In the earlier decades of the Public Broadcasting Service‚ conservatives could feel that they had some fraction of a platform on William F. Buckley Jr.s Firing Line. That PBS presence no doubt spurred the makers of the American Masters series to offer a two-hour program titled The Incomparable Mr. Buckley. In the opening credits‚ they typed in Insufferable first‚ then crossed it out. That word reflects the view of the political and financial base of PBS.Fans of Buckley might enjoy the video clips of Buckley jousting with the elites in the 20th century‚ but the style of this show was annoying in that whenever experts were speaking‚ they were entirely off-screen.This documentary by Barak Goodman is neither a valentine to Buckley‚ nor a fair and balanced recitation of his life and times. Conservatives are interviewed‚ but the final product carries the distinct odor of PBS liberal arrogance.In the tainted timeline of this program‚ Buckley triumphs with the election of Ronald Reagan and then the end of the Cold War‚ and then its all downhill for the troglodytes on the Right. Historian Geoffrey Kabaservice speaks over footage of Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh about conservatism being taken to an extreme as the Republicans took Congress in 1994.Gingrich‚ he claims‚ teaches Republicans to talk in a new way about Democrats being a source of infection and disease and disloyalty and decay. Then theres footage of Limbaugh making fun of the ugly broads of feminism.Over ominous music implying villainy‚ Kabaservice argues‚ Buckley did endorse Newt Gingrich and Rush Limbaugh. At some level‚ he understood that politics requires emotion‚ as well as intellect‚ and maybe it requires dark emotions and even hatreds.This would match the spirit of PBS Firing Line with Margaret Hoover‚ where the liberal Republican puts on guests like journalist Tim Alberta‚ who recently denounced the Limbaugh show as poisoning Christians with an unceasing stream of venom and ugliness and hostility‚ antagonism‚ hatred.Leftists have an annoying habit of thinking fear and loathing and ugliness and venom are somehow unique to the Republican half of America. They‚ by contrast‚ are apparently all sugar and spice and everything nice. Have they watched five minutes of The Reidout or The View? Both sides (and center-huggers like Kabaservice) are capable of love and hatred‚ comfort and fear‚ civility and incivility.But on PBS‚ they must locate experts to slam Buckley for tolerating and sometimes even encouraging some of the nastier‚ more extreme aspects on the Right by the end‚ it was clear the nastier forces had won out. Theres no name on screen to figure out whos the mudslinger here.PBS can never be judged for encouraging the nastier‚ more extreme aspects of the Left‚ because in their bubble‚ no one is ever nasty or extreme where they reside‚ in a perfect Eden of politics.Kabaservice returns for the final pitch on that dark side of the conservative movement‚ which was white Americans didnt like change (because they were racists‚ apparently): Buckley understood that it was part of his role to keep a lid on the dark energies that fueled the conservative movement‚ but not to repress them entirely‚ because it was those kind of resentments that he was drawing on that gave conservatism its power as a movement.Once again‚ PBS thinks the Democrats get their power from warm wellsprings of idealism and compassion. The Republicans get theirs from nurturing racism‚ sexism‚ homophobia‚ and xenophobia.Watching this program gives this conservative one overwhelming reaction: I want my involuntary contributions to PBS refunded. Insult me with someone elses money.COPYRIGHT 2024CREATORS.COMThe Daily Signal publishes avarietyofperspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the viewsofThe Heritage Foundation.The post Firing Lies: PBS Tars‚ Feathers Onetime Host William F. Buckley appeared first on The Daily Signal.

If you';re tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties‚ subscribe to Reclaim The Net.Theres good news‚ and bad: first‚ the fact that fact-checkers masquerading as unbiased and accurate moderators of content while actually unreliable and bias-prone tools of censorship are now recognized widely enough as just that‚ to trigger a reaction from some prominent actors.But then these fact-checkers are reacting in order to double down on their role as something positive‚ and justified.Related: How Activists Hijacked Facebooks Fact Checking ProgramBecause there are no facts to support this attitude‚ one of the key fact-checkers is hiding behind an opinion piece. But the claim is there: Fact-checking is not censorship‚ a post on Poynter wants you to believe.This‚ despite the organization‚ which acts to certify fact-checkers via the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN)‚ having a project that has resulted in mass suppression of posts on Facebook.According to Facebook (Meta) CEO Mark Zuckerberg‚ posts that get fact-checked experience a 95% drop in clicks. In other words‚ even if this content is not outright removed‚ it is made virtually invisible. Thats censorship by any other name.So how in the world can Poynter claim that activities of those it certifies actually result in adding to the public debate rather than suppressing it?It can‚ and does. Meanwhile‚ a report recently published by Meta paints a different picture: the EU that was no doubt happy to share that fact-checking reduces users attempts to share posts by 47 and 38 percent on Facebook and Instagram‚ respectively.Of course‚ neither Meta nor the EU are offering this data as proof of negative and nefarious efforts resulting in censorship; instead they are treated simply as proof that Meta complies with EUs codes and other rules‚ also in the end producing more censorship.But‚ while patting itself on the back in these ways‚ Meta unwittingly managed to undermine the credibility of its own fact-checking partners.Theres a comical moment in the Poynter opinion piece (ostensibly‚ theres more than one). But‚ while out to prove it was not trying to distract‚ distort‚ or deflect from the facts the authors said the blog post was there to commemorate something called‚ International Fact-Checking Day 2024.Have fact-checkers practiced at it as they are just made another thing up?The post Social Media Fact Checkers Claim Their Work Isnt Censorship. Heres Why It Is. appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

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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.