Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie slammed former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley during two interviews over the weekend for what he said was her inability to criticize former President Donald Trump. Christie made the remarks during Sunday interviews with Margaret Brennan on CBS News’ “Face The Nation” and Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “You have said Nikki Haley is not a fundamentally serious candidate when she said‚ as you just said earlier on in our program‚ that Trump is fit to lead‚” Brennan said. “You said you wished that she cared more about the truth. And things she said about global trade‚ for example‚ you say‚ shows she doesn’t even understand what she’s talking about.” “Are you ruling out ever working with Nikki Haley in the future to defeat Donald Trump?” she asked. Christie responded‚ “When she hasn’t ruled out being his vice president‚ I don’t think you could take her as a serious contender against him. Ron DeSantis and I have both ruled out accepting the vice presidency from Donald Trump. Nikki Haley has not.” “That’s why she’s not saying strong things against Donald Trump‚ why she’s saying he’s fit to be President of the United States‚” he continued‚ later adding: “I’m going to take Nikki Haley’s word [for] it. She says she believes he’s fit to be president. If you believe someone who says those kind of things and is under four criminal indictments is fit to be president‚ then you can agree with her. I don’t.” WATCH: Christie took another shot at Haley during his interview on CNN when asked about recent remarks from Trump that critics said were inflammatory. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “The other problem with this is the Republicans who are saying this is OK‚ almost 100 members of Congress who have endorsed him‚ Nikki Haley‚ who this week said he is fit to be president‚” Christie said. “Nikki Haley should be ashamed of herself. And she’s part of the problem‚ because she’s enabling him. She’s enabling him by saying to people‚ it’s OK.” WATCH: Chris Christie turns on Nikki Haley‚ rips her for saying Trump is “fit” to be President. “Nikki Haley should be ashamed of herself and she’s part of the problem. Because she’s enabling him.”pic.twitter.com/ih8Xwk9oFj — Michael P Senger (@michaelpsenger) December 17‚ 2023

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) expressed exasperation during an interview over the weekend about the continually worsening conditions on the U.S. southern border‚ saying that U.S. lawmakers were getting closer to passing new laws to stop a significant chunk of the illegal immigration. Manchin made the remarks during a Sunday interview with Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union” while discussing negotiations between the Biden administration and the U.S. Senate. “They understand that the border is broken‚ that glass ceiling has been broken‚” he said. “And we have got to stop this dangerous immigration that we have coming to our country from all over the world‚ Jake‚ things that we have never seen‚ numbers that we have never seen like this.” “The whole world is in a flux‚ and they’re taking advantage of a system that truly is broken‚” he continued. “And this is not immigration reform. They’re basically working diligently on just securing the border. It must be done. It must be shut down.” Manchin said that the threshold needed to be raised considerably “as far as on the definition of asylum.” “You just can’t come and say: Someone threatened me. I have got to come into your country‚” he continued. “You have to show me proof‚ have proof that this type of threat to you and your family is basically untenable‚ and you cannot live in those conditions. That’s going to change things. Even under the lower bar right now‚ Jake‚ when everything has been adjudicated — let’s say there’s 100 people adjudicated — less than 15 qualify with the lower definition of just saying: Someone threatened me. Can you imagine if we raise it to a more credible‚ higher level‚ that it will really be more difficult and do the job that the asylum is supposed to do and what it’s done in the past? That’s what we’re working towards.” “And‚ basically‚ thousands and thousands of people have been dispersed throughout the country. It’ll give us time to basically make sure we can adjudicate them faster‚ and those who came for the wrong reason or just came in for — basically because of the relaxed rules that we had‚ we can be more stringent and enforce that‚ too‚” he continued. “But you have to stop the influx of people coming and the incentive for people coming from all over the world to this country. It’s very‚ very dangerous‚ very dangerous. And I think you have seen the numbers and the countries they’re coming from. I have seen them. I’m very much concerned. It has to stop now.” “We are sold out‚” he later added. “We are over capacity right now‚ and we have to control this.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP WATCH:

Spice up your holiday cooking with these eight helpful and stress-reducing tips and savor the true joy of the season: making merry memories with those you cherish most. Smart store-bought swaps Professionals and home cooks alike agree on a simple principle to making holiday meals easier: there’s no shame in using store-bought goods.  As Emilie Berner‚ chef-instructor of online plant-based culinary arts and food operations at the Institute of Culinary Education‚ says: “Pick and choose your battles.” Instead of aiming for a completely homemade buffet‚ concentrate on the highlights.  Roya Shariat‚ a Brooklyn-based cook‚ stresses that guests savor the exciting parts of a meal‚ not necessarily the basics. Get the exciting parts down first‚ like a delicious pie filling‚ and then go to the store for the crust. Allowing for some store-bought components‚ like as boxed stuffing and pre-cut vegetables‚ can save time without sacrificing flavor.  Potluck mastery and delegation Hosting? Don’t go it alone! When hosting a holiday dinner‚ know your limits. If you’re short on time‚ turn your party into a potluck. Create an organized plan to avoid an overabundance of mashed potatoes and to ensure a diverse spread. A group effort not only reduces workload but also turns dinner preparation into a fun community activity. Plus‚ it’ll give you more time to focus on other memorable details‚ like decorations or special cocktails. Prep like a pro Planning ahead of time is a game changer. Freeze vegetable scraps for broth‚ cut hardy veggies ahead of time‚ and create foods that will last in the fridge or freezer. However‚ while some recipes benefit from pre-preparation‚ remember that certain meals lose flavor if prepared too early. Organized chaos in the kitchen Make your kitchen more efficient by streamlining it. Clear the counters‚ clear the fridge‚ and organize any tools or equipment that are required. Maintaining cleanliness throughout the cooking process will allow you to focus on the joy of cooking rather than unneeded clutter.  Centralize your recipes Place all recipes in one easily accessible spot. Having quick access to each recipe‚ whether online or printed‚ streamlines the cooking process and reduces chaos in a busy kitchen. No more frantic scrolling on your phone or disorganized tab hopping on your laptop—just simple culinary delight! Strategic recipe review Before you start cooking‚ go over the recipes thoroughly. Plan ahead of time for time-consuming processes and adjust your cooking plan accordingly. This foresight aids in work organization and prevents last-minute surprises. Control your cooking space Maintain an organized cooking area with specific spaces for dirty utensils and trash disposal. Use unorthodox areas for temporary storage‚ such as an idle oven‚ to keep your countertops clear for smooth cooking operations. Revamped traditions Consider unorthodox meal sets‚ such as snack-based affairs or large-format recipes like fondue or hot pot‚ to shake up the holiday norm. These alternatives provide a more relaxed meal experience‚ encouraging new traditions while reducing the normal holiday cooking requirements. Less cooking‚ more socializing—starting new traditions has never tasted so good! Anyone can boost their holiday culinary experience by embracing these stress-reduction tactics‚ concentrating on what matters: spending quality time with loved ones.The post These 8 tips will help reduce holiday cooking stress first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Australia and Norway have formally joined the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP)‚ a historic alliance aiming at ending international public subsidies for fossil fuels. The CETP‚ also known as the Glasgow Statement‚ was launched during COP26 in Glasgow and has grown to include 41 countries and organizations‚ signaling a significant step forward in combating the climate catastrophe. According to Dina Rui of ActionAid Denmark‚ Norway’s participation is an important first step toward aligning with global sustainability goals‚ highlighting the country’s long-standing status as a major oil and gas producer. Australia’s pivotal shift in climate policy After years of hesitation‚ Australia is making a decisive move toward meaningful climate action. “After a decade of denial and delay‚” Minister Chris Bowen stated‚ “Australia is finally being taken seriously as an international trading partner and investor determined to take meaningful action on climate change.” The impact of the CETP on OECD policies This joint action by new CETP members has the potential to significantly modify the OECD Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits. Nina PuÅ¡ić of Oil Change International (OCI) noted its significance‚ underlining that the OECD nations’ considerable commitment sets the way for revolutionary negotiations. “In joining the CETP‚ the Albanese government is acknowledging that foreign aid and federal export finance should not be squandered on fossil fuel expansion‚” Jubilee Australia‘s James Sherley said‚ emphasizing the importance of shifting financial focus to sustainable projects. A critical implementation timeline Despite the commendable commitments‚ these countries have a year to turn their promises into action. However‚ noteworthy signatories have come under fire for failing to meet past deadlines‚ requiring heightened scrutiny and responsibility from civil society organizations. Legal Challenges for Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) Civil society organizations are increasingly targeting export credit agencies (ECAs)‚ filing lawsuits and filing complaints to hold them accountable for their environmental impact. Friends of the Earth recently filed a protest with the OECD‚ claiming the US Export-Import Bank’s continued financing of fossil fuel projects as a violation of OECD principles. COP28’s Role in climate negotiations This month’s COP28 meeting involved more than simply vows; governments gathered for a global stocktake‚ methodically monitoring progress toward the Paris Agreement’s objectives. Along with national commitments‚ financial institutions‚ including ECAs‚ have agreed through the Net Zero Export Credit Alliance to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. “Increasing participation in initiatives like the CETP leaves fewer excuses for countries that haven’t yet redirected their finance from fossil fuels into clean energy‚” Nina PuÅ¡ić said‚ emphasizing the cumulative influence of such global initiatives. The inclusion of Australia and Norway in this global commitment represents a fundamental shift in international finance policies‚ ushering in a promising path toward a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.The post Global climate reform: Australia and Norway to stop overseas fossil fuel financing first appeared on The Optimist Daily: Making Solutions the News.

Damn‚ I love my owner! Shoutout to Stephen Ross

'Forcibly imposing massive wind and solar projects'

'This case has devastated the community'

'The officer arrived and noticed what appeared to be a human body with no signs of life in the front passenger seat'

If your boss required you to announce publicly that 2 + 2 = 5 and act like you sincerely believed it‚ would you comply or be fired? Unfortunately‚ tens of thousands of federal employees are being put to a similar test by the Biden administration. But instead of being required to deny basic math‚ they’re being forced to deny basic biology under radical “gender identity” policies.  Last March 31‚ on International Transgender Day of Visibility‚ the U.S. Office of Personnel Management ordered federal agencies to prohibit the intentional use of “incorrect” pronouns in the workplace because it could contribute to an “unlawful hostile work environment.” First to comply were the Department of Health and Human Services‚ the State Department‚ and U.S. Customs and Border Protection)‚ all of which recently issued workplace pronoun mandates.  Not surprisingly‚ the Biden administration’s LGBT advocate-in-chief‚ Assistant Secretary of Health Rachel Levine‚ announced the policy for HHS. Although Levine is a biological male (and for decades went by Richard)‚ HHS employees are prohibited from using anything other than “she” when speaking of Levine and all other trans-identifying biological males who work there.  Further‚ because the policy covers “gender nonconforming‚” “agender‚” “gender fluid” or “nonbinary” identifications‚ biologically male employees may retain male names and dress and appear like a man on any given day and still demand to be addressed as she‚ xir‚ or they.  Not to be outdone‚ Customs and Border Protection issued a memo for Border Patrol agents prohibiting them from addressing persons they catch illegally crossing the border as “Mr.‚ Mrs.‚ Ms.‚ Sir [or] Ma’am” until they ask‚ “Can you please confirm your pronouns or gender identity?” and then adopt whatever the migrant says.   To drive the point home‚ the CPB memo states that agents may not offer “personal opinions” on these matters or “refer to being LGBTQI+ as a ‘choice’ or ‘lifestyle.’” But shutting up about one’s beliefs‚ as bad as that is‚ isn’t actually an option because pronoun use is part of life and practically unavoidable. There will be no hiding or laying low on this one; everyone will be found out eventually.  Perhaps most offensive of all‚ under Office of Personnel Management guidance‚ all federal facilities with showers and changing rooms now must be opened to people of the opposite sex based on their say-so. Surely many women who enjoy working out at the office gym will object to seeing grown men getting naked in front of them in the lockerrooms.   While the policy (at least as implemented by HHS) acknowledges that some people may “feel uncomfortable” with this certain eventuality‚ it clarifies that it is objecting biological women who must leave the facilities in this situation‚ not the other way around.   There was a time when a boss allowing men to undress in front of female employees was considered 100% automatic sexual harassment. But now the federal government is treating it more like a job requirement and will label you a bigot if you object.  Federal employees are not defenseless. They should file lawsuits seeking to block enforcement of these illegal policies under the First Amendment’s free speech clause and Title VII‚ at the very least. And those who believe that sexual human embodiment is part of God’s design also shoud file claims under the First Amensment’s free exercise clause and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act‚ requesting religious accommodation.  Totalitarians throughout history have demanded that the people they subjugate repeat sanctioned lies as a way to secure their power. If those in power can make you say with your own lips that men are women‚ or neither‚ or both‚ and back again‚ they can make you say and do anything‚ including drafting you into the pronoun police to spy and inform on your coworkers.  Eighty years ago‚ the Supreme Court said: “If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation‚ it is that no official‚ high or petty‚ can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics‚ nationalism‚ religion‚ or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.”   Back then the issue was whether government schools could require students to pledge allegiance to the American flag‚ while today the question is whether the Biden administration can force Americans to pledge allegiance to the rainbow flag.  The answer to that question should be no. But as always‚ our liberties become effective only when people have the courage to stand up for the truth and their right to remain free‚ even if it comes at a cost.  This commentary originally was published by Fox News Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Biden Admin’s Pronoun Police Demand Employees Deny Biology appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Real Clear Politics co-founder Tom Bevan took to Twitter to express amazement at the first segment of All In with Chris Hayes on Thursday night: Left-wing cable TV Host/Administration lackey standing in front of a graphic of Dark Brandon signs with the caption "The Greatest Economy" complains of "constant propaganda" by the previous president on the economy. You just can't make this s--t up. MSNBC already gave Jen Psaki one of Chris's five weeknights‚ so maybe he's trying to save his spot at 8 pm by suggesting he can do a better job than Team Biden in gushing over how well "Dark Brandon" is performing.  The host showed a clip of Fox News anchor Neil Cavuto and a guest sounding "so psyched" at the Biden economy. Hayes said‚ “remember the reason the stock market went up yesterday's because the actual economy looks like it's doing so well.” Hayes complained Biden's messaging machine just isn't working as well as MSNBC would:  The Biden White House didn't ignore all this good news. But they didn't take that much of a victory lap either. I mean‚ they sent out a few tweets‚ highlighting the decrease in gas prices and inflation‚ which are important and good. During the daily briefing‚ press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre touted the president’s work to quote‚ grow our economy from the middle out. They sent out Jared Bernstein‚ chair of the council of economic advisers out to do the rounds on TV. All of that is good. They should‚ right? Just take a second right now to consider what the alternate reality would be like in this moment‚ after this turbulence under a Donald Trump presidency. My strong belief is that part of the reason that people's perception‚ the economy was good in the Trump era‚ that Trump would be good at managing the economy‚ is that he constantly‚ unceasingly sledgehammered us over the head with propaganda about it day after day after day. Then he showed a clip package of Trump boasting‚ and then made a big point of how Trump was still bragging about the economy as the Covid pandemic and lockdown but a huge crimp in the economy.  He was still pushing that "economic propaganda" during a "mass-death event." MSNBC did not note about 400‚000 died from Covid under Trump -- and then another 713‚000-plus have died under Biden. But what about Trump's first three years‚ hmm? Those are the years where "people's perception" resides. And Trump may have boasted‚ but the anti-Trump networks buried the good news. In our book Unmasked‚ Brent Bozell and I noted reports on the stock market in a chapter titled "Good News Is No News": Thirty-one Dow records were set between January 1‚ 2017 and January 26‚ 2018. Those records included hitting 21‚000‚ then 22‚000‚ then 23‚000‚ then 24‚000‚ then 25‚000‚ and finally 26‚000. Overall in 2017‚ the Dow Jones average rose more than 25 percent. So the networks routinely ignored it.  Ah‚ but they found it newsworthy when the market went down! on May 7‚ 2017‚ NBC's Lester Holt open the show warning‚ "Market plunge! Jitters on Wall Street! Is the so-called Trump Bump over?" He brought on MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle to say that the good economy and Trump's agenda were kaput.  This is why it's funny that Chris Hayes would complain about sledgehammered with unceasing propaganda. Like MSNBC didn't do that in an opposing direction. Like all of their constant yammering about Trump's non-existent collusion with the Russians to get elected.  Hayes concluded that Biden had to deal with "crisis from Day One‚" while Trump was allowed "to coast" for three years. Is that what the media allowed him to do from 2017 to 2019? They all just laid down for him and let him "coast"?