This Week in Historyby Dianne Hermann “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliteratetheir own understanding of their history.” George Orwell Feb. 12-18‚ 2024 February 12 1793 – The first U.S. fugitive slave law is passed‚ requiring the return of escaped slaves. The Fugitive Slave Acts of 1793 and 1850 were […] The post This Week in History: Feb. 12-18‚ 2024 appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Every Sunday morning‚ legacy media outlets are taken over by elected officials‚ aspiring elected officials‚ administration insiders‚ and the usual collection of talking heads — all of whom are there to discuss specific policies‚ push talking points‚ or simply promote their own campaigns. For those who don’t spend their Sunday mornings glued to the television — and their Sunday afternoons attempting to unravel a full week’s worth of network and cable news media spin — The Daily Wire has compiled a short summary of what you may have missed. ABC News‚ “This Week”: Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) attempted to spin the results of special counsel Robert Hur’s report on President Joe Biden’s memory — which Hur said showed “significant lapses” — during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week.” Coons told host Jonathan Karl that “the idea that somehow Joe Biden forgot the date of his son’s death is offensive and appalling.” Coons’ opinion aside‚ Biden has on repeated occasions claimed that his son Beau Biden — who died of a brain tumor in 2015 — died as a result of his deployment to Iraq nearly a decade earlier. Following suggestions in special counsel Robert Hur’s report about Pres. Biden's memory‚ Democratic Sen. Chris Coons tells @JonKarl that “the idea that somehow Joe Biden forgot the date of his son's death is offensive and appalling.” https://t.co/AQOMsCpxnm pic.twitter.com/qe0EbcGRXP — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) February 11‚ 2024 CBS News‚ “Face the Nation”: Former Governor Nikki Haley (R-S.C.) made an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation‚” where she spoke with anchor Margaret Brennan about her push to make cognitive testing a part of the 2020 presidential campaign. Haley‚ who remains a candidate in the GOP primary despite trailing far behind former President Donald Trump in the polls‚ “has been handing out copies of a cognitive assessment” as she campaigns. “When do you plan to take it? And are you at all concerned that you might turn off some older voters?” Brennan asked — and Haley said that while she had initially suggested a cognitive test for any candidate over 75 years old‚ she was happy to see that threshold lowered and take any such test herself. As @NikkiHaley makes mental acuity a key issue of her campaign‚ she has been handing out copies of a cognitive assessment.@Margbrennan: "When do you plan to take it? And are you at all concerned that you might turn off some older voters?" Haley: "I have no problem taking it." pic.twitter.com/ckUPYons0L — Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) February 11‚ 2024 CNN‚ “State of the Union”: Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) took a moment on CNN’s “State of the Union” to share his pick for Sunday’s Super Bowl. Rubio told anchor Jake Tapper that he would like to see the San Francisco 49ers best the Kansas City Chiefs — if only to put an end to conspiracy theories surrounding pop superstar Taylor Swift and her boyfriend‚ Chiefs’ tight end Travis Kelce. “I want the 49ers to win so we can get rid of these conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift‚” Rubio said. .@marcorubio: "I want the 49ers to win so we can get rid of these conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift." pic.twitter.com/AHYuJYDTcy — State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) February 11‚ 2024 On a more serious note‚ Rubio also weighed in on the bipartisan border deal that fell apart earlier in the week — and he argued that it had done very little of what it claimed to. It “wasn’t a border security bill‚” Rubio said‚ saying that in addition‚ “it wasn’t tough.” .@marcorubio tells @jaketapper that the bipartisan immigration deal "wasn't a border security bill" and "it wasn't tough." pic.twitter.com/L18jQsWW9M — State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) February 11‚ 2024 CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP NBC News‚ “Meet the Press”: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas blamed Congress for the ongoing crisis at the southern border‚ arguing that he and President Joe Biden bore no “responsibility” for the record number of illegal immigrants who have crossed the border under their watch. Noting that neither he nor President Biden regretted the decision to terminate a number of former President Trump’s policies — which did seem to be keeping those numbers under control — saying instead‚ “Congress is the only one who can fix it.” WATCH: DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas says that DHS doesn’t “bear responsibility” for the “broken” immigration system.@SecMayorkas: “The system has not been fixed for 30 years. … Congress is the only one who can fix it.” pic.twitter.com/ECs5W2fx5o — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) February 11‚ 2024 FOX‚ “Fox News Sunday”: Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) told “Fox News Sunday” anchor Shannon Bream that he was prepared to vote “no” on an upcoming foreign aid package — which would provide funding to Ukraine‚ Israel‚ and Taiwan among other issues. Bream noted that the bipartisan border agreement — which had initially been tacked onto the foreign aid package — had been killed earlier in the week. The result was that if the measure passed‚ Biden would get all the funding he had asked for and Democrats would not have to concede anything with regard to securing the southern border. Cotton explained that things had fallen apart because the White House and Senate Democrats were prioritizing the security of Ukraine’s border over the U.S.-Mexico border‚ saying that they continually asked for more money to send overseas while allowing an invasion on our own soil. WATCH: Senator @TomCottonAR on why he’s planning to vote “no” on the foreign aid package. pic.twitter.com/4pBc999Sac — Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) February 11‚ 2024 MSNBC‚ “Inside With Jen Psaki”: Former White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki tried to explain away President Biden’s repeated cognitive issues‚ saying as she typically does‚ that the real concern should always be about Donald Trump. “True: Biden is 81‚ Trump is 77. Also true: Trump is facing 91 criminal counts and attempted a coup‚” Psaki posted along with a clip from her MSNBC show “Inside with Jen Psaki.” “If we continue to focus on questions like who is the bigger gaffe machine … then we are all doing something very wrong. That is not what this election is about‚” she said. True: Biden is 81‚ Trump is 77 Also true: Trump is facing 91 criminal counts and attempted a coup@jrpsaki: “If we continue to focus on questions like who is the bigger gaffe machine…then we are all doing something very wrong. That is not what this election is about.” pic.twitter.com/kN75Nr1Lfg — Inside with Jen Psaki (@InsideWithPsaki) February 11‚ 2024

Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis ripped President Joe Biden’s handling of classified material in an interview over the weekend following Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on the matter. DeSantis made the remarks during an interview with Mark Levin after Hur’s report at the conclusion of his criminal investigation into Biden said that Biden “willfully retained and disclosed classified materials after his vice presidency when he was a private citizen” but that prosecutors “conclude that no criminal charges are warranted‚” adding that they “also considered that‚ at trial‚ Mr. Biden would likely present himself to a jury…as a sympathetic‚ well-meaning‚ elderly man with a poor memory.” DeSantis suggested that the notion that Biden was “too senile” to stand trial means that he should not be viewed as competent enough to have the U.S.’s nuclear codes‚ and the 25th Amendment should be used to remove Biden from office if he really is not mentally capable. “This was willful retention of documents over many decades‚ this was like a pattern and practice when he was a U.S. senator‚ when he was vice president‚ when he got out of office‚” DeSantis said. “And I think back to the Hillary Clinton case which you and I both thought merited prosecution at the time. But Hillary‚ she set up that server‚ it wasn’t about classified‚ she just didn’t want her communications to be subjected to FOIA because of whatever she was doing‚ Clinton Foundation‚ who knows. So she was willing to risk exposure of classified by having this private server.” “Biden‚ I think was even more willful because he was doing this for a pattern of practice‚” he continued‚ noting that the special counsel “clearly had the goods” if he wanted to go forward and charge Biden. “But they are hanging their hat on the fact that this guy is effectively not mentally competent to stand trial‚” he said. “How pathetic is that for our country that this is the guy with the nuclear codes?” DeSantis also accused the media of protecting Biden from scrutiny over his mental fitness for office‚ noting that if Biden were a Republican‚ things would be much different. “If you had a Republican president or even a candidate who had the same level of mental acuity‚ same level of dementia as Joe Biden did‚ it would be a nonstop feeding frenzy by the corporate media‚” DeSantis said. “The media has very much run cover and interference for Biden.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “I think the question is‚ is he went out on the press conference the other night‚ it was a disaster‚” he continued. “Did his staff not want him to do that or did they want him to do that knowing maybe this ends up causing the Democrat Party to look elsewhere come convention time? Because I can tell you as bad as Biden’s policies are‚ which is the main reason I’ve opposed him from the start‚ if you ask the average American voter‚ the thing they like least about him is the fact that he’s lost so much on his fastball and that he’s just not up to the job. That’s not something you can cure.” WATCH: Ron DeSantis says that Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report makes clear that Joe Biden’s mishandling of classified material was even worse than Hillary Clinton’s. pic.twitter.com/OZ4m9tR8Pm — Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) February 12‚ 2024

President Joe Biden was slammed on Super Bowl Sunday over a video he posted to social media ahead of the game that blamed corporations for “shrinkflation.” The remarks from Biden‚ which he posted from his official government X account‚ come after years of high interest rates that were triggered in large part when the Democrat-controlled House and Senate passed his American Rescue Plan during the first months of his presidency. “It’s Super Bowl Sunday. If you’re anything like me‚ you like to be surrounded by a snack or two while watching the big game‚” Biden said in the video. “You know when buying snacks for the game‚ you might have noticed one thing: sports drinks bottles are smaller‚ a bag of chips has fewer chips‚ but they’re still charging us just as much. As an ice cream lover what makes me most angry is that ice cream cartons have actually shrunk in size‚ not in price.” “I’ve had enough of what they call shrinkflation. It’s a rip off‚” he continued. “Some companies are trying to pull a fast one by shrinking the products little by little and hoping you won’t notice. Give me a break. The American public is tired of being played for suckers. I’m calling on companies to put a stop to this. Let’s make sure businesses do the right thing now.” WATCH: While you were Super Bowl shopping‚ did you notice smaller-than-usual products where the price stays the same? Folks are calling it Shrinkflation and it means companies are giving you less for every dollar you spend. I’m calling on the big consumer brands to put a stop to it. pic.twitter.com/wL1NsEh78F — President Biden (@POTUS) February 11‚ 2024 Biden’s video generated widespread mockery and pushback on X‚ where it was viewed millions of times. “Imagine how little respect you must have for voters to try this‚” said writer Charles C.W. Cooke. “This is insane‚” said RealClearPolitics President Tom Bevan. “Biden is getting some really terrible advice.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Seattle-based conservative radio host Jason Rantz posted on X: “Joe Biden couldn’t do a Super Bowl interview because it would have been passed his bedtime‚ but he did have time to post a propaganda video hoping you won’t realize shrinkflation is a result of inflation courtesy of Bidenomics.” “Nobody believes this‚” said podcast host Stephen L. Miller. “Shrinkflation is just a way to hide prices going up‚” said writer Jordan Schachtel. “Without it‚ the economic shitshow becomes much more obvious.” “Act of desperation to shift the blame for inflation away from his policies‚” another popular Twitter account said. “Just ‘excess corporate profit’ scam in different wrapping. I bet this doesn’t see the light of day after today and they rely on it just going viral without officially pushing it anywhere.”

In a daring operation‚ Israel Defense Forces (IDF) rescued two Israeli hostages on Sunday who were being held by Hamas terrorists in Rafah. In the face of President Joe Biden reportedly warning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to proceed with Israel’s attack on Rafah‚ a Hamas stronghold in the southern Gaza Strip‚ IDF along with forces from Shin Bet‚ Israel’s intelligence agency‚ rescued Fernando Marman‚ 61‚ and Louis Har‚ 71‚ who were kidnapped from Nir-Yitzhak on October 7. The two men are now in Sheba Tel Hashomer hospital and in good condition. “The operation was conducted for an hour and included a prolonged battle in the building and nearby buildings with Hamas militants‚ dozens of airstrikes and an escort by IDF tanks to the helicopter‚” Ynet’s Yoav Zitun reported. Three terrorists who were guarding the hostages were killed‚ and one IDF soldier was lightly injured. “The forces stormed into the building in using explosives‚ entered the building and pulled the two hostages out‚” Israel National News reported. “A gun battle developed at the scene‚ while the Air Force attacked in the area and fire was also opened from nearby buildings.” “IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Yamam officers arrived in Rafah at around 1 a.m. and ‘carried out a very complex action on the premises and the second floor where the hostages were held‚’” The Times of Israel noted. “Reaching the target in the heart of Rafah was very complex‚” Hagari stated‚ adding that the forces conducting the rescue “hugged and protected Louis and Fernando with their bodies.” “The troops pulled Louis and Fernando out of the apartment and rescued them under fire‚ until they reached the safe zone‚” Hagari said. “This was a complex rescue operation under fire based on sensitive intelligence. A professional and accurate operation. … It was a very tense and very touching night. Such an operation was made possible thanks to the great sacrifice of the standing army and reserve troops who fell and were injured in the battles. Without their sacrifice‚ we would not have reached this moment.” “Even this morning‚ we don’t forget for a moment that 134 hostages are still being held in Gaza‚” Hagari concluded. Way bigger than the Super Bowl. Wow. https://t.co/Ierk7RkyE5 — Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) February 12‚ 2024 CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was transferred into critical care on Sunday night after being admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center earlier in the day for a bladder issue‚ the Pentagon said in a statement. The news is the latest wrinkle in a health controversy that began last month over the Cabinet official’s secretive hospitalization for complications following a procedure to treat prostate cancer. “Earlier today‚ Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III was transported by his security detail to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to be seen for symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue‚” the Pentagon said in a statement. “Tonight‚ after a series of tests and evaluations‚ the Secretary was admitted into the critical care unit at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for supportive care and close monitoring.” “At this time‚ it is not clear how long Secretary Austin will remain hospitalized‚” the statement continued. “The current bladder issue is not expected to change his anticipated full recovery. His cancer prognosis remains excellent. Updates on the Secretary’s condition will be provided as soon as possible.” Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a separate statement that Austin‚ at approximately 5 p.m. EST‚ “transferred the functions and duties of the office of the Secretary of Defense to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks.” Austin‚ 70‚ faced blowback earlier this year after the revelation that he had been hospitalized on January 1 for complications stemming from a prostate cancer procedure and delegated some of his duties to a deputy without informing top brass in the Biden administration and Congress. Some critics‚ including GOP lawmakers and former President Donald Trump‚ called for Austin’s ouster as more details emerged‚ including that Austin kept his cancer diagnosis under wraps until the story broke. Multiple inquiries ensued‚ and the White House released new guidelines for Cabinet secretaries to enhance transparency rules when authority is delegated to a subordinate. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The Department of Defense said Austin resumed his duties from home after being released from the hospital on January 15‚ and the secretary returned to work at the Pentagon on January 29. Austin has been scheduled to testify before a House committee about “his failure to disclose his hospitalization” on February 29. During a press conference earlier this month‚ Austin expressed remorse for how his cancer diagnosis and hospitalization were handled. “We did not handle this right‚ and I did not handle this right‚” Austin said. “I should’ve told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have also told my team and the American public. And I take full responsibility. I apologize to my teammates and to the American people.” Daniel Chaitin contributed to this report.

  In a recent interview with Piers Morgan‚ Jordan Belfort‚ the infamous ‘Wolf of Wall Street‚’ has given a powerful and passionate endorsement to former President Donald Trump for the upcoming 2024 election. Belfort‚ known for his candid insights into the financial world and his best-selling memoir that inspired a blockbuster film‚ discussed a range of topics including investing‚ Wall Street dynamics‚ the burgeoning cryptocurrency market‚ and the political landscape shaping the future of America. Belfort’s endorsement comes at a critical time when the nation is grappling with economic challenges and international conflicts. His support for Trump is rooted in the belief that the former president possesses an “uncanny sense of what the average person needs to hear.” According to Belfort‚ Trump’s ability to communicate big‚ simple themes and repeat them effectively resonates with the public‚ a strategy he deems as the trick to successful leadership. Jordan Belfort's message for Donald Trump pic.twitter.com/rYR8inp3M5 — Big G Club (@thebiggclub) February 4‚ 2024 Reflecting on Trump’s tenure‚ Belfort highlighted the absence of new wars‚ a roaring economy‚ and low inflation rates as hallmarks of a successful presidency. Despite acknowledging that some may take issue with Trump’s communication style‚ particularly on platforms like Twitter‚ Belfort argues that the substance of Trump’s policies and their impact on the country cannot be overlooked. He credits Trump with speaking “a lot of truth about these important issues that matter.” The endorsement emphasizes the desire for a return to a time when the United States was energy independent‚ taxes were lower‚ and the economy was thriving. Belfort expresses a personal wish to see a world without the war between Russia and Ukraine‚ one where inflation is kept in check‚ and where the future for children and grandchildren is safer and more prosperous. Why the FBI bailed out Jordan Belfort pic.twitter.com/Lx0WODcDDp — Big G Club (@thebiggclub) February 3‚ 2024 Belfort’s backing of Trump is not just about nostalgia for the past but also a forward-looking vision for America. It’s a call for leadership that prioritizes economic stability‚ national security‚ and the well-being of its citizens. The endorsement suggests that a vote for Trump is a vote for a return to policies that once led to American prosperity and peace on the global stage. As the election draws near‚ endorsements from influential figures like Belfort could sway public opinion and galvanize support for Trump’s campaign. His voice adds to the chorus of those who believe that the path to America’s resurgence lies in the principles and policies that Trump champions. While the political arena is often divided‚ the endorsement from a figure with deep ties to the financial sector underscores the importance of leadership that understands the intricacies of the economy and international relations. Belfort’s support signals a belief that Trump’s approach to governance is what’s needed to navigate the complex challenges facing the nation. As Americans consider their choices for the next president‚ endorsements such as Belfort’s provide a perspective that resonates with voters concerned about economic growth‚ national strength‚ and a stable future. The 2024 election presents an opportunity for the nation to decide which direction it will take‚ and voices like Belfort’s play a pivotal role in shaping the debate and influencing the outcome.   The post Jordan Belfort Endorses Donald Trump for 2024: A Vote for Prosperity and Peace appeared first on The Conservative Brief.

One little girl proved herself as an adventurous eater by trying all kinds of food during a trip to Japan. Her mom was so proud‚ she just had to share an adorable video on TikTok showing off the different dishes her daughter ate. Even adults are sometimes scared to try foods outside their comfort zone‚ but not this kid! She happily chowed down on baby octopus‚ sushi‚ and tempura‚ among other unique delicacies. Proud mom Bruna often shares her travel adventures with her small daughter‚ Natalie‚ on TikTok. Apparently‚ the little girl doesn’t just love the food from Japan. She’s also a big fan of caviar‚ oysters‚ and even escargot‚ according to this video! @brufava That’s my girl her favorite foods from Japan #foodie ♬ original sound – sped up sounds ~ Commenters were truly impressed by Natalie’s open-minded attitude toward so many different types of foods from Japan. “How cute!” one user wrote. “I gasped at the baby octopus because I could never.” Another added‚ “I love me a cultured baby.” Screengrab from TikTok Kids can be pretty picky eaters at times‚ especially when they’re very young. Natalie‚ however‚ seems to be an exception. We hope this little girl keeps trying out new foods from Japan and beyond! You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Little Foodie Tours Exotic Cuisine In Japan Like A Champ! appeared first on InspireMore.

One teacher showed off her incredible basketball skills during recess‚ and her students couldn’t have been more excited. Of course‚ they also had something pretty important riding on her abilities. Kathleen Fitzpatrick‚ aka “Miss Fitz‚” promised her kids a hot chocolate party if she could sink a particularly difficult shot. An adorable video of the challenge has gone viral online! In the clip‚ Miss Fitz effortlessly tosses the ball into the basket from across the court. Her victory is met with an outpouring of cheers from her students. This basketball-playing teacher definitely scored some major points with her kids! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kathleen Fitzpatrick (@kathyfitzy_) People tells us that there’s a reason Kathleen was able to nail that long-distance shot so easily. Apparently‚ this teacher from Holy Trinity School in Washington‚ D.C.‚ used to play basketball at Rutgers. Thanks to her talent‚ her students enjoyed a fun hot chocolate party on the following Monday! “Maybe next time I can promise to cancel a week of homework‚” she joked in her Instagram post about the impressive shot. Screengrab from Instagram We love to see creative educators coming up with new ways to make their students smile. Miss Fitz’s students must have been so happy about the hot chocolate party courtesy of their basketball-tossing teacher! You can find the source of this story’s featured image here. The post Teacher Takes Full-Court Shot To “Win” Special Treat For Her Students. appeared first on InspireMore.