There are only three things certain in life: death‚ taxes‚ and professional fact-checkers condemning Republican politicians for lamenting the small size of the U.S. Navy. The latest installment in this nearly-decade long exercise of opinion-checking disguised as fact-checking came on Monday as PolitiFacat’s Louis Jacobson only gave presidential candidate Nikki Haley a “half-true” rating for her comparison of the American and Chinese navies‚ despite conceding she was completely correct. The exact quote from Haley was that China has "the largest naval fleet in the world. They had 370 ships. They'll have 400 ships in two years. We won't even have 350 ships in two decades." Seems like a pretty straightforward fact-check and in the “if your time is short” summary‚ Jacobson writes‚ "Numerically‚ Haley is on target with both countries’ ship counts." However‚ Jacobson was unwilling to give Haley a true rating‚ "Military experts caution that other factors‚ including ships’ capabilities and advanced technologies‚ are just as important‚ if not more so. The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service has called ship counts ‘a one-dimensional measure.'" This is not a fact-check; it is an opinion-check. But Jacobson’s opinionating was just getting started: China is surely gaining ground on the U.S.‚ both in ship counts and overall tonnage — the combined weight of all ships‚ which helps quantify how many assets a navy has. When Michael O’Hanlon‚ a senior fellow in foreign policy at the Brookings Institution‚ compared the two countries’ ship tonnage a decade ago‚ the U.S. had a roughly 3-1 edge. Now‚ he said‚ it’s closer to a 2-1 margin. Although ‘tonnage is not a perfect metric‚’ O’Hanlon said‚ simply counting ships 'is a terrible one.' Tonnage is a 1920s—or even 1820s—way of looking at a 2020s problem. A proper 2020s way of looking at combat strength is missile capacity and one missile from a cheap‚ Iranian speedboat does just as much damage as one missile from a major American surface combatant and it takes just one missile for a ship’s crew to have a very bad day. So‚ not only is PolitiFact opinion-checking Haley‚ it is not even good opinion-checking. Moving right along‚ Jacobson cites Cameron University’s Lance Janda‚ “Ours is a true blue water navy capable of deploying anywhere in the world for an extended period‚ and we have many more aircraft carriers‚ far more naval aircraft‚ more advanced submarines and a larger Marine Corps.” He also cites the Center for Strategic and International Studies’s Mark Cancian saying "The U.S. Navy has global responsibilities‚ whereas (China’s navy focuses) exclusively on the region." Jacobson meant that as a criticism of Haley‚ but it actually makes her point more relevant as China’s larger fleet is concentrated in the likely area of combat operations‚ while the U.S. fleet is dispersed across the world on a wide variety of assignments. PolitiFact should not be in the business of opinion-checking‚ but if it is going to insist‚ at the very least it should quote experts on both sides of the debate and let readers make up their own minds.

Police attempted to execute a search warrant Monday at a duplex in a Washington‚ D.C.‚ suburb wherein a man was said to be barricaded and firing off a flare gun into the surrounding neighborhood. However‚ before officers could make entry‚ an explosion blew the structure sky-high. According the Arlington County Police Department‚ officers were dispatched to the 800 block of N. Burlington Street in Bluemont around 4:45 p.m. on Monday in response to a report of possible shots fired. On the scene‚ officers learned that the suspect had allegedly fired a flare gun into the surrounding neighborhood an estimated 30-40 times. Fortunately‚ no one was injured and no property was damaged as a result of the discharge of the flare gun. Police soon obtained a search warrant for the suspect's home. Before approaching‚ officers attempted to communicate with the suspect by phone and over loudspeakers. However‚ police indicated the suspect failed to respond and "remained barricaded inside the residence." After failing to get through to the suspect‚ police prepared to execute the search warrant and make entry. However‚ when they initially attempted to do so‚ the suspect allegedly opened fire‚ this time with what was suspected to be a gun. Alex Wilson‚ a neighbor who filmed the incident from his rooftop‚ told WTTG-TV the barricaded resident shot at police with what appeared to be a high-caliber weapon. "Three hours later‚ at least‚ we saw the SWAT truck arrive‚ and when the SWAT trucks arrive‚ you know‚ you're like‚ 'Oh‚ things are getting escalated at that point‚'" said Wilson. Police reportedly continued to urge the suspect inside to come outside‚ but their implorations proved fruitless. "The guy inside wasn't responding‚ and they drove a SWAT truck through the front door and then shots were being fired‚" said Watson. The initial attempts to breach the front were ineffective‚ so the tactical team reoriented the vehicle and attempted to burst through the window. "As the SWAT team were driving forward to the window‚ that's when the whole place went up‚" added Wilson. At 8:25 p.m.‚ the house exploded‚ injuring three officers. None of the officers required treatment at a hospital. Footage of the incident shows fire belch from the side of the two-story brick duplex‚ a cloud of debris punch out the front of the structure‚ then the roof and much of the interior thrown hundreds of feet into the air. Car alarms ring out while flaming debris rains down into a plume of smoke. — (@) Carla Rodriguez of South Arlington indicated she could hear the blast over two miles away‚ reported the Associated Press. "I actually thought a plane exploded‚" said Rodriguez. Blake Thompson‚ another nearby resident‚ told WTTG‚ "I thought it was a sonic boom at first‚ but I looked out of my window and I saw burning stuff in the sky‚ in a sense. It looked like ash‚ but of course‚ it was much farther away so it was probably debris." The house next door was reportedly all but demolished in the explosion. Power was also knocked out to multiple homes in the neighborhood. The Arlington County Fire Department responded to the scene to put out the inferno and were able to tame it around 10:30 p.m. — (@) Capt. Nate Hiner‚ a spokesman for the ACFD‚ noted that it is not yet clear what caused the explosion. The Bureau of Alcohol‚ Tobacco‚ Firearms and Explosives and other federal agents have joined the investigation. While the suspect has not yet been identified by police‚ WTTG and local news website ARLnow.com both indicated that public records suggest a man named James W. Yoo is linked to the residence. Yoo's LinkedIn page‚ which was deleted overnight‚ indicates he was previously a landlord who also worked in telecommunications and security. It's not clear whether Woo was in the house at the time of the explosion or involved in the incident. Yoo's YouTube channel details various legal complaints he has apparently filed in recent years. Documents shared in a number of the videos indicated his address was 844 N. Burlington Street. In a Nov. 3 video‚ Woo shared images of his correspondence with various attorneys and federal officials regarding his complaint alleging Rochester General Hospital illegally held him for five days against his will. The letter indicates those who allegedly detained him did so citing a state law enabling a temporary hold of a mentally compromised individual who is at risk of doing harm to himself or others. Apparently convinced LinkedIn was suppressing his content — including Woo's suggestion that his supposed poor treatment by the police and government was "how White people operate" — Woo shared videos of various now-deleted posts‚ including criticism of former President Donald Trump‚ California Gov. Gavin Newsom‚ and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The "About" section on his YouTube page states‚ "I gave THEM / Y'ALL every opportunity to 'do the right thing' and all I see is America's hypocrisy‚ corruption‚ fraud‚ conspiracy‚ CHICKENSHAT. ... #NoneOfTheAbovePARTY #MontyBrewsterish 'U.S. is the world's biggest TERRORIST' (N.Chomsky‚ ~2015)." "This guy has been cooped up for years‚" Wilson said. "He's closed off his windows‚ no one has really seen him for years." Ashley Savage‚ spokeswoman for the ACPD‚ told the New York Times‚ "We have not been able to access the home at this point‚ so I don't have the status of the suspect." Rep. Don Beyer (D-Va.) wrote on X‚ "This is very‚ very scary‚ and my profound thanks go out to first responders working to secure the area and keep everyone safe." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Panera Bread is facing a second wrongful death lawsuit after a 46-year-old Florida man allegedly died after consuming the restaurant's Charged Lemonade drink. The lawsuit states that Panera's caffeinated lemonade ultimately led to the death of Dennis Brown after he went into cardiac arrest and passed away soon after leaving the restaurant‚ according to WFXT.The caffeinated lemonade beverage‚ as with many so-called energy drinks‚ claims to give the consumer a much-needed boost. The restaurant boasts that the beverage is plant-based and clean. However‚ the lemonade is loaded with 390 milligrams of caffeine‚ which is close to the FDA's 400-milligram daily limit.The report says that the lawsuit claims Brown had been drinking the charge lemonade for six days straight‚ as he was apparently a member of the restaurant's Sip Club‚ which allows participants to order unlimited drinks.Panera subsequently issued a statement following Brown's death‚ writing: "Panera expresses our deep sympathy for Mr. Brown’s family. Based on our investigation we believe his unfortunate passing was not caused by one of the company’s products. We view this lawsuit which was filed by the same law firm as a previous claim to be equally without merit. Panera stands firmly by the safety of our products.”However‚ Brown was not the first person to have passed away in connection with Panera's caffeine-riddled beverage.Sarah Katz‚ 21‚ apparently suffered two cardiac arrests and later died after consuming the beverage in October. As a result‚ her family sued the restaurant‚ claiming Katz did not know the beverage contained so much caffeine and sugar.After Katz's death‚ a spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration shared the following with NBC News: "The FDA is saddened to hear of the passing of a consumer and as always‚ takes seriously reports of illnesses or injury from regulated products. At this point‚ we are gathering information about this event."The FDA went on to say that it consistently keeps an eye on FDA-regulated products present in the marketplace and "takes action as appropriate‚ including collaborating with the Federal Trade Commission regarding marketing claims."In both cases‚ the families of Brown and Katz said that the two had conditions that would have kept them away from the drink if they knew how much caffeine it contained. Brown suffered from high blood pressure‚ and Katz had a pre-existing heart condition. Both lawsuits claim that if Panera had accurately advertised the ingredients in the Charged Lemonade‚ the customers would not have purchased it and would not have passed away in the manner they did.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A bus driver in Long Island has been indicted after allegedly kidnapping and raping a 15-year-old student on several occasions this year. The man apparently sexually abused the teen at his home and on the bus. Giovanny Campos‚ 50‚ pleaded not guilty to third-degree rape‚ second-degree kidnapping‚ and two counts of third-degree criminal sex and reckless endangerment‚ according to a press release by the Nassau County District Attorney's Office. Bail was set for Campos at $150‚000 cash‚ $300‚000 bond‚ and a $1.25 million partially secured bond. Campos is due back in court on December 12‚ and he could face a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison if he is found guilty of the charges.“School bus drivers are trusted to transport and protect our children‚ but this defendant allegedly preyed on a teenage student and sexually abused her both on his bus and at his apartment in Queens‚” Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly said. “This office is committed to prosecuting predators who prey on vulnerable children.” Donnelly stated that Campos‚ who was known to the victim as Giovanny Guzman‚ found employment as a school bus driver with the Cheese Bus Company. His duties were to transport students from Central High School to North High School in Valley Stream. Campos allegedly picked up the student several times between January and July 2023 while driving his route. He allegedly raped the child multiple times‚ including once in a parking lot while on the bus. He has also been accused of taking the victim back to his apartment in Jamaica‚ Queens‚ where he engaged in sexual acts with her. After the authorities were contacted about the situation‚ Campos was arrested by Nassau County Police Special Victims Squad at his home on September 28‚ according to the report.The legal firm representing the company in the lawsuit‚ Ezra Law‚ issued a statement stating that Campos "is no longer employed by Cheese Bus‚ Inc. The instant our office was made aware of the District Attorney’s allegations‚ we removed the individual in question from all bus routes and from any contact with our passengers as we are committed to maintaining safety and security within our community.""The individual was suspended indefinitely and terminated shortly thereafter. We have fully cooperated with local law enforcement and remain at the ready should local authorities request further assistance. We have no further comment at this time‚" the statement concluded. Newsday reported that an individual who answered the phone at the office of Campos' defense attorney‚ Menachem White‚ said‚ "At this point‚ we're not giving any statement."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

From Christmas tree lightings and Thanksgiving Day parades to your daily commute‚ it is now impossible to ignore that the left has opted to replace the traditional politics of constitutional government with the revolutionary politics of “disruption.” Whether the topic is the Israel-Hamas war‚ election fraud‚ climate change‚ gun control‚ policing‚ or the latest transgender craze‚ the left is convinced it can win the day with strikes‚ blockades‚ occupations‚ and — when necessary — “mostly peaceful” low-intensity violence‚ sabotage‚ and intimidation. This is the politics of “civil resistance‚” a series of organizing strategies researched and identified for the purpose of overthrowing governments in places like Serbia and Burma‚ featuring protests‚ strikes‚ boycotts‚ and other actions intended to look like they represent a popular majority‚ when in fact they constitute only a minuscule percentage of the population. While red-state governments crack down on unlawful and criminal acts‚ it’s crucial that they remain fully committed to supporting and protecting the free speech rights of all citizens. But don’t take my word for it. Pay attention instead to Paul Engler‚ author of “This Is an Uprising” and one of the founders of Momentum Strategies‚ a left-wing organizing school that is‚ as Vice News reported‚ “training every movement that matters.” “In the monolithic model‚” Engler wrote‚ “if people without privileged political access want to affect the behavior of government in a democracy‚ the best they can do is try to elect a candidate more sympathetic to their views. … Needless to say‚ this process often ends in disappointment for voters.” Engler then added: “Because noncooperation can command the attention of otherwise unresponsive politicians and business leaders‚ many tactics from the civil resistance canon are relevant across different political contexts.” In other words‚ for people who regularly spout the phrase Our Democracyâ„¢‚ elections don’t need to have consequences. They intend to get their own way on every policy and political issue‚ and they’re prepared to drag the country through hell — by disrupting the safety‚ security‚ and day-to-day life of regular citizens — until the mob gets what it wants: a tyranny of the minority. Prepare for trouble in 2024 As the 2024 presidential election comes into focus‚ the tempo and pitch of these disruptions are going to get worse. You can be assured that left-wing organizers are already preparing to lay the groundwork for “civil” resistance in the event a GOP candidate should come out ahead on election night‚ as they have openly admitted they were prepared to do in 2020. They have only increased their capabilities since. What can red-state elected leaders do about the rising use of intimidation to replace republican constitutional government‚ which‚ as elected officials‚ they are sworn to uphold? In the coming session of state legislatures‚ many of which Republicans hold with large or even supermajorities‚ they should work to pass a suite of legislation directly aimed at the illegal protest tactics of these revolutionaries. This requires studying their illicit tactics in order to successfully draw up lawful countermeasures. State legislators should consider the following: Strengthen penalties for rioting. Several states‚ including Florida‚ Texas‚ Oklahoma‚ Arkansas‚ Tennessee‚ North Carolina‚ Georgia‚ Alabama‚ and Iowa have already done so. Consider strengthening penalties for the deliberate‚ unlawful blockading of streets and thoroughfares‚ with sentence enhancements if the blockading is done while carrying weapons or while wearing masks. Not only are illegal street blockades a favored tactic of Antifa types‚ but these incidents can result in the death or injury of protesters and innocent drivers. Where they do not exist‚ write laws prohibiting the picketing of an individual’s home with the intention to harass or intimidate. Such ordinances were used when Antifa-linked Shutdown D.C. attempted to torment the wife of U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) outside their Virginia residence. Pass laws prohibiting the malicious doxxing of law enforcement officers‚ judges‚ district attorneys‚ and other officers of the court. Toughen penalties for trespassing on property defined as “critical infrastructure.” Blockading trains and ports and the sabotage of electrical‚ communications‚ and other infrastructure are hallmarks of left-wing radicals. Be prepared to enforce historic anti-Klan laws‚ which many states have on the books and which prohibit a variety of mob and lynching-type activities intended to intimidate citizens. Such laws often contain prohibitions against conducting mass gatherings and protests while wearing masks. Red-state executive leaders should also be prepared to deal with potential internal dissension from mob-sympathetic bureaucrats refusing to follow orders or uphold laws. Creating the appearance of defection or dissension among leaders is an essential element of the “civil” resistance playbook. Enforce the law; maintain order Where possible‚ red-state leaders should make clear that appointed officials and government employees — including chiefs of police within deep blue urban areas — will be held accountable for failing to maintain order. They must also be prepared to use state assets to uphold the law‚ as Texas Governor Greg Abbott was forced to do in the left-wing stronghold of Austin‚ after the city government essentially abandoned policing in response to Black Lives Matter protests. State legislatures can also consider laws that would terminate or deny state and local government employment for anyone convicted of engaging in rioting‚ particularly at state universities and in the public school system‚ which are frequently bastions of radicalism. Attorneys general in red states should consider launching investigations into the various networks of radical left-wing nonprofits and especially the bail funds that support rioters financially. Georgia showed the way earlier this year with its indictment of more than 60 people for conspiracy to commit domestic terrorism‚ money laundering‚ and charity fraud. Those charges stemmed from the ongoing riots and sabotage orchestrated by the Atlanta Forest Defenders against a planned police training center. Of course‚ the appearance of heavy-handed or unlawful repression will be used by the revolutionaries to further stoke the chaos. While red-state governments crack down on unlawful and criminal acts‚ it’s crucial that they remain fully committed to supporting and protecting the free speech rights of all citizens. But the message should be clear: Lawful marches and protests are just fine and will receive all appropriate assistance. Acts of criminality and disorder will be shut down swiftly. As Lincoln said in his Lyceum Address‚ there is no greater threat to republicanism than the spirit of mob politics‚ which dominated his time much as it now dominates ours. While‚ on the other hand‚ good men‚ men who love tranquility‚ who desire to abide by the laws‚ and enjoy their benefits‚ who would gladly spill their blood in the defense of their country; seeing their property destroyed; their families insulted‚ and their lives endangered; their persons injured; and seeing nothing in prospect that forebodes a change for the better; become tired of‚ and disgusted with‚ a Government that offers them no protection … The only way out is for well-meaning leaders to fortify the law‚ lest the anarchists go without punishment. That’s how to disrupt the disruptors.

A former United States ambassador was arrested for allegedly spying on behalf of Cuba for over 40 years‚ the Department of Justice stated on Monday.According to a DOJ press release‚ 73-year-old Victor Manuel Rocha‚ a former U.S. Department of State employee‚ was charged with “committing multiple federal crimes by secretly acting for decades as an agent of the government of the Republic of Cuba.”Rocha‚ who was born in Colombia but became a naturalized U.S. citizen‚ began working for the State Department in 1981‚ served on the National Security Council from 1994 to 1995‚ and served as a U.S. ambassador to Bolivia from 2000 to 2002. During his employment‚ Rocha had access to nonpublic and classified information as well as “the ability to affect U.S. foreign policy.”According to the DOJ‚ Rocha “secretly supported the Republic of Cuba and its clandestine intelligence-gathering mission against the United States by serving as a covert agent of Cuba’s General Directorate of Intelligence.”“After his State Department employment ended‚ Rocha engaged in other acts intended to support Cuba’s intelligence services‚” the DOJ explained. “From in or around 2006 until in or around 2012‚ Rocha was an adviser to the Commander of the U.S. Southern Command‚ a joint command of the United States military whose area of responsibility includes Cuba.”During a series of meetings with an undercover FBI agent posing as a Cuban intelligence representative‚ Rocha boasted about his “decades” of work for the Cuban government.The undercover agent told Rocha he was “a covert representative” who had been directed “to contact you‚ introduce myself as your new contact‚ and establish a new communication plan.” Rocha reportedly responded‚ “Yes‚” the DOJ’s complaint claimed.During those meetings‚ Rocha allegedly referred to the U.S. as “the enemy” and called Fidel Castro the “Comandante” or “commander.” He also referred to Cuban intelligence contacts as his “Compañeros” or “comrades‚” the press release stated.The former U.S. official has been charged with conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government‚ acting as an agent of a foreign government‚ and using a passport obtained by false statement.The FBI Miami Field Office is investigating the case. In a statement‚ Attorney General Merrick Garland said‚ “This action exposes one of the highest-reaching and longest-lasting infiltrations of the United States government by a foreign agent.”“We allege that for over 40 years‚ Victor Manuel Rocha served as an agent of the Cuban government and sought out and obtained positions within the United States government that would provide him with access to nonpublic information and the ability to affect U.S. foreign policy‚” Garland added.He further stated that Rocha “will be met with the full force of the Justice Department” for his alleged actions.FBI Director Christopher Wray also commented on the charges.“Like all federal officials‚ U.S. diplomats swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Acting as an agent for Cuba – a hostile foreign power – is a blatant violation of that oath and betrays the trust of the American people‚” Wray said. The Cuban Embassy and Rocha’s lawyer did not respond to a request for comment from CBS News.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A large group of nicely dressed Chinese migrants with impeccable luggage were photographed attempting to illegally cross the U.S.-Mexico border into California.The migrants claimed that they were attempting to get into the U.S. after fleeing communist China. They can be seen wearing nice clothes and equipped with pristine luggage‚ unlike the majority of those illegally trying to get over the border. The group was processed after the illegal attempt to cross the border. — (@) The photographs of the migrants were reportedly taken near the town of Jacumba Hot Springs in San Diego County. The county is set to vote on Tuesday whether the county will spend $3 million in taxpayer money for migrant services. While those typically trying to get into the U.S. through the border come from Central and South America‚ there is now a trend of thousands from China attempting to get into the land of the free. The Daily Mail reported that over the 2023 fiscal year‚ which concluded in September‚ U.S. Customs and Border Protection apprehended 24‚048 Chinese citizens at the Mexico border. The number represents more than the ten previous years combined. Texas Governor Greg Abbott ripped into President Biden's "open border" policies‚ suggesting that they present an "existential threat" to the U.S.‚ according to Fox News Digital. He suggested that the nation should take on the border crisis in a similar way that he has around the Rio Grande‚ with buoys."It is extraordinarily dangerous because‚ first of all‚ as you point out‚ we have people from China coming here‚" Abbott said. "We also have people on the known terrorist watch list who are coming across the border. And so there's extraordinary dangers‚ calls to our country by Biden's open-border policies." "And obviously‚ Biden is doing nothing about it. And that's why Texas has to step up and apprehend as many of these people as possible to make sure that they're not posing a threat to our country. But this is a very serious existential threat to our country caused by Joe Biden. And that's exactly why Texas is taking extraordinary steps to try to crack down on it."Chinese migrants with hopes of reaching the U.S. have made use of Panama's Darien Gap jungle that has gradually become more popular‚ given that there are now social media posts and videos that provide tips on how to navigate it.During the first nine months of the year‚ Chinese people were the fourth-largest nationality to be making use of the Darien Gap‚ after Venezuelans‚ Ecuadorians‚ and Haitians. The United Nations has estimated that China will lose approximately 310‚000 people through emigration strategies this year. This is dramatically higher than in 2012‚ when the number was just 120‚000.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

It's been Stewart's dream of making an album of the songs that were‚ in many ways‚ the rock 'n' roll of their day The post Rod Stewart Teams With Jools Holland For ‘Swing Fever’ Album appeared first on Best Classic Bands.

The recording sessions were plagued with problems‚ but Paul McCartney and Wings made the best of it. The result: one of his most beloved LPs. The post Band on the Run: The LP That ‘Saved’ McCartney appeared first on Best Classic Bands.

What is the best Destiny 2 Hunter build? Season of the Wish‚ for Hunter mains at least‚ is going to go back to basics because they are now the stars of any DPS strategy thanks to some cracked artifact mods and a rework of one of the most treasured exotics in the game: the Celestial Nighthawk. Destiny 2’s developer promised fans a revamp of Stasis for Season of the Wish‚ and to Bungie's credit there are a couple artifact mods that will make icy Hunters happy. The real star of this season‚ though‚ is undoubtedly Solar with five must-have artifact mods that not only give incandescent to every Solar weapon and cause a lot of ignitions but also weaken champions and bosses and multiply super damage. Continue reading Best Destiny 2 Hunter build for Season of the Wish MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Destiny 2 classes‚ Destiny 2 Lightfall review‚ Destiny 2 builds