Harsh criticism was leveled at CNN’s Dana Bash after her interview with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris aired Thursday night, with critics slamming Bash’s “softball questions” and her attempts to provide answers for Harris within her questions. Before the interview aired, CNN hosts tried to promote the interview as if Harris would be asked tough questions; CNN host Richard Quest declared, “Vice President Harris is in the hot seat on a bus tour in Georgia. She’s sitting down with our own Dana Bash alongside her running mate, Governor Tim Walz, in what’s the first exclusive interview with the Democratic Party presidential team since the historic switch from President Biden.” CNN correspondent Eva McKend gushed, “This is a real test now, how she can do when pressed on certain issues.” But it was anything but that, as Bash asked questions such as the following, in which she offered Harris possible answers to the very questions being asked: Generally speaking, how should voters look at some of the changes that you’ve made — that you explained some of here — in your policy? Is it because you have more experience now and you’ve learned more about the information? Is it because you’re running for president in a Democratic primary? Or  questions such as these: I just have to ask you both about two standout moments, aside of course from the addresses that you both gave, but standout moments that were perhaps unexpected during the convention. You mentioned one of them, governor, a moment that you shared, that the world shared with your son, Gus. You were speaking. The camera caught him so incredibly proud of you, so emotional, saying, “That’s my dad.” To Harris: The photograph that has gone viral. You were speaking. One of your grand-nieces that you were just talking about was watching you accept the nomination. You didn’t explicitly talk about gender or race in your speech. But it obviously means a lot to a lot of people. And that viral picture really says it. What does it mean to you? Bash asked Harris about her changing her position on banning fracking and Harris spoke about her “values,” saying, “My values have not changed.” Bash asked Harris, “You insisted that President Biden is extraordinarily strong. Given where we are now, do you have any regrets about what you told the American people?” “No, not at all. Not at all, “Harris answered, before continuing, “He is so smart and — and loyal to the American people. And I have spent hours upon hours with him, be it in the Oval Office or the Situation Room. He has the intelligence, the commitment, and the judgment and disposition that I think the American people rightly deserve in their president.” Yet Bash wouldn’t follow up with the obvious question: Then why did you replace him? These are softball questions and she's still finding a way to word salad them. — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 30, 2024 Dana Bash's lack of follow-up to virtually any difficult question was egregious tonight. A full-scale betrayal of her supposed journalistic profession. A half-dozen easy follow-ups would have totally fried Kamala's circuits. Bash knew it, which is why she didn't do it. — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) August 30, 2024 Not a single Q on the Emotional Support Governor’s RADICAL trans policies. — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) August 30, 2024 No Qs on the Emotional Support Governor abandoning his unit as they deployed to Iraq, or to his false claims of holding a rank he did not earn, over and over and over again for 20 years including to this day — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) August 30, 2024 The exchange on the border! The LIES she was allowed to offer, unchallenged. Breathtaking. — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) August 30, 2024 A competent journalist would ask any of 15 tough follow-up questions. Instead, we had the propagandist @DanaBashCNN https://t.co/OGhbpvp03v — Mollie (@MZHemingway) August 30, 2024 How was there not a single question on Ukraine, China, or the cartels — Emma-Jo Morris (@EmmaJoNYC) August 30, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris lied on Thursday during her first interview as the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee about her past remarks on her support for banning fracking. Harris made the false claim during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash when asked about her support for the multi-trillion dollar Green New Deal and her pledge in 2019 when she said: “There is no question I’m in favor of banning fracking.” When asked if she still supported banning fracking, Harris responded: “No, and I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020, that I would not ban fracking. As vice president, I did not ban fracking. As president, I will not ban fracking.” Tickets for “Am I Racist?” are on sale NOW! Buy here for a theater near you. Bash highlighted Harris’s 2019 remarks about her unequivocal support for a ban on fracking, to which Harris responded: “In 2020 I made very clear where I stand. We are in 2024, and I have not changed that position, nor will I going forward. I kept my word, and I will keep my word.” When asked why she changed her view, Harris said to be “clear” that her “values have not changed.” However, Harris lied about what she said on the debate stage in 2020. Harris dropped out of the 2020 presidential race in late 2019 — before any of the voting in the primary started — after failing to get any traction among voters. After then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden picked her as his running mate, she appeared in one vice presidential debate against Mike Pence in October 2020. During that debate, Harris never stated that she would not ban fracking; she said that Biden would not ban fracking. “Joe Biden will not end fracking,” Harris said. “He has been very clear about that.” WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI Several minutes later, Harris said: “Alright, so first of all, I will repeat, and the American people know, that Joe Biden will not ban fracking. That is a fact.” WATCH: 2024 Kamala on if she would ban fracking: “No and I made that clear on the debate stage in 2020.” 2019 Kamala: “There’s no question that I’m in favor of banning fracking.” 2020 Kamala on the debate stage: “Joe Biden will not ban fracking. That is a fact.” pic.twitter.com/SapEoflUht — Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) August 30, 2024

Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis’ office dismissed warnings of a violent gang taking over apartment buildings in Aurora, Colorado, telling The New York Post that the “purported invasion is largely a feature of [Aurora City Councilwoman] Danielle Jurinsky’s imagination.” Jurinsky sounded the alarm earlier this week on Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, claiming the group was taking control of apartment complexes in Aurora, a suburb of Denver. Fox News reported video footage on Thursday showing armed men walking through an Aurora apartment building and entering an apartment after knocking on the door with guns drawn. “The Governor has already let the Mayor know that the State is ready to support the local police department with assistance from state troopers and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation if needed,” a spokeswoman for Polis told the Post. “But, according to police intelligence this purported invasion is largely a feature of Danielle Jurinsky’s imagination.” Tickets for “Am I Racist?” are on sale NOW! Buy here for a theater near you. The spokeswoman added that “it’s illegal to take over buildings in Colorado” and said that if Jurinsky has “knowledge” of such crimes taking place, Polis’ office is “ready to assist” police “in taking [the apartment buildings] back.” She then cited statistics showing that “violent crime dropped in Aurora between 2022 and 2023.” As Polis’ office downplays concerns about the alleged gang takeover of Aurora apartments, Aurora Republican Mayor Mike Coffman told Fox News on Thursday that Venezuelan gangs are controlling at least two apartment buildings in the city. “This is an organized criminal effort. Whether it’s trend, a drug war, that remains to be seen,” he said. “Somebody put them there and somebody funded it, whether it’s federal government or not, we’re trying to find out who, these gangs apparently, or attracted to where there’s a concentration of, of, Venezuelan migrants. And so, they’ve, in fact, have kind of pushed out the property management through intimidation and then, collected the rents,” the mayor added. NEW VIDEO armed group at troubled #aurora #colorado apartment complex now home to many migrants. Councilmember @DaniJurinsky says gangs have taken over the complex @KDVR @AuroraPD pic.twitter.com/J1uie8Y2M6 — Vicente Arenas (@vicentearenastv) August 28, 2024 A resident at one Aurora apartment complex also backed up Jurinsky’s claims, telling Fox News, “This is organized. They patrol the property with guns visibly, like they’re not trying to hide them. There’s no repercussion. These are ghosts.” The resident, who reportedly moved out on Wednesday due to the gang activity, added that gang members are dealing drugs in the building. WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI Coffman blamed federal immigration policy and Denver’s sanctuary city policies for the increased presence of migrant gangs in Aurora. “You’ve had these massive waves of migrants coming across the border that many of them crossed the border illegally, were arrested, asked for political asylum, were not adequately vetted, were released into the country, [into] the city of Aurora,” he said. “We did everything we could to, quite frankly, keep them … out of the city because it’s not our problem. This is a federal problem.”

A four-term Democrat Texas state representative who broke with her party and sided with the GOP on bills such as one banning gender-transitioning surgeries for minors and another designed to remove sexually explicit books from school libraries has announced she will join the Republican Party. Houston Democrat Shawn Thierry, who lost her seat in a May runoff, announced her decision on Friday. “As a woman, a mother, and a lawmaker, I have dedicated my life to championing the values that fortify our families and uplift our communities. After much reflection, prayer, and soul-searching, I have come to a decision that aligns with my core values and the best interests of our beloved country,” she wrote on X. “For my entire adult life, I have voted as a Democrat. I was raised in a household with my amazing parents who believed the Democratic Party was the party of the people—a beacon of justice and opportunity for all,” she recalled. “But as the years have passed, I have watched with dismay as the party I once knew has drifted far from its roots. It has become almost unrecognizable—radicalized and increasingly out of touch with the values that millions of everyday Americans hold dear. The Democratic Party has veered so far left, so deep into the progressive abyss, that it now champions policies that I cannot, in good conscience, support policies like promoting sex changes for children during a vulnerable stage of their lives, and dismantling Title IX protections for women in sports.” Tickets for “Am I Racist?” are on sale NOW! Buy here for a theater near you. “This is not the party I grew up with,” she continued. “I have witnessed firsthand how the so-called ‘liberal’ left now stifles thoughtful debate, silencing dissent with an iron fist—demanding blind allegiance to ideology, where one must ‘comply or be cast out.’ This is not the Democratic Party I once supported and represented.” “And so today, at such a time as thus, I am officially announcing that I am leaving the ranks and rancor of the Democratic Party elite. I now stand with the party of Lincoln, the party that fought to preserve our Union and fought to end the atrocities of slavery. In 2024, the Republican Party champions economic empowerment, by investing in Historically Black colleges and universities like the one I proudly graduated from. It’s the party of parents, believing that they have the fundamental right to determine the best educational environments for their children to learn, grow, and succeed. It is the party that fosters prosperity and entrepreneurial opportunities, enabling small business owners to not just survive, but to thrive, fulfilling the promise of the American dream. Mothers around our country from all backgrounds, races, and communities understand that it’s our sacred duty to preserve the innocence of our children, protect them from being sexualized, and sterilized. To respect universal truths, and to uphold the rights of biological women as defined by science, nature, and common sense. I am leaving the left because the left has abandoned Democrats who feel betrayed by a party that has lost its way, lost its commitment to hard working families.” “I know that by making this choice, my choice, I will face relentless attacks, criticism, and mischaracterization,” she wrote. “But I will complete my faith walk. Scripture reminds us in Job 13, ‘Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.’ And so, I trust that God will guide me and cover me as I step into this new chapter of my life. It is time to shift our consciousness from the distractions of personalities to the substance of real policies. I will not be alone; I will be with millions of courageous women and men of good conscience, who are willing to place people over political ideology. So, I will continue to be a change maker and a champion for children. Censured, but not silenced, I will use my voice to amplify the voices of women everywhere —women who are willing to make waves across America. Together, we can nurture and protect our children by creating a safer, brighter future for them. Together, we can restore the spirit, security, and soul of America.” A thread ? 1/ of x As a woman, a mother, and a lawmaker, I have dedicated my life to championing the values that fortify our families and uplift our communities. After much reflection, prayer, and soul-searching, I have come to a decision that aligns with my core values and the… pic.twitter.com/jyBC82lLfn — Shawn Thierry (@ShawnieT146) August 30, 2024 In May of last year, Thierry explained why she favored banning minors from receiving transgender medical procedures after the Texas House advanced a bill that would prohibit the practice. She said in a statement that she voted to ban minors from receiving “GnRH-analogs, (i.e. ‘puberty blockers’), cross sex hormones, and to undergo irreversible surgeries when experiencing gender dysphoria” after speaking with constituents and “reviewing the scientific data in this country and around the globe.” WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘AM I RACIST?’ — A MATT WALSH COMEDY ON DEI “I am assured that this position is rooted in sound policy which supports the health, development, and overall well-being of minors,” she said. Ryan Saavedra contributed to this article. RELATED: Texas Democrat Lawmaker Cites Science To Support Banning Minors From Trans Medical Procedures

Following a fiercely contested election in Venezuela on July 28, 2024, President Nicolás Maduro has launched a widespread crackdown on political opponents, sparking fear and silence among the populace. Maduro, who claimed victory by more than one million votes, has been accused of outright election theft by the main opposition coalition, Vente Venezuela. They contend that their candidate, Edmundo González, actually won by a significant margin, a claim supported by data from a majority of polling stations that have not been officially recognized by Maduro's government. The aftermath of the election has been marked by violent repression as Maduro's regime seeks to stifle dissent. Protests erupted immediately after the election results were announced, with demonstrators taking to the streets in cities across the country, including the capital, Caracas. These protests were met with brutal force. https://x.com/freedomhouse/status/1827394196832985187 Security forces arrested more than 2,000 people, including over 100 children, many of whom were charged with terrorism. Human rights groups have reported that at least 24 civilians and one soldier have been killed in the violence that ensued​. In a particularly harrowing case, María Oropeza, an opposition activist, was detained by military counter-intelligence agents. She has since been held at the notorious El Helicoide detention center, known for its inhumane conditions and use of torture. Oropeza's arrest is just one of many targeting key figures in the opposition, including González and María Corina Machado, both of whom have gone into hiding. https://x.com/TrueTheVote/status/1829241018685804772 The international community has condemned these actions, with the U.S. State Department and various human rights organizations demanding the release of those detained and calling for the Venezuelan government to respect the will of the people. Despite this outcry, Maduro's government has refused to provide transparency or release official election tally sheets, further fueling the controversy. The Venezuelan Supreme Court, loyal to Maduro, has dismissed claims of election fraud, even as one of the country's top election officials, Juan Carlos Delpino, publicly questioned the legitimacy of the results. Delpino, now in hiding, expressed shame over the failure of the electoral system to uphold democracy​. The situation has only exacerbated the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Venezuela, where millions have already fled due to economic collapse and widespread food and medicine shortages. The number of Venezuelans planning to leave the country is expected to increase significantly in the coming months as political repression intensifies. Maduro’s actions have not only silenced opposition within Venezuela but have also drawn sharp criticism from abroad. The European Union, the United States, and several Latin American countries have rejected the election's outcome, calling for new, transparent elections. However, with Maduro's firm grip on power and the judiciary backing his claims, the prospects for a peaceful resolution remain bleak​. The post Maduro’s Brutal Crackdown Silences Venezuela After Disputed Election appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

Yelp has launched a significant legal battle against Google, accusing the tech giant of monopolistic practices that it claims stifle competition in the local search market. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California, alleges that Google has exploited its dominant position in general search to unfairly promote its own local search services, thereby harming competitors like Yelp. This legal action follows a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta, which found that Google had illegally maintained its monopoly in the search engine market. Yelp's complaint builds on this decision, asserting that Google’s practices have not only hurt competitors but have also limited consumer choice by prioritizing Google's services in search results. https://x.com/Yelp/status/1828901826265051230 Yelp’s lawsuit highlights several key allegations against Google. The company accuses Google of "self-preferencing," which involves promoting its own local search results over those of competitors, regardless of quality. Yelp contends that Google's local listings are often shorter, prone to errors, and lack the quality control found in specialized services like Yelp. This, Yelp argues, forces businesses to pay Google for visibility, thereby driving up costs and reducing the ability of competitors to achieve scale​. The lawsuit also points to Google's extensive use of exclusive contracts, particularly with key players in the mobile ecosystem like Apple, as a method to entrench its dominance. According to the complaint, these deals ensure that Google remains the default search engine for millions of users, further marginalizing rivals. Yelp alleges that this practice, combined with Google's control over search advertising, has allowed the company to charge inflated prices to advertisers, thus squeezing out smaller competitors​. https://x.com/rustybrick/status/1829114523242127715 Yelp's CEO, Jeremy Stoppelman, has been a vocal critic of Google's practices for over a decade. The two companies have a long history of conflict, which began in 2009 when Yelp walked away from a potential acquisition by Google. In this latest lawsuit, Stoppelman described Google's actions as akin to being "both the judge and a competitor in the same Olympic event," underscoring the unfair advantage Google allegedly holds in the market. Google, on the other hand, has dismissed Yelp's claims as unfounded, labeling them as old grievances that have already been rejected by regulators, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). A Google spokesperson stated that the company plans to vigorously defend itself against the lawsuit, noting that similar claims have not held up in court. Google also plans to appeal parts of Judge Mehta’s ruling that Yelp references in its complaint. The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the tech industry, particularly for how search engines operate and the level of competition allowed in local search services. As the case unfolds, it will likely serve as a critical test of U.S. antitrust laws in the digital age, with the potential to reshape how consumers interact with online search platforms. The post Yelp Sues Google for Alleged Search Monopoly appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

In July, the popular brand Boar’s Head issued a recall on many of their products. At first, it was reported that 34 people had gotten sick across 13 states. There were also two fatalities. But now, this deli meat recall is expanding, and there are more reports of illness in additional states. As of now, 57 people across 18 states have been affected. All of them have been hospitalized, and six new deaths have been reported. This growing listeriosis outbreak is officially the worst the U.S. has seen since a cantaloupe recall in 2011. Thanks to an ongoing investigation, we are learning more about the cause of this deadly outbreak. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Safety Inspection Service, the company’s Virginia-based facility violated dozens of regulations. Upsetting details include the presence of black mold, mildew, cobwebs, and insects throughout the site. Darth Liu / Unsplash As a result, 7 million pounds of 71 products have been recalled. This means it’s all the more vital to stay up-to-date on everything that is included. A full list of these products can be found here and includes how to identify if any are in your kitchen. Label information with images can also be found here. Boar’s Head Deli Meat Recall Expands “Everyone should check their homes for any remaining recalled Boar’s Head products since they can have long a shelf-life,” the CDC says. “Look for ‘EST. 12612’ or ‘P-12612’ inside the USDA mark of inspection on the product labels. Some of the products have sell by dates into October 2024.” Thomas Park / Unsplash While widespread, this outbreak has yet to affect every state. Below, you’ll find a complete list of the states being affected by this ongoing recall. Full List of States Affected by Boar’s Head Deli Meat Recall Arizona Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Maryland Massachusetts Minnesota Missouri New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina Pennsylvania South Carolina Tennessee Virginia Wisconsin While Listeria isn’t always deadly, it can be particularly dangerous for those who are pregnant, over 65 years old, or have a weakened immune system. Still, even milder symptoms can be rough and are similar to food poisoning with diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. With this recall continuing to grow, it’s important to ensure these products are not in your home and that anyone who has eaten them keeps watch of their symptoms. Stay safe, everyone. You can find the source of this story’s featured image here! The post Check Your Fridge: Deli Meat Recall Still Causing Illness Nationwide appeared first on InspireMore.

Everyone loves a good spa day, apparently even the bears. A family in Southern California got to experience a rare sight the other day as a bear decided to use their yard as his own personal bear spa. This crafty bear noticed that this family had a hot tub on their deck and took matters into his own paws. Watch as this furry friend enjoys his very own bear spa day. Bear Hot Tub: The Content You Didn’t Know You Needed To See As summer slowly comes to a close and that autumn breeze begins to blow in, it is the perfect weather for a dip in the hot tub. ABC News shared a hilarious video of a bear making personal use of a family’s hot tub. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ABC News (@abcnews) In the clip, this clever bear meanders onto the family’s deck and begins poking around. Upon discovering the cover of the tub, the bear uses its nose to press the lid gently. It then slides its two front paws under the lid and uses them to begin pushing it up. Similar to a human, the bear stands on its hind legs and uses one of its front paws to hold up the lid until it is finally pushed over so that half of the hot tub is exposed. The bear must have assumed it was a bear hot tub because it wasted no time getting in. Our Furry Friend Takes A Soak Pexels Once the lid was off, this furry fiend climbed right in. The bear kept its front paws out of the water and propped against the cover of the hot tub. However, it wasted no time submerging the lower half of its body. You can see the bear stretch out over the cover with the upper half of its body as if saying, “Oh, yes, that feels nice.” Just a typical day at the spa. After a few moments, the bear seems to have relaxed enough and removed itself from the water. It stands on the folded cover for a few moments before scampering off. The internet is loving this bear hot tub moment. Hilarious comments are flying in left and right. @the.real.redhead commented: “This wasn’t his first time in that hot tub.” @claudia.falkenberg.773 commented: “so inteligent .” @viane_nursy commented: “Beary-nice dip in the water.” I am sure that from now on, this California family will be securing their hot tub lid more tightly. Either that, or they will be opening up this bear hot tub for all the bears in the county. The featured image source is here. The post Bear Confidently Treats Themself To A Spa Day On Family’s Deck appeared first on InspireMore.

IN FIRST INTERVIEW, KAMALA HAS NO REGRETS, OR ANSWERS... Harris Fails To Explain Flip-Flops, Says She Has No Regrets About Biden In First Interview (VIDEO) More than a month after becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee, Harris’ campaign finally agreed for her to sit for an interview with CNN accompanied by her running mate Gov. Tim Walz.

'Many 'green' subsidies are designed to reward political allies'