The Watches 2.7.26

Prediction markets rake it in, Grammy recipients step on rakes and Bezos raked over the coals upon "murdering" the Washington Post

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” ~ James 1

First Watch:

There’s No Agency When You’re Frozen New York City’s Mayor Mamdani is facing criticism after 16 homeless people were found frozen to death following severe cold weather. Mamdani ended a policy that required sanitation workers to dismantle encampments and direct people to shelters, arguing that forcing people indoors was infringing on their rights. Mamdani said he deployed two “warming buses,” though residents say no one knew they were available. Meanwhile, trash collection has “fallen behind” as garbage piles up amid snowstorms. (Front Page, Not the Bee)

WashPo “Murder” Journalists at the Washington Post are mourning the “murder” of the publication after roughly one-third of its newsroom was laid off. Critics of the paper’s long history of targeted hit pieces were less sympathetic, noting that the Post—founded as a Democratic paper—showed little concern for those it smeared. Owner Jeff Bezos has been blamed for the outlet’s decline, though it remains unclear why he should be expected to absorb reported losses of around $100 million a year indefinitely. (Washington Examiner, Steve Milloy via X, Hot Air)

Nike Alleged Anti-White Hiring Bias The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has requested documents from Nike following allegations that the company discriminated against white applicants in its hiring practices. (Just the News)

Bill to Criminalize “Islamophobia” Muslim Virginia State Senator Saddam Azlan Salim has introduced legislation that would criminalize “Islamophobia,” defined as “malicious prejudice or hatred directed toward Islam or Muslims,” effectively outlawing criticism of the religion as well as its adherents. (Front Page)

Suspected California Biolab Airbnb Police have raided a property in California believed to have been used as a biolab, discovering vials labeled Ebola, dengue fever, and HIV. The home is linked to an investigation involving a Chinese national and was also listed as an Airbnb. Several people reportedly became seriously ill after lodging there. (8News Now, 8News Now)

Illegal Alien Truck Driver Kills Four An illegal alien from Kyrgyzstan drove into oncoming traffic, plowing into a car that was transporting a number of Amish men in Indiana. (KATV)

Women’s Medalist has Male Genes Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who won Olympic gold in women’s boxing events, has admitted he has the male SRY gene. (Washington Examiner)

Veganism Is In Decline Once hailed as the future of food, veganism is losing popularity. (Grub Street)

Polymarket Opens Free Grocery Store Prediction market platform Polymarket has opened a free grocery store in New York City, offering food to the city’s poorest residents. What could possibly go wrong? (Yahoo)

Starmer Under Pressure British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing calls to resign after appointing Peter Mandelson as U.S. ambassador despite allegedly knowing of Mandelson’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, even after Epstein’s sexual crime conviction. (The Critic)

🍿 Alternative Half-Time Show If you’re planning to watch the Super Bowl and want something else to look at beside the debauched half-time show… (The Blaze)

Second Watch:

Controlling The Means Of Prediction Almost $2 billon bets placed will be placed on this year’s Super Bowl, and beyond online gambling, prediction markets are the new hybrid kid on the block. With online betting governed by a patchwork of state laws across the U.S., prediction markets have carved out a niche. Investopedia describes them as “a collection of people speculating on a variety of events.” The founder of Kalshi, one of the largest platforms, says prediction markets harness the wisdom of crowds: “People don’t lie when money’s involved. You want to be right about your predictions so you don’t lose money.” The founder of competitor Polymarket is similarly bullish, claiming, “People have more clarity about the world because Polymarket exists.” But states are calling for licensing and regulation, and others are raising national security concerns. Critics warn that individuals with insider knowledge—such as potential U.S. intervention in Iran or the capture of Nicolás Maduro—could reveal more through their betting behavior than is safe.

A Warning Shot In a rare piece of good news from the gender world, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has issued a statement saying its policy should now be that so-called “gender-affirming” surgical interventions be delayed until a patient is at least 19 years old. The organization also acknowledged ethical concerns surrounding cross-sex hormone regimens and what is referred to as “social transitioning.” The statement follows a landmark malpractice ruling involving Fox Varian, who as a teenage girl was approved for and underwent a double mastectomy. A psychologist and surgeon were found negligent, and Varian was awarded $2 million in damages. The case centered on a narrow question of malpractice: Varian was not adequately warned of side effects, and physicians failed to address underlying psychological conditions before prescribing radical and irreversible interventions.

Masks Off, Cameras On, Agents Out While a brief government shutdown has ended, lawmakers are now deadlocked over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which expires soon. Democrats are demanding immigration agents wear body cameras—a proposal Republicans largely support—but also that agents not wear masks, which the GOP argues would endanger their lives. Border czar Tom Homan says 700 agents will be withdrawn from Minneapolis. Vice President J.D. Vance told Megyn Kelly the move is not a retreat but a practical adjustment, explaining that fewer agents are needed now that they were primarily there to protect operations on the ground. Meanwhile, the city of Spokane is considering “immigration enforcement–free zones.” The irony was especially thick in Minneapolis, where activists set up their own checkpoints, demanding identification so they could “know who’s coming in and going out.” Just like ICE.

Pick A Lane The Grammys were their usual circus, with wealthy music industry elites leaving their gated, well-guarded homes to don “ICE Out” pins at a glitzy awards show. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson raised eyebrows after being spotted in the crowd cheering during anti-deportation rhetoric. Someone named Shaboozey drew criticism for claiming immigrants built the United States while omitting African Americans’ contribution altogether. But the coveted Steps-on-a-Rake Award went to singing Billie Eilish, who declared that “no one is illegal on stolen land” before unleashing profanity at immigration enforcement. Internet sleuths quickly noted that her California mansion sits on land once belonging to the Tongva tribe.

Third Watch:

🪼 A rare phantom jellyfish off the coast of to Argentina can grow the size of a school bus

✈️ Sleek new Hondajet will be able to land by itself

📮 NYC’s historic pneumatic tube mail system was expensive, but really amazing. “The first cylinder tube to travel through the New York City system contained “a Bible, a flag and a copy of the Constitution.”

And

While a lot of celebrity speeches crediting God for their success are indeed performative, country artist Jelly Roll’s testimony was an island of humility in a sea of self-sanctimony. I don’t know the state of his heart, but God’s Word always accomplishes what is intended, even out of the mouths of celebrities.

Let us pray. O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy, be gracious to all who have gone astray from Your ways and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of Your Word; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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