We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat to Hate the Media Enough

G.K. Chesterton said, “The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.” His quote comes to mind after I inherited a box of family paraphernalia upon the death of my dear sister, who suddenly suffered a massive heart attack in 2015. The contents include a series of letters my father wrote my mother – before they married in 1948 – from the South Pacific during WWII. The box has many Kodak snapshots (with Navy wartime censor notations on the back) of Dad having a grand old time with his buddies in the Admiralty Islands and elsewhere. The photo of sailors playing with puppies, appealing to feminine sensibilities, is particularly amusing. Dad convinced us for many decades that his time in the Navy was like a vacation in the tropics. It was only later in life – like so many veterans of the time – that he revealed he suffered a difficulty or two, especially on the garden paradise of Eniwetok Atoll late in the war. The Navy has no record of Dad’s adventures because of the devastating 1973 fire at the National Personnel Records Center in Missouri. Hope remains that we’ll find something in the years ahead, but our family treasure box suffices in the interim. Early in my priesthood, during my first assignment in the early 1990s, a parishioner knew of my armchair interest in history. He delivered a photograph of a Norman Rockwell painting stored then, as I recall, in the National Archives. The Government duplicated the original into propaganda posters for the WWII war effort. The painting depicted people of all faiths praying, with faces reflecting the glow of an unknown light. A woman is prominent in the painting with a Rosary draped over her praying hands. The picture is as beautiful and touching today as it was during the war. The Government was selling war bonds. So, the poster included these words: SAVE FREEDOM OF WORSHIP EACH ACCORDING TO THE DICTATES OF HIS OWN CONSCIENCE BUY WAR BONDS Our national authorities understood the culture our soldiers left behind and used the poster to advance the war effort. (Copies of the poster remain available for purchase on the Internet. Parents, why not donate the poster for placement in the history classrooms of our schools?) In recent years, we’ve witnessed the formation of a subversive anti-religious culture from our schools to the highest levels of our Government. Our fight for religious liberty isn’t foreign. The battle is domestic. The Biden Administration recently prohibited – then permitted – the celebration of a Catholic Mass on Memorial Day. Last year, the National Park Service denied the Knights of Columbus permission to organize a Memorial Day Catholic Mass at Poplar Grove National Cemetery in Petersburg, Virginia. They cited a new policy that designates “religious services” as prohibited “demonstrations.” Norman Rockwell, the citizenry, the entire United States Government during WWII and in the following years, and my Dad with his brothers in arms would be horrified. After the First Liberty Institute filed a lawsuit against NPS, the Park Service permitted the Mass. Godless leftists threaten the foundational liberties of our nation. Let’s enkindle the love for God, family, and country behind every soldier and citizen. Save freedom of worship. “The night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.” (Rom. 13:12) Rev. Jerry J. Pokorsky is a Catholic priest of the Arlington Diocese of Virginia. He is currently the pastor of St. Catherine of Siena Church in Great Falls, Virginia.

The latest installment of The Twitter Files details how the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) targeted Americans’ free speech, in violation of its restriction against domestic operations. The CIA is prohibited from spying on or otherwise secretively targeting Americans domestically, but that did not stop the agency from trying to co-opt Twitter and other Big Tech platforms, pressuring them into specific censorship activities, independent journalist Michael Shellenberger reported.  In a thread on X (formerly Twitter), Shellenberger explained that individuals connected to the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), including the CIA, tried to “take over Twitter’s content management system” and “to de-platform, de-monetize, and excommunicate from the Internet entirely” anyone whom the IC claimed to be a threat. One senior intelligence analyst told The Twitter Files journalists how this could happen: “There are deep cover people who are known to be CIA and who go to DARPA [Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency] and then wherever.” There are front groups and intermediaries that hide the true IC activity beneath.  Former intelligence employees and contractors were part of the effort, Shellenberger said, citing “thousands of pages” of evidence. Originally, operatives had argued that “disinformation,” a term leftists have willingly applied to anything with which they disagree, was a security threat.  The Mary Poppins of censorship, Nina Jankowicz, who was briefly the head of the now-defunct federal Disinformation Governance Board, was among the operatives. IC-tied anti-“disinformation” organization Alethea Group and its CEO Lisa Kaplan were involved, too. Twitter hired hacker Peiter “Mudge” Zatko but it was discovered that Zatko was secretly coordinating with government agencies, Shellenberger continued. Zatko was a contractor with IC and government agencies, working with the National Security Agency (NSA) as early as 1999 and being funded by the IC “for over a quarter-century.” Zatko had been a long-time government/IC employee or contractor.  Meanwhile, FBI agent Elvis Chan, who has been featured prominently in past Twitter Files reports, was trying to obtain increased NSA use of Twitter data until then-Twitter Head of Site Integrity, Yoel Roth, objected. But in Jan. 2021, Twitter authorized Zatko to hire Alethea Group, Shellenberger posted. Alethea had multiple individuals with federal ties. Former Twitter Deputy Counsel Jim Baker, who was implicated in “help[ing] start” the Russiagate hoax, claimed that the release of Alethea’s materials “creates risks.” Shellenberger clarified that the materials revealed “Twitter’s handling of the Hunter Biden laptop, the 2020 elections, and the 2021 Capitol riots.” Kaplan, for instance, blamed the events of Jan. 6 on social media, and Alethea pushed Twitter for more COVID-19 censorship. Zatko and Aspen Institute’s Vivian Schiller, “who led the ‘pre-bunking’ of the Hunter Biden laptop story,” were among those pushing for more Big Tech-government censorship work. Zatko and Schiller had recommendations for the Biden administration, Shellenberger posted, that included “more vigorous content moderation” and “a regulatory body.” Twitter did fire Zatko, but it took on and formed a partnership with Alethea, including Jankowicz. Ironically, Jankowicz told The Twitter Filesjournalists she was against censorship, even though she actively supports censorship actions like content removal to this day. Neither was Twitter the only target of the manipulation of the intelligence community and its proxies. Amazon, PayPal and GoDaddy were also supposed to censor individuals financially via a Twitter partnership. Shellenberger unpacked the grand scheme: “Alethea is proposing that Twitter lead an effort to organize all other social media companies, e-commerce companies, and Internet Service Providers, to de-platform, de-monetize, and de-person disfavored individuals.” “Whether or not the CIA or another IC agency controlled the Alethea Group, it behaved as either a front group or an intermediary of the IC,” Shellenberger concluded. He added, “That so many [CIA and federal contractors] apparently did so in order to bring America’s most influential social media company under the authority of the IC is a dark moment in American history.” Conservatives are under attack. Contact your representatives and demand that Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency, clarity on so-called “hate speech” and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored, contact us using MRC Free Speech America’s contact form, and help us hold Big Tech accountable.

The Monday morning segment of CNN Newsroom featured a gleeful Jim Acosta boasting about former President Donald Trump’s combative reception and unsuccessful speech at the Libertarian National Convention. He was joined by The View’s Ana Navarro and Democratic strategist Maria Cardona, both of whom took the opportunity to paint Trump as unnerved by an unfamiliar and unfriendly setting. After showing a clip of the Libertarian crowd booing Trump during his speech, Acosta remarked on what he understood as obvious discomfort at a hostile situation, asserting that Trump’s campaign team simply lost control of circumstances and failed in their task of protecting him from an awkward situation. “This does not happen to Donald Trump very much. I mean, as much as you know, we see these rowdy crowds at his own rallies. They are very careful about keeping him away from this kind of stuff and it just sort of blew up in his face," he gawked.     Cardona then launched into her own criticism, opining on Trump’s appearance that she suggested was evidently weak and flustered: “He looked discombobulated. He looked redder than usual, sweaty, deer in the headlights, because this is not the kind of reaction that he normally gets.” She further condemned his agenda as completely dictatorial, falsely citing his desire to control women and “so many communities,” as well as his intention to rob citizens of their right to vote: Donald Trump's agenda and his policies are the furthest thing from libertarian that you can get. And so it doesn't surprise me that when he is somebody who wants to tell women what to do with their bodies, who wants to take away people's rights to vote, who wants to essentially control so many communities within the United States and has said that he was going to be a dictator on day one, that's not something that Libertarians are going to support, and this is clearly the evidence of that. Navarro followed up, harping on Trump’s supposed helplessness and anxiety in a hostile environment, likening his MAGA supporters to a “protected bubble” and “mothership.” In her words, Trump “looked pained. He was grimacing during the entire time. He's obviously not used to being outside the mothership, outside his MAGA bubble.” Acosta replied by snidely agreeing, “Yeah, that was definitely not the mothership.” The transcript is below. Click "expand" to read: CNN’s Newsroom 5/27/2024 10:25:00 PM ET JIM ACOSTA: Former President Donald Trump leaving his campaign safe space this weekend to seek the support of libertarian voters. It did not go over well. (BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) DONALD TRUMP: The Libertarian Party should nominate Trump for President of the United States.  [Crowd boos] Whoa, that's nice. That's nice. [Transition] Only do that if you want to win. If you want to lose, don't do that. Keep getting your three percent every four years. (END VIDEO CLIP) ACOSTA: Let's discuss now with CNN senior political commentator Ana Navarro and Democratic strategist Maria Cardona. Ladies, good to see both of you. Maria, let me start with you first. You're here in the studio with me, and, by the way, great to see you in person. I haven't seen you in person in some time since our friend, Alice. Anyway, let's talk about what happened over the weekend. This does not happen to Donald Trump very much. I mean, as much as you know, we see these rowdy crowds at his own rallies. They are very careful about keeping him away from this kind of stuff and it just sort of blew up in his face. MARIA CARDONA: That's what was so surprising for a campaign team this time around that is very focused on making sure that he doesn't get this kind of reaction. I think there's going to be some hell to pay within the campaign staff. He looked discombobulated. He looked redder than usual, sweaty, deer in the headlights, because this is not the kind of reaction that he normally gets. But, look, from a strategic standpoint, it shouldn't be surprising. Donald Trump's agenda and his policies are the furthest thing from libertarian that you can get. And so it doesn't surprise me that when he is somebody who wants to tell women what to do with their bodies, who wants to take away people's rights to vote, who wants to essentially control so many communities within the United States and has said that he was going to be a dictator on day one, that's not something that Libertarians are going to support, and this is clearly the evidence of that. ACOSTA: Yeah. Ana, what did you make of this when you saw this? ANA NAVARRO: You know, it was somewhat astounding, right? Because we are so used to seeing Donald Trump just in his little protected bubble of MAGA followers. But I also think that this is an acknowledgment by Trump and his campaign that MAGA followers are not going to get him into the White House. And that if he wants to get elected, he needs to go figure out how to appeal votes from other groups that may not be with him traditionally. Now, it's a heck of a way to try to campaign and get somebody's vote by talking down to them and saying, “Yeah, go ahead. Get your normal three percent you bunch of losers.” I mean, it was and he looked pained. He was grimacing during the entire time. He's obviously not used to being outside the mothership, outside his MAGA bubble. ACOSTA: Yeah, that was definitely not the mothership. (…)

A California man will not face charges after shooting and killing his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend who had broken into their apartment, according to police. The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office said officers responded to a call about a shooting at about 2 in the morning early on Sunday at the Sutter Crossing Apartments complex in Carmichael, a city in Sacramento County. 'He's entitled to defend himself and kill that intruder.' Police said that they found a man who had been shot dead, and he was identified as an ex-boyfriend of a woman who lived in the apartment. The ex allegedly banged on the door for 20 minutes before the woman opened the door and he forced his way in. The man then got into a fight with the woman's current boyfriend before he shot the home intruder, according to the sheriff's office. The current boyfriend told police that he was choked by the ex before he retrieved his gun from beneath his pillow and shot at the man once. He was declared dead at the scene. The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office determined that the shooter should not face charges after receiving the investigative report from police. The sheriff's office said that the current boyfriend called the police and that they were cooperating with the investigation. Officials added that the gun was licensed and registered to the shooter. A local attorney named Michael Wise told KOVR-TV that California has "stand your ground" protections in the law. "If this gentleman was presented with a lethal threat that he did not trigger in any way, then he's entitled to defend himself and kill that intruder," Wise explained. "Ironically you can still be charged for illegal possession of a firearm if you're not allowed to possess one," he added, "but the actual use of deadly force to defend yourself is still justified even if you use a weapon that is not registered in California or if you're not allowed to possess one." KOVR reported that many in the neighborhood were stunned to find that the shooter was not charged, and they said they knew the victim well. None of those involved were publicly identified, but the victim's name will be released after the medical examiner contacts his next of kin. Carmichael is a city of about 80k residents located 10 miles northeast of Sacramento. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Virginia state Sen. John McGuire, a candidate who is challenging House Freedom Caucus chair Rep. Bob Good in the Republican congressional primary for Virginia's 5th Congressional District."Bob Good is BAD FOR VIRGINIA, AND BAD FOR THE USA. He turned his back on our incredible movement, and was constantly attacking and fighting me until recently, when he gave a warm and 'loving' Endorsement - But really, it was too late. The damage had been done! I just want to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and the person that can most help me do that is Navy Seal and highly respected State Legislator, John McGuire, a true American Hero," Trump declared in a Truth Social post. "John McGuire has my Complete and Total Endorsement!"'We were told that Trump had to endorse every liberal incumbent ... due to unity. But somehow that doesn't extend to the top conservative incumbents.'Last year, Good endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president before the Sunshine State governor announced his Republican presidential primary bid."I am unequivocally endorsing and encouraging Governor DeSantis to run for president," Good said in a statement released last year by Never Back Down. "If Governor DeSantis runs for president, he will win."DeSantis dropped out of the GOP presidential primary and endorsed Trump on January 21. That same day, Good endorsed Trump."It is my privilege to provide my complete and total endorsement for Donald J. Trump as the 47th President of the United States," Good said in a tweet. — (@) GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, who recently pursued an ultimately unsuccessful bid to oust House Speaker Mike Johnson from the speakership, hailed Trump's move to endorse McGuire over incumbent Rep. Good."I'm very pleased with Pres Trump's endorsement of great patriot John McGuire and denouncement of back stabbing traitor Bob Good!" Greene declared in a post on X. Blaze Media's Daniel Horowitz said in a statement to Blaze News, "It's interesting how Trump told us we all need to get behind Johnson, despite him sharing the gavel with Hakeem Jeffries, under the guise of unity headed into the election. We were told that Trump had to endorse every liberal incumbent, including swamp creatures like Mike Simpson and James Baird due to unity. But somehow that doesn't extend to the top conservative incumbents. Suddenly, unity is not an issue. How can you drain the swamp if you plug up the drain?"

At least 75 rivers in Alaska have turned orange so far as permafrost melts and releases minerals like iron into the water. The post Melting Permafrost Is Causing Rivers In Alaska To Turn Orange And Be Acidic As Vinegar appeared first on All That's Interesting.

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