The divisions in America are so severe‚ we’re told‚ that we’re heading for civil war. It’s a sentiment one hears frequently. Never have we as a nation been so polarized. Democrat and Republican. Left and right. Blue and red. Liberal and conservative. Civil war‚ if not inevitable‚ is at least in the air. READ MORE from Tom Raabe: Great Coach Stumbles on Transgenders in Sports Well‚ Hollywood has put that notion on the big screen. And post-apocalypticists the country round rushed to the cineplexes in such numbers as to make Alex Garland’s Civil War last weekend’s top movie. This is not fun post-apocalypticism‚ though – less John Carpenter’s Escape from New York and more Cormac McCarthy’s The Road; less Zombieland and more 28 Days Later.  The buzz about the movie from the get-go has been its ambiguity. Much-ballyhooed was Garland’s effort to play both sides. Think of it as a cinematic gloss on Michael Jordan’s “Republicans buy sneakers too‚” and in an election year‚ to boot. Garland played both sides‚ all right. But the result is an incomprehensible hodgepodge to anybody who follows the news. We join the action in an empty-streets Brooklyn‚ where a suicide bomber disrupts a gathering of citizens fighting over water rations. The country is embroiled in civil war‚ we’re told. We know nothing about why there is a civil war at the beginning of the movie‚ and we don’t know any more at the end. There just is. Nineteen states have seceded‚ and the major rebel group is called the Western Forces‚ comprising Texas and‚ um‚ California. There’s a Florida Alliance in there‚ too. The president is still among the living‚ but not for long‚ as the rebel forces are descending on Washington and will certainly eliminate him. He’s been a bad dude; he has killed reporters‚ bombed American citizens‚ disbanded the FBI‚ and‚ now serving his third term‚ perforce suspended some‚ and who knows how much else‚ of the Constitution. Oh‚ yes‚ he wears a suit with a red tie‚ is given to exaggeration‚ and is compared by one character to Gaddafi and Mussolini. The country is in chaos. The dollar has tanked‚ and only the Canadian dollar has any value. The New York Times still exists but just barely. The scenes of war dominate the landscape: military checkpoints‚ bodies hanging from highway overpasses‚ interstate highways clogged with disabled vehicles‚ a football stadium turned into a refugee camp. Some critics can’t help but tap into their inner TDS‚ as they see Jan. 6 everywhere they look. Writes Mary McNamara at the Los Angeles Times: But in the wake of Jan. 6‚ and with Trump’s violent rhetoric once again on full display as he campaigns to return to the White House‚ it’s impossible not to see “Civil War” as a cinematic vision of what could happen should Trump succeed. But who’s who does not match up. If a Trump-like conservative is in the White House‚ how can the rebels be so well organized and well-armed&;#63; They have helicopters‚ fighter planes‚ and armored vehicles; their soldiers are decked out in all the requisite military gear. They look like a proper fighting force. Could Antifa or leftists or enviro-fascists pull off something like this‚ or did we have an army coup somewhere along the line&;#63; We’re left to ponder. In the most memorable scene in the movie‚ a commando-type played by Jesse Plemons has the movie’s four main characters and two buddies at his mercy‚ waving a gun in their faces and asking “what kind of American they are.” He finds two of them insufficiently American and shoots them at point-blank range. He represents everything liberals think conservatives are‚ but it’s unclear what side he’s on‚ that of the Western Forces or of the government. Four journalists are the central characters in this drama. And were the movie titled War Photographers and not Civil War‚ we’d get a better feel for the movie’s essence. Two of the four are photogs — Lee‚ played by Kirsten Dunst‚ who is an old hand and has been through so many wars as to have PTSD‚ and a young hanger-on named Jessie (Cailee Spaeny)‚ who idolizes Lee and wants to learn war photography from her hero. The other two are print reporters — Lee’s writing partner from Reuters‚ Joel (Wagner Moura); and Sammy (Stephen McKinley Henderson)‚ from the New York Times (or “what’s left of the New York Times‚” to use the words with which he’s introduced). Lee and Joel want to get to Washington to interview the president before he is captured and killed. But they’re in New York‚ and as Interstate 95 is apparently closed and they are warned to steer clear of Philadelphia‚ they have to jog way out through West Virginia to get there. And thus the movie turns into a road trip saga as well. But even though they’re traveling through a land decimated by the depredations of war — where they watch cold-blooded executions and have to barter for gasoline with commandoes toting machine guns‚ ducking for cover to avoid sniper fire — these journalists offer no help to the discombobulated viewer trying to connect the unconnectable dots of a backstory. The journalists don’t seem to care why what’s going on is going on‚ or else they’re so beyond it emotionally that they’re burnt out. All they’re interested in is documenting it. The movie is sort of a paean to old-school objective journalism. These journalists have no opinions; they’re only after the story‚ the scoop. The photographers’ goal is the money shot‚ the photo. Says Lee at one point: “We record so other people ask. That’s the job.” So that part of it doesn’t make sense either. When did we last see journalists keeping their thumb off the political scale in America&;#63; It’s fantasy to imagine a civil war bursting out in America. It’s hard to fathom a faction of rebels growing to sufficient power to threaten the U.S. military‚ with its planes and tanks and well-armed battalions. The government‚ any government from whichever political persuasion‚ would come down on that rebel contingent with overwhelming destructive force. There would be a quashed rebellion but no civil war. But divided we are at the moment. So divided that it’s hard to imagine a this-worldly force of such puissance as to unite this nation against it. We have pro-Hamas demonstrations shutting down roads across the country and “Death to America” chanted in rallies not only in the Middle East but also in the Middle West. Unless we wake up one morning to see 15 Rhode Island–sized spaceships hovering over our cities and threatening to incinerate them via death ray‚ it’s difficult to conceive of any unifying force rallying the country to stand in opposition. And we’ve already seen that movie. The post A Confusing and Ambiguous &;lt;i&;gt;Civil War&;lt;/i&;gt; appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

A few months ago‚ Google came under fire for images generated by its AI model‚ Gemini. The model was about as woke-skewed as one could have wanted. Requests for photos of the Founding Fathers resulted in pictures of black men and Indians‚ while the query “pope” produced disconcerting images of females in papal robes. The backlash was so bad that Google severely limited Gemini’s image-generating feature‚ which is unfortunate given the scope of this column. Today I wanted to compare the results from ChatGPT (which tends to be as subtle as Wikipedia in its bias) and Google’s Gemini on a relatively controversial issue: the firestorm that has erupted this week surrounding NPR CEO Katherine Maher’s rather problematic views on journalism and truth after former senior editor Uri Berliner called out NPR for its unbalanced journalism. (RELATED: It’s Bigger Than NPR’s Katherine Maher) I’ll leave you with a few observations of my own. First‚ Google’s Gemini doesn’t like writing paragraphs. It took me numerous attempts at topics and prompts to coax Gemini into doing my bidding. Second‚ you may notice that both ChatGPT and Gemini miss key issues at play in this controversy — like Maher’s belief that journalism is hindered by truth and the very real concern that taxpayer-funded journalism should probably reflect the opinions of the majority of the country (if it exists at all). (RELATED: Defund NPR Yesterday) Your challenge is to fact-check and critique the bots. What other key facts or issues do they miss&;#63; Is it a problem that neither response included the word “woke” anywhere&;#63; Leave your thoughts in the comments below&;#33; PROMPT: Write 200 words about the ongoing controversy surrounding NPR CEO Katherine Maher.  CHATGPT: The controversy swirling around NPR CEO Katherine Maher has plunged the renowned media organization into a storm of internal strife and external scrutiny. Allegations of a toxic work environment‚ including claims of bullying and discrimination‚ have cast a shadow over Maher’s leadership since she assumed the role in 2021. These accusations have led to mounting calls for her resignation and prompted NPR’s board of directors to launch an independent investigation into the matter. Maher’s handling of the allegations has come under intense scrutiny‚ with critics arguing that she has failed to adequately address the concerns of employees and take decisive action to rectify the situation. The controversy has sparked broader discussions about workplace culture‚ leadership accountability‚ and the challenges of promoting diversity and inclusion in media organizations. As NPR navigates this tumultuous period‚ the outcome of the investigation and Maher’s future at the organization remain uncertain. The controversy underscores the importance of fostering a culture of respect‚ transparency‚ and accountability in the workplace‚ particularly within institutions that play a significant role in shaping public discourse and opinion. GEMINI: NPR’s new CEO‚ Katherine Maher‚ faces a baptism by fire. Accusations of left-wing bias erupted after longtime editor Uri Berliner published criticisms and Maher suspended him (leading to his resignation). The controversy centers on Maher’s past tweets expressing progressive views and Berliner’s claims of unbalanced NPR coverage. While some see Maher’s personal views as irrelevant‚ others fear they’ll taint NPR’s reporting. Supporters highlight Maher’s credentials and NPR’s commitment to fact-based journalism. The crux of the issue: Can NPR‚ a publicly funded entity‚ truly remain neutral&;#63; Can the CEO’s personal views coexist with unbiased reporting&;#63; Until trust is rebuilt‚ Maher faces an uphill battle in demonstrating NPR’s commitment to balanced news. The post AI Has Thoughts on Katherine Maher appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

Every now and then‚ liberal elites bluntly say what they think about Americans who support former President Donald Trump. Barack Obama accused them of “cling[ing]” to their religion and guns. Hillary Clinton placed them in a “basket of deplorables” (“racist‚ sexist‚ homophobic‚ xenophobic‚ Islamaphobic”) and advocated their “formal deprogramming.” President Joe Biden has called them a “threat” to democracy. Keith Olbermann said that Trump supporters “must be removed from our society.” MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough claimed that Trump supporters “hate America.” David Frum simply called them “jerks.” In the New Republic‚ Brynn Tannehill wrote that Trump supporters “love fascism.” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says that Trump Republicans “fit the definition of fascism.” Sportscaster Bob Costas branded Trump supporters as a “toxic cult.” Most recently‚ former NBC television host Katie Couric described Trump supporters as “anti-intellectual.” READ MORE from Francis P. Sempa: How World Wars Begin Trump supporters are blamed for their “whiteness‚” their “nationalism‚” and their devotion to Jesus Christ. Amanda Tyler‚ described as a “religious liberty expert‚” told the Center for American Progress that Christian nationalism is “the single biggest threat to religious freedom in the United States today.” University of Northern Iowa professor emeritus Steve Corbin called “white Christian nationalism” a threat to democracy. Trump supporters’ resistance to “woke” policies and illegal border crossings are symptoms‚ according to the progressive elite‚ of their uneducated‚ cult-like following of Trump. Those citizens who support an “America First” foreign policy are derided by progressive globalists as “isolationists” and xenophobes. Trump‚ to be sure‚ is the immediate target of all of the Left’s derision of his supporters‚ but the ultimate targets of the progressive elite are those Americans who choose to resist the progressive agenda in all of its forms — transgender ideology‚ unrestrained immigration‚ enforced secularism‚ globalist geopolitics‚ and rule by a progressive one-party state. Tablet’s Michael Lind has called modern-day American progressives “Jacobins” whose ideology and tactics resemble the leaders of the French Revolution. Today’s progressives‚ Lind writes‚ promote the “decline of religion‚” “the expansion of politically correct‚ mostly economically worthless higher education‚” and the “accelerating disintegration of the American family” that will result in “the expansion of core Democratic voting blocs.” Lind believes that the Democrats are counting on demographic trends coupled with their progressive policies to institutionalize one-party dominance. He calls it “Democratic hegemony.” More than 80 years ago‚ political philosopher James Burnham in his indispensable book The Machiavellians described the reality of the struggles for power that are the basis for all politics‚ regardless of the formal political system. Borrowing from Gaetano Mosca‚ Vilfredo Pareto‚ and Robert Michels‚ Burnham explained that every form of government — including democracy — has a “ruling class” and a class that is ruled. Pareto wrote that the best forms of government permit and encourage a “circulation of the elites” in which power periodically changes hands among elites‚ and the elite class is open for non-elites to someday join. According to Lind‚ today’s ruling progressive elites in America want to end the “circulation of elites” and maintain their power and privilege indefinitely. Why‚ after all‚ should “deplorables” or people who “cling to their religion and guns” or members of a “toxic cult” or “fascists” or “white Christian nationalists” or xenophobes or anti-globalists have any say in how this country should be governed&;#63; Totalitarian rulers first publicly denigrate their political opponents‚ then attempt to cast them out of polite society‚ then expose them to public ridicule‚ then look to reeducate them and‚ failing that‚ persecute them. This often involves “show trials” that imprison political opponents. That sends a loud and clear message to the supporters of those political opponents: accept the state’s political agenda — or else. It was Abraham Lincoln who questioned whether government of the people‚ by the people‚ and for the people would endure. When a ruling elite categorizes half of its citizens as unworthy of participation in the political process‚ Lincoln’s question also endures. The post What the Elites Think of Trump Supporters appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

18-year-old Honduran arrested after leaving scene of fatal wreck‚ authorities say A suspect arrested for killing a Democrat operative in a hit-and-run crash this month in Nevada is an illegal alien from Honduras who was released into the U.S. by the Biden administration‚ according to reports. Kurt Englehart‚ a senior advisor to Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV)‚ died in a two-vehicle wreck on April 6 in Reno. “The occupants who fled the scene were later located by police‚ and the driver arrested‚” authorities explained in news release hours later. “Impairment does appear to be a factor in this crash.” Elmer Rueda-Linares‚ 18‚ was arrested and initially charged with felony hit-and-run but that charge has been changed to failing to stop at the scene of an accident‚ according to the Reno Gazette Journal.Introducing Next Level Foundational Energy from Dr. Jones Naturals starting at 30% off&;#33; This cutting-edge dietary supplement is designed to elevate your energy levels and support your overall well-being. On Tuesday‚ the Gazette Journal reported that an immigration detainer was lodged against Rueda-Linares by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on April 8. “Rueda entered the United States March 12‚ 2021‚ at or near the Rio Grande City‚ Texas‚ Port of Entry without inspection by an immigration official‚” the Department of Homeland Security told the New York Post in a statement. “United States Customs and Border Protection arrested him‚ and he was later released on his own recognizance June 22‚ 2021.” Incredibly‚ just two days prior to the date Rueda entered the U.S.‚ Sen. Masto emphatically declared there were “no open borders” during an interview on MSNBC‚ according to Nevada political activist Courtney Holland. 🚨BREAKING🚨On April 6th‚ Kurt Englehart‚ an advisor to Sen. Cortez Masto (D)‚ was tragically killed in a hit-and-run accident caused by illegal immigrant‚ Elmer Rueda-Linares. *TWO DAYS* before Rueda-Linares illegally entered the U.S. on March 12‚ 2021‚ Cortez Masto claimed… pic.twitter.com/LzknjbRJRB— Courtney Holland 🇺🇸 (@hollandcourtney) April 17‚ 2024 Englehart‚ a 38-year-old father of one‚ had worked for Masto for eight years at the time of his passing. pic.twitter.com/L1r2WNarFf— Senator Cortez Masto (@SenCortezMasto) April 7‚ 2024 Rueda-Linares is currently being held in Washoe County Jail on $100‚000 bail. An investigation is ongoing. InfoWars has been documenting the surge of crime fueled by the ongoing Biden border invasion. Israel Puts Military Under AI Command; Robot Genocide Launched Dan Lyman on X | Gab

by Joseph P. Farrell‚ Giza Death Star: Now‚ here’s a story that‚ at first glance‚ may seem completely unrelated to Monday’s blog about the solar eclipse‚ chemtrails‚ and my “they’re hiding something about celestial mechanicss‚” that “something” possibly being torsion-related. During the run-up to the solar eclipse event‚ a few of you saw and sent […]

NOW – Man just set himself on fire outside of the Trump trial.https://t.co/5Lq4Rkcp8h — Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) April 19‚ 2024

by Geoffrey Grinder‚ Now The End Begins: In the case of Lincoln Center‚ this distortion of the historical record to satisfy the whims of identity-obsessed elites has distorted reality itself and undermined a historic institution‚ Mozart and all. As a child‚ my mother insisted that I was exposed to classical music and that took the […]

from SGT Report: Prolific author and American patriot Dr. Jerome Corsi returns to SGT Report with the facts outlined in his new book which proves beyond a shadow of doubt that the deep state CIA murdered our President John F. Kennedy. Please buy the book and share it. Get the FREE video report from Dr. […]

from TheHealthyAmerican_PeggyHall:  TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

by Mish Shedlock‚ Mish Talk: In a speech that Nikki Haley would endorse 100 percent‚ Speaker Mike Johnson begs the House to approve more aid to Ukraine and Israel to the tune of $95 billion total. Mike Johnson Gives Impassioned Ukraine Speech Newsweek reports Mike Johnson Gives Impassioned Ukraine Speech as He Defies MAGA Speaker Mike […]