Roundup
(1) The man arrested for firebombing Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro’s residence is a pro-Palestinian socialist. Fancy that. We won’t be hearing too much about those things from the MSM.
(2) Joe Biden – remember him? – gives a speech that reminds us of what he does best: lie. Does he think he can run again for president? Actually, he can – after all, he only served one term. He hammered on the idea that Social Security is threatened, something Trump and other Republicans have denied over and over again. But this is a message that Democrats have been pushing from even before the election with some success; I personally know people who believe Trump is intent on taking away their Social Security, and who have been in a panic about it ever since November. The GOP wants to cut fat and fraud in the system, but not benefits.
(3) Chinese companies’ move in the trade war:
China is taking the trade war to a new battleground: America’s TikTok feeds.
Chinese suppliers have been flooding American social media this week, urging users to outflank President Donald Trump’s 145% tariffs on Beijing by buying directly from their factories.
One TikTok user, who goes by Wang Sen, claims that he is the original equipment manufacturer for most luxury brands, while standing in front of a wall of what appear to be ultra-spendy Birkin bags. OEMs work behind the scenes to make the products that another company then sells under its own brand.
“Why don’t you just contact us and buy from us? You won’t believe the prices we (will) give you,” he said in one clip.
This doesn’t seem so very new to me, although mention of the tariffs might be. But I’ve noticed for years many many companies based in China (although there is sometimes an attempt to disguise that fact) that sell goods that look like one thing in the online photos and text and actually end up being very shoddy when delivered. People complain all the time about such companies and their products, and there are tons of them.
(4) The UK Supreme Court rules on the definition of men and women, and finds the traditional point of view sufficient.
(5) The wife of deported El Salvadorian (and alleged MS-13 member) illegal alien Kilmar Abrego Garcia had twice alleged that he was guilty of domestic violence.
(6) A full half of Democrats would like the party to move further to the left:
The poll, which took place April 2-6 with 859 Republicans and 885 Democrats, found that among Democrats, 50% wanted the party to “become more progressive,” while only 24% said “stay the same” and 18% said “become more moderate.”
#1.
And another…
“Here’s Why You Don’t Threaten to Kill the Director of National Intelligence”—
https://pjmedia.com/sarah-anderson/2025/04/16/heres-why-you-dont-threaten-to-kill-the-director-of-national-intelligence-n4938941
Must be catchy….
“He hammered on the idea that Social Security is threatened, something Trump and other Republicans have denied over and over again. But this is a message that Democrats have been pushing from even before the election with some success; I personally know people who believe Trump is intent on taking away their Social Security, and who have been in a panic about it ever since November. ”
This really is amazing to me. When I was too young to know what social security, or a republican was, my grandma worried about republicans taking it away.
How in the world can anybody old enough to be collecting still believe that? Boomers have been hearing that lie their entire lives, and many still believe it.
Once upon a time, Joe Scarborough was a Contract-with-America congressman, and he wrote a book about the experience.
He said the movement ended when Bill Clinton stood up again and again stating, “You will not touch social security.”
They all looked at him kind of funny because nobody was talking about touching social security but him, but before long, they had lost the momentum.
“A full half of Democrats would like the party to move further to the left:”
The truly fanatic, can only double down. As, “Their ‘passions’ forge their fetters.”
But as they have declared themselves to be our mortal enemy and irrevocably committed to our destruction, we must not interfere with their self-destruction.
I think I posted here that I was glad the PA arson wasn’t straight-up Jew-hating, but alas, it was, albeit by a man with serious mental health issues besides. The violence of the pro-Hamas talk has consequences.
Regarding 2.
“Trump’s Executive Order on De Minimis Exemption (February 2025):
On February 1, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order eliminating the “de minimis” exemption, which allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free without detailed inspections. This change, effective February 4, 2025, imposed a 10% tariff on all Chinese imports, including small packages often shipped via USPS by Chinese e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu.
The order aimed to curb illicit drugs (e.g., fentanyl) and protect U.S. manufacturers by closing a loophole that fueled a surge in Chinese imports (1.36 billion de minimis shipments in 2024, with nearly half from China).
This is not a congressional bill but an executive action, meaning it didn’t require Congress to pass legislation.
USPS Temporary Suspension and Reversal (February 2025):
On February 4, 2025, USPS announced a temporary suspension of inbound packages from China and Hong Kong, likely in response to Trump’s order and the need to implement new tariff collection processes. This would have disrupted direct purchases from platforms like Shein, Temu, and Alibaba, which rely on USPS for low-cost shipping.
Less than 24 hours later, on February 5, 2025, USPS reversed the suspension, stating it would work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to collect tariffs efficiently without halting deliveries. The reversal avoided immediate blocks on direct purchases but signaled ongoing adjustments to handle new tariffs.”
There is talk of a “$75 tax per package on Chinese goods shipped via Chinese carriers to USPS would start May 2, 2025, rising to $150 on June 1. This could effectively deter direct purchases by raising costs but lacks confirmation from official sources like USPS, CBP, or Congress. As an unverified claim, it’s inconclusive without legislative or executive backing.”
I wish they would block all direct purchases from China. My wife keeps ordering from ads on Facebook and it’s all junk and difficult to return. I keep telling her to only buy this garbage through Amazon. For the most part Amazon is a go-between.
An addition to the Round-Up from Heather Mac Donald, where she raises some valid concerns about process while supporting the purpose.
https://www.city-journal.org/article/trump-harvard-funding-freeze-anti-semitism-race-dei
“The Trump administration’s crusade against the university is unquestionably justified, but its methods may not pass muster in court.”
“How in the world…?”
Simple. The Democrats are committed to preserving the human rights and quality of life of all those dead people, toddlers and otherwise non-existent folks on the SS rolls.
It’s a moral imperative for them (as well as a tried and true moneymaker!)…since they are the party of all genuine humanists…
– – – – – – –
What’s that? Trump’s against Anti-Semitism? Did I get that right??
…In that case, ALL decent people must decide to support Anti-Semitism fully and without any compunction…
COURAGE!
AUX BARRICADES!!
WE ARE ALL HAMAS NOW!!!
Back of the book section
https://x.com/20committee/status/1912831477668098330
@ miguel – in re your link about the BLM as a Cuban intelligence plot:
https://accordingtohoyt.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/fb_img_1744129328972.jpg?w=866
Viewing some of the TV series devoted to border control efforts in countries like Australia, the U. K., and Canada, which usually include a segment on inspection of mail, it is amazing what percentage, just how many packages—China, India, and the countries of S.E.Asia seem to be some of the big offenders—have some sort of concealed drug in them, packed in toys, in consumer electronics, in picture frames, in the sides of luggage, in various food containers, and statues are also a favorite; the list and criminal ingenuity is apparently endless.
For smugglers arriving by plane, clothing soaked in drugs which can later be washed out and sold, or various toiletries with dissolved drugs in them are among the more creative ways to smuggle drugs into a country.
Then, of course, there is the tried and true method of “packing,” load up dozens—sometimes many dozens—of condoms with narcotics, and shove them up where the sun don’t shine.
Of course, if one or more of these condoms should break, death is a real possibility
Speaking of smuggling drugs into a country, in this case, the U.S. —
* See https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/immigration/border-coverage/drugs-found-squash-south-texas-entry-port/