. Sunak took office in October 2022, replacing Liz Truss after her economic policies caused market turmoil.

Sunak had warned against Truss’s unfunded tax cuts, predicting economic havoc that indeed followed. His rise to power was rapid, becoming Britain’s first leader of color and youngest prime minister in over two centuries at age 42.

Sunak previously served as Treasury chief during the coronavirus pandemic, where he introduced an unprecedented economic support package. Now at age 44, he faces a critical test with this upcoming election amid challenging political landscapes.

ALDERMAN’S Anti-Israel Stance Sparks Outrage

04 May 2024 — Chicago Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez was spotted at an anti-Israel gathering at the University of Chicago. This event comes after his participation in a March rally where the American flag was desecrated. Critics are now questioning his ability to uphold American values.

Sigcho-Lopez has received criticism from fellow aldermen and veterans, who are alarmed by his actions. Army veteran Marco Torres expressed dismay, questioning Sigcho-Lopez’s commitment to veterans given his recent behavior. These incidents have raised serious concerns about the alderman’s judgment and priorities as a public servant.

The alderman’s involvement in these events is particularly controversial as it precedes the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this August. His behavior has ignited discussions about whether it is appropriate for someone in his position, especially during such a critical time leading up to elections.

Observers are keenly watching how these controversies might affect both the DNC and Sigcho-Lopez’s political future. The stakes are high for party unity and public trust, with significant interest from local voters and national commentators.

BIDEN HALTS Leahy LAW: A Risky Move for US-Israel Ties?

30 April 2024 — The Biden administration recently paused its plan to apply the Leahy Law to Israel, sidestepping a potential complication for the White House. This decision has sparked intense discussions regarding the future of U.S.-Israel relations. Nick Stewart from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies has voiced strong criticism, labeling it as a politicization of security aid that could set a troubling precedent.

Stewart charged that the administration is overlooking crucial facts and fostering a damaging narrative against Israel. He argued that this stance could empower terrorist organizations by distorting Israeli actions. The public exposure of these issues, along with leaks from the State Department, points to political motives rather than genuine concerns, Stewart suggested.

The Leahy Law bars U.S. funding to foreign military units accused of human rights violations. Stewart called on Congress to scrutinize whether this law is being politically weaponized against allies like Israel during an election season. He stressed that any real concerns should be addressed directly and respectfully with Israeli officials, preserving the alliance’s integrity

By halting application of the Leahy Law specifically towards Israel, questions arise about consistency and fairness in U.S. foreign policy practices, potentially impacting diplomatic trust between these longstanding allies.

SOUTH KOREAN Election Shocker: Voters Lean Left in Historic Turn

11 April 2024 — South Korean voters, upset by the economic slump, are showing their disapproval towards President Yoon Suk-yeol and his ruling People Power Party (PPP). Early exit polls indicate a dramatic tilt in the National Assembly, with the opposition DP/DUP coalition on track to win between 168 and 193 of the 300 seats. This would leave Yoon’s PPP and its partners trailing with just 87-111 seats.

A record-breaking turnout of 67 percent — the highest for a midterm election since 1992 — reflects widespread voter engagement. South Korea’s unique proportional representation system aims to give smaller parties a chance but has resulted in a crowded field that confuses many voters.

PPP leader Han Dong-hoon has publicly recognized the disappointing exit poll figures. He pledged to honor the electorate’s decision and wait for the final tally. The election results could mark a pivotal change in South Korea’s political landscape, hinting at broader shifts ahead.

This electoral outcome underscores growing public discontent with current economic policies and signals a desire for change among South Korean voters, potentially reshaping the nation’s policy direction in years to come.

US Squatting Laws EXPLOITED: Migrant ‘Influencer’ PUSHES Illegal Home Seizures

05 April 2024 — Squatting laws in the United States are increasingly manipulated by fraudsters unlawfully occupying empty homes. This problem is projected to escalate due to the current immigration crisis, as migrants gain knowledge of these laws and exploit them.

Leonel Moreno, a Venezuelan national apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week, had been urging his TikTok followers, numbering in the millions, to commandeer vacant U.S. homes. Before his arrest, Moreno was raking in $1,000 per day as an influencer while also benefiting from $350 monthly government subsidies.

The regulations on squatters vary across states and cities with New York City being among those with the most lax rules. These laws have recently resulted in significant repercussions including a Queens homeowner’s arrest for attempting to remove squatters from her property — a clear sign that these laws continue to be exploited even after Moreno’s TikTok account has been deactivated.

Recent incidents involving deceptive squatters in New York City and Long Island underscore the potential for abuse of these laws. Last month saw a woman tragically killed by squatters occupying her mother’s apartment while another instance involved two individuals unlawfully residing in an abandoned Long Island home after forging the deceased owner’s signature on a lease.

US BRIDGES on the BRINK: The Shocking State of America’s Crumbling Infrastructure

31 March 2024 — The Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge, a long-standing structure in Tacoma, Washington, is once again off-limits. Despite its reopening in 2019 after a year-long closure and even earning a national award, federal officials have expressed concerns about its aging section. The bridge previously carried around 15,000 vehicles daily. Now it remains closed indefinitely as the city scrambles to fund necessary cleaning and inspection.

Bridges are crucial elements of our infrastructure that often go unnoticed until they fail us. A recent example is the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore due to an unfortunate cargo ship collision. However, this incident only scratches the surface as thousands of other bridges across the country are in far worse condition.

Reportedly, about 42,400 US bridges are currently in poor condition and bear around 167 million vehicles each day. A staggering four-fifths of these structures have issues with their supporting components. An Associated Press analysis reveals that over 15,800 were also deemed poor a decade ago.

A prime example is a persistently deteriorating bridge on Interstate 195 over Rhode Island’s Seekonk River which was abruptly shut down last year causing significant delays for drivers. In March it was announced that this bridge — carrying approximately 96,000 westbound vehicles daily — needs to be demolished

TRUMP SURGES Ahead in Michigan: Biden’s Struggle to Secure Base Exposed

25 March 2024 — A recent trial ballot in Michigan has revealed a surprising lead for Trump over Biden, with 47 percent favoring the former president compared to 44 percent for the incumbent. This result falls within the survey’s ±3 percent margin of error, leaving nine percent of voters still undecided.

In a more complex five-way trial ballot test, Trump maintains his lead at 44 percent against Biden’s 42 percent. The remaining votes are split among independent Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Green Party candidate Dr. Jill Stein, and independent Cornel West.

Steve Mitchell, president of Mitchell Research, attributes Trump’s lead to Biden’s lackluster support from African Americans and younger voters. He forecasts a nail-biting contest ahead as the victory will likely hinge on which candidate can rally their base more effectively.

In a head-to-head choice between Trump and Biden, an overwhelming 90 percent of Republican Michiganders back Trump while only 84 percent of Democrats support Biden. This poll report underscores an uncomfortable situation for Biden as he loses a significant 12 percent chunk of his vote to former President Trump.

ANC on SHAKY Ground: South Africa’s Opposition Parties Gaining Momentum

14 March 2024 — Recent polling data indicates a potential shift in South Africa’s political scene, the likes of which haven’t been seen since 1994. The ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC), has experienced a decline in support from 44% to 39% since November 2022.

On the other hand, the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) has seen its share rise from 23% to a notable 27%. A newcomer on the scene, the MK Party, has made an impressive debut with a surprising 13%, while support for the radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party has dwindled to just 10%.

This changing landscape could potentially pave the way for DA to form a majority coalition with other parties excluding ANC and EFF. This tactic proved successful in Cape Town’s municipal elections back in 2006. Despite ANC’s historical appeal due to its instrumental role in ending apartheid, ongoing issues such as electricity and water shortages, high crime rates, and rampant corruption have strained voters’ loyalty.

The shifting political climate suggests that voters are seeking change and are willing to look beyond traditional party lines. This could lead to significant changes in South Africa’s political landscape moving forward.

SENIOR CITIZEN Soars Skyward: Security Shutter in Wales Store Lifts Woman Off Ground

06 March 2024 — In an unusual turn of events, Anne Hughes, a 71-year-old woman, found herself lifted off the ground when her coat became entangled with a security shutter outside a store in Wales.

Hughes, who works as a cleaner at the Best One shop near Cardiff, was caught off guard when her coat snagged and she was hoisted into the air. “I thought “flipping heck!”” said Hughes. A quick-thinking colleague came to her aid and helped her down after she spent 12 seconds suspended mid-air.

Despite the odd incident, Hughes managed to retain her sense of humor about it all. She expressed relief that she hadn’t landed face-first and even joked that such an event could only happen to her.

The store seized this unexpected opportunity by using the footage for online promotion with a humorous caption about their deals and staff members’ antics. The video clip was shared on social media platform X with this playful tagline: "Don’t hang about like Ann, come down to Best One for unbeatable deals! The only thing going up in our shop is our staff — not our prices!

WW2 BOMB Unearthed: MASSIVE Evacuation in Plymouth Sparks Fear

23 February 2024 — Construction workers in Plymouth, Devon, stumbled upon a chilling piece of history last Thursday. They unearthed a 500kg bomb from the Second World War beneath a garden. Plymouth, known for its key naval base during the war, was a prime target for German air raids which left much of the city center in ruins.

In response to this alarming discovery, police cordoned off a 300-meter exclusion zone around the property. The zone was further extended along the planned route to sea where military personnel plan to dispose of the bomb safely. Detonation at the site would likely result in severe damage to nearby homes.

This incident has sparked one of UK’s largest peacetime evacuation operations since WW2. The British Army and Royal Navy are working round-the-clock with local authorities and emergency services to ensure public safety.

The operation is ongoing as members of HM Coastguard Search and Rescue mobilize following home evacuations triggered by this unexpected discovery.

ARMY VET Rockstar Tackles Walmart Thief: The Shocking Moment Caught on Camera

05 February 2024 — In an unexpected twist, Josh “Crazy Ed” Edwards, a band member of HED P.E., successfully stopped a potential thief at a Walmart in California. This incident was captured in an Instagram video and later shared with Fox News Digital on January 23. The video shows Edwards restraining the suspect and subsequently emptying his pockets.

During the confrontation, Edwards discovered a knife in the suspect’s possession which he swiftly discarded. The suspect was under the mistaken impression that Edwards was part of some covert sting operation.

However, Edwards quickly set him straight: “No, this is 10 years of military. You’re messing with the wrong people,” said the Army veteran who had just saved another person’s life merely three days prior to this event.

CHIEFS FAN Shattered: Friends’ Mysterious Deaths Ignite Wild Speculation

28 January 2024 — Jordan Willis, a loyal Kansas City Chiefs supporter, is said to be “shattered” and in a state of deep despair after three friends were found lifeless in his backyard. Despite the absence of charges or solid evidence against him, Willis finds himself under the public’s harsh gaze.

Ricky Johnson (38), Clayton McGeeney (36), and David Harrington (37) were discovered outside Willis’ residence on January 9. The last sighting of the trio was at a Chiefs game watch party just two days earlier. This grim news stunned Willis’ family who initially feared he might be among the victims.

Critics argue that many are too quick to point fingers without waiting for official reports or facts from an ongoing police probe. As they await answers about what led to these sudden deaths in frigid temperatures, the families and friends of the deceased are filled with anxiety.

While experts have suggested potential causes ranging from drug use to lethal weather conditions, all theories remain speculative until authorities investigating this case release official results.

CHEMICAL ATTACK Accusations at Columbia: Israeli Soldiers in the Eye of Storm

25 January 2024 — Columbia University finds itself in a storm after two student groups, “Students for Justice in Palestine” and “Jewish Voice for Peace”, levelled accusations against Israeli soldiers. The soldiers, who are also students at the university, were accused of using a “chemical weapon” known as “skunk spray” during a protest. Pending an investigation into these allegations, the accused individuals have been temporarily barred from campus.

The accusing student groups had previously faced suspension by the university due to repeated violations of protest policies. Critics argue that Columbia has not been stringent enough when it comes to enforcing these suspensions. An unnamed student voiced their disappointment to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency saying: “The university is turning a blind eye...it’s just disappointing.”

Despite no arrests being made following a police report on the alleged chemical attack, protests continued on campus. Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David M Friedman expressed his dismay on Twitter: “Permitting a protest right in the middle of your campus advocating for Israel’s destruction by violent revolution? I am sickened by this!”

This incident has ignited heated discussions about balancing free speech rights with safety concerns on college campuses across America.

ALARMING DHS Revelation: 670,000 Border 'Gotaways’ in FY2023 — The Shocking Truth Behind the Numbers

11 December 2023 — Fox News recently uncovered a startling revelation from officials at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). They disclosed to Arizona’s congressional delegation and House and Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees that an astounding 670,000 known “gotaways” slipped through the border in FY2023.

In addition to this alarming figure, lawmakers were made aware of a daily influx of approximately 5,000 illegal immigrants into the U.S. These individuals are handed off to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that aid them in reaching their final destinations. This rate could equate to nearly 1.8 million illegal migrants entering the country each year.

The DHS report also shed light on a record-breaking number of daily encounters by Border Patrol with migrants — over 12,000 in one day alone. This follows a record-setting year with more than 2.4 million encounters in FY23 and an unprecedented monthly high exceeding 260,000 last September.

When questioned about collaboration efforts with Mexico to control migrant flow at the southern border, DHS officials expressed concern for the “safety and security of noncitizens”. They highlighted risks these individuals often face due to dangerous travel methods like illicit train rides.

STATE DEPARTMENT’S ‘Worldwide Caution’: The Shocking Implications for American Holiday Travelers

20 November 2023 — As the holiday season draws near, the State Department’s recent “Worldwide Caution” travel advisory has sparked anxiety among many Americans. However, experts reassure that conditions in most popular tourist spots remain stable.

James Hess, a professor at the School of Security and Global Studies at American Public University System, encourages alertness during international travel. Despite a seemingly delicate global security scene due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, he believes that Americans are savvy travelers.

The advisory came in response to escalating conflict in Gaza and was reissued last week. It cautions about potential terrorist attacks or violent incidents targeting U.S. citizens and interests overseas.

Despite these warnings, Hess underscores that tourism is a vital economic lifeline for many nations who strive to make American tourists feel secure during their visits.

California Democratic Convention GRINDS to a HALT: Protesters Stand UP for Palestinians

19 November 2023 — The California Democratic Convention in Sacramento came to an unexpected standstill due to the actions of protesters. These individuals were voicing their support for Palestinians, who they argue are suffering from a genocide funded by U.S. taxpayers.

Within the convention center, scheduled speeches were interrupted. Outside the venue, a poignant display of hundreds of children’s shoes served as a grim reminder of young Gazans who lost their lives.

Protesters made their stance clear with Palestinian flags and placards calling for an end to U.S. financial support for what they labeled as “genocide”.

Around 5:40pm, the protest escalated as demonstrators stormed into the convention center. Brandishing flags and beating drums, they echoed chants of “Resistance is justified when people are occupied”, making their way up escalators towards now-deserted voting rooms.

LABOUR PARTY Triumphs: Shocking Upset in Special Elections Reshapes UK Political Landscape

21 October 2023 — In a surprising turn of events, Britain’s Labour Party has managed to secure two Parliament seats previously dominated by the Conservatives. This unexpected victory took place in the special elections held in Tamworth and Mid-Bedfordshire, with a significant number of voters switching their loyalty to Labour.

This win strengthens Labour’s standing as the primary challenger for next year’s national election. It also piles pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to rejuvenate his party’s reputation. Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, proclaimed that his party is “redrawing the political map”.

The victories were marked by Sarah Edwards’ success in Tamworth and Alistair Strathern’s triumph in Mid-Bedfordshire, both overcoming substantial Conservative majorities from 2019. However, it should be noted that voter turnout was relatively low at 36% and 44% respectively. Additionally, these elections took place under unique circumstances due to resignations from former lawmakers.

ISRAEL-HAMAS Conflict Sparks Heated Debate at Harvard: Students Caught in the Crossfire

17 October 2023 — Harvard University, a renowned center for political and philosophical debate, finds itself in the throes of a heated discussion over the Israel-Hamas conflict. The recent outbreak of war has led to a polarized campus atmosphere filled with apprehension.

Pro-Palestine student organizations have released a statement attributing the escalating violence solely to Israel. This declaration ignited immediate backlash from Jewish student groups accusing them of endorsing Hamas attacks.

Pro-Palestinian students refute these accusations, stating their message has been misinterpreted. The discord on campus reflects the nationwide debate over this sensitive issue.

Students associated with these groups are experiencing intense criticism both within university grounds and on social media platforms. Amidst this fiery controversy, both pro-Palestinian and Jewish students report feelings of fear and alienation.