unicorn

Just as US Representative Eric Swalwell was about to become a front-runner in his run for California governor, former staffers have accused him of sexual improprieties, basically destroying his campaign. The story in the San Francisco Chronicle hadn't even been published yet before staffers quit, and supporters bowed out. The ink had literally not even dried before the axe came down. Representative Eric Swalwell played a prominent role in both of Donald Trump’s impeachments, serving as a House Impeachment Manager for the second trial (2021) and a vocal investigator during the first (2019). As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, he focused on charging Trump with incitement of insurrection and pursuing claims of obstruction. I was going to vote for him myself, but will have find someone else to support. Why spend money on a campaign when you smear someone in a matter of minutes? The reaction will be immediate, with permanent consequences, and no need for evidence! https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/10/swalwell-campaign-imploding-amid-sexual-assault-allegation-00867619 "Rep. Eric Swalwell’s campaign for governor was reeling Friday after two news reports detailed accusations of sexual assault and misconduct, with multiple staffers resigning and both prominent allies and rival candidates calling on the California Democrat to exit the race. The exodus, which began just before the San Francisco Chronicle published a report detailing a former staffer’s claims, jolted California’s marquee race just weeks before ballots start landing in voters’ mailboxes. The former staffer told the newspaper that Swalwell had sexual encounters with her while working for him, and that he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too drunk to consent... The dominoes tumbled quickly. Top staffers departed the campaign shortly before the Chronicle story published. Major endorsers began rescinding or pausing their support. And a pro-Swalwell independent expenditure committee said it was suspending operations. Swalwell’s two campaign co-chairs, Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray, called on Swalwell to drop out — a stunning rebuke from key surrogates who had helped introduce Swalwell to power players in Sacramento, where both served in the state Assembly...". Well, if Swalwell did those things, he's a major idiot. But this rush to judgment and acting before even pausing to think really gets to me. He's been a great Congressman.

Again, I'm not saying it's a good idea, but I doubt the IRG or the people would put up much of a fight, especially if the US were to guarantee free elections. Obviously, there wouldn't need to be a US soldier in every corner of the country. The government would just have to resign (or be captured). I definitely agree that Trump has put the US into a big mess of a problem.

I'm not implying that it's necessarily wise, and I doubt even Trump would do it, but the US did occupy Iraq and at least was able to oversee free elections there, so the US probably could occupy Iran. I doubt the IRG loves their Supreme Leader so much that they'd be willing to die in droves to support him. What will probably happen is just what happened in Venezuela. One dingbat replaced by another, no elections, and the status quo remains (but with an even more hostile leader). Just getting rid of a few leaders is just a silly plan destined to failure. Of course, even after elections are held, if the people won't fight for the leader they elected, it's ultimately hopeless (i.e. what happened in Afghanistan, where the people don't believe in democracy). Trump is a childish cur who acts on impulse and doesn't think things through (nor would he ever hire someone who could give him good advice). If there's any silver lining, it's that the independents in the US can now see what a disaster the Republicans are, and there should be a major swing in the US Congress with November's elections, which will finally put some brakes on Trump.

Either the US occupies Iran, and sees a real regime change via fair elections (monitored by the UN and/or US), or Trump goes down in defeat with his tail between his legs. No way for Trump to gets what he wants without changing the people at the top. He can't bomb his way to success.

By the way, anyone who grew up in the US from the 1970's through the 1990's would be familiar with that "No More Kings!" video, which played on NBC from 1973-2000. Both my hubbie and I grew up with it! I'm sure it's where the name of these "No More Kings" rallies came from. I can't imagine that those Schoolhouse Rock cartoons were shown on UK or Canadian TV.

Well, I guess you one (Trump) can fool some of the people almost all of the time. 🙄

Yes. Emphasis on MUCH reduced. I suspect the House will flip strongly, like a good 60% Democratic, but I doubt the Senate can be flipped so strongly as to avoid the 60% filibuster threshold. Obviously not ALL House seats will flip, especially Georgia's most right-wing district, the 14th (MTG's). In the last several elections, Republicans have won with no less than 65% of the vote. The fact that Georgia's most right-wing district only voted 56% Republican this time is highly significant.

They were protesting Trump in London, but failed to see the irony of brandishing signs saying "No More Kings." You appear to be surprisingly correct about that. I was surprised to learn that a substantial plurality of Canadians want to dump their king. Australia is in a weird situation, since, at least as of the last time they voted, every single state would have to vote to become a republic in order for them to get rid of the King of Australia. I think Queensland and one other state (Western Australia?) blocked the transition. Which will be the next nation to say "No More Kings"? https://www.canadian-republic.ca/polls

I would be surprised if the House doesn't flip to Democratic at the end of the year. It's difficult to flip the Senate, because only 1/3 are elected every 2 years, but that might be flipped as well, although probably with a smaller majority than in the House. Trump's insanity and dementia are coming increasingly evident to all. Smooth talking and lies can only fool fools.

Here's his Instagram, in case anyone here's interested: https://www.instagram.com/bigzee2002/?hl=en He apparently makes money selling his dirty socks.

https://en.mercopress.com/2024/01/03/royal-navy-sailor-fired-for-producing-porn-on-hms-prince-of-wales "A Royal Navy sailor, Zak Blackman, has been dismissed from service for creating and selling explicit content aboard the HMS Prince of Wales, Britain's largest warship, following a three-month deployment to the US. Zak, who rose to the rank of Naval Airman, reportedly earned £20,000 a month through OnlyFans by sharing X-rated pictures and videos. His side hustle came to an end when his content was discovered, leading to his dismissal for bringing the Navy into disrepute. In response to his firing, Zak expressed an unexpected sense of relief, stating, “I joined the Navy on March 30, 2020, at the lowest rank... It was really hard work for the money I was getting. I decided to post videos and images of me in my uniform. They started to take off, and after a few weeks, I was earning £20,000 a month from that.” Despite being paid £1,500 a month by the Navy, Zak saw his content creation as a lucrative opportunity. However, his venture was brought to light when a colleague or superior discovered the material on OnlyFans, he told The Sun...". I suspect that if he'd done this on a US Navy ship, he'd be jailed and brought up on criminal charges, not just discharged. https://gay.blog.br/en/boys/british-sailor-expelled-from-the-armed-forces-after-producing-adult-content-aboard-warship/ I can't imagine him being able to buy any car, let alone a Lambo with £1,500 a month's sailor's salary!

Apparently there were "No More Kings" rallies in the UK. I wonder if anyone told them they lived in a monarchy. 😄 Similarly in the Kingdom of Canada:

Apparently they were able to flag where the ticket was issued but not your originating flight. I agree that one should be able to transit in the US. It would require an investment, however, which officials don't seem to have a taste for. I feel a song with handsome dancers coming on...

Yup. A lot of people send money just because they're fans. He never responded to my coffee offer nor my hiring magician gig. Why be bothered to pick up a hundie when your fans are sending in the $$, and you don't even have to lie face to face?

It would be logistically complex to just rescreen those whose first flight originated from a suspect country. What if the passenger originated in Libya, for example, and transited in CDG before his flight in the US? It could get quite messy. As I mentioned in a prior post, the countries for which one can go through US customs at the airport of origin are Canada, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Ireland, and the UAE. What's especially nice is that you can basically buy extra duty-free liquor if you like, and bring it in, since you've already gone through customs. The duty-free shops at those airport, however, will not sell Cuban Havana Club rum or Cuban cigars.

Not a very good reason. I suppose, theoretically, since you had to pick up your checked luggage to go through customs, a wily terrorist could transfer, say, a knife from his checked luggage to his carry-on. In that case, although his carry-on went through security at the departing airport, an item which is allowed in checked luggage but not in a carry-on could be snuck into the cabin. Also, the US probably also feels (probably correctly) that it's a higher-threat target, so doesn't trust every other country's security procedures. What if the original flight came from, say, Libya or Burkina Faso?

That was my suspicion from the beginning. We'll see soon enough.

It's a stupid pain in the ass, no doubt. Always allow for 3 hours for international connections when arriving in the US.

For an update, I got an e-mail from him on Wednesday: "Thank you so so much for the kind words and opportunity to support my cause. It's been terribly busy as far as work goes, so excuse my delay. I don't know when I would be able to find the time to meet up because I'm quite delayed with two projects i've found myself editing for and the deadlines are in two days, so I cannot say if we would be able to meet before then, but I wanted to at least stay appreciative of your time and your response. I can't thank you enough for taking your time to reach out to me and even offer support to me. That's massive, kind and generous to say the least. I hope you'll accept my sincerest appreciation for even the thought to do this for me. It's monumental. Take care. -Skyler" So maybe I'll hear from him later today or tomorrow, since the deadline is today. Here was my response: "Skyler, There's no rush. It's up to you. I will be at a medical conference in Irvine (I'm a doctor) from next Thursday to next Saturday, and then again out of town from the 18th to 24th, but the rest of the month is pretty free. It's a quick drive for me to get to Burbank--we often go to the AMC theaters there. We could meet at the Starbucks at Palm and San Fernando, or any other coffee shop of your choosing. Also, I'd be interested in hiring you as a magician for entertainment at a pool party I'm starting to plan for Saturday June 13th. The parties are lots of fun, with most of the guests in their 30s. Hunter Gallagher and Nick Mascardo are frequent guests at my pool parties, and we have shirtless bartenders and an open bar."

No, most countries don't make you do that when just changing planes. The US does make you go through customs and immigration on arrival from most countries (except Canada, Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Ireland, and UAE), and to go through security again. However, one does not need to go through security again with domestic travel (or travel from those 6 countries).

Yes, that's one of his porn monikers. Here's his linktr.ee https://linktr.ee/Jkabobs

News Flash!

Unfortunately, LHR is the only UK airport which doesn't make people go through immigration in order to change flights. Obviously, changing airports also involves going through immigration, but even if you're doing the transfer within the airport at other London airports, including Gatwick, you need to go through immigration. AI Overview Yes, U.S. citizens need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to transit through Gatwick Airport, effective for travel from February 25, 2026. Because changing flights at Gatwick usually requires passing through UK passport control, it is considered entry into the UK, necessitating this digital authorization.

London? Easy connections? LHR is a mess, and if you connect in Gatwick or other London airport you'll need at ETA unless you're an Irish/UK/Manx citizen.