Gaza's Famine is Over and Not a Meal Too Soon

Palestinians in Gaza celebrate the end of the war and announce that they have enough food to feed all of Gaza for 3 months.

“The genocide and famine are over.”

What do you notice?

pic.twitter.com/BkEsPOKqlz

— Dr. Maalouf ‏ (@realMaalouf) October 9, 2025

That poor fellow in the clip above has survived a long hard-fought battle with food deprivation these past two years, but it looks like he's finally got malnutrition whipped. 

While it's none of my business, if I may make a suggestion, Gazans might want to cut down on the carbs in that new three-month supply of food. 

  

A Hollow Threat Against an Empty Embassy

Stop blowing up our drug boats or the fortress embassy gets it. https://t.co/8JufdGZ3iN

— TSB (@TweetingTSB) October 7, 2025

Oh, please don't threaten that shutdown embassy office building, Mister Venezuelan Badguy. There's nobody there that you'd want to harm anyway, and if you were to blow it up we'd just have to rebuild it someday. 

Our taxpayers will thank you for your attention to this matter.

By the way, how coincidental is it that the embassy office compound in question was vacated years ago, long before the present government 'shutdown?' 

That touches on my favorite philosophical question about these shutdowns: when we have a federal holiday - or, even better, a snow day - during a shutdown, is that like a double negative that means the government office or embassy is open again?

Now that I'm furloughed, I have plenty of time to ponder that question.

Gov't Shutdown, Unlimited Free Time And No Income

Like about 65 percent of all those who work for [REDACTED] the foreign affairs department of the Washington DC area's largest employer, I've been furloughed. 

Oh, no! What does that mean exactly? Well, I've been banished from the office, and from remote work, and even instructed not to use my official cell phone except to check for more instructions. 

This must be what retirement will be like, except for the part about not being paid. My impression so far is that I can live with it.

In fact, this preview of My Golden Years has revived an earlier interest in making use of that retirement annuity lifetime federal fellowship to do something academic, such as researching and maybe even publishing something about a few pet topics.

For instance, public security measures can be studied as artifacts of material culture. Haven't you ever thought that anti-ram barriers in the city landscape might well unintentionally reveal something about our society and how it has changed over time?     

But all that lies in the future! I have a late relative who worked at DOS for over 50 years, and happily so. I don't plan to break her record, although I now see myself coming rather close. 

I say to you: don't despair, live frugally while we wait out the shutdown and, as 95-year old Clint Eastwood reminds us, the secret to a long life is to not let the old man in.  

Our Disinformation Karen is Back, and Of Course She's Demanding to Speak to Your Supervisor

Who can I sue for her being appointed to that board in the first place? https://t.co/tonZ9uMkK9

— TSB (@TweetingTSB) September 19, 2025

 

So, to review the bidding on this rather old matter, a few years ago Miss Dismal [my pet name for that Mis-Dis-and-Mal information lady] lost her position as DHS's Disinformation Governance Board Czarina after only a few weeks, which she attributed to an information campaign waged against her by, among others, Fox News. 

She sued Fox for, esentially, beating her at her own game of information warfare. That suit has now been soundly dismissed. How soundly was it dismissed, you may wonder? NBC News has this sucinct report of the judge's ruling:

In rejecting Jankowicz’s claims, the judge said that 36 of the 37 statements made on Fox News programs were about the disinformation board and not Jankowicz. The judge ruled that the remaining statement — which was also a reference to the board and not Jankowicz, despite showing an image of her as it was said — was not disinformation because it was a factual statement that matched the wording in the board’s own charter describing its purpose.

Such fun! After that ruling, Miss Dismal ought to give up on lawfare entirely. 

Interestingly, I see that her Wikipedia entry omits any mention that Miss Dismal has registered with the U.S. Justice Department as a foreign agent due to her post-DHS employment by a UK busybody group, one that has received funding from the UK and Australian governments, the U.S. State Department, and USAID. (Presumably, USAID has by now written its last check to Miss Dismal's new employer.)

As for me, I am relieved to know that, even though she's no longer in a position within DHS, Miss Dismal is still hard at work protecting us all against foreign and domestic opinionators who, if left unpoliced, would sneak their unapproved thoughts into our precious information spaces. 

Thanks to her and so many others like her both in and outside government, the internet will be Sanitized For Your Protection!    

Is Paris Burning? Yes, Again!

A two-state solution is the only way. From the Seine to the Sea! https://t.co/jdTVomHwqt

— TSB (@TweetingTSB) September 11, 2025

We forget how good the French are at rioting, but after all, they kind of set the standard for popular uprisings back in 1789.  

Not that I think the current disorder will get anywhere near the intensity of that first one. Still, a de facto political monarchy that runs roughshod over popular interests might just want to take a lesson from 1789.

Our 'Maryland Man' Deportee Can Look Forward to an Unforgettable Experience in Eswatini

Eswatini National Day - United States Department of State@ “The longstanding friendship between our nations reflects a shared commitment to security” and now a commitment of deportees, as well. https://t.co/xgXNSHJtDC

— TSB (@TweetingTSB) September 7, 2025

The Kingdom of Eswatini welcomes visitors:

As one of the few remaining monarchies in Africa, culture and heritage are deeply engrained in all aspects of Swazi life, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all who visit. As well as the rich culture, the overwhelming friendliness of the people makes all visitors feel truly welcome and very safe. Add to that stunning scenery of mountains and valleys, forests and plains; plus wildlife reserves across the country that are home to The Big Five; and a fascinating mix of modern and traditional festivals, ceremonies and events, and you have all that’s best about Africa in one small but perfectly formed and welcoming country.

 

Trump to Traffickers: I"m the Captain Now

https://t.co/o5xOQ6HRFg pic.twitter.com/s9ktAlDQUi

— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) September 2, 2025

He's not waiting for arrest warrants or calling for trafficking vessels to stop and be boarded.  

This new drug war will be much less restrained than the ongoing cleanup of DC.