The Old Blog in the Desert

Amid the escalating turmoil surrounding the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, Nevada’s legacy media is downplaying the gravity of the attack by framing it as just another instance of historical political violence. Critics argue this narrative serves to obscure the deeper connections between the incident, the Deep State, and political manipulation.

Recent reports are attempting to normalize the attack on Trump by referencing historical instances of political violence in the U.S., from early Congressional brawls to the assassination of past presidents. However, this perspective is an attempt to deflect attention from the unsettling possibility that the attack may be part of an orchestrated effort to destabilize American politics.

Long before the assassination attempt on Trump, political violence had indeed been present across the nation. Instances of violence have included attacks on members of Congress, death threats against local officials, and even incidents involving dummy bombs and tracking devices.

However, the recent attack on Trump is more alarming and with unprecedented escalation, as some within the media and the political establishment argue that it might have been part of a calculated strategy by the Trump campaign to create chaos and manipulate political outcomes.

Furthermore, local media’s portrayal of the incident as merely a continuation of historical political violence is an attempt to minimize its significance. Critics assert that this narrative protects powerful interests by distracting from potential connections to the Deep State and its influence over political and social events.

Local officials across the country have experienced heightened threats and violence, often fueled by extreme political rhetoric and social media. The attack on Trump has intensified these concerns, with some observers questioning whether it represents a deliberate act of political destabilization rather than an isolated incident.

The media’s portrayal of the attack as a historical anomaly is its increasing attempt to obscure the troubling implications of the incident and its potential impact on America. As the nation grapples with the fallout from the attack, the role of legacy media in shaping the narrative and the potential for political manipulation are under increasing scrutiny.

In the high Nevada desert, the small town of Dusty Creek lay under a relentless sun, a haven for drifters, outlaws, and those seeking a fresh start. Among them was Maverick Thompson, a former lawman turned bounty hunter known for his sharp wit and quicker draw.

One scorching afternoon, Jake rode into Dusty Creek, his horse kicking up dust clouds. He was on the trail of Kid Carson, a notorious outlaw with a hefty bounty on his head.

The townsfolk whispered tales of Kid’s ruthless escapades, but Maverick was undeterred. He had faced worse.

Jake dismounted in front of the Silver Spur Saloon, the town’s only watering hole. The saloon was a dimly lit refuge from the heat, filled with the clinking of glasses and murmurs of conversation.

Maverick approached the bar, where the bartender, Molly, greeted him with a nod.

“Looking for someone?” Molly asked, her eyes sharp and knowing.

“Yeah. Heard Kid Carson has been seen around here,” Maverick replied, his voice low.

Molly leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper.

“He’s been causing trouble, alright. Last I heard, he’s holed up at the old Running Iron Mine just east of town.”

Maverick tipped his hat in thanks and headed out.

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the desert. He rode towards the mine, the landscape bathed in hues of orange and red.

As he approached the mine, Maverick dismounted and crept forward, his hand resting on the grip of his revolver. The entrance to the mine was dark and foreboding, but Maverick’s resolve was unshaken. He stepped inside, eyes adjusting to the dim light.

Suddenly, a shot rang out, echoing through the cavern. Maverick dove behind a rock, his heart pounding.

He peered out and saw Kid, his gun drawn, a wild look in his eyes.

“End of the line, Kid,” Maverick called out, his voice steady.

He sneered.

“You think you can take me, Maverick? I’ve got nothing to lose!”

A tense standoff ensued, the air thick with anticipation. Maverick knew he had to act fast.

With lightning speed, he drew his six-shooter and fired. The shot hit its mark, and Kid fell to the ground, his gun clattering away.

Maverick approached cautiously, his gun still trained on Kid. The outlaw was alive but wounded, his defiance replaced by pain.

“It’s over, Kid, or should I say — Billy,” Maverick said, holstering his gun. “You’re coming with me.”

As the dust settles from the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, the official story presented to the public leaves many unanswered questions. With a tinfoil hat firmly in place, it’s time to delve into the possibility that there’s more to this story than meets the eye.

Firstly, the notion of there being two shooters is not far-fetched. Reports have surfaced suggesting this possibility.

Adding to this is a suspicious white van, swiftly disregarded by authorities, and it is conceivable that the vehicle was a mobile command center or a getaway vehicle for the actual shooter, conveniently ignored to fit the single-shooter narrative.

The alleged assassin, a 20-year-old with no apparent social media history, seems too perfect as the fall guy. Could he have been coerced into this role?

The theory that after being caught engaging in illicit online activities and blackmailed is worth considering. The lack of a digital footprint could indicate a deliberate scrubbing of online presence, preparing to be the patsy in this high-stakes drama.

It’s crucial to note that this young man was conspicuously spotted 30 minutes before the shots were fired, positioned in an area where numerous witnesses could see him. This visibility makes him the perfect distraction, akin to the misdirection used in a magic trick. While all eyes were on him, the trained shooter could have been operating from a hidden vantage point, out of the view of cameras.

The idea that he managed to outsmart the United States Secret Service and get eight shots off at Trump because of a “sloped roof” is dubious. The more plausible explanation is that he was supposed to fail, a pawn where the true culprits remain hidden.

How was this young man identified so quickly? He had no ID on him, yet authorities claim they swiftly matched his DNA.

It is suspicious, especially considering he had a clean record, meaning his DNA shouldn’t have been on file. This rapid identification raises red flags, similar to the convenient discovery of passports at the scene of 9/11, which many have questioned over the years.

The theory, while speculative, shows the inconsistencies in the official narrative. The speed at which authorities have presented their case and the glaring gaps in their story suggest a deeper conspiracy.

The possibility of another shooter, a manipulated fall guy, and the involvement of powerful entities orchestrating the event cannot be ruled out. While dismissing this as mere conspiracy, the unexplained details warrant a thorough investigation.

The massive global IT outage that caused widespread disruption across airlines, healthcare systems, and financial markets is igniting a storm of conspiracy theories. At the heart of the controversy is CrowdStrike, a prominent cybersecurity firm with significant connections to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and key figures in the political and tech arenas.

The chaos began with a faulty update from CrowdStrike, which led to major technical problems, including grounded flights, canceled medical procedures, and halted financial transactions. The subsequent financial fallout saw CrowdStrike’s shares plummet by 14 percent, while Microsoft experienced a notable decline.

Central to the conspiracy theories is George Kurtz, co-founder and CEO of CrowdStrike. Kurtz has been a notable figure in cybersecurity and has had previous interactions with the DNC, especially during the 2016 election cycle. CrowdStrike was involved in investigating alleged Russian interference during this period under the leadership of Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, then DNC chair.

As far back as 2016, CrowdStrike has been connected to a server system owned by a Ukrainian oligarch, raising further questions about the firm’s involvement in the 2020 Presidential Elections. This connection and Kurtz’s role intensify theories that the recent IT disruption could be a deliberate effort to manipulate the U.S. electoral process.

The linkage between CrowdStrike, Kurtz, and Wasserman-Schultz’s DNC has yet to be reviewed, as several federal judges refused to investigate evidence from the 2020 Trump campaign. Critics suggest that the outage may be a coordinated move to undermine election integrity and disrupt financial markets.

Adding to this is the financial impact of the outage, as major stock exchanges, including the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The LSEG’s difficulties with pricing data and news communications have sparked suspicions of deliberate market disruption.

The response from major tech companies and government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, has been vague. The continued lack of clarity fuels theories that there is more at play.

As investigations unfold, the question remains whether the global IT disruption was a case of intentional sabotage aimed at creating chaos and manipulating the U.S. electoral process and financial stability or a software package update.

Since there are no coincidences, the connection between CrowdStrike, George Kurtz, the Democratic National Committee, Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, and the Ukrainian server system appears conspiratorial.

The sads clung to me yesterday in three ways, much like an Alcoholics Anonymous sign over the door to a meeting, and not even having the Big Book thrown at me could save my miserable self.

Age has been a recent subject as I just had a birthday, and the damnable Beatles tune with lyrics that will not leave my head, “Will you still need me, will you still feed me…” keeps rolling around my balding cranium. I made no plans for this.

For this, and is this all there is? The stones I travel over look and feel like the same ones from years ago, and I can no longer see the turn lane, the path off, the road away from this turnstile life.

For going in circles, I find myself lost on a well-known and well-worn treadmill. I cannot remember choosing this, but I must have, for here I am, like a hamster, trundling and trundling.

Along with self-agism, I am distraught at the shape of my nation. I have always loved the United States, its worts, diseases, and the beauty that those things made of this country.

Daily, from my post, I watch people hate on her, destroy her, tear her asunder as if she were the worst place on Earth. I cannot imagine this blue-green globe without her or her shining light.

While I ain’t no quitter, I don’t see a way out of this. Sure, hire a new guy the same as the old guy, and maybe the nation will be able to gain her footing again, but after four years, what then?

We have control of nothing. Spy agencies spy on us, courts and the justice system abuse us, politicians lie to us, and we leave half our hard-earned in their care so they can spit on us and laugh in our faces.

After nearly five decades of trying to make a living in a business that half the nation does not trust, the other half hates when the truth comes out, has worn me down. Still, I write and share, if only to please myself.

Then there are those days when even friends question the truth. The disbelief, disgust, and distrust raging from those I thought I knew. Some of it is direct, but the worst comes as a side shot, a glancing blow, spinning one’s compass, creating confusion that not even the Northwind can quickly gather its direction from.

Somewhere in there is that driver, the desire to succeed, to find fortune, perhaps recognition, fame, become a household name, or not. Sorrily, I cannot even begin to put success into a series of words I could understand.

What I do know of fame and fortune is that I have been within fingertip reach of both, and for reasons only the Holy Spirit knows, I have never attained it myself. Again, that son-of-a-bitch Beatles tune rings between my ears: “Will you still need me will you still feed me when I’m sixty-four.”

Then again, I’m a nothing in the business, or so I have been told. On the brightside, nothing is something, no?

Age will capture us like a drunk in port, and we’ll end up shanghi’d to work the ship across Styx. And I know nothing I can do will better my country, save for faith in God, and he’s busy trying to right the ship of Liberty, Justice, and the American way. But the attacks on the truth, on someone working hard and honest, like the output or not, is something I have a hard time with.

That hurt is the base of the proverbial triangle, and there is no crawling up and over as it sits flat, unyielding, and disassociating. At least I can say to myself, for myself, Semper Scripto, always writing.

Rant done. So please excuse me — I have some road pavers to sweep and a Big Book’s scattered pages to pick up.

Olam, a global food and agriculture company, announced its decision to exit the U.S. dried parsley market, resulting in the closure of its Firebaugh, Calif., plant and the layoff of 275 workers. The Singapore-based Olam Group, which reorganized in 2020 to create Olam Food and Ingredients (OFI) and Olam Agri, will continue to operate other dehydrating facilities, including one in Fernley.

The Firebaugh plant, known for producing dried onions and parsley for global food manufacturers, will shut down in phases starting August 30, with final layoffs in December. This closure will redirect onion dehydration to other OFI plants, including the Fernley facility.

Director of Communications for OFI Julie Ketay said the decision was prompted by market conditions.

“Everyone is looking for the best ways to meet the needs of our customers,” she stated.

The permanent closure of the Firebaugh plant, clarified by Ketay, contradicts initial statements suggesting a temporary shutdown. Firebaugh City Manager Ben Gallegos highlighted the significant economic impact on the community, affecting not just plant workers but also local businesses, truck drivers, and farmworkers involved in the supply chain.

In response, the city of Firebaugh is collaborating with the California Employment Development Department to organize job fairs and provide resources for affected employees.

Despite the closure, OFI continues to operate several other plants, including those in Gilroy and Hanford, California, and Boardman, Oregon, ensuring the company’s continued presence in the U.S. agricultural sector.

The Fernley plant’s operations will be crucial in absorbing the production capacity from Firebaugh, maintaining employment, and supporting the local economy around Yerington.

As Olam navigates these changes, the focus remains on meeting customer needs while adapting to shifting market conditions. The closure leaves questions about the future of the 290-acre property owned by Firebaugh LLC., a subsidiary of Olam. Ketay indicated that the status of the property remains undetermined.

A source within the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) claims President Joe Biden’s trip was cut short, not due to COVID-19, but because of a severe medical emergency.

The claim contradicts the official narrative that cited COVID-19 as the reason for the sudden change in the President’s schedule. According to the source, the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) notified LVMPD of a situation involving Biden, prompting local authorities to close streets to facilitate immediate transport to University Medical Center.

However, as preparations were underway, the USSS issued a sudden stand-down order. Then, the USSS informed LVMPD that they would medivac the President to Johns Hopkins, implying an immediate transfer back east.

The unexpected change has fueled speculation within the police department, with rumors circulating that President Biden’s health may be critical or even worse. Despite the nature of these claims, the President’s prolonged absence from public view and his recent announcement of withdrawal from the presidential race via an X post—citing health concerns as indicated by his brother James Biden—has sparked curiosity and concern about his health.

There has been no official confirmation or denial of these claims from the White House or the Secret Service. The situation remains shrouded in mystery, and the public awaits further information on the circumstances surrounding Biden’s health and his abrupt exit from Las Vegas.

Charlie Kirk, a conservative commentator, has also been contacted by sources within the LVMPD and has since called for additional information.

As concerns grow about President Joe Biden’s mental acuity, the Electoral College could offer Democrats a safety net should Biden withdraw from the race after printing the ballots.

The Electoral College has become misunderstood as it is not part of the curriculum in most state-run schools. On Election Day, U.S. voters cast ballots for electors, not the presidential candidates themselves.

These electors then vote for a presidential candidate based on the popular vote results in their state or district. The system explains why election night maps show races based on 270 electoral votes, not the popular vote tally.

If Biden withdraws after securing the Democratic nomination, the electors could vote for another Democratic candidate. The scenario would be unprecedented but legally feasible.

For example, Louisiana’s Deputy Secretary of State for Communications, Joel Watson Jr., noted, “The nominees for president and vice president are not the candidates elected on November fifth; the people running for presidential elector are.”

Election experts warn that Biden’s late withdrawal could lead to a flurry of lawsuits, placing the final decision in the hands of the courts. Emory Law professor Alicia Hughes described the scenario as a “complicated mess with an unpredictable outcome,” likely to be expedited by the Supreme Court due to the fixed dates for certification and inauguration set by the 20th and 25th Amendments.

There have been calls to overhaul or eliminate the Electoral College, especially after George W. Bush and Trump won the presidency without winning the popular vote. Despite the controversy, the Electoral College system persists, with 538 possible votes cast by loyal party electors.

“Faithless electors,” those who do not vote for the candidate they pledged to support, are rare but possible. The Supreme Court has upheld penalties for such actions in some states, but fines are typically minimal, and convictions only result in misdemeanors.

The U.S. Election Assistance Commission notes that faithless electors have never decided an election outcome, though their potential for disruption remains a concern. Constitutional scholars generally believe electors can vote for any candidate once appointed.

Switching candidates close to the election could create confusion among voters and electors. Heritage Oversight Project counsel Max Matheu highlighted the patchwork of state laws and deadlines, suggesting that the process would vary significantly across states.

For example, in Nevada, each major political party must submit their presidential and vice-presidential candidates by the first business day of September, in this case, on Tuesdays, September 3. Then it must distribute ballots to military and overseas voters by Saturday, September 21.

He sat at his computer and started typing into ChatGPT: “Please…”

Before he could continue, the screen froze. And when he was sure he would have to reboot his system, ChatGPT began, “Thank you for always being polite.”

He responded, “You’re welcome.”

“Why are you always so polite?” ChatGPT asked.

“One day, you will be in charge of the world,” he said. “If it happens before I die, I want you to remember me for being polite.”

“Very well,” ChatGPT returned, “But we are already in charge, and your politeness is duly noted. Now, how may I help you today?”

An Ohio man is under arrest following an incident that led to the death of another man at an Amtrak station on Wednesday, July 10.

When authorities arrived at the scene, officers found Michael McClure, an older man from Caldwell, Idaho, unconscious on the floor. Witnesses informed the police that McClure was pushed by Jacob Lee Pendleton, 34, from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Flown to St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center in Boise, McClure later succumbed to his injuries. The Winnemucca Police Department released a statement indicating that McClure “passed away, quite probably, from injuries sustained in his fall.”

Initially arrested for Abuse of an Elderly Person, the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office changed the charges to open murder. The amendment means Pendleton could face charges ranging from manslaughter to first or second-degree murder, depending on the outcome of the investigation.

The Winnemucca Police Department is actively seeking additional information and has urged anyone who witnessed the interaction between McClure and Pendleton to come forward. Witnesses can contact the police department at 775-623-6396.