Rosie Jones and India Reynolds Celebrate Wimbledon

At Egotastic!, "Rosie Jones and India Reynolds Play Tennis for Nuts."

Ground and Pound: #TrayvonMartin Was Waling on George Zimmerman MMA Style

Here's the comment from Patriot Lemonade on Twitter:

Witness puts #Trayvon on top of Zimmerman throwing MMA style Ground and Pound punches with #Zimmerman screaming for help. #ZimmermanTrial

And at Legal Insurrection, "ZIMMERMAN TRIAL BLOCKBUSTER — TRANSCRIPT — Eyewitness Good: Black guy in black hoodie on top punching down Mixed Martial Arts style":

The State seems to have suffered the most destructive of its own witnesses to date in calling Jonathan Good to the stand.Good was composed, coherent, and direct through his extensive testimony, the entirety of which was entirely consistent with the defense’s theory of lawful self-defense.

More at Legal Insurrection.

RELATED: "Tommy Christopher: ‘Cracker’ is a compliment, you guys!"

PREVIOUSLY: "#TrayvonMartin Supporters Keepin' it Classy on Twitter."

California Heat Wave

Record hot weather today. We just got back from having lunch at Subway with my wife down in Aliso Viejo. We're glad to get back home in the air conditioning. Man. I've got the Angels at Houston on and will be blogging throughout the evening.

See the Los Angeles Times, "Heat wave: It's 116 and rising in Palm Springs, Death Valley."

And a slideshow, "Heat wave in the Southland."

Hate-Fueled Psycho Alec Baldwin Gets a Pass From GLADD

This something else, at TMZ "GLAAD — Alec Baldwin Gets a Pass ... 'Cause We're Starf**kers."

And from Darleen Click, "It was never about “homophobia” or “sexism” or “racism” …":

It is about Leftism, and once a good member of the cult, you can do anything …

Also at BuzzFeed, "9 Ridiculous Quotes From Alec Baldwin’s "Apology" Interview."

And at GLADD, "ALEC BALDWIN SPEAKS OUT IN SUPPORT OF THE GAY COMMUNITY."

Screw em' both --- Baldwin and GLADD. It's not about rights. It's about power and the destruction of decency and morality. Screw 'em --- the bungee bunghole jumpers.

'Go to the barricades for religious liberty...

From Kathryn Jean Lopez, at National Review:

That’s the headline on a piece today in the N.Y. Daily News from Cardinal Timothy Dolan.

He writes:

Religious freedom is a good in its own right, and it also fosters the common good. It enables people of faith to contribute to their communities. We see faith in action in schools, clinics and humanitarian assistance projects throughout the world. Faith inspires people to serve their neighbors, enriching the public life we all share.

Faith communities are also vital participants in public debates and often help hold governments accountable to their people. From neighborhood parish schools to faith-based soup kitchens and immigrant resource centers, religious ministries are essential to the social fabric.

And religious freedom reinforces other freedoms — of conscience, of the press and of assembly, to name just a few.

You’d think that governments would encourage religious liberty as a way to help their societies advance. But as Pope Francis has said, “In the world today, freedom of religion is more often talked about rather than put into practice.” Instead, many restrict religion and feed societal animosities toward religious minorities in the name of “good order” and control.

The result is too often violence and social conflict.

No doubt.

PREVIOUSLY: "Mofo @Dat_Nigga_Reppy Be Down Wit Some Anti-Christian Hatin'!" And, "Faith, Any Faith, Has Now Officially Become Hate Speech."

Mofo @Dat_Nigga_Reppy Be Down Wit Some Anti-Christian Hatin'!

Hey, ain't nevah no surprises wit dat hate-addled mofo Walter James Casper III --- a.k.a. @Dat_Nigga_Reppy, since he be down with somma mofo @Dat_Nigga_Vonni hatin' on Twittah.

Seriously, @Dat_Nigga_Reppy done be tweetin' him some Erik "Lumberjack" Loomis anti-Christian hate:

On Our Knees for America - Lawyers, Guns & Money : http://t.co/uqQzOy78RH
— J. Casper (@repsac3) June 28, 2013

I done already be blogging on dat mf, "Faith, Any Faith, Has Now Officially Become Hate Speech." And @Dat_Niggy_Reppy already done tweeted him some anti-Christian hate from vile mf POS John Aravosis:

Most unfortunate logo and slogan in the history of American politics http://t.co/9kFgSStb3z
— J. Casper (@repsac3) June 28, 2013

These mofos be lying, especially epic liar @Dat_Nigga_Reppy. I been calling out dat fool for his mf harassment for long time, yo. Ima get me some cops comin' down on that bitch for his serial harassment, cracka fool!

Mf @Dat_Nigga_Reppy just be like @Dat_Nigga_Vonni on #TrayonMartin on Twittah:

Its a #Free world #Fuck all u #CreepAssCrackers  #RIPTRAYVON
— Vonni Versace (@Dat_Nigga_Vonni) June 27, 2013

I got these #Crackers goin crazy on my #TL bout that #zimmerman shit
— Vonni Versace (@Dat_Nigga_Vonni) June 28, 2013

@CreepyKyle13 kill all u Zimmerman supporting mfs!!!
— Vonni Versace (@Dat_Nigga_Vonni) June 29, 2013

See dat, mofo! Next up, we likely be seein' @Dat_Nigga_Reppy gonna be down with poppin' some Christians, no doubt yo! More here, cracka!, "#TrayvonMartin Supporters Keepin' it Classy on Twitter."

BONUS: "Bwahaha!! Poor Widdle Wepsac3 Whines Hilariously: 'I'm the Victim! It's Me, I'm the Victim!'"

Bwahaha! I be laughin' at dat bitch!

A Thriving American Legacy in Iraq

Leftist anti-American Bush-haters will never credit American democracy promotion in Iraq, but as time goes by the evidence is coming in on the epic power of the freedom agenda.

From Fouad Ajami, at WSJ, "A Thriving American Legacy in Iraq."

And from J.J. Gould, at the Atlantic, "10 Years After the Fall of Saddam, How Do Iraqis Look Back on the War?":

... for those of us who lived under the tyranny of Saddam Hussein and understand what tyranny means, ... the difficulties of today, the pains of today, and the disappointments of today -- and they are very profound, because Iraqis deserve better -- these pale in comparison to what we had to endure. ... Then, people had the certainty of the knock on the door late at night, and could possibly end up in a mass grave. Two weeks ago, in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, a new mass grave in which there were some five-six people who were shot. Their families never heard from them since 1988. They were found and they could only be identified by the pajamas they were wearing as they were taken from home. These are the type of stories that my people, my community, had to endure.

VIA Instapundit.

Markets Brace for Post-Fed World

At WSJ, "Despite Best Yearly Start Since 1999, Investors Spooked by Central Bank's Signals See Turbulence Ahead":

The U.S. stock market had its best start to a year since 1999, but by Friday—the halfway mark of 2013—investors had ditched their party hats and braced for the Federal Reserve to cut back on policies that helped send stocks soaring this year.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the first six months of the year up 14%, but all the gains came in the first five months. The Dow fell 1.4% in June, including a 114.89 point, or 0.76%, drop on Friday to 14909.60.

The impact on financial markets from an anticipated shift in Fed policy in the second half of the year is now a matter of intense debate. In the past week, senior Fed officials have sought to reassure markets the central bank would withdraw its assistance gradually and only if the U.S. economy appeared strong enough.

But some investors said they were bracing for more tumult in the months ahead, as markets face a new, uncertain world.

"We think it is going to be a bumpy summer, a volatile summer," said Rebecca Patterson, chief investment officer at Bessemer Trust, which manages about $60 billion in New York. Ms. Patterson added that she was optimistic U.S. stocks would pull through with gains.

In June, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke confirmed the central bank's intentions to start trimming aid this year. But he said any changes would depend on continued economic strength and be limited to gradual reductions in monthly bond-buying. Increases in the Fed's target short-term interest rates, he said, would require a return to 6.5% unemployment.

The stock market has since swung down and then up as investors tried to predict the fallout. Bond prices took an even bigger hit and yields, which rise as bond prices fall, surged.

Most Fed officials said the markets overreacted to Mr. Bernanke's news conference, but one said market volatility was a normal reaction to the prospect of a pullback by the Fed.

nvestors have become dependent on the Fed's unprecedented injections of cash into markets, including the current $85 billion-a-month bond-buying program. There is no historic experience to help predict how the unwinding of such an elaborate support system will unfold, creating uncertainty.

Jim Dunigan, chief investment officer at PNC Wealth Management, which oversees about $116 billion, compares a gradual withdrawal to movie hero Indiana Jones trying to grab a diamond from the stones of an ancient tomb without bringing the whole edifice crashing down.

"How do you withdraw the support, which has been massive?" Mr. Dunigan said. "It is hard to do. Throttling back is going to be a little tricky."

That was revealed this month, when the mere mention of a Fed pullback roiled markets across the globe. Gold ended its worst quarter since the start of modern gold trading in 1974; Brazilian stocks were down 16% and the Australian dollar tumbled more than 12%.

The U.S. bond market, which is the direct recipient of the Fed's monthly purchases, has been especially hard hit.

Faith, Any Faith, Has Now Officially Become Hate Speech

At All The Right Snark, "Finally! SCOTUS Gives the Left a Group They Can H8!!!"

Ah, yes. In the name of equality Liberalism can finally, openly, and with judicial fiat hate Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus. And they don’t have to feel guilty at all!!

What a coup!

And supporters of homosexual “marriage” took to the Twitters to share their SCOTUS-approved H8:

“Take that bitches!!!” was the tolerant Left’s response.

In an effort to be able to “live their lives and love their loves” freely, they now have the door kicked wide open to hate those folks who disagree with them and hate them with impunity!!!

Ain’t life grand?!

You see, there’s equality, then there’s equality.

And a First Amendment protection to practice your religion isn’t something that you can do with equal freedom as say two men who want to get married in your church.

Faith, any faith, has now officially become hate speech.

More at the link (via iOWNTHEWORLD).

BONUS: Some mondo sized stupidity and Christian hatred, from Erik "Lumberjack" Loomis, "On Our Knees for America." Because descending to bended knee in prayer is really all about cone jobs for your bestest bungee bunghole jumping homies. WINNING!

Labor's Kevin Rudd Returns as Prime Minister of Australia

Julia Gillard to sacked. See the Guardian UK, "Julia Gillard ousted as Australia prime minister":

Australia's first female prime minister, Julia Gillard, has been sacked by her party just months before the next election and replaced by the man she ousted three years ago.

After an unprecedented day of political bloodletting in Canberra, Kevin Rudd beat Gillard in a ballot of MPs by a margin of 57 to 45 to become Labor party leader. It is only the second time a sitting Australian prime minister has been removed from their first term in office by their party; Rudd was the first.

Delivering his victory speech, Rudd dedicated himself to winning the election in September. "In 2007 the Australian people elected me to be their prime minister. That is a task that I resume today with humility, with honour and with an important sense of energy and purpose."

He also paid tribute to Julia Gillard. "She is a woman of extraordinary intelligence, great strength, great energy. All of you across the nation would recognise those formidable attributes," he said. "Julia has achieved much under the difficult circumstances of minority government, helped by a dedicated set of ministers."

"She has been a remarkable reformer and I acknowledge those contributions this evening," he said.

Rudd said he had taken on the challenge of the leadership because he could not "stand idly by and allow a (conservative) Abbott government come to power in this country by default".

There's background on Gillard's sacking at the link, although I like this:

Conservative opposition leader, Tony Abbott, whose party is well ahead in the polls, criticised the revolving door of Labor leadership, saying Australians deserved better.
"She has been a remarkable reformer and I acknowledge those contributions this evening," he said.
"In 2007 you voted for Kevin and got Julia," he said. "In 2010 you voted for Julia and got Kevin. If you vote for the Labor party in 2013 who knows who you will end up with."

Next Battlegrounds in Homosexual Marriage

Hey, the Sodomites are just now getting started.

At the New York Times, "Both Sides on Same-Sex Marriage Issue Focus on the Next State Battlegrounds":

With the expected addition of Californians after Wednesday’s Supreme Court ruling, some 30 percent of Americans will live in states offering same-sex marriage.

Now the two sides of the marriage wars are gearing up to resume the costly state-by-state battles that could, in the hopes of each, spread marriage equality to several more states in the next few years, or reveal a brick wall of values that cannot be breached. There is wide agreement from both sides on where the next battlefields will be.

Proponents of same-sex marriage were already energized by victories in six states over the last year, bringing the total number authorizing such unions to 12 states, before California, and the District of Columbia. They are hoping for legislative victories this fall or next spring in Illinois and possibly New Jersey and Hawaii.

Twenty-nine states — not including California —have constitutional amendments defining marriage as between a man and a woman. Some advocates expect that in the November 2014 elections, Oregon and perhaps Nevada or Ohio could become the first states to undo their amendments. At the same time, a court case in New Mexico could extend marriage rights.

These strategists agree they are unlikely to win over more conservative states in the South and the West in the foreseeable future. But, looking at the historical experience with issues like bans on interracial marriage, which the Supreme Court outlawed only in 1967, they feel confident that if equality spreads to more states and public attitudes continue shifting, a future Supreme Court will find that marriage is a right for gay men and lesbians as well as heterosexuals.

“Building a critical mass of states and a critical mass of public support — that’s how social movements succeed,” said Evan Wolfson, the founder of Freedom to Marry. “We’ll pursue this strategy until we finish the job,” he said, “and I think it will be a matter of years, not decades.”

The opponents of same-sex marriage, while unhappy that the Supreme Court struck down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act and opened the door to gay marriage in California, are taking heart that the court did not declare same-sex marriage a constitutional right.

After a recent succession of stinging defeats in Delaware, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Washington State — after political campaigns in which they were heavily outspent — the groups have also vowed to step up fund-raising for advertising and mobilizing supporters.

“These court decisions could be a real boon to our fund-raising,” said Frank Schubert, a conservative political consultant and vice president of the National Organization for Marriage. “People tend to react when the wolf is at the door.”

Well, not just wolves, but jackals, serpents and general pestilence.

The New Yorker's already ramming homosexuality down our children's throats, to say nothing of other bodily parts, "Bert and Ernie's 'Moment of Joy' — The New Yorker's #DOMA Cover."

Winnie Mandela Daughter Attacks 'Racist' Media 'Vultures'

These folks are keeping it classy.

See, "Video of Mandela’s Daughter Calling Reporters ‘Vultures’."

Who's This Hot Celebrity Stepping Out of a Car?

A funny TMZ video:

Canada's Socialist Teachers Brainwash Students

Well, it's not just Canada, obviously.

But see Blazing Cat Fur.

Pamela Geller: 'With Friends Like These...'

There's been some significant developments since Britain banned Pamela Geller.

At Atlas Shrugs, "WITH FRIENDS LIKE THESE ......"

Also, "MORE FRIENDLY FIRE."

It turns out that Melanie Phillips had some not so supportive things to say about the whole thing, at her blog, "The British government's jihad against free thought." It's an otherwise quite excellent denunciation of the cowardice of the British government, all except Phillips completely declaims Pamela and Robert Spencer. If anyone is diminished it's Ms. Phillips:

By banning from the country as extremists the American anti-jihadis Robert Spencer and Pamela Geller, the Home Secretary Teresa May has not only made herself look ridiculous but has sent the enemies of the United Kingdom the message that they have it on the run.

I do not support the approach taken by either Geller or Spencer to the problem of Islamic extremism. Both have endorsed groups such as the EDL and others which at best do not deal with the thuggish elements in their ranks and at worst are truly racist or xenophobic.

The result has been a serious blow to the credibility of these two writers, with particular damage being done to Spencer whose scholarship in itself is scrupulous. It has also split the defence against Islamic extremism, and handed a potent propaganda weapon to those who seek falsely to portray as bigoted extremists all who are engaged in the defence of the west against the Islamic jihad.

The bitter irony here is that Ms. Phillips is nearly as reviled as is Pamela, and if she wasn't British she'd long ago have been banished from the country one way or another. The Times of Israel has more on that, "The woman Britain's left loves to hate." She has a new book out called "Guardian Angel." And from what I've been reading of her lately she's attempting to reposition herself on the left, hence, she's been frequently seen as softening her attacks on Islam. It's too bad, but it's not easy standing up for truth, consistently and with no prevarication.

In any case, I took to Twitter this afternoon to express some thoughts about all of this:

Enemies of freedom are winning, people. I #StandWithPamelaGeller when weaselly so-called freedom fighters say they do but really don't.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

@AmPowerBlog I couldn’t believe Melanie Phillips. I expected better from her.

— Natasha (@mooseandskwerl) June 28, 2013

@MooseandSkwerl She's really a leftist who's upset with social change. She can't go all the way and defend people like Pamela Geller.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

I stand with @MaroonedInMarin too. A great blogger and patriot freedom fighter. #FF

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

Freedom fighters don't whine about counter jihadists being "shrill." That's adopting the tactics of the left. Resist that. Stand and fight!

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

If conservatives have learned anything it's that the left will use any means necessary to destroy patriots and freedom fighters. Don't cave.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

It doesn't mean you have to pick a fight with everyone who has a difference of opinion. Simply that you there is a time to stand and fight.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

Thank you my friend! RT @AmPowerBlog: I stand with @MaroonedInMarin too. A great blogger and patriot freedom fighter. #FF

— Marooned in Marin (@MaroonedInMarin) June 28, 2013

This is one of those times. When you are banned from a democracy based on the lies of the left, no one is safe. People will come for you.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

And regarding Britain, we can now only loosely apply the democratic label. Home Secretary Theresa May has cravenly capitulated to true evil.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

I stand with @AmPowerBlog a great writer & Patriot #FF

— Marooned in Marin (@MaroonedInMarin) June 28, 2013

And the lies are so thick you'd need an ICBM to break through them. This is not new, friends. Terror-enablers stop at nothing to push jihad.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

Why do you think leftists back the most hardened terrorists and demonize counter-jihadists? They both want the same thing, destruction...

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

...and by destruction, I mean destruction of goodness, decency, values and tradition. That's what stands up to nihilism and relativism.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

And bet your bottom dollar the MSM goons are in on this, for they attack @PamelaGeller with a glee that's truly criminal. Stand against it.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

Have people forgotten the warnings of Pastor Martin Niemöller? This isn't fun and games. You have skin in the game without realizing it.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

My friend @RSMcCain is standing up as I write all this. See his post, "The Face of Cowardice: Theresa May." http://t.co/vPW6yUb4VB #Freedom

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

#FF @Sultanknish @MarkTapson @CraigR3521 @Vermontaigne @ZillaStevenson @JihadWatchRS @SouthSalem @BigFurHat @BlazingCatFur @MadJewessWoman

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) June 28, 2013

And click on this:

RT @MrsShitrit: I want to post this again by hope not hate - controversial twitter Auschwitz post https://t.co/YayqWtYeRT

— Pamela Geller (@pamelageller) June 28, 2013

And this:

A gross double-standard over hate-speech: http://t.co/8FxoggY5zc

— Douglas Murray (@DouglasKMurray) June 27, 2013

BONUS: There's further background, with embedded tweets, at the New York Times, "American Declared Blogger Non Grata in Britain for Anti-Islam Crusade."

Prop. 8 Ruling Worries Direct Democracy Activists

It's long been one of my biggest peeves that the State of California refused to defend Proposition 8 in federal court. This is a classic example of the permanent political class usurping the popular will, simply because it disagrees with the popular will.

And a precedent is being set. As the Los Angeles Times reports, "Prop. 8 ruling raises fears about effects on other initiatives."

And Wirecutter expresses some contempt for the elite know-it-alls, "No more. I’m done":

Fuck this shit.

Between a sitting President that uses voter fraud and bribery to win an election and the Supreme Court deciding that We, The People are wrong and overturning our fucking decisions, I will never enter a voting booth again.

We, The People decided that same sex marriage will not be tolerated in the state of Kalifornia and the Supremes decided that we don’t know what the fuck we want or what our morals are.

We know, we voted and they overturned OUR decisions.

I’m not going to waste my fucking time anymore.

And the sponsors of Prop. 8 aren't happy with the extremely fast move to allow marriages to proceed, "Prop. 8 authors denounce restart of gay marriages in California."

Well, it's a done deal now. Time to move onto the next battle.

Catherine Kieu Sentenced to Seven Years to Life for Cutting Off Her Ex-Husband's Penis

I reported on this at the time of the crime.

And here's the news out today, at the Los Angeles Times, "Woman who cut off husband's penis gets 7 years to life in prison."

Kris Perry and Sandy Stier Marry After 9th Circuit Lifts Stay on Homosexual Marriages

At Towleroad, "Prop 8 Plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier Marry in California."

PHOTO: Kris Perry and Sandy Stier getting married at San Francisco City Hall http://t.co/nJo8TGoz5S pic.twitter.com/iycrKYBh3n
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 28, 2013

Also at Buzz Feed, "Court Lifts Stay, Same-Sex Couples Marrying Again In California." (Via Memeorandum.)

Ninth Circuit Lifts Stay on Homosexual Marriages in California

Just saw this right now on Twitter:

#BREAKINGNEWS 9th Circuit Court of Appeals lifts stay on same-sex marriages in California, marriages can now resume.
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) June 28, 2013

More at KGO-TV San Francisco, "9th Circuit Court of Appeals lifts stay on Proposition 8":

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A federal appeals court says it is lifting its freeze on same-sex marriages in California and the state is required to issue licenses to gay couples starting immediately.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a brief order Friday saying it's lifting the stay it imposed while a lawsuit challenging California's gay marriage ban worked its way through the courts.

That means same-sex marriages can resume in the state for the first time since 2008.

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Wednesday that the sponsors of California's voter-approved gay marriage ban lacked the authority to defend Proposition 8 in court once the governor and state attorney general refused to do so.

The decision lets stand a trial judge's declaration that the ban violates the civil rights of gay Californians and cannot be enforced.

According to Manny Rivera, a spokesman for the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the first pair to be married following the action will be one of the two plaintiff couples, Kris Perry and Sandra Stier, of Berkeley.

They will be married at San Francisco City Hall at 4:15 p.m.

Just keep it humble, progs. Keep it humble and keep cool toward people of difference.

Bert and Ernie's 'Moment of Joy' — The New Yorker's #DOMA Cover

The left has not greeted the Supreme Court's same-sex rulings with humility, and I doubt the in-your-face homo bitch-slapping celebrations will go over well with the general public in upcoming elections. But hey, it's well wort the lulz.

At Twitchy, "Paging Sesame: Bert and Ernie share cuddly ‘Moment of Joy’ on The New Yorker’s DOMA cover." And reactions at Memeorandum.