'Untitled' Jean-Michel Basquiat Painting Sells for 'Mind-Blowing' $110.5 Million at Auction

Amazing.

Apparently, the painting "remained in the same private collection since it was bought at auction in 1984 for $19,000."

That's a smart investment.

At the Telegraph U.K., "Basquiat painting fetches record $110.5 million at New York auction."

Basquiat painting fetches record $110.5 million at New York auctionhttps://t.co/ga2IlIw717 pic.twitter.com/W93LhJmmAA

— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) May 19, 2017

Pamela Geller on Rebel Media: #CUNY Terror Invite to Jew-Hater Linda Sarsour (VIDEO)

Following-up from last month, "Controversy Surrounds Linda Sarsour Commencement Address at City University of New York (VIDEO)."

As noted, I'm against banning her talk. If we forcefully shut down leftists, we're no better than they are on the issue of public speech.

That said, here's Pamela, at the Rebel:

Protest Against New '10 Barrel Brewery' in San Diego (VIDEO)

This is a trip, because I've been drinking Elysian Brewing Company's Space Dust IPA, which come to find out, is really produced by Anheuser-Busch, which bought 10 Barrel Brewing a couple of years ago.

Actually, I'm against the protest. I'm for the free market to determine the winners and losers. If 10 Barrel's beers are no good, people won't drink them.

At the San Diego Union-Tribune, "East Village's 10 Barrel Brewing prepares for a party and a protest."

And at ABC News 10 San Diego:

Here We Go Again with the 'Special Counsel'

Ha!

This is great.

Following-up from yesterday, "Robert Mueller Named Special Counsel in Russia Investigation," where I wrote: "If memory serves, past special prosecutions have been a joke."

Well, yeah.

I think the editors at the Wall Street Journal have been reading my blog.

See, "The Special Counsel Mistake" (via Memeorandum and InfoWars):

The special counsel mistake: Rosenstein bends to political pressure, and here we go again. https://t.co/N6vgc24swr

— WSJ Editorial Page (@WSJopinion) May 18, 2017

Democrats and their media allies finally got their man. After weeks of political pressure, Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein blinked late Wednesday and announced that he has named a special counsel to investigate Russian attempts to influence the 2016 presidential election. These expeditions rarely end well for anyone, and Democrats are hoping this one will bedevil the Trump Administration for the next four years.

“My decision is not a finding that crimes have been committed or that any prosecution is warranted,” said Mr. Rosenstein, which is nice but irrelevant. With Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused from the Russia probe, Mr. Rosenstein appointed former FBI director Robert Mueller III, who will now have unlimited time and resources to investigate more or less anything and anyone he wants.

While the decision will provide some short-term political relief, not least for Mr. Rosenstein, it also opens up years of political risk to the Trump Administration with no guarantee that the public will end up with any better understanding of what really happened.

The problem with special counsels, as we’ve learned time and again, is that they are by definition all but politically unaccountable...

RTWT.

Bella Thorne Flashes Pierced Nipple on Snapchat

I thought Disney was sending these girls back to school?

I guess that's for the up-and-coming stars. Ms. Bella's hit bottom and past redemption, I guess.

She's crazier than ever.

At Taxi Driver, "Bella Thorne Shows Us Her Piercing."

Bella Hadid Upskirt Flash on the Red Carpet at Cannes Film Festiva Opening Ceremony

At the Sun U.K., "IF IT AIN'T BROKE: Bella Hadid flashes her knickers (and a great deal of flesh) in Cannes … a YEAR after wearing THAT dress on the red carpet — The model hit the French film festival in eye-catching style."

Quarter-Life Crisis

Here's Dana Perino, for Prager University:

The Left's Assault on President Trump is the Greatest Threat to the U.S. Today

It's Professor Stephen Cohen, who's married to Katrina Katrina vanden Heuvel, the publisher and editor of the Nation.

This is really interesting.

"What’s the number one threat to the United States today? The Assault on President Trump." - Stephen Cohen#Tucker #ComeyMemo #FakeNews pic.twitter.com/1QVnrmNgvX

— Vote Trump Pics (@VoteTrumpPics) May 17, 2017

Stephen Cohen on "assault" on @POTUS: "This is beyond belief now, and has become...a national security threat to us in itself." #Tucker pic.twitter.com/T3SJDYbDVa

— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 17, 2017

Will Republicans Stick with Trump?

Not if their own material interests are threatened by the president's difficulties and inexperience, writes Josh Kraushaar, at National Journal:

Biggest political question: will R voters stick w Trump? Yes, in short term. But this is beginning of end https://t.co/Xp9K4PY8x3

— Josh Kraushaar (@HotlineJosh) May 17, 2017

Jessica Gomes in Paradise (VIDEO)

Via Sports Illustrated Swimsuit:

Trump's Statements Are Not an Obstruction of Justice

A great piece, from Elizabeth Price Foley, via Instapundit:

Principled objections to Mr. Trump’s policies and leadership style should not blind opponents to the dangers of repeated, knee-jerk calls for criminal prosecution of the president of the United States. Let the evidence unfold, and reserve serious charges if and when the evidence warrants it. Crying wolf undermines the credibility of the opposition, further divides an already deeply divided country and breeds cynicism about American institutions that is as dangerous to our republic, if not more, than outside meddling.

A great piece. RTWT.

Danielle Gersh's Warm-Up Forecast

It was still cloudy and cool today, but as noted by Ms. Evelyn last night, a high pressure system is moving in by the end of the week, and with it warmer temperatures.

Here's the lovely Ms. Danielle:

Mary V. Dearborn, Ernest Hemingway

Out today, at Amazon, Mary V. Dearborn, Ernest Hemingway: A Biography.

The Most Important Book for College Graduates to Read

According to Bill Gates, it's Steven Pinker's, The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined.

I've been meaning to read it, actually.

Bill Gates says this is the most important book for college grads to read https://t.co/XsKtlp1tGf via @qz

— Michiko Kakutani (@michikokakutani) May 18, 2017

Shop Today

*BUMPED.*

At Amazon, Today's Deals.

Especially, Military and Tactical Boots.

And, Save on the Hoover FloorMate Deluxe Hard Floor Cleaner.

Also, Esbit CS585HA 3-Piece Lightweight Camping Cook Set for Use with Solid Fuel Tablets.

Plus, Save on Fire Tablets.

More, Lasko 1827 Adjustable Elegance and Performance Pedestal Fan, 18-Inch, Black.

BONUS: Volker Ullrich, Hitler: Ascent, 1889-1939.

Robert Mueller Named Special Counsel in Russia Investigation

I guess it was inevitable, although I don't see this as a victory for anyone.

If memory serves, past special prosecutions have been a joke.

Robert S. Mueller III named special prosecutor, dramatically raising stakes for Trump in Russia investigations https://t.co/wiouaQfHVV

— Julie Davis (@juliehdavis) May 17, 2017

Just ask Hillary: The appointment of a special counsel gives Trump short-term relief--and a big long-term risk. https://t.co/sD3RKe9oH0

— Susan Page (@SusanPage) May 18, 2017

Iryna Ivanova in Red Bikini

At Your Daily Girl, "Iryna Ivanova for Knockerz Magazine."

Also at the Daily Star, "Who is Iryna Ivanova? Ukranian Playboy model says ‘boobies’ are the key to success."

Priyanka Chopra on Jimmy Kimmel's (VIDEO)

Watch:

Intelligence Leaks Wound America

From James Dobbins, at USA Today:

#Russia intelligence leaks aim at #DonaldTrump, but wound America: https://t.co/WphFv2QMCU

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) May 17, 2017

#PresidentTrump's Fans Shrug Off Oval Office Leak.

I'm shrugging, although I'd expect folks at the White House to get their stuff together, and fast. It's a little too exciting over there.

At Politico:

Trump's fans shrug off Oval Office leak https://t.co/cJRfVOZ71M via @POLITICOMag pic.twitter.com/9rhdsV9MWp

— POLITICO (@politico) May 16, 2017