Jennifer Delacruz's Sunday Forecast

It's the May Gray weather, and it's lingering.

But Ms. Jennifer looks fantastic in that white dress.

At ABC News 10 San Diego:

Danica Patrick's Seen as Role Model, Though Critics See Her as Under-Performing

This is interesting. At LAT, "Danica Patrick's final race at Indy 500 comes with a hotly debated legacy":

Danica Patrick's race car is painted in a lustrous neon green one last time, a hue that ensures its "look at me" quality even when the car is a 230-mph blur.

The color is apropos of Patrick and her racing career, which she's ending Sunday with a final attempt to win the Indianapolis 500, the race that initially made her famous in 2005.

From that race forward, Patrick — often driving the shiny green car favored by her and her longtime main sponsor, the web services firm GoDaddy Inc. — has been the driver everyone watched, analyzed and endlessly debated.

That was due not only to her on-track achievements as a female in a male-dominated sport, but also to her relentless self-promotion, which together earned her the one-name celebrity of being simply "Danica."

"I can't think of a better way to end my racing career than at Indianapolis for the 500," the 36-year-old Patrick said in an interview. "I can't think of a more cool way to be done.

"I mean, to finish up at a place that has so many good memories for me, and at the biggest race of the year for Indy cars and arguably the biggest race of the year, period," she said.

Patrick achieved several firsts as a woman in the IndyCar and NASCAR racing series, and in doing so became a role model for countless young women and their parents who admired her feats, tough persona and unflagging determination.

No less than seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson tweeted earlier this year: "Thank you @danicapatrick for being a strong role model to the little girls in my life," referring to his two young daughters.

Patrick's fame also was burnished by her blunt, outspoken manner, her savvy marketing of her personal "brand" that earned her millions of dollars in endorsements, and by the outsized media attention she always received.

Patrick's overall record on the track was middling; she had one victory in 13 years of big-league racing. That fueled the debate about whether she deserved the attention she received and made the Roscoe, Ill., native one of the most polarizing figures in sports.

"I don't know that we've seen someone who is so popular when not performing as well," said Greg Goldring, senior director of sports and entertainment at the Marketing Arm, a marketing agency.

Her impact on motor racing will be argued long after the 102nd running of the iconic race, one of the biggest one-day sporting events in the world. Patrick is adamant that she's not going to just circle the track as more than 250,000 spectators and millions more on television look on.

"I'm here to win the race," she said...

In California, Democrats Go All-Out to Avoid Disaster

We have the top-two "jungle primary" in the Golden State nowadays, and with Democrats worried about a crowded field, Republicans are in the driver's seat. This is cracking me up, actually.

At NYT, "Democrats Go All-Out to Avoid Disaster in California House Races":

NEW: Democrats fear they are up the creek in Rohrabacher’s seat and could face same fate in Issa district, too.

From the OC to La Jolla, on the $4M (!) rescue mission to keep em in play >https://t.co/KAXFMSHS2b

— Jonathan Martin (@jmartNYT) May 26, 2018

IRVINE, Calif. — National Democrats, confronting mushrooming political chaos across Southern California, are pouring millions of dollars into congressional races to avert a self-inflicted disaster that could undermine their chances at taking control of the House.

After months of optimism that the state’s June 5 primary would position them to pick off seven Republican-held districts in November — a substantial down payment on reclaiming the House — Democrats are now trying to ensure that they do not hurt themselves because of their unusually crowded slates of candidates.

With so many Democrats running, the party’s fear is that the vote will be splintered, allowing Republicans — who have fewer candidates — to dominate some primaries. The party and allied groups are spending more than $4 million on just three campaigns, intervening in one contest to prop up a favored candidate; attacking a Republican from the right in another; and even reminding people not to waste their votes on “ghost candidates” who have dropped out yet remain on the ballot.

As any progressive activist will explain through gnashed teeth, the head-snapping scramble is because of the state’s “top two” open primary system, which allows the two leading vote-getters — regardless of political parties — to advance to the general election.

The “top two” system was meant to create incentives for political moderation in a state where about a quarter of the voters are independents, but it has created immense stakes for Democrats: They need to win 23 seats to take back the House, and party officials believe the path runs through the seven competitive California districts, all of which Hillary Clinton carried in 2016.

“It’s a disaster,” Gail Reisman, a retired gerontologist and Toronto native who lives in Representative Dana Rohrabacher’s district, said after attending a candidate forum Tuesday. “If we have two Republicans running I think I’m going back to Canada.”

After three of the Democrats opposing Mr. Rohrabacher had taken a turn speaking at the forum, held at a synagogue, the moderator briefly came back on stage to alert the audience that the parking lot was so crowded the police intended to ticket those cars parked more creatively than legally.

The overflow of Priuses and Mercedes was a particularly vivid reminder of the California candidate logjam. Confusion and frustration among Democrats here only seems to grow by the day, as the state and national party back different contenders and spending sprays forth like an out-of-control garden hose. Some voters are not sure who to back to feel confident that a Democrat will advance past June 5, and they increasingly worry that Republicans will foil the party’s chances to stop President Trump’s agenda in the House next year.

The painful twist is that what seemed like the Democrats’ most valuable asset in the midterm campaign — the wave of liberal activism unleashed by President Trump — has metastasized into a mortal threat because of the glut of candidates.

Nowhere is the danger more acute than in a pair of contiguous districts that stretch from Orange County’s Seal Beach down the Pacific coastline to the cliffs of La Jolla.

It is here where national Democrats, deeply concerned their voters are scattered among little-known House candidates, are staging a rescue mission to ensure they are not locked out this fall in Mr. Rohrabacher’s district and the one farther south held by Representative Darrell Issa, a Republican who is retiring.

Opposition research and hard-edge direct mail pieces are flying between candidates, too, some of them tinged with accusations of #metoo impropriety. But surveys show many of the candidates bunched together in the teens and few operatives have a firm grasp for what will unfold...

Democrats' Counterintelligence Operation Against Donald Trump's Presidential Campaign

It's Sharyl Attkisson, at the Hill, "8 signs pointing to a counterintelligence operation deployed against Trump's campaign":

My latest in The Hill: 8 signs pointing to a counterintelligence operation deployed against Trump's campaign https://t.co/CHyDoeHDpb

— Sharyl Attkisson (@SharylAttkisson) May 23, 2018

It may be true that President Trump illegally conspired with Russia and was so good at covering it up he’s managed to outwit our best intel and media minds who've searched for irrefutable evidence for two years. (We still await special counsel Robert Mueller’s findings.)

But there’s a growing appearance of alleged wrongdoing equally as insidious, if not more so, because it implies widespread misuse of America’s intelligence and law enforcement apparatus.

Here are eight signs pointing to a counterintelligence operation deployed against Trump for political reasons...

Keep reading.

Jay Leno’s Garage: Hellcat-Powered Toyota PriuSRT8 (VIDEO)

This is crazy lol.

Via Theo Spark.

Charles Frazier, Varina

At Amazon, Charles Frazier, Varina: A Novel.

Neal Stephenson, The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.

*BUMPED.*

Neal Stephenson, The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.: A Novel.

ICYMI: Matthew Sullivan, Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore

*BUMPED.*

At Amazon, Matthew Sullivan, Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore.

Sarah Perry, The Essex Serpent

*BUMPED.*

At Amazon, Sarah Perry, The Essex Serpent: A Novel.

Richard White, The Republic for Which It Stands

*BUMPED.*

At Amazon, Richard White, The Republic for Which It Stands: The United States during Reconstruction and the Gilded Age, 1865-1896.

New Nina Agdal Bikini Shots

On Instagram.

And at Drunken Stepfather, "NINA AGDAL ASS IN A BIKINI OF THE DAY":

Just because you were in Sports Illustrated it’s final years, before it shuts down like Interview magazine….doesn’t mean you’re shit…even if you can scam 100k a year from bikini lines who also believe your lie.

She dumped her miami boyfriend for LEO DICAPRIO because she’s that much of a delusional idiot, who thought she was hot enough to have a chance, probably because she’s knows he is gay and that she’s big and dude like…

Just a garbage opportunist, who at least knows to cover up that face…in her bikini selfies of self promotion she’s onto.

Shop Deals

At Amazon, Today's Deals New deals. Every day. Shop our Deal of the Day, Lightning Deals and more daily deals and limited-time sales.

And especially, Dyson Air Multiplier AM08 Pedestal Fan (Certified Refurbished).

Also, Lamicall VC-S-US-B Cell Phone Stand, S1 Dock : Cradle, Holder, Stand For Switch, all Android Smartphone, iPhone 6 6s 7 8 X Plus 5 5s 5c charging, Accessories Desk - Black.

More, Mpow 059 Bluetooth Headphones Over Ear, Hi-Fi Stereo Wireless Headset, Foldable, Soft Memory-Protein Earmuffs, w/Built-in Mic and Wired Mode for PC/Cell Phones/TV.

And, Samsung UN75MU6300FXZA MU6300 Series 4K UHD TV.

Here, Mountain House Just in Case Essential Bucket.

Plus, Koffee Kult Dark Roast Coffee Beans - Highest Quality Gourmet - Whole Bean Coffee - Fresh Roasted Coffee Beans, 32oz.

BONUS: Gary Krist, The Mirage Factory: Illusion, Imagination, and the Invention of Los Angeles.

Woman Says Alexa Recorded Private Conversations, Sent Them to Contact in Family's Address Book

This isn't creepy at all.

At Instapundit, "I DO NOT TRUST THE “INTERNET OF THINGS” (CONT’D): Woman says her Amazon device recorded private conversation, sent it out to random contact."

The 'Generic Ballot' is Overrated

Folks have been trumpeting the latest polls showing Republicans jumping to a lead in the "generic ballot" for the midterm congressional elections.

I don't give these polls a lot of credence. It's a bit early to expect much from these surveys, for one thing.

The main rule for the midterms is that the president's party always loses seats. That means Republicans. How many will they lose? That depends. On a lot. So, we'll see.

I'm going to be surprised if Democrats don't take the majority in the House of Representatives. They need to pick up 23 seats. There's about 43 Republican House members retiring, presumable most of those because incumbents are facing nasty reelection bids, with an extremely motivated Democrat opposition base. Trump Derangement Syndrome is going to drive energized leftists to the polls in November. I doubt polling is capturing this eruption of partisan hatred adequately.

But then, when your party allies with Hamas and MS-13 against the president (and the country, frankly) all bets are off. Maybe it's true that the public has had enough of Democrat Party anti-Americanism and is grateful for all the winning under this administration. We'll see.

In any case, here's Sean Trende, at RCP, with an analysis, "How the Battle for the House Is Shaping Up":

Characteristically strong assessment of the state of play in the House from @SeanTrende https://t.co/6KypcRmm7c

— Kyle Kondik (@kkondik) May 25, 2018

If you had asked me six months ago who I thought would win control of the House of Representatives in 2018, I wouldn’t have hesitated before answering, “It’s early, but Democrats are heavily favored, although conventional wisdom has been very slow to catch up.” With a raft of GOP retirements in highly vulnerable open seats, a president with job approval ratings in the 30s, and a generic ballot lead for Democrats in the double digits, it was increasingly difficult to spell out a path to victory for Republicans. In fact, things were bad enough that it appeared their losses could grow into the 40 or even 50 seat range.

Things have changed. If the election were held today, it’s not clear who would hold the chamber. I might put a thumb on the scale for Republicans, but right now – and it is still early – the House is likely to be close. Once again, conventional wisdom seems slow to catch up, with analysts still discussing the toxic environment for Republicans. There are three things to consider..

Keep reading.

The Real Constitutional Crisis

It's Kim Strassel, at WSJ:

The Real Constitutional Crisis https://t.co/RMpGZe1Fuy

— Kimberley Strassel (@KimStrassel) May 25, 2018

Democrats and their media allies are again shouting “constitutional crisis,” this time claiming President Trump has waded too far into the Russia investigation. The howls are a diversion from the actual crisis: the Justice Department’s unprecedented contempt for duly elected representatives, and the lasting harm it is doing to law enforcement and to the department’s relationship with Congress.

The conceit of those claiming Mr. Trump has crossed some line in ordering the Justice Department to comply with oversight is that “investigators” are beyond question. We are meant to take them at their word that they did everything appropriately. Never mind that the revelations of warrants and spies and dirty dossiers and biased text messages already show otherwise.

We are told that Mr. Trump cannot be allowed to have any say over the Justice Department’s actions, since this might make him privy to sensitive details about an investigation into himself. We are also told that Congress—a separate branch of government, a primary duty of which is oversight—cannot be allowed to access Justice Department material. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes can’t be trusted to view classified information—something every intelligence chairman has done—since he might blow a source or method, or tip off the president.

That’s a political judgment, but it holds no authority. The Constitution set up Congress to act as a check on the executive branch—and it’s got more than enough cause to do some checking here. Yet the Justice Department and Federal Bureau of Investigation have spent a year disrespecting Congress—flouting subpoenas, ignoring requests, hiding witnesses, blacking out information, and leaking accusations.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley has not been allowed to question a single current or former Justice or FBI official involved in this affair. Not one. He’s also more than a year into his demand for the transcript of former national security adviser Mike Flynn’s infamous call with the Russian ambassador, as well as reports from the FBI agents who interviewed Mr. Flynn. And still nothing.

Ron Johnson, chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, is being stonewalled on at least three inquiries. The House Judiciary and Oversight committee chairmen required a full-blown summit in April with Justice Department officials to get movement on their own subpoena. The FBI continues to block a fuller release of the House Intelligence Committee’s Russia report.

Not that the documents that Justice sends over are of much use. Mr. Grassley this week excoriated the department for its routine practice of redacting key information, and for similarly refusing to provide a “privilege log” that details the legal basis for withholding information. His team recently discovered that one of the items Justice had scrubbed from the Peter Strzok-Lisa Page texts was the duo’s concern that former Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe had a $70,000 conference table. (Was it lacquered with unicorn tears?) A separate text refers to an investigation that the White House is “running,” but conveniently blacks out which one. The FBI won’t answer Mr. Johnson’s questions about who is doing the redacting.

This intransigence is creating an unprecedented toxicity between law enforcement and Congress, undermining what has long been a cooperative and vital relationship...

Hence, the real constitution crisis -- the D.O.J and F.B.I.

More at that top link.

I Melt With You

From yesterday's drive-time, at Jack FM Los Angeles, Modern English (at Wikipedia):

You Dropped A Bomb On Me
The Gap Band
7:03am

Heart-Shaped Box
Nirvana
6:51am

Tainted Love
Soft Cell
6:47am

(Don't Fear) The Reaper
Blue Öyster Cult
6:43am

Too Close
Alex Clare
6:39am

Pour Some Sugar On Me
Def Leppard
6:35am

Do I Wanna Know?
Arctic Monkeys
6:22am

So Alive
Love And Rockets
6:18am

Walk This Way
Aerosmith
6:14am

Pictures Of You
The Cure
6:09am

You Give Love A Bad Name
Bon Jovi
6:06am

I Melt With You
Modern English
6:02am

30-Year-Old Man Must Move Out of Parents' House, Judge Rules (VIDEO)

This story was getting a lot of attention the other day, and then the dude went on CNN with Brooke Baldwin, god knows why?

At Hot Air, "The 30-Year-Old Being Evicted From His Parents’ Home Is Exactly How You Thought He’d Be":

Exit question: Is it true, as Brooke Baldwin claims near the end, that the public views Millennials as “so entitled”? Goofing on them is fun but what supposedly makes Millennials more entitled than the garbage generation you and I know as Boomers? Millennials have had their career prospects damaged by the financial crisis, with all sorts of bad knock-on effects (some of which may resonate with Rotondo), and they’ve had their retirement prospects cannibalized by greedy elders who won’t let go of their federal entitlements no matter what it means for the country’s future. If ever you’re forced to choose between Millennials and Boomers, take the Millennials every time.

Actually, I'm a Boomer so no.

Interesting post, in any case.

Friedrich Hayek, The Fatal Conceit

At Amazon, Friedrich Hayek, The Fatal Conceit: The Errors of Socialism.

Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher

At Zero Hedge:

So this just happened: Goldman has hired former Bachelorette JoJo Fletcher to help it sell subprime loans https://t.co/SdcJs3i4zO pic.twitter.com/fb8Lta4YWE

— zerohedge (@zerohedge) May 3, 2018

Dodge Challenger Hellcat for 2019

Still the same basic body styling (which some reviews have said is dated) but with new aggressive twin scoops. Definitely looks awesome. I don't mind the supposedly dated body style. I love the Challengers. LOVE!

At Car & Driver, via Jay Leno's Garage, and Autoblog below:

ICYMI: SRT Teases New Challenger Hellcat Hood. #JayLenosGarage https://t.co/qvs77tMEIA pic.twitter.com/vhda4vxKEE

— Jay Leno's Garage (@LenosGarage) May 5, 2018

2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat with twin-scoop hood spied with no camouflage: https://t.co/JpQTXODAeR pic.twitter.com/Lx1Bj5mUmt

— Autoblog (@therealautoblog) May 7, 2018