First they sued him. Then they prosecuted him. Then they tried to take him off the ballot. The only thing more tragic than what just happened is that, if we’re being honest, it wasn’t totally a shock. Biden’s inevitable ritual condemnation of political violence today (when it comes) will be insufficient and irrelevant. No amount of verbiage today changes the toxic national climate that led to this tragedy.
Apoorva and I mourn for the rally attendee who was apparently killed by the shooter. We believe the fact that President Trump is safe right now is nothing short of an act of God. My heart tells me God intervened not just for Trump, but for our nation. Today, the future survival of the United States of America came down to less than a hair’s width in the path of a bullet.
If any good comes of today, let it be this: Americans just had the chance to see our next President’s true character, unvarnished. He took the fire, he took the hit, he felt the blood, and then he stood right back up for the people he was put here to lead.
Regardless of who you vote for, let’s unite around the TRUTH that what happened today is unacceptable, now and forever. May we all remember Thomas Jefferson’s words 225 years ago:
“A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles. It is true that in the meantime we are suffering deeply in spirit, and incurring the horrors of a war and long oppressions…And if we feel their power just sufficiently to hoop us together, it will be the happiest situation in which we can exist. If the game runs sometimes against us, we must have patience till luck turns, and then we shall have an opportunity of winning back the principles we have lost, for this is a game where principles are at stake.”
In a just world, this would be a New York Times feature story - the Dave Portnoy Effect.
I randomly came across a Portnoy pizza review and just so happened to be close by. So I made the trip to Ah-Beetz in Delray Beach, Florida. He had given it an 8.4, which is (apparently) an excellent score.
I don't follow Dave Portnoy. I don't consume Barstool's content, or even relate to the demographic it cultivates. I don't eat much pizza, except with my kids. I don't bet on sports, and generally think adult men who devote excessive hours to watching professional sports are wasting their time.
But, as someone who follows the zeitgeist, I can objectively say Portnoy seems like a very good person:
-> Earned his success; the free market seldom lies
-> Took Cancel Culture head-on and won
-> Raised ~$40 million for small businesses during COVID
-> Called out fake news outlets like Business Insider long before Ackman buried them
-> Personally donated and raised millions for great causes - law enforcement, first responders, animal shelters, etc. - as opposed to having a building named after himself at Harvard.
The pizza at Ah-Beetz is excellent. Very much worth the trip. But more interesting is the Dave Portnoy effect. I asked the owner about the influence he's had on their business.
When Portnoy's review aired, Ah-Beetz was a single, small shop in a less-than-desirable strip mall not far from I-95, really far from the beach or what is generally considered a nice part of Palm Beach County.
Overnight, there was a two-hour wait, a pop that has never receded (because the food is also great). And now, in less than a year, there are soon-to-be 4 locations and 70+ employees, an expansion that they attribute almost entirely to Portnoy.
Revenue has increased more than 10x, or millions of dollars that are also attributable to Portnoy, for which he has not received/sought any attention or credit.
Portnoy has completely changed their lives. And this has probably happened countless times all over the country.
(Also, they said he was exceptionally kind and humble, and 100% sincere.)
This is America.
NEW: Body cam footage shows Boston Police showing up at man’s house after he called 911 wishing someone would wish him a happy birthday.
This is the body cam footage we love to see.
Officers Israel Bracho and Franklin Ortiz showed up with a muffin and a candle to wish 25-year-old Chris a happy birthday.
Chris, who was smiling ear to ear, welcomed them in and the officers sang ‘happy birthday.’
“Once we verified it actually was his birthday we said: ‘Well, everyone has one birthday so everyone deserves to feel special on their day.’”
Happy Birthday, Chris!
SINCE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE:
Groceries: +21.2%
Eating out: +21%
Baby food: +29.6%
Pet food: +22.7%
Rent: +20%
Electricity: +28.4%
Natural gas: +30%
Apparel: +12%
Used cars: +20.3%
Air fare: +31.4%
Public transportation: +20.8%
Real average weekly wages: -4.2%
1% of the population controls the world
4% of the population are their puppets
90% of the population are zombies
5% are trying to wake up the zombies
The 1% makes sure that the 4% stops the 5% from waking up the 90%.
Do you agree? 👇🏾🤔
$1,000,000 in 1993 buying power would require today about $2,070,000 to have the same buying power.
🔊 ... 😥
Over the past 20 years from 2002 to 2022, salaries have increased 27%, but the cost of a home has gone up 148%.
The cost of living and lifestyle is not keeping up. 60% of America is living paycheck to paycheck.
Today we announced charges against eight social media influencers in a $100 million securities scheme in which they used Twitter and Discord to manipulate exchange-traded stocks.
https://t.co/zzrchqFlqg