If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. At a recent Q&A with readers of The European Business Registry Association (EBRA Group), French President Emmanuel Macron sounded like a man exhausted by the open internet. “We are not necessarily aware of it,” he began, describing a Europe under siege from fake news online. The French president, flanked by reporters from the country’s biggest regional press group, outlined what could only be described as a national security doctrine for memes. He called it an “informational and cognitive war.” The plan, delivered between polite applause and nodding journalists, is a major expansion of France’s digital control architecture: fast-track censorship orders, new powers for state agencies, a legal war against “false accounts,” criminal liability for platforms, and a promise to ban social media for anyone under fifteen, enforced by the same age-checking system used for pornography. The speech was a kind of legislative fever dream, where misinformation, harassment, and child protection were all conflated into a single moral emergency requiring more state authority and faster judicial reflexes. Macron’s frustration was clear. He wants the ability to hit delete. France already has a government office for this, Viginum, an agency dedicated to tracking “foreign digital interference.” But according to Macron, the only thing it can currently do is “ask for the withdrawal of all this information when they are identified as interference.” That, he complained, is “extremely long, complicated, slow.” His solution is a “real system of platform responsibility.” Platforms should be treated like newspapers, liable for anything that slips through their servers. “If there was false information pushed into one of the EBRA Group’s titles,” Macron told the assembled journalists, “I would ask you to remove it or to vigilize it.” That last word, a Macronism worthy of its own ministry, roughly translates to “do more censorship, faster.” The president seems genuinely vexed that online speech is not easier to delete. He recounted the case of a viral post claiming that France had sent 1,000 legionnaires to Ukraine, a story he said “circulated and was seen millions of times.” His conclusion: the internet needs to be industrially managed, with “teams on a daily basis” fighting disinformation like a standing army. When Macron talks about online control, the vocabulary veers from bureaucratic to clinical. He praised prebunking, a tactic where the government “prepares the minds for this vigilance” by preemptively flagging narratives as false before they spread. In this world, the public is a population to be inoculated. “This is the battle that must be fought before the elections,” he said. “It is not normal to have these hidden armies.” The metaphor of war suits Macron. Fake accounts are combatants, misinformation is a weapon, and the French voter is a battlefield to be defended from thought contamination. His answer is “to ban them, because that’s the basis of everything.” Macron’s relationship with Silicon Valley has all the warmth of a tax audit. When he is not fighting “foreign powers,” he is fighting the Americans themselves, or at least their tech companies. “The big companies behind the US administration…want to continue to make the most money without any responsibility,” he said, accusing Washington of trying to “remove” the European Union’s new censorship law, the Digital Services Act. That law, which gives EU governments new tools to regulate online speech, has been too slow for Macron’s taste. He said some French cases have been “in front of the Commission for two years.” To fix that, he wants more national control, faster judicial takedowns, and tougher European enforcement. “We have to harden our law,” he said. The president’s solution to online chaos is to extend France’s “fake news” law, originally designed for election-related falsehoods, to everyday citizens. Victims of “false information” or “information that is an attempt to your dignity” could soon request a court order forcing removal within 48 hours. Macron’s own grievances made the proposal sound personal. “We are totally stripped of our rights,” he said, referring to online rumors about his wife. His conclusion: platforms “must have an editorial responsibility.” In other words, social networks should function like newspapers, except with billions of contributors and government-mandated content filters. Then came the family values portion of the show. Macron announced that France will “ban social media before the age of 15,” invoking the moral precedent of the old wine ban for minors. “Sixty years ago, we served wine to kids,” he said. “We have banned it.” The comparison, TikTok as Bordeaux, was vintage Macron: earnest, vaguely absurd, and wholly confident. The enforcement mechanism will be an age verification digital ID system. Platforms will be required to check user ages through “techniques that are completely re-de-stabilized,” a phrase that left even the translators blinking. It is worth noting that the law banning under-15s from social media already exists. It just has not been implemented yet. Macron’s plan, he explained, is to make sure this “digital majority” becomes real through national law and European backing. Macron closed by promising that France will introduce the necessary “law texts” in early 2026, along with a “series of European initiatives.” The idea, he said, is to be “better armed” before the next wave of online interference. It was an oddly militarized image for a policy about content moderation, but perhaps fitting. The president seems to see himself less as a politician than as commander of a vast information garrison, defending France’s cognitive borders against chaos, memes, and unruly teenagers with smartphones. The plan’s success depends on how far the French public is willing to go in trading digital freedom for digital hygiene. Macron calls it responsibility. His critics might call it paternalism with a dashboard. Either way, France is about to find out what happens when a liberal democracy decides to put the internet on probation. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post Macron’s Mission to Muzzle the Internet appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

Puppy adoption scams cost Americans over $3 million annually, with fraudsters targeting eager families through fake listings and emotional manipulation. We at DogingtonPost see heartbroken families who lost hundreds or thousands of dollars to these schemes. The good news is that most scams follow predictable patterns that you can spot before sending any money. What Red Flags Signal a Puppy Scam Prices That Don’t Match Reality Golden Retrievers typically cost $1,200 to $3,000 from reputable breeders, yet scammers list them for $300 to $600. According to the Better Business Bureau, puppy scams have shown concerning trends, with reports to BBB Scam Tracker decreasing by 21% in 2024. French Bulldogs that sell for $800 when the average breeder charges $2,500 should trigger immediate suspicion. Scammers know desperate buyers will jump at bargain prices without questions about why a healthy, purebred puppy costs less than veterinary bills for the first year. Montana leads the nation with 1.94 puppy scams per 100,000 residents (many involve unrealistic prices). California victims lost over $250,000 in 2021, with an average loss of $734 per person. Communication Patterns That Expose Fraudsters Legitimate breeders answer phone calls and schedule face-to-face meetings without hesitation. Scammers stick to text messages and emails because phone conversations reveal inconsistencies in their stories. The Federal Trade Commission reports that consumers lost $470 million to scams that started with text messages in 2024. Michigan victims averaged $1,097 losses per scam, often after weeks of text-only communication that built false trust. Real breeders want to interview potential adopters about their experience, home situation, and expectations. Scammers avoid these conversations because they can’t answer specific questions about the puppy’s parents, health history, or temperament. Meeting Restrictions That Protect Criminal Operations Honest breeders invite you to their facilities to meet the puppy’s parents and see conditions where the animals live. Scammers refuse in-person visits because the puppies don’t exist or come from puppy mills they want to hide. Puppy scams increased 165% from 2019 to 2021, with most cases that involved sellers who insisted on shipment of animals sight unseen. Texas victims lost an average of $913 each to scammers who claimed distance made meetings impossible. Legitimate operations welcome surprise visits and provide facility tours. Fraudsters suggest meetings in parking lots, claim the puppy stays with a relative, or insist on delivery through third parties. These tactics protect their anonymity while your money disappears forever. The next step involves verification methods that separate legitimate breeders from sophisticated scammers who have learned to mimic professional operations. How Do You Verify a Breeder’s Credibility Documentation That Proves Professional Standards The American Kennel Club maintains a marketplace with over 5,000 registered breeders who meet specific health testing requirements. Real breeders provide AKC registration papers, health clearances from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, and eye certification from the Canine Eye Registration Foundation. These documents include specific numbers you can verify online through official databases. Scammers show fake certificates or claim paperwork arrives later. Professional breeders also belong to their national breed clubs, which require members to follow ethical practices and health testing protocols. These memberships cost $50 to $200 annually and demonstrate long-term commitment to breed standards. Reference Networks That Expose Fraud Patterns Established breeders maintain relationships with veterinarians, previous customers, and other breeders that span years or decades. They provide contact information for three to five recent buyers without hesitation. When you call these references, ask specific questions about the puppy’s temperament, health issues in the first year, and breeder support after purchase. Legitimate operations also work with the same veterinary clinics for years and welcome calls to verify their reputation. Scammers either refuse references completely or provide fake contacts who give scripted responses. Professional breeders encourage you to visit dog shows where you can meet other owners of their puppies and see the quality of their programs firsthand. Health Records That Prevent Future Problems Quality breeders test dogs for genetic conditions specific to each breed before they produce litters. Hip dysplasia testing requires proper positioning and evaluation techniques, while genetic panels run $150 to $300 (expenses that puppy mill operators avoid). Request copies of health testing for both parents, with dates and official laboratory results. The tests should be recent, typically within two years for most certifications. Responsible breeders also provide vaccination records, deworming schedules, and veterinary examination reports for each puppy. They offer health guarantees that last two to five years and cover genetic defects, backed by contracts that require you to return the dog if serious hereditary problems develop. These guarantees protect your investment and demonstrate the breeder’s confidence in their animals’ health. Once you verify a breeder’s credentials, the next step involves secure payment methods and safe meeting practices that protect you from financial loss. How Do You Pay Safely for Your Puppy Payment Methods That Protect Your Money Credit cards and PayPal offer dispute resolution services that can recover your funds if the seller disappears or misrepresents the puppy. Wire transfers, Western Union, MoneyGram, and gift cards provide zero protection because these transactions cannot be reversed once completed. The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers specifically request these untraceable payment methods to avoid accountability. Legitimate breeders accept checks, credit cards, or secure payment platforms that create paper trails and buyer protections. Cash transactions work only during face-to-face meetings where you receive the puppy immediately. Never send cash through mail or delivery services, even if the seller claims urgency or offers discounts for immediate payment. Professional breeders understand that responsible buyers need time to arrange finances and will not pressure you into rushed payment decisions. Meeting Locations That Expose Legitimate Operations Visit the breeder’s facility to see where puppies live, meet their parents, and observe the cleanliness and space provided to the animals. Puppy mills and scammers refuse home visits because their operations violate animal welfare standards or the puppies do not exist. Parking lot meetings, delivery services, and third-party handoffs eliminate your ability to verify the animal’s conditions and the seller’s credibility. Public spaces like pet stores or veterinary clinics work for initial meetings but should lead to facility visits before final purchase. Reputable breeders welcome unannounced visits and provide tours that include kennels, play areas, and medical care facilities. The facility should smell clean, provide adequate space for each animal, and demonstrate proper socialization practices that prepare puppies for family life. Written Agreements That Prevent Future Disputes Health guarantees should cover genetic defects for two to five years and specify exactly which conditions qualify for refunds or replacements. The contract must include the breeder’s full contact information, facility address, and veterinary references that you can verify independently. Verbal promises disappear when problems develop, but written contracts provide legal recourse if the breeder fails to honor their commitments about the puppy’s health or temperament. Registration papers, vaccination records, and microchip information should transfer to your name at the time of purchase with clear documentation of the process. The agreement should also specify spay/neuter requirements, restrictions on future litters (if applicable), and return policies if you cannot keep the dog. Professional breeders provide these documents without additional fees and explain each requirement before you sign the contract. Once you bring your new puppy home, proper care becomes your responsibility. Final Thoughts Trust your instincts when any seller refuses phone calls, demands wire transfers, or blocks facility visits. These behaviors indicate puppy adoption scams that have cost Americans millions of dollars. Walk away immediately if prices seem too good for purebred dogs or if communication feels rushed and evasive. Professional breeders provide health guarantees, proper socialization, and support that protects your investment. These operations welcome questions, provide references, and maintain transparent practices that benefit both puppies and families. Shelter adoption offers another path to find your perfect companion, with twenty to thirty percent of shelter dogs being purebreds and adoption fees typically ranging from $100 to $300 (much lower than breeder costs). We at DogingtonPost support responsible dog ownership through education and awareness. Whether you choose a reputable breeder or shelter adoption, you must research and verify credentials to prevent heartbreak and financial loss. This approach connects you with a healthy, well-cared-for puppy while avoiding the devastating impact of puppy adoption scams.

If There's One Thing the Left Actually Works at, It's 'Ugly'

The price at the pump for a gallon of Regular is highest in states with Democrat governors and lowest in those led by Republicans, analysis of AAA statistics by CNSNews reveals. According to AAA's daily report published Tuesday, the national average cost of a gallon of gas on Monday was $2.998. Statewide averages varied greatly, ranging from $4.54 a gallon in California to a low of $2.40 in Oklahoma.  Four of the five states with the highest gas costs are run by Democrat governors. The lone exception, Nevada (#5), has a Republican governor, but Democrats control the legislature. What's more, seven of the ten states where pump prices are the highest are led by Democrats. When the District of Columbia, run by Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser, is added to the mix, eight of 11 have Democrat leaders.  Highest Average Gas Prices: California $4.54 – Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom Hawaii $4.45 – Democrat Gov. Joshua Green Washington $4.16 – Democrat Gov. Bob Ferguson Oregon $3.79 – Democrat Gov. Tina Kotek Nevada $3.71 – Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo – D House, D Senate Alaska $3.69 – Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy Arizona $3.30 – Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs Idaho $3.23 – Republican Gov. Brad Little Pennsylvania $3.22 – Democrat Gov. Josh Shapiro District of Columbia $3.20 – Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser Illinois $3.15 – Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzger Of the seven remaining states where the average cost is above $3.00 a gallon, five have Democrat governors. Vermont, one of the two states on the list with a Republican governor, has a legislature dominated by Democrats. New York $3.13 – Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul Vermont $3.12 – Republican Gov. Phil Scott (D Legislature, D Senate) Connecticut $3.08 – Democrat Gov. Ned Lamont Utah $3.06 – Republican Gov. Spencer Cox Massachusetts $3.03 – Democrat Gov. Maura Healey Maine $3.02 – Democrat Gov. Janet T. Mills New Jersey $3.01 – Democrat Gov. Phil Murphy Conversely, seven of the ten states where gas prices are lowest have Republican governors. And in two of the three states with Democrat governors (#8 Kentucky and #10 Wisconsin), Republicans control both the House and Senate.  Lowest Average Gas Prices: Oklahoma $2.40 – Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt Texas $2.55 – Republican Gov. Greg Abbott Arkansas $2.57 – Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Mississippi $2.58 – Republican Gov. Tate Reeves Louisiana $2.59 – Republican Gov. Jeff Landry Tennessee $2.60 – Republican Gov. Bill Lee Colorado $2.60 – Democrat Gov. Jared Polis Kentucky $2.60 – Democrat Gov. Andy Beshear (R House, R Senate) Iowa $2.65 – Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds Wisconsin $2.75 – Democrat Gov. Tony Evers (R House, R Senate) States with Republican governors also have the most affordable homes. As CNSNews has reported, a study by Realtor.com finds that all five of the least affordable states for housing have Democrat governors.  Meanwhile, four of the five most affordable states for housing have Republican governors. “If the battle is over affordability, you should be cleaning their clocks,” Host Mark Levin told Republicans in a recent episode of “Life, Liberty and Levin.”

The Trump administration’s Department of Transportation is taking significant steps to address issues within America’s trucking industry to improve road safety and national security.On Monday, DOT Secretary Sean Duffy announced that the department has revoked nearly 3,000 of the estimated 16,000 commercial driver’s license training providers listed in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Training Provider Registry. The TPR lists all training providers authorized to offer entry-level driver training for CDL students.'Under Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, bad actors were able to game the system and let unqualified drivers flood our roadways.'The impacted training providers were accused of “failing to equip trainees with the Trump administration’s standards of readiness,” a press release from the DOT revealed.Reasons for removal included “falsifying or manipulating training data”; “neglecting to meet required curriculum standards, facility conditions, or instructor qualifications”; and “failing to maintain accurate, complete documentation or refusing to provide records during federal audits or investigations.”The department issued warnings to another 4,500 training providers for potential non-compliance. Those entities have 30 days to respond and deliver evidence of compliance to avoid removal. The DOT noted that this action aims to crack down on unqualified truck drivers and “corrupt operators.”RELATED: Trump DOT hammers Gov. Shapiro, threatens to pull millions after state hands CDL to 'suspected terrorist' illegal alien trucker Photo by GEORGE FREY/AFP via Getty Images“If you are unwilling to follow the rules, you have no place training America’s commercial drivers. We will not tolerate negligence," said FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs.“This administration is cracking down on every link in the illegal trucking chain,” Duffy stated. “Under Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, bad actors were able to game the system and let unqualified drivers flood our roadways. Their negligence endangered every family on America’s roadways, and it ends today.”“Under President Trump, we are reigning [sic] in illegal and reckless practices that let poorly trained drivers get behind the wheel of semi-trucks and school buses,” Duffy added.Also on Monday, the DOT revealed that it found one-third of Minnesota’s non-domiciled CDLs were issued illegally. The department is giving the state 30 days to come into compliance and revoke illegally issued licenses. The DOT is prepared to withhold up to $30.4 million in federal highway funding if Minnesota fails to comply.RELATED: Exclusive: DOT withholds $40M from blue state for flouting English requirements for truckers Sean Duffy. Photographer: Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBarrs accused Minnesota of “openly and blatantly defying our rules.” “Under the Trump administration, states have two choices: Meet our standards or face the consequences. Following the law is not optional,” he declared.“Our audit exposes yet another example of foreigners taking advantage of Minnesota services under Governor Walz’s watch,” Duffy said. “Minnesota failed to follow the law and illegally doled out trucking licenses to unsafe, unqualified noncitizens — endangering American families on the road.”This latest warning follows similar action the DOT has previously taken against Pennsylvania. The department has already vowed to withhold federal funds from California after the state failed to comply with its regulations concerning CDL issuance. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A rhetorical battle has broken out between the Republican speaker of the House and a Republican congresswoman who is running in the gubernatorial election in New York.Rep. Elise Stefanik accused Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana of lying about the process to include a provision in this year's defense policy bill.'This is an easy one. This bill is DOA unless this provision gets added in as it was passed out of committee.'Stefanik's proposal would require the Federal Bureau of Investigation to notify Congress when it opens an investigation into a candidate for federal office. She threatened to kill the National Defense Authorization Act if her demands aren't met."My provision will strengthen this accountability and transparency to deter this illegal weaponization and it passed out of the House Intelligence Committee in this Congress and previous ones," she wrote on social media Monday. "If Republicans can’t deliver accountability and legislative fixes to arguably the biggest illegal corruption and government weaponization issue of all time, then what are we even doing."She went on to accuse Republicans of siding with Democrats on the issue."It is a scandalous disgrace that Republicans are allowing themselves to be rolled by the Dems and deep state on this," she added.On Tuesday, she said she walked out on a briefing about the issue and again lambasted Johnson."This is an easy one. This bill is DOA unless this provision gets added in as it was passed out of committee," she added.Johnson reacted to Stefanik's accusations during a briefing with reporters Tuesday."All of that is false. I don't exactly know why Elise won't just call me. I texted her yesterday," he said."She's upset one of her provisions is not being made, I think, in the NDAA," Johnson added. "I explained to her on text message — as soon as I head this yesterday, I was campaigning in Tennessee — and I wrote her. I said, 'What are you talking about? This hasn't even made it to my level.'"He went on to explain that the provision had to be agreed upon by other committees before it could be included in the bill, and it was not approved."I don’t know why she’s frustrated with me. I literally had nothing to do with it. But I’m happy to roll up my sleeves and help her," he added.RELATED: Trump responds to failed bid to oust speaker Mike Johnson Stefanik fired back on social media and accused Johnson of siding with Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland."Just more lies from the Speaker," she wrote."It wasn’t on your radar? This is the ONLY provision in the bill to root out the deep state rot," she continued in part. "You torpedoed this siding with Jamie Raskin. You said you would fix it, so fix it."Stefanik is running to replace incumbent Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul, but recent polling shows she has an uphill battle in the Empire State. While one poll from the Manhattan Institute shows Stefanik just slightly above the Democrat, other polls show Hochul with a double-digit lead.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Illegal Alien Trucker Charged With Killing Newlyweds Given CDL by California

Agriculture Secretary Says No More SNAP Funding to States That Don't Provide Data

New: Leftist NC Supreme Court Justice Tells Us Who She Really Is Again, and Voters Should Take Notice

White House Sends ‘Short n’ Sweet’ Message As Pop Singer Has a Tizzy Over Use of Song in 'Evil' ICE Video