April 7, 2026

ROGER SIMON: Mr. President, Keep the Oil!

The desire of the regime to exploit children has resurfaced, according to LTC Nadav Soshani of the IDF:

“In recent weeks, as Israeli and American operations expanded inside Iran, a clearer picture began to emerge of how the regime is operating under this sustained pressure.

“One of the most alarming findings is the recruitment of minors into the Basij, a paramilitary force under the Iranian regime.

“This is not speculation. It is an openly declared policy.

“On March 26, 2026, Rahim Nadali, a deputy in the IRGC Mohammad Rasoul Allah Corps of Greater Tehran, announced a recruitment campaign titled ‘Homeland-Defending Combatants for Iran.’ The campaign explicitly invited volunteers aged 12 and above, with registration taking place through Basij bases operating out of mosques across Tehran.”

In addition, Throwback Iran writes on X:

“HOLY SH*T
Iran’s state TV is encouraging Iranian youth and students to form human shield circles around power plants and other infrastructures ahead of tomorrow’s deadline day. Where is UN? UNICEF?”

You’ll have to ask Throwback Iran why they even bothered to ask the last questions.

The mullahs’ rule, much like communism, was always only about the oppression of the masses for the benefit of the overclass. The mullahs and the Revolutionary Guard Corps own most of the industry, from energy to the lucrative pistachio plantations. Just as communist leaders used tired Marxist rhetoric to distract as they enriched themselves (cf. Fidel Castro), the mullahs used the nostrums of Khomeinist Shiism as a cover.

So, Mr. President, take the oil. Most of us will be with you in the end. Just explain the process. Give as much as possible, in an organized and fair manner, back to the Iranian people, but keep a little off the top for the USA “for service rendered.” You’ve already done it in Venezuela.

Read the whole thing.

Posted at 12:00 pm by Ed Driscoll

CHUTZPAH:

I’m so old, I remember when California’s reputation as the Golden State required no burnishing.

Posted at 11:56 am by Stephen Green

CIVIL RIGHTS UPDATE: Illinois gun owners plan rally in wake of Supreme Court order.

The Illinois State Rifle Association says gun owners have run out of options in a case challenging the state’s prohibition of carrying concealed firearms on mass transit.

The case Schoenthal v. Raoul dealt with whether the state’s ban of carrying firearms on mass transit, even for those with concealed carry permits, is constitutional.

A district judge said the measure is unconstitutional. An appeals court differed. The U.S. Supreme Court Monday turned down a petition to hear the case.

“We are very disappointed by the Court’s decision, especially since law-abiding public transportation riders in Illinois are less safe as a result of the law,” attorney David Sigale, who represents plaintiffs, told the The Center Square. “We know that groups like the ISRA will continue to fight this prohibition in the legislative and political arenas, as well as the courts, so that Illinoisans’ Second Amendment rights will be respected.”

Richard Pearson with the ISRA said they’ve run out of options for that challenge. But, there are other cases the Supreme Court could take up.

“They have the Wolford [v. Lopez] case in front of them, which is from Hawaii, which is about public spaces and actually public transportation. So we’ll see what they do with that,” Pearson told The Center Square Monday. “So we were kind of hoping for a favorable ruling, at least to take our case. And that didn’t happen.”

Certainly disappointing.

Posted at 11:41 am by Stephen Green

SHE NEEDS HELP:

Posted at 11:25 am by Stephen Green

THAT’S BECAUSE IRAN ISN’T A THREAT TO HIS POLITICAL POSITION OR SELF-ESTEEM THE WAY TRUMP IS:

Posted at 10:57 am by Glenn Reynolds

HE IS A COMMIE, AFTER ALL:

Posted at 10:54 am by Stephen Green

A VERY PUBLIC EDUCATION:

Posted at 10:23 am by Stephen Green

YOU STILL DON’T HATE THEM ENOUGH:

Posted at 10:08 am by Charlie Martin

NEW WAYS TO BOOST DHS DEPORTATIONS: Official claims of 600,000 deportations to date by Department of Homeland Security under the Trump administration lack credible backup, but new DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin has multiple new tactics at hand for speeding things up, according to experts interviewed by The Washington Stand’s S.A. McCarthy.

Posted at 9:58 am by Mark Tapscott

TO BE FAIR, PERFORMATIVE OUTRAGE IS TAPPER’S ENTIRE SCHTICK:

Maybe Tapper’s schtick would be less tiresome if it weren’t entirely one-sided.

Posted at 9:52 am by Stephen Green

HEY, BIG SPENDER: OpenAI doesn’t expect to be profitable until at least 2030 as AI costs surge.

Spending on AI training will be staggering. In 2028, OpenAI projects spending $121 billion on computing power for its AI research. The estimate for 2029 is slightly higher, before AI model training costs dip back below $100 million in 2030. (This year, for perspective, the company expects to spend just over $25 billion on AI model training.)

Anthropic’s totals are smaller but still climb steadily, surpassing $30 billion in 2029.

These losses come despite an expected surge in revenue at both companies. OpenAI’s revenue is projected to nearly double annually, reaching roughly $275 billion in 2030. Anthropic expects to approach $150 billion in 2029.

YOY revenue doubling is in line with OpenAI’s growth since the company debuted OpenAI, so we’ll see.

Posted at 9:37 am by Stephen Green

MEANWHILE, DOWN UNDER…:

Posted at 9:21 am by Stephen Green

IN COMMON USAGE, “WAR CRIMES” IS JUST A TERM FOR THINGS THE UNITED STATES OR ISRAEL ARE DOING THAT ARE WORKING AGAINST OUR ENEMIES:

Posted at 9:19 am by Glenn Reynolds

KRUISER’S MORNING BRIEFING: Marco Rubio Is the Reason I Gave Up on Political Purity Tests. “There was a time when I was pretty exacting about purity tests for other conservative activists and, to a lesser extent, Republican politicians. Marco Rubio long ago made me abandon them completely for politicians. President Trump reinforced that.”

Posted at 9:06 am by Stephen Green

UGH.

It’s very important to defeat Trump, you see, because he’s an “authoritarian.”

Posted at 8:57 am by Glenn Reynolds

THEY OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED:

Posted at 8:50 am by Stephen Green