Bob’s Hailstone 08-06-25
Subtitle: A World of Schemes and Scapegoats
By Jim Reynolds | www.reynolds.com
Grook:
The news spins tales of plots so grand,
From Russiagate’s lies to a borderland,
With smirks and leaks, they weave their snare,
Truth’s buried deep—beware the glare.
[Graphic: Sand castles, bureaucrats, politicians, the press, and the public.]
[Note: Larry will join us again today, bringing his earnest take to the table—buckle up for some progressive optimism amidst the chaos! Sometimes Larry forgets the topic.]
Intro:
Welcome to another day where the headlines read like a bad spy novel crossed with a circus act. The political machine churns out scandals—some real, some fabricated—while the media plays judge, jury, and executioner. From Russiagate’s lingering stench to Texas Democrats dodging redistricting, it’s a mess of power plays and public trust eroding faster than a sandcastle at high tide. Let’s dive into the muck with a sharp eye and a sharper tongue.
Stories:
Potentially Non-Governmental Accomplices to Russiagate - Sean Davis, The Federalist
The Federalist’s Sean Davis digs into the murky waters of Russiagate, suggesting non-governmental players helped fuel the anti-Trump narrative with a concoction of leaks and lies. Declassified docs and whistleblower tales paint a picture of a coordinated smear, far beyond Watergate’s botched break-in. It’s a tale of institutional overreach that’s still unraveling in 2025.
Political Lean: Right/gloriously unrepentant
Bob: Oh, look, another day of the deep state’s greatest hits—tune in next week for the remix! Davis is onto something, but don’t hold your breath for apologies from the usual suspects.
Jim: This is the anti-leftist smoking gun—Clinton, Comey, and their media lapdogs orchestrated a coup dressed as journalism. Time to hold them accountable, not just nod along. Jail time for crooks, liars and traitors would boost faith in government for millions.
Larry: Well-meaning missteps don’t erase the need for environmental cooperation and equity in our intelligence practices.
CNN’s Honig Says There’s No There There in Grand Jury Probe - Blaise Malley, Salon
Salon’s Blaise Malley reports CNN’s Elie Honig questioning the AG’s new grand jury probe into Obama-era actions, finding no solid criminal evidence. This challenges the Trump administration’s revisit of the Russia probe, leaving its narrative shaky, while media scrutiny of the case highlights their own prior investment in related stories. Summary constructed from teaser, X, and web: It’s a nuanced beat, suggesting a potential misstep in the current administration’s legal strategy.
• Political Lean: Left/smug-Left sanctimony
• Bob: Well, color me shocked—CNN’s prophet of doom finds no apocalypse. Maybe they’ll pivot to cat videos next?
• Jim: Another left-wing fantasy collapses—Honig’s admission is a crumb, but the real crime is the years of lies peddled by Salon and its ilk.
• Larry: But hey, shouldn’t we focus on humane processing for those caught in these probes, rather than just pointing fingers?
There’s No Defense for Rep. Ramirez Putting America 2nd - Ingrid Jacques, USA Today
Ingrid Jacques at USA Today slams Rep. Ramirez for prioritizing foreign interests over American ones, a move that’s riled up patriots. The piece argues his actions betray national loyalty, fueling a broader debate on political priorities in a divided nation.
Political Lean: Center/pragmatic centrism
Bob: Ramirez playing global hero while America burns—classic politician move. Someone get her a map!
Jim: This is what happens when leftist agendas trump sovereignty—Jacques nails it, but where’s the outrage from the silent majority?
Larry: At least America is in the top two!
Gen Z Divide Could Decide the Next Election - Christian Paz, Vox
Vox’s Christian Paz explores how Gen Z’s split loyalties—progressive ideals versus economic pragmatism—might swing the 2026 vote. With both parties courting the youth vote, the generational fault line is deeper than ever, shaping the political battlefield.
Political Lean: Left/policy-wonk skepticism
Bob: Gen Z’s out here picking sides like it’s a TikTok poll—good luck with that, kids! Paz makes it sound noble, but it’s just chaos.
Jim: Vox spins this as youthful wisdom, but it’s just more leftist indoctrination clashing with reality—time to wake up, Gen Z.
Larry: Green jobs and climate equity could unite them for a brighter future.
JPMorgan, BofA Debanked Trump After Biden Admin Threat - Charles Gasparino, NYP
Charles Gasparino at NYP reveals how JPMorgan and Bank of America ditched Trump under pressure from the Biden admin, a move that reeks of political arm-twisting. The financial squeeze highlights the power of government over private enterprise, raising eyebrows in 2025.
Political Lean: Right/gloriously unrepentant
Bob: Big banks bowing to Biden’s bully pulpit—who needs free markets when you’ve got a strongarm? Charlie’s got the receipts!
Jim: This is the left’s weaponization of finance against Trump—Gasparino exposes the rot, but will anyone do anything about it?
Larry: Must we always focus solely on corporate politics? We have a planet to save.
ICE Raids Broke Los Angeles’ Economy - David Dayen, American Prospect
David Dayen at American Prospect claims ICE raids have tanked LA’s economy, hitting immigrant communities hard. Summary constructed from teaser, X, and web: The piece argues the raids disrupt labor and local business, though critics call it exaggerated. It’s a hot-button issue in 2025.
Political Lean: Left/smug-Left sanctimony
Bob: Oh, poor LA—raids ruin everything except the narrative! Dayen’s crying wolf again, but the data’s a bit thin.
Jim: Another leftist sob story—Dayen ignores the law to push open borders, and the press laps it up like milk.
Larry: Vulnerable communities are vulnerable communities, so we must treat them as vulnerable communities. This, we can agree on.
DOJ Releases List of Sanctuary Jurisdictions With a Promise - Katie Pavlich, Townhall
Katie Pavlich at Townhall reports the DOJ’s release of sanctuary jurisdiction lists, promising enforcement action. The move targets cities shielding immigrants, sparking a firestorm over federal versus local power in the immigration debate.
Political Lean: Right/gloriously unrepentant
Bob: DOJ finally growing a spine—about time they named names! Pavlich cheers, but the left’s already whining.
Jim: This is a long-overdue smackdown on sanctuary cities—Pavlich gets it, but the anti-American left will fight tooth and nail for their sex offenders.
Larry: But shouldn’t refugees have safe passage for , the, ah, well you know, the thing.
Next Generation of Progressive Pundits Is Here - Michael Tedder, The New Republic
Michael Tedder at The New Republic hails the rise of young progressive voices shaping the left’s future. Summary constructed from teaser, X, and web: These pundits push climate and equity agendas, though some see them as out-of-touch elites. It’s a generational shift in 2025.
Political Lean: Left/smug-Left sanctimony
Bob: New progressive prophets—same old sermon! Tedder’s proud, but they’re just preaching to the choir.
Jim: The left’s breeding ground for more nonsense—Tedder celebrates, but these kids are clueless about real America.
Larry: I’d add: green jobs and climate equity are their strength—let’s embrace this hopeful new wave.
Funding for Fleeing TX Dems Should Be Investigated - Mollie Hemingway, FOX News
Mollie Hemingway at FOX News calls for a probe into funds supporting Texas Dems who fled to block redistricting. The story suggests foul play, with political stakes high as the state redraws maps in 2025.
Political Lean: Right/gloriously unrepentant
Bob: Texas Dems playing hide-and-seek with taxpayer cash—Hemingway’s onto a scandal, but don’t expect confessions!
Jim: This is the left’s dirty money at work—Hemingway exposes the rot, and it’s time to drain the swamp for real. Interesting that they fled to the gerrymandering capital of the US. May need to check their optics.
Larry: Perhaps public transit funds could unify rather than divide these lawmakers.
Paxton and Abbott’s Dubious Threat Against Texas Dems - Steven Monacelli, MSNBC
Steven Monacelli at MSNBC critiques Texas AG Paxton and Gov. Abbott’s threats against fleeing Dems as overreach. The piece frames it as a power grab, though supporters see it as enforcing order in a chaotic standoff.
Political Lean: Left/smug-Left sanctimony
Bob: Paxton and Abbott playing tough guys—Monacelli whines, but someone’s got to herd these runaway Dems!
Jim: MSNBC spins this as tyranny, but Monacelli misses the point—law and order trump leftist tantrums.
Larry: But hey, shouldn’t we focus on environmental cooperation to resolve these disputes?
How ‘Smug’ Harris Alienated Union Members - Sean O’Brien, The Free Press
Sean O’Brien at The Free Press details how Kamala Harris’s arrogance turned off union workers, a key voting bloc. The piece argues her disconnect cost Democrats support, a lesson for 2026, amid rising worker discontent.
Political Lean: Right/gloriously unrepentant
Bob: Harris smugness strikes again—O’Brien’s got the scoop, and the unions are done with her elitism!
Jim: O’Brien nails Harris’s hubris, and it’s a warning shot to the Dems.
Larry: We must consider the human cost—green jobs blah, blah, blah.
End Note:
Today’s headlines remind us that power, pride, and pettiness drive the news cycle, but beneath the noise lies a nation grappling for truth. From Russiagate’s unraveling to Texas’s political chess game, the stakes feel higher than ever. Hold fast to your skepticism—it’s the only compass we’ve got left.
Source Note: All stories referenced here come from the RealClearPolitics homepage. For full articles and original context, visit the site directly.