Even with hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski away on Monday, the fill-in cast of MSNBC’s Morning Joe managed to meet their high bar for obnoxious praise for Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign; at one point even lamenting that they had overlooked how supposedly charismatic she was as they misguidedly focused on her failed 2020 run. A Washington Post columnist even suggested her charisma was why former President Trump was supposedly afraid to debate her. Race-baiter and MSNBC weekend host Al Sharpton bloviated about “the other thing that a lot of people are missing” was “all of the enthusiasm” for Harris’s campaign. His evidence was “the numbers of volunteers they signed up last week.” He didn’t cite and actual number.     “And I spoke yesterday at her alma mater, Howard University. I saw young people there signing up and doing things that I had never seen in Washington, D.C.,” Sharpton boasted. she argued that the purported enthusiasm was “Something that I think people are missing, like they were missing the charisma of Kamala Harris.” He was followed up by fill-in co-host Katty Kay, who lamented that they had paid too much attention to Harris’s 2020 attempt at president and had missed the signs that she was supposedly popular: You’re right on the students issue too, because we knew even when she was vice president, before she had the abortion platform as part of her portfolio, she was getting long lines in colleges of kids wanting to turn out and listen to her speak, and she was getting a great response from them. And that was something perhaps that was slightly missed. We were all focused on her 2020 campaign, and how that didn't go very well. And the immigration part, but there were certainly parts of her portfolio and of her public performance that was going well. Kay also touted how so many Democratic members of Congress “wanted to become surrogates” for Harris that, “They had to say, we don't have enough public-facing roles for everybody who wants to take part in this campaign as well.” Earlier in the show, Washington Post columnist David Ignatius proclaimed that Harris’s charisma was why Trump didn’t want to debate her (despite her campaign holding things up over mics). “I think, as he plans for the debate, he has to appreciate that she is charismatic and charming on television in a way that he fancies that he is. The camera loves Kamala Harris,” he clownishly declared. Adding: “She's learned in the cadence of her speeches, the way she presents herself, to be a formidable TV presence. Donald Trump knows TV. He's smart enough to know he's got a problem here. He needs to figure it out.” The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read: MSNBC’s Morning Joe August 26, 2024 6:10:15 a.m. Eastern (…) JONATHAN LEMIRE: So David, let's get your take to start with this suggestion from the former President that, ‘well, maybe I won't do that debate after all.’ There's been a lot of chatter in Trump world, that he is not eager to square off with the Vice President. We know that he has sometimes has trouble with taking questions from women – from powerful women. We've seen that throughout his political career. But she's not just a powerful woman, she's a prosecutor! And the idea of a prosecutor versus a convicted felon seems to be one that he's not particularly excited about. DAVID IGNATIUS: So, I think what we've seen in the days before the convention and certainly after is that Trump just doesn't know how to deal with Kamala Harris. He opportunity know how to pigeon hole her. His usual language of belittlement, derision isn't working. There is in the country this sense, I think, relief from an election that people were dreading between two candidates who have run before, an acrimonious, nasty convention, a sense of the country locked with these two older Americans. And suddenly, there was a convention that really was a joyous event and that said, we've turned a page. And Trump can't figure out how to turn his own page. I think, as he plans for the debate, he has to appreciate that she is charismatic and charming on television in a way that he fancies that he is. The camera loves Kamala Harris. She's learned in the cadence of her speeches, the way she presents herself, to be a formidable TV presence. Donald Trump knows TV. He's smart enough to know he's got a problem here. He needs to figure it out. (…) 7:12:40 a.m. Eastern AL SHARPTON: But I think that the other thing that a lot of people are missing, that I want your thoughts on, is that with all of the enthusiasm, look at the numbers of volunteers they signed up last week. And I spoke yesterday at her alma mater, Howard University. I saw young people there signing up and doing things that I had never seen in Washington, D.C. If they build an infrastructure to the campaign that absorbs a lot of this enthusiasm, yes, they may drop one or two points from the bump from the convention, but they will have an infrastructure that can catch that and keep it moving. Something that I think people are missing, like they were missing the charisma of Kamala Harris. KATTY KAY: Yeah, there are reports over the weekend, as well. There have been so many members of Congress who wanted to become surrogates. They had to say, we don't have enough public-facing roles for everybody who wants to take part in this campaign as well. You’re right on the students issue too, because we knew even when she was vice president, before she had the abortion platform as part of her portfolio, she was getting long lines in colleges of kids wanting to turn out and listen to her speak, and she was getting a great response from them. And that was something perhaps that was slightly missed. We were all focused on her 2020 campaign, and how that didn't go very well. And the immigration part, but there were certainly parts of her portfolio and of her public performance that was going well. (…)

An investigation has been launched into the captain of Mike Lynch's yacht, which sunk off the coast of Sicily, killing six. At the same time, Lynch's colleague died in a car accident.The incidents occurred just a month after Lynch and colleague Stephen Chamberlain were acquitted of charges related to alleged fraud. The charges stemmed from the sale of Lynch's company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard; Chamberlain was the vice president of finance for Autonomy.Tech entrepreneur Lynch died in the shipwreck alongside his daughter Hannah Lynch, Morgan Stanley Chairman Jonathan Bloomer, his wife, Judith, lawyer Christopher Morvillo, and his wife, Neda.Shockingly on the same day, Lynch's colleague Chamberlain was struck by a car and hospitalized while jogging in Cambridgeshire, England. He later died after being placed on life support.An Italian prosecutor has since said that the deceased may have died while they were asleep, when the yacht — named the Bayesian — capsized in a storm off the coast of Italy.The victims "were asleep whereas the others weren't," Rear Admiral Raffaele Cammarano, the prosecutor, said, according to the Guardian.Among the 15 survivors was ship captain James Cutfield, who is now under investigation for manslaughter and shipwreck, the Independent reported. The 51-year-old New Zealand native insisted the crew "didn't see [the storm] coming" during a reported two hours of questioning.Investigators also said that strong winds could have contributed to the sinking of the 56-meter luxury yacht, which was interestingly deemed "unsinkable" by its manufacturer.Shockingly on the same day, Lynch's colleague Chamberlain was struck by a car and hospitalized while jogging in Cambridgeshire, England. He later died after being placed on life support.Chamberlain was hit by a 49-year-old woman driving a Vauxhall Corsa driving down a road adjacent to the runner's narrow path. The woman lives in the village of Haddenham and stopped at the scene to attempt to assist police with the victim, the Daily Mail said.Despite the incident's peculiar timing, police said there was no evidence of "suspicious or untoward" conduct.Fraud allegationsLynch founded software company Autonomy in 1996 and sold it to Hewlett-Packard in 2011 for $11 billion, according to Fortune. The fraud scandals surrounding the deal took years to make their way through the courts, eventually culminating in former CFO Sushovan Hussain being found guilty of fraud in 2018 by an American jury.Lynch and Chamberlain faced over a dozen charges but were acquitted of all accusations in the summer of 2024.Through his venture capital firm, Invoke Capital, Lynch made future investments in companies, including Darktrace. This company reportedly had a large overlap of executives with Autonomy. Six out of eight top executives at Darktrace were from Autonomy, while half of its board also came from the previous venture.Darktrace would later be accused of manipulating sales numbers, misrepresenting revenue, and mismanaging expenses. The accusations mirrored those of Autonomy, plunging shares by upwards of 17%.Quintessential Capital Management issued a 70-page report that concluded with a statement about being "deeply skeptical" about the "validity of Darktrace's financial statements."Darktrace replied by saying they had "rigorous controls in place."After years of up-and-down stock prices, Darktrace soared 24% thanks to its artificial intelligence-backed products. In April 2024, Thoma Bravo purchased the company for $5.3 billion.The deaths of the entrepreneurs, along with the attorney and high-level banker, will certainly raise further questions about the incidents, whether they are a result of a spectacular coincidence or not.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Investigative reporter Steve Baker went under cover at the DNC in Chicago — and what he found was surprising. “We’re not going to be able to reveal one of these James O’Keefe or Project Veritas-type moments, because it just doesn’t happen with just basic political conversation,” Baker tells Jill Savage and Matthew Peterson of “Blaze News Tonight.” “And here’s why: It’s because the speeches, the speakers at the DNC, are already saying all of the most radical things with their outside voices,” he continues, noting that they did have conversations with “quite a few important people within the Democratic Party.” “We’re not going to be able to get those surprise, shocking, statements, because what’s shocking any more coming from them? They’re as extreme as they can possibly be,” he adds. Baker’s overall impression of the people he met at the DNC is that they’re “a party of people that are motivated by their feelings.” “They’re motivated by an image and not by the numbers. The facts, the math, that’s not how they’re processing their own politics. It is a feelings-based party,” Baker explains. “It is the way they look, it is the way they feel, it is who they choose to sleep with, how they dress, what gender they decide to be, and it’s all based on feelings.” “Of course,” he continues, “obviously the overriding sacrament of abortion seems to be the largest driving factor for the Democratic machine.” Baker did get to take in the sentiment regarding the party’s presidential candidates — Kamala Harris and VP pick Tim Walz — and what he saw was a little concerning. As he watched Kamala’s DNC speech in a Chicago hotel bar, around a hundred people filled in alongside him. “People were cheering in the bar area; waitstaff would stop and just gush over her; they were cheering at the end of the speech; they cheered very much,” Baker says. “And of course, the people that we talked to last night told us many of them have been to several conventions, the DNC meetings, and they said it was the best speech they had ever seen.” However, most of those supporting her aren’t caught up with her policy proposals and like her for an entirely different reason. “This is their moment in history, because they are excited about a woman of color finally becoming president of this country. Doesn’t matter what the issues are; it’s more about the looks, the feelings, the packaging than it is the actual issues,” Baker says.Want more from Blaze News Tonight?To enjoy more provocative opinions, expert analysis, and breaking stories you won’t see anywhere else, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

"The Acolyte" won't be back for a second season. Sensible business decision ... or sabotage?Some vocal defenders of the recently canceled Disney+ series seem to be suggesting the latter. 'Disney seems to be quietly killing off their "progressive audience" shows like "Acolyte." The numbers are no longer sustainable.'Rolling Stone magazine lays the blame on "the worst" of "Star Wars" fans. Meanwhile, an online petition to bring back the show attributes its copious negative reviews to “a small fraction of loud trolls.”Occam's lightsaberBack here on Earth, all signs point to a simpler explanation: People just didn't watch it. The "Star Wars" series got off to a decent start with audiences, boasting 4.8 million views for its first two episodes combined. Disney crowed that it was the biggest premiere on Disney+ in 2024. Technically true, but not so impressive when you realize only two other shows debuted on the platform this year. Plus, adding up viewer numbers for two episodes is a bit of a cheat. Despite this initial hype, viewership for "The Acolyte" steadily trailed off in the subsequent weeks.Deadline reported that inside sources learned of the cancelation after just eight episodes, about a month after the season wrapped up.'Please clapThe show's future seemed to be in jeopardy when director and creator Leslye Headland asked viewers in July to support the show and share it with friends even if they thought it was mediocre. "Even if you were kind of like 'whatever' on the show, if you enjoyed the performances, get on their social media, let them know that you love them, or that you support them or that the performances were great."Game designer and media critic Mark Kern told Align that he thought the cancelation was a signal of an upcoming pivot on the part of Disney."Disney seems to be quietly killing off their 'progressive audience' shows like 'Acolyte.' The numbers are no longer sustainable," Kern said. "I believe the pivot is happening and new shows in development will begin to focus on story and quality instead of promoting a message."A bad rapIt didn't help Disney that actors involved with "The Acolyte" were consistently in headlines for all the wrong reasons, particularly series lead Amandla Stenberg.Critics of the series inspired Stenberg to release a hip-hop diss track aimed at her oppressors. The young actress spit bars condemning slavery and its effect on her psyche. "I'm sick and f***ing tired of suppressing my rage. 400 years of taking their bulls*** to compartmentalize like my ancestors had to encaged," she rapped."If you don't confront the pain that you live with it'll manifest as addiction, disease, and hate. I've seen the infection repression can give ya, I'm not gonna be the next one sent to an early grave," she concluded.Separately, co-star Manny Jacinto gave remarks in late July about being cut out of a different project, Tom Cruise's "Top Gun: Maverick."Jacinta said it "wasn't shocking" that his scenes were cut out given the fact that Cruise had written a movie for himself, but strangely, the lesson he took from the experience was that non-white people in Hollywood need to pursue making movies that are specifically for their race."It's up to us — Asian-Americans, people of color — to be that [for ourselves]. We can't wait for somebody else to do it. If we want bigger stories out there, we have to make them for ourselves."Lesbian Force witchesIt wasn't only off-screen behavior that spoiled "The Acolyte;" creator Headland sought to fundamentally change "Star Wars" lore by introducing a litany of progressive characters who brought with them previously unheard of explanations of the Star Wars universe.The biggest change in the story was the idea that The Force was controlled by a coven who could — and did — perform an immaculate conception for a duo of lesbian witches.The consistent injection of far-left dogma into the story, which Stenberg described as "so gay already," didn't appear to be quite what fans were looking for."It is good news that this show was cancelled," said John F. Trent, editor of culture and gaming site That Park Place."It prevents Leslye Headland and her conspirators from doing even more damage to Star Wars by changing the Force, injecting feminism, and attempting to subvert morality."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The French government is facing criticism from free speech advocates after the CEO of Telegram was arrested and the head of Rumble said he fled Europe out of caution. Pavel Durov is known as the billionaire founder of the encrypted private messaging app Telegram that has become one of the most downloaded apps in the world and is especially popular in Russia. After local reports indicated that Durov had been arrested, authorities were accused of trying to stamp out free speech. 'Darkness is descending fast on the formerly free world.' On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the arrest but denied the accusations that the government is acting unjustly. "I have seen false information regarding France following the arrest of Pavel Durov," he wrote in English on social media. "France is deeply committed to freedom of expression and communication, to innovation, and to the spirit of entrepreneurship. It will remain so," he said in part. "The arrest of the president of Telegram on French soil took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. It is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to rule on the matter."Macron offered few details about what charges Durov might face, and the French authorities have been very secretive about why the investigation justified the Russian-born founder's arrest. Vague statements from police indicate that it may have to do with potential lack of moderation on the platform and criminal acts committed on the app. 'Rumble will not stand for this behavior.' Chris Pavlovski, the CEO of the video-sharing application Rumble, responded to Durov's arrest by fleeing Europe as a precaution against his possible arrest. "I’m a little late to this, but for good reason — I’ve just safely departed from Europe," wrote Pavlovski on social media Sunday. "Rumble will not stand for this behavior and will use every legal means available to fight for freedom of expression, a universal human right. We are currently fighting in the courts of France, and we hope for Pavel Durov’s immediate release."In a separate statement Monday, he responded to Macron's defense of the arrest. "When you say you are committed to freedom of expression, you are lying. We have a letter from France that proves this, without a doubt. We had to shutdown [sic] Rumble in France because you have NO committment [sic] to freedom of expression," Pavlovski wrote. Among those criticizing France was former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. "Pavel Durov left Russia when the government tried to control his social media company, Telegram. But in the end, it wasn’t Putin who arrested him for allowing the public to exercise free speech. It was a western country, a Biden administration ally and enthusiastic NATO member, that locked him away," Carlson said Saturday on social media. "Pavel Durov sits in a French jail tonight, a living warning to any platform owner who refuses to censor the truth at the behest of governments and intel agencies. Darkness is descending fast on the formerly free world," he added.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The Republican Party of Arizona filed a lawsuit against Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs (D) on Thursday, claiming that two of her executive orders “unlawfully” and “unilaterally” altered the state’s existing election laws.Arizona GOP chair Gina Swoboda sued Hobbs over Executive Order 23, Authorizing the Use of State Facilities as Voting Locations, and Executive Order 25, Facilitating Voter Registration.'Blatant overreach of her authority.'Hobbs issued the orders in November 2023. Executive Order 23 designated the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry, as well as other state-run agencies, as ballot drop-off locations. Executive Order 25 designated those state departments as “Voter Registration Assistance Agencies” that are to “distribute voter registration forms, assist applicants in completing voter registration forms, and accept completed voter registration forms.”According to the lawsuit, Hobbs “exceeded, and is therefore unlawfully exercising, her authority as Governor, in issuing EO 23 and EO 25.” It argued that both executive actions are “unconstitutional and void.”“Petitioners seek to enjoin Governor Hobbs from enforcing EO 23 and EO 25 on the grounds they exceed the powers granted her by the Arizona Constitution and Arizona statutes, violate the separation of powers regarding the Legislature’s authority to enact election laws; and usurp the powers lawfully granted to the Secretary of State regarding the designation of Voter Registration Agencies and county recorders regarding ballot drop-off locations,” the complaint read. “EO 23 and EO 25 are contrary to law because, in issuing these executive orders, the Governor usurped the authority of the Legislature by unilaterally changed duly-enacted election laws.”It noted that the orders fail to address other “important issues,” including “where to store completed ballots until they can be sent to the appropriate election officials or keeping a chain-of-custody log for these completed ballots.” The lawsuit, which was filed directly with the Arizona Supreme Court, requests that the court declare the two executive actions unconstitutional, prevent Hobbs from enforcing the orders, and “issue a writ of quo warranto to prohibit Governor Hobbs from unlawfully exercising authority she lacks to change election laws.”In a video posted to X, Swoboda explained, “The governor’s office does not have the authority, under the constitution or under any statutory authority, to designate voter registration agencies and definitely not to designate ballot drop-off locations or voting locations.”She called the governor’s actions a “blatant overreach of her authority,” the Arizona Capitol Times reported.Liliana Soto, a Hobbs press aide, told the news outlet that the lawsuit was “frivolous” and claimed the governor was using her “lawful authority” to protect voting rights. Hobbs’ general counsel, Bo Dul, argued that the executive orders “further the important goals of increasing Arizonans’ access to voter registration.”Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Tactical combat fits into just about any videogame setting. The Commandos series takes place during the Second World War. Mimimi Productions set Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun in feudal Japan, Shadow Gambit: The Cursed Crew in an alternate history Golden Age of Piracy, and revived the late 19th century set Desperados with Desperados 3. XCOM involves a sci fi alien invasion and Marvel's Midnight Suns is filled with superhero battles. Even the Gears of War shooter series fit into the genre well with Gears Tactics. It isn't surprising, then, that the upcoming Shadow of the Road's premise — a 19th century Japan where steampunk technology and creatures from folklore exist — would look so promising when it uses a blend of tactical combat and RPG game storytelling for its design. Continue reading XCOM 2 style tactics head to fantasy Japan in Shadow of the Road

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