We’ve all been there. Standing at the holiday party with nothing to say to a room full of well-dressed strangers. Or wondering what fork we are supposed to use for the salad. And does it even matter what side of the plate you put your water glass on?   Etiquette has become a lost art in much of American culture, but Alison Cheperdak, to borrow from President Donald Trump, is “making it great again.”   After law school and serving in a number of fast-paced positions, including in the first Trump administration, Cheperdak decided to turn her passion for etiquette into a career and founded Elevate Etiquette.   On this special Thanksgiving edition of “Problematic Women,” Cheperdak shares everything from tips and tricks for carrying on a conversation with strangers at holiday parties to how to set a proper Thanksgiving table, and when it is, and isn’t, appropriate to send a thank-you note.   And Thanksgiving would not be complete without some holiday trivia! Catch it all on this week’s edition of “Problematic Women.”  This article was originally published Nov. 22 in The Daily Signal. The post Make Etiquette Great Again: Your Guide to Winning the Holidays appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Even self-described far-left State Department employees are happy about Secretary Marco Rubio’s latest move to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion, according to an unofficial State Department Reddit page reviewed by The Daily Signal. “I’m a believer in DEIA and pretty far to the left,” one person who claimed to be a foreign service member wrote on Reddit. “However, the way it was practiced in DoS was completely performative and was actively discriminatory.” The Daily Signal found the post on a Reddit page for “individuals who work for or aspire to work for the U.S. Foreign Service.” The Reddit is not endorsed or supported in any way by the U.S. State Department. The posts refer to Rubio offering restitution to State Department employees who the Trump administration found were denied promotions during the Biden administration for not meeting new DEI standards. Roughly 295 employees who were marked down for not showing they would “seek diversity in staff” will now receive pay increases, administrative promotions, and letters of commendation, Rubio said. “I heard multiple country teams and hiring panels give preference to based on DEIA categories and had better qualified people lose out,” one post from someone claiming to be a Foreign Service officer says. “For example if the top choice for a position was a white male and the second was a POC, we were told by leadership to go with the POC specifically for DEIA.” “The scoring for promotion was also crazy,” the post continued. “I had a direct report regularly spewing racist and sexist crap. I went through the EXTREMELY painful process to hold that person accountable. I also terminated a local staff for racist actions and held trainings for my staff on multiculturalism and respectful workplace. I was also a EEO coordinator and dealt with numerous issues there. I got a 3.5. My friend organized a multicultural lunchtime potluck and a GLIFA happy hour (in a country that is extremely open and friendly to LGTBQ+) and got a 4.5. That kind of BS is what gave the right-wing ammo to point at the excesses of DEIA and completely destroy the idea of DEIA in the department.” Another person posted that he or she was not affected personally but had a co-worker who was passed over due to DEI considerations. “I was not affected personally by the changes announced yesterday, but I have at least one coworker who claims they would have been promoted in 2024 had they scored higher on the DEIA precept,” the post said. Another self-proclaimed Foreign Service officer identified himself or herself as “a big supporter of diversity initiatives that are actually implemented correctly.” “I was recommended but not promoted in 2023. In 2024 I was mid ranked,” the person posted. “In one of those years (can’t recall), when we got the breakdown of scores, all of my scores were above the promotion average, but I had an abysmal DEIA score, despite documenting efforts. I don’t qualify for the administrative action announced unless I happen to be one of the 13 mentioned at the end – I’m guessing those are specifically identified BFFs. But I am very happy for everyone who is getting promoted after throwing out the ludicrous DEIA score. It is well deserved.” A State Department political appointee told The Daily Signal they were “glad to see that employees from both the left and the right saw how crazy the DEI policies were at the State Department.” This article was first published Nov. 22 in The Daily Signal. The post Even Far-Left State Department Employees Celebrate Rubio’s Anti-DEI Move appeared first on The Daily Signal.

They never gave up on two kittens left in a yard. Now, the young cats are ready for a happy ending this Thanksgiving. Butterball and WishboneTailsHighEarly last month, two tiny gray kittens, Butterball and Wishbone, were brought indoors for the first time in their lives.A concerned community member had found them in a yard. After waiting for a long time, it became clear their mother, likely a feral cat, wasn't coming back. Too young to survive on their own, the kittens needed intervention, and Tails High, a volunteer-run rescue, stepped up to help.To prevent future litters from ending up in the same predicament, the rescue partnered with another group to find the mother cat and have her spayed. They were found in a yard, and their mother cat never returnedTailsHighA dedicated foster family welcomed the kittens into their home. At just three weeks old, Butterball and Wishbone required round-the-clock bottle-feeding and a steady heat source to keep their tiny bodies warm.The pair nestled together like one soft gray puff, finding comfort in each other. TailsHighThe demanding feeding schedule became a team effort. Each time the kittens stirred for a meal, the foster family prepared two bottles, one for each kitten, so neither brother ever had to wait his turn.They latched on eagerly, and with nourishing meals and constant affection, they began to thrive. A foster family took them in and started round-the-clock bottle-feedingTailsHighAt this age, kittens instinctively seek warmth and the heartbeat of a companion. Having each other made Butterball and Wishbone feel safe. Instead of crying out for a mother who wasn't there, they curled up together and drifted into peaceful sleep.With full bellies, they snoozed contentedly, often wrapping their tiny paws around one another. TailsHighAs the days passed, their ears perked up and their eyes widened with curiosity. Once they found their footing, they started to explore beyond their nest. Wishbone became an affectionate, gentle cuddle bug, always ready to snuggle into the nearest lap."He loves to check in on his people as if he's making sure everyone is doing their job correctly." As they grew bigger, they became more curiousTailsHighButterball turned into a whirlwind of energy, darting around the room and making every corner his personal playground. "When he's not zipping around in search of a playmate, he's climbing right up to your shoulder to tuck himself in for the coziest little nap."Both kittens are social butterflies who have never met a stranger, greeting every visitor with bright-eyed enthusiasm. TailsHigh"Now at two months old, these gray tabby brothers have grown into confident, affectionate, and endlessly playful kittens."With Thanksgiving on the horizon, they are ready to wiggle their way into the hearts of their future family. "With names like Butterball and Wishbone, it feels only fitting that they find their family as Turkey Day rolls around." TailsHighThe brothers spend hours romping, wrestling, and chasing toys until they finally tire out. When playtime winds down, they seek out each other or their humans and curl up in a warm heap, purring themselves to sleep.Nearly identical, they bring equal parts fun, mischief, and tenderness. They look almost identicalTailsHighAfter a rough beginning, Butterball and Wishbone have flourished under the care of their loving foster family. Now more playful and energetic than ever, they charm everyone they meet and are ready for their happily-ever-after. TailsHighShare this story with your friends. More on Butterball, Wishbone, and Tails High (in the DC area) on Instagram @tailshigh and Facebook.Related story: Cat Walks Straight into a Carrier and Never Looks Back, Turns Out He's the Chillest Cat Ever

The prospects of the Democrat members of Congress behind the viral “illegal orders” video being booked on the Elitist Media’s Sunday shows were as predictable as the Sun rising in the East, and as certain as death and taxes. Also predictable: that the media would, with varying degrees, facilitate their continued gaslighting of the American public. Watch as ABC’s Martha Raddatz is barely able to contain U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI): Lots of focus on the "A Few Good Men" reference but this is an amazing sequence here from Elissa Slotkin: The fabricated "many SOUTHCOM officers are asking", to lying about President Trump ordering protesters shot in the legs, to being called on it and immediately… pic.twitter.com/HbzJXlFkE9 — Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) November 23, 2025 SLOTKIN: So, I think the reason we put that statement out is because the sheer number of, frankly, young officers who are coming to us and saying, “I just am not sure. What do I do? You know, I'm in SOUTHCOM and I'm involved. In the National Guard, I'm just not sure, what do I do?” And I think, look, you don't have to take my word for it. We've had report after report of legal officer- JAG officers, coming forward and saying, “look, I push back on this. I'm not sure that this is legal.” There is such things as illegal orders. That's why it's in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Going back to Nuremberg, right? And it's just a -- it's a totally benign statement. And if the president is concerned about it, then he should stay deeply within the law. But I think it's important to know it's not hypothetical, right? This president in the last administration, his last administration, asked his Secretary of Defense and his Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to, quote, "shoot at their legs” at unarmed protesters in front of the White House that he wanted moved. RADDATZ: Actually, I know -- I know you're talking about Mark Esper's book. SLOTKIN: Yeah. RADDATZ: He didn't exactly say that. He said the president suggested that, but they were never ordered to do that. SLOTKIN: And he got out of the Oval Office quickly so that he wasn't told to actually do it. And I give him a lot of credit for that. I give him a lot of credit. RADDATZ: Do you -- so -- so, let's talk right now. Do you believe President Trump has issued any illegal orders? SLOTKIN: To my knowledge, I -- I am not aware of things that are illegal, but certainly there are some legal gymnastics that are going on with these Caribbean strikes and everything related to Venezuela. Raddatz made an attempt at fact-checking Slotkin but there was a blizzard of spin to get through. In the blink of an eye, Slotkin went from saying that President Donald Trump ordered protesters shot in the legs, to being glad former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper ran out of the Oval Office before such an order was given. And Raddatz does little to try to push back on Slotkin’s evocation of “A Few Good Men” as an underlying reason for the video stunt. Things were just as mixed on CBS’s Face the Nation. Host Margaret Brennan interviewed two of the video’s protagonists. First up: U.S. Representative Jason Crow D-CO). "BUT I HEAR YOU THAT WORDS MATTER": CBS's Margaret Brennan sanitizes Rep. Jason Crow's recitation of "illegal orders" after correcting him and saying that no such things happened. pic.twitter.com/Aya1VMekRo — Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) November 23, 2025 MARGARET BRENNAN: How do you respond to these allegations from your colleagues, fellow veterans, that what you have put out there is weakening and corrosive to the military? JASON CROW: Well, these, unfortunately, are some of Trump's core supporters that are rallying behind the president. And they know better. They know exactly the difference between lawful versus unlawful. We were very clear in the video that what we're talking about is unlawful orders. You have the president's spokesperson going on – into a press conference this past week and saying that we called for people to disobey lawful orders. They're simply lying because the truth is unacceptable to them. It's unacceptable. We wanted to start a conversation, and we did, about the dangerous rhetoric this president is using and the threats that he's made to use our military in an unlawful way, because… BRENNAN: Specifically what? CROW: Well, send troops into Chicago, send troops into polling stations, kill terrorists' families, arrest and execute… BRENNAN: He hasn't done those things. CROW: … arrest and execute members of Congress, shoot peaceful protesters in Lafayette Square. Need I go on? He has a history of doing this. And if we wait until the moment that he gives a manifestly unlawful order to a young soldier, then we have failed them. We have to start that conversation now and get people thinking about the distinction, which is exactly what we did. BRENNAN: Yes. So those were comments, not orders he gave, and social media posts and the like. But I hear you that words matter. Brennan almost seems apologetic for having to fact-check Crow, hence that sop about “words matter.” But, here again, there is nothing resembling an actual factual basis that could credibly underlie an allegation of illegal orders. We see again the accusation of Trump giving an order to shoot protesters (“Lafayette Park”), with zero evidence and zero pushback.  Brennan then turns to Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and doesn’t even bother with a fact-check: WATCH: CBS's Margaret Brennan offers NO PUSHBACK to Sen. Mark Kelly's gaslighting about Trump allegedly ordering protesters be shot in the legs as the basis for the "seditious" video, pivots straight to Ukraine pic.twitter.com/fMNqsb3dTa — Jorge Bonilla (@BonillaJL) November 23, 2025 MARGARET BRENNAN: But is that why you made this video? MARK KELLY: No. No. BRENNAN: OK. KELLY: The reason why we made this video is a couple things. This president, from before he was in office as he was a candidate to the time he was in office in his first administration, has said things that cause us great concern. BRENNAN: Yes. KELLY: There is a trend here. BRENNAN: OK. KELLY: When he was running for president the first time, he talked about he wanted the military – he said he would – he would – the military should be killing the families of terrorists. BRENNAN: Yes. KELLY: And when he was told that that was illegal – this was on a debate stage – he basically said that the military will not refuse to follow my orders… BRENNAN: Yes. KELLY: … that they will carry out his orders regardless of what they were. Shooting protesters in the legs is something he brought up in his first administration. BRENNAN: Right. KELLY: And, thankfully, Mark Esper, his secretary of defense… BRENNAN: Right. KELLY: … and Mark Milley, you know, basically told him, you cannot do that. If they weren't there, think of what possibly could have happened. BRENNAN: Well, I need… KELLY: So, we're concerned… BRENNAN: Yes. Oh, I'm sorry. KELLY: Go ahead. BRENNAN: I just want to make sure I get to you on Ukraine, because there's so much happening. KELLY: OK. BRENNAN: And I know you're such a big supporter of Ukraine. There must have been a memo to go out because all three of these members of Congress made some form of invocation of Lafayette Park. How these three were handled was spotty at best. Raddatz seemed to have more of an interest to push back than Brennan, but barely so. And then there was the matter of legality. Multiple experts have come forward to say that the video may not meet the legal definition of “sedition”, but most certainly meets the elements of 18 USC §2387: (a) Whoever, with intent to interfere with, impair, or influence the loyalty, morale, or discipline of the military or naval forces of the United States: (1) advises, counsels, urges, or in any manner causes or attempts to cause insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty by any member of the military or naval forces of the United States; or (2) distributes or attempts to distribute any written or printed matter which advises, counsels, or urges insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, or refusal of duty by any member of the military or naval forces of the United States- Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, and shall be ineligible for employment by the United States or any department or agency thereof, for the five years next following his conviction. (b) For the purposes of this section, the term "military or naval forces of the United States" includes the Army of the United States, the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and Coast Guard Reserve of the United States; and, when any merchant vessel is commissioned in the Navy or is in the service of the Army or the Navy, includes the master, officers, and crew of such vessel. The Elitist Media mouthpieces simply took the liberals’ assertions at face value, so as to proceed with the broader Trumpwashed coverage. For the most part, the legislators appeared on these shows to defend themselves against charges of sedition- as opposed to answering questions about the substance of what they said amidst accusations of the video in question being part of a broader operation to undermine cohesion among the troops as sensitive operations are underway in the Caribbean.  Exit question: if charges were to be filed pursuant to Section 2387, how soon before we hear squeals of “retribution” from the same media elites pushing the video today?  

President Donald Trump came out swinging against his own FCC chairman over plans that would allow major TV networks to significantly expand their national reach. "NO EXPANSION OF THE FAKE NEWS NETWORKS. If anything, make them SMALLER!"

A Wisconsin woman who admitted to nearly stabbing a classmate to death in 2014 to please the online horror character Slender Man is missing after she cut off an electronic monitoring device and left a group home, authorities said Sunday.

President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson shake hands after signing the funding bill that reopens the government, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House…

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[View Article at Source]State of the Union: A Hezbollah leader was killed in the attack. The post Israel Strikes Beirut Despite Ceasefire appeared first on The American Conservative.

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