Conservative boycotts and threats of lawsuits are forcing more and more major companies to back away from implementing a left-wing LGBTQ rating, and activists are furious that they are "letting the bullies win." The movement was documented in an Associated Press report that cited recent examples of major companies like Harley Davidson, Ford Motor Company, and Lowe's rejecting the ratings. 'It feels like you’re you’re letting the bullies win.' Companies have been pressured to implement a Corporate Equality Index created by the Human Rights Campaign in order to force companies to accept left-wing policies to further the LGBTQ agenda on employees. Only 13 companies were able to obtain a perfect score in 2002 on the scorecard, but the number had drastically increased to 545 companies in 2023 despite the requirements becoming more difficult. Now, the pendulum is swinging back against the scorecard. “We don’t believe that people should be identified as groups and that you should right past wrongs by advantaging one group and disadvantaging another group,” said deputy counsel Dan Lennington of the Equality Under the Law Project at the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty.David Paisley, senior research director at Community Marketing & Insights, compared the pushback to bullying. “Almost all LGBT community members have been bullied when they were young, and the concept of being bullied is something that hits us really hard," said Paisley. "It feels like you’re you’re letting the bullies win,” he added. Activists had previously lamented that companies had backed off on hiring diversity, equity, and inclusion officers, which had been a financial boon for left-wing agitators. Lennington says the pushback is about rejecting discrimination against people who aren't LGBTQ members. “We have no problem with nondiscrimination, but we’re worried about these policies going too far and harming innocent third parties who have either religious objections or they’re being excluded because they’re not LGBTQ or a certain race,” he explained. Eric Bloem, vice president of the Human Rights Campaign, warned that abandoning the programs opened up companies to discrimination lawsuits from LGBTQ people. Whether that's true or not, the backlash against DEI policies is gaining momentum. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

In recent times, a troubling new threat has emerged on the streets of major U.S. cities. Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang whose reach and ruthlessness seem almost mythic in scope, is currently terrorizing Americans in cities like Dallas, New York, and Aurora, Colorado. Tren de Aragua has brought the horrors of one of the world's most dysfunctional states to the supposed superpower up north. However, the true horror of Tren de Aragua lies not just in its present-day criminal activities but in its origins. Prison beginnings Tren de Aragua (Spanish for "Aragua train") was born in the Tocorón prison in Venezuela's Aragua region; the gang may have taken its name from a local railway workers' union. Like most prison gangs, Tren de Aragua was born out of a need for self-preservation. Over time, the the gang's influence expanded as it grew, leveraging prison connections to gain power and developing more structured internal hierarchies. A series of violent clashes with rival gangs secured Tren de Aragua's dominance, setting the stage for its future criminal empire. The thirst for power, blood, and territory intensified. Once Tren de Aragua had cemented its presence within the Venezuelan prison system, its leaders began to strategize for a broader reach. They forged alliances with other criminal organizations and corrupt officials to secure and expand their operations. Initially involved in extortion and local drug distribution, the gang's activities soon expanded to other industries and countries, establishing a foothold in Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and beyond. With this new international influence, the gang diversified into human trafficking and arms smuggling, continuously adapting their methods to evade law enforcement and tighten their control over new regions. Crossing the border By the mid-2010s, Tren de Aragua had evolved from a local threat into a formidable transnational crime syndicate. Its operations had extended beyond South America, reaching into Central America and the Caribbean. The gang's activities grew increasingly sophisticated, involving targeted assassinations and expansive drug production and distribution networks that spanned multiple countries. This phenomenal growth was accompanied by a rise in violence and intimidation, ruthlessly deployed to advance the gang's interests. The ability to move resources and personnel across borders with relative ease enabled it to dominate local criminal market after criminal market, giving it a reach never before achieved by a Venezuelan gang. This reach eventually extend to the United States, where today, the gang seems to operate with impunity. In effect, Venezuelan immigrants across Florida and other states who fled their home country are witnessing the very criminal activities they worked so hard to escape. Tren de Aragua has brought the horrors of one of the world's most dysfunctional states to the supposed superpower up north. America as a 'hunting ground' While Tren de Aragua represents a significant and terrifying threat on its own, it is far from the only dangerous gang operating within the United States. In fact, according to the FBI, there are at least another 32,999 violent street, motorcycle, and prison gangs active across the land. One of the better known is MS-13, a notorious organization that casts a long, dark shadow over American cities. Known less commonly as Mara Salvatrucha, MS-13 originated in the 1980s among Salvadoran immigrants in Los Angeles. It has since grown into one of the most feared gangs in America with a reputation for extreme violence and sadistic levels of savagery. In recent years, Washington, D.C., has seen a dramatic increase in gang-related violence, with MS-13 playing a significant role. The city has, disturbingly, been described as a "hunting ground" for the gang, reflecting the pervasive and violent nature of its activities. In Texas, its members have been known to abduct, drug, and rape little girls. Time to choose As the United States approaches what could be one of its most consequential elections since its founding, the safety and security of every American is on the ballot. The relentless rise of gangs like Tren de Aragua and MS-13 underscores that national security is not merely a political slogan — it's an essential duty of government and a fundamental right for every law-abiding citizen. This November, voters concerned with this escalating, imported crime must decide which party possesses the determination and capability to tackle these existential threats. The choice seems clear: Support those who emphasize stringent border enforcement and the protection of American lives or those who trivialize and dismiss such concerns. Only one party has demonstrated the commitment and readiness to confront this ever-worsening crisis — and it is not the party of Kamala Harris.

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During the Golden Age of piracy, firearms played a crucial role in pirate warfare, offering versatility in ship and land combat. While swords like the cutlass and cannons are often associated with pirates, handheld firearms were their preferred choice. Muskets, in particular, became the most favored weapon. Compared to cannons, which were costly and required significant manpower, muskets were cheaper, easier to use, and adaptable. Pirates valued firearms for their range and ability to inflict damage both on enemy crews and rigging. Muskets could be used effectively in various scenarios, including boarding combat, ship engagements, and hunting. Read moreSection: NewsGeneralVideosHistoryRead Later 

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