Newly released emails show top Biden administration officials discussing the chaos of the Afghanistan withdrawal in the days leading up to the deadly terrorist attack that killed 13 American soldiers three years ago today.  The messages, obtained by watchdog organization the Functional Government Initiative and shared with Just the News, show that former Pentagon spokesman John Kirby was fully aware of the “chaos” on the ground in Afghanistan despite later saying he didn’t see how the withdrawal could have been done better.  On August 16, 2021, 10 days before the attack, Kirby sent out a State Department report detailing “breaches” and “flightline insecurity” at the Hamid Karzai International Airport (HKIA) in Kabul. The report made clear that U.S. forces were quickly being overrun there.  Tickets for “Am I Racist?” are on sale NOW! Buy here for a theater near you. “DOD continuing to surge to theater, but at moment, further breaches cannot be fully prevented at current force levels,” the report said, noting that the “Taliban have been increasingly positioning near HKIA access points.”  The report also noted crowds of people swarming American airplanes prior to takeoff, with some even trying to grab onto the aircraft as they accelerated down the runway for departure.  “Hundreds have flooded the flight line and in at least one case, have forced themselves onto at least one US mil (and other civilian) aircraft. Crowds continue to run alongside planes, including mil aircraft,” the report said.  Also on August 16, Kirby was asked by speechwriter Warren Bass about an appearance from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.  “Unless you’re itching to get him to the podium, this could well be the first time the SD has been out in public since the collapse in Afghanistan,” Bass wrote. “At a minimum, he’d need to start with a serious topper on the Afghan chaos.” “Warren—warm words are good. We’ll want to do a spray given the circumstances,” Kirby replied.  In another email on August 16, Kirby noted that “things are not going well at HKIA.” Just 10 days later, an ISIS suicide bomber would attack the Abbey Gate entrance of the airport, killing 13 American soldiers and around 170 Afghan civilians. The soldiers killed were Marines Sgt. Darin T. Hoover, Sgt. Johanny Rosario Pichardo, Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Cpl. Daegan W. Page, Cpl. Humberto A. Sanchez, Lance Cpl. David L. Espinoza, Lance Cpl. Jared M. Schmitz, Lance Cpl. Rylee J. McCollum, Lance Cpl. Dylan R. Merola, Lance Cpl. Kareem M. Nikoui, and Navy Petty Officer Third Class Maxton W. Soviak and Army Staff Sgt. Ryan C. Knauss. In the wake of the attack, Kirby defended the Biden-Harris administration after receiving sharp criticism.  “Now, some say we should have started mass evacuations sooner and, ‘Couldn’t this have been done in a more orderly manner?’” Kirby later said. “I respectfully disagree.” In April 2023, Kirby claimed he saw no chaos from his vantage point.  “For all this talk of chaos, I just didn’t see it. Not from my perch,” he said.  WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI Peter MicGinnis, a spokesman for the Functional Government Initiative, said that the messages show that Kirby always knew how bad the situation on the ground was.  “These documents are Mr. Kirby’s perch. They show what he saw–confusion, miscommunication, inadequate resources, tragic deaths,” he said. “This situation showed an administration out of its depth and a military trying to salvage a near-impossible situation. But the American public didn’t need these emails to know the truth about the chaos. They saw the shameful episode unfold in real time on their TV screens.”

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Eric Wilson—who played bass alongside vocalist/guitarist Bradley Nowell and drummer Bud Gaugh during Sublime’s initial run to glory—is a man of few words. Maybe it’s because Nowell was cut down in his prime just prior to the record Sublime (1996), which would catapult them to mega-stardom on the backside of hits like “What I Got” and “Santeria.” Or maybe it’s that he’s simply focused on the task at hand: laying down feisty basslines amalgamating reggae, rock, punk, funk, soul, and the lot. Still, it had to be a tough pill to swallow to lose Nowell to his drug-related demos, which The post Eric Wilson of Sublime: The ClassicRockHistory.com Interview appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

A man in Taiwan is helping reduce fashion waste by creating a sustainable alternative to artificial textiles from an already existing waste stream. He’s using oyster shells—which when ground up and processed can produce a flexible yarn similar to sheep’s wool that’s been appropriately dubbed “sea wool.” According to the Taiwanese Department of Agriculture, 160,000 […] The post Shells to Sweaters: Sustainable ‘Sea Wool’ Earns Millions for Taiwan Business Spinning Oyster Shells into Yarn appeared first on Good News Network.

The post Cat Hoarding: How It Starts by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Hi, I’m Christopher! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my silly Russian Blue cat, Olga. Several of my friends and colleagues have multiple pets, and I’ve often considered adopting a cat or dog to entertain Olga and keep her company when I’m away. When I was growing up, my family had a Cocker Spaniel, and I had a Parakeet, but that was the only time I cared for more than one pet. Honestly, my parents did most of the hard work, like taking them to veterinary appointments, since I was a lazy, selfish kid. Cat Lover or Cat Hoarder? I respect pet owners who love and properly care for numerous animals, and I’ve known a few “crazy cat ladies” with healthy, energetic felines, but I’ve also encountered cat hoarders. I won’t discuss the psychological aspects of hoarding, but regarding cat hoarding, the number of cats is less important than their health or the condition of their environment. This is my thumbs up pose. The Pungent Residence In college, I visited an old friend who had recently moved into a small house with two roommates and at least 20 cats. I didn’t see any felines when I walked in, but the ammonia odor was overpowering and made me gag. When I walked into the kitchen, the smell of feces became more prominent, and it seemed to be battling the urine aroma for dominance. The kitchen was a horror show I cannot erase from my memory. Most of the cats were sitting near the overflowing litter box; some were on the tables, chairs, and counters, and one was resting on the refrigerator. The kitchen floors and counters were covered with excrement, and I had to leave because the odor was so pungent. It’s an extreme example of cat hoarding, but I don’t think it’s uncommon. Transitioning from Pet Parent to Hoarder Most cat owners have good intentions when they want to rescue as many cats as possible; they don’t aspire to be hoarders. They start with a few cats, but they frequently check online ads from rescue centers and shelters, and they eventually give in and adopt more. It’s hard for them to ignore the photos they receive daily of needy, adorable cats. However, as they add more cats, caring for them and giving them attention becomes more challenging. Like people, some cats aren’t happy to share their homes with strangers, and fighting is more likely to occur when several animals share a small territory. You can’t ignore me when I’m in your face! Unsustainable Environment Vaccinating 20 cats and ensuring they visit the vet every year is expensive, and most cat hoarders, at least the ones I’ve met, avoid the vet unless one of their cats is severely injured. They may be better off in a crowded house than in a tiny cage at a shelter, but they won’t live as long or be as happy or healthy as other pet cats in more favorable environments. Most states don’t limit the number of cats you can own as long as you can care for them, and they’re not a threat to public safety. Cities are more restrictive, but hoarders are rarely fined unless they have dozens of felines and the neighbors notify the authorities. I’m okay with caring for one cat, but I like visiting friends with several cats and dogs. It’s nice to have a colony of animals following you and begging for your attention. It’s only a problem when the home becomes unsanitary and smells like a landfill. This article is a part of Christopher and Olga's series. Read his previous article: Vacationing With Your Cat: Olga’s Preference The post Cat Hoarding: How It Starts by Christopher Bays appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.