A Democrat-led Pride celebration in Oregon’s Capitol has ignited fierce backlash after Black drag queens took center stage on the House floor. Critics call it a politically charged spectacle that disrespects the legacy of the Founding Fathers and undermines the dignity of public office. Drag Takes the Floor in Oregon’s Capitol A performance by Black drag queens on the Oregon House of Representatives floor has ignited a fiery debate over the purpose and sanctity of legislative spaces. The performance was part of a Democrat-sponsored resolution celebrating the “cultural contributions” of Black drag queens in the state. State Rep. Dwayne Yunker, a Republican, blasted the event, saying it made a mockery of the chamber. “The House floor was meant for debate, not drag,” Yunker said. “This isn’t what the Founding Fathers envisioned when they gave us a republic.” Many conservatives agree, arguing that using taxpayer-funded government space for such displays crosses a line and blurs the separation between government work and political theater. Critics Call Out Double Standards The event has sparked accusations of blatant political bias and double standards. Conservative voices questioned whether religious ceremonies or traditional cultural expressions would receive the same support. “Imagine the outrage if someone tried to hold a Christian prayer service on the House floor,” one commentator noted. “But a drag show gets the red carpet?” BREAKING: A circus Drag Show is happening on the floor of the Oregon House of Representatives right now. I wish I could tell you this is AI folks, but it is very …very real. If this isn’t a perfect illustration of how much of a joke the Democrat-led Oregon government is, I… pic.twitter.com/gviDuihQWT — David Medina (@davidmedinapdx) June 18, 2025 Many on the right see this as just another example of progressive overreach, using institutions meant for public service to promote divisive cultural agendas. They point out that Republican events have faced tighter scrutiny and even outright bans, further highlighting the imbalance in how different values are treated in public spaces. Public Safety Concerns Rise Amid Culture War The controversy isn’t confined to the Capitol. In Eugene, Oregon, tensions boiled over at a “Drag Queen Storytime” event at Old Nick’s Pub, where an 11-year-old performer named Venellope was featured. The event drew armed opposition, including members of the Proud Boys, and ended with police intervention and violent clashes. This was the Oregon House floor this morning used to celebrate Black Drag Queens. I’m not sure the Founding Fathers envisioned taxpayer-funded legislative chambers being turned into platforms for political theater. The House floor is meant for serious debate, lawmaking, and… pic.twitter.com/FrwjaRqPw0 — Rep. Dwayne Yunker HD3 (@RepYunker) June 18, 2025 Despite the chaos, event organizers called it a success. But the bigger question remains: Should children be exposed to drag culture at such a young age? And should state institutions and tax dollars be used to promote these controversial events? Sources: Drag Show Performed on Floor of Oregon House of Representatives Oregon drag event sees violent protest as Proud Boys show-up

Is the Defense Department’s 2026 budget proposal driving a wedge through the Senate? Democrats challenged Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in a heated session, scrutinizing past military decisions. Budget Proposal Under Fire Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faced tough questions in the Senate Armed Services Committee concerning the 2026 budget proposal. Democrats heavily questioned the necessity of past military tactics and goals, criticizing the Trump administration’s actions in deploying troops in Los Angeles. Hegseth, however, defended his stance, emphasizing the need for strengthening national defense given current global tensions. He attributed many of these tensions to the previous administration’s actions, citing incidents in Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the October Hamas attack. Republican senators supported Hegseth’s defense strategy, asserting the importance of the budget. Democrats raised concerns with Hegseth about potential troop deployments and military policy. Senator Jack Reed criticized Hegseth’s oversight of the Defense Department, arguing it was in “disarray,” while Hegseth maintained his actions were rectifying past inadequacies. Reed’s mention of the influence of former Secretary Mark Esper’s memoir seemed to reignite old debates about military strategy. Questions also centered around potential use of force in civilian settings, sparking further scrutiny from senators such as Mazie Hirono and Elissa Slotkin. Hegseth dismissed claims of social media influencing personnel decisions, affirming his own leadership authority. ??????? ??????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ????? ????? President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Tulsi Gabbard for intelligence chief faces scrutiny from senators on Capitol Hill as concerns arise about her past visits to Syria amidst a… pic.twitter.com/QcTLLtuqax — BreakingRecap (@BreakingRecap) December 10, 2024 High Stakes Decisions In addressing concerns about international relations, Hegseth stood firm on ensuring “maximum force protection” for U.S. troops abroad. He highlighted President Donald Trump’s decisive move in supporting Israel amidst tensions with Iran. Democratic senators urged caution in approach to Middle East policy to avoid exacerbating conflict. Hegseth’s emphasis on this matter indicates his focus on strategic partnerships. Meanwhile, concerns about perceived military partisanship were dismissed as speculative by Hegseth. “That was a view of weakness and chaos unleashed by the Biden administration under the previous defense secretary. So, if a few changes have to be made in the first portion of my term in order to get it right, I think that’s pretty acceptable to establish deterrence and rebuild our military and restore the warrior ethos.” – Pete Hegseth Republicans on the committee commended Hegseth for his leadership and commitment to restoring military morale. Senator Markwayne Mullin praised improvements made under Hegseth, contrasting it to previous administration missteps. With ongoing scrutiny of the Defense Department’s future plans, Hegseth remains a focal point in these unfolding debates, poised to strengthen America’s defense landscape. Sources: Hegseth blocks Democrats’ smear tactics in fiery Senate showdown: ‘I won’t fall for it’ | Blaze Media Democratic senators hammer Hegseth as he trades barbs with them during testy hearing – ABC News

A shocking turn of events unfolded in Culpeper, Virginia when a driver allegedly drove an SUV into a crowd at the “No Kings” rally. The incident coincides with nationwide protests against President Trump, raising questions about public safety and the legal responses to such acts. Incident Overview Joseph R. Checklick Jr., aged 21, was arrested after allegedly driving his SUV into a crowd of “No Kings” protesters in Culpeper, Virginia. The incident occurred when attendees were leaving and crossing a business parking lot after the event. The shocking event unfolded during a time of nationwide protests against the Trump administration, aligning with the Army’s 250th anniversary and President Trump’s birthday. Culpeper Police charged Checklick with reckless driving, and he remains detained without bond at the Culpeper County Jail. Legal Implications Police reports indicate that Checklick intentionally accelerated his vehicle into the crowd, an act reminiscent of the 2017 Charlottesville incident where James Alex Fields Jr. drove into a crowd, killing one and injuring others. Unlike the tragic fatalities in Charlottesville, no injuries were reported from the Culpeper incident, but the potential for similar outcomes highlights the ongoing risks surrounding public demonstrations. Man drives into crowd of protesters at 'No Kings' rally in Virginia.Police say 21 yr. old Joseph R. Checklick Jr. intentionally drove an SUV into a crowd of protesters in Culpeper, hitting at least 1 person. He was arrested & charged w/ reckless drivinghttps://t.co/YWAXgpgwqd pic.twitter.com/mhCRquluYI — Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) June 14, 2025 Culpeper Police Department is actively seeking witnesses and information to further investigate the case. Checklick may face additional charges as the investigation unfolds, echoing past legal outcomes where individuals faced severe penalties for such dangerous actions. Civic Responses and Nationwide Context Over 600 attendees gathered for the “No Kings” rally, part of protests with a nationwide participation rate numbering in the millions. While the event coincided with national celebrations, Culpeper Democrats thanked local law enforcement for their swift response and maintaining safety during the protest. “quick response and for keeping our protest safe” – Culpeper Democrats This incident underscores the complex interplay between civic gatherings and public safety, prompting ongoing discussions on the best practices and legal frameworks to ensure the safety of demonstrators while accommodating the right to protest. Sources: Man ‘intentionally’ drives into protesters at ‘No Kings’ in Virginia, police Man drives into crowd of protesters at ‘No Kings’ rally in Virginia | FOX 5 DC

Vice President JD Vance faced a brief suspension on Bluesky, sparking a debate about free speech and political bias on social media platforms. The suspension happened shortly after Vance joined the platform and shared his support for a Supreme Court decision regarding transgender healthcare restrictions. Vance Faces Quick Suspension on Bluesky Vice President JD Vance’s Blaze account was suspended shortly after he announced its activation. Vance, a known advocate for online free speech, first announced his presence on Bluesky via his X profile. BREAKING: Left-wing social media platform Bluesky has suspended Vice President JD Vance’s official account within minutes of him posting on the platform for the first time. Vance promoted his Bluesky page on ? writing: “Just set up my page on Bluesky hope to see you guys… pic.twitter.com/vrBtjwjVD8 — RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) June 18, 2025 His account faced suspension a mere 12 minutes after his inaugural post praising Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas’s opinion on a case related to transgender medical treatments for minors. Bluesky, a competitor to X, soon reinstated his account, attributing the brief suspension to an automated system error. Political Bias Allegations Emerge The incident fueled ongoing discussions about political bias on social media platforms, with some users on Bluesky reportedly flagging Vance’s post as misinformation. Bluesky quickly clarified that the suspension was due to concerns over impersonation, not a violation of community guidelines. No free speech on Bluesky =( https://t.co/c2Mdq0AnMx — Dan Elton (@moreisdifferent) June 18, 2025 Vance’s reinstatement came with a verification badge, but the episode cast a spotlight on the challenges social media platforms face in moderating content while maintaining political neutrality. Critics argue that platforms like Bluesky need better measures to differentiate between genuine posts and those deemed harmful. Free Speech Advocacy Highlighted JD Vance has consistently championed free speech and criticized social media platforms for allegedly suppressing conservative voices. “Hello Bluesky, I’ve been told this app has become the place to go for common sense political discussion and analysis. So I’m thrilled to be here to engage with all of you,” Vance initially stated. “Vice President Vance’s account was briefly flagged by our automated systems that try to detect impersonation attempts which have targeted public figures like him in the past. The account was quickly restored and verified so people can easily confirm its authenticity. We welcome the Vice President to join the conversation on Bluesky.” – Bluesky spokesperson Although Vance’s account has been restored, the debate over free speech on social media remains significant. The incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing tension between platform moderation policies and users’ rights to express their political views. Sources: VP JD Vance’s new Bluesky account ‘suspended’ just 10 minutes after launch – The Mirror JD Vance gets suspended from X competitor Bluesky – just 12 minutes after first post

New York’s once-corporate-fueled Pride parade is scrambling for funds as major sponsors back out ahead of the June 29 event. With corporate America increasingly aligning with President Trump’s pro-family agenda, organizers are now turning to individual donors to keep the parade afloat. Corporate Sponsors Retreat from Pride Events NYC Pride is facing a significant financial shortfall as approximately 25% of previous corporate donors have either canceled or reduced their support for the upcoming June 29 parade. This retreat from corporate sponsorship is part of a nationwide trend affecting pride celebrations across the country, with organizations in San Francisco, Kansas City, and St. Louis all reporting substantial budget gaps. Kevin Kilbride, a spokesperson for NYC Pride, cited “the evolving external landscape” as a factor in the changing sponsorship environment. Major companies including PepsiCo, Nissan, Comcast, and Anheuser-Busch have withdrawn their support from various Pride events, with Anheuser-Busch ending a 30-year sponsorship of PrideFest in St. Louis that resulted in a $150,000 shortfall. NYC Pride says they’ve lost $750,000 in corporate funding this year due to President Trump’s DEI policies. The real question is, why do they need THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS to hold a parade? pic.twitter.com/I6QlfSQpyQ — Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 3, 2025 Community Fundraising to Fill the Gap In response to the $750,000 budget gap, NYC Pride launched a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign in mid-May. “That gap we’re trying to fill with a community fundraising campaign. So in the middle of May, we launched a peer-to-peer campaign so folks can start their own fundraiser online, share it with their friends, and then have folks donate to that,” Kilbride explained. The organization is pivoting its strategy to focus more on grassroots support rather than corporate backing. “The group was wanting to lean a little bit more into individual giving and support from the community,” Kilbride stated, indicating a strategic shift in how Pride events secure their financial footing. VIDEO: Fundraising shift at NY pride as Trump scares off corporate donors New York's pride parade, the highest-profile US LGBTQ gathering, is ramping up efforts to raise funds from individual community members as corporate donations have been squeezed as Washington demonizes… pic.twitter.com/dLuYeunwcL — AFP News Agency (@AFP) June 19, 2025 Changing Political and Corporate Landscape Organizers attribute the decline in corporate support partly to President Trump’s rejection of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies. This political shift has coincided with Republican-led states passing legislation curtailing DEI initiatives and LGBTQ+ rights, creating a challenging environment for pride events. Target, which initially reduced its public involvement with the NYC parade, has since reinstated its float after facing boycotts and a dip in share price. Some companies have reportedly resumed donations anonymously after media coverage of their withdrawal, reflecting the complex position many corporations find themselves in as they navigate between different consumer expectations. Individual and local business donations have increased in some regions to help fill the funding gaps. Successful crowdfunding campaigns in places like Minneapolis demonstrate that community support remains strong despite the corporate pullback, with Suzanne Ford of San Francisco Pride noting, “If you come to Pride this year, that’s a revolutionary act.” Sources: NY Pride Pleads for Cash Donations as Corporate Donors Flee Funding for Pride events falls as corporations like Target shift priorities

'he may plunge us into some idiot war'

In the world of desserts, there are two types of people: those who love cake, and those who love pies. What if, however, you could combine the best of both cakes and pies? Introducing the dump cake. The dump cake is a really simple dessert that is usually made with a base of cake mix... The post Pour melted butter over strawberries. End result is a mouthwatering 3-ingredient cake appeared first on Shareably.

While many of us would love to cook each day and feed our families delicious, nutritious home-cooked meals, it’s not very feasible. We all lead busy lives, and we don’t always the time to spare for cooking. As a result, we choose convenience, especially when we are in a rush. This includes options such as... The post Add a rack of ribs to a slow cooker, but the mouthwatering secret is in the sauce appeared first on Shareably.

An Excellent Story on the Recent History of the Trans Movement

The 5-CD + Blu-ray collection features new stereo and Dolby ATMOS mixes of the original by acclaimed producer Steven Wilson, all three concerts newly remixed, and several rare single edits. The post Deep Purple’s ‘Made in Japan’ Goes Super Deluxe appeared first on Best Classic Bands.