New York';s New ';Fair Housing'; Law Is Anything But

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In Praise of Culture Warriors

In a front-page story for Wednesdays print edition‚ New York Post reporters Steve Janoski‚ Craig McCarthy‚ and our friend Jennie Taer detailed why‚ amid a long and steady stream of high-profile crimes allegedly committed by illegal immigrants‚ federal immigration authorities arent deporting suspected criminals at a more rapid rate in New York City.The trio explained that‚ as per immigration experts...it can be hard both legally and logistically for the feds to remove migrants before theyre convicted of a crime.And‚ thanks to soft-on-crime policies such as barring law enforcement from cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) (and‚ of course‚ things not mentioned like bail reform)‚ alleged criminals can skate by.Janoski‚ McCarthy‚ and Taer pointed to two laws in the Big Apple that have hamstrung ICE and thus left New Yorkers susceptible to illegal immigrant crimes with one barring the city from honoring ICEs requests to hold someone for possible deportation unless theyve been convicted of specific violent offenses and approved by a judge.The other‚ they said‚ is a ban on the use of city resources to help immigration enforcement.They highlighted one recent example of illegal immigrant crimes:A current ICE official told The Post that the sanctuary city laws are helping propel the recent crime wave which includes the April 2 incident in which two Venezuelan migrants accused of shoplifting in Manhattan fought back during arrest.The NYPD‚ the official said‚ will not contact immigration at all.ICE has no idea‚ the official said‚ adding that the city also bars the agencys officers from entering its shelters to make arrests.While ICE can deport someone fairly quickly if they are able to detain someone and/or theyre convicted of their alleged crimes‚ the Post reporters said the sheer number of illegal immigrants in the criminal justice system is a logistical headache.In turn‚ they noted‚ if a migrant is arrested for a more substantive crime‚ the agency will typically wait for the legal system to do its job‚ according to Robert Osuna‚ a criminal defense attorney in Manhattan who often works immigration cases.Osuna then added that‚ according to the Posts summation‚ ICE isnt really targeting low-level criminals who commit relatively minor crimes like shoplifting‚Check out their full reporting here.

It was only two weeks ago that MSNBC hosts were consumed with righteous outrage that a liar and election denier like Ronna McDaniel would be permitted to sully their sacred airwaves. This was not‚ they assured us‚ because of her politics‚ but rather an issue of propriety. If thats true though‚ then its odd that these paragons of journalistic integrity had no such reservations about last nights The Beat with Ari Melber‚ which featured an interview with disgraced attorney (and convicted felon) Michael Avenatti who joined the show from prison.Back in 2018‚ Avenatti became a media darling of unprecedented proportions for his role in the Stormy Daniels case against then-President Trump. In the course of a single year‚ he enjoyed an absurd 254 on-air interviews across six cable (CNN‚ Fox‚ and MSNBC) and broadcast networks (ABC‚ CBS‚ and NBC). He was the medias greatest hope in their war against Trump‚ and many journalists at the time speculated that he might be the one to finally bring down the mean orange man.Look at how much they adored this guy:Instead though‚ the attention-loving porn lawyers meteoric rise was punctuated with a rather messy fall from grace. In 2019 he was was indicted on a plethora of criminal charges‚ including one instance in which he apparently concealed of a $4 million settlement from a paraplegic client for personal gain. When all was said and done‚ Avenatti was staring down the barrel of 10 million-dollar fine and a 14-year prison sentenceThat brings us to Tuesday night‚ when MSNBC host Ari Melber inexplicably decided that an unserious grifter in an orange jump suit would be the perfect guest to analyze NYC District Attorney Alvin Braggs case against Donald Trump.After a bit of fairly unremarkable legal analysis of Braggs case (spoilers: Avenatti‚ along with everyone else with a law degree in the country‚ thinks Braggs case has got a lot of holes) Melber donned his dramatic irony hat for this whopper of a question:You have implied that your treatment by the then-Barr and Trump Justice Department was harsher than other people may have been dealt with‚ if they werent in your position. You had become‚ for a time‚ a very prominent foe of then-President Donald Trump. Do you say tonight that there is evidence that you were treated differently‚ and if so‚ does that mean anything for what a second Trump DOJ might look like?Politically-motivated prosecutions? In 2024? Imagine!Never mind the Biden DOJs revenge tour against former Trump White House officials that commenced the day Merrick Garland took office. Never mind that case which Melber and Avenatti were discussing was itself one of numerous politically-motivated attempts to hamper Trump in an election year.Never mind that Avenattis own case against Trump‚ not to mention the medias adoration of him for it‚ was transparently politically motivated. It turns out the real victim of political persecution was Michael Avenatti all along. Who knew?Thanks to Ari Melber for highlighting this gross injustice. We hope that he will continue to speak out bravely about Avenattis plight.

West Virginia State Treasurer Riley Moore‚ a Republican‚ took a victory lap on Fox Business after his state struck back at pro-ESG banks.During the April 9 edition of Fox Business The Big Money Show‚ Moore made clear that West Virginia has a zero-tolerance policy towards radical pro-ESG firms that threaten the livelihoods of his constituents. Furthermore‚ Moore ripped the prohibitive and discriminatory language of these banks targeting legal industries like coal‚ gas and oil. When asked about his decision to boycott the banks boycotting fossil fuels‚ Moore explained that institutions seeking to bankrupt the fossil fuel industry shouldnt get to profit off West Virginians.We found these banks to be boycotting the fossil fuel industry‚ Moore said. And really what this is a conflict of interest. Our state here in West Virginia‚ we love fossil fuels‚ thats what we do here.The State Treasurer went on to make clear that these banks not only threatened the livelihoods of his constituents but also the state governments ability to serve them‚ saying: We generate nearly a billion dollars in whats called severance taxes from those fossil fuels. And weve got a $4.7 billion budget. That is a large chunk of that‚ so we';re trying to alleviate ourselves of that conflict of interest where they';re trying to diminish those funds through ESG and were trying to protect them.On April 8‚ Moore announced that Citigroup‚ TD Bank‚ The Northern Trust Company and HSBC Holdings would join BlackRock‚ Goldman Sachs‚ JPMorgan Chase‚ Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo as firms ineligible to provide banking services to the State.Moore cited the Restricted Financial Institution List law‚ authorizing him to take this action against firms that have openly declared their intent to discriminate against fossil fuels. We cannot allow institutions that seek to destroy our states critical energy industries and the economic activity they generate to also profit from handling the very taxpayer dollars they seek to diminish‚ Moore said in a press statement‚ announcing the boycott.Later in the Fox Business interview‚ Moore pointed out the useless nature of the anti-coal and anti-energy policies of pro-ESG lenders‚ stating that the world burned more coal in 2023 than any prior year. He pointed to coal plant expansion in some of the worlds most populous countries: India‚ China and Indonesia.When asked about the Biden administrations humiliating rollout of electric vehicle chargers‚ Moore responded by calling it an example of special favors stuffed into what he called Bidens Inflation Production Act.Moore also pointed out the absurdity of simultaneously pushing for electric vehicles and demonizing coal:By the way when they';re trying to transition us away from these fossil fuel industries‚ what is going to charge the cars? It';s coal. Coal is going to charge the cars. You know‚ this is why this whole thing is just nonsense. It doesn';t make any sense whatsoever. The United States should be an energy superpower. We should be an energy superpower and a net exporter of our fossil fuels to be able to leverage our position here in the globe‚ instead of this self-inflicted wound that we';re doing. I mean‚ their policy is literally Make China Great Again.Conservatives are under attack! Contact ABC News (818) 460-7477‚ CBS News (212) 975-3247 and NBC News (212) 664-6192 and demand that they report truthfully on the dangers of ESG.

Click to Skip Ahead Quaker Parrot OverviewConure Overview Quaker parrots and Conures are similar in many respects. They are both considered good companion birds as well as being found in nature. They both originate from South America‚ are roughly the same size‚ and have similar habitat‚ food‚ and toy requirements.Birds of both species may talk‚ although it isnt guaranteed. With good socialization‚ they can both get along with family members and potentially even visitors.However‚ the Quaker parrot is easier to obtain and the more likely of these species to talk. Conures‚ which are considered endangered in the wild‚ are more difficult to find and they can be very loud‚ especially when kept in pairs or groups.Read on to learn more about these two popular companion bird species and to determine which is right for you and your home.Visual DifferencesImage Credit: (L) pabloavanzini‚ Shutterstock | (R) Christine Snyder‚ ShutterstockAt a GlanceQuaker Parrot Average height (adult): 912 inches Average weight (adult): 54 ounces Lifespan: 2030 years Exercise: 34 hours a day Family-friendly: Yes Other pet-friendly: With early introductions Trainability: Clever‚ keen to please‚ can be mischievousConure Average height (adult): 810 inches Average weight (adult): 57 ounces Lifespan: 2530 years Exercise: 2+ hours a day Family-friendly: Yes Other pet-friendly: With gradual introductions Trainability: Trainable‚ but time and patience requiredQuaker Parrot OverviewImage Credit: V.S.Anandhakrishna‚ ShutterstockThe Quaker parrot originates from several countries in South America‚ although a handful of feral colonies have sprung in nearly half the states of the U.S. They even survive in colder climates‚ taking food from bird feeders in winter and surviving by sleeping in their nests every night.Also known as the Monk parakeet or Quaker parakeet‚ they are sociable birds that typically live in woodlands and heavily wooded areas‚ although they have proven surprisingly adaptable as they have spread into new territories.The name Quaker parrot‚ or Quaker parakeet‚ comes from the natural bobbing and quaking motion of the birds. The alternative name‚ Monk parakeet‚ is derived from the fact that their head coloring looks like a monks hood.PersonalityOften described as little clowns‚ Quaker parrots are confident birds. As such‚ they will integrate well into families‚ getting along well with all family members‚ although they may form a stronger bond with a single human family member. It is down to the owner to ensure that the bird is well-socialized and gets along with other humans.They need as much attention as larger parrot species‚ so potential owners should be prepared to spend time with their birds and allow them plenty of time out of the cage.VocalizationsCapable of developing a very good vocabulary of words‚ Quaker parrots are known for being likely to mimic human speech. They will also mimic other sounds‚ including bird song‚ and they are prone to being quite vocal if you keep multiple Quakers in the same room. For this reason‚ and because Quakers can get the company they need from humans‚ some owners choose to keep them as solitary birds.TrainingDeveloping a strong bond with your Quaker is the first step to effective training. Its usually also easier to train a single Quaker‚ rather than a bird that is kept as one of a pair or group. With patience and persistence‚ it is possible to train a Quaker. Primarily‚ training means encouraging positive behavior and discouraging negative traits.The first thing owners usually teach a bird is not to bite. Dont react to the biting and‚ instead‚ divert your birds beak to a toy or something they are allowed to chew on. Alternatively‚ ignore the bite and leave the bird for a few minutes before coming back and giving it more attention.Quakers can be territorial over their nests‚ so as well as training your bird not to bite‚ you will need to get them accustomed to letting you in their area.Image Credit: Veera‚ ShutterstockCareQuakers need plenty of space to fly in their cage‚ with a minimum size being 2 square feet. But a bigger cage will prove even more ideal for this little bird. Quakers are skilled escapologists and strong chewers‚ so the cage needs to be sturdily built and have a secure door and opening. Provide a birdbath and offer toys as well as a good diet.Your Quaker needs to be out of the cage for as long as possible each day and 2 hours daily‚ at the very least. Ensure the room is secure and bear in mind that the brave little Quaker will attempt to take on cats and even dogs in some cases‚ so you may need to remove other pets from the room.Suitable For:Quakers need socialization‚ regular time out of their cage‚ and interaction with their owners or other Quakers so they are best suited to owners with plenty of time to dedicate to their new feathered friend.Pros Relatively easy to train Fun and amusing companion birds Easy to find at pet stores and from breedersCons Can be very noisy Can be territorialConure OverviewImage Credit: Rutpratheep Nilpechr‚ PixabayLike the Quaker‚ the conure is native to South America and also prefers woodlands and forests. It is a sociable bird that lives in flocks of up to 20 birds and can be found in larger groups if food is abundant in a particular area. They can also be found in some urban areas‚ having had to adapt to survive as their natural habitats have become increasingly threatened.Some species‚ including the Sun conure‚ are considered endangered species. Conures are relatively easy to find as pets‚ although not as commonly found as Quakers.PersonalityConures are fun birds. They are social and very inquisitive little animals and some of them enjoy cuddling with their owners‚ although some are too busy to settle down long enough for this level of personal interaction.The small conure is considered patient with children‚ which makes the species a good choice for families. They even enjoy being petted on the chest and other areas of the body that large parrot species tend to dislike. They do need socialization and will need training to prevent biting‚ but they can make very good family pets.VocalizationsIt is possible to teach some conures to speak a few words‚ but their vocabulary tends to be limited compared to other species‚ and some will never mimic human words. The species does have a high-pitched screech that is its natural voice‚ and most are not afraid to use it‚ which means you should be prepared for a loud bird if you intend to get a conure.It may be possible to reduce noise levels by providing plenty of toys and other sources of enrichment‚ but screeching comes naturally‚ so‚ likely‚ you will never eliminate this noise completely.TrainingIt is possible to train a conure‚ although it will take more patience than with a Quaker. With time‚ patience‚ and repetition‚ you can train a conure to perform basic tricks like stepping onto your hand‚ waving‚ or high-fiving.Use your birds favorite treats‚ encourage the motion‚ use the same word every time‚ and praise and reward your bird every time it completes the action. Be consistent and persistent‚ and it will happen.Image Credit: Linda Bestwick‚ ShutterstockCareA conure needs a similar-sized cage to a Quaker parrot‚ so around 2-foot squared. It also needs toys and other forms of enrichment‚ such as ladders and mirrors‚ as well as a bird bath.Feed commercial pellets designed specifically for the breed‚ and add some leafy greens‚ berries‚ and other brightly colored fruits and vegetables to give variety and ensure youre meeting all of your conures daily nutritional requirements.You can also provide a cuttlebone to help maintain good beak health.Suitable For:Like the Quaker parrot‚ the conure needs plenty of socialization with its humans‚ so may not be the best choice for families that work all day. They also like routine‚ so if your working patterns change‚ you might want to consider a different species. The conure is great with children‚ however‚ so is a good choice for families that do have the time.Pros Good with children and other family members Fun and funny little species Can be trained to perform a few basic tricksCons Can be noisy Less likely to talk than other speciesHow to Get Your Bird to TalkLike a lot of birds‚ parrot species replicate or mimic the sounds they hear around them. Where parrot species differ is that they can mimic human words. However‚ no matter what species of bird‚ there is no guarantee that any individual bird will learn to mimic human words. Even some African Gray parrots may never repeat human words.But there are some steps you can take to help improve the likelihood of your conure or Quaker talking. Repetition Repetition is key‚ especially if you repeat the same words at the same time or when you perform the same action. This is why parrots learn words like hello more than other words. You repeat the same word every time you see your parrot and it learns through this constant repetition. It is also the reason that some species pick up on the theme tunes to certain programs that you watch every night or regularly. Consistency If you want your bird to learn a certain word‚ be consistent in its use. Use the word hello whenever you greet your bird‚ rather than using hi and other greetings. Reward When your bird speaks or speaks a word you want it to repeat‚ offer praise and reward. This can be a favorite treat‚ or it can be time out of the cage or with you. Be persistent with the rewards and mimicry will become second nature to your conure or Quaker parrot.Time Out of the CageBirds like conures and Quaker parrots are social birds. They are used to living on flocks of dozens or even hundreds of birds and they are used to having the freedom to fly around and socialize with the rest of the flock.When kept as pets‚ they are kept in cages with much less room than they enjoy in the wild‚ and even if you keep a pair of birds‚ they are naturally used to having more opportunities for socialization and investigation. As such‚ letting your bird have time out of its cage is vital to its mental and physical health‚ especially if this time includes time spent with you and the rest of its family.Ensure the room is secure‚ which may include removing other pets from the room and definitely means checking doors and windows. Open the door and let your bird investigate. If you struggle to get the bird back in its cage‚ dont feed it while out of the cage and put food in its bowl. But most birds will get back in the cage willingly in time.Both the conure and the Quaker parrot need regular time out of the cage‚ and both require at least two hours a day out of their confines.Which Breed Is Right for You?Conure and Quaker parrots both make great companion birds. Theyre smaller than the large parrot species and they both enjoy time with their humans‚ although this does depend on socialization and other factors. Both need time with their humans and time out of their cage‚ and they both benefit from having some sort of schedule‚ so neither is a good choice if you have irregular work patterns or cant commit to letting them have time out of their cage.Both the conure and the Quaker parrot can mimic human speech‚ although the Quaker is the more likely of the two species to talk. If you want a talker‚ the Quaker may be your best option.Theyre both considered friendly birds that get along with humans‚ too‚ but the conure is more likely to form bonds with multiple family members and is generally considered more understanding of children‚ so the conure makes the better pet for large families.Although the Quaker parrot is generally easier to find in stores and from breeders‚ both are common enough that they shouldnt prove too difficult to find. Because of this‚ and because they are smaller than the likes of African Grays and other large species‚ they tend to be reasonably priced. Sourceshttps://uphomely.com/quaker-vs-conure-choosing-tipshttps://petspre.com/green-cheek-conure-vs-quaker-parrot-which-bird-should-you-choose/?utm_content=cmp-truehttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/tropical-pet-parrots-settle-united-stateshttps://lafeber.com/pet-birds/species/quaker-parakeet/https://piscespets.com/blogs/news/quaker-parrots-as-petshttps://www.thesprucepets.com/quaker-parrots-390511https://www.thesprucepets.com/facts-about-quaker-parrots-390854https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/species/conure/https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/conure-carehttps://www.petsmart.com/learning-center/bird-care/conure-care-guide/A0167.htmlhttps://www.thesprucepets.com/green-cheek-conures-390576https://www.hartz.com/training-your-bird-to-talk Featured Image Credit: Jida Xu‚ ShutterstockThe post Quaker Parrot vs Conure: Main Differences (With Pictures) appeared first on Pet Keen.

Click to Skip Ahead Visual DifferencesAt a GlanceMale OverviewFemale Overview The Eclectus Parrot is a stunning bird with extraordinary plumage. Many bird lovers are captivated by the Eclectus Parrots remarkable beauty‚ but what makes this parrot genuinely intriguing is the stark differences between males and females of the species.Eclectus Parrots exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism‚ meaning their appearance varies based on sex. Males are predominantly a vivid lime green‚ whereas females are a striking ruby red. Some pet owners decide which sex is right for them based on appearance alone; however‚ many choose to consider the differences in temperament before coming to a conclusion.Determining which Eclectus Parrot is right for you can be done by understanding the nuances in personality‚ training‚ and health needs between the sexes.Visual DifferencesImage Credit: (L) Danny Ye‚ Shutterstock | (R) sidvemuri‚ ShutterstockAt a GlanceMale Eclectus ParrotAverage height (adult): 55 inchesAverage weight (adult): 1720 poundsFemale Eclectus ParrotAverage height (adult): 14.6 inchesAverage weight (adult): 1720 poundsEclectus Parrot 101As mentioned‚ the Eclectus Parrot is a sexually dimorphic species‚ so the males and females are different in appearance. In addition‚ there may be additional variation between differing subspecies‚ so males and females of one subspecies may look slightly different from their counterparts of another subspecies.The males green color helps them to blend in with the trees‚ protecting them as they search for food. He has a yellow crown‚ red beneath his wings‚ and green and blue tail feathers tipped with yellow or white. His upper beak is orange‚ and his lower beak is black.For the female‚ her red feathers serve as camouflage during the night‚ allowing her to blend in with her nest. She has purple accents around her body and an entirely black beak. Her tail features contain a combination of blue‚ purple‚ and yellow.The flashiness of both sexes is a relative rarity in the bird world. In most instances‚ males are more colorful and flamboyant than the females. However‚ with the Eclectus Parrot‚ both sexes produce remarkable plumage.In terms of temperament‚ the Eclectus Parrot is a tranquil bird. They are gentle-natured and clever‚ making them a charming and entertaining companion. While they can be great with older children‚ they are not very tolerant of loud or rambunctious children. Teaching a child proper handling and boundaries with pets is essential before introducing them to the Eclectus Parrot.While the Eclectus Parrot is not known to be excessively noisy‚ they do not hesitate to make sounds. They are known to be vocal and capable of developing an extensive vocabulary. Overall‚ the male and female Eclectus Parrots behave similarly. Yet‚ just as there are notable differences in their appearance‚ there can also be contrast in their personalities. We will discuss these differences below.Image Credit: Chamkhi‚ ShutterstockMale Eclectus Parrot OverviewPersonality / CharacterIt is said that the male Eclectus Parrot tends to be somewhat more agreeable than the female‚ as the female can be assertive and occasionally bossy. While his agreeable nature can be a positive aspect in some cases‚ it can also make him timid and uncertain in other circumstances. He also tends to be less territorial than the female.TrainingSince the male tends to be more agreeable‚ training him is generally easier. However‚ both sexes are trainable since they are clever birds. Gentle training methods should be used with the Eclectus Parrots to ensure the training is effective and pleasant for everyone involved. Harsh punishments or scolding tend to produce negative results.Image Credit: Henner Damke‚ ShutterstockHealth &;amp; CareThe Eclectus Parrot can live as much as 30 years in captivity‚ which is quite a long lifespan. To ensure that the male Eclectus Parrot experiences an excellent quality of life‚ you should feed him raw veggies‚ fruits‚ and sprouts. He may also munch on nuts‚ seeds‚ and flowers in the wild.BreedingThe breeding season for Eclectus Parrots is April to December. As a part of his mating ritual‚ the male will flash his colorful feathers. Males may take multiple partners if there are several females in the area‚ making them polygynandrous. This behavior appears to be driven by a lack of adequate nest hollows.Pros TrainableCons TimidFemale Eclectus Parrot OverviewPersonality / CharacterFemale Eclectus Parrots are gentle and intelligent like their male counterparts‚ although they can be occasionally territorial. She has strong nesting instincts and may seek out dark areas in the home to call her own. Due to her bold nature‚ she is less dependent and capable of managing stress better than the male.TrainingThe female is intelligent‚ making her a delight to train. However‚ she tends to be less agreeable than the male‚ which can occasionally create obstacles in the training process. Positive reinforcement is the best way to keep her engaged‚ as negative reinforcement will likely deter her from cooperating.Image Credit: Mithun Malakar‚ ShutterstockHealth &;amp; CareThe females lifespan doesnt notably differ from the males. Instead‚ Eclectus Parrots in captivity tend to have a remarkably shorter lifespan than those in the wild. This is often attributed to improper care or stressful environments. To ensure that your Eclectus Parrot enjoys as full of a lifespan as possible‚ feed her a proper diet and create a peaceful‚ healthy environment for her to thrive.BreedingAs mentioned before‚ the Eclectus Parrot is polygynandrous. She will take multiple partners during her mating season to increase her success rate. Unfortunately‚ the breeding success rate is low‚ as females average around two eggs each mating season. Once the eggs are laid‚ the female will incubate them for around 28 days until they hatch.Pros IndependentCons Occasionally aggressiveWhich Sex Is Right for You?Deciding which sex is right for you can be a challenge. The male tends to be agreeable yet timid‚ and the female tends to be independent yet territorial. At the same time‚ both sexes are known for their gentle‚ inquisitive natures. While there are notable differences in personality between the male and the female‚ the species overall is beloved for their charming personality. No matter which sex you choose‚ you will have a wonderful companion.You should consider both the personality differences between the male and the female when making your decision. Since the Eclectus Parrot can live for 30 years in captivity‚ this is not a decision to be made lightly. In the end‚ choosing which sex is right for you will come down to personal preference‚ so take the time to consider your own needs in a pet before determining which sex is right for you.Also see:Eclectus Parrot Cost: How Much Do They Cost? Sourceshttps://www.redalyc.org/journal/1871/187163790046/html/https://australian.museum/learn/animals/birds/eclectus-parrot-eclectus-roratus/https://www.webmd.com/pets/what-to-know-about-the-eclectus-parrothttps://lafeber.com/pet-birds/species/solomon-islands-eclectus Featured Image Credit: ice_blue‚ ShutterstockThe post Male vs Female Eclectus Parrot: Main Differences (With Pictures) appeared first on Pet Keen.

This Ozark Pudding has a cake-like consistency and is made with apples and pecans. Its delicious‚ topped with ice cream! If you love easy recipes and want another great one‚ definitely check out this delicious Cinnamon Flop Cake. Its one of our favorites. WHY WE LOVE THIS RECIPE Ozark pudding is supposed to have been...

Political power is not a toy. It is not a trophy awarded to the winner of the debate club. Power is a game‚ but it is the game of kings. It is chess‚ not checkers. If you intend to play the game‚ you had better come with a serious strategy and the will to win‚ because you can bet the other side is playing for keeps.For too long‚ conservatives have engaged in politics as if it were professional football‚ something to watch for entertainment while sitting on the couch so you can complain about your team to the guys at work on Monday. But leftists understand that political power grants them the ability to reshape society‚ and while conservatives grumble at losing another playoff to their crosstown rivals‚ leftists are changing the rules of the game to ensure that they never lose again.The left understands that political power is a currency‚ and the best thing to purchase with that currency is more power.Many conservative commentators directed their outrage at Donald Trump this week after he voiced his intention to maintain the position conservatives have argued for decades: that abortion law is an issue to be left with the states.After the stunning decision of the Supreme Court in 2022 to overturn the constitutional disaster area that was Roe v. Wade‚ the question of whether and how to restrict abortion returned to the states with mixed results. Conservatives‚ who had expected the reassertion of federalism to usher in sweeping bans‚ instead learned that public opinion had shifted significantly since 1973‚ when Roe was first decided. In many states‚ even conservative ones‚ restrictions proved unpopular. After watching their hard-fought victory stall out at the state level‚ many pro-life activists decided that federal action was the only solution.Trumps decision to embrace the Dobbs ruling as a victory and move on is all about winning the presidency again in November. Most Americans do not like the idea of federal restrictions on abortion. Not only is it unpopular‚ it is a powerful motivator for the Democratic Party base to get out to vote.If you want to ensure voter turnout and donations from the left as never before‚ making abortion law the central issue of the election is the best way to do it. Many pro-life activists have decided that this is a matter of principle and that electoral calculus should never factor into the decision of whether to put abortion front and center.I fully respect that dedication to principle. Ultimately‚ however‚ this is not a question of principle. It is a failure to understand the mechanics of political power.Power is a currencyAs the political theorist Curtis Yarvin explained on my show‚ conservatives have a nasty habit of acting like broke heroin addicts when it comes to political power. Conservatives are not accustomed to having political power‚ even though they crave it‚ and the minute they get a hold of some‚ they want to blow it on the first political issue that comes to mind.In contrast‚ the left understands that political power is a currency‚ and the best thing to purchase with that currency is more power. A victory on an important issue may feel great‚ but that victory is often quickly undone if the opposition regains dominance. Securing power does not just ensure victory today but also ensures that the victory will be retained and promises that additional wins will be easier to obtain in the future.Did the Democrats campaign on open borders and trans kids in 2020? No. Did America end up getting open borders and trans kids anyway? You bet. Why? Because leftists understood that the most important thing was to secure their power first and to advance their agenda second. This did not mean abandoning their progressive principles. In fact‚ the left got to implement far more of those principles simply by understanding there is no substitute for victory.The pro-life issue evokes passions for good reason‚ so lets consider another example thats less emotionally charged but no less relevant. Both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have recently announced the administrations intention to implement widespread student loan forgiveness. Biden made the same promise in 2022 to generate support during the midterm elections before his illegal program was struck down by the Supreme Court. No matter. The votes were cast‚ the elections were won‚ and the Biden administration regularly boasts of its dedication to skirting the court in any way possible.Will the Democrats deliver total student loan forgiveness? Maybe not‚ but they understand that the issue is a winning one and their base does not care how it gets done‚ only that it gets done.Offering viable alternativesWhile older GOP voters love to mock college graduates with too much debt and tell them to get a real job‚ the loan crisis is a real one. Most decent jobs in the United States are now gated behind an expensive college degree‚ and young people who would have previously gotten married‚ had kids‚ and voted Republican‚ now spend the downpayment of their first house to attend a progressive seminary instead.Due to disparate impact standards in civil rights law‚ employers are basically mandated to use college degrees as their screening process for new hires. That means leftists created the market‚ controlled the ideology of the institutions‚ inflated the market‚ and now get to sell the solution back to their victims‚ all while casting conservatives as the heartless villains that want young people to live in debt slavery.The right wants to argue the issue on the principles. What the Biden administration is doing is immoral and illegal. The Democrats are stealing money from the GOP base who are less likely to have college debt and using it to bribe voters‚ but again this argument on the principles is a losing strategy. Student debt holders correctly understand that they are already stuck playing a rigged game‚ and they do not care if someone needs to break the rules to make things right.Instead of trying to appeal to the better nature of an administration that does not possess a better nature‚ the Republicans should offer an alternative solution that secures power for them in the future.To help alleviate the student debt crisis and gain power‚ the GOP should begin by levying a massive tax on university endowments. These institutions are almost uniformly leftist and are sitting on massive piles of cash‚ which they accumulate by robbing their students and abusing the tax code. Take that money and use it to pay off student loans in addition to removing all federal subsidies and making student debt dischargeable through bankruptcy.Strip out civil rights law and its disparate impact provisions so that employers can once again use simple aptitude or IQ tests to screen employees. This plan might not offer the immediate catharsis of debating woke college kids on the merit of their gender studies degrees‚ but it would fundamentally change the balance of power in the United States by removing the leftist monopoly on employment credentials. Joe Biden is a sad joke‚ a mask that the regime wears to hide its face‚ but the people who actually run his administration have been a disaster for this country. The right can spend this election cycle focusing on issues that are both popular and secure additional power.Closing the borders is good for the country and increases the likelihood that the right will win elections. Reducing crime and incarcerating criminals is good for the country and increases the likelihood that the right will win elections. Solving the student debt crisis by destroying the university stranglehold on employment is good for the country and increases the likelihood that the right will win elections. These issues may not offer the immediate catharsis that some activists seek‚ but by running and winning on these issues‚ the right gains power‚ and with power far greater change is possible.