The Illegal Immigrant Crisis Isn't Just a Big City Problem

Pound for pound – or‚ rather‚ gram for gram – a short-haul flight is one of the least environmentally friendly ways to travel. Long-haul flights are barely better; domestic ones are worse by far. Which‚ for anybody hoping to live on a planet Earth that’s still habitable in the near future‚ is kind of a problem.That’s one reason why NASA launched the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project – an admittedly ambitious attempt to help the aviation industry reach net zero emissions by 2050. By last year‚ the project was already seeing some of the first fruits of its labor: a concept from Boeing for a new design of single-aisle aircraft that could result in up to 30 percent lower fuel consumption and lower emissions than the best equivalents currently available.Dubbed the X-66A‚ the key to the new plane’s efficiency is its extra-long‚ thin wings‚ which are stabilized by a pair of diagonal struts. This design generates lift while decreasing induced drag – a combination which directly reduces the amount of fuel needed for a given journey. It also has an eye on the future: the setup “could eventually accommodate advanced propulsion systems that are limited by a lack of underwing space in today's low-wing airplane configurations‚” Boeing suggests in a statement.The model received its X-plane designation as a direct result of the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator project – it’s a label given to aircraft specifically designed for research and experiments. It’s the result of more than a decade of research and collaboration between the two organizations into what Boeing calls its “Transonic Truss-Braced Wing” model – and now‚ for the first time‚ a full-scale demonstration of the aircraft is being delivered.“We’re incredibly proud of this designation‚ because it means that the X-66A will be the next in a long line of experimental aircraft used to validate breakthrough designs that have transformed aviation‚” said Todd Citron‚ Boeing chief technology officer‚ in June last year. “With the learnings gained from design‚ construction‚ and flight-testing‚ we’ll have an opportunity to shape the future of flight and contribute to the decarbonization of aerospace.”Should the design prove successful in real-world testing‚ it could be just the kind of revolution the aerospace industry needs. Single-aisle aircraft are smaller than wide-body planes‚ and mostly used for short-haul or domestic flights; due to their heavy usage‚ they account for nearly half of aviation emissions worldwide. Thanks to this collaboration‚ however – and an award from NASA of $425 million over seven years‚ to join with Boeing and partners’ $725 million stake – this new‚ greener design of aircraft might be in the skies as soon as 2027.“To reach our goal of net zero aviation emissions by 2050‚ we need transformative aircraft concepts like the ones we’re flying on the X-66A‚” said Bob Pearce‚ associate administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. “With this experimental aircraft‚ we’re aiming high to demonstrate the kinds of energy-saving‚ emissions-reducing technologies the aviation industry needs.”

“I laughed so hard‚ I peed myself!” is not a sentence that’s likely to even raise an eyebrow with most of us. Stress incontinence – temporary loss of bladder control linked to actions like jumping‚ coughing‚ and laughing – is an issue that affects thousands‚ for reasons including having given birth or having an enlarged prostate. But what if every time you got a fit of the giggles‚ your bladder completely emptied? It’s time to shed a little light on giggle incontinence.What is giggle incontinence?The name “giggle incontinence” makes this condition sound a lot more fun than it actually is. It refers to involuntary urination brought on by laughter‚ but crucially not by the other common causes of stress incontinence.The condition most commonly affects children and young teenagers aged between 7 and 14‚ and is more prevalent in girls than in boys. While most children grow out of it‚ it can in some cases persist into adulthood.The severity of the condition can vary‚ with some sufferers experiencing complete bladder emptying‚ but at other times the function of the bladder is normal.True giggle incontinence is quite rare‚ and scientists aren’t clear on what causes it. It can also be tricky to distinguish from other causes of daytime incontinence in kids‚ or it may be misdiagnosed when there’s actually another underlying issue at play.“[Giggle incontinence] is poorly described and understood‚” wrote the authors of a recent scoping review on the topic.One theory suggests that it’s caused by a sudden loss of muscle tone of the pelvic floor muscles‚ similar to the cataplexy that is often seen in individuals with the sleep disorder narcolepsy. Other hypotheses hold that the pelvic floor muscles are dysfunctional in these individuals‚ or that the urethral muscles relax inappropriately‚ leading to bladder emptying.The review ultimately concluded that “additional research is warranted” if we’re to better understand and devise treatments for this condition. But what treatments are available right now?Are there any treatments for giggle incontinence? Giggle incontinence can be very distressing and embarrassing for children‚ so it’s very important to reassure them that the condition is not their fault‚ and that it generally will resolve itself with time.That said‚ there are some treatments that have been found to be effective in some cases.One case report detailed the experiences of a Canadian medical team treating a 14-year-old boy with giggle incontinence. They were able to rule out anything more sinister going on‚ so were confident that what they were dealing with was a true case of giggle incontinence.When Kegel exercises and timed voiding (scheduling specific times to use the bathroom) were ineffective‚ the doctors tried a course of methylphenidate twice a day on schooldays. More commonly known by the brand name Ritalin and used as a treatment for ADHD‚ methylphenidate was found in a recent study to be an effective treatment with minimal side effects. Scientists aren’t totally sure why it works‚ but it’s thought it might help the urethra remain closed under pressure.In the boy’s case‚ it worked well‚ and nine months later he was able to come off the meds with no further problems.A taboo subjectWe humans are not the best when it comes to discussing problems around going to the bathroom. Once a kid has been successfully potty trained‚ most people tend to think that problem peeing is a thing of the past – but sometimes‚ that’s simply not the case.A better understanding of conditions like giggle incontinence can help remove some of the stigma and shame that can come with these issues‚ and can only lead to a better outlook for patients in the future.All “explainer” articles are confirmed by fact checkers to be correct at time of publishing. Text‚ images‚ and links may be edited‚ removed‚ or added to at a later date to keep information current. The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice‚ diagnosis‚ or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions. 

A groundbreaking bill to prohibit octopus farming could soon be passed in Washington state. If signed into law‚ it will be a world-first ban on the deeply controversial aquaculture practice that’s started to emerge. The bill‚ HB 1153‚ passed the Washington State House of Representatives earlier this month and passed the Senate with a 29-20 vote on February 27. It’s now waiting on the desk of the Governor‚ who has three weeks to sign the bill or bin it.  “Octopus farming leads to suffering and sickness for one of the more intelligent and feeling animals in our oceans‚” representative Strom Peterson who sponsored the bill said in a statement.“It can lead to huge environmental and ecological effects as well. Octopus farming is harmful to the animals and the environment and is unnecessary. It’s time to move on‚” said Peterson.California and Hawai'i are also eyeing up similar legalization. This month‚ assembly member Steve Bennett introduced A.B. 3162‚ the California Oppose Cruelty to Octopuses (OCTO) Act‚ to prohibit octopus farming and ban the import of farmed octopus in California. Likewise‚ legislators in Hawai'i launched a similar bill called H.B. 2262.This recent spurt of legalization comes in the wake of news that a Spanish seafood company‚ Nueva Pescanova‚ has set its sights on building an octopus farm in the Canary Islands. It’s currently waiting for final approval‚ but it would be the first commercial venture to rear and slaughter octopus on an industrial scale. If it gets the go-ahead‚ the farm has the hopes to produce around 3‚000 tons of octopus each year‚ amounting to the slaughter of around one million animals.However‚ the plan to build the huge facility has cooked up a fair amount of controversy among environmentalists and animal welfare supporters. Octopuses are undeniably smart animals with a unique complex nervous system‚ capable of advanced problem-solving and learning. It’s even been suggested that they are sentient creatures with individual personalities. Their evident intelligence raises some serious questions about whether it is ethically appropriate to exploit these animals for large-scale farming. Since 2019‚ numerous NGOs have expressed their deep concerns about the prospect of octopus farming becoming a new trend in the global food market.  "Farming carnivorous species like octopuses is inherently unsustainable‚ an antithesis to the principles of environmental stewardship and animal welfare that should guide our actions. The ecological footprint of such practices stands in stark contrast to the sustainable and compassionate food systems we strive to build‚” Giulia Malerbi‚ Global Policy Lead at Aquatic Life Institute‚ said in a statement to IFLScience.The Aquatic Life Institute‚ a US-based nonprofit that specializes in aquatic animal welfare‚ is one of the groups leading the charge. Together with over 140 other organizations‚ the Aquatic Life Institute sent a joint letter to the Canary Islands government urging them to rethink the planning application from Nueva Pescanova.The Aquatic Life Institute has also been instrumental in the progress of the new HB 1153 bill. In November 2023‚ they sent letters to legislators in Washington state‚ urging them to pass the bill through the House. Since the bill has now reached the final hurdle‚ the NGO is very excited and has high hopes it will be signed into law soon.“This law is not merely a reflection of our commitment to the well-being of octopuses‚ beings of remarkable intelligence and complexity‚ but it is a bold statement against the direction in which our food systems are perilously headed‚" Malerbi told IFLScience.“It underscores an imperative shift away from exploitative practices and it sends a clear message that the path to a sustainable future is not through the commodification of complex‚ sentient beings‚" she added.

Hunter Biden went to the Capitol for his closed-door deposition with the House Oversight and Judiciary Committees. This is his makeup day for the depo he blew off in order to deliver a tirade from behind a podium before stomping off the Capitol grounds. The network newscasts fell in formation today‚ focused on protecting the Bidens and disqualifying the proceedings. Coverage was nearly identical across the Big Three‚ touching on some of the same thematic points: a quote from Hunter’s statement denouncing the investigation and calling for it to end‚ a brief summation of what the investigation is about‚ and some version of the Smirnov Hoax‚ to wit: that the controversial FBI FD-1023 (record of confidential informant meeting with agent) with its allegedly false statements contained therein is the entirety of the evidence upon which the impeachment inquiry hinges.  Of the three‚ ABC’s coverage was the most extensive and most partisan. Here’s correspondent Rachel Scott‚ dutifully reciting the Smirnov Hoax: RACHEL SCOTT: Republicans built their case largely on a claim from an FBI informant that as vice president‚ Biden took a $5 million bribe from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma‚ where Hunter Biden sat on the board. The Justice Department now calls that story a fabrication‚ and the informant has been charged with lying to the FBI.  Of course‚ this is patently false. The impeachment inquiry was NOT built largely on the FD-1023. There is also the trove of documents contained within the laptop‚ the damning testimony of the IRS whistleblowers‚ testimony from Hunter’s several business partners‚ and the evidence collected in furtherance of Hunter's indictment on tax charges. But suggesting that the whole thing hangs on the FD-1023 makes it easier to dismiss the whole thing as little more than a fake partisan sham.  Scott carried the Democrats’ water during a gaggle with House Oversight Chair James Comer‚ by suggesting that Smirnov’s indictment somehow made the impeachment inquiry illegitimate. Here’s that exchange: SCOTT: Chairman‚ what do you say to some Democrats who see this as a sham? They say that one of the people that you identified as credible‚ though… JAMES COMER: Well‚ then they can --  SCOTT: …has been indicted of a crime. Indicted of lying.  COMER: Listen‚ they've mentioned three of the people that we deposed as not being credible. These people were the partners of Hunter Biden‚ okay? It's a reflection on the Bidens‚ not me‚ that their partners have all been indicted or in prison.  Scott ended the report with a quote from Hunter’s lawyer.  NBC and CBS followed similar templates‚ but weren’t interested in doing a full two minutes on Hunter Biden’s closed-door. You had brief reports‚ of approximately one minute in NBC’s case and CBS’s at around 30 seconds‚ that were more succinct in laying the narratives needed to protect the precious: the precious here being the electoral prospects of Joe Biden. Click “expand” to view the full transcripts of the aforementioned reports as aired on the network evening newscasts on Wednesday‚ February 28th‚ 2024: NBC NIGHTLY NEWS: LESTER HOLT: Also tonight‚ Hunter Biden‚ the president's son‚ testifying to House Republicans today in his father's impeachment inquiry. Ryan Nobles joins us. Ryan‚ Hunter Biden had pretty sharp words today.  RYAN NOBLES: Yeah‚ that's right‚ Lester. Hunter Biden testifying behind closed doors that his father was not involved in any of his foreign business dealings‚ and he slammed House Republicans for what he called a‚ quote‚ “partisan political pursuit of my dad”. And Republicans are investigating whether or not the president was involved in what they describe as an effort by the Biden family to cash in on Joe Biden's political career. They point to testimony that Joe Biden joined a business meeting with Hunter Biden via speakerphone. Now‚ the impeachment inquiry is struggling to regain momentum after an informant who accused Joe Biden as being part of a bribery scheme was indicted for lying to the FBI. House Democrats say that is enough for the impeachment inquiry to come to an end. Lester. HOLT: Ryan Nobles‚ thanks.   CBS EVENING NEWS: NORAH O’DONNELL: Hunter Biden on Capitol Hill today sitting down for a seven hour closed-door deposition for House Republicans’ impeachment inquiry into his father. The president's son called the inquiry into his family's business dealings “a house of cards‚ built on lies”. House Republicans accused the Bidens of influence peddling‚ making millions off clients in Ukraine‚ China‚ and other foreign countries. A key witness‚ Alexander Smirnov‚ was arrested earlier this month for allegedly lying to the FBI‚ falsely claiming that the Bidens had taken millions of dollars in bribes.   ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT: DAVID MUIR: Meantime‚ the president's son Hunter Biden was questioned behind closed doors for seven hours today. The heated hearing part of the House Republicans’ impeachment inquiry into the president and his son. Here's ABC's Rachel Scott now. RACHEL SCOTT: Tonight‚ President Biden's son Hunter testifying for nearly seven hours. As House Republicans forge ahead with their troubled impeachment investigation. Behind closed doors‚ Hunter Biden calling the investigation a “partisan political pursuit built on lies”. Insisting‚ "I did not involve my father in my business." Acknowledging "I have made mistakes in my life‚ but my mistakes and shortcomings are my own and not my father's." Republicans on the committee unloading.  NANCY MACE: Hunter Biden is being defiant and also dishonest. SCOTT: Republicans built their case largely on a claim from an FBI informant that as vice president‚ Biden took a $5 million bribe from the Ukrainian energy company Burisma‚ where Hunter Biden sat on the board. The Justice Department now calls that story a fabrication‚ and the informant has been charged with lying to the FBI.  ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ: The Republican case has completely fallen apart over the last several weeks. They are now trying to scramble to find anything to substantiate their fairy tale.  SCOTT: Chairman‚ what do you say to some Democrats who see this as a sham? They say that one of the people that you identified as credible‚ though… JAMES COMER: Well‚ then they can --  SCOTT: …has been indicted of a crime. Indicted of lying.  COMER: Listen‚ they've mentioned three of the people that we deposed as not being credible. These people were the partners of Hunter Biden‚ okay? It's a reflection on the Bidens‚ not me‚ that their partners have all been indicted or in prison.  SCOTT: Tonight‚ an attorney for Hunter Biden told reporters that after seven hours‚ Republicans failed to provide any evidence of wrongdoing by President Biden. The committee plans to release a transcript of that testimony in the coming days. David.  MUIR: Rachel Scott‚ live on The Hill for us. Rachel‚ thank you.  

Last night‚ the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary introduced a substitute second grade teacher who uses the "non-binary" fake pronoun "mx" with students. In the episode‚ "Breakup‚" substitute teacher Cassidy Geoffrey (Sabrina Wu) fills in for Janine (Quinta Brunson)‚ a second grade teacher who left to take a fellowship with the school district.  Cassidy is driving Abbott's other second grade teacher‚ Melissa (Lisa Ann Walter)‚ crazy with her flighty‚ hair-brained behavior. She encourages the children in her classroom to scream as a group and yells in the air along with them. When Melissa asks her why she does this‚ Cassidy tells her‚ "Been using tactics I read in a book I heard. You know‚ sometimes it feels like I'm the one teaching them."   Cassidy also mistakenly refers to her teaching certificate as a "gift certificate." Melissa becomes convinced Cassidy must be lying about being a teacher. She calls Janine at the district to look up whether Cassidy is a legitimate substitute or a fraud.  Janine cannot find Cassidy in the district database‚ so Melissa and Janine confront Cassidy in her classroom. Cassidy: Oh‚ hello Melissa and uh... Janine: Your worst nightmare. The jig is up‚ Jeffrey. I actually work at the school district. And guess who isn't in the substitute database?  Cassidy: Who? Janine: You.  Cassidy: I don't know what you're talking about. I've subbed all over Philly.  Melissa: Oh‚ yeah? What schools?  Cassidy: Washington. Jefferson. Roosevelt. McKinley. Roosevelt again.  Melissa: Okay. You're just naming presidents. You're out of here. Janine: Yeah. I've searched every employment file that the district has‚ and there's no record of a Cassidy... Is it "Gee-oh-free"?  Cassidy: It's pronounced "Jeffrey."  Janine: But it isn't spelled that way‚ now‚ is it?  Up until this scene‚ there is little indication that Cassidy falls into any sort of invented gender category. She has a short haircut and androgynous clothes‚ but who cares? Her outfits are not out of the ordinary. In many ways‚ kooky Cassidy is a perfect representative for the immature Tumblr madness of invented gender pronouns. "Mx‚" pronounced "mix‚" is gobbledygook that is being embraced by left-wing LGBTQUIA "educators." It confuses vulnerable young children in both grammar and human biology.  The episode at least refused to make Cassidy an idealized‚ perfect person‚ which is rare for LGBTQUIA television characters nowadays.  "If we took out those quirks [Cassidy's]‚ it wouldn't be funny. It's hard to have people of certain identities presented as perfect because then what is there to laugh at?" episode writer Brittani Nichols told Entertainment Weekly. Nonetheless‚ the episode's casual use of "Mx" on the blackboard further normalizes nonsense and wrongly perpetuates the idea that foisting adult gender confusion on early elementary school children is acceptable.

Comedy Central’s Michael Kosta used his second day of temp hosting The Daily Show to react to Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Wednesday decision to step down as the GOP Senate leader by accusing him of being responsible for school shootings. Kosta made the remarks after playing a clip of McConnell on the Senate floor‚ claiming that he felt it was time to move on to his life’s next chapter‚ “Next chapter? I don't think there's that much left in the book‚ my friend. I think you're looking at the acknowledgements page right now. But yes‚ this is the end of Mitch's reign in the Senate. And in honor of all that he has done to stop mass shootings‚ there will be a 21-gun salute at an elementary school later this month.”     While the “joke” is nominally about McConnell‚ it is really about all Second Amendment defenders. If you believe the Constitution means what it says and that gun control laws would only affect law-abiding citizens and not criminals‚ then The Daily Show thinks you also do not care about murdered children. The Daily Show was not the only late night show in a hurry to kick McConnell out the door. Over at CBS and The Late Show‚ host Stephen Colbert played another clip of McConnell recalling President Ronald Reagan mistaking him for Mitch O’Donnell‚ “Close enough‚ I thought.” “Well‚ that's very big of you‚ Bitch O’Dumb Nuts‚” Colbert replied as if that were clever. Later on NBC’s Late Night‚ Meyers kicked off his monologue by reporting that “thanks to the woke left‚ another Confederate statue has been taken down. That's right‚ Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell announced today that he will step down from his leadership position in November‚ and then in December he'll be stepping down from his position as Krampus.” The claim is that McConnell is racist‚ but just as opposing gun control doesn’t make you responsible for school shootings‚ opposing Democrats’ so-called “voting rights” bills or whatever else Meyers has in mind doesn’t make you a Confederate. Here is a transcript for the February 28-taped shows: Comedy Central The Daily Show 2/28/2024 11:15 PM ET MICHAEL KOSTA: Next chapter? I don't think there's that much left in the book‚ my friend. I think you're looking at the acknowledgements page right now. But yes‚ this is the end of Mitch's reign in the Senate. And in honor of all that he has done to stop mass shootings‚ there will be a 21-gun salute at an elementary school later this month.  *** CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert 2/28/2024 11:37 PM ET STEPHEN COLBERT: McConnell made his announcement on the Senate floor and then took a fun shamble down Memory Lane.  MITCH MCCONNELL: My career in the United States Senate began amidst the Reagan Revolution. The truth is when I got here I was just happy if anybody remembered my name. President Reagan called me Mitch O'Donnell. Close enough‚ I thought. COLBERT: Well‚ that's very big of you‚ Bitch O’ Dumb Nuts. That's not very nice. That’s not good. *** NBC Late Night with Seth Meyers 2/29/2024 12:37 AM ET SETH MEYERS: Well‚ thanks to the woke left‚ another Confederate statue has been taken down. That's right Senate Minority leader Mitch McConnell announced today that he will step down from his leadership position in November and then in December he'll be stepping down from his position as Krampus.

On Monday's NewsNight show‚ for the second time in less than a week‚ CNN host Abby Phillip discussed the war in Gaza with a liberal guest whom she prodded to convey whether Israel is committing "genocide" against the Palestinians in spite of the Israeli Defense Forces making efforts to limit civilian casualties even while Hamas fighters hide among the civilian population. Phillip began the segment at the top of the show by recalling a U.S. soldier who set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy to protest Israel's war efforts‚ and then recounted previous examples of protesters engaging in similar extreme acts of self-injury to protest other wars like Vietnam. "Now‚ the fact that Israel's war in Gaza has provoked this kind of response from really anyone marks a new and stunning chapter in this country's stark divisions over this war." She then cited polls finding that much of the public‚ including most Democrats‚ believe Israel has gone too far‚ and brought aboard far-left Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.)‚ who is also running in the primary for the U.S. Senate right now. Phillip called her a "progressive" and recalled that‚ in 2001‚ she was the only member of Congress to vote against going to war in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks "that sent American troops into Afghanistan for what turned out to be two decades of war." After asking for her reaction to the man who set himself on fire‚ Phillip's second question was to bring up accusations of "genocide" against Israel: PHILLIP: So this servicemember said that he could no longer be complicit in genocide. Two questions for you: Do you consider what Israel is doing in Gaza to be a genocide? And do you consider the President‚ as a result of that‚ to be complicit in a genocide? LEE: Look‚ I am going to tell you what I believe first in terms of condemning the horrific Hamas attacks. Terrorism should not be tolerated in any part of the world‚ including in Israel. And I also have said very clearly that‚ in going after Hamas‚ killing innocent civilians -- what‚ 30‚000 nearly -- women and children  -- that is not how you prosecute a war to address terrorism We have to have a ceasefire‚ and‚ Abby‚ that's what I'm calling for. Instead of pushing back in any way‚ the CNN host followed up by playing a clip of President Biden talking up the possibility of a temporary ceasefire in about a week‚ and then posed: "Is that enough for you? He's talking there about not a permanent ceasefire but a short-term ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages." After Lee repeated her claims about the number of civilian deaths‚ Phillip followed up by asking if President Biden should push even further for a longer-term ceasefire: LEE: It does -- it does need to be conditioned. We should never allow any country to receive U.S. tax dollars without some rules -- some conditions and some accountability measures. So‚ yes‚ that should take place. PHILLIP: I mean‚ to be clear‚ there are -- I mean‚ there are conditions by law on the aid that goes to Israel. But I think the criticism from some people is that it doesn't go far enough‚ and that it needs to go further. So‚ I mean‚ to what degree do you think that that should be something that President Biden pushes even further than what is already required by law? LEE: He should push as far as he can push... Again‚ instead of giving any pushback‚ Phillip then moved to asking her if her liberal guest hypothetically would take part in a protest vote against President Biden in the Michigan primary if she lived in the state to send a message over his handling of the Gaza issue. Nowhere in here was the notion that there's anything objectionable or terrorist or radical in what Hamas has done. Transcript follows: CNN's NewsNight February 26‚ 2024 10:04 p.m. ABBY PHILLIP (after informing viewers of a man who set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy to protest the war in Gaza): Now‚ the fact that Israel's war in Gaza has provoked this kind of response from really anyone marks a new and stunning chapter in this country's stark divisions over this war. Biden is clearly feeling the pressure‚ and‚ privately‚ he's expressing his frustration with the Netanyahu government and its refusal to moderate the bombing campaign. Right now‚ here's where the numbers stand domestically -- 50 percent of Americans say that Israel's campaign has gone too far. That includes 63 percent of Democrats. And that number has been building. Recent events -- they've also highlighted how limited Biden's increasingly frank warnings to Netanyahu have been in exerting pressure on a U.S. ally. He‚ for example‚ warned Netanyahu not to plan for an invasion into the densely populated refuge for civilians‚ Rafah. Netanyahu says he has a plan to do just that. And tomorrow we'll see a test of just how frustrated the voters are. There's been a vocal campaign in the state of Michigan to get Democrats to vote uncommitted as a message directly to the President of the United States. Now‚ whether President Biden hears that message or if he can do anything at this point to make Israel hear that message‚ well‚ that remains to be seen. Tonight‚ progressive anger at the President is mounting. Joining me now is someone who's been a key progressive for a very long time‚ Democratic Congresswoman from California‚ Barbara Lee. She's a former chair of the Progressive Caucus. She's also running for Senate. Now‚ Lee was also the only member of Congress from either party to vote against the 2001 authorization of military force that sent American troops into Afghanistan for what turned out to be two decades of war. Congresswoman‚ thank you for joining us tonight. As you saw there‚ a servicemember self-immolating outside of the Israeli embassy. It's really a horrifying thing to watch. When you saw that‚ what went through your mind? (CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE (D-CA)) PHILLIP: So this servicemember said that he could no longer be complicit in genocide. Two questions for you: Do you consider what Israel is doing in Gaza to be a genocide? And do you consider the President‚ as a result of that‚ to be complicit in a genocide? LEE: Look‚ I am going to tell you what I believe first in terms of condemning the horrific Hamas attacks. Terrorism should not be tolerated in any part of the world‚ including in Israel. And I also have said very clearly that‚ in going after Hamas‚ killing innocent civilians -- what‚ 30‚000 nearly -- women and children  -- that is not how you prosecute a war to address terrorism. We have to have a ceasefire‚ and‚ Abby‚ that's what I'm calling for. I called for a ceasefire early. We have to get a political and diplomatic solution so that the hostages can be released -- so this terrible death and destruction and violence can stop. And I'm concerned about an escalation into a regional war with the United States embroiled in it. And so of course it's in our national security interests also‚ and we need to continue to call for a ceasefire‚ and we need to call for the end of the killing of so many civilians -- so many children‚ so many women. PHILLIP: Just tonight‚ President Biden made some news. He spoke to the late night host Seth Meyers. I want to play for you what he said. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN: Well‚ I hope by the beginning of the weekend -- I mean the end of the weekend. My national security advisor tells me that we're close. We're close. It's not done yet. And my hope is by next Monday we'll have a ceasefire. PHILLIP: Is that enough for you? He's talking there about not a permanent ceasefire but a short-term ceasefire in exchange for the release of hostages. (...) LEE: But remember the United States has supported and continues to support a two-state solution. Netanyahu said that he does not‚ so we're going to have to fight very hard for a permanent ceasefire and to get back on track for a politically diplomatic -- PHILLIP: And on that exact note‚ I mean‚ Netanyahu has essentially ignored a lot of what the Biden administration has already said to them about what they want to see. He has pushed aside this idea of a two-state solution. He says he still plans to conduct an invasion into Rafah despite the Biden administration warning him not to do that without certain conditions being met. Do you think that President Biden actually has influence over the Netanyahu government at this point? LEE: The President must continue to hold Israel accountable and must continue to tell Netanyahu in no uncertain terms that what is taking place is‚ first of all‚ against the rules of warfare. It's a violation of human rights. What is taking place is thousands of civilians -- women and children -- 30‚000 -- are being killed. PHILLIP: Is it enough for him to just say that to Netanyahu? Or does he -- others have said the aid needs to be conditioned. Do you believe that that's the case? LEE: It does -- it does need to be conditioned. We should never allow any country to receive U.S. tax dollars without some rules -- some conditions and some accountability measures. So‚ yes‚ that should take place. PHILLIP: I mean‚ to be clear‚ there are -- I mean‚ there are conditions by law on the aid that goes to Israel. But I think the criticism from some people is that it doesn't go far enough‚ and that it needs to go further. So‚ I mean‚ to what degree do you think that that should be something that President Biden pushes even further than what is already required by law? LEE: He should push as far as he can push because‚ one‚ the leverage that the United States has is very clear to me. I chaired the committee on appropriations that funds a lot of our international diplomacy and develops investments. It's very clear to me that if‚ in fact‚ countries don't meet the conditions‚ then we have the kind of leverage that should insist that they do‚ or we pull back and do not fund to the extent that the funding is not accountable to U.S. tax dollars. And this what's taking place now‚ and so the President must insist that the rules of accountability be complied with‚ and they haven't been‚ Abby‚ so that's the issue. PHILLIP: Congresswoman‚ I want to get your take on the Michigan primary‚ which will be tomorrow. There's a very public‚ very high-profile campaign to get Michigan Democrats to go ahead and vote uncommitted at that primary to send a message the President Biden. If you were -- I know you're California voters‚ but if you were a Michigan voter‚ would you vote uncommitted? LEE: No. But‚ Abby‚ what I am doing and very focused on‚ first of all‚ of course‚ is my election on March 5th for the United States Senate from California. Secondly‚ I would do everything I can do to make sure that Donald Trump is not elected. Donald Trump wants to disrupt‚ dismantle our democracy. He wants to establish an autocratic government and he's a national security threat and he's a danger to this country and to the rest of the world.

Securing your food supply should be among your top priorities as a survivalist. National emergencies like the pandemic‚ or natural ones such as wildfires show that federal food supplies can run low quickly The post The Science of Sustenance: How Nutritional Knowledge Enhances Prepper Readiness appeared first on Survivopedia.

Author and former Wall Street Journal columnist Abigail Shrier recently joined Joe Rogan on “The Joe Rogan Experience” to discuss her latest book‚ “Bad Therapy: Why the Kids Aren’t Growing Up.” The overarching theme of Shrier’s book is essentially this: Modern health care‚ especially in therapy and mental health‚ is failing kids. The idea of waning trust in the medical industry as a whole fueled much of the duo’s conversation. “Before COVID‚ I had a completely different opinion of the medical establishment‚” Rogan said. “My opinion of the medical establishment was that they were there to help people; that’s it. I never questioned it.” But when the pandemic hit‚ he quickly discovered that “the whole thing is a money and influence game run by very powerful people.” “Most sane people now believe … that the CDC doesn't necessarily have your best interests at heart‚” and neither does “the NIH‚” “the government‚” and especially “Joe Biden‚” says Dave Rubin. To hear more‚ watch the clip below. Want more from Dave Rubin?To enjoy more honest conversations‚ free speech‚ and big ideas with Dave Rubin‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.