Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) said during a debate this week for one of California’s U.S. Senate seats that it makes sense to raise the minimum wage to $50 an hour. Lee‚ whose proposal means that minimum wage workers would make more than $100‚000 per year‚ made the remarks while on stage Monday night facing off against Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA)‚ Katie Porter (D-CA)‚ and Republican Steve Garvey. Schiff and Porter both have called for increasing the minimum wage to at least $20 an hour while Garvey has correctly pushed back against raising the minimum wage. “In the Bay Area‚ I believe it was the United Way that came out with a report that very recently $127‚000 for a family of four is just barely enough to get by‚” Lee said. “Another survey very recently: $104‚000. For a family of one‚ barely enough to get by low income because of the affordability crisis.” “Just do the math! Just do the math!” she continued. “Of course we have national minimum wages that we need to raise to a living raise‚” she said. “You’re talking about 20‚ 25 dollars‚ fine‚ but I have got to be focused on what California needs and what the affordability factor is when we calculate this wage.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP WATCH: WATCH: At a California Senate candidate forum‚ Democrat Rep. Barbara Lee said she wants to increase the federal minimum wage to $50 per hour. Spoken like someone who knows nothing about economics. pic.twitter.com/16piJUwZlh — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) February 13‚ 2024

Former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley responded this week to former President Donald Trump’s continued attacks about the whereabouts of her husband‚ who is deployed overseas with the National Guard‚ saying that his remarks were “disgusting.” Trump has made the attacks as he leads Haley by nearly 60 points in polling for the Republican Party’s presidential nomination‚ according to the latest RealClearPolitics average. Over the weekend‚ Trump brought up Haley’s husband during a rally‚ asking: “What happened to her husband? Where is he? He’s gone.” He reiterated the line of attack in a Monday social media post‚ saying her performance on the campaign trail was “an embarrassment to her wonderful husband” and suggesting “he should come back home to help save her dying campaign.” Haley responded to the attacks during an interview with Dana Perino‚ saying: “It’s disgusting. I mean‚ every bit of it is disgusting.” “You know‚ to sit there and mock my husband for not being with me on the presidential trail because he is deployed and serving our country. You mock one veteran‚ you’re mocking all veterans‚” Haley said. “But this is a pattern‚ he’s done this over and over again. Whether he went and calls military members suckers. Whether he was at Arlington Cemetery saying what was in it for them‚ why would they do this?” “The problem with Trump is he’s never been anywhere near a uniform‚” she said. “He apparently had some sort of foot reason that he says he couldn’t do that. But the reality is the closest he’s come to harm’s way is a golf ball hitting him on a golf cart. These men and women sacrifice for us every day. They’re willing to shed blood. That’s the values that made this country great‚ and anybody that excuses what he continues to say against the military is hugely mistaken because this is going to be the president of the United States.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Haley said that anyone who agrees with Trump’s remarks or who says that the remarks are okay “is disgusting along with him.” WATCH: NIKKI HALEY did not hold back on @FoxNews today after Trump mocked her husband who is serving overseas: "The reality is the closest he's come to harm's way is a golf ball hitting him on a golf cart. These men and women sacrifice for us every day. They're willing to shed blood." pic.twitter.com/KZmQapmG5w — Olivia PC (@olivia_pc) February 12‚ 2024

The Pentagon announced on Tuesday that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had been released from the hospital after receiving treatment for a bladder issue that prompted him to transfer duties to his deputy for a second time in two months. A statement was released within hours of his departure from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center‚ part of a shift toward more transparency after Austin‚ 70‚ faced blowback for not informing top brass in the Biden administration and Congress about his hospitalization on January 1 for complications stemming from a prostate cancer procedure in December. “Following consultation with medical staff‚ Secretary Austin was released from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center today at approximately 3:30 pm‚” the Department of Defense (DoD) said in the statement. “He is recovering well and resumed his full functions and duties today at 5 pm. The Deputy Secretary of Defense‚ Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff‚ the White House‚ and Congress have been notified.” The statement added‚ “On the advice of his doctors‚ Secretary Austin will recuperate and perform his duties remotely from home for a period before returning to work at the Pentagon later this week. He has full access to the unclassified and classified communications systems necessary to perform his duties.” Austin’s doctors also gave an update on the secretary’s latest health situation‚ including a timeline of events that began over the weekend and details about his treatment. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “Secretary Austin was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Feb. 11 with discomfort and concern from a bladder issue related to his December 2023 prostate cancer surgery. His condition indicated a need for close monitoring by the critical care team and supportive care. His diagnostic evaluation identified the cause of his bladder issue and it was corrected with non-surgical procedures on Feb. 12‚” the physicians said. “He remained in good condition throughout and no longer needed critical care monitoring on the morning of Feb. 13. He progressed well and was discharged to his home today. He is anticipated to continue his full recovery‚” they added. “The bladder issue was not related to his cancer diagnosis and will have no effect on his excellent cancer prognosis.” Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters on Monday that Austin no longer plans to travel to Brussels this week for meetings related to Ukraine and NATO‚ but other military officials will participate in the talks. The DoD confirmed on Tuesday that Austin will still host and deliver opening remarks on Wednesday to a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn’s dog‚ Roy Hawn Russell‚ became an overnight celebrity when he made his television debut during the Super Bowl‚ and his family couldn’t have been more proud of him. Roy made an appearance in the Budweiser Clydesdale commercial. In it‚ a small town got stuck in a massive snowstorm‚ so everyone was congregating at the local bar. Bud was running low‚ but delivery trucks couldn’t make it through the roads. So‚ someone decided to “do it the old-fashioned way” and hitch the Clydesdales up to a beer cart and drive that into town. The horses got lost in the white-out conditions‚ and Roy came to the rescue. He led them all the way into town and saved the day. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Goldie Hawn (@goldiehawn) Goldie posted a video of the exact moment she and Kurt Russell caught the commercial.  “There’s Roy! There he is!” Kurt screamed. Goldie told him to be quiet so she could enjoy the ad in its entirety.  But when Roy met the Clydesdales on the road‚ Goldie‚ Kurt‚ and their grandchildren couldn’t stop cheering.  “Don’t get me wrong I love watching football‚ but tonight was all about watching our dog Roy Hawn Russell star in his first [Super Bowl] commercial‚” Hawn captioned.  Goldie’s daughter‚ Kate Hudson‚ also gave Roy props on her Instagram account‚ saying‚ “There’s a lot of thespians in this family‚ but tonight there was only one star.” You can watch Roy’s Super Bowl ad here.  You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Too Sweet: Kurt Russell And Family Have Cutest Freak-Out Watching Their Dog Star In Super Bowl Commercial. appeared first on InspireMore.

A new study reveals that magic mushrooms could be an unexpected catalyst for a better sex experience. Imperial College London‚ known for its psychedelic studies‚ launched a leading investigation into the intriguing interaction of psychedelics and sexuality. The psychedelic passion project In a press release that adds a bit of whimsy to academic research‚ Imperial College London introduces what they proudly declare as the “first known academic inquiry into how psychedelics can affect sex.” The study‚ published in Nature Scientific Reports‚ investigates enjoyment‚ contentment‚ and connection following a psychedelic trip. Long-term effects: weeks and months of pumped-up pleasure Researchers sent self-reported sexual experience questionnaires to 261 people who had various reasons for consuming magic mushrooms. The wonderful revelation? On average‚ participants reported long-term improvements in many aspects of sexual functioning‚ which lasted for weeks or even months after the trip. Mushrooms and sexual health A wonderful twist arises for the 59 people who took psilocybin for depression in a research trial. Despite the well-known fact that antidepressants reduce libido‚ nearly half reported greater arousal and interest in sex. The study proposes a potential option for disorders that impair sexual health‚ challenging the status quo of standard drugs. A ‘spiritual experience’ The Imperial College news release tells a story of remarkable changes in the participants’ sexual worlds. The study’s most significant improvements are noted in “sexual pleasure‚ satisfaction with their own appearance‚ satisfaction‚ and communication with their partner‚ as well as perceiving sex as a ‘spiritual experience.'” It indicates that the afterglow of psychedelics extends to the soul. Tomasso Barba’s perspectives Tomasso Barba‚ the study’s first co-author and an Imperial College Ph.D. student‚ discusses the ramifications of the findings. Beyond the surface exploration‚ Barba suggests possible mental health advantages‚ particularly for serious depression and anxiety. He underlines that the study is not about the immediate impacts‚ but rather suggests a long-term good impact on sexual functioning following a psychedelic experience. Valentine’s Day upgrade? The study humorously suggests swapping traditional chocolates for some with a psychedelic twist this Valentine’s Day. While quick benefits are not guaranteed‚ the possibility of boosting the lasting effects of intimacy may simply add a touch of magic to this romantic season. Source study: Nature Scientific Reports—Psychedelics and sexual functioning: a mixed-methods studyThe post Tripping into bliss: magic mushrooms linked to better sex lives first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

In today’s digital age‚ the temptation to meet unattainable body standards can make many people feel embarrassed about their naked bodies. However‚ there are ways to overcome these securities. Let’s look at some practical techniques and expert guidance on how to feel good in your skin. Navigating body image in the digital era In a world saturated with idealized body ideals‚ it’s natural to have concerns about our nude bodies. The relentless flood of social media messaging and cultural expectations might eclipse our natural confidence as youngsters. According to Ohio-based psychologist Nichole Wood-Barcalow‚ Ph.D.‚ “We’re born into this world without clothes and only develop self-consciousness and embarrassment about being naked as we grow up.” The roots of self-consciousness: understanding cultural influences Understanding the origins of self-consciousness is critical. Cultural messaging‚ family factors‚ and diet culture‘s ubiquitous myths all contribute to learned self-doubt. Dr. Wood-Barcalow underlines the importance of external variables‚ stating‚ “Diet culture’s pervasive narratives‚ including the constant barrage of unrealistic body standards on social media‚ can make it really hard to feel good in your bare skin.” Expert perspectives on the relationship between confidence and pleasure Confidence is important in both daily life and sexual happiness. According to Emily Jamea‚ PhD‚ “Research tells us that feeling confident and self-assured leads to greater sexual satisfaction and pleasure.” Building confidence can help improve communication and enjoyment in intimate relationships. Feel better naked with these practical tips 1. Spend more time naked—or perhaps half-naked‚ at first Dr. Jamea recommends taking a gradual approach to feeling comfortable in your own skin. Beginning with little steps‚ such as getting dressed without a shirt or going around in underwear‚ allows you to gain confidence progressively. The more exposure‚ the more natural it appears. 2. Appreciate your body Dr. Wood-Barcalow suggests focusing on what your body can do and cultivating thankfulness for its skills. Simple daily exercises‚ such as identifying three things your body accomplishes for you‚ can help change the focus from beauty to function. 3. Treat yourself as a friend Dr. Jamea promotes having a gentler inner dialogue. Negative thoughts can be counteracted by treating oneself with the same kindness as you would a friend. Recognizing and redirecting your inner critic promotes a healthy self-image. 4. Concentrate on how your body feels‚ not how it looks It is critical to shift the focus away from outward judgments and toward internal enjoyment. Dr. Wood-Barcalow encourages people to seek out and appreciate pleasurable sensations‚ emphasizing the value of internal experiences over societal perceptions. 5. Have a “Do It Anyway” attitude Utah-based body image expert Lexie Kite‚ Ph.D.‚ advocates confronting concerns head-on. Whether you’re wearing something you love or having intimate moments‚ adopting a “do it anyway” mindset can be freeing. Challenging self-perceived shortcomings may prove them incorrect over time. From external judgment to inward pleasure The route to self-acceptance entails shifting viewpoints. Recognizing that our bodies are not objects of outward judgment‚ but rather instruments of inward pleasure‚ is transforming. She points out‚ “We tend to focus too much on outward appearance and not enough on internal pleasure‚ which is more important.” The liberating power of facing fear Facing anxieties can be an effective strategy to overcome insecurities. Dr. Kite proposes that doing the difficult today will make tomorrow easy. While this strategy may not be for everyone‚ it demonstrates the possibility of conquering concerns and gaining greater confidence. Embracing confidence and feeling better nude is a worthwhile path. We can regain joy in our naked selves by understanding the causes of self-consciousness‚ prioritizing thankfulness for our bodies‚ and developing positive habits. Remember‚ it’s all about the internal pleasure and freedom to dance‚ fully embracing the beauty of our individuality.The post Cultivate confidence: a guide to feeling fantastic while naked first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

'We can do better'

'Dropped 1.35%'

'I couldn't control the urge to kill somebody'

'Serious challenges'