The Morning Sixpack - May 5, 2025
Happy Cinco de Mayo! OH, and another mass shooting, this time in Arizona.
Mass Shooting Rocks Arizona Steakhouse—3 Dead, 5 Injured as Gunmen Remain at Large
A quiet Sunday dinner turned into chaos when gunfire erupted inside a Glendale restaurant, leaving three people dead and five others wounded in a horrifying attack that stunned the community.
The shooting took place around 7:45 p.m. at El Camaron Gigante, a popular local steakhouse. Glendale police confirmed that multiple suspects were likely involved, and although several individuals were detained for questioning, no arrests had been made as of Monday morning.
Among the injured were people hit by both bullets and shrapnel. Police spokesperson Moroni Mendez emphasized that the area has since been secured, and there’s no ongoing danger to the public. “We need the public’s help. If anyone saw anything, please come forward,” Mendez urged during a press briefing.
The motive remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement is combing through surveillance footage and witness statements to identify the perpetrators.
This is a developing story with more details expected to emerge. The city, meanwhile, is reeling from yet another tragic reminder of the growing toll of gun violence in America.
Source: ABC News
If only we could do something. /sarcasm
Ex-Fetterman Aide Sounds Alarm Over Senator’s Mental Health—Is His Recovery at Risk?
In a revealing letter, John Fetterman’s former chief of staff warns that the Pennsylvania senator’s mental health is deteriorating, and if left unchecked, it could lead to dire consequences.
Adam Jentleson, who worked closely with Fetterman, sent a letter to the senator's doctor in May 2023, expressing deep concern over Fetterman's behavior, including erratic moods and dangerous driving.
"I’m worried that if John stays on his current trajectory, he won’t be with us for much longer," Jentleson wrote, outlining alarming changes that signaled a potential spiral.
Despite spending six weeks at Walter Reed for depression treatment in 2023, Fetterman’s behavior reportedly worsened after his return to the Senate. Multiple staffers have expressed concerns, noting his occasional erratic behavior, risky decisions, and lack of adherence to prescribed treatments, including medication and therapy sessions.
Fetterman, who had a stroke during his campaign in May 2022, dismissed the letter as a “hit piece,” claiming his doctors and family affirm that he is doing well. However, critics point to his growing political conservatism and the toll of his mental health struggles as warning signs that his recovery is far from secure.
Source: NYT
He needs to resign. He’s unable to do his job (he’s missed more Senate votes than any of his colleagues), and he’s not well. He’s young. He can bounce back and run & win again.
Trump’s Alcatraz Plan Sparks Outrage—Experts and Locals Slam the Idea
President Trump’s proposal to reopen the notorious Alcatraz Island prison has been met with widespread disbelief and backlash from both locals and experts.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump called for federal agencies to revive the abandoned prison, closed since 1963, sparking outrage from San Francisco politicians and residents alike. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi quickly dismissed the idea, calling it "not a serious one" given the site’s transformation into a popular national park and tourist attraction.
Source: Truth Social
Alcatraz expert John Martini, who served as a park ranger in the 1970s, warned that the prison's deteriorated state makes it impossible to reopen without major, expensive reconstruction. "It would have to be torn down and rebuilt," he said, citing a lack of basic utilities and structural damage.
State Senator Scott Wiener blasted the proposal as “absurd,” linking it to Trump’s ongoing political agenda. "It’s part of his crusade to sabotage the rule of law," Wiener said, calling it a step toward dismantling democracy.
Many visitors to Alcatraz, like Rob Tompkins from Cambridge, UK, echoed these concerns, suggesting that the site could be repurposed for other uses, like a hotel, but was unsuitable for a modern prison.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle
Trump IS a builder, so he could tear down the prison and rebuild it. But wouldn’t it be better as a luxury resort? Just sayin’.
Israel Expands Gaza Offensive—Plans to Occupy Territory and Mobilize Reservists
In a dramatic escalation, Israel’s government has approved a new plan to occupy more territory in Gaza as part of its ongoing military campaign against Hamas.
At a security cabinet meeting on Sunday, Israel’s leadership gave the green light to an aggressive strategy that shifts from raid-based operations to a full occupation of Gaza’s territory. Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that the aim is to intensify strikes against Hamas while working to free hostages still held in Gaza.
The operation involves deploying tens of thousands of reservists to strengthen Israel's military presence. As part of the expanded offensive, Israel has also sought to take control of Gaza’s food distribution, which some aid groups argue violates humanitarian principles by involving armed security at aid hubs.
The plan has drawn sharp criticism, with many seeing it as a potential violation of international law, especially given the forced displacement of Gaza’s civilian population. Critics argue that the occupation would further fuel the humanitarian crisis.
Despite international pressure for a ceasefire, Israel remains committed to its mission, which has already resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and deepened the Gaza Strip’s suffering.
Source: The Washington Post
Now, not to sound antisemitic, but Netanyahu IS a war criminal. How many crimes can a man commit before he’s brought to justice? Trump, Netanyahu, and Putin are vying for top spot. I guess time will tell…
Trump's 100% Tariff on Overseas Movies Sends Hollywood Stock Prices Tumbling
President Trump’s plan to impose a 100% tariff on films produced outside the U.S. has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, raising concerns about potential backlash and economic fallout.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump announced that he had authorized the tariff to combat what he calls a national security threat posed by international tax incentives that lure filmmakers away from American shores. While Hollywood executives were caught off guard, the move immediately impacted stocks in major entertainment companies, with shares in Netflix, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Paramount all dipping by over 2%.
The logistics of such a tariff remain unclear, especially since movies are not physical goods that can be easily taxed like imports. Hollywood studios, which heavily rely on international revenues, could face severe repercussions if other countries retaliate with reciprocal tariffs.
Trump’s administration has yet to provide details on how the new policy will be implemented, but the move could lead to significant challenges for the industry. Major productions such as “Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning” and “Jurassic World Rebirth” have been filmed overseas, and tax incentives in countries like the UK and Canada have become key drivers for global filmmaking.
As Hollywood braces for what could be a dramatic shift in production economics, questions about the long-term effects on U.S. competitiveness and creative industries loom large.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
Trump is a one-man business-busting wrecking crew!
Republicans Leverage Little-Known Law to Undermine Biden's Regulations
In a strategic move to roll back Biden-era policies, Republicans in Congress are using an obscure 1996 law to dismantle key regulations, raising concerns about long-term consequences.
The Congressional Review Act (CRA) allows lawmakers to undo federal regulations with a simple majority vote, bypassing the usual 60-vote threshold needed to overcome a filibuster in the Senate. Republicans have ramped up their use of this law, pushing through measures targeting environmental protections, energy standards, and even cryptocurrency oversight.
In a series of recent actions, the GOP has targeted regulations such as methane emission fees and offshore oil assessments. These moves reflect a broader trend to shrink government oversight, with some actions aimed directly at state regulations like California’s air pollution standards for trucks.
While these actions are expected to please business groups, they could set a dangerous precedent, critics argue. Michael Thorning, from the Bipartisan Policy Center, warns that such broad use of the CRA could undermine the effectiveness of future regulatory policies and pave the way for retaliatory actions when Democrats regain control.
The Republicans’ expanded use of the CRA is now testing its limits, with a possible clash over whether to sidestep Senate rules on state-specific regulations, further complicating an already contentious political landscape.
Source: The New York Times
I have to hand it to the GOP: They play hardball. Too bad nobody in the Democratic party has the appetite for such games.