I'm curious to see what this gig is all about

'There was a bipartisan plan'

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On the third night of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, delegates looked forward to hearing Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz accept his party’s nomination for vice president. Delegates in the convention hall also anticipated speeches from Democrat stars such as former President Bill Clinton and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California. Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democrats’ late-breaking nominee for president, is set to formally accept the party’s choice Thursday night, the convention’s last. After President Joe Biden’s departure from the race, Harris will accept the nomination without having received a single primary vote.  Here are some of the biggest highlights from the third night of the DNC.  Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., addresses the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday night in Chicago. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images) Pelosi Addresses Delegates After Palace Coup California’s Nancy Pelosi, the longtime House speaker who remains a top leader of the Democratic Party, was scheduled to deliver remarks to delegates inside United Arena.  Pelosi, 84, is considered most responsible for pushing Biden, 80, to drop out of the presidential race in July—a move that reset the party’s 2024 rematch with former President Donald Trump, a Republican.  Pelosi opened her speech by blasting Trump and heralding both Biden and Harris.  “With the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we established one of the most successful presidencies of modern times,” she said. Pelosi, who rattled off legislation passed during the Biden-Harris administration, praised the president for his work on climate and health policy.  “All thanks to President Biden for bringing us a fairer America, [and] doing so with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, Joe,” she said. The crowd chanted, “Thank you, Joe.” Pelosi continued by saying: “And I know that Vice President Harris is ready to take us to new heights.” However, in comments published ahead of her address from a Wall Street Journal interview, Pelosi was quoted saying: “Many of us who were concerned about the election wanted to have an open process. It was an open process, anyone could have gotten in.” Harris, she added in the interview, “had the endorsement of the president, and she, politically astutely, took advantage of it and shut down—not shut down, but won the nomination.” Clinton on Harris and McDonald’s, Biden and George Washington Bill Clinton repeatedly mispronounced Harris’ first name, Kamala, an offense that some Republicans get shouted down for.  At several points, Clinton pronounced “Kam” as in “can” or “cat.” The “a” sound is properly pronounced as “all” or “caught,” as Harris partisans often insist. Prior to Clinton’s speech, pundits on MSNBC repeatedly insisted that anyone who mispronounced Harris’ first name was a racist.  The 42nd president, one of three to be impeached by the House of Representatives, also made an astounding assertion and comparison regarding Biden’s dropping his reelection bid last month amid unsustainable public pressure to do so from other party leaders.  “He did something that’s really hard for a politician to do. He voluntarily gave up political power,” Clinton said. “George Washington knew that, and he did it. He set the standard for us, serving two terms before it was mandatory. It helped his legacy. And it will enhance Joe Biden’s legacy.” Even as numerous Democrats publicly called for him to drop out, Biden initially resisted. It was widely reported that Pelosi took the lead role behind the scenes to pressure Biden to exit the race.  Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh reported that former President Barack Obama—whom Biden served as vice president—threatened Biden with the use of the 25th Amendment if he didn’t leave the race. His story has been criticized as thinly sourced, however.  Clinton made a reference to his own known love of McDonald’s, which was lampooned on “Saturday Night Live” in the 1990s.  “When she was young, she worked at McDonald’s. And she greeted every person with that thousand-watt smile and said, ‘How can I help you?’” Clinton said of Harris.  “Now she’s at the pinnacle of power. She’s still asking, ‘How can I help you?’ I’ll be so happy when she actually enters the White House as president, because she will break my record as the president who spent the most time at McDonald’s.” Clinton took several swipes at Trump, another famous fan of McDonald’s.  “The next time you hear him, don’t count the lies. Count the ‘I’s.’ His vendettas, his vengeance, his complaints, his conspiracies. He’s like one of those tenors … singing ‘Me, me, me, me,” Clinton said. “When Kamala Harris is president, every day will begin with you, you, you, you.” Like Obama during his speech on Night 2, Clinton made no mention of the July 13 attempt to assassinate Trump, who like them is one of five living former presidents. Hostage’s Parents Speak Amid Anti-Israel Protests Outside Arena Outside United Arena this week, pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protesters marched in the streets, which has been seen as a political liability for Democrats.  The parents of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin spoke at the convention at a time when the Biden-Harris administration has faced scrutiny over support for longtime U.S. ally Israel after its massive retaliation for the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip.  Hamas captured 109 hostages, eight of them Americans, while killing 1,200 people, including 45 Americans, in a rampage of rape, torture, and murder.  Rachel Goldberg talked about the hardship of missing her son Hersch for 320 days.  “Since then, we live on another planet,” she told the hall and the nation. “Anyone who is a parent, or who has had a parent, can try to imagine the anguish and misery that John and I and all the hostage families are enduring.” John Polin, Hersh’s father, said that Biden and Harris were working for a cease-fire deal that included release of the hostages. “This is a political convention, but needing our only son and all of the cherished hostages home is not a political issue,” Polin said. “It is a humanitarian issue. The families of the eight American hostages meet every week in Washington. We are heartened that both Democratic and Republican leaders demonstrate their bipartisan support for our hostages being released.” The crowd gave the couple a standing ovation, reportedly including Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who is known for making anti-Israel comments.  Michigan AG Praises Harris for Not Defending the Law Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel praised Harris’ tenure as California attorney general for an unusual reason: because she chose not to defend a law endorsed by voters.  In a 2008 referendum, California voters approved an amendment to the state Constitution defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.  “What really stands out is when she stood up and protected her constitutional freedoms,” Nessel, who is openly lesbian, said of Harris. “In 2011, she refused to defend California’s ban on same-sex marriage. She refused to argue that some families should have fewer rights than other families. It meant a lot. She was fighting for families like mine.” “In 2022, I faced a similar situation, when Roe v. Wade was overturned [and] Michigan’s archaic abortion ban was resurrected,” Nessel said, noting that she didn’t defend it. “Vice President Harris had my back.” Nessel said both the California and Michigan laws were scrapped. The Michigan attorney general roused the crowd to a standing ovation with her next line.  “I got a message for the Republicans and the justices of the United States Supreme Court,” Nessel said. “You can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand.” Stevie Wonder Touts Harris and ‘Higher Ground’ Stevie Wonder, a superstar R&B musician since the 1960s, fired up the crowd during prime time.  Before singing, Wonder told the delegates that he has prayed for peace.  “This is the moment to remember when you tell your children where you were and what you did,” Wonder said. “As we stand between history’s pain and tomorrow’s promises, we must choose courage over complacency. It is time to get up and go vote.” The legendary singer and performer stepped away from the lectern and went to his keyboard, his band behind him.  “Are we ready, because you know we need Kamala Harris, yes, we do,” Wonder said. “And we need a great man and we do have [one] for our future vice president, you know that.” Before singing, he added: “I’m depending on you to do, as [movie director] Spike Lee would say, the right thing,” referring to Lee, whose films include “Do the Right Thing.” Wonder and his band then broke into “Higher Ground,” his funky 1973 hit. Ken McIntyre contributed to this report, which will be updated throughout the night. Be sure to come back. The post Takeaways From Night 3 of Democratic National Convention appeared first on The Daily Signal.

A kind person thought she would babysit a kitten for a few days, but her other rescued cat had a different idea. PennyPatricia LikaA Good Samaritan found a tiny calico in their backyard without a mother or siblings. After searching and waiting to no avail, they contacted a local animal rescuer, Patricia Lika, for help.At 3-4 weeks old, the kitten, Penny, wouldn't have survived outside in the unrelenting heat. Patricia took her in and started bottle-feeding her around the clock.Penny immediately sought affection from her foster mom. Despite her tiny size, she had a ravenous appetite and a big voice. Penny was found in a backyard all alonePatricia LikaTo ensure the kitten never felt alone, Patricia spent ample time with her, keeping her occupied and reassuring her that she was loved. "She acclimated quickly and enjoyed being the only spoiled baby."Whenever Penny wanted attention, she spoke her mind loud and clear. Patricia LikaOnce she ventured beyond her playpen, she befriended the resident cats and was thrilled to have constant companions. She discovered the joy of toys and realized she could play peekaboo under the couch."She loves being outside her kitten enclosure and quickly became friends with my older cats, but we always knew she would benefit from another kitten her size." Patricia LikaAround the time Penny was found, Nikki, a fellow animal rescuer, was at the municipal shelter for a 2-week-old kitten who needed a foster home."She was very fussy about bottle-feeding, so for a short period of time, I had to tube-feed her in order for her to survive," Nikki shared with Love Meow. BeaNikkiShe named the little house panther Beatrix or Bea, which means "the one who brings happiness" or "blessed."Thanks to the devoted care of her foster mom, Bea grew more alert each day and eventually started to eat on her own. When she was strong enough to climb the nursery with her micro claws, Nikki could breathe a sigh of relief. Bea was rescued from the municipal shelterNikkiAt 4.5 weeks old, Bea taught herself how to eat from a dish and tackled the litter box like a champ.As she got more strength in her legs, she became braver and more mischievous. One day, she scaled the playpen and claimed the foster room as her playground. "All the middle-of-the-night feedings and cleaning are worth it when you see things like this." She is the happiest little kittenNikki"Baby Bea has such a sweet disposition. She's so content all the time and doesn't make a peep. She can easily entertain herself, so I thought she would be okay as an independent kitty."Last weekend, Nikki was away for a convention and entrusted Patricia to babysit Bea. Patricia LikaThe moment Bea entered the house, she strutted about like she owned the place. Completely fearless, she jumped on a robot vacuum and rode it around like her own magic carpet.They thought Bea would stay for just a few days, but little did they know Penny had a plan of her own. Penny and Bea became instant friendsPatricia LikaPenny immediately took Bea under her wing, sharing all her toys and blankets. "They quickly became buddies and played all day long."They zoomed around the house and jumped up and down the couch. They danced around their people's feet, demanding attention. After a long play session, they curled up and purred until they fell asleep. Penny shared her toys and blankets with BeaPatricia LikaPerfect partners in crime, they found their way into all kinds of mischief and always crashed side by side after a day full of play.When the weekend was over, Patricia looked at the two best friends and didn't have the heart to separate them. She asked Nikki if Bea should stay with Penny, and Nikki agreed. They decided to keep the two best friends togetherPatricia Lika"I have to do what's best for her. That's what fostering is all about," Nikki said.Both rescued from a rough start, they're now thriving together with a loving foster family and friendly resident cats. Patricia LikaShare this story with your friends. More on Bea, Penny, and Patricia's fosters on Instagram @fosterkittensvegas and Nikki's fosters @myfosterkittens.Related story: Cat Curled Up Outside House on Bitter Cold Day, When the Door Opened, He Walked in Ready for Change

“AI is coming for your job!” That’s a sentiment shared by many across the world. As AI technology grows more advanced, many are worried about Gen Z’s future in the job market. However, AI already affects Gen Z’s workforce training, also known as college. Surveys show that between 30% and 89% of college students have used ChatGPT on assignments at least once, which worries most college professors. Nowadays, teens are watching hundreds of 30-second TikTok videos, scrolling aimlessly on X, and, worst of all, watching porn rather than consuming content that trains the brain to think critically. “I have mixed thoughts about college students using AI and Chatbot for their assignments,” said Yao-Yu Chih, a Texas State University finance and economics professor. “I recognize the potential of ChatGPT to enhance learning by providing quick access to information, but I am concerned,” he added, “about the risk of academic dishonesty and students relying too heavily on AI which may hinder their true understanding of the subject matter.”Justin Blessinger, director of the AdapT Lab at Madison Cyber Labs and a professor of English at Dakota State University, also spoke to Blaze News about his concerns with ChatGPT. “I hear from many professed experts that AI is "no different" than the internet was, or Google, or autocorrect, and will be "disruptive" in the same fashion, where the Luddites will eventually quiet down or die off and the enlightened apparatchiks will prevail,” he said. “But it's not. Not remotely,” Blessinger added. “AI is not the internet. It absolutely replaces thinking for a great many students.”During my first year at the University of Texas at Austin, many of my professors’ syllabi included an “academic dishonesty” section that prohibited the use of ChatGPT. For example, in my computer science coding course, the professor told students they would either have to drop the class, get an F, and/or be reported to the dean of students office if they used ChatGPT.“[C]ode written by an automated system such as ChatGPT is not your own effort. Don't even think about turning in such work as your own, or even using it as a basis for your work. We have very sophisticated tools to find such cheating and we use them routinely,” the syllabus said.Some college students are concerned too. Over half of college students consider using ChatGPT to be cheating. In a conversation with Blaze News, a second-year government major said, “I have never used artificial intelligence in college because I think that AI hinders academic creativity and growth.” He argued that AI may hinder students’ creative abilities, “stop them from thinking for themselves,” and “make them more inclined to copy and implement ChatGPT’s writing style and ideas for their own writing.” In my experience, most students use AI moderately by checking over work they have already completed or by asking it to perform simple tasks, like “using it as a grammar checker on papers,” as a fourth-year kinesiology student told Blaze News. "English is not my first language, and using it professionally still proves to be a challenge for me sometimes,” he added. A minority aren’t too concerned with AI abuse and use it extensively to bypass monotonous tasks. After all, most college English professors assign essays with prompts related to social justice, America’s racist history, or some other left-wing idea.“I’ve been using [ChatGPT] ever since I heard about it during my senior year of high school,” said a second-year finance student in conversation with Blaze News. For some of his essays, he said he inputs prompts into ChatGPT and “takes whatever [ChatGPT] gives me and sends it through a paraphrasing tool website since it changes up the writing a little bit” to evade the professor’s AI checker.Most college students, including myself, believe ChatGPT is useful for simple tasks or acting as a search engine but is incompetent at completing complicated homework problems like finding solutions for multivariable calculus or linear algebra assignments. But weirdly enough, ChatGPT is proficient in explaining complex math ideas conceptually despite being unable to actually produce the correct numerical solution.A second-year computer science student told Blaze News he “uses AI quite a bit in my day to day college work.” He continued, saying, “I’ll use it to get ideas or help get rid of a writer’s block. For essays, it’s helpful to use ChatGPT to find synonyms and rewrite a few sentences to make my writing stronger. But I’ve never used it for math. It doesn’t seem too capable in my experience. I’ve tested it out for coding assignments a few times, but it doesn’t seem capable either.”A potential hazard PeopleImages/Getty When defending their ChatGPT use on assignments, students often mention that they will encounter AI in their future workplaces, so they should be able to use it in their college work. They argue that teachers should embrace new technology and implement liberal ChatGPT policies. However, over-reliance on ChatGPT may lead to a “potential hazard,” John Symons, professor of philosophy at the University of Kansas and founding director of the Center for Cyber-Social Dynamics, warned. Dr. Symons told Blaze News he “think[s] it's really important that people gain some acquaintance with the technology.” However, “I think,” Dr. Symons continued, “what would be most useful for young people is to understand the technology, not just be passive consumers of the device. So I think understanding the foundations of the technology, like how it works, is probably more valuable for their futures rather than being passive consumers of generative AI.”Furthermore, increasing ChatGPT use by college students exacerbates their already incompetent reading and writing abilities. Reading closely and analyzing texts teaches students to form ideas and arguments, and writing allows students to slow down in their hectic lives and effectively communicate those ideas and arguments. “The purpose of college writing has always been to teach students to analyze and think critically. You review what's been written about a topic; you form an opinion of your own; you express that opinion while gesturing toward the best evidence you discovered. You make changes based on what you know or assume about your audience,” Dr. Blessinger told Blaze News. But “using AI writing without first learning to research, argue, and write without [ChatGPT],” he warned, “is lunacy.”Nowadays, teens are watching hundreds of 30-second TikTok videos, scrolling aimlessly on X, and, worst of all, watching porn rather than consuming content that trains the brain to think critically. It’s much easier to watch a five-minute PragerU video or two-sentence tweet explaining what it means to be a conservative rather than spend a couple of hours reading Russell Kirk’s "The Conservative Mind." It is no surprise that students don’t know how to read and write anymore. In conversation with Blaze News, Jonathan Askonas, assistant professor of politics at the Catholic University of America, argues that “high school students have been basically post-literate for at least the last five years.”“I don't think [ChatGPT’s] primary effect so far has not necessarily been to damage student's ability to think, read and write, as much as it has acted as a crutch for students who already struggled that were already poorly prepared for college. And then inevitably it also prevents them from growing, or it damages their ability to grow in those areas,” Askonas said. He also added that since students’ reading and writing skills are waning, “the effects [of AI] so far have been an improvement in students’ work.”New Education ModelsTeachers and professors will have to adapt to new technological developments. If teachers begin to design more personalized assignments, as opposed to a “one-size-fits-all” education model, students who use ChatGPT as a crutch may be forced to grow in their literacy. Dr. Symons told Blaze News:I think the model for education is going to have to change. We're gonna have to move away from an industrial model of education towards a much more artisanal, personalized model of education where AI can certainly help, but the focus will be on discussion, oral exams, in-class writing assignments and close reading ... What happens in the classroom will have to be much more focused on students on individual skills, and the quality of the reading or the quality of reading skills will have to be the focus ... I think students will recognize the difference between that kind of personalized or artisanal education and the kind of mass produced industrial education that they might get through an online course or through a large lecture.But in my experience, classes are increasingly mass-produced and offered online, likely because of long-COVID laziness. In high school, I took a combination of in-person and online courses so I could go home and eat lunch after my midday basketball practice, even though the same online courses were offered in person by better teachers. Some teachers showed videos they recorded during COVID while others just left students to learn from an e-textbook. During my first year of college, I took two online courses to make room for internships and extracurriculars. Each had around a thousand students, and one of them showed pre-recorded lectures from a couple of years ago. However, once professors decide to shift away from mass-produced education, expectations will begin to change, and workplaces will rethink their view of what’s valuable. While some believe humanities degrees and jobs, like journalism, may become obsolete and useless because of AI, Dr. Askonas argues that the humanities might become more “scarce and therefore valuable” due to AI. [AI] changes what we expect of our students. It changes where they're weak, and hopefully it changes what [professors] think that they need. So for instance, many college curriculums assume essentially illiterate college students. It’s not because of AI ... So that means thinking about how you are going to teach attention. How do you teach careful reading? How do you teach? How do you teach students to be self conscious about the effects that technology has on their own abilities? It's going to change what's valuable, right. So, instead of students being expected to be able to use generative AI in their workplace as it changes, you have this question of what remains scarce and therefore valuable. A certain level of rhetorical skill will remain valuable, the ability to prompt an AI in sophisticated ways, and using one's knowledge of rhetoric, history and subject matter will be even more valuable ... This is actually more beneficial for the humanities compared to people who just want to code. But even within the world of coding, right, I think that we're going to find that the irreplaceable level of sophistication of systems thinking and fundamental thinking in programming that will still remain very human, and it will be replaced as sort of the kind of code monkey, just you know, turning out code stuff.

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