Trump Ends The Week By Announcing Even More Major Cabinet Picks

/6 Comments/in , /by

President-elect Donald Trump on Friday announced several key appointments for his upcoming administration, including the people he wants as his treasury and labor secretaries.

In a series of announcements, Trump appointed several new cabinet selections and key administrative positions, including key roles for the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Labor, and his national security team. Trump said his nominees have the expertise and commitment to dismantle bureaucratic overreach, restore fiscal responsibility and promote prosperity.

Trump appointed Russell Thurlow Vought as the director of the United States Office of Management and Budget. Trump highlighted Vought’s contributions during his first term, where he implemented significant regulatory cuts.

“Russ knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State and end Weaponized Government, and he will help us return Self Governance to the People. We will restore fiscal sanity to our Nation, and unleash the American People to new levels of Prosperity and Ingenuity. I look forward to working with you again, Russ. Congratulations. Together, we will Make America Great Again!” Trump said in a statement. (Read more from “Trump Ends The Week By Announcing Even More Major Cabinet Picks” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Report: Planned Parenthood Sold Murdered Babies To California School To Experiment On Their 23-Week-Old Bodies

/0 Comments/in , /by

Planned Parenthood has been providing “viable nonanomalous” babies murdered in “elective abortions” to the University of California San Diego (UCSD) for experimentation, according to a new report.

Published by The Center for Medical Progress (CMP), the emails detail a “Research Plan” that documents the harvesting of babies for experimentation on their bodies. The plan was submitted to and approved by UCSD’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) in 2018. The heavily redacted communications were obtained by the group via open records request.

According to the records reported by CMP, researchers unveiled plans in their submission to “collect tissues from fetuses ranging from 4 to 23 weeks gestational age from subjects undergoing elective surgical pregnancy termination at Planned Parenthood in San Diego.” The researchers further noted that patients with “viable nonanomalous … fetuses” would partake in the analysis.

Planned Parenthood will gather “evidence of fetal heart activity by ultrasound immediately prior to the dilation and evacuation procedure,” the submitted plan reads. The abortion provider aimed to harvest babies from “up to 2,500 patients,” according to the plan.

As noted by CMP, the “majority of healthy infants born at 23 weeks can survive with modern medical care.”

(Read more from “Report: Planned Parenthood Sold Murdered Babies To California School To Experiment On Their 23-Week-Old Bodies” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

The GOP Establishment Is A Greater Threat To Trump’s Agenda Than Democrats

/0 Comments/in , /by

Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration for attorney general on Thursday. It was an early setback for President-elect Donald Trump that confirms the greatest threat to his agenda isn’t Democrats, but establishment Republicans.

Apparently there were at least four GOP senators staunchly opposed to confirming Gaetz as attorney general: Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and John Curtis of Utah. Assuming all Democrat senators voted against him, that would have put Gaetz one vote shy of confirmation.

The corporate media, along with a cadre of Never Trump commentators on the right, boasted about the defeat of Gaetz’s nomination, citing widely discredited sexual allegations against him as evidence that he was unfit to lead the Justice Department. Never mind that those allegations have always been comically thin.

Indeed, as my colleague Mollie Hemingway laid out in these pages recently, the entire campaign to smear Gaetz as a “child sex trafficker” was from the outset a giant psy-op and fraud. After an 18-month investigation by the Biden Justice Department, no charges were filed against Gaetz because the two central witnesses in the probe had serious credibility problems.

But that didn’t stop House Democrats from launching an ethics probe that relied on these same sources and their unsubstantiated claims about Gaetz. They dragged their probe out for more than a year as part of an ongoing effort to sideline and silence Gaetz, who had been one of the most effective voices in Congress calling out the corruption of the Justice Department. (Read more from “The GOP Establishment Is A Greater Threat To Trump’s Agenda Than Democrats” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr

Poll: Rising Prices Impact Thanksgiving Plans for Many Americans

/0 Comments/in , /by

As Americans prepare for Thanksgiving this year, a new poll reveals that a significant portion of the population is feeling the strain of rising costs, with many adjusting their holiday plans accordingly.

The latest Economist/YouGov survey, conducted from November 17-19, 2024, found that 37 percent of respondents say their Thanksgiving celebrations have been impacted by price hikes. Another 36 percent reported that their plans have not been affected, while 8 percent expressed uncertainty.

Price Concerns Cross Political Lines

The survey shows a notable difference in how political affiliations influence responses to the cost increases. Republicans were the most likely to report that their Thanksgiving plans had been affected, with 47 percent acknowledging the impact of price hikes. Among independents, 35 percent said they too had felt the pinch, while 29 percent of Democrats reported similar concerns. However, Democrats were more likely than Republicans or independents to say their plans remained unaffected—47 percent of Democrats said the price increases had not impacted them.

Holiday Spending in the Spotlight

The rising cost of essentials such as food, gas, and other holiday-related expenses has been a growing concern for many Americans, particularly under the leadership of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Since January 2021, the prices of common items like eggs and gasoline have surged dramatically—eggs have risen by 147 percent, while gas prices have increased by 50 percent. These price hikes have left many questioning how much they will be able to spend on holiday meals, travel, and gatherings.

Survey Methodology

The poll, which included 1,595 adult respondents across the United States, has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percent. It highlights the ongoing financial pressures many Americans are facing as they approach the holiday season. With rising costs affecting everything from the cost of food to travel, this Thanksgiving may look different for many families across the nation.

As the holiday season draws near, these findings underscore the broader economic concerns that continue to shape American life, especially as inflation and cost-of-living issues remain a top priority for many voters.

Photo credit: Flickr

The Trump Economic Boom Is Already Beginning

/0 Comments/in , /by

If the aftermath of Donald Trump’s victory on Election Day feels joyous and tranquil, you are not alone.

American households and businesses are much more serene and hopeful this time around. Polling released by Pew Research on Friday shows that 70 percent of Americans are very or somewhat confident that the transition to the Trump administration will go smoothly. Similarly, a majority of Americans say they have a positive evaluation of Trump’s post-election conduct.

A 53 percent majority of Americans say they approve of the president-elect’s plans for the country. When asked if they approve of Trump’s conduct post-election, 53 percent answer affirmatively. That’s better than the 40 percent who said they approved of Trump’s cabinet choices in November 2016 and the 41 percent who said they approved of the job he had done in explaining his policies and plans for the future.

Of course, there are the usual partisan differences in how people are reacting to the election. As recently as October, just 10 percent of Republicans said they were satisfied with the state of the country, according to Pew. Now, 35 percent are satisfied. Democrats have seen their satisfaction slip from 38 percent to 24 percent. (Read more from “The Trump Economic Boom Is Already Beginning” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Elon, Vivek Say Doge Will Cut Funding for ‘Progressive Groups Like Planned Parenthood’

/0 Comments/in , /by

Federal funding for the nation’s largest abortion provider could be on the chopping block under the direction of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy and the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

In a joint op-ed in the Wall Street Journal published on Wednesday, Musk and Ramaswamy laid out their plans to cut federal overspending and to return power to the “people we elect [to] run the government” rather than unelected bureaucrats. Part of this plan involves slashing millions in funding awarded to “progressive groups like Planned Parenthood,” they wrote.

“Skeptics question how much federal spending DOGE can tame through executive action alone,” they wrote “They point to the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, which stops the president from ceasing expenditures authorized by Congress. Mr. Trump has previously suggested this statute is unconstitutional, and we believe the current Supreme Court would likely side with him on this question.”

“But even without relying on that view, DOGE will help end federal overspending by taking aim at the $500 billion plus in annual federal expenditures that are unauthorized by Congress or being used in ways that Congress never intended, from $535 million a year to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and $1.5 billion for grants to international organizations to nearly $300 million to progressive groups like Planned Parenthood,” they continued.

(Read more from “Elon, Vivek Say Doge Will Cut Funding for ‘Progressive Groups Like Planned Parenthood’” HERE)

Earliest ‘Jesus Is God’ Inscription Discovered in Israel: ‘Greatest Discovery Since the Dead Sea Scrolls’

/11 Comments/in , , /by

An extraordinary archaeological find in Israel has been hailed as the most significant discovery for understanding early Christianity since the Dead Sea Scrolls. An 1,800-year-old mosaic uncovered in the Megiddo prison, located in northern Israel, contains what is believed to be the earliest inscription declaring Jesus as God.

The mosaic, measuring 581 square feet, was discovered beneath the floor of the prison by an inmate and has since been painstakingly excavated by archaeologists from the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA). The inscription, written in ancient Greek, reads: “The god-loving Akeptous has offered the table to God Jesus Christ as a memorial.” This inscription not only serves as one of the earliest affirmations of Jesus’ divine status but also sheds light on early Christian worship practices.

Groundbreaking Evidence of Early Christian Beliefs

The mosaic is believed to have decorated one of the world’s first prayer halls or churches, dating back to around 230 AD. Its discovery provides tangible evidence that early Christians considered Jesus to be the Son of God from the very beginnings of the faith. Experts note that the inclusion of “God Jesus Christ” in the inscription represents a monumental find in the history of Christian theology, confirming the belief in Jesus’ divinity at a much earlier date than previously thought.

“This is arguably one of the most important archaeological discoveries for understanding the early Christian church,” said Bobby Duke, director of the Scholars Initiative at the Museum of the Bible. The mosaic also features some of the earliest known images of fish, which experts interpret as references to the biblical story in Luke 9:16, where Jesus miraculously multiplies two fish to feed a crowd of 5,000.

Carlos Campo, CEO of the museum, called the discovery “the greatest discovery since the Dead Sea Scrolls,” underscoring its profound importance for both archaeology and the study of early Christian history. Alegre Savariego, curator of the exhibition, emphasized that the mosaic provides “groundbreaking physical evidence” of the practices and beliefs of early Christians.

The Megiddo Mosaic was found in the Jezreel Valley, an area steeped in biblical significance. The region is believed to be the location of the final battle of Armageddon, as prophesied in the Book of Revelation. The discovery is seen as further proof of the area’s central role in Christian tradition.

The mosaic also reveals a fascinating glimpse into the relationship between Romans and early Christians. An inscription on the mosaic mentions Gaianus, a Roman officer who financed the creation of the mosaic. The inscription reads: “Gaianus, a Roman officer, having sought honor, from his own money, has made the mosaic.” This suggests that, despite the many accounts of conflict between early Christians and the Roman Empire, there may have been some degree of peaceful coexistence.

In addition to the mosaic’s religious significance, researchers uncovered a nearby Roman camp, further supporting the theory that Romans and Christians may have lived side by side during this period.

Another notable aspect of the mosaic is its inclusion of the names of five women, underscoring the significant role women played in the early Christian community. In addition to Akeptous, who is mentioned for her donation of a table for the prayer hall, the mosaic also honors Primilla, Cyriaca, Dorothea, and Chreste. This detail provides further insight into the active participation of women in the early church.

The prayer hall, or church, in which the mosaic was originally placed was likely abandoned and covered up after the Roman Empire’s Sixth Legion was transferred to Transjordan, to the east of the Jordan River. This abandonment may have led to the preservation of the mosaic until its rediscovery in modern times.

The Megiddo Mosaic’s excavation took four years, and its display in the United States is now part of a major exhibition that will provide visitors with a unique opportunity to explore one of the earliest and most significant symbols of Christian history.

White House: Biden ‘Still Stands’ by Claim Trump ‘Existential Threat’

/4 Comments/in , /by

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday that President Joe Biden “still stands” by his claim that President-elect Donald Trump is an “existential threat,” even though he also wants a peaceful transfer of power. . .

There was an election when the American people spoke. The will of the American people were very clear, right? And so the president is now in a situation where we have to deal with a peaceful transfer of power. We have to respect the will of the American people, and that’s what you have been seeing from this president, trying to lead by example to make sure that that happens, and that’s what the American people deserve. That’s what the president deserves, and that’s what I think he was very clear about in the Rose Garden when he delivered his remarks two days after the election, and he said he was very honest, said these — you know, and again I’m not quoting him exactly — but these were not the results that we had wanted, right? And that’s just being honest. They weren’t, but we are now in a position where he believes he has to lead by example and show what a peaceful transfer of power looks like. And so that’s what you’re seeing from this president and you know, to the points that you made, you know, I’ve been asked about existential threat. I’ve been asked about a threat to our democracy. The president is always going to be honest with the American people. He feels like he is obligated. What he said still stands, but we are now in a different place. We are. The American people spoke. They deserve a peaceful transfer of power. That’s what this president wants to do. … His thoughts and what he said, his thinking on that has not changed. It has not, and I think he was very clear about what he believes should have been done or how we should move forward, how, you know, he was very clear during those moments that he spoke about it. Right now, he wants to lead by example, and talk and show the American people what it looks like to have an efficient, effective transfer of power, and he believes that is what the American people deserve, and I’m just going to leave it there for now.

(Read more from “White House: Biden ‘Still Stands’ by Claim Trump ‘Existential Threat’” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

Netflix’s ‘Mary’ Attracts Social Media Backlash for Casting Israeli Actress as Mother of Jesus

/5 Comments/in , /by

A new Biblical epic coming to Netflix this Christmas is garnering online backlash because of the film’s Israeli cast.

Netflix’s “Mary,” coming to the streaming platform on December 6, stars Israeli actress Noa Cohen in the titular role, and Israeli actor Ido Tako as Joseph, Jesus’ father. The coming-of-age tale retells the world-famous Biblical story through the eyes of Mary, mother of Jesus.

“Directed by D.J. Caruso (Disturbia) and written by Timothy Michael Hayes, this uplifting biblical epic follows Mary, Joseph, and their newborn son, Jesus, as they flee the relentless pursuit of King Herod, portrayed by two-time Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins,” Netflix’s website announced.

Since Netflix dropped the trailer for the film on November 12, it has been relentlessly attacked by anti-Israel critics on social media who are upset by the casting of the Israeli actors as Mary and Joseph. . .

Several people online are now calling for a boycott, claiming the film is historically inaccurate because Mary and Joseph were actually “Palestinian.”

“Instead of casting Middle-Eastern Christians to play the roles, the director casted European Israelis to play the roles for ‘authenticity’ reasons… yeah boycott this crap!” one account with a Palestinian flag in its profile demanded.

(Read more from “Netflix’s ‘Mary’ Attracts Social Media Backlash for Casting Israeli Actress as Mother of Jesus” HERE)

Photo credit: Flickr

“No Excuse”: Trump Fumes on Truth Social After Senate Confirms Biden Judges — Thanks to GOP Absences

/5 Comments/in , /by

Republican senators are urging some of their colleagues, including Vice President-elect JD Vance, R-Ohio, and Donald Trump’s Secretary of State pick Marco Rubio, R-Florida, to get back to the office and block Democrats from confirming judges during the lame-duck session while they still have the majority and the White House.

After their absences helped Senate Democrats to confirm several of President Joe Biden’s nominees, Republicans fumed about Vance, Rubio and others during their weekly caucus lunch and to reporters. “I’m not going to bubble wrap it,” said Sen. John Kennedy, R-La. “There’s no excuse for that, it’s our job to be here and vote.”

“We want to see [Vance] and some of our members back because of these votes we’re having,” Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told reporters. “Particularly on some of the circuit court judges.”

Trump himself issued marching orders on Truth Social on Tuesday. “The Democrats are trying to stack the Courts with Radical Left Judges on their way out the door,” Trump declared. “Republican Senators need to Show Up and Hold the Line — No more Judges confirmed before Inauguration Day!” he wrote, just a few hours after he invited several GOP senators, including Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, to witness a SpaceX launch while the rest of the chamber was voting. (Read more from “No Excuse”: Trump Fumes on Truth Social After Senate Confirms Biden Judges — Thanks to GOP Absences” HERE)

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr