THE LOSERS ARE WINNING BECAUSE THE WINNERS DON’T TRY: The military fired me for calling our enemies radical jihadis.

WILL THERE BE A NATIONAL BLACK LIVES MATTER ‘DAY OF RAGE’ ON FRIDAY? U.S. military told to avoid 37 American cities for fear of violent, anti-police protests.

Well, this week is certainly ending on an all sorts of upbeat notes.

ABC NEWS: Son of Mom Shielded by Officers in Dallas Tells Obama He Wants to Become Cop.

A YEAR LATER. WHY WE’RE LOSING. A year after Chattanooga shooting, Navy to put armed sailors at recruiting stations.

BREAKING: ‘TENS OF DEATHS’ AT HUGE BASTILLE DAY EVENT IN FRANCE. “More than a dozen people were killed and others wounded Thursday night in Nice, France, when a large white truck crashed into a crowd that had gathered to celebrate Bastille Day, according to multiple reports. French officials have not confirmed if it was a terrorist attack or accident.”

“At least 50 people are feared dead and 150 have been injured in a Bastille Day attack in Nice, southern France,” the London Daily Mail claims. “Eyewitnesses reported a gunfight between police responding to the attack and suspects at the scene.”

The Guardian adds:

The initial details suggest a tactic that jihadis propaganda has suggested for several years, with a vehicle ploughing into a crowd. For instance, Inspire magazine – affiliated with al-Qaida – urged the tactic several years ago.

And because, well, Guardian:

There are two immediate direct consequences for the UK if the attack is confirmed as terrorist. First is the decision by terrorists to use the tactic. Second, past attacks overseas have led to increase in hate incidents in the UK directed at Muslims.

“British Muslims Fear Repercussions Over Tomorrow’s Truck Attack,” to paraphrase the readers of Tim Blair.

UPDATE: Lots of updates on this ongoing incident in this post at the Legal Insurrection blog.

UPDATE (9:48 PM EDT): Report: “Terrorist in Nice Truck Attack Was City Resident of Tunisian Origin.”

(Bumped.)

HIGH TECH: Ford Reportedly Requires Dealers To Have a Dedicated Clean Room to Service the GT.

ANSWERING…THE…IMPORTANT…QUESTIONS: Ellipses…Why so common on the Internet?…What are they really for?

MEXICAN NAVY FINDS COCAINE IN BARRELS OF HOT SAUCE: You can’t make this stuff up. Well, I suppose you could, but no one would believe you. This is actually quite a big drug bust. 13 tons of cocaine.

FUNDAMENTALLY TRANSFORMED. ABC: Nearly 70% of Americans Say Race Relations Are Bad, New Poll Says.

Obligatory:

BOO: The World’s Largest Brewer Is Betting Big on Weak Beer.

If the strong beers brewed by my local brewpubs are anything to go by, Anheuser-Busch InBev is betting wrong.

AT AMAZON, deals on Vitamins & Dietary Supplements.

Plus, save on Outdoor Storage. I never realized how handy a deck box was until I got one.

And, save on Wine Cellars.

MY USA TODAY COLUMN: Hillary, The Democrats, And The Problem Of Trust.

REPORT: PENCE DROPS RE-ELECTION BID TO SERVE AS TRUMP’S RUNNING MATE.

HAS THE INCREASINGLY POLITICIZED ESPN BECOME “THE VIEW FOR MEN?”

ONE RUSSIAN MESS AFTER ANOTHER : Jim Dunnigan’s assessment. Interesting thought from the section on Syria: “The stalemate in Ukraine and the resulting sanctions have proved more damaging to the Russian economy and leaders than the government will admit. A clear victory in Syria would pave the way for an acceptable end to the Ukrainian mess.” And this from the Ukraine section: “The Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014 had some benefits for the victim. It finally forced Ukraine to get serious about the corruption that had crippled its economy since it became independent in 1991.” Read the whole thing.

But there’s digital information out there that might help Vlad Putin solve some of his problems.

THE BATTLE OF PALMITO HILL: Better known as The Battle of Palmito Ranch, this “last battle of the Civil War” near Brownsville, Texas, remains a bit controversial. This is a good post by an interesting blogger. The post draws on the Texas State Historical Association on-line summary. Here’s the wikipedia take on the battle. This pdf has a map.

THIS IS NOT THE 21ST CENTURY I WAS PROMISED: Biologists Hope Candy-Shooting Drones Will Save Endangered Ferrets.

NO DECENT PERSON EVER SAID BLACK LIVES DON’T MATTER: The beginning of this essay includes moving statements by Dallas Police Chief David Brown and US Senator Tim Scott. “Scott believes that “understanding how our neighbors see the world” is an essential American obligation.”

THERE ARE A LOT OF THOSE: How Square Watermelons Get Their Shape, and Other G.M.O. Misconceptions.

US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY AND COASTAL PICKET FORCE: Nice little article on their role battling German U-Boats and protecting coastal shipping along the US East Coast.

MARY KATHARINE HAM: What I Learned During 32 Hours Of Air Travel With Two Kids. “I instruct fellow parents on traveling like Mystery the pick-up artist instructs his students. Confidence is half the battle, and you should fake it even if you don’t feel it.”

SHRINKAGE: Nintendo is launching a mini version of its iconic NES console with 30 classic games.

THE TRAVELER HAS COME: Sorry, But the Original Ghostbusters Isn’t Even That Good.

SEN. TIM SCOTT (R-SC) SHARES PERSONAL STORIES AS A BLACK MAN OF ‘FRUSTRATION’ WITH COPS:  “‘In the course of one year, I’ve been stopped seven times by law enforcement officers,’ Scott said. ‘…Was I speeding sometimes? Sure.’ Scott held up two fingers. ‘But the vast majority of time, I was pulled over for nothing more than driving a new car in the wrong neighborhood or some other reason just as trivial.’”

Read the whole thing.

FEMINIST GHOSTBUSTERS: DIRECTOR PAUL FEIG CONFIRMS KATE MCKINNON CHARACTER IS GAY BUT STUDIO STOPPED HIM FROM SAYING SO.

Why are Democrat-controlled industries such cesspits of rampant homophobia?