The Face of Modern Britain: Jihad’s Triumph

Source: American Greatness
by Roger Kimball

“It turns out that I have found something to agree with Keir Starmer about. During Ramadan this year, the prime minister described Muslims as ‘the face of modern Britain.’ I think that is correct. Whether it is also something to be happy about is another question. The PM, for his part, couldn’t be more pleased. Muslims in Britain, he went on to say, are ‘a success story when it comes to diversity.’ Was that qualification (‘when it comes to diversity’) just a nod to reality? Or was it merely his capitulation to some sort of self-imposed linguistic quota according to which he must punctuate two out of three pronouncements with the word ‘diversity’ or go without his pudding? The jury is still out on that.” (06/14/26)

https://amgreatness.com/2026/06/14/the-face-of-modern-britain-jihads-triumph/

Steve Trinward

NYC: More than 60 arrests as “unruly” Knicks fans wrought destruction, injured police

Source: Fox News

“More than 60 people were arrested in the streets of New York City in the hours after the Knicks captured their first championship in 53 years Saturday night as celebration gave way to mayhem and violence, the New York Police Department said Sunday morning. Police said 63 people were arrested in relation to the game on charges ranging from assault on a police officer, criminal possession of weapon (gun), criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration. Ten members of the NYPD were injured, including one member who was punched in the face and another who was struck with a glass bottle, police said. … Around 2 a.m., police said a 17-year-old boy was shot once in the left foot near 43rd Street and Broadway. … Other violence included four slashings/stabbings and large physical fights breaking out, according to police.” (06/14/26)

https://www.foxnews.com/live-news/knicks-championship-celebration-nyc-chaos-06-14-26

Thomas L. Knapp

Celebrate the Fourth of July. But Don’t Forget the Twelfth of June.

Source: Independent Institute
by William J Watkins, Jr.

“Naturally, the main event of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations will be the Fourth of July, in honor of the Declaration of Independence. But a little tailgate party would be appropriate for the Twelfth of June. For it was on that date, 250 years ago, that Virginia’s Declaration of Rights was adopted. Written primarily by George Mason, Virginia’s declaration inspired Thomas Jefferson in writing the nation’s founding document. It set forth in plain language America’s first principles and provided guideposts for the establishment of a republican government.” (06/12/26)

https://www.independent.org/article/2026/06/12/celebrate-the-fourth-of-july-but-dont-forget-the-twelfth-of-june/

Thomas L. Knapp

Upholding US values of security and privacy

Source: Christian Science Monitor
by staff

“The lapsed authorization Friday night of a key national security surveillance provision that aims to prevent terrorist acts underscores the complex role of government in protecting the lives of U.S. citizens – and their constitutional right to privacy. Although the Senate and the House recently voted down a third short-term extension of the provision, Americans need not worry that national security or their individual safety has been massively compromised. Earlier this year, a specialized federal court renewed the annual certification of the tool – Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) – until March 2027. So, standard intelligence-gathering will not stop. However, some members of Congress, as well as political analysts, indicate that they’re ready for partisan wrangling and division around this issue to stop.” (06/12/26)

https://www.csmonitor.com/Editorials/the-monitors-view/2026/0612/Upholding-US-values-of-security-and-privacy

Steve Trinward

Mexico: Gunmen murder journalist

Source: ABC News

“Gunmen shot and killed a journalist Thursday in Mexico’s eastern state of Veracruz, authorities said. It was the country’s second killing of a media worker this year — both of them in Veracruz, known as exceptionally dangerous for journalists. The Veracruz prosecutor’s office confirmed the killing, while the State Commission for the Attention and Protection of Journalists identified the victim as Luis Ángel López Valdez. He was the director of a local media outlet and a reporter for the Vanguardia de Veracruz newspaper. According to Vanguardia, López Valdez was walking along a street in the city of Poza Rica when he was intercepted by gunmen who shot him at close range before fleeing. He specialized in police and security reporting.” (06/12/26)

https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/gunmen-shoot-kill-mexican-journalist-eastern-state-veracruz-133794679

Thomas L. Knapp

CA: Two arrested in connection with wild Pokemon card robbery in San Francisco

Source: SFGate

“Two people were arrested in San Francisco in connection with a chaotic robbery of Pokemon cards, the San Francisco Police Department announced on Thursday. On May 28, police said, a person agreed to meet with someone he believed was going to buy his collection of trading cards. … The suspect then allegedly pepper-sprayed the seller and ran into a getaway car with two more suspects inside. Medical crews assessed the seller at the scene and determined he had non-life-threatening injuries. Police used Flock cameras to find the suspects’ car …. Officers used drones to follow the car and watched two suspects exit the car and enter a jewelry and pawn shop near O’Farrell and Polk streets. Plainclothes officers then took the suspects into custody and booked them into the Juvenile Justice Center, where they are facing robbery and conspiracy charges.” [editor’s note: Did even Orwell foresee this level of surveillance capability? – TLK] (06/12/26)

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/pokemon-card-robbery-sf-22303395.php

Thomas L. Knapp