Before explorers‚ pioneers‚ and cartographers‚ the world might have seemed like a very small place. People weren’t sure how far the land stretched‚ or if it ever stopped. For all they knew‚ the tiny village they settled in was the center of the entire universe. But eventually‚ people became daring. They started mapping out the land around them‚ venturing further and further into unknown regions. Source

New American muscle cars are still being built but the 1960s and 1970s were the greatest decades they were ever made. Everyone wanted to get behind the wheel of one of these vehicles and speed away. It was during this time that American automakers were inspired to pack in the power and speed and perfect the performance‚ completing the package with sporty body designs that turn heads. Source

House Speaker Mike Johnson‚ R-La.‚ urged the Biden administration Wednesday to take stronger action against the Chinese Communist Party as the ruling government’s treatment of a minority group‚ the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs‚ continues to invite allegations of genocide‚ human rights violations‚ and religious hostility.  Johnson addressed a crowd gathered at the annual International Religious Freedom Summit in the nation’s capital‚ highlighting his background as a religious freedom litigator and discussing threats to religious liberty worldwide.  “North Korea’s Kim Jong-un‚ for example‚ continues to exercise a dark influence in denying all freedoms to his people‚ especially religious freedom‚” Johnson‚ 52‚ said. “The regime in Myanmar continues to engage in genocidal attacks against the Rohingya Muslims. In Nigeria‚ Christians and minority Muslims are attacked and killed by mobs of terrorists‚” the Louisiana Republican said. “Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua and Miguel Diaz-Canel in Cuba hunt down and imprison Catholic priests and Baptist pastors who simply preach the Gospel and speak out against the regime.” But Johnson singled out the Chinese Communist Party’s religious freedom violations‚ noting: “Tibetan Buddhists and Falun Gong practitioners are placed in forced labor camps‚ and they have their organs harvested by the Chinese Communist Party.” The House speaker detailed how “in the Uyghur Autonomous Region‚ Uyghur Muslims are suffering under the Chinese Communist Party’s genocidal campaign of forced sterilization‚ forced detention‚ and re-education.” “Millions of Uyghurs have been detained in these camps where they’re kept in cramped cells‚ and they’re tortured and brainwashed‚” Johnson added. “At this moment‚ the U.S. has an opportunity and an obligation to prevent genocide and punish those who commit it.” After the crowd erupted into applause‚ Johnson issued a plea to the White House: “As China makes its forced labor efforts harder to detect‚ we call on the Biden administration to fully enforce the letter and the spirit of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.” “This should not be a partisan issue‚” he said. “We should all be united on this. It’s who we are as Americans. And we must use all of our resources to prevent American involvement in Uyghur genocide.” The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act‚ signed into law by President Joe Biden in December 2021‚ was approved by the Senate in a unanimous vote in July 2021 and then by the House in a 428-1 vote in December 2021.  The law established that the policy of the U.S. is to “prohibit the import of all goods‚ wares‚ articles‚ or merchandise mined‚ produced‚ or manufactured‚ wholly or in part‚ by forced labor from the People’s Republic of China and particularly any such goods‚ wares‚ articles‚ or merchandise produced in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China.” Additionally‚ Johnson shared his belief that a direct connection exists between treatment of religious minorities in the cited countries and lack of opportunity for their citizens. “All these countries‚ some of the most repressive in the world‚ also have the least to offer their citizens in terms of economic prosperity and social mobility‚” Johnson said. “And that’s no surprise because if you’re going to restrict and torment people for their religious beliefs‚ it’s going to be a tyrannical regime.” “Economic prosperity grows when the people are allowed to follow their faith. Freedom flourishes where freedom is allowed‚” he said. Ryan Foley is a reporter at The Christian Post. This report originally was published by The Washington Stand Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Mike Johnson‚ Warning of Global Threats to Religious Freedom‚ Urges Biden to Protect Uyghurs appeared first on The Daily Signal.

It only took roughly 20 minutes for a tampon dispenser in a boy’s restroom at Brookfield High School in Brookfield‚ Connecticut‚ to be torn down‚ according to a report from CT Insider. Principal Marc Balanda sent an email out to students and their families on Jan. 24 and explained that the new dispenser had been torn down and basically destroyed in less than 25 minutes‚ according to CT Insider. Balanda called the incident “disgusting” and an “egregious instance of vandalism and destruction of property” in the email with a subject line that read “I am feeling ‘dis-’ right now.” “A dispenser with menstrual products was installed in the boy’s bathroom near the [main office]‚” Balanda wrote. “The installation was completed at 9:30 (a.m.). By 9:52 (a.m.)‚ tampons were on the floor‚ the newly installed distribution box was ripped off the wall along with the masonry anchors‚ and the distribution box itself was destroyed.” The dispenser was put in place in compliance with a law passed in 2022  and set to go into effect on Sept. 1 of this year that requires all schools from grades three to 12 to put menstrual dispensers in female restrooms and at least one male restroom‚ according to the text. Some who supported the bill argued that “menstruating individuals” shouldn’t have to choose between their period and going to school‚ according to the CT Mirror. Balanda chastised the individuals responsible‚ calling them “boys‚” not “men‚” CT Insider reported. “Ask for more information. Use your words to start a dialogue rather than using your hands to destroy something. In this particular instance‚ if you have questions‚ please let me know‚” Balanda wrote in the email. Brookfield Schools Superintendent John Barile said that the situation had been handled‚ but did not answer questions about how many students were involved and what kind of discipline they would receive‚ according to CT Insider. He also explained that police were not called‚ since it was just vandalism‚ but noted that “the school is seeking restitution.” Balanda did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment. Originally published by the Daily Caller News Foundation Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the url or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post It Took 22 Minutes for Revolt After High School Put Tampon Dispenser In Boys Restroom appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Ariel‚ the six-legged Cocker Spaniel who was abandoned in a parking lot in Pembroke Dock‚ UK‚ finally undergoes surgery to remove her extra limbs.

FOURTH Academic Scandal Hits Harvard

Wednesday’s Good Morning America (GMA) showcased Disney’s ABC behaving like public relations associates for the left’s latest fad as they eagerly spent a full segment promoting Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) declaring war on Zyn nicotine pouches under the guise of being a threat to children. The problem? They ignored Schumer’s virulent support for legalizing marijuana as a new frontier of freedom. Given the left’s penchant for celebrating pot‚ it wasn’t entirely surprising they only have an issue with nicotine‚ but not other‚ harder drugs.     “Nicotine pouches. The calls to crack down on kids using Zyn. Popularity soaring with ‘Zynfluencers’ on TikTok. And this morning the risks‚ especially for the nicotine naive‚” warned co-host and former Clinton official George Stephanopoulos in a tease. Notice how the problem isn’t Chinese-owned TikTok dumbing down society and large accounts drumming up and encouraging the use of Zyn‚ but instead‚ Zyn itself even though it’s something former smokers have turned to as an alternative as they look to quit. With a chyron warning of “nicotine pouches meant for adults gaining popularity on social media‚” co-host Robin Roberts tossed to weekend GMA co-host Eva Pilgrim by fretting Zyn’s been “getting attention”. Pilgrim argued that the pouches‚ which “discreetly tuck between your lip and gums and they are quickly growing in popularity”‚ have been “raising questions about safety and access” and “calls to crack down on” Zyn. Citing “Zyn amassing 700 million views on [TikTok] and getting the attention of Gen Z‚” Pilgrim said CDC sales and 2023 data “showing 1.7 percent of high schoolers reporting use in the past 30 days” are cause for concern. Of course‚ like most liberal priorities‚ their real goal wasn’t exactly what they thought it was. Marketing drugs to teenagers? In polite society‚ that’s almost akin to being pro-puppy torture. Pilgrim tucked Schumer in (as if he were only a minor piece of the puzzle)‚ boasting that he “led the charges against vapes and e-cigarettes being marketed to children‚ now setting his sights on nicotine patches.” Pilgrim went on to explain the dangers of taking Zyn without any prior nicotine use or awareness about the gross side effects (click “expand”): PILGRIM: And while these pouches contain a smaller amount of the highly addictive drug compared to traditional cigarettes‚ medical experts say it is too early to tell what the long term health effects could be for kids‚ but add that individuals who are nicotine naive‚ especially young individuals‚ can be at risk for acute nicotine toxicity if consumed in high amounts‚ which may cause agitation‚ fast heart rate‚ and vomiting. Prolonged nicotine use can cause cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION’s DR. PANAGIS GALIATSATOS: If you take kids that are in their teenage years and make them life-long users‚ four‚ five decades later‚ I don't know what the health consequences would be. PILGRIM: The parent company of Zyn‚ Philip Morris International‚ saying ABC News: “Zyn designed for adults 21 or older who are currently using nicotine products and wish to continue using nicotine. Our marketing practices — which prohibit the use of social media influencers — are focused on preventing underage access and set the benchmark for the industry.” Yeah‚ and‚ you know‚ the company is saying they're not marketing towards young people‚ but young people are finding these products. If you or someone you know is struggling with nicotine addiction or other substance abuse‚ free‚ confidential help is available 24 hours a day‚ seven days a week‚ with the National Substance Abuse Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP. If Pilgrim were interested in a more noble cause against cigarettes or drugs‚ perhaps she should get on Al Sharpton’s case about menthol cigarettes. In contrast‚ NewsNation and On Balance host Leland Vittert took Schumer to task on Tuesday for his hypocrisy of being a supporter of marijuana but not Zyn. “Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats go all-in on legalize — you see‚ there we go — all in legalizing pot‚ but last week‚ they wanted to regulate Zyn nicotine patches. The class divide behind America’s elite love of pot. And love to hate nicotine‚” he said the second of two teases. Using a 2021 clip of Schumer touting marijuana legalization as pro-“freedom”‚ Vittert pointed out Schumer has less concern with something that “16 million people report being addicted among 52 million Americans 12 and older” who “say they’ve used marijuana in the past month” and “[n]early one-third of users say they can’t quit.”     Vittert noted that between findings such as this and the fact that extended use “has now been found to cause psychosis‚ especially in young adults‚” there’s a “real problem” with the drug and “real questions...pro-pot folks don’t like talking about.” The former Fox News correspondent went on to connect these problems that Schumer doesn’t seem to have a problem with to Zyn‚ which Schumer perceives as the real scourge (click “expand”): VITTERT: [I]t’s interesting because Schumer’s pot advocacy this week comes after a stern warning about nicotine last week. He wants to outlaw or heavily regulate Zyn. They are non-tobacco‚ meaning just the drug form of nicotine pouches that you put in your mouth.  SCHUMER: Pouch packed with problems. High levels of nicotine. So‚ today‚ I’m delivering a warning to parents. VITTERT: So in other words‚ high levels of nicotine? Well‚ we have a problem. High levels of THC? It’s about freedom. And full disclosure‚ after our story last week about Schumer’s Zyn crackdown‚ I tried Zyn for the first time. It wasn’t fun. It turned me as green as Kermit the Frog and our graphics department has illustrated exactly how I looked on Saturday night. And I know my mother’s watching and I will hear about this after the show. But I feel being honest with the viewers is important. That said‚ it was my choice. As Chuck Schumer would say‚ it was freedom‚ freedom to be stupid. So‚ if marijuana can be a choice‚ why can’t nicotine? We’re not talking about tobacco. We’re just talking about nicotine‚ a drug just like THC. Vittert wrapped with this zinger: “So‚ it’s like a lot of things these days where there’s a divide in America. Marijuana is the drug of the elite. Thus‚ pot shops all over Brooklyn and close to middle schools are just fine with Chuck Schumer.” To see the relevant transcripts‚ click here (for ABC) and here (for NewsNation).

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) roasted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s seemingly hypocritical stance on censoring conservatives while not removing sexual predators from his social media platforms. In a Thursday interview with Fox News’s Hannity‚ Hawley was skeptical of Zuckerberg’s inability to protect children on his platform. He noted that the CEO has devoted plenty of time and money to censoring conservatives while simultaneously failing to “lift a finger” to ban sex predators from Meta-owned platforms.   “He seems to have all the time and attention in the world to censor conservatives‚” Hawley told Sean Hannity‚ referring to Zuckerberg. “Facebook leaped at the opportunity to censor any questions about COVID to label people who had COVID vaccine questions as potential terrorists. If you questioned the Hunter Biden laptop‚ they shut you down—but they can't lift a finger to take sex predators off the platform? I don't buy it.” Hawley referred to the fact that whistleblowers have repeatedly claimed that Zuckerberg knows that his platform has a problem and that the CEO could fix the problem if he wanted to. “Mark Zuckerberg is worth $140 billion‚” Hawley continued. “If he devoted just 10% of that to helping victims‚ think what he could do for these families. By the way‚ if he would change his platform and not allow pedophiles and sex predators on there‚ he could do a service to every family in America.” Related: Brent Bozell Calls Out Big Tech Execs’ Bluff: ‘Yes‚ Mark Zuckerberg‚ You Can Be Sued’ Hawley’s remarks came after Zuckerberg‚ along with the CEOs of TikTok‚ Snap‚ Discord and X (formerly Twitter)‚ testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee as it develops legislation seeking to protect children from harmful individuals and organizations‚ including predators‚ drug traffickers and sexual exploiters. Hawley cited Arturo Bejar‚ an ex-Facebook engineering director and consultant‚ who blew the whistle on a Meta study showing that 25% of 13-and-15-year-olds reported receiving unwanted sexual content on Instagram within seven days of usage. In response to this finding‚ Hawley said that the victims of the exploited content should be able to sue Instagram. You May Also Like: Agreement on The Hill: Bipartisan Senators Grill Big Tech CEOs Over Child Sexual Exploitation During the hearing‚ the Missouri senator singled out Zuckerberg’s Meta‚ the parent company of Facebook‚ Instagram and WhatsApp‚ for reportedly profiting from the exploitation of children. “Now it's time for them to pay up‚” Hawley said‚ referring to Meta. “They need to set up a victims' compensation fund. They need to pay these people. … The families ought to be able to sue them.” Hawley is a co-sponsor of the Strengthening Transparency and Obligations to Protect Children Suffering from Abuse and Mistreatment (STOP CSAM) Act of 2023. Introduced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin (D-IL)‚ the bill would empower victims to bring civil lawsuits against social media platforms that “knowingly” host child sexual abuse material online.  Hawley grilled Zuckerberg for not offering compensation to the victims of sexually exploited content on his social media apps. Hawley pressured the META boss to face the victims‚ prompting an apology. “I’m sorry for everything you have all been through‚” Zuckerberg told the attendees. “No one should go through the things that your families have suffered.” Conservatives are under attack! Contact your representatives and demand government agencies and Big Tech be held to account to mirror the First Amendment while providing transparency‚ clarity on so-called hate speech and equal footing for conservatives. If you have been censored‚ contact us at the Media Research Center contact form‚ and help us hold Big Tech accountable.

Utah police say that a one-legged man stabbed a massage parlor worker 56 times and was arrested outside of another massage parlor in California. Salt Lake County District Attorney Sam Gill said in a media briefing that the investigation into the murder of 45-year-old Yuping Jiao led to the arrest of 39-year-old Steven Chance Brinkerhoff‚ who lives in Redondo Beach. Jiao was found stabbed to death at the A+ Massage in Midvale on Jan. 4. by her brother. A medical examiner later said that she had been stabbed 56 times. Charging documents said that police used surveillance video from a business near the massage parlor and found that a man in a wheelchair with one leg arrived at the business at 12:30 p.m. and left at 2:25 p.m. Gill said that investigators gathered DNA evidence from blood that was found on Jiao's body and entered it into a national database. That sample was matched to Brinkerhoff‚ who matched the description of the suspect because he is missing a leg. Investigators obtained text messages showing the victim and Brinkerhoff had communicated with each other before her death. Brinkerhoff was arrested on Jan. 19 outside of another massage parlor in California. He will be charged with one count of first-degree felony murder after he is extradited to Utah. Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said the brutal crime was "very traumatic for everybody involved." Brinkerhoff has a long criminal history previous to the murder charge that includes assault on a police officer‚ possession of a dangerous weapon‚ fighting in public‚ drugs‚ and violation of a protective order to prevent domestic violence. “These type of cases take a toll on our community‚" Rivera added. "And we wanted to make sure that we did this press conference today to let the community know that there is someone in custody in this case‚ just to bring them a little bit of relief.”Jiao was an immigrant from China. Here's a news report about the charges: Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Of her 2003 album: "That was my biggest challenge‚ to break through this phantom tabloid thing I had and put down something substantial." The post Lisa Marie Presley Was ‘Lights Out’ On Her Recording Debut appeared first on Best Classic Bands.