Get out while the going's good, and keep going

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Attention, NYC refugees: head south, not northeast

Caroline Simmons wins second term as Stamford mayor, capturing two-thirds of vote

Her victory was buoyed by a dominant performance by the Democratic party on the Board of Representatives, winning all 40 seats on the board.

Simmons garnered 15,830 votes, according to results sent by city Registrar of Voters Monica Di Costanzo to the state early Wednesday morning. Tarzia got 7,874 votes.

And statewide:

By the numbers: Historic election for CT Democrats flips 25 towns and cities blue

Connecticut's political map saw a major shakeup Nov. 4, as Democrats dominated municipal elections statewide, earning control of local governments in a staggering number of communities.

Whether due to the strength of Democratic candidates or backlash against President Donald Trump and national Republicans, the state experienced a blue wave like it's rarely seen before.

Here are some numbers to know.

25

That's how many executive officer seats flipped from red to blue, based on unofficial Election Day results that still must be validated and certified.

Democrats grabbed power of mayor and first selectmen seats in more than two dozen places, from cities like New Britain to small towns like Bethany and from middle-class communities like Ansonia to wealthy ones like Westport.

That total doesn't count an additional three towns (Enfield, Killingly and South Windsor) where Democrats won majorities on local town councils or another town (Putnam) where a mayor recently flipped his affiliation from Republican to Democratic.

1

That's how many executive officer seats flipped from blue to red.

Easton swung from a Democratic first selectman to a Republican in an election decided by only six votes that is now headed for a recount.

That was the only town across the entire state where Republicans seized control of local government from Democrats.

102

That's how many municipalities will be run by Democrats once new local officials are sworn in.

Whereas the state currently has 73 municipalities with Democratic leaders, 92 with Republican leaders and four with unaffiliated leaders, it will now have 102 with Democratic leaders, 65 with GOP leaders and two with unaffiliated or independent leaders, according to counts from the state Democratic Party.

18

That's how many of the state's 20 largest municipalities will be controlled by Democrats.

Democrat Bobby Sanchez's victory in New Britain, which previously had been governed by a Republican, means that all nine of the state's largest towns and cities will now be Democrat-run.

Meanwhile, that result combined with other Democratic wins in Bristol, Milford and Stratford means all but two of the state's 20 largest communities will have Democrats as their top elected officials. A 19th, Meriden, has an unaffiliated mayor.

That leaves Greenwich as the lone municipality among the state's 20 largest to have a Republican in charge.

27

That's how many years it's been, at least, since a Democrat last governed any of Ellington, North Canaan or Farmington, all of which flipped from red to blue this week.

I can think of another one

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Black Bear Sightings in Greenwich: Prevention is the only effective, long-term solution for human-bear conflicts

Here in Greenwich where numerous photos and stories about black bears are shared on social media, a reader noted there have been a number of sightings both on Pecksland Rd and Round Hill Rd this fall.

According to the CT DEP, homeowners should:

  1. Avoid putting out birdfeeders at any time of year, as they attract bears across all areas of Connecticut. Support birds instead by planting ecologically valuable native plants, which provide food and shelter year-round and benefit far more species than bird seed.

  2. Store garbage in secure, airtight containers inside a garage or other enclosed storage area.

  3. Keep barbecue grills clean. Store grills inside a garage or shed.

  4. Do not leave pet food outdoors or feed pets outside.

  5. Supervise pets at all times when outside.

Or:

Warning: the following article contains details that may disturb readers with an IQ below 60, and college students; but I repeat myself

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cain slays abel

When Even the Bible Needs a Trigger Warning, Academia Has Lost Its Mind

Chris Queen, PJMedia:

At the UK’s University of Sheffield, a literature class syllabus warned of “graphic bodily injury and sexual violence” in the gospels as well as in the Genesis account of Cain and Abel.

….

The Bible is full of violent and sexually charged stories, and the point of them is to show how fallen humanity is and how all of us need the redemption that Jesus provided through his death, burial, and resurrection.

Noah’s drunken nudity after the flood showed how even the examples of faith can debase themselves. The men of Sodom and Gomorrah followed their basest desires. The book of Judges is full of stories of what resulted when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” I dare you to read Ezekiel 23 for a graphic metaphor for Israel’s unfaithfulness toward the Lord.

…. ““The university has defended its actions, calling the warning a ‘standard academic tool’ and insisting it is simply ‘preparing students who might find such [graphic] details difficult,’” reports Harbinger’s Daily. “Though many academic institutions have God-honoring roots, universities have come under intense scrutiny for vigorously pushing students toward an anti-Biblical worldview.”

Critics are calling out the University of Sheffield, and rightly so.”

“Applying trigger warnings to salvation narratives that have shaped our civilisation is not only misguided, but absurd,” said Andrea Williams, chief executive of Christian Concern. “To suggest that the crucifixion story involves ‘sexual violence’ is not just inaccurate, it’s a profound misreading of the text. The account of Jesus’s death is not a tale of trauma, it is the ultimate expression of love, sacrifice, and redemption, central to the Christian faith.”

"Neither the Gospels nor Genesis give explicit accounts of Abel's murder or Jesus' crucifixion, and what the 'sexual violence' label refers to is mystifying," said Angus Saul, the Christian Institute's Head of Communications.

In a lengthy post on X, Jim Chimirie writes:

This is not care. It is cowardice institutionalised. And it reveals a deeper truth: we are not protecting young people from the Bible – we are protecting them from the demands it places upon them. 

We are told this is about "sensitivity" and "student safety." But the Gospel does not exist to spare our feelings. It exists to confront human brutality and to show that love is stronger than death. If students cannot cope with Christ on the cross, then they cannot cope with the civilisation the cross built. When the foundational story of redemption is treated as dangerous, everything built upon it becomes unsafe by default. 

This attempt to sanitise Scripture is not misjudged; it is calculated. The Bible does not flatter the human ego – it exposes it. It does not affirm every impulse – it judges them. It forces us to face the darkest truths: murder, betrayal, lust, cowardice, cruelty. But it refuses to leave us there. The brutality of the crucifixion is not an act of trauma – it is the moment evil is broken. Violence is not celebrated, but defeated. To hide that is to hide hope itself.

Queen: “This university deemed the same stories that shaped Western civilization, inspired the abolition of slavery, and built hospitals and universities as potentially harmful. That says more about the modern reader than it does about the ancient text — and the truth that text contains.

“When a university slaps a warning label on God’s Word, it tells us more about the culture than about Scripture. If students can’t handle the cross, they can’t handle the civilization it built.”

Maine Rep calls it quits

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Golden Announces He Won’t Seek Re-Election in 2026, Drops Out of Re-Election Bid

Golden’s actually a pretty decent guy, for a Democrat, but his seat has never been secure; one of the few remaining moderate Democrats, he actually received fewer votes than his Republican opponent in his first run in 2018 and squeaked in only after the state’s new ranked choice voting system credited him with a few thousand votes initially cast for third party candidates. The same process has kept him in office, barely, for his next two terms, but the polls were looking dismal for him coming into 2026.

So no real surprise here, but the reasons he cites for getting the hell out of politics seem entirely plausible and sensible, and, I think, reflect the current state of our bitterly divided national political scene. There’s no longer a place for moderates in either party (certainly, I don’t like RINOs myself), and that’s probably not a good thing. I’ve been reading a number of histories of the Civil War recently, and the increasingly hot, bitter atmosphere that was building in 1850-1860, culminating in Lincoln’s victory on November 6th of that final year seems eerily similiar to what we’re witnessing now.

In any event, here’s Golden:

Golden said that his announcement comes after lengthy deliberation and in response to the current political climate. He criticized both Republicans and Democrats for their tactics.

“My decision is motivated by the clarity recent months have provided about the state of our politics. This week, we passed a grim milestone, having endured the longest government shutdown in our nation’s history. This unnecessary, harmful shutdown and the nonstop, hyperbolic accusations and recriminations by both sides reveal just how broken Congress has become,” he said in his op-ed.

“But after 11 years as a legislator, I have grown tired of the increasing incivility and plain nastiness that are now common from some elements of our American community — behavior that, too often, our political leaders exhibit themselves,” he added.

He warned that he believes both parties are allowing themselves to be co-opted by extremists.

During his time in Congress and on the campaign trail, Golden has worked to portray himself as a moderate, frequently voting across the aisle, and has broken with the Democratic Party on some key issues, including tariffs, which he has spoken of favorably.

He also criticized his own party for forcing a government shutdown over what he called a policy issue that could be addressed in a less dramatic fashion.

Despite his bipartisan overtures, he remains a Democrat, and recently urged Mainers to reject the failed election integrity ballot question, claiming that the voter ID aspect was simply a way for proponents to push through the attached changes to absentee voting.

[He was right on this; what would have been, according to pre-election pols, an easy win for voter ID went down to defeat because the people pushing the measure tacked on a grab bag of restrictions on absentee voting, which, although fairly innocuous, garbled the issue, and allowed opponents to focus solely on those provisions while ignoring the ID issue — ed]

In his op-ed, Golden also cited personal reasons, including the safety of his family in the face of a growing climate of political violence.

“Recent incidents of political violence have made me reassess the frequent threats against me and my family,” said Golden.

“These have made me reconsider the experiences of my own family, including all of us sitting in a hotel room on Thanksgiving last year after yet another threat against our home. There have been enough of those over the years to demand my attention,” he added.

Golden claimed that he has no doubt that if he did not drop out of the race, he would be victorious, but he said that he fears victory more than defeat in the upcoming high-stakes midterm.

“I have long supported term limits and while current law allows me to run again, I like the idea of ending my service in Congress after eight years — the length of term limits in the Maine Legislature,” he said.

Despite Golden’s claim that he has complete confidence in victory, a recent University of New Hampshire (UNH) Pine Tree State poll gave Republican challenger and former Maine Governor Paul LePage a notable five-point lead over the incumbent.

My guess is that, while he may have been wavering, it was the national Democrat party that gave him the fateful shove.

Out: Identifying a Chinese lab as the source of COVID is racist. In: Chinese lab was the source of COVID, Fauci et al deliberately lied

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also out: “Trust the science”

Prominent Virologist Told Intelligence Agencies COVID Likely Came From Lab, But Told Public It Didn't

David Strom, HotAir:

“You may remember the name Dr. Ralph Baric from the COVID madness years. 

“He was one of the many "experts" trotted out during the pandemic to give credibility to Anthony Fauci and company, and to trash anybody who questioned The Narrative™, especially those who suggested that the virus escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. 

“Well, unsurprisingly, that was not what he told the intelligence community when he briefed them on the origin of the virus. He made pretty clear that it didn't appear to have a zoonotic origin and likely came from the lab. And he should know—he had done some work on coronaviruses in the lab and had warned officials there that they were not using sufficient biosafety measures for their research.”

Prominent Virologist Warned Intelligence Community COVID-19 Could Have Leaked From Wuhan Lab. Then He Met With Fauci and Changed His Tune.https://t.co/0GMi41Hehh

— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) November 4, 2025

“This information was shared with the Washington Free Beacon by a whistleblower, who shared with them the PowerPoint deck that Baric used in his intelligence briefing, which closely mirrors the one he used to brief Congress later that year. 

“In fact, it was identical, but for the fact that he removed the information about the WIV and emphasized the theory that the virus came from a wet market.”

A prominent U.S. virologist who collaborated with the Wuhan Institute of Virology before the COVID-19 pandemic privately informed the U.S. intelligence community in January 2020 that the Chinese lab may be responsible for the outbreak. But in his public remarks to congressional staffers one month later—and after meeting with former White House health adviser Anthony Fauci—the researcher stayed mum about the Wuhan lab and lent credence to the discredited wet market theory.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill virologist Dr. Ralph Baric warned the Office of the Director of National Intelligence during a closed-door presentation with the agency’s Biological Sciences Experts Group on or around Jan. 29, 2020, that the Wuhan lab, which was conducting risky gain-of-function experiments on bat viruses similar to the one that causes COVID-19, may have accidentally released the virus into the human population. Baric’s presentation, which the Washington Free Beacon obtained from a whistleblower, went beyond mere speculation: Considered one of the world’s foremost experts on coronaviruses, Baric experimented with coronaviruses in 2015 with the Wuhan Institute of Virology’s top researcher, Shi Zhengli. Later, in early 2024, he testified to House investigators that he had privately warned Shi that her lab lacked sufficient biosafety protections and that he always believed a lab leak origin was possible.

Strom: “Perhaps I shouldn't have put "expert" in quotation marks when it comes to COVID. After all, he really is one. I chose to do so because when he was speaking to the public during the pandemic, he didn't act as an expert, but rather as a propagandist who told the public lies for the benefit of a regime.”

I did not think US scientists would hide critical info about SARS-like virus research in Wuhan. But emails unearthed in the past 2 years suggest that a US scientist had received still unpublished coronavirus sequences from Wuhan.https://t.co/exAKX5uhur

— Alina Chan (@Ayjchan) November 6, 2025

"Experts" say what they believe to be true based on evidence and experience; propagandists say what they believe is helpful to a cause, regardless of what they believe. 

Baric’s private presentation to the intelligence community in January 2020, which was first disclosed Friday by Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.), was almost identical to a public briefing he delivered to the Congressional Biomedical Research Caucus the following month on Feb. 26, 2020. For the public presentation, however, Baric removed the slides referencing the possibility that the virus could have leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Baric, during his private briefing, also downplayed the theory that a Wuhan wet market was responsible for the outbreak, noting that most of the first known cases of COVID-19 had no exposure to the market. He removed those slides as well and instead lent credibility to the wet market theory.

"From what I understand, bats are used in certain delicacy dishes and also used in medicinal medicines, so there’s a possibility that bat parts were in the market," Baric said during his public congressional briefing.

Rutgers University professor of chemical biology Richard Ebright, one of the most prominent academic proponents of the lab leak theory, said it was no coincidence that Baric omitted his references to the Wuhan Institute of Virology in his public presentation. Ebright said Baric held a "highly unusual one-on-one meeting" with Fauci on Feb. 11, 2020, an appointment reflected in a copy of Fauci’s schedule obtained through a Freedom of Information Act Request.

“Moreover, Baric didn't just lie about what he believed. He publicly trashed people who were saying what he believed to be true. That is Baghdad Bob-level BS, but unlike Baghdad Bob, who said stupid things as American tanks were rolling behind him, Baric was able to spout his BS without having to contradict evidence before our eyes. He could say "trust me," and people did.”

At the time, Fauci was quietly coordinating efforts to cast the lab leak theory as a baseless conspiracy. Fauci and former National Institutes of Health director Francis Collins were also warned about the Wuhan lab’s potential role in the outbreak during a Feb. 1, 2020, conference call. But instead of heeding those warnings, Collins and Fauci, who led the federal agencies that funded gain-of-function research with the Wuhan Institute of Virology, set out to cast discussions of lab origin of COVID-19 as a baseless conspiracy theory.

Collins lamented in an email exchange with Fauci the next day that discussion of a lab origin of COVID-19 "would do great potential harm to science and international harmony." And Fauci, according to the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, prompted the creation of the infamous "Proximal Origin" paper published in Nature Medicine that sought to disprove claims the pandemic originated from the Wuhan Institute of Virology. Fauci later cited the paper during White House press briefings to downplay the lab leak theory.

Baric did not return a request for comment.

Here's anther shutdown that seems destined to continue

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Emboldened by what they see as a popular mandate, the Democrats are doubling down, and now want a guarantee that the House will rescind Trump’s spending cuts.

The link goes to a more optimistic Fox News report, but if you dig down into the article you’ll find no actual facts to support that cheery outlook; the progressives scent blood in the water, and aren’t budging. Besides, the House’s continuing spending resolution only extends to November 26th anyway, so we’ll be right back where we started in less than three weeks. I say we follow Catalina Yacht’s example and just close permanently.

Speaking of "Trust Issues" ...

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would you like that straight up, or on the rocks?

Catalina Yachts has ceased production due to short-term financial challenges following its purchase by Daedalus Yachts founder Michael Reardon in May 2025. The company cited "short-term financial challenges" as the cause for a temporary production pause, but internal reports from employees point to deeper issues such as unpaid wages, suspended health insurance, and a lack of supplies, leading to an eviction from the manufacturing facility.  

  • Production halt:

    Catalina Yachts announced a temporary pause in production in October 2025, citing financial difficulties. 

  • Company acquisition:

    In May 2025, Michael Reardon of Daedalus Yachts purchased Catalina Yachts. 

  • Internal issues:

    Employee testimonials indicate significant problems under the new ownership, including unpaid salaries, suspended health insurance, and work stoppages. 

  • Eviction:

    Reardon was evicted from the Largo, Florida, factory in October 2025 for not making rent payments, according to a lawsuit filed in a Florida court. 

  • Future uncertainty:

    The company has stated its intention to resume building boats in the future, but the situation remains uncertain due to the financial and operational issues. 

“Short-term financial problems”. Uh huh.

The owner also has Tartan, Freedom and other brands in his portfolio, so good luck with those, too. What usually happens in these cases is that buyers waiting for their boats discover that their hefty deposits were spent finishing other yachts ahead of them, and there’s no money left to build theirs. Or, for that matter, to finish the boats that were still in production. Bummer.

Back in May, Cruising World took a break from covering the NBA and published this bit of “objective reporting”:

In a move that signals both continuity and transformation in American yacht manufacturing, Catalina Yachts and its sister company, True North Yachts, have been acquired by Michael Reardon, founder and CEO of Daedalus Yachts. The acquisition, announced April 30, marks a significant new chapter for two of the most respected names in U.S. boatbuilding.

With more than five decades of heritage and hundreds of thousands of boats on the water, Catalina Yachts has long been synonymous with quality, performance, and integrity. Now, with Reardon at the helm, the storied brand—and the Downeast-style True North powerboat line—are poised to evolve under a new but deeply aligned vision.

“For over 50 years, Catalina has stood for accessible, well-built boats that deliver real sailing pleasure,” said Patrick Turner, Catalina’s longtime president. “Michael Reardon shares those values, and we’re confident he’ll carry them forward while positioning the brand for the future.”

Reardon, who launched Daedalus Yachts with a focus on sustainable, performance-driven sailing craft, brings a modern sensibility rooted in innovation and environmental responsibility. His acquisition of Catalina and True North reflects a commitment not just to legacy, but to growth—through design, manufacturing, and investment in people.

“We’re not just preserving the legacy—we’re building upon it,” said Reardon. “Catalina and True North are iconic American brands. I’m honored to lead them into the next era of growth and innovation.”

Both companies will continue operations from their current base in Largo, Florida, and Reardon has pledged to retain the existing workforce and dealer network, while investing in new model development across both lines.

The transition also carries a strong emotional note. Jean Butler, wife of late Catalina founder Frank Butler, voiced her confidence in the new direction. “Frank believed in building boats that brought families together and gave people joy on the water,” she said. “I believe Michael Reardon understands that spirit. Frank would be proud to see Catalina and True North in the hands of someone who values the people, the product, and the passion that built this company.”

For current owners, dealers, and sailors across the country, the message is one of stability and optimism. There will be no immediate disruptions in support or service, and Reardon’s track record suggests a fresh round of energy and ideas could soon shape the future of both brands.

Founded in 1969, Catalina remains one of the largest sailboat manufacturers in the U.S., with a focus on building high-quality boats that strike a balance between cruising comfort and responsive sailing. True North Yachts, known for their classic Downeast aesthetics and offshore-capable hulls, has expanded Catalina’s reach into the powerboat market with a similarly hands-on approach to design and build quality.

Daedalus Yachts, meanwhile, has carved a niche in high-performance, eco-conscious sailing, and Reardon’s leadership there has been marked by bold design choices and a commitment to sustainability.

The coming months will likely reveal how these three brands—each with its own DNA—will integrate and influence one another. But one thing is certain: American boatbuilding has a fresh breeze on the beam.

The rag was still serving as the defunct company’s mouthpiece as recently as October 20 when, sounding exactly like Spinal Tap’s PR guy, it hailed the soon-to-be permanent shutdown “production pause” as one that would “ensure the company’s stability going forward”. Jesus.

The Maine Wire offers more honest reporting from a local perspective, although Catalina was a national brand, and you’d certainly find them up and down Long Island Sound and all around the country. :

Maine Sailing, Fishing Community Rocked By Catalina Yacht and Powerboat Company Going Out Of Business

The sudden shutdown of Catalina Yachts has hundreds of Cat owners across Maine dumbfounded – and worried.

The sailboat manufacturer – once considered the largest such business in the world – announced last week it was closing “temporarily” amid a boardroom battle.

Florida Catalina President Patrick Turner announced the main factory was going dark til further notice.

The shutdown comes amid a company reorganization following its purchase by renowned yacht dealer Michael Reardon, who allegedly has reneged on the sale.

Reardon had also promised to buy Catalina’s sister company, True North Powerboats, known for their Downeast-style vessels – favorites of fishermen and recreationists.

But the business deal is now apparently becalmed, throwing into uncertainty for Maine boaters and fishermen Reardon’s corporate future.

A Florida court last week evicted Reardon from Catalina’s manufacturing plant.

The company’s sailboats are a staple among recreational sailors nationwide, the most common boats plying the Maine coast and the state’s inland waters.

…. A key question among Cat owners is whether they will be able to maintain their boats since parts will be hard if not impossible to get.

Turner insisted that “pending orders” will be honored, but boaters are leery – and fear new orders will be spiked.

“I’m absolutely shocked that we aren’t talking more about this major announcement,” Ken Bauer of Catalina Sailboat Owners Association said Saturday.

In his statement Saturday, Turner tried to downplay the alleged bleak outlook.

“All existing boat orders remain in place and will be fulfilled,” he said. “Our dealer network remains available to assist with sales, service, and warranty matters.”

…. Reardon, founder of Daedalus Yachts of North Carolina, acquired Catalina six months ago.

He also acquired sister company True North in the same deal, as well as Tartan Yachts, Freedom Yachts and AMP Carbon Spars, making him America’s largest recreational yacht builder.