Retiring Guy's Digest: 2025-10-26

Saturday, November 1, 2025

Meet Kristi Noem: Authentic GOP shape-shifter

Headline: New York Times, 10/25/2025

Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Dylan Freedman provide the full quote:

“Is this a conversion, a political conversion, or is this something of a political convenience?” said Matthew Bartlett, a G.O.P. strategist and former State Department official under Mr. Trump. “In politics today, authenticity reigns supreme.”

Related reading:

The List, 8/23/2025

Kristi Noem has turned heads thanks to her complete transformation, but not always for the most flattering reasons. Her drastic MAGA makeover has had everyone wondering if she's gotten plastic surgery, and Noem hasn't been able to live the rumors down. Plastic surgeons have estimated that she might've spent thousands of dollars on her new face. It's been speculated that she turned to procedures like facelifts and fillers to further change her looks.

According to Merriam-Webster, the first-known use of 'shape-shifter', as in one that seems able to change form and identity at will', occurred in 1887,

Other coinages from the same year include:

adhesive tape
anhedonia
bangtail
chicken wire
freak show
have one's head examined
screwy
unemployable

Meet Donald Trump: Authentic GOP racist. (10/29/2025)

Anger management issues? Drinking problem? Combination of the two? You make the call!

Headline: Washington Post, 10/31/2025

Kadia Goba and Dylan Wells report on the behavior of an entitled GOP House member:
“She repeatedly stated we were ‘F------ Incompetent,’ and ‘this is no way to treat a f------ US Representative,’” Pfc. Aaron W. Reed, who serves with the airport police, wrote in the report. Reed also wrote that Mace told officers they “would never treat Tim Scott like this,” referring to the U.S. senator from the state and former GOP presidential candidate, and reported that she planned to contact “Eliot and tell him how horrible she has been treated,” in reference to the airport’s president and CEO, Elliott Summey.

Who does conservative GOP Supreme Court justice candidate Maria Lazar think she’s fooling?

Your conservative judicial philosophy is all over town, Maria!

Top headline: Maria Lazar campaign website

Bottom headline: Associated Press, 10/1/2025

Scott Bauer reports for the AP:

In her run for the appeals court, Lazar was endorsed by several Republicans who sought to overturn President Donald Trump’s 2020 defeat in Wisconsin.

The company they keep: GOP candidates Maria Lazar and Tom Tiffany hang out with election denier Michael Flynn. (10/30/2025)

Meet Indiana University Lyin' King David Reingold

Top headline: Indianapolis Star

Photo credit: Wikipedia

Bottom headline: New York Times

Cate Charron reports for the Star:

In recent weeks, school administrators had urged former IU student Media Director Jim Rodenbush and student editors to stop putting news content in print. They wanted IDS's seven print editions per semester to contain only special content hinged on themes like homecoming and Thanksgiving.

Posts from the IDS's social media pages have garnered thousands of reactions and hundreds of comments since Rodenbush's Oct. 14 firing. The next day, the university ordered the publication to cease printing.

In a statement Oct. 15, IU Bloomington Chancellor David Reingold said the university will not interfere with editorial content. [emphasis added]

Reingold is a man of contradictions, to be it charitably.

Katie Robertson reports for the Times:

He said the university would allow The Indiana Daily Student to use its budget “as the editors see fit” through June 30.\

“First and foremost, let me reaffirm that our commitment to a free and independent student press has never wavered,” he wrote.

And if you believe this statement from Reingold...

MISCREANT PREACHERS: Shooting a cat in the Name of the Lord (#190 in a series)

A new offense, at least to this series.

Screengrab: Prineville Church of Christ

Headline: KTVZ, 10/31/2025

Stephen Hawkins reports:

The Prineville Review was first to report the charge against Jason Andrew Swick,48, this week, having confirmed the filing with Crook County District Attorney Kari Hathorn.

“The Crook County District Attorney’s Office has charged Jason Swick with one count of Animal Abuse in the First Degree,” said Hathorn. “We will continue to work closely with law enforcement and the cat’s owner as the prosecution and investigation continues. We are unable to comment further on the matter.”

The Oct. 22 charging document alleges Swick, pastor of the Prineville Church of Christ, "did unlawfully and recklessly cause serious physical injury or death to an animal." Swick is scheduled for arraignment Dec. 3 on the charge, which is a Class A misdemeanor.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5: 19-21, with emphasis added)

Canary in a coal mine, say 'hello' to Las Vegas

Top headline: NPR

Bottom headline: Nevada Independent

Howard Stutz reports:

The Strip’s September gaming revenue decline, combined with a 2 percent downtown gaming revenue drop, affected Clark County’s overall total as the market dipped 2.9 percent. September’s results statewide were affected by Labor Day weekend partially falling into the end of August, rather than gaming totals all being counted in September.

Through nine months, Strip gaming revenue is less than 1 percent ahead of the first nine months of 2024.

Revenue from baccarat in September was $50.7 million, down from $88.5 million in 2024. Wagering on the game was up 15.7 percent, but the hold percentage — what casinos kept in wagers — was at 8.5 percent, compared with 17.1 percent a year ago.

Las Vegas visitation declines have filtered into the convention business, which saw a nearly 19 percent decrease in September compared with a year earlier, with just 42,000 delegates.

Some of the declines were represented by the absence of the quadrennial MINExpo that drew 45,000 attendees last September, and the calendar shift of the Oracle CloudWorld conference that drew 30,000 this month rather than in September a year ago.

Hotel occupancy was 78.7 percent last month, a decline from 83.9 percent last September. Las Vegas’ average daily hotel room rate was down 3 percent to $190.56, while RevPar was down 9 percent to $149.97.

You're right if you think there's been a lot of birds killed by avian flu during the past 2 months

Kenny Torrella reports:

While many egg and turkey producers are eager to start vaccination programs, the US doesn’t let them over concerns that it would impact the chicken meat industry’s bottom line.

Last year, chicken meat companies exported 14 percent of their product, which is valued at $4.7 billion. But most of the countries that import American chicken meat would pause those imports if any farmed birds in the US are vaccinated, even if no chickens raised for meat are vaccinated.

The reason behind these blanket bans stems from importing countries’ concerns around the so-called “DIVA” problem, which is short for “differentiating infected from vaccinated animals.” It represents the challenge of identifying whether a poultry bird is infected with bird flu or simply has avian influenza antibodies from vaccination. [emphasis added]

Related posts:

October 2025

Avian flu hits duck breeder farm in California. (10/29)

139,000 chickens fall victim to avian flu in Georgia. (10/28)

Avian flu kills elephant seals on Heard Island south of Australia. (10/25)

Widespread avian flu infections of wild birds in the United States. (10/24)

Minnesota boosts its 2025 avian flu tally to 20. (10/23)

Yet another case of avian flu confirmed in Minnesota, bringing total to 19 so far in 2025. (10/22)

Indiana reports more cases of avian flu. (10/21)

Quebec reports 4th case of avian flu in 2025. (10/17)

Three more Minnesota turkey flocks affected by avian flu, bringing 2025 tally to 18 . (10/16)

Two cases of avian flu reported in Manitoba on consecutive days. (10/14)

Multiple reports of avian flu including two flocks in Washington State affecting more than 2,200,000 hens. (10/13)

Bird flu detected in goose at Gibson Park in Great Falls Montana. (10/12)

Avian flu threat results in cancellation of WIsconsin poultry show. (10/11)

Avian flu hits two more turkey flock in Minnesota. (10/10)

Avian flu hits Michigan turkey flock. (10/9)

Avian flu hits Iowa turkey flock. (10/7)

175,000,000 birds have fallen victim to avian flu in United States since 2022. (10/6)

Migrating season brings a return of avian flu to Iowa. (10/3)

Jefferson County Wisconsin reports second case of avian flu in less than a week. (10/3)

September 2025

That Jefferson County Wisconsin farm lost more than 3 million laying hens. (9/30)

Avian flu claims an historical first death: Whooping crane. (9/29)

Wisconsin reports first 2025 commercial case of avian flu in poultry flock without providing any specifics. (9/29)

Utah in 4th year of avian flu outbreak. (9/27)

Minnesota reports 55,000 cases of avian flu in 3 turkey flocks. (9/26)

Expect higher prices for your Thanksgiving turkey this year. (9/26)

South Dakota continues to be hit hard by avian flu. (9/21)

Minnesota reports avian flu in flock of tom turkeys. (9/19)

Nebraska reports its first known case of avian flu in dairy herd. (9/17)

Canadian Food Inspection Agency reports 4 cases of avian flu in Alberta but otherwise remains mum. (9/17)

South Dakota reports additional cases of avian flu in turkey flocks. (9/14)

Must be Kristi Noem's bad karma and her Corey Lewandowski hook-up: South Dakota is ground zero for avian flu so far this fall. (9/10)

Avian flu is not going away: Texas records U.S. case #1079 since January 2024. (9/9)

April-August 2025

You've heard of avian flu, right? How about Marek's disease? (8/7)

Public relations news: Not a good year so far for chickens and eggs. (6/13)

USDA secretary Brooke Rollins poses with chickens while keeping key department positions unfilled. (4/11)

In week 10 of 2025 NCAA Division 1 college season, 11 preseason favorites have taken a tumble

Rankings: ESPN

What happened to Penn State?

Sports Illustrated, 10/16/2025

Eva Geitheim reports:

So what happened to the No. 2 preseason team and then-College Football Playoff favorite? A team that thought they'd be hoisting a trophy, not watching their coach say his goodbyes to a program he's manned for over a decade. While athletic director Pat Kraft ensured that Franklin and the team had the coaches and players to contend, the team proved unable to handle the pressure and expectations.
Penn State blew out their first three opponents of the season, but they began showing signs of hesitancy and a lack of confidence that would come back to bite them.
"The culture had gotten really tight," one athletic department source said to ESPN. "People around here were like, 'We're going to get f—ing crushed by Oregon.'"

The company he keeps: Far-right Wyoming crackpot Harriet Hageman endorses Tom Tiffany for Wisconsin governor

Not a good look for broadening your base, Tom.

Headline: WisPolitics, 10/30/2025

From the press release:

"I serve alongside Tom on the House Natural Resources Committee and the Judiciary Committee, and no one fights harder for the people of Wisconsin. Tom grew up on a dairy farm, and he shows the same values that define America’s farmers and ranchers: hardworking, humble, and driven by common sense. Whether it’s securing our border or lowering energy costs, Tom delivers, and I’m proud to endorse him," said Congresswoman Harriet Hageman.

Related posts:

October 2025

Frontrunner Tom Tiffany grabs 30% of the vote in GOP gubernatorial poll, behind undecided/none of the above. (10/6)

16 very rich men and 4 very rich women board the mega-donors for Tom Tiffany train. (10/3)

83-year-old former Governor Tommy Thompson must have nothing good to say about Wisconsin embarrassment and House Freedom Caucus Crazy Tom Tiffany. (10/3)

September 2025

If elected governor, Wisconsin embarrassment and House Freedom Caucus Crazy will stop the infiltration of transgender athletes into the state. (9/29)

Kiss your reproductive rights goodbye if Wisconsin embarrassment and Freedom Caucus Crazy Tom Tiffany is elected governor. (9/28)

Bill Berrien's campaign for Wisconsin governor done in by online transgender porn star. (9/26)

Excess baggage likely to weigh down gubernatorial campaign of Wisconsin embarrassment and House GOP Freedom Caucus Crazy Tom Tiffany. (9/25)

Dear Wisconsin voters: Very rich GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Berrien hopes you still like Donald Trump. Best, Retiring Guy. (9/20)

Looks like Wisconsin embarrassment Tom Tiffany has his bags packed and is ready to go. (9/19)

GOP candidates for governor form Wisconsin anti-abortion caucus. (9/11)

Freedom Caucus Crazy and Wisconsin embarrassment Tom Tiffany asks "Daddy" for permission to run for governor. (9/11)

August 2025

WIsconsin GOP candidate for governor Bill Berrien has a harebrained scheme for concealed carry requirements. (8/15)

July 2025

Dear Wisconsin voters, This Looney Tunes Tom Tiffany Crappie Clown Show comes with an enormous amount of baggage. Best, Retiring Guy. (7/23)

Hello, Wisconsin, GOP gubernatorial candidate and rich white guy Bill Berrien has the Winklevoss twins (combined net worth $6 billion) on his side. (7/16)

Bill Berrien stumbles out of the gate with announcement to run for Wisconsin Governor. (7/10)

Waiting for Wisconsin GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Berrien to walk back his nincompoop claim that China is a major landowner in Wisconsin. (7/9/2025)Rich, white, Trump-aligned Republican businessman is running for governor in Wisconsin. (7/9/2025)

May 2025

Tom Tiffany for Wisconsin Governor? Lots of baggage included!

It would seem that newly announced GOP candidate for governor Josh Schoemann is actually running for Pope. (5/1)

Friday, October 31, 2025

MISCREANT PREACHERS: Sexual relations with a teen in the Name of the Lord (#189 in a series)

This will wipe the smile off his face

Headline and screengrab: KMPH, 10/30/2025

Stephen Hawkins reports:

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Joshua David Kemper, a youth pastor from Coarsegold, on charges of sexual abuse involving a 15-year-old girl.

Following a months-long investigation, detectives say 47-year-old Kemper had engaged in a sexual relationship with the victim between March and July 2025.

They also say the incidents happened at the church, the victim's home, and inside Kemper's vehicle.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5: 19-21)