MCKEES ROCKS, Pennsylvania—At the freshly renovated Roxian Theatre along Chartiers Avenue in a struggling river town, Loren Stephenson said she and her fiance, Alex Ames, had been standing at the front of the line since 8 a.m. to hear billionaire Elon Musk speak at 2 p.m. Stephenson, a Duquesne University professor, said she came to see Musk speak because she respects his brilliance as an entrepreneur and innovator. “I love his ideas about our safety, less government spending, talking about purpose and getting the country back on track,” she said. The Pittsburgh native held a homemade sign declaring that she was an independent voter. “I have been for over 20 years,” Stephenson said of her voting record and affiliation. “I don’t go one way or the other. I take things issue by issue,” she said, something that initially led her to vote for former President Donald Trump. “How many people do we, any of us, really agree with wholeheartedly 100%? So we all have things we agree and disagree (with). Both sides of the fence. But overall, the policies and the things that I feel line up with him,” she said of Trump. Behind Stephenson and her fiance in line were Brian Bliss and his wife, Lori Bliss, of Ross Township in the North Hills suburb of Pittsburgh. When asked if they had hopes of winning the million-dollar reward Musk was giving away at the event, they had no idea that was a thing. “I never even heard that,” said Brian Bliss, his wife nodding in agreement. “We are just interested in hearing Musk speak.” Last week, Musk, for the second event in a row, gave away a million dollars to a Pennsylvanian, something he has pledged to do every day until Nov. 5. The money is awarded to registered voters in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Arizona, Michigan, Wisconsin and North Carolina who have signed the America PAC petition supporting the Constitution. The choice of venue for Musk’s Pennsylvania visit was meaningful for those in the area because place matters, particularly a place such as the Roxian, which has sat neglected for decades, unused—yet looking to be useful again and a part of something bigger than self. These sentiments are common in areas outside of the super wealthy and powerful ZIP codes of New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and Silicon Valley. The Roxian was off a step when it was built as an elaborate vaudeville venue in 1929 because, even then, the comical genre was already fading in popularity as movies began to replace live shows. So it became a movie theater and lasted as long as the prosperity of McKees Rocks did before closing in 1979 when much of the middle-class population fled to the suburbs. The venue then had a couple of other lives as a banquet hall before closing and sitting shuttered for nearly 20 years. Just a couple of years ago, thanks to a developer, it came back to life as a venue for live music and comedians with the goal of bringing new life to “the Rocks,” a local nickname for the town that hugs the Ohio River. On Oct. 20, there was plenty of life as thousands of young and not-so-young people clamored to see Musk live onstage. The CEO talked about the importance of preserving the First and Second amendments, exercising the right to vote, and striving for a purpose-filled life and innovation. Musk, standing with a Terrible Towel (a Pittsburgh Steeler tradition) slung over his shoulder after waving it when he took the stage, addressed the matter of indifference toward politics among people who feel unheard and without representation in Washington. “We have an issue of apathy,” he said. “Some people think their vote doesn’t count, and for whatever reason, they have not registered to vote. It’s important to get out there and explain the importance of this election and how democracy is on the line.” Musk, the innovative and entrepreneurial owner of companies such as Tesla and SpaceX, whose Starship rocket just made history recently when the lower half of it was captured by a giant pair of mechanical arms on its return to the launchpad, began a swing across Pennsylvania earlier this month. The itinerary included stops in Folsom, suburban Philadelphia, Harrisburg and western Pennsylvania. Each in-person event was held in small venues, drew thousands and required attendees to register to vote and sign to pledge their support for the First and Second amendments. Oct. 21 was the last day to register to vote in Pennsylvania and also the last day to sign up for the petition. The event was sponsored by Musk’s America PAC and focused on getting people to register to vote and then to actually cast ballots. The events were also livestreamed on X, clocking in millions of views. Most of the people heading into the event, such as the Bliss family, weren’t even aware of the million-dollar sweepstakes. Kristine Fishell was Oct. 20’s winner. She smiled broadly at the announcement, raised the check over her head when she took the stage, and thanked Musk profusely. “Thank you so much. I truly believe in everything you’re doing. You don’t need to be doing it,” Fishell told him. For anyone from around western Pennsylvania, to see the main thoroughfare of McKees Rocks’ business district bustling on a Sunday or any given day was a sight to behold. Similar to so many river towns in this region, such as Braddock, Aliquippa, Duquesne and Monessen, the town’s prosperity peaked from the turn of the 20th century on the backs of immigrants from Poland, Germany and Italy and lasted well past the end of World War II. It later declined rapidly, thanks to automation and other economic and policy changes. In the once-bustling social clubs that were deeply committed to making their town better, memberships started to die off, as did the adult softball teams often sponsored by local bars and restaurants. The churches emptied, then closed, and Chartiers Avenue saw business after business shut down as manufacturing declined, despair and crime grew, and people left for opportunity and stability. Borough President Archie Brinza told the local NBC affiliate, WPXI, this spring that, on the question of crime, “Twenty years ago when you asked the question, I would say I’m proud to be from McKees Rocks. A lot of people now would answer that differently.” Locals who watched the hundreds of people lined up to see Musk said they were thrilled to see their town viewed in a positive light. On Oct. 18, Musk hit on a very important point for voters in Harrisburg who have found their skills and purpose outside the world of college campuses and have found their way working with their hands and intellect. “I think the value of a college education is somewhat overweighted,” he said. “Too many people spend four years, accumulate a ton of debt, and often don’t have useful skills that they can apply afterward. I have a lot of respect for people who work with their hands, and we need electricians and plumbers and carpenters, and that’s a lot more important than having incremental political science majors. I think we should not have this idea that in order to be successful, you need a four-year college degree.” “You cannot run a business like Tesla or SpaceX without the best plumbers, HVAC workers, carpenters, and welders to make your business work. It shows that he sees us and values us by calling out our skills by name,” said one woman, whose son is a welder in the energy industry, as she left the event. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post In a Struggling Town, Musk Discusses ‘Purpose’ appeared first on The Daily Signal.

It is possible that former President Donald Trump has peaked too soon. The momentum in the race feels like it has moved in his direction, but we should never underestimate the Republicans’ ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. However, it does not really seem so much that Trump is increasing in the polls so much as Vice President Kamala Harris is fading. From the very beginning, Democrats made a bold miscalculation that could cost them everything.  These days, in a 50-50 divided nation, both parties want to claim some sort of mandate. Democrats made the calculated decision that they did not have to moderate. Presuming enough people hated Trump that they could have their cake and eat it, too, neither President Joe Biden nor Harris ratcheted down their rhetoric or positions.  Both Harris and Biden decided to go for abortion until birth. They never have supported restrictions and refused repeatedly to say if they would support something less than abortion until the child passes out of the womb. Not only that, Harris has even rejected the idea of religious exceptions to providing abortions. Just the other day, she told NBC News that because abortion, which is not in the Constitution, was a “fundamental right,” she would not even consider religious exceptions, which is a fundamental right in the Constitution.  Harris has not walked back providing taxpayer dollars to cover the gender transitions of prisoners. She has not walked back her support for boys in girls’ sports. Even on fracking, Harris has offered a mixed bag of positions while assuring environmentalists they could trust her.  Every opportunity Harris had to moderate a position and calm the nerves of those hesitant to vote for her, she has taken a “you will vote for me and like it” approach. It is arrogant and could be costly.  More baffling are the cheap dates from the GOP who allied with Harris because they hate Trump. They could have pushed Harris to restrain herself and moderate core positions for their votes. But prostitutes have more restraint and hesitancy to get in bed with someone than the Republican Harris supporters. She did not have to offer restraints on abortion, transgender issues, economic issues, foreign policy issues, or any other issues. She and her team could go left, stay left, and these Republicans have not just justified voting for her, but have tried to bully and shame others into voting for her. Given the opportunity to use their influence to pull Harris to the center, they gave it all up because “Orange Man Bad.” When this election is over and when the GOP moves on from Trump, there will be no place in the party for those who were such cheap dates for Harris. They will have no voice, no credibility, no seat at the table and no hearing on what the future of the GOP will be. They could have just declared their antipathy for both candidates and sat it out as others did. Instead, they went all in without even a half-hearted effort to get Harris to move to the center.  In the end and of great irony, Harris—unburdened by what had been long-held centrist Democrat positions—let Trump move to the center. Trump has rejected nationwide abortion restrictions. Trump has signaled opposition to boys in girls’ sports, but also signaled a child who has parental consent should be able to transition. Trump has signaled an embrace of long-held Democrat positions on economics, including tariffs and unions.  Harris abruptly started her campaign when Biden ended his. She had limited time to separate herself. She started with joy and has ended with fear. But for a candidate who claims Trump is a threat to democracy, she never showed Trump-weary voters skeptical of her that she was not a threat to them, their values, and their pocketbook. She could have moderated. She decided she did not have to. That may cost her everything.  If the Democrats really, truly believed Trump was the threat they claim he is, they would have compromised and moderated instead of going for broke. Now, Trump is on the verge of breaking them.  COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM  We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post Harris’ Bold Miscalculation  appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Looking for a homestead farm design to get more out of your land? You'll be glad you found me today because I've gathered 15 homestead farm design ideas to help you out! 15 Homestead Farm Ideas To Inspire You Whether you're starting from scratch or want to improve your current homestead's setting, having the perfect homestead farm design will help you maximize your land's fullest potential. Check out these layouts and stir up some wonderful ideas to help you in your homestead.   1. The Basic Farm Design | This basic farm design is intended to give you an idea of what your property is capable of, and how you can get it started. So this layout is a visualization of what a traditional homestead farm generally looks like. However, you may need to have a bigger land area to make this work. But, if you are working with a smaller plot of land, don't worry, because you can try to duplicate this on a smaller scale.   2. The Complete Layout | The creator of this complete layout considered all the essentials for a homestead farm. The layout reveals to you what exactly is required for becoming self-sufficient and earning a profit at the same time. In addition, they've considered how you could make the most of your home while raising lots of meat and eggs to support your family. I find this design one of the most comprehensive and pleasing to look at.   3. The Bigger Farm Design | If you have a bigger farm, more than a few acres of land, then you might find this bigger farm layout to be perfect. It integrates all of the common farm buildings. Plus, it has a lot of room to grow your own food and raise your own meat. So if you have the luxury of a bigger farm, consider using it to the fullest of its ability.   4. The Homestead Design image via ohhshop This homestead design has it all covered, from functionality and style. It has a solar panel, office area, and plenty of areas to grow food whatever the season is.  So if you are looking for a well-organized and a functional layout, this could be the design you're looking for, as you can also easily alter it to fit the size of your land.   5. The Unique Homestead Design image via doverpublications If you're daring to be different but don't want to sacrifice functionality, then this unique homestead design is something you can follow. It has all the necessary things needed for homestead living and a couple of extras, such as the root cellar.   6. The Permaculture Layout image via realeyeshomestead If you are keen on details and well-organized design, your search ends with this permaculture layout. It provides specifics from embellishments to functionality. Take a look at the garden of this design, you have a couple of plants for food and a couple fruit trees to sustain, which I found very manageable.   7. The Designer Micro Layout image via milkwood If you want your homestead to be not just functional but also beautiful, well, I would say we're exactly the same. And I don't see any reason not to have both if we could have it. This designer micro layout consists of both raising livestock and growing your food and also provides specifics to where you can grow your ornamental plants. A must see layout!   “There are so many kinds of beauty and I try to relish any form of it whenever I can. But there is none like the living, breathing, ever changing beauty of this earth. Spring is here! Throw open the windows! It's time for mud and seedlings, it's time for sunscreen and working in the soil. I can't imagine a life under flourescent hums, drinking bottled water in my cubicle. I'm grateful for the long road I had to navigate to get here, because now…I'm here.” – @orphans_cookbook | We want to share your #HappyHomesteading stories, so go ahead and use the hashtag for a chance to get featured! A post shared by Homesteading (@homesteadingusa) on Mar 15, 2017 at 3:02am PDT   8. The All-Inclusive Design image via milkwood If you want to be completely self-sufficient, you'd better check out this all-inclusive design. It has all the necessary details for the arrangement of your garden and nice amenities for day-to-day living. It also has a layout for your homestead water system. This design is a seamless way to help you become self-sufficient. And even better, this design includes a scaled version for smaller land areas.   9. The Homestead Flock Layout image via milkwood This homestead flock layout is another design meant to be beautiful and functional. If you have trouble growing your plants, a nice raised kitchen bed is featured in this design and I'm totally loving it. If you also want to raise chickens, this design surely fits the bill. It suits a small homestead neatly and efficiently. This way your home is not only beautiful but a bit more self-sufficient.   10. The Tiny Backyard Layout image via weedemandreap If you are situated in the suburbs and have a piece of land you want to use for self-sufficiency, then, this tiny backyard layout will help you out. It provides information on how to raise chickens and how to grow your own herbs and vegetables in a tiny space.   11. The ¼ Acre Layout image via weedemandreap If you don't know how to make your 1/4 acre land functional, you'd better check out this layout. It provides an idea how to grow your own food, and space to raise goats and chickens.   12. The 1-Acre Layout image via motherearthnews Turn your 1-acre land into a fully functional homestead with this 1-acre layout. This Mother Earth News post will make you appreciate how you could start farming in the small land area. You've better check out this layout to fully understand how you can divide your land to become self-sufficient.   13. The Urban Homestead Design image via urbanharvestgso This design is for urban homesteader. It has lots of ideas that you can put into consideration when creating the layout for your homestead. For example, you need to consider what plants your planning to grow. However, you also consider a place for enjoyment and relaxation in your homestead.   14. The 2-Acre Layout | I found this 2-acre layout completely detailed when it comes to becoming a self-sustainable homestead in just a 2 acres of land. You can even adapt this if you have more or less space to obtain its full potential.   15. The Food Garden Layout | This may not be a full homestead farm layout, but I just felt the urge to include it in this list. I'm a homesteader and I definitely love gardening. Gardening is one of the key elements in a successful homestead. This food garden layout will help you in the arrangement of your plants to make achieve your homestead full potential. So, in my humble opinion, it worth checking it out too.   Want to see a homestead layout on 11 acres? Check out this video from OFF GRID with DOUG and Stacy: These are all I've got for you now, my fellow homesteaders! Yes, homesteading requires lots of work but all of it is absolutely rewarding. I hope this list provided you that needed inspiration and the exact help you need in getting started with your homestead farm layout. Did you find this list helpful and interesting? Let us know in the comments below. Want to learn how you can grow your food in your own backyard? Check out helpful tips on how to grow all the food you need in your backyard and start growing your own food today! Follow us on facebook, instagram, pinterest, and twitter!   Featured Image Via Urban Homestead

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Poor abolitionists, they had no idea what they were trying to fight.

Scientists are investigating what kind of greenhouse effect would be necessary on Mars to raise its frigid climate enough to support tree growth, reports Space.com. A new study outlines how much carbon dioxide (CO2) would need to accumulate on the Red Planet to create an environment where trees and other plants could thrive. The research, led by Professor Robert Olszewski of the Warsaw University of Technology in Poland, examines the balance of surface energy on Mars. This includes processes such as CO2 condensation and evaporation, heat exchange with the planet’s interior, and atmospheric circulation. “Interestingly, the first areas to reach suitable conditions for plant life may not be the tropics (±25°), but rather the Hellas plain,” the study’s authors note. “As the greenhouse effect intensifies, this region expands further into the southern hemisphere.” Using a computer model based on actual Mars data, Olszewski and his team calculated the ideal levels of CO2, oxygen, water, and temperature ranges necessary for tree growth. “Today’s Martian atmosphere is hostile to life, so we examined the requirements for tree growth in the context of both planet-wide terraforming and greenhouse environments,” Olszewski explains. Temperature, he emphasized, is critical, as it controls the CO2 cycle and maintains water in a liquid state. Oxygen levels in a denser, warmer atmosphere also remain a significant challenge. Ultimately, the scientists concluded that the most promising conditions for a Martian forest would be in the southern hemisphere, where summers are warmer and longer. “A long, warm summer could provide the first viable growing season,” the researchers conclude. “The low altitude of the Hellas Plain, in particular, could create the earliest favorable conditions for tree growth.” The post Scientists Figure Out How to Grow Trees on the Red Planet appeared first on Anomalien.com.

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) has appealed to Big Tech companies to prioritize free speech ahead of the 2024 election. In response to Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and a group of seven Democrat lawmakers writing to tech companies to insist on increased online censorship in the lead up to the election, Schmitt sent a letter of his own. His Oct. 24 letter to the leading executives of Google, TikTok, Meta, Microsoft, X, Instagram, YouTube and Snap expressed concern “that Representative Schiff and his colleagues may be attempting to pressure your company to suppress speech on your platforms ahead of the 2024 presidential election.” But Schmitt urged the Big Tech executives instead to “recognize[] the importance of Free Speech and the ability of Americans to speak their mind in the modern public square of social media platforms.” Schmitt asked that all the companies “resist any pressure from elected officials or Executive Branch officials to engage in viewpoint censorship ahead of the 2024 presidential election.” He noted further: “Fortunately, the First Amendment’s codification of our right to Free Speech prevents politicians from directly making use of government power to censor their opponents.”  But, as Schmitt exposed in the Murthy v. Missouri lawsuit he filed when he was attorney general in Missouri, Democrats, “including at the highest levels of the federal government, have attempted to pressure” Big Tech into censoring free speech they disagreed with. The senator cited several recent shocking examples of the left calling for censorship online. These included former climate envoy John Kerry complaining that the First Amendment was a “major block” to “hammer[ing] [disinformation] out of existence” at a September World Economic Forum event. And Democrat vice presidential nominee Tim Walz falsely asserted on MSNBC that there’s “no guarantee to free speech on misinformation or hate speech.” Walz later defended censorship using a debunked legal standard during the CBS vice presidential debate. Schmitt also mentioned how Murthy exposed the Biden-Harris administration’s collusion with Big Tech to censor COVID-19-related speech, even “humor and satire.” MRC’s unique CensorTrack database includes many examples, such as Facebook and Instagram deplatformingand unpublishing Covid vaccine-critical Children’s Health Defense in 2022. Facebook also censored satire site The Babylon Bee in 2021 for mocking Covid masking policies.  Schmitt ended the letter with a series of questions about whether Big Tech companies had received pressure from multiple government entities (besides Schiff) to censor, if a list of such requests has been kept, and if the companies have already or intend to respond, how they did or will do so. Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on “hate speech” and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using CensorTrack’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.

Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire said the team will address the situation with their kicker internally after the athlete showed his support for presidential candidate Donald Trump on the field during a game.While down by 11 points to TCU last Saturday, Texas Tech's kicker Reese Burkhardt took a fake field goal to the end zone for a five-yard touchdown run.The fifth-year senior celebrated his touchdown by pulling up his jersey to reveal a white shirt with "Trump '24 MAGA" written on it.Coach McGuire, who noted he wasn't aware of what Burkhardt's shirt said until after the game, spoke to media at a press conference and addressed the situation."We have addressed it. We will continue to address it. We're addressing internally," McGuire said, according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal.'I don't think necessarily that's a time or the place.'"It's always one of [the] things as far as whenever you're dealing with young adults, the really young adults, I guess, the choices that we make and when we make them and when you share it."McGuire alluded to the fact he didn't think it was a fair decision for the kicker to make a political statement on the field, telling reporters that being in a team sport means players need to make sure they're "putting [their] team in the best situation."The coach continued, "I always think the greatest thing about football, basketball, sports like that, it's a team sport. ... And there's places that you express your opinion and, you know, I don't think necessarily that's a time or the place.""As far as with [Burkhardt], we're going to deal with it. Dealt with it on Saturday and continue to talk through stuff and find the best solution and keep it in house," he added. Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuirePhoto by John E. Moore III/Getty ImagesThe same weekend, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa showed his own message of support for Trump on the field, albeit after the game.While three of Bosa's teammates were participating in a postgame interview, Bosa appeared behind the group wearing a white hat with "Make America Great Again" written in gold letters.When asked about his political statement, Bosa later said, "I'm not gonna talk too much about it, but I think it's an important time."Texas Tech's McGuire was reportedly asked on who he plans on voting for in the federal election but declined to reveal his choice."I do encourage everybody to vote," McGuire said instead.Burkhardt did not respond to Blaze News' request for comment.Texas Tech's next game is November 2 against Iowa State.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

CBS News may have acted out of loyalty to Vice President Kamala Harris when it edited her “60 Minutes” interview to make her sound more presidential and less chaotic — but it didn’t let her get away with it so easily in a recent interview with anchor Norah O’Donnell. “So you do support restrictions after viability?” O’Donnell asked the Vice President. “I support Roe v. Wade being put back into law by Congress and to restore the fundamental right of women to make decisions about their own body. It is that basic,” Kamala responded. “But you know, with Roe v. Wade, there were restrictions after viability,” O’Donnell shot back. Kamala went on to pin it on Donald Trump, telling O’Donnell that “women have died because of Trump’s abortion ban” and that “women who have survived rape and incest” are not allowed to make decisions about their body. “We have seen women who are experiencing a miscarriage around a pregnancy they prayed for and being denied health care because doctors are afraid they’re going to go to prison,” she continued. “And when you argue that Donald Trump, if elected, would put forward a national abortion ban,” O’Donnell began her response before being cut off by Kamala, who interjected with “just read Project 2025.” “The former president said that’s not true,” O’Donnell continued, before Kamala started meandering on about how we shouldn’t be taking Trump’s word for it. Pat Gray of “Pat Gray Unleashed” can’t hear anymore of it. “Are we really taking your word for anything after you flip-flopped on every single issue from 2020 until now?” Gray says. “You flipped on fracking, you flipped on confiscating guns supposedly, we’re supposed to take your word for that? Eliminating private health insurance, now you don’t want to do that? Decriminalizing border crossings, federal job guarantees.” “She has flipped on everything, and we’re supposed to take her word that now she feels completely different,” he adds, annoyed. Want more from Pat Gray?To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.