List of who Spencer and Zain will have to beat to qualify for Paris.
https://www.flowrestling.org/articl...retherfords-last-chance-qualifier-competition
https://www.flowrestling.org/articl...retherfords-last-chance-qualifier-competition

Take your blood pressure meds before reading...

Hopefully we make it illegal for Government funding of non-profit NGO's (Non Governmental Organizations). This funding should be prosecuted under RICO laws.

i'm not as smart as Blair or as connected, but i gave it the ol' college try

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From the above link....

As Israel approaches its 76th Independence Day, it must withstand ugly narratives of delegitimization that are crashing like tidal waves around the world and international dictates meant to emasculate the Jewish state.

It is maddening to see Western leaders and the supposedly great minds of Western academia succumb with equanimity to Hamas' genocidal agenda and obviously criminal conduct.

They disregard Hamas' anti-Semitic discourse and its record of Islamist oppression and human rights abuse. They overlook its total backing by Iran. They take little heed of its path of kidnappings, rockets, border-breaching massacres, and terror attack tunnels – with Palestinians as calculated cannon fodder. They profess to be concerned for Palestinian rights yet ignore Hamas' radical Islamic oppression of Palestinians alongside its murderous intentions against Israel.

It is exasperating that people pretend that Hamas' assaults on Israel's sovereignty and security have anything to do with demands for humanitarian aid or for a two-state solution.

Nonsense! Hamas has repeatedly blown up the civilian and humanitarian supply infrastructures that Israel has facilitated for Gaza and instead spent hundreds of millions of dollars in aid on military attack infrastructures.

How is it that foreign ministers and foreign correspondents fail to appreciate that over the past 20 years, Hamas rejected US, UN, EU, and Arab offers of billions of dollars of aid to the people of Gaza if only Hamas were to demilitarize, end terrorism against Israel, and recognize Israel through acceptance of previous Palestinian agreements with Israel?

How is it that they fail to credit Israel with trying to mollify Hamas by facilitating tens of millions of dollars of Qatari cash for Hamas in Gaza over the past decade? (Alas, this obviously was a failed strategy).

Instead, they complain that while at war Israel restricts supply convoys into Gaza and they worry aloud that Hamas will not get kid gloves treatment when the fighting ends (such as the provision of cement and other building materials, which once again will poured in underground terror complexes instead of civilian reconstruction).

How is it that they call the Israeli-Palestinian death toll "disproportionate," suggesting that not enough Israelis have been killed to justify Israel's military counterstrikes on Hamas? How many more Israelis must die for the sake of immoral symmetry and ersatz Western scruples?

How is it that they ignore the fact that thousands of Hamas rockets fired from Gaza have fallen inside Gaza and likely are responsible for many Palestinian civilian deaths? How do they discount the fact that many of the Palestinian dead are clearly identified Hamas and Islamic Jihad military personnel – by admission of the terrorists themselves?

It also is galling that Western do-gooders seem to view Palestinian "Days of Rage," "Nakba Day" riots, and missile barrage eruptions as expected behavior. As if the Palestinians cannot help themselves from throwing a tantrum. As if responsible and reasonable behavior – such as negotiation, democratic and peaceful discourse, and normative state-building – cannot be demanded of the Palestinians. This is the soft bigotry of low expectations from Palestinians, which is the counterpart of hard bigotry – impossible demands – made on Israel.

I sense that this stems from a reluctance to internalize the fact that, despite Israel's Oslo Accord concessions and multiple peace offers ever since, much of the Palestinian national movement has not changed its goal of annihilating Israel and replacing it with a Palestinian state "from the river to the sea" or with an Islamic caliphate.

In response, Israel has no choice but to stiffen its spine; and in some matters to grow a spine. More than ever before, Israel must reject impossible international dictates and demands.

Among the wrong-headed ideas that must be rejected are Washington's insistence that Israel's "primary goal" must be provision of humanitarian aid to an enemy population in wartime, which is an absurdity never broached before in the history of wars.

Also to be rebuffed: American insistence that the necessary next stage of the Israeli military campaign to rout out Hamas, in Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor, is "unacceptable," a "red line that must not be crossed." This includes the Biden administration's attempt to micromanage IDF operations, house-by-house, bullet-by-bullet; handcuffing Israel by denying it weapons and driving Israel into another disastrous draw against Hamas.

(This, from a country that has not won a war in 80 years, despite carpet bombing and killing hundreds of thousands of civilians in Vietnam, Cambodia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and more.)

Israel must also repudiate the arrogant talk in Western capitals of unilaterally recognizing Palestinian statehood and anointing the decrepit Palestinian Authority as a stabilizing force in Gaza. These are debilitating ideas that seed the likelihood of long-term strategic defeat for Israel.

Israel must also reject the erroneous strategic thinking that sees a grand soft deal with Iran as the panacea for all regional ills. Alas, the Biden administration seems more obsessed with thwarting the swagger of Israel than it is concerned with halting Iran's race to nuclear weapons and its region-wide hegemonic ambitions.

Rabbi Dr. Yaacov Herzog (1921-1972) once explained why Israel sometimes stubbornly refuses to accept rational calculations of diplomatic cost/benefit that are politely or impolitely impressed on it by allies.

Israelis, he clarified, can shake off the bleak prognostications advanced by both friends and enemies because of a deep-rooted belief in the power of Jewish history; by faith that Israel is guided by an astral calculus that is not always perceptible. This, he wrote, undergirds the willingness of Israelis to sacrifice for independence.

And thus, those who consider history only in terms of politics and international relations underestimate Israel. They apply temporal yardsticks of measurement to Israel but fail to fathom the processes at work behind the curtain of current affairs.

They fail to understand that Israel is on a historic mission where the lines are blurred between imagination and reality, between the possible and the feasible. And so, Israel plows forward despite all critics and adversaries.

And at this very moment, true atzmaut, real independence, means that Israel must advance in defiance of those who seek to emasculate it (deny it weapons), of those who would prevent Israel from achieving its necessary and justified war goals of crushing Hamas and Hezbollah, countering Iran, and restoring this country's deterrent power.

Remember: None of the brutal dictatorships or arrogant empires throughout history that sought to destroy the physical core or sap the indomitable spirit of the Jewish People succeeded. Neither will they do so today.

Just for you @Breastman. I was a frosh at OSU during the Iran / US hostage crisis.​

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US universities face a battle of minds​

The infiltration of radical Islamic ideology into US and European educational and cultural institutions is extensive. These entities have been active not just in universities but also in media, lobbying groups, research centers, think tanks, and even religious institutions.​

By Erfan Fard

Published on 05-12-2024 10:10
Last modified: 05-12-2024 10:13

Unfortunately, American students and some of their defenders often do not fully understand what they are advocating for. Their lack of awareness of radical Islam, Islamic terrorism, fanaticism, Khomeinism, Shiite terrorism, the Muslim Brotherhood, or the transnational terrorist networks creates a fertile ground for the spread of harmful ideologies. This chaotic situation has historical roots in American universities that date back several decades.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Marxist-Leninist leftists, together with Islamic leftists in America, mounted significant protests against the late Shah of Iran, who was, at that time, the United States' most steadfast ally in the Middle East. In an ironic twist of history, Jimmy Carter praised Khomeini, and the White House went as far as to call him a "holy man." This marked a drastic and consequential shift in international relations and internal policies in Iran.


Following the tumultuous events of 1979, Iran, a nation with a rich civilization spanning 7,000 years, fell victim to a regime of religious and political Islamic tyranny. This not only endangered its own cultural heritage and population but also posed a significant threat to the stability of the Middle East and global security at large. In Washington, a severe miscalculation occurred; the administration believed that by playing the "Islamic card," radical Islam could be manipulated to act as a bulwark against the Soviet Union. This naive belief overlooked the fact that many Islamic terrorist groups, including those led by figures like Yasser Arafat, were already collaborating with Soviet interests.

This gross underestimation allowed a radical ideology to break free of its regional confines and assert itself on the global stage. The ideology of Khomeinism, empowered by Western miscalculations, took the world by storm. Ironically, Khomeini's regime began its international campaign with an act of aggression – hostage-taking – which directly contradicted the expectations of those like Carter who had supported him.


Within the United States, several academics and students became deeply entangled with the ideologies of the Muslim Brotherhood and Khomeinism. Far from being mere observers, these individuals were actively engaged in spreading the doctrines that supported the regimes they admired. This not only sowed seeds of discord but also betrayed a profound ignorance of the destructive nature of the ideologies they espoused.

Over the past 45 years, the repercussions of these ideologies have been dire. Wars, chaos, and political instability have become more prevalent, replacing what were once opportunities for peace and cooperation. The educational systems, meant to be bastions of learning and enlightenment, have instead sometimes become platforms for preaching and defending reactionary and destructive ideologies. This has not only undermined the academic integrity of these institutions but also compromised the future of many young Americans who remain largely unaware of the true nature of the forces molding their perceptions.

Today, the dictator of Iran, Khamenei, continues to exploit these ideological vulnerabilities. His regime, characterized by its brutality and suppression of dissent, finds perverse satisfaction in the turmoil evident in American universities. The recent protests in Iran, which resulted in the death of 700 people and the blinding and imprisonment of hundreds more, starkly illustrate the regime's ruthless tactics. Yet, these atrocities seem to find some echo among American student groups that unwittingly champion the causes of such a regime.

This phenomenon raises pressing questions: Do these students truly understand the nature of the forces they support? Are they aware of the implications of their actions? It is crucial to recognize that the support for entities like Hamas and the display of Hezbollah flags not only contravene US laws, which categorically reject terrorism but also threaten the very principles of American democracy.

The infiltration of radical Islamic ideology into US and European educational and cultural institutions is extensive. These entities have been active not just in universities but also in media, lobbying groups, research centers, think tanks, and even religious institutions. This long-term engagement poses a severe risk to the democratic fabric of American society, a risk that is compounded by the widespread nature of this infiltration and the subtlety with which it operates.

Moreover, the international media, which could play a critical role in educating and informing the public about these dangers, often falls prey to the same propaganda it ought to critique. The influence of what some might call the "media mafia" – entities that propagate terrorist ideologies under the guise of news and information – continues to mislead the dynamic and creative young generation. This manipulation leads to radicalization, which if unchecked, could have dire long-term consequences for global peace and security.

Furthermore, the ideological battle between radical Islamists and the West is not confined to military or physical confrontations; it is a deeper, more pervasive war that seeks to undermine social norms, cultural heritage, and historical narratives. The youth in America, influenced by these sinister forces, are often caught up in disturbances that risk not only their future but also the stability and security of the nation they call home.

To the youth of America, and indeed to all who value democracy and freedom: it is imperative to look closely at the lessons history offers. Iran, once a beacon of culture and prosperity, now lies in ruins, a stark testament to the destructive power of radical ideologies. The Iranian people live in a state of perpetual turmoil, their resources squandered on sustaining terrorist activities that have brought them nothing but suffering and despair.

Before 1979, the Shah of Iran stood as a friend and ally to America, representing a bulwark against the spread of Soviet and radical influences. However, his overthrow, facilitated by international leftist groups and Islamic fanatics, opened the door to a regime that has consistently fostered terrorism and oppression. As we reflect on these developments, it becomes clear that the challenges we face are not just about combating overt acts of terrorism. They are about recognizing and countering the subtle, pervasive spread of an ideology that seeks to destroy from within. It is about standing firm against propaganda, recognizing the true nature of our enemies, and ensuring that the values of liberty and democracy are upheld. The struggle is daunting but essential for the preservation of our way of life and the protection of future generations.

Be vigilant and informed. The rights to freely practice religion, speak openly, publish, and assemble are fundamental to our democracy but must not be abused to support the very ideologies that seek to destroy it. We must not allow the noble intentions of these freedoms to be manipulated to propagate harmful ideologies like Khomeinism or to support the baseless claims of autocrats like Khamenei.

In this critical moment, let us recall the wisdom of our Founding Fathers and strive to protect the principles they established. Observing the misuse of these freedoms to promote terrorism and radical ideologies, particularly in educational institutions like Princeton where Hezbollah flags have been seen, is deeply troubling. These actions betray the principles upon which our nation was founded and on which it must continue to stand.

God save America from these threats, both seen and unseen, and empower us to remain vigilant defenders of our cherished freedoms.

And some wonder why Democrats fight to keep vote harvesting, drop boxes and mass mail in voting legal.

John Holcomb reported this today. It wouldn’t hurt to get a rim protector and hope this new staff could help his offensive game.

May 13, 2024

State and City livability rankings are askew​

By Noel S. Williams

U.S. News and World Report compiled a rankings list of the best states to live in, 2024. The magazine also compiled a list of the best cities to live in 2023-2024. There are some interesting incongruities between the two. Below I highlight apparent discrepancies between three of the top ten states, and the main cities therein.

For example, U.S. News ranks Washington State as the 8th best state to live in. However, in a separate ranking of best places, they rank greater Seattle a very lowly 81st best place to live.

That is curious because the timeframes are the same and their ranking methodologies both place weight on such things as quality of life and desirability. Given that the population of greater Seattle represents about 52% of the state’s population, it seems anomalous it would rank so low relative to the ranking of its state.

Similarly, Minnesota is ranked the 4th best state to live in, but Minneapolis-St. Paul, representing about 60% of the state’s population, is only ranked as the 35th best place (city) in which to live.

One more noteworthy divergence (only focusing on the top ten here) is between Massachusetts and Boston. Massachusetts is ranked as the 10th best state, yet its major metropolitan area, with well over half of the state’s population, is only ranked 44th.

To summarize: three of the supposed top ten states best states to live in (Minnesota, Washington, and Massachusetts), per U.S. News, have overwhelming population concentrations in cities that rank (by the same organization) at 35th, 81st, and 44th, respectively.

Something seems amiss: given the density of population in cities relative to rural areas, one might expect that these city rankings would converge with their state’s ranking.

One way to resolve this apparent discrepancy is to tentatively conclude that the quality of life and desirability (two key metrics they concoct) in the highly ranked states is disproportionately derived from red rural areas. Or, it could just be a reflection that the rankers have gone bonkers.

Regardless, here’s a message to liberal urbanites: please keep your incivility, misguided leftist policies, illegal aliens, communist agitators, and rotten anti-Americanism restricted to your putrid asphalt jungles. On behalf of tree equity, plant a few extra trees if it gives you purpose.

But unless you’re reformed, please don’t rent one-way U-Hauls to escape blue-city dystopia for red-rural utopia. Stay away from our thriving conservative enclaves where Americans come first!

It has been very patient, but time has run out.

For the wrestling folks there. Is it better to donate to CWC or NIL?

Theories?

It is estimated that Israel has dropped 100,000 bombs on Gaza since Oct 8. Hamas says the death toll is roughly 35,000, a figure hotly denied by Israel and its sycophants. But if we accept Hamas’ figures does it strike you that requiring 3 bombs to kill 1 person is remarkably ineffective, not to mention costly? Wouldn’t you think a 2000 pound bomb dropped on a neighborhood housing hundreds of people would cause more deaths? Is it possible Hamas’ figures are way below the actual number? I mean if it took one bomb to kill only one person and Israel has dropped 100,000 bombs, which seems to me to be pretty ineffective in its own right, wouldn’t it be reasonable to think perhaps Israel has already killed 100,000 Palstinians, not 35,000?

Not near as good as the brothel in Prescott, Arizona, but an interesting find on a sports board. Who is this Ponca Dan? Nothing worse than someone who hides behind their pacifism while baby's heads are cut-off and women are raped until they are blood soaked. People in the sanitarium I stayed in had more about their senses.

Wyatt and I would hunt those smelly, bare handed ass shit wiping, godless owl hoots down and shoot them right between the eyes. And these owl hoots actually think virgins await them, so they can rape them as well? These owl hoots in for a big surprise, we need to accelerate the surprise awaiting for them.

As a fan of OSU I have season tickets in football, basketball and baseball, trouble is , I’m over 2 hours away. I can’t move closer because the cows say no. Ok, back to my question of is it possible to have more teams to wrestle on same day? I’ve loaded up wife and three boys in past years and more recently it was grandkids for OSU wrestling. On one occasion a couple years ago, between forfeits there was only 7 bouts. This is a long drive for sometimes a short match. For more excitement for the fans could we bring in more teams? I know a lot of teams wrestle us and then OU the previous or next day. I would rather pay more and see three matches. Those of you that are more invested in the sport, can you give your opinion?? Have UCO there or have NEO wrestle one of their bouts.

The main reason I think Penn St and Ok State are destined to clash for titles in a few years is the structure of wrestling recruiting and timing. For example Penn St has a super stud freshmen heavyweight in place for the next few years. Hence if ok state is considered the other top program we should be able to snag the top heavyweight for the next 2 or 3 years. Same with 197 with Carrol. We won’t be able to recruit a high level kid at that slot for 2 or 3 years. I am sure if Iowa makes some changes they will be in the mix as well. I also think osu will have a great development program going forward. Looking forward to clashes in the future with Penn state for titles. Whether Penn St wants to admit it or not it is much better for wrestling to have 2 or 3 title contending teams instead of 1 soul crushing everyone.

@Sunburnt Indian here ya go my friend.

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