02/24/26
Good morning! It’s Tuesday, February 24th.
Mexican Flag Day – which is not an official holiday in the country, but still it’s a day that the Mexican flag was adopted towards the end of the War of Independence, an eleven-year war which, after the end, saw Mexico declared a federal republic in 1824.
This includes… California, Nevada, Texas, Utah, most of New Mexico and Arizona, and parts of Colorado, and Wyoming. Which is what people mean when they, and I, say… the border moved.
And now, the news.
El Mencho
Speaking of Mexico…
On Sunday, El Mencho, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was captured and killed by a Mexican special forces operation that included US intelligence.
The capture was not a chill and easy one, and has set off a series of violence in the country. More than 70 people have been killed in the operation and ensuing events, which include gang members setting buses and businesses on fire, and blocking roads.
The US State Department is urging Americans in Mexico to shelter in place, with flights to and from some areas in the country canceled. However, the president of Mexico says this is a precaution and she expects flights to be back up and running soon.
Jalisco is meant to host a few World Cup games in June; this is obviously now in question, depending on whether Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, is able to prove that it can host safely. A portion of that will come from security forces working with whoever will take over for El Mencho because it’s not like now that he’s gone, the whole multi-million dollar business falls. That’s actually part of the problem because remember in the TV show Succession when it was a lot of boardroom violence to take over the business?
Okay imagine that but potential murder and general violence.
So that’s what’s happening in Mexico.
But like, to be clear… just like every time every report comes out about violence in other countries that makes it seem like the only thing that’s happening in the country is violence – this IS happening, it IS serious. But, you know, it’s also a big country, and many other parts of it are very safe.
I just… with everything happening here with ICE and the border patrol and how the president is a white supremacist… It’s just so irresponsible to not say that.
Per the president of Mexico: "There is calm, there is government, there are armed forces, and there is a lot of coordination."
Jack Smith Report Blocked
-via CBS News
Speaking of a criminal gang though… here in America, US District Judge Aileen Cannon granted Trump his pretty please request (shocking, I know) to block Jack Smith from releasing the proof in his investigation that shows that ways in which Donald Trump attempted to steal the 2020 election.
This is so absurd because now he’s saying this is all the proof needed to show that he’s innocent. But if he actually was innocent, the proof would be in the report. Which he could release. But he’s not releasing it. Because what’s in the report is proof that he’s guilty. See how that works?
This order prevents AG Bondi from releasing even PART of the report. Not that she ever world. Unfortunately, however, it also prevents her successors, should those successors be interested in the rule of law, from doing so either.
Super normal stuff for when you’re innocent.
NY Blizzard
Weather on tens and twos! Millions of people in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, an area known as the tri-state area which you would think any area where three states connect could also be called but no no no this is the most important tri-state area… are stuck at home after a blizzard hit the area, dropping as much as a foot and a half of snow in some areas.
Sounds very cold.
As someone recording this in 63* weather, I understand literally exactly what you’re going through.
Another Epstein-Related Arrest
-via NPR
Another Bri’ish arrested was made this week, as London’s Metropolitan Police arrested the former British ambassador to Washington on suspicion of "misconduct in public office" as they investigate his ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
Specifically they are wondering if he passed confidential government information to Epstein while Mandelson was a UK Cabinet minister from 2008 to 2010.
Notably, this is the same language “misconduct in public office” used when the former Prince Andrew was arrested last week.
Wild. I didn’t know you were allowed to arrest public officials for Epstein-related crimes. We should try it!
Trump Administration Gets Sued Times Two
While Trump is not being arrested for his own very severe and heinous Epstein-related crimes or being held responsible for trying to steal the 2020 election, he is, at least, getting sued twice over.
Well, his administration is.
First, FedEx is suing, seeking a “full refund” for all tariffs they paid the government under the overturned tariffs that the Supreme Court ruled illegal on Friday. They were the first file, but by end of day Friday, they were not the last. And the cases will continue to pour in.
So there’s a whole buncha companies.
And then there’s an entire state!
The state of Maryland is suing the administration to get them to stop building a concentration camp, I’m sorry, I meant ICE detention facility.
The state’s AG filed the complaint, saying DHS violated the law when they purchased a warehouse in Maryland without public input or an environmental review. "The Trump Administration will stop at nothing to pursue its extreme immigration agenda -- including breaking the law."
In response, the administration said: Yes! And we’re real proud of ourselves about it too!
The filing is new, so we’ll see, but if it stops the building in Maryland, it sets a precedent for the building happening all over the country. Which is a big win.
And that’s it. That’s the news.
There’s like vague news about the Nancy Guthrie case but it’s just – the kidnappers were at the house days before they took her. Hopefully it gives a real lead but nothing as of this recording.
Today is Trump’s State of the Union address. Expect it to be hateful, rambling, full of lies, and covered here.
I’m proud of… people suing the administration! We have to fight back and we have to use the tools at our disposal. The courts still work – judges like Aileen Cannon don’t. But she never did, so we can’t be surprised. Still though, overall – the courts still work.
I’m proud of the Mexican flag. The colors represent hope and independence (green), purity and unity (white), and the blood of heroes and religion (red), and the coat of arms features an eagle perched on a cactus to represent Mexico’s Aztec heritage. The snake in the eagle’s beak and talons represents the Aztec prophecy that the Mexica would build their capital city — which later became Mexico City — where they saw an eagle eating a snake on a cactus, and the laurel and oak branch wreath symbolizes victory and strength.
That’s a lot of history in a flag. Really packs a punch.
It’s also World Bartender Day and as someone who is very good at slinging those drinks, and also appreciates a bartender… mahalo to all bartenders everywhere.
But more than bartenders, because you are… I don’t know… better than all of the bartenders… no, actually you what? Because you are a tall drink of water or anything behind the bar… I’m proud of you!