FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Transgender activists are “weaponizing” a law meant to protect participation in public debate, flipping it “on its head” to further a “personal vendetta” against a Georgia mom and real estate agent whom the activists previously tried to get fired, the mom’s lawyer says. Julie Mauck, the Georgia mom, publicly addressed a library meeting in July 2023, asking the library to move a sexually explicit book out of the children’s section, and warning that some pedophiles try to claim membership in the LGBTQ+ acronym as part of the “plus.” Transgender activists reached out to her broker and to the Georgia Association of Realtors, claiming that she called “the entire LGBTQ community ‘pedophiles'” and urging disciplinary action. Mauck sued, and both a trial court and the Georgia Court of Appeals struck down her claim under the Peach State’s anti-SLAPP law. (Anti-SLAPP refers to “strategic lawsuits against public participation.” Such statutes aim to protect Americans from baseless legal attacks meant to stifle public debate.) Jonathan Vogel, Mauck’s attorney, filed an appeal Monday, asking the Georgia Supreme Court to take up the case. “Should the anti-SLAPP statute be weaponized to enable cancel culture tactics like this?” Vogel asked in an interview with The Daily Signal on Monday. “Surely, it was not enacted for this purpose. It really turns the anti-SLAPP statute on its head.” “Julie’s speech at the library, that’s the classic protected speech that the anti-SLAPP statute was enacted to protect,” he argued. He called it “outrageous” for “people who mischaracterize what she said and tried to get her fired” to claim the anti-SLAPP law should protect them. Doug Turpin, president of The Coalition for Liberty, a nonprofit aiming to combat cancel culture that is paying Mauck’s legal fees, warned that the appeals court ruling sets a terrifying precedent. He noted that when courts dismiss a claim based on anti-SLAPP, the party bringing the lawsuit may have to pay the legal fees of the wrongly accused party. “If this decision is allowed to stand, any activist out there can knowingly lie about a person, get them fired, destroy their reputation, and then if somebody tries to fight back, they will be paying the legal fees,” he told The Daily Signal. “You just want to shake somebody and say, ‘Are you not listening to what happened? It’s really OK to make up a lie about somebody and try to get them fired based on a lie and that’s OK?'” Mauck, who is also involved with Moms for Liberty, told The Daily Signal. The Attempt to Fire Mauck In Georgia, real estate agents must work with a broker. After the library meeting, transgender activists Fiona a.k.a. Felix Bell, and Danielle Carmella Bonanno, reached out to Mauck’s broker, Bob Allen, to suggest he discipline her. According to Mauck, Bell is a woman who identifies as a man and Bonnano is a man who identifies as a woman. Bonanno told Allen that Mauck engaged in “discriminatory behavior towards the LGBTQ+ community” in violation of the National Association of Realtors Code of Ethics. Bell told Allen that Mauck “made a public display of calling the entire LGBTQ community ‘pedophiles.'” Bell repeated this claim in an official complaint to the realtors’ association. Allen stopped serving as Mauck’s broker, leading Mauck to suspend her business for a time until she obtained her own broker’s license. The National Association of Realtors investigated Mauck and cleared her on appeal. The library moved the book to the adults’ section. “We can confirm that, in 2023, Julie Mauck was a respondent in a GAR Code of Ethics case,” the Georgia Association of Realtors told The Daily Signal in a statement Tuesday. “She was initially found in violation of Article 10 [ of the National Association of REALTORS® Code of Ethics, the article prohibiting discrimination against protected classes], but on appeal the decision was reversed and she was determined not to be in violation of Article 10.” Problems With the Appeals Court Ruling Vogel identified two large problems with the appeals court ruling, which Judge Jeff Davis wrote on Nov. 3. “In the first step, the analysis on whether the anti-SLAPP statute applies, the court has to determine whether the statements were made in connection with an issue of public concern,” the lawyer noted. “In this case, we don’t think that statements that were made about Julie’s employment are issues of public concern. It’s a private vendetta to try to get her fired, it’s your classic cancel culture scenario.” “How can private communications made to her employer or to her membership association contribute to a public debate? These are not the types of statements that the anti-SLAPP statute was meant to address,” Vogel argued. The second step in an anti-SLAPP case, according to Georgia Supreme Court precedent, involves whether the plaintiff—in this case Mauck—can show a probability of success in the case. This represents a preliminary threshold—courts are not supposed to weigh the evidence in the case, only to determine whether the person suing has “hit the elements of a claim.” Yet Vogel claimed the Georgia Appeals Court departed from that practice. Mauck’s appeal repeatedly states that the court “impermissibly” weighed evidence in the case. “Now, we have the extreme risk to the public of cancel culture activists weaponizing this, to be able to go after people in an organized way and destroy their lives, and then say, ‘Ha! If you try to do anything to us, you’re going to pay our legal bills,'” Vogel said. “If the Georgia Supreme Court doesn’t act, they’ll be enabling this kind of precedent to be used against ordinary people,” Turpin said. He warned that transgender activists want to “silence Americans.” Neither the Georgia Association of Realtors nor Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, the law firm representing Bell and Bonnano, responded to The Daily Signal’s request for comment by publication time. Judge Davis and Allen declined to comment. The post Trans Activists Are Flipping the Law ‘on Its Head’ to Protect a ‘Personal Vendetta,’ Georgia Mom Says appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Sanitation workers found an abandoned kitten just in time. Months later, that young cat has the happiest ending. Duty Free aka OnyxLittle Wanderers NYCEarlier this year, while sanitation workers were making their routine rounds, they heard loud cries coming from somewhere near a building. They stopped to listen and traced the sound to a dumpster.Inside, they discovered a seven-mouth-old kitten, abandoned and alone. The workers immediately brought him to safety and called for help. "Those workers reported to a supervisor who happens to be a volunteer for Little Wanderers NYC, and she called us," the rescue group shared.The kitten had been saved just in time, though no one yet knew just how brave he really was. Little Wanderers NYCAt the veterinary clinic, the kitten, named Duty Free, was found to have a fractured hip, leaving him unable to walk. Surgery would be necessary to repair the damage. "Thankfully, he found some Good Samaritans who heard his cries and saved him."Despite all that he'd endured, Duty was incredibly friendly and cuddly, as if he understood he was finally safe. Little Wanderers NYCAfter using up most of his nine lives, Duty underwent life-changing surgery. To everyone's surprise, both of his back legs had been injured. "Thankfully, the orthopedic team at the Animal Medical Center was able to put him back together."Amazingly, soon after surgery, Duty was already attempting to stand and take a few steps. Little Wanderers NYCSandra, a foster volunteer, opened her home to Duty so he could continue recovering with strict crate rest. Within a week, his progress was remarkable. But more than anything, he craved affection and wanted to be near his people."He is bright, alert, and happy, and wants nothing more than to please his foster mom." Little Wanderers NYC"I can't say enough good things about him," Sandra said. "He is so lovable. He's just a nugget of burning love."Once Duty was cleared to leave his crate, he could barely contain his excitement. He was eager to rediscover playtime, explore his surroundings, and zoom around like any other cat. Though he still needed the occasional reminder to take it easy, his joyful spirit was unstoppable. He shadowed Sandra everywhere, always ready for cuddles. Little Wanderers NYC"Throughout his recovery, he was gentle, kind, and loving, never showing anything but love. This sweet soul won everyone over, even strangers and non-cat people I told his story to. He's so playful, loving, and cuddly—he's perfection."By the time Duty was fully recovered and ready for adoption, he had no idea that the perfect family was already waiting in the wings. Onyx found his forever familyLittle Wanderers NYCDuty accompanied his foster mom to work one day, and that's when his charm worked its magic. One of her coworkers instantly fell in love with him. "She knew she had to have him and give him the forever home he deserved."Now renamed Onyx, he settled into his new home as if he had lived there his entire life. He bonded easily with his humans and their cat, Boots, who became his partner in mischief. Onyx and BootsLittle Wanderers NYC"Onyx has many presents under the tree this year," the rescue shared. "His only worry now is how to keep his stuffed catnip mice hidden in the pile of toys he sleeps in front of."He and Boots race through the house creating endless antics, but Onyx's heart belongs to his little human brother. He follows him from room to room, curls up in his arms, and showers him with affectionate head bumps and purrs. Little Wanderers NYCOnyx is now living the good life with the family of his dreams. His days are filled with comfort, play, and more love than he could have ever imagined."He has come a long way, and his rescue journey is a shining example of how good deeds make happy endings." Little Wanderers NYCShare this story with your friends. If you'd like to foster or adopt, message Little Wanderers NYC on Instagram @littlewanderersnyc, Facebook, or email adopt.littlewanderersnyc@gmail.com.Related story: Feral Kitten Pushed Everyone Away But Decided to Trust for the First Time After 2 Weeks of Being Indoors

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We love delicious treats during the Christmas season, and this list has something for everyone, from old-fashioned sugar cookies to simple 3-ingredient treats. When it’s time to spoil your friends and family with great goodies, this is the only recipe list you need. All the recipes on this list are perfect for homemade food gifts...

After sitting back as billions of taxpayer dollars from his state went to Somalia, President Trump called Minnesota Democrat Governor Tim Walz the forbidden R-word — and Walz is now fuming. But Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck is looking at the cold hard facts regarding Trump’s brutal statement.“I also have a problem with a guy who, you know, surrounds himself with people who call the president a Nazi. I don’t know which one’s worse — Nazi or retarded,” Glenn says on “The Glenn Beck Program.”“Yeah, Nazis were really bad. That’s actually a pretty serious accusation. Fascist is another one, pretty serious accusation. ... That is exactly the reason he was on the ticket, is because he was name-calling other people and calling them weird,” BlazeTV host Stu Burguiere agrees.“It’s his only qualification, outside of he’s, you know, massively inept and corrupt and all the other things that would, of course, qualify him to be on a Democratic ticket. But outside of that, the only reason he stood out from all the other loser Democrats was that he said the word ‘weird’ on TV once,” he continues.But perhaps Walz’s most egregious political fault is his inability to look at the Somalian population in Minnesota with a discerning eye — especially after the mass fraud that went on directly under his nose.And instead of taking on the fraud that he let happen, he’s focusing on the “danger” of President Trump’s name-calling.“This creates danger. And I’ll tell you what, in my time on this, I’d never seen this before. People driving by my house and using the R-word in front of people. This is shameful. And I have yet to see an elected official, a Republican elected official, say, ‘You’re right, that’s shameful. He should not say it,’” Walz said.“So, look, I’m worried. We know how these things go. They start with taunts. They turn to violence. So, deeply concerned,” he added.“Founder of the taunt of ‘weird’ thinks that that taunt could lead to violence. That’s so strange,” Stu comments, laughing.Meanwhile, the “Nazi” and “fascist” name-calling directed at President Trump and Charlie Kirk has resulted in very real violence — which unfortunately ended in the passing of Kirk this September.“But it’s the R-word being yelled at Tim Walz when ... he waddles out to get his mail — that’s the thing we’re supposed to be concerned about,” Stu says.Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

A 42-year-old male violently attacked an elderly woman in downtown Seattle last week, Seattle Police said.Just before noon Friday, a number of citizens reported witnessing a male swinging a wooden stick with a metal screw at the end of it along 3rd Avenue and James Street, officials said.'He'll be out in no time to strike again thanks to the Lunatic Leftists running Seattle and Washington State.'Moments later, the male approached a woman waiting at the crosswalk at 3rd and James and swung the stick like a baseball bat, intentionally striking the woman in the face from behind, officials said.With that, the victim fell backward to the ground with "a laceration that was bleeding heavily," officials said, citing the police report. Numerous bystanders came to the victim's aid and called 911, officials said.The Seattle Fire Department treated the 75-year-old woman for serious facial injuries, and paramedics transported her to Harborview Medical Center, where she underwent emergency surgery, officials said.Even though the suspect walked away from the scene, an analyst with the Real Time Crime Center located the suspect and told officers where he was, officials said.RELATED: 13-year-old punk accused of stealing woman's purse, punching her, throwing her to ground; but he's soon kissing concrete, too Within five minutes of the assault, nearby deputies with the King County Sheriff's Office found the suspect and detained him without incident, officials said.Deputies transferred the suspect to Seattle police custody, officials said, adding that the suspect was arrested after Real Time Crime Center video of the attack was reviewed.Officers booked him into the King County Jail for assault in the first degree, officials said, adding that police recovered the weapon as evidence.Officials added that the suspect had been given a "Violent Person" caution and is a felon previously convicted for assault.Commenters under KIRO-TV's video report about the incident don't appear to be holding out much hope that justice will prevail:"He'll be out in no time to strike again thanks to the Lunatic Leftists running Seattle and Washington State," one commenter wrote."What's new," another commenter wondered, adding that "it's a third-world sewage dump.""Shocking," another commenter added, with tongue firmly in cheek. "Failed policies don't work no matter how you feel about them."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

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