Kosh's Shadow 2/23/2026 8:14:24 AM

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Kosh's Shadow 2/23/2026 8:15:08 AM

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JCM 2/23/2026 8:26:03 AM

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Reply to Kosh's Shadow in 2:

A winter wonderland! Stay warm and safe!

JCM 2/23/2026 8:27:24 AM

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Mexico’s most powerful cartel leader is killed by security forces

GUADALAJARA, Mexico — Mexico’s most powerful drug kingpin, the head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was killed by Mexican security forces on Sunday, Mexican defense officials said.

The killing of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as “El Mencho,” represents a major show of force by the country’s military as President Donald Trump continues to pressure the United States’ southern neighbor to do more to fight its drug trafficking organizations.

The cartel leader’s killing set off a wave of violence in areas controlled by the cartel, with reports of burning cars blocking roads. In Guadalajara, the capital city of the western state of Jalisco and one of the host cities of the upcoming World Cup, businesses were shut down, sirens and helicopters could be heard in the city center, and residents were warned to stay inside.

Occasional Reader 2/23/2026 8:57:47 AM

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Occasional Reader 2/23/2026 9:22:36 AM

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Reply to JCM in 4:

“and one of the host cities of the upcoming World Cup”

They might have to rethink that. 

Anyway, to me it’s completely clear that what we need is a completely undefended open border with that country, and that anyone who says otherwise is a racist. 

Kosh's Shadow 2/23/2026 9:43:29 AM

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Reply to JCM in 3:

Thanks. A lot to shovel and snowblow. A bit wet, and if the snow is too wet it gets stuck in the snowblower chute. Someone I worked with said to spray the chute with Pam, and it helps. The top picture gives an idea of the height the snow has to go from part of the driveway.

Then I can spend the week shoveling out the path to the oil fill. Got a delivery recently, so I have some time.

Yesterday I made sure the snowblower gas was full and filled another can, and I'm stocked on pet safe ice melt and sand/salt mix for the driveway. Our town lets residents take some from their supply.

Kosh's Shadow 2/23/2026 9:45:30 AM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 5:

Synagogues I have gone to were open for services and school only. Same with the Chabads. But I think when I was a child, the one we went to was open generally.

buzzsawmonkey 2/23/2026 9:55:08 AM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 5:

The "security" at the synagogue I attend would have to improve to be a joke.

Occasional Reader 2/23/2026 9:58:47 AM

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Thanks to you both. So yes, my impression has been at synagogues generally have their doors locked (and that has long been the case) unless they are specifically opened for a service or an event. Right?   Now, whether the security was adequate is a different question.

JCM 2/23/2026 10:39:06 AM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 5:

My church is a just walk in. However the door ushers and others in congregation are armed. Our security is "unofficial" as to avoid any liability issues for the church itself. We're organized, have range days etc... have reaction plans. A lot of the parishioners don't even know we have low profile armed security. We are proactive with "new" people. They get approached, get an introduction and a friendly person to help them out. It's a security screening without seeming to be anything other than a group of friendly people. 

Not everyplace of worship does it.

buzzsawmonkey 2/23/2026 10:41:48 AM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 10:

Our building has wooden doors with stained-glass panels in the middle.  The glass is not protected by wire mesh, as it should be, and the wooden doors are cheesier than they should be.   The idiot board applied to the state government for some money to improve security, and it took them the better part of a year, if not more, to get it---partly because they did not directly approach our local assemblyperson to expedite the process, despite my repeated urging them to do so.  

They finally got the money, and had a bunch of cameras, etc., installed---but it took them several more months to have them connected and go live (if indeed they did that to all of them).  It's total idiocy.

Occasional Reader 2/23/2026 12:58:08 PM

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Reply to buzzsawmonkey in 12:

why did they have to go to the state government to get money for this? 

buzzsawmonkey 2/23/2026 1:40:18 PM

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In #13 Occasional Reader said: why did they have to go to the state government to get money for this? 

It's not a large, or wealthy, congregation---and, there was some kind of state offer/program for protecting houses of worship a couple of years ago, in response to some outrage or other.  Plus, who doesn't like "free money?"

vxbush 2/23/2026 1:56:55 PM

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Reply to JCM in 11:

I know at our church we have a specific security detail. We have clearly marked security people in the nurseries to make sure only parents who have kids in the nursery can get by (and I think that started because a non-custodial parent tried to steal a child while the custodial parent and child were at church). We also have additional security people watching the entries, exits, and high-volume traffic areas, but very quietly. Most people don't know they are there. We know because we are part of the team working during service. 

Occasional Reader 2/23/2026 1:59:53 PM

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Occasional Reader 2/23/2026 2:00:48 PM

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Reply to buzzsawmonkey in 14:

“ It's not a large, or wealthy, congregation”

I thought all (((You People))) were rich?!

/

buzzsawmonkey 2/23/2026 2:56:56 PM

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In #17 Occasional Reader said: I thought all (((You People))) were rich?!

You've been listening to the Instapundit "Noticer Brigade."

Occasional Reader 2/23/2026 3:03:39 PM

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Reply to buzzsawmonkey in 18:

you guys really got crazy with the weather machine this weekend.