Apple News this week featured a report from Gaza. It is typical of the storyline mainstream media is flogging‚ and not much different (surprise!) from the narrative being diffused from Antony Blinken’s Foggy Bottom and other state (lowercase “s”) organs. It’s the children‚ of course. READ MORE from Shmuel Klatzkin: First‚ De-Nazify Gaza Surely everyone cares about those innocents who are suffering for a massacre they did not perpetrate and for policies that they did not make. Their lot is tragic. They shouldn’t be suffering. No moral person could disagree. But the story is crafted to skip a few well-concealed steps and to make the listener or the reader conclude that it is similarly obvious and indisputable that the responsibility to stop hurting the children is on Israel to stop its war against Hamas.  To make that point‚ Apple summons in reporting from Gaza‚ which‚ to the degree that Hamas still has control‚ is controlled reporting. Mighty bad things befall reporters and their outlets in Gaza who report critically on Hamas. Even better: It was Doctors Without Borders that was supplying the “facts” for this report‚ a group with a long history of bending the narrative to portray all Hamas violence as heroic resistance to insufferable Israeli suppression. Dr. Gerald Steinberg wrote a searing indictment of Doctors Without Borders more than a month into the new Gaza war‚ stating that “it has repeatedly and very visibly failed in its stated mission to provide ‘independent and impartial medical humanitarian assistance.’” (See Steinberg’s whole article in the New York Post. See also NGO Monitor’s full review of that group’s alliance with the eliminationists of Hamas‚ the Palestinian Authority‚ and others.) Suffice it to say‚ they emphasized only the suffering of the children of Gaza.  And those children do suffer. Successful hate groups always go for the children. They sacrifice their minds and souls to the cause‚ training them in hatred and self-sacrificial devotion to the cause of extermination. Hitler Youth‚ Komsomol‚ Hamas’ youth groups‚ and‚ yes‚ the standard textbooks taught by Hamas allies on the payroll of UNRWA‚ which Scranton Joe made sure at the very start of his administration U.S. taxpayers would start finding again — they all want to train the kids to be happy to die and suffer for the cause. Just ask a vet from Iraq or Afghanistan about what they had to expect upon seeing an 11-year-old kid approach them. Or ask the families of the soldiers maimed or killed by these young lives warped by those who should have been protecting them. Though there are not many of them left‚ ask a World War II vet about meeting the pre-teens who were turned out in uniform during the last days of the war in Germany. Watch the brilliant film Jojo Rabbit‚ about a young boy who imagines that his idol‚ Hitler‚ is talking to him and instructing him how to keep hating properly. The bad guys go for the kids. They make the kids expendable in their cause. They plan it. They count on it. So‚ in the fight to destroy Nazism‚ it’s no wonder the kids suffered. Those who weren’t drafted and sent to fight had almost as much chance of death or injury as the German cities were reduced to rubble by bombardment from the air and‚ later‚ by (mostly) Russian artillery. Hitler was not going to surrender. He had already sworn that he would take Germany down with him — just as‚ in his favorite opera‚ Götterdämmerung‚ when the hero dies‚ the flames of his funeral pyre consume Valhalla as well. He wanted them dead. Hamas has certainly shown about the same loving concern for its citizens‚ especially children‚ as Hitler did for his‚ another point in the long list of similarities. They clearly regard such care for children as a weakness to be exploited in their enemies. Hamas certainly does not care for Jewish children‚ except to murder‚ torture‚ or hold hostage‚ believing that the weakness of Israel will get its people to agree to freeing any number of convicted murderers of their own children just to get some living children back. So far‚ they have not been wrong. Certainly‚ they have had little trouble getting many voices in the West to go along with them‚ all the way to the top levels of Team Biden. They are busy pushing this line now‚ along with their media allies — save the children‚ both Jew and Arab‚ they say. And the only ones they are addressing are Israel. But a mature adult takes responsibility for the predictable future. A mature adult plans for himself and herself as they will be down the road. A mature adult considers whether this plan to save their dear children now will endanger children who are just as dear in the future. And when a Hamas leader says publicly that Oct. 7 is only the first of many such operations‚ you know that allowing Hamas to survive is to endanger knowingly those very real children in just a few years — or months‚ or weeks‚ or days — down the line. There is one sure way to end the suffering for all the children of Gaza‚ both Jews and Arabs: release the hostages and surrender to justice all participants in the Oct. 7 horrors. If anyone cared about all the children‚ that’s the only thing they would ask. To condemn more children to suffering and death by allowing Hamas to escape is inexcusably evil. READ MORE from Shmuel Klatzkin: Jordan Peterson Reclaims Religious Beliefs That Promote Freedom Do Not Let Hamas Escape Into Exile Israel’s High Court Pulls a Dred Scott The post Complicit Media Wants Israel to Spare the Children appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

Superpower in Peril: A Battle Plan to Renew America By David McCormick (Center Street‚ 320 pages‚ $29) Can America bring itself back from the brink‚ or is it doomed to a cataclysmic end? It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Americans are asking themselves this question more and more; all they need to do is take a look at the Biden administration’s efforts to undermine America’s energy independence‚ its partnership with big tech to censor opposition‚ and its weak foreign policy performance against America’s adversaries. But one man believes that America’s decline‚ both at home and aboard‚ is not inevitable: David McCormick‚ 2024 Republican senatorial Republican candidate for Pennsylvania. (READ MORE: Pa. GOP Divided No More: McCormick Unanimously Endorsed for Senate) In his latest book‚ Superpower in Peril: A Battle Plan to Renew America‚ McCormick explains that the key to reversing America’s trajectory lies in a new strategy that seeks to reignite the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of the American people. This is because America’s decline is one not of certainty but of choice‚ and the same applies for America’s renewal. Saving America requires commitment to action‚ not just words. A Decisive History America is more than another nation in the world‚ McCormick asserts; rather‚ it’s one that transcends the echelons of human history. As he states: Our very founding achieved perhaps the greatest political revolution in human history. It reimagined how people could organize themselves for liberty and prosperity. Never before had a nation committed to a creed like ours. Never before had a nation constructed explicitly of‚ for‚ and by the people. With that same spirit‚ our forefathers continually‚ often too slowly‚ amended and expanded our founder’s vision. It drove the pioneers west‚ the astronauts to the heavens‚ and our nation to glory. According to McCormick‚ America and its leadership face a very similar position today as it once did in its darkest hour in the 1970s. The Nixon and Carter administrations failed in the 1970s due to their lack of visionary leadership‚ which sowed the seeds of America’s malaise. Nixon’s use of price and wage controls ultimately led to the skyrocketing of inflation‚ and it was Carter’s efforts at restructuring the government that projected an image of weakness and culminated in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Leadership without a clear vision ultimately leads to dismal outcomes and human deprivation‚ a lesson that America’s leaders must remember.  The Need for the Renewal Agenda McCormick doesn’t expect America’s political leaders to have the necessary visionary capacity to lead our nation out of its ditch; instead‚ he takes on the burden himself. “Global leadership in talent‚ technology‚ and data holds the key to renewal but is not guaranteed‚” he writes. “We are in a race for each. We have neglected our standing in these races‚ but with smart policy choices and focused leadership‚ we can lead all three.” Talent‚ the first pillar of McCormick’s three-part “Renewal Agenda‚” begins in the classroom. McCormick talks extensively about the decay of America’s educational system‚ brought on by leftist demagoguery and self-interested teachers unions‚ and how this decline is hindering America’s “human capital” and economic capacity. He argues that if America is to begin the process of renewal‚ then American leaders need to maximize and optimize our country’s “human capital” by restoring America’s educational institutions. For‚ as McCormick says‚“our people are our greatest strategic advantage.” McCormick next recognizes that America needs to to hold technological supremacy‚ an essential determinant of whether a nation will prosper or cease to exist. “America’s technological leadership‚” he explains‚ “is vital to our economic and national security‚” from cutting red tape for entrepreneurs in the energy sector to expanding market competition through tax incentives.  Lastly‚ McCormcik emphasizes that “[d]ata is at the center of global trade and global investment and now‚ more than ever‚ central to innovation.” America’s leaders must finally recognize data as critical to setting the trajectory for America’s renewal‚ and McCormick lays out a clear strategy on how to do so‚ one that holds to two fundamental principles: First‚ America must set clear domestic rules for the management and use of data‚ address China’s abuses of our open market‚ and confront the corrosive power of the keepers of most data‚ Big Tech. Second‚ we should take leadership over the digital age and build a trusted network‚ and international framework‚ that encourages free flow of data‚ protects privacy‚ and counter’s China’s techno-authoritarian vision. To understand the very nature of the Renewal Agenda is to appreciate the inspiration from the leader who himself inspired McCormick: President Ronald Reagan. “The Regan playbook for renewal was guided by certain timeless principles‚” McCormick writes. “Chief among them were the belief that America’s strength comes from its people‚ the faith in America’s potential‚ an understanding that America’s economic might and military strength are the vital foundation for international leadership‚ and the recognition that American leadership abroad makes our nation stronger at home.” It is Reagan’s visionary leadership‚ McCormick believes‚ that demonstrates American renewal is‚ can and will be a reality.  The Way Forward Readers‚ by this point‚ are likely asking the essential question: How do we ensure that this agenda is enacted? McCormick distills his answer into three concise points: we must confront China and secure itself both economically and militarily; we must revive our institutions from their decayed state‚ including our military‚ educational system‚ and government; and we must restore to all levels of government a principled leadership with individuals who will embrace the very values that make our country exceptional. With this beginning‚ America can begin its great restoration. While McCormick’s vision is deeply appealing‚ his policy recommendations at times may leave readers confused. The profound dilemma that McCormick himself recognizes is his push for cooperation between the private sector and federal government. McCormick is quick to emphasize that he is deeply critical of economic cronyism‚ but he argues that the government should assist in areas that are deemed vital for U.S. economic and national security interests. He recognizes that this aspect of his plan strikes against conventional free-market practice‚ which he attempts to justify by stating that such a relationship should prioritize private enterprise over government. But the question remains: Is it possible to avoid cronyism with a negligible degree of government assistance‚ or does avoidance necessitate a fundamental break between the two? The dilemma in which McCormick finds himself reveals the hole in his Renewal Agenda; it may be the stone that‚ for some‚ overturns the whole plan. Despite this weakness‚ McCormick provides an inspiring and hopeful account of America’s potential‚ drawing from his personal testimony to illustrate the resilient leadership to which other conservatives should aspire. From his service in the Persian Gulf War to his time in the Bush administration‚ McCormick learned that the key to leading successfully requires a synthesis between demonstrating resilience and building a clear vision of the future. Superpower in Peril reminds readers that America is worth fighting for; and it is the very resilient nature of Americans that McCormick believes will set the nation on the road to renewal. The post David McCormick: Saving America From the Brink appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

St. Patrick's Day is well over a month away‚ but time flies when you're having fun thoughts about the holiday and mint chocolate-flavored Irish cream.

UPS announced it will cut approximately 12‚000 jobs in an effort to save $1 billion in costs. According to CNBC‚ CEO Carol Tomé announced the workforce cuts on a company earnings call. The company fell short in fourth-quarter revenue as domestic and international shipping declined. “2023 was a unique‚ and quite candidly‚ difficult and disappointing year. We experienced declines in volume‚ revenue and operating profits and all three of our business segments‚” Tomé said‚ according to CNBC. WATCH: The world's largest parcel delivery company‚ UPS plans to cut 12‚000 jobs in a move the company said will help save it $1 billion after a 'difficult and disappointing' year https://t.co/LC0SZsAfkc pic.twitter.com/TbmPZZVMeH — Reuters (@Reuters) January 31‚ 2024 CNBC reports: For the last three months of 2023‚ UPS reported net income of $1.61 billion‚ or $1.87 per share‚ compared with $3.45 billion‚ or $3.96 per share‚ a year earlier. Adjusting for one-time items related to pensions and intangible assets‚ UPS earned $2.47 per share. Revenue declined 7.8% to $24.9 billion from $27 billion last year. The company reported a 7.4% drop in average daily volume domestically and an 8.3% decrease internationally. Tomé said the international softness was “heavily weighted” in Europe‚ coupled with freight complications in the Red Sea region‚ as well as the Panama and Suez canals. Though the earnings report did not directly mention any financial impacts from negotiations with the Teamsters in August over labor contracts‚ Tomé cited the talks and the macroeconomic environment more broadly as contributing to the “disappointing” year. DC Draino cited the union deal UPS employees struck in 2023‚ which would give drivers $170‚000 in pay and benefits. How it started: UPS drivers to make $170‚000 in pay and benefits following Union deal How it’s going: UPS to slash 12‚000 jobs after increased labor costs A tale as old as time pic.twitter.com/uV1RdmpOYT — DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) January 30‚ 2024 From CBS News: UPS drivers will earn an average of $170‚000 in annual pay and benefits at the end of a five-year contract agreement‚ UPS CEO Carol Tomé said during an earnings call this week. The executive’s comments punctuated the end of a weekslong struggle between UPS and the Teamsters Union which negotiated with the carrier last month to avert a strike and secure a new contract for 340‚000 union employees. More than 70% of UPS’ 443‚000 employees are represented by the Teamsters’ Union‚ the company’s website shows. “We expected negotiations with the Teamsters to be late and loud‚ and they were‚” Tomé said during the call. As a result‚ UPS slashed its full-year revenue forecasts “primarily to reflect the volume impact from labor negotiations and the costs associated with the tentative agreement‚” she added. The deal‚ which was reached on July 25‚ will increase full-time workers’ compensation to $170‚000 from roughly $145‚000 over five years‚ according to UPS’ calculations. It will also boost part-time workers’ salaries to at least $25.75 per hour‚ and end mandatory overtime‚ Tomé told investors on Tuesday. Online searches for jobs with “UPS” or “United Parcel Service” in the title jumped 50% in the week after the new pay deal was announced‚ Bloomberg News reported‚ citing data from Indeed. UPS to lay off 12‚000 just months after accepting a new union contract paying deliverymen $170‚000 per year. Unions killing jobs https://t.co/DbFcZhpGJQ — Peter St Onge‚ Ph.D. (@profstonge) January 30‚ 2024 CNN Business noted managers and contractor positions make up the majority of layoffs. Per CNN Business: The job cuts come as UPS issued a disappointing sales outlook for this year‚ saying it expects global revenue of between $92 billion to $94.5 billion. That would be up from the $91 billion in revenue it reported for 2023‚ but analysts surveyed by Refinitiv had been expecting revenue of at least $95.6 billion. UPS lost business last year as customers concerned about a possible strike by the Teamsters shifted shipments to rival carriers‚ such as FedEx. Although UPS said it expects to get most of that business back‚ it had won back only about 60% of that lost business. UPS’ business surged to record levels in the first three years of the pandemic‚ as online shopping exploded. The company’s sales topped $100 billion for the first time in 2022. The fact that revenue in 2023 fell more than 9% and won’t top that benchmark again in the near future is “candidly difficult and disappointing‚” said CEO Carol Tome on a conference call with investors Tuesday. “Some of this performance was due to the macro environment and some due to disruptions associated with our labor contract negotiations as well as higher costs associated with the new contract‚” she said.

A statewide anti-human trafficking operation in California resulted in over 500 arrests and dozens of rescued victims. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced the results of the operation that included the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Operation Reclaim and Rebuild led to 539 arrests and 65 total rescued victims. The rescued victims included 54 adults and 11 juveniles. WATCH: LOS ANGELES (KABC) — “Hidden In Plain Sight All Across California Are Human Traffickers &; Their Victims” In an ONLY 3 DAY Human-Trafficking Sting in California Leads to 339 Arrests Nearly 50 victims were rescued. More than a dozen of them were children. pic.twitter.com/WpDjFnImpr — Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) July 26‚ 2023 KABC reports: The 10th annual Operation Reclaim and Rebuild‚ which was conducted last week‚ involved more than 95 federal‚ state and local agencies‚ including personnel from the Los Angeles Regional Human Trafficking Task Force. During a press conference Tuesday morning‚ Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said authorities made 539 arrests‚ including 40 suspected “sexual traffickers or exploiters” and 271 suspected “sex buyers.” Also‚ 54 adults and 11 children were rescued‚ including a 14-year-old girl‚ Luna said. It was unclear how many arrests were made in Los Angeles County. “Human trafficking and child exploitation are devastating crimes that prey on some of the most vulnerable members of our community‚” Luna said. 539 arrests‚ including 40 suspected "sexual traffickers or exploiters'' and 271 suspected "sex buyers.'' Also‚ 54 adults and 11 children were rescued‚ including a 14-year-old girl‚ https://t.co/L4wu3LpYOI — Doug Walker (@DougWalker9) January 30‚ 2024 “This week-long operation demonstrates that if you engage in human trafficking activities‚ harm our children‚ and destroy lives‚ there will be absolute consequences; and there is no refuge for predators in the state of California‚” Luna added. FOX 11 Los Angeles noted: In one Los Angeles County operation‚ task force personnel conducted an undercover “sex buyer” operation on a stretch of Holt Avenue in Pomona‚ Luna said. Twelve males‚ two of whom are registered sex offenders‚ were arrested on suspicion of solicitation of prostitution‚ Luna said. In San Diego County‚ a 17-year-old girl was at the Parkway Plaza Mall in El Cajon when she was approached by a man who told her “she should be a model” and gave her a business card that had a phone number on it‚ Luna said. The girl called the number‚ and she was told that she would be “doing date sex with guys at hotels.” The girl told her mother‚ who contacted authorities‚ and the suspect was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking of a minor and other offenses‚ Luna said. Luna was joined at the news conference by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón‚ and representatives from the LAPD‚ the federal Department of Homeland Security and other agencies.