Bill Pulte is the Man Who Will Figure it Out

 The office of the Director of National Intelligence didn't exist until after the horrors of 9/11, 2001. When the pre-attack intelligence was finally analyzed, it was found there were clues something was up well before the disaster. The most glaring of which was a report that a handful of Saudi nationals were learning how to fly commercial sized jets but showed no interest in being taught how to land them. 

The problem was that this ominous indicator, and others were spread out over various U. S. intel services and at the time there was no single person, or department who saw them all in detail. In other words, there wasn't anybody in charge of piecing together the puzzle. The answer was to create a clearing house, as it were, for all the different departments and agencies to send their findings to for analysis. The Director of National Intelligence and his, or her staff boils it all down, then through meetings and daily reports tells the President on what is going on and advises him what actions he might take or consider taking. 

As one can imagine, with all this different information flooding into one office the Director, whoever he, or she is, needs to have a good deal of intelligence and security experience. In fact, it says just that in the job description that was written by the Congress which authorized the office. In short, anyone who wants the position has to know the business. 

Well, at least until Bill Pulte came along. 

Brother Pulte graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in broadcast journalism. After graduating, he interned with Huron Capital Partners and later worked for Penske Capital Partners. He then started his own company--with a lot of help from his grandfather--Pulte Capital. It became wildly successful within a couple of years. So much so, Forbes Magazine named to their 30 under 30 list.     

Despite the success the rest of the board of directors considered him a pain in the ass ego maniac. Not long after Pulte's grandfather died, the board gave him the heave ho. In 2019 he became chums with Donald J. Trump. By 2024 he was what you would call a big-time donor to the Republican National Committee, the Trump campaign, and other republican causes. In 2025 he became Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. 

While it isn't a job that normally grabs headlines Bill Pulte managed to do so. When Trump began looking for reasons to prosecute his political enemies it turned out Pulte was just the man for the job. It was Pulte who, "referred," NY Attorney Gomersal, Letticia James, Senator Adam Schiff and others to the DOJ for federal prosecution--the charges being, Mortgage Fraud. It didn't matter all the indictments either fell through, or failed to get out of grand juries, that was all Pam Bondi's fault. (And probably one of the reasons she got fired.) What mattered was that in Uncle Donald's time of need, Bill Pulte came through for him. 

Which brings us back to the Director of National Intelligence job. The other day, Donald Trump named Bill Pulte the Acting Director. He will now be in charge of analyzing intel data received from 18 different agencies, then deciding which parts of it should be acted on by the President of the United States. To put it mildly when the announcement was made, people from all corners and sides of politics and the media went what is commonly referred to as ape shit crazy. The appointment was so spectacularly insane (Hell, no one could even confirm the guy had any security clearance at all.) it led one talking head to speculate it was a diversion to keep the attention away from Todd Blanche's nomination as Attorney General. 

When asked about Pulte's complete lack of experience, Donald Trump initially said something along the lines of, "he's a smart guy, he'll figure it out." When the outrage and disbelief persisted--one GOP Senator said there was absolutely no chance the upper house would approve Pulte's nomination--the president reassured everyone the appointment was strictly, "temporary," He insisted interviews of permanent candidates were ongoing.  To prove it, Pulte remains in his capacity as Director of the FHFA. 

Ah yes that's quite reassuring. The guy in charge of the President's daily intel briefing, during a war, is not only a raw rookie, but splitting his time between two completely different jobs. 

The brutal truth is there is probably a reason for this madness. Donald Trump needs someone in the intel community to do two things. First, finally come up with some sort of proof the 2020 election was stolen, even if there is none. Second, he needs a person who can somehow, someway throw a wrench into the 2026 midterm elections. Thanks to the mortgage fraud nonsense he figures Bill Pulte might be his boy. He is a complete loyalist who finds out of the box excuses, no matter how flimsy, to go after Trump's enemies, which right now includes an ever-increasing number of pissed off voters. Trump wants a a man who will scare the bejesus out of people. Somebody capable of accusing everyone from polling station volunteers to county employees, and even Ma and Pa Kettle of criminal election fraud. You know, make all those fuckers never want to participate in democracy again--which is the ultimate Trump endgame. 

Yes, Bill Pulte might not know diddly squat about intelligence, but that sort of thing seems right in his wheelhouse. 

Call me paranoid if you want, but the fact is, Bill Pulte's appointment as Acting Director of National Intelligence by law can last 210 days, or nearly seven months. Right now, the 2026 midterm elections are five months out. And for a man of his loyalty and zeal, that might just be all the time he needs.  

6-7-26

President Donald J. Trump and a King Named Ozymandias

 Congress gave the Kennedy Center its name and only Congress can change it.

Federal Judge, Christopher Cooper in his decision which ordered Donald Trump's administration to remove Trump's name from the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.

Judge Cooper's ruling did not go over well with the Narcissist in Chief, Donald Trump. Trump had named himself to the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center months ago, then packed it with loyal toadies who made him Chairman. The new board's first significant act was to arbitrarily rename the place, The Donald J. Trump John F Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. Seemingly within days after the board's, "unanimous," decision Trump's name was slapped onto the building's facade for all to see. After artists who were scheduled to appear at the center began cancelling in droves and others flat out refused to perform, the Trump chaired board decided to close the place for two years in order to renovate it. (And possibly let everyone cool off and accept the new name--as we know, in this country what outrages today is normal tomorrow.)

In addition to removing Trump's name from the center--his name has to come down from the facade within two weeks--Cooper ruled that while repairs can continue the center must re-open. He did, however, leave open a way around the it by saying if the board decided the re-opening isn't feasible, given the renovation work the center could be closed again.  

Predictably, the President threw a snit fit the likes of which are usually associated with five-year-old spoiled brats. On social media, one of his many posts read, "Unless I am free to do what I do better than anyone else, bring this institution back, physically, financially, and artistically, I have no interest in continuing what could only be a hopeless journey into NEVER NEVER LAND. In other words, If I can't do what I want, how I want all by myself, I'll shut the fucking joint down.  

Along with that post came the inevitable personal attacks on Cooper and his wife. He called the jurist, "a Trump hating Judge," and a "Radical Left Democrat," although in the President's defense, he pretty much considers all democrats, "radical left." He accused Cooper's wife as also being, "an, "anti Trump Hater," a claim which actually might have some validity. Cooper's wife, Amy Jeffrees is an attorney who worked on the Jan. 6th committee and has represented former President Joe Biden and fired FBI lawyer, Lisa Page, who Trump once called, "a dirty cop." 

Unfortunately for the board and their chairman, no matter what his politics, Cooper's logic in the ruling seems pretty unassailable, Congress, by statue, named the Kennedy Center and only Congress can change it. In short, no matter what he thinks, Donald Trump's ego alone can't change a law.

Meanwhile, the White House south lawn is now dominated by a giant arched lighting grid set to illuminate the June 14th UFC mixed martial arts fights. The fight is supposed to be part of the 250th celebration of the nation's founding--because, you know, noting says America quite like two half naked guys kicking the living shit out of each other. The date is also Donal Trump's 80th birthday which might have something to do with it. Crowd estimates are hovering around 90,000 which seems a bit optimistic for an event that isn't selling any public tickets. Large numbers of the U.S. military will be invited but allowed in only if they meet the official height and weight requirements and are clad in short sleeved, dress uniforms. Just to make sure the nation's dignity is completely debased, the televised fighter weigh-ins will be held at the Lincoln Memorial. 

The event is supposedly being paid for by the fight organizers and various sponsors, although there have been reports that the budgets of a couple of different government departments have been dipped into to help pay for it. The organizers will split the profits if there are any, so one has to suspect the birthday boy himself, Donald J. Trump will get a cut. because, as we all know, that's the way he rolls. 

When it comes to the days long music festival/fair set for the mall so many acts have cancelled Trump has scheduled himself as a headliner one night. He says it will be a balls to the wall MAGA rally, which the whole thing was to begin with, even if no one was admitting it. The only, "big name," music act remaining on the card is Vanilla Ice. He is a white rapper who had a single hit a few decades ago, then watched his street cred tank when he showed up in the movie "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles." Apparently Kid Rock and Ted Nugent weren't available for the festivities, although late negotiations might be feverishly underway as these words ate being typed. 

It isn't clear right now if Trump is aware of his sinking poll numbers, or if he is, he believes them. Maybe he just doesn't care. What is clear is that instead of trying to help the people of the republic like he promised to do, he is frantically trying to remake it in his own graven image. 

It's enough to make you think of a poem written by Percy Bysshe Shelley.  It is called, "Ozymandias." Maybe Donald Trump could add his name to that piece of work's title too. 

6-1-26

Brute Corruption and Adultery: Ken Paxton is MAGA's Man in Texas

 A little while ago, Donald Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General, Ken Paxton in the U.S. Senate race down in the Lone Star state. He chose Paxton in the GOP primary run off instead of the republican incumbent, John Coryn. This was despite the fact Cornyn was a staunch conservative republican who had been in the Senate long enough he had achieved a good deal of power and influence in the upper chamber. 

However, none of that sort of stuff means anything to our man, Donald. He demands complete loyalty, not to just his party, or nation, and most certainly not the people of Texas. He wants utter fealty to Donald John Trump alone--a sort of low-grade Nazi-Hitler thing without the snazzy uniforms. Paxton, who in 2020 sued states like Michigan, Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin because they harmed Texas by voting for Joe Biden, was just his kind of guy. It didn't matter Paxton's suit was thrown out by the Supreme Court as prima facie bull shit, Trump knew he had a real soldier down in Austin. 

This past Tuesday in the GOP primary runoff election Ken Paxton kicked John Cornyn's ass by 27 points. The margin was so decisive it moved Trump to publicly say, "I don't care about the mid-terms. Look what happened yesterday." Indeed, the old man was feeling his oats--or more likely his Egg McMuffins. He had proven once again, he was in total control of the republican party. If you aren't with him 100% start looking for a new job and if you were a big enough irritant, over your shoulder for the FBI. 

What was also proven Tuesday is the MAGA wing of the republican party doesn't give a rat's ass about character when it comes to choosing candidates. Of course, Trump's re-election proved it first, but Paxton's runaway win confirmed it with an exclamation point. He is, by any measure the single most corrupt politician and quite possibly the most despicable human being west of the Mississippi. 

The list of his malfeasance both in politics and life is breathtaking. Boiling them down, in 2008 Paxton has been accused of voting for state contracts that were awarded to a company he secretly owned stock in. In 2015 he was accused of securities fraud.  In 2020 his own staff in the AG's office reported him to the FBI, accusing him of bribery and abuse of his office. The scandal involved a hot shot Austin real estate developer and a woman Paxton had an affair with beginning in 2018. Also, in 2020 he canned the staffers who reported him to the FBI. They sued him for violating the Texas Whistleblower Act. In 2022 the Texas State Bar Association sued Paxton for professional misconduct over that effort to overturn the 2020 election results in other states. In 2023 he was impeached by the republican controlled Texas House of Representatives over the bribery and abuse of office charges, but the state Senate let him off the hook. In 2025, Paxton's wife of 38 years, state Senator, Angela Paxton filed for divorce citing, "biblical grounds." It appears adultery was part of those, grounds. Apparently, her husband's hottie from the 2020 scandal was around even after he told her it was over and asked for her forgiveness. 

And just think, I didn't even mention the multiple homes he owns. He has claimed at least three different ones as his primary residence in order to get lower mortgage rates. 

Like the man who endorsed him, Ken Paxton has managed to slip the noose on all these alleged crimes and scandals, at least so far. Now he faces Texas State Representative, James Talarico in the general election. Talarico, who has three collegiate degrees, one a Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, is scandal free. He is comfortable talking about his faith and is calm under fire. Paxton is already accusing him of being radical leftist. He has even claimed Talarico is running a vegan campaign, whatever that is. (Talarico's response was, "I began eating Texas Bar-B-Q before Ken Paxton was charged the first time.) 

Democrats are hopeful the Senate seat can be flipped, however such hope has been misplaced before. There was huge optimism surrounding Beto O'Rourke's run against Ted Cruz. It fell short by three points. We know to win, Talarico has to count on not just democrats, but large numbers of independents and more than a few republicans. The latter will be an especially hard nut to crack no matter how repugnant Paxton's behavior has been. Cornyn ran ad after ad highlighting Paxton's scandals and look where that got him.

If there is a bright spot in all this for James Talarico it is that in the republican runoff, the number of votes cast in total was around 1.3 million. Currently in Texas there are 6.6 million registered republicans. That's a hell of a lot of republicans who chose not to vote at all. In fact, one Texas analyst said that almost everyone who turned out Tuesday was hard core MAGA. It's an easy claim to make considering the outcome. 

Another analyst put it this way, "MAGA doesn't care about character or traditional politics. They simply want someone to throw cherry bombs on the floor of the Senate. They want a Maximus who will stand and shout, Are you not entertained?"

And that, ultimately is what James Talarico is up against. He can only hope is there are enough sane people left in the party of Lincoln who will walk away from that peculiar brand of nihilism and if not vote for him, at least sit this one out. 

It might not be much of a shot, but at least it is one.

5-29-26

Remembering Harry and J.C. on Memorial Day

 In the United States the last Monday in May is designated as, Memorial Day. It's the day Americans set aside to honor the country's war dead. It is estimated the current number of U.S. military personnel who died in wars is around 1.1 million human beings. No one knows the exact number because back in the early days of the republic the record keeping wasn't exactly scientific It was particularly poor in the confederate states during the Civil War. That's why the total number of dead from that conflict--counting both Union and Confederate fatalities as American--ranges between 620,000 all the way to 750,000. (Roughly, 2% of the nation's entire population at the time.)

According to the site, Copilot Search, the day was initially known as Decoration Day. The first known public ceremony was observed in Columbus, Mississippi on April 25th, 1866, when the town's women decorated the graves of both Confederate and Union soldiers with fresh flowers. In the north, other towns from New York and Pennsylvania to Illinois also held post-civil war observances. In 1868, in the north, at least, the date May 30th was settled on mainly because it was in the spring--flowers were in bloom everywhere--and it was one the few dates available when there wasn't a major battle being fought between 1861 and 1865. 

In 1873 New York recognized it as an official holiday and by 1890 all the Union States had declared it a holiday. In the old confederate states different states recognized different dates. Apparently, Decoration Day began to morph into Memorial Day in the early 1880s, It remained reserved for civil war dead until after WWI. Possibly because it finally dawned on people we actually are one country and there had been a lot of American wars and there would be a lot more. The name, Memorial Day didn't become official until 1967. In comparison, Armistice Day was legally changed to Veteran's Day in 1954. The last Monday of May didn't become legally standardized by the government until 1971. 

America's wars have varied in scope and duration. For example, among those 1.1 million we honor today is private Harry Eagan of the 2nd U.S. Infantry. He is the only United States soldier to die in what is known as The Sheepeater Indian War. It lasted from May of 1879 until October that same year. "The "war," pitted the U.S. army against a 300-member (men, women, and children) band of the Shoshone tribe who raised sheep in the Idaho Rockies for food and clothing. The Sheepeater Indian War was the last military conflict between U.S. troops and Native Americans in the Pacific Northwest. 

An even briefer, "war," occurred in February of 1904. It was known as the Santo Domingo Affair. The U.S. Navy was in port to, "observe" the revolution going on in the Dominican Republic. It seemed the rebels had burned some sugar cane fields which were owned by American corporations. As a shore party approached the piers Seaman J.C. Johnson was shot and killed. Like Harry Eagan, he was the only American service member who died in the action, which lasted 10 days. In response to his death President Theodore Roosevelt sent in more ships and the Marines.   

All the fire breathing American patriots out there can rest easy. Both military campaigns were considered U.S. victories. The Sheepeaters surrendered and as the Navy shelled the city the Marines routed the rebels.   

It is unknown where Harry Eagan and J.C. Johnson are buried, although in Johnson's case the odds are his remains are at the bottom of Santo Domingo harbor. It is doubtful either one has a grave someone will stick a little American flag on--a practice which has largely replaced the fresh flowers in the last seven or so decades. In truth, most people in this nation will honor our war dead by not thinking about them at all. They'll be too busy enjoying time with their family, guzzling beer, watching sports, or doing something else. 

However, ol' Harry and J.C. are out there somewhere. And while it's debatable if either man's death measurably helped all of us remain free, they both died while serving their country. That in itself makes them worth being remembered. 

Well, at least for one day every year. 

5-25-26 

Stephen Colbert's Last Hurrah

 As Stephen Colbert's last Late Show approached there was a great deal of debate about who would be his final guest. Rumors swirled and the speculation grew more fantastical each day. Even Pope Leo XIV's name was mentioned. It was a bit of farce thought to be planted either by Colbert or his staff and taken to the extreme last night during the grand finale. After his monologue Colbert introduced the Pope. He was quickly then informed the first American born Pontiff refused to leave his dressing room because he hadn't been provided with a, "Chicago style hotdog." A backstage camera showed a closed dressing room door with Leo's name on it. It opened a crack, then white robed arm emerged holding a hotdog. The imitation Pope yelled, "Does this look like a Chicago style hotdog to you?" The hotdog was thrown to the floor and the door slammed shut. It was the last we heard from late night TV's version of Leo. 

Actually, Stephen Colbert's last sit-down guest was rock legend, Paul McCartney. McCartney and the rest of the Beatles made their American debut at the Ed Sullivan Theater, where the Late Show was taped, 62 years ago. That didn't mean there weren't other celebrities salted throughout the audience and in the wings. It was an eclectic bunch ranging from Paul Rudd, who was there with the, "traditional" retirement gift of five bananas, to Tim Meadows, a Second City Improv Group teammate of Colbert's years ago, to Physicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson--there to explain a glowing inter-dimensional worm hole which had appeared backstage. ("Your cancellation has created a rift in the comedy-variety-talk continuum.")

The list of cameos ran on and on, but that isn't the point. The point is a show, which could have sunk into an abyss of bitter, ruthless, satire, refused to do so. Yes, the network which had just cancelled the highest rated late-night show was mentioned, but barely. And although Donald Trump's presence loomed in everyone's thoughts, his name wasn't mentioned a single time by anyone. A fact which must have irked that crazed ego to no end. 

Come on, you know he had to have been watching. He can't stay away from the stuff that enrages him the most. He fuels his late-night adventures with it. Anger is the man's drug of choice--although one does have to think he also throws in a few unknown chemical additives. 

Of course there is a cure for TV rage junkies that's very obvious. If you don't like something on television or a particular personality, just don't fucking watch. Do I give a rat's ass what Sean Hannity says? No, because I never watch his show. It saves me and everyone around me a lot of grief.  

CBS claimed they cancelled The Late Show because it cost too much to produce. According to Wikipedia, David Ellison, the son of Oracle co-founder, Larry Ellison went from actor, to producer, to head of Skydance Media. In 2024 Skydance made a bid to take over Paramount Global, which was, "under political pressure from President Donald Trump, including the settlement of a $16 million lawsuit by Trump." The deal was approved by the Trump administration, and it went through in 2025. No one admits it, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out getting rid of Colbert, an effective critic of Trump, was part of the deal. Almost immediately after Ellison took over it was announced Colbert would be gone.  

CBS/Paramount, not wanting to be too obvious, didn't just dump Colbert, but the entire show. However, knowing public and media reaction would be overwhelmingly harsh, the corporation scraped together enough cash to continue the, "costly," production for several months after the announcement. 

Today, Trump posted on social media, "Colbert is finally finished at CBS. Amazing that he lasted this long! No talent, no no ratings, no life. He was like a dead person. You could take any person off the street and they would be better. than this total jerk. Thank goodness he is finally gone." That's our man Donald, both wrong and bitter to the end.

Stephen Colbert was certainly alive last night. So were his guests and the audience. The show ended with McCartney, Elvis Costello, Colbert, and others singing the Beatles' "Hello, Goodbye." The stage was jammed with staff and members of the audience singing along and dancing. In the final scene, Sir Paul and Colbert stood by a large leaver backstage. When McCartney threw it, the entire Ed Sullivan theater was consumed by the swirling green glowing worm hole. 

But, like I said, no one mentioned Donald Trump by name. 

5-22-26

Settling the Lawsuit and Paying Off Friends and Family

 A while back an Internal Revenue Service contractor named Charles Littlejohn leaked some of Donald Trump's tax information to the media. Since it was illegal to do something like that Littlejohn was arrested. In 2023 he copped a plea and got five years in a federal lockup. In January of this year, Donald John Trump, once again President of the United States sued the IRS on behalf of himself, Don Jr, Eric, and the Trump Organization in the U.S. District Court for southern Florida. The suit claimed the IRS was responsible for Littlejohn's actions which had damaged all four parties. It sought $10 billion in compensation. What this ultimately meant is the President of the United States was suing the very government he runs, seeking a $10 billion payoff.  It also means the attorneys defending the government against the President are lawyers who work for the Attorney General of the United States--a person who is appointed by the President and serves at his pleasure

Yes, you can say many things about Don Trump, but when it comes to corruption, you will never be able to accuse him of being subtle. The man is unashamedly greedy and he does think big.  

The immediate reaction to the lawsuit ranged from disbelief to outrage, not to mention a heavy doses of cynicism. One of those who have been a tad skeptical about the propriety of a President suing his own government is Federal Judge, Kathleen M. Williams who was assigned the case. She ordered a hearing about the constitutionality of the suit, writing, "Although President Trump avers that he is bringing this lawsuit in his personal capacity, he is the sitting President and his named adversaries are entities whose decisions are subject to his directions." 

Oops. Faced with judge's doubts all of the lawyers working for Donald Trump, on both sides, asked the judge for an extension in order to reach an out of court settlement. Yesterday they announced the details of the deal they had miraculously reached. Donald Trump dropped the $10 billion lawsuit and the $230 million claim for damages due to the Mar-a-Lago classified papers search and seizure and the ensuing investigation. In exchange $1.776 billion (1776, get it?) of taxpayer money will be set aside to create an, "Anti-Weaponization Fund." According to Acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche--who previously worked for Trump as his personal attorney--the President, his eldest sons, and the Trump Org. won't receive any of it. Instead, they will settle for written apologies from the DOJ, which is currently run by Todd Blanche. 

Pretty convenient, right?  

The fund will be administered by the Todd Blanche led DOJ. It will dole out money to people who the government prosecuted while Donald Trump wasn't President. In other words, if someone claims they were targeted by the Biden administration, or one presumes any other administration not bearing the name Trump, for political retribution a commission will decide if and how much they'll be compensated from the fund. The five-person commission will be appointed by the aforementioned Mr. Blanche--the same guy who desperately wants to become Attorney General on a permanent basis--a decision which rests with Donald Trump. For those with short memories Blanche is the same guy who got Ghislaine Maxwell moved to her cushy new digs and defended Trump in the secret documents case.

The out of court settlement says it is, "self-executing." The argument being Judge Williams can't rule on the deal because both sides, no matter how suspiciously appearing to be the same side, agreed on it. In addition, because this is a Trump operation (even though he claims he has had nothing to do with it) the Blanche commission will have complete say on who gets how much and when. There won't be any Congressional input, or oversight.

The media and some democrats quickly predicted the money will be used to pay off all those January 6th rioters who were prosecuted for invading the capitol building and assaulting the police who were guarding it. Some speculated the payoffs would also help finance what they are calling, "Trump's personal white nationalist militia." 

Maybe some of it. However, the feeling here is the cut for those brutal thugs will be small compared to what Trump's closest pals and family members will end up getting. One can almost hear the testimony before the commission now. Gentlemen, Melania and Barron Trump suffered irreparable trauma during the search of Mar-a-Lago. That's right, even though they weren't there that night. So did Ivanka Trump when she was forced to testify in front of the Jan. 6th committee. Why not?  They weren't plaintiffs in the original suit. 

Yesterday, when asked if the January 6th rioters and he, or any member of his family would be compensated he responded by saying in part, "It'll all be dependent on a committee." (Not exactly a no when it came to him and his family.) Then he added, "A committee is being set up of very talented people, very highly respected people." 

You mean talented and respected like Kristi Noem? Or the hard drinking evangelical Christian warrior, Pete Hegseth? Or the run amok Kash Patel?  Perhaps Trump means his old pal, Roger Stone, or he and Blanche will simply cut out the middlemen and name guys like the former leaders of the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, Enrico Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes. They are both out now, thanks to Trump's pardons.  

In the end, no matter who is named to this, "committee," we can be sure of one thing. There is something in this deal that rewards Donald J. Trump personally. And the less Congress and the judicial branch are involved the better. It is, as they say, his known modus operandi. 

5-19-26

The Gangs of Lake Arcadia

 According to the site, "Slang Dictionary," in 1969 two guys who lived in Compton, CA named Sylvester Scott and Vincent Owens got together and formed a gang. Because they both lived on Piru Street Owens and Scott named their little group, The Piru Street Boys. They originally aligned themselves with the already established Crips. Then in 1972, there was a, "falling out," between the two organizations. The Piru Street Boys joined forces with other local gangs, and this loose alliance quickly became known as, the Bloods, although other names are still used. For example, those members from Compton are still called Pirus, while those from other locales are known generally as Bloods.  

Here is the reason for that abbreviated history. The Oklahoma City FOX News affiliate is now reporting 18-year-old, Jaylan Davis, the first person arrested in the May 3rd Lake Arcadia mass shooting, is a member of the North Highland Piru Bloods. He apparently goes by the street moniker, 3-zzy. (Presumably pronounced three-zy.) According to court records 3-zzy has been a busy young dude when it comes to establishing his creds. He was popped in 2023 for burglary and for being involved in a drive by shooting. In 2024 he was picked up on a firearms charge. All of these, let's say, adventures, were handled through the juvenile court system. 

Well 3-zzy has hit the big time now. Police are saying at least 80 shots were fired at the unlicensed party thrown by what was known as, Crowd Control Entertainment. (Crowd Control's Instagram account has been deleted. There is still a YouTube Channel with 13 subscribers, but it doesn't have any content.) By the time it was over 22 people were either wounded, or injured and one, Avianna Smith-Gray, who like 3-zzy was 18--although, unlike him, she was scheduled to graduate from high school a few days after her death. 3-zzy, who reportedly turned himself in, is now looking at felony murder charges. 

The cops have also picked up 20-year-old, Trinity Brown in connection with the shooting. Currently she is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm after juvenile adjudication. At age 20 she is also ready for prime time. 

The local media accounts of the mass shooting has shifted. Tales of two masked men entering the campground, then randomly opening fire like crazed terrorists have long disappeared. What seems to have transpired was that halfway through the party a fight between two females broke out in the middle of the crowd. It quickly turned into a brawl between to rival gangs. Because of 3-zzy's arrest we can assume one of them was the North Highland Piru Bloods, but the other remains unidentified.

Thanks to the media's reluctance to name the second gang or even to confirm the North Highland outfit's involvement--other than 3zzy's--the entire disaster night boil down to a simple case of alcohol fueled anarchy among a bunch of young people. A bunch of young people who were packing guns, because, you know, this is America and everyone here can and does. 

The Edmond police were continuing to search the scene at Scissortail Campground yesterday. It is unclear if they found any new evidence, although one news reporter did find a bullet he pointed out to them. The word is more arrests could be made. Hey, 80 rounds are a lot for just two people. Meanwhile, Edmond Mayor, Mark Nash is continuing to tell everyone the shooting isn't representative of his home which has a population of a little over 100,000. The Mayor has yet to comment on why his police department, or the town's park department who oversees Lake Arcadia, didn't have a clue the May 3rd event was taking place beforehand. I mean, let's face it, Crowd Control Entertainment went out of their way to make sure the party wasn't a secret. 

It's unknown if any criminal charges will be filed against Crowd Control Entertainment, or the event's host, DJ Drop It. Right now, it isn't even clear Crowd Control has or had offices. It increasingly feels like it was something thrown together by some pals, one of whom knew Lake Arcadia wasn't patrolled at night by any authorities, at a bar in order to make a quick score.   

Indeed, much remains unknown. One thing we do know for sure, however is the family, loved ones, and friends of Avianna Smith-Gray are mourning her loss. She is gone forever not because she was in some gang, real or imagined or because she was involved in the initial altercation in any way. Her life cut short simply because she was at the wrong place at exactly the wrong time. 

The other thing we know is Mark Nash and the City of Edmond (79% white, 5% black) are going to make sure someone takes the fall for the Lake Arcadia shooting. The tragedy is that their fervor to get justice might not have anything to do with Avianna Smith-Gray, but rather Edmond's precious public image. Which means, when it comes to Jaylan, 3-zzy, Davis and Trinity Brown--to paraphrase the words of a rural Oklahoma Bail Bondman speaking 31 years ago--that boy and girl need lawyers worse than anyone I've ever seen. 

5-15-26