A VERY SMART MAN. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sends a message in aftermath of hurricane Ian: 'We're a Second Amendment state'.

THE DIPLOMAD speculates about the Nordstream gas 'leaks'.

The Lawdog Files explains the technology of natural gas pipelines (linked from Instapundit).

ALEXANDRIA OCCASIONAL CORTEX OCASIO-CORTEZ: Abortion is an economic issue because giving birth forces parents to work against their will.

Hmm. Since most children are still being born within the 'confines' of a stable marriage, it would seem logical to assume (1) they are wanted and (2) willing (even eager) to work to provide for them. Unlike Ms. Ocasio-Cortez who seems willing to 'work' for her Tesla and to take her boy toy to Miami for a mask-free vacation during the COVID pandemic panic in locked-down New York city.

To call this woman bat-shit crazy is being far too kind.

OH, COME ON. 'OBJECTIVE TRUTH' IS WHATEVER DEMOCRATS SAY IT IS: Cornell professor warns universities are eliminating meaning of 'objective truth' from classrooms with critical race theory.

“FEMINIST CRITICISM” IS GENERALLY STUPID AND DISHONEST: Maybe that's because feminists are stupid and dishonest.

FLORIDA GOV. RON DESANTIS IS TRYING OUT HIS PRESIDENTIAL PITCH and it's a good one.

I admit that I am biased. I think Ron DeSantis is the smartest and most compelling Republican politician since Ronald Reagan. This is not a slam on former president Trump. Love him or hate him, Trump took a moribund Republican Party and created an entirely new political coalition that will endure long after he exits the stage. Trump deserves credit for a Republican rebirth and for exposing the fundamental corruption of our political and cultural ruling class.

Trump may have left office in 2021 battered, bloodied and politically wounded, but he did so having taken political ground that no Republican would ever have imagined we would occupy.

But in my opinion DeSantis is in a class by himself because he can build on Trump’s accomplishments, expand them, and solidify the new political coalition into something enduring.

Read it all.

A GLOBAL AWAKENING? Italia in the news.

HERE WE GO (AGAIN): Woke professor says climate change causes hate speech.

Given that Ian struck Florida first, he should have claimed that hate speech causes climate change (i.e., hurricanes)....

THIS IS MEDICINE? Planned Parenthood doctor tells Congress men can get pregnant.

Seriously.

YEAH, BUT IT'S NOT WHAT HE THINKS: Mayor Eric Adams says 'New York has a brand' that 'means something' to people.