CUBA:

Intelligence reports stated Maduro “feared” taking Trump up on his deal, because he was scared to be executed by his Cuban handlers

When he was captured, he was being guarded by around 30-40 Cubans

Now why on earth would the president of a sovereign country be guarded and… https://t.co/PcD0uxJEx9

— Josue (Ho-Su-eh) (@WhatJosueSays) May 22, 2026

MY LATEST SUBSTACK: And Away We Go! Starship Puts Us On The Path To A Kardashev II Civilization.

Plus, thoughts about Jerry Pournelle.

As always, if you like these essays, please take out a paid subscription. I really appreciate it.

NOT ACTUALLY SURPRISING:

Wow! Every female juror voted to acquit Harvey Weinstein! https://t.co/X91fXFbSZI

— Michael Tracey (@mtracey) May 22, 2026

HAHA:

Pro tip:

Don't take Pro tips from a Politician who hasn't driven himself anywhere since 2004. https://t.co/3m6Rk7I40u

— US Oil & Gas Association (@US_OGA) May 22, 2026

DROUGHTS HAPPENED BEFORE SUVS?

Meteorologist Chris Martz used the North American Drought Atlas (built from tree-ring data) to track Great Plains drought across the past 1,500 years.

It shows severe drought regularly hit the plains long before industrial CO2.

The 1818 to 1825 drought stands out. So too does… pic.twitter.com/ZSFHz8TdOg

— Electroverse (@Electroversenet) May 21, 2026

LIGHTNING DEAL: SoundAsleep Products Dream Series Luxury Air Mattress. #CommissionEarned

AND AT THE DAWNING OF THIS FINE WEEKEND, REMEMBER: The Based Book Sale is going on. Books at 99c or less.

One of those is: Caroline Furlong’s Theophany.

GOOD NEWS: Popular weight loss drugs may have surprising side effect: stalling cancer. Early results on the Retatrutide phase 3 tests show promise against cancer and heart disease, too.

I tried microdosing Ozempic for these benefits, but it raised my resting heart rate by 10 bpm and though that’s a known side effect that’s supposed to be safe, I quit. Supposedly that doesn’t happen with tirzepatide, but I haven’t tried it.

THE PRESS KNOWS WHAT SIDE IT’S ON:

It's an absurd contention that world power/influence can be gotten via asymmetric tactics…if true then every country would resort to extortion, piracy and terrorism

The only real power Iran has achieved has been via TDS-afflicted media which keeps repeating this propaganda https://t.co/RlbAdXQGEz pic.twitter.com/8wV9BF5Eor

— Gummi (@gummibear737) May 22, 2026

TEACH WOMEN NOT TO RAPE! (CONT’D):

Maris Nichols, the Georgia teacher arrested for allegedly R*PING a student in a classroom closet, has been arrested AGAIN on additional charges after being accused of abusing 5 MORE children.

Nichols allegedly r*ped multiple other children, including at a golf course and in a… pic.twitter.com/a7AgIBh8b6

— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) May 22, 2026

This should just be a new section of the NY Post. Like you open it up and have News, Sports, Entertainment, Teachers Having Sex With Students, Editorials etc. https://t.co/8wWUJEuMql

— FischerKing (@FischerKing64) May 22, 2026

GAVIN CANNOT SURVIVE WITHOUT MANUFACTURING AN ENEMY:  Gavin Newsom Is Going to War With Chevron Ahead of Memorial Day Weekend.

Of course, even with an enemy his survival is in doubt.

THIS POST IS A DUAL POINT OF PRIDE FOR ME: I’m proud of my friend. And I’m proud of this writer I’ve seen grow in clarity and passion over the years. This post is a bell ringing clear and loud, and I was proud to host it.  Sick of the Jewish Hate – by Jon LaForce.

ONE OF THOSE DAYS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD:  Lessons Learned the Hard Way.

GIGO IS ALWAYS A PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY IN SERVICE OF GARBAGE AGENDAS:  Everytown using AI to strip away our Second Amendment rights.

ENOCH POWELL, PROPHETIC AND CANCELLED BEFORE CANCEL CULTURE WAS A THING:  Enoch Powell. A prophet, and therefore despised.

MEANWHILE: In the Based Book Sale, for 99c:  From Jay Maynard: Reflections in Crystal. (The Crystal Therapy Chronicles, Book 1).

OF COURSE THEY DO – THEY’RE STILL DEFENDING WALTER DURANTY’S REPORTING ON THE U.S.S.R.:  The New York Times Continues to Defend Its Despicable Anti-Israel Op-Ed.

“MOST” BRAINDEAD DOESN’T DO MUCH TO NARROW THE FIELD:  One of the Most Braindead House Dems Could Be on His Way Out.

BUT, BUT, BUT… IT’S AN ELECTION YEAR. WE MUST PANIC:  Ebola’s Real Risks Get Lost in Media’s Rush to Panic and Politicize.

99C IN THE BASED BOOK SALE: Nathan C. Brindle’s:  I’m The Beautiful But Evil Space Princess Who Rules A Galactic Empire But Really Wants To Leave People Ruthlessly Alone!: Volume.

THIS IS A SURPRISING CARTEL, BUT IT SURE AFFECTED PRICES DURING THE COVIDIOCY:  You Got Screwed During Covid.  Four Chinese companies colluded to restrict global shipping for four years, making prices skyrocket.

ALAS ORANGE COUNTY:  Garden Grove tank hazmat: What to know about chemical leak health risks.

BLESSED ARE THE SH*T STIRRERS:  A beautiful thing to behold.

(And a reminder that Tilting at Windmills is running a sale just for instapundit readers. 25% off in perpetuity.)

THE BIZARRO WORLD OF ECHR CLIMATE CHANGE JURISPRUDENCE:  BeCause the World is Round. How to assassinate the rule of law and dance on its grave.

HAVE YOU BEEN ASLEEP FOR THE LAST TWO DAYS? Because the Based Book Sale is going on. Books for ninety nine cents or less.

And here at crazy Sarah’s…. ahem in my office, we’re showing willing with six — that’s 6! — books at 99c each. The salient ones here are No Man’s Land. Look, I don’t intend to ever put them on Kindle Unlimited (whatever it’s called now) but I know some of you are strapped. So until early morning on 5/27 (and seriously only this time) it’s 99c each, $3 for the whole book-in-three-volumes. All 900 pages of it.

No Man’s Land Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3  and then, the new collection: Done with Mirrors  (with a half-never-published (long story) story in John Ringo’s Black Tide series.)  And two old but goodies: Draw One In the Dark and Death of a Musketeer.