Coghill v. Bird: Constitutional Convention Debate Set for Feb. 1

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With the recent, quick and dismissive ruling by the Alaska Supreme Court over the blatant unconstitutionality of Ranked Choice Voting, we have officially entered the next stage of public discourse, naked judicial tyranny. In the past, there was some semblance of decorum and the facade of judicial impartiality. Some.. semblance. Over the last season of COVID they have now realized that the facade is unnecessary and the mask can come off. No one is watching the watchers and they know it, and they know that WE KNOW that they know it… and they simply do not care.

The sad fact is, I believe the corruption of Alaska politics is complete. The fix is in, and while we had already planned to host a constitutional convention debate, we had no idea the Supreme Court would wantonly disregard the actual State Constitution so quickly, flippantly in fact, as to reinforce the need for Alaska to begin this conversation. Our constitution CLEARLY spells out how we must elect our governor, and it is the job of the supreme court to adjudicate laws as abiding with, or repugnant to, our state constitution and rule accordingly. The reality is they no longer have to even pretend they believe that the constitution means what we say it means.

On February 1st, 7PM, John Coghill of Fairbanks, former Republican Alaska Senate Majority Leader and multi-term senator will square off against Bob Bird of Kenai, Chairman of the Alaskan Independence Party and Radio Talk Show host, at Valley Performing Arts in Wasilla. Special thanks to VPA for allowing the event at their facility during their spring schedule.

The debate will be Lincoln-Douglas style for an hour of moderated longform point and then formal rejoinder from the opposition. This will be an exercise in statesmanship and a battle of ideas, not the embarrassing, childish bickering we were all subjected to at our most recent presidential debates. At the end of the hour, there will be a 30-minute Q&A for guests to question presenters.

Worthy of note, these two gentlemen both align on the conservative side of the aisle, which is important for a nuanced discussion because while Bird believes a CON CON is truly the only option left to Alaskans, Coghill believes the risks outweigh the potential rewards. There is a case to be made for both sides. Were this simply a debate between the political left and right, it would likely sway no one, as politics there have largely devolved into memes and team sports thanks to the quick dopamine hits of social media and society’s reluctance to read.

Imagine if the political left were to have the courage face its own cancel culture and meaningfully argue with its own side… be a bit like watching Bill Maher say things with which you are totally shocked to agree.

One thing is for certain, we cannot wait until summer or fall to start fleshing out the need, the considerations, and the mechanisms for conducting a constitutional convention. This discussion must begin in earnest, NOW, so the people of Alaska have ample time to look around at our state and decide for themselves whether the gears of politics in Alaska grind slowly but effectively, or whether the gears have now bound up in the rust of corruption and must finally be fixed. There is much to consider and this decision cannot be made lightly.

Tickets to this lively debate are available here.

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Spotify to Flag COVID Content After Rogan Backlash

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Spotify will begin attaching a warning label to content that features discussions of COVID-19 following backlash over its relationship with podcast host Joe Rogan.

The company will direct listeners to its “COVID-19 Hub,” which provides information on the virus, in a COVID-19 “advisory” on every podcast episode that features discussions of COVID-19, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek announced in a blog post Sunday. The audio streaming service also published its platform rules as part of the announcement.

“This new effort to combat misinformation will roll out to countries around the world in the coming days,” Ek wrote. “To our knowledge, this content advisory is the first of its kind by a major podcast platform.”

Spotify was the subject of criticism over the past few weeks because of its relationship with Joe Rogan, who has an exclusive deal with the company to distribute his podcast, “The Joe Rogan Experience.” A coalition of medical professionals signed onto a letter demanding that Spotify crack down on COVID-19 “misinformation” on its platform, citing Rogan by name, and musician Neil Young withdrew his music catalog from the service over its relationship with Rogan.

“Based on the feedback over the last several weeks, it’s become clear to me that we have an obligation to do more to provide balance and access to widely-accepted information from the medical and scientific communities guiding us through this unprecedented time,” Ek wrote. (Read more from “Spotify to Flag COVID Content After Rogan Backlash” HERE)

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Trump Vows to Pardon Jan. 6 Capitol Rioters if Re-Elected (VIDEO)

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Former President Donald Trump said that he will pardon those convicted for their role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot should he be re-elected during his Saturday speech at a rally in Conroe, Texas.

“If I run and if I win, we will treat those people from January 6 fairly, and if it requires pardons we will give them pardons, because they are being treated so unfairly,” Trump said.

He then went on to characterize the actions of the Jan. 6 Select Committee, which recently issued subpoenas to a number of individuals close to Trump, as a “disgrace.”

Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham criticized Trump’s remarks as “inappropriate,” adding that it could send the wrong signal to the public. (Read more from “Trump Vows to Pardon Jan. 6 Capitol Rioters if Re-Elected (VIDEO)” HERE)

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Gamer Breaks Neck While Wearing Virtual Reality Headset

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A German gamer has broken his neck while wearing a virtual reality headset after he moved too “intensely.”

Doctors claim the 31-year-old’s “repetitive” movements led to the neck being damaged — before part of the bone finally “cracked.”

The man went to the hospital after experiencing a piercing pain in his shoulders.

X-ray scans later revealed the man had fractured his C7 neck vertebra — which sits near the base of the neck above the shoulders.

Experts from the University of Leipzig Hospital, who treated the gamer, believe it is the world’s first documented of VR-related “stress fracture.”

Researchers say the unidentified man’s injury resembled ones seen in runners and soldiers as detailed in a medical journal, MailOnline found. (Read more from “Gamer Breaks Neck While Wearing Virtual Reality Headset” HERE)

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GOP Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Extend Child Tax Credit to Unborn Babies

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Republicans in Congress are introducing legislation aimed at recognizing the humanity of an unborn child by allowing pregnant mothers to claim tax credits on their unborn babies, The Daily Signal has learned.

Introduced Friday by Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri, and Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado, the Child Tax Credit for Pregnant Moms Act of 2022 would give expectant mothers the ability to save $2,000 in taxes by claiming the child tax credit for their unborn children.

“From the moment a baby is conceived, a family’s priorities begin adjusting to prepare for their arrival,” Smith told The Daily Signal in a statement. “It’s time for our tax code to help babies who are still in the womb by making sure their parents have the resources necessary for their arrival.”

Under the proposed legislation, any baby born between January and April can be claimed retroactively for the prior year. Other newborn children would receive a double credit for the year of birth, and unborn babies who are miscarried or delivered stillborn will also be eligible for the tax credit.

“Expecting parents begin providing and preparing for their child the minute they learn they’re having a baby. The child tax credit should reflect the fact that unborn children are children, too,” Daines told The Daily Signal. “From prenatal care to stocking up on baby supplies, this tax relief will help parents prepare for the arrival of their baby.”

Lamborn noted that the legislation would encourage childbirth by allowing pregnant mothers to collect the child tax credit and get the resources needed for their babies.

“Despite attempts by the left to dehumanize the unborn, we must continue working to recognize the inherent value and dignity of our unborn babies,” the Colorado lawmaker said.

The pro-life legislation comes a week after the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court’s landmark 1973 abortion decision legalizing abortion across the nation, and the 49th annual March for Life, which took place Jan. 21 in Washington, D.C.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in December, a case involving a 2018 Mississippi law that banned abortions after 15 weeks.

Known as the Gestational Age Act, the law was blocked by a federal appellate court after abortion proponents challenged it on behalf of Mississippi’s last remaining abortion clinic, Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

After the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the law in December 2019, the state of Mississippi asked the Supreme Court to take up the case.

Dobbs is one of the most pivotal abortion cases in recent history as it directly challenges Roe v. Wade. The case addresses whether bans on abortion prior to fetal viability are constitutional. (For more from the author of “GOP Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Extend Child Tax Credit to Unborn Babies” please click HERE)

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Chinese-Made COVID-19 Test Kits Are Coming to Millions of American Households via White House Initiative

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As the White House’s free at-home COVID-19 test kits are reaching millions of American households’ mailboxes, the “made in China” label on some of those kits are stirring concerns.

The distribution, which began earlier this month, is part of a Biden administration initiative to give away 1 billion self-test kits to Americans for free. A sizable portion of these kits will be sourced from iHealth Labs, a California subsidiary of Chinese medical gear manufacturer Andon Health.

Since December, the company has won contracts worth over $2.1 billion with the U.S. federal government and some states, according to Andon’s filings and federal contract records.

Roughly $1.8 billion of the amount came from the Department of Defense (DOD) for the White House rollout. The department awarded two contracts to the lab on Jan. 13 and Jan. 26 respectively, which would bring over 354 million Chinese-made kits—or about a third of the total—to American homes.

The White House said on Friday that 60 million U.S. households have ordered the free test kits through the government’s new website, covidtests.gov. The order typically ships within 7 to 12 days, according to the website. (Read more from “Chinese-Made COVID-19 Test Kits Are Coming to Millions of American Households via White House Initiative” HERE)

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Hunter Probed: Biden and Associates Received 2019 Subpoena Over Business Deals in China

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Hunter Biden and two business associates received a grand jury subpoena regarding their business dealings in China about 17 months before the 2020 presidential election, The Post has learned.

The order sent by the Department of Justice to JP Morgan Chase bank asked for the records of any international financial transactions for the past five years involving Hunter, his uncle James Biden and former business partners Devon Archer and Eric Schwerin, according to federal documents.

The anti-corruption nonprofit Marco Polo, founded by former Trump administration official Garrett Ziegler, obtained the filing, which targets the financial ties between the four men and the Bank of China.

The subpoena was issued by Delaware’s US Attorney David Weiss on May 15, 2019. At the time, Hunter’s father, Joe Biden, was a presidential candidate.

The subpoena was issued just five weeks after Hunter allegedly left his laptop in a Delaware repair shop. A total of 15 businesses owned by Hunter and his associates were listed on the legal document. (Read more from “Hunter Probed: Biden and Associates Received 2019 Subpoena Over Business Deals in China” HERE)

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Report: BLM Sent Millions to Canada Charity for Mansion Formerly Owned by Communist Party

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Black Lives Matter (BLM) apparently sent millions to a Canadian charity lead by the wife of its cofounder to buy a mansion that was formerly the headquarters of the Communist Party, the New York Post reported Saturday.

“M4BJ, a Toronto-based non-profit set up by Janaya Khan and other Canadian activists, snagged the 10,000 square foot historic property for the equivalent of $6.3 million in cash in July 2021, according to Toronto property records viewed by The Post,” the outlet stated.

The article continued:

Khan is the wife of Patrisse Khan-Cullors, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter Global Foundation Network and a self-avowed Marxist. She resigned from the group last year, a month after The Post revealed that she had spent $3.2 million on homes in Georgia and Los Angeles. Khan-Cullors vigorously denied that BLM donations were used to buy the homes. The purchase of the Toronto property, named the Wildseed Centre for Art and Activism, came to light amid mounting concerns over the US activist group’s lack of transparency in its finances.

(Read more from “Report: BLM Sent Millions to Canada Charity for Mansion Formerly Owned by Communist Party” HERE)

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Democrat ‘Dark Money’ Network Exposed

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Democrats have complained about so-called “dark money” for a decade, but they benefited from $1.5 billion in “dark money” spending in the 2020 election, compared to $900 million for Republicans, according to a recent New York Times analysis.

“Dark money” is money spent by groups outside campaigns and political parties that do not have to disclose their donors — either because they are organized as “social welfare” organizations under section 501(c)4 of the federal tax code, or as 501(c)3 charities receiving contributions from donor-advised funds that allow many donors to remain anonymous.

Democrats have claimed for years that Republicans are the primary beneficiaries of “dark money,” ever since the Supreme Court decided in the Citizens United case in 2011 that the Federal Elections Commission could not censor an anti-Hillary Clinton film before an election because people organized as corporations, no less than individuals, have free speech rights.

Clinton and almost every Democrat since has run on a pledge to revise the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to limit the ability of corporations to spend on elections. Meanwhile, however, they have built a dominant “dark money” machine. (Read more from “Democrat ‘Dark Money’ Network Exposed” HERE)

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Pension Agency Latest to Track Exemptions From COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

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The federal agency overseeing government pensions on Friday became the latest agency to create a rule for keeping records on employees who seek medical exemptions from the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. placed a proposed rule on the Federal Register about keeping records of staff who request medical exemptions to the vaccine mandate for federal workers. A public comment period will end March 29.

The agency has more than 1,000 employees. The submitted regulation says: “PBGC estimates that an average of two employees each year will submit Request for Exemption to COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Forms.”

Earlier this week, the Commerce Department submitted a similar rule to the Office of Management and Budget for public comment. That Cabinet-level department has about 47,000 employees.

The developments follow President Joe Biden’s executive order requiring all federal employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine shot.

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.’s notice on the Federal Register was placed by Hilary Duke, the agency’s assistant general counsel for regulatory affairs.

Several Republican lawmakers already have criticized the Biden administration for what they characterized as its “tracking” of federal employees who seek religious or medical exemptions from getting one of the COVID-19 vaccines.

The notice for the latest rule says:

PBGC allows an exception from the vaccination requirement for employees who demonstrate medical reasons or disabilities that would make the COVID-19 vaccine unsafe for them. …

[E]mployees must complete the Request for Medical Exception to COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement form. The PBGC uses the information on this form to verify employees’ assertions that they are entitled to an exception to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement because of their medical or disability statuses.

A spokesman for the pension agency told The Daily Signal early Friday that it would attempt to comment by 4 p.m., but the agency had not responded as of publication time.

For the time being, the proposed rule would not be enforceable because a federal judge last week blocked the Biden administration from enforcing the president’s executive order that every federal worker must be vaccinated.

The matter hasn’t been fully adjudicated, however.

The Supreme Court struck down a separate Biden administration mandate that would have applied to private employers with 100 or more employees.

The pension agency’s proposal comes as the Biden administration considers keeping a list of those who apply for religious exemptions to the president’s vaccine mandate for federal employees.

The rule this week from the Commerce Department said the department would use the medical exemption request form “to make a recommendation to the supervisor based on the medical information provided in the form.”

The Office of Management and Budget oversees all federal regulations.

“To process an employee’s medical exception, agencies need to collect certain information, including, for example, the employee’s name, the request for an exception and, if they are provided one, that they have been granted an exception,” an OMB spokesperson told The Daily Signal when asked for comment earlier this week on the Commerce Department proposal.

The Daily Signal first reported Jan. 11 that the Biden administration was testing a policy at a small federal agency, the Pretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia, that likely would serve as a model for government-assembled lists of Americans who object to taking the COVID-19 vaccines on religious grounds. Four days later, The Daily Signal reported that 18 other federal agencies are considering doing so.

The Daily Signal also first reported that 41 House Republicans signed onto a letter criticizing the Biden administration for tracking religious exemptions. (For more from the author of “Pension Agency Latest to Track Exemptions From COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate” please click HERE)

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