If you want to know what an esthetically pleasing male butt looks like‚ look no further. A new paper has the answer for you‚ showing the right proportions and angles for what is to be considered the most desirable masculine rear-end one can find. And we have to agree those are good butts.Plastic surgery researchers conducted an online survey of 2‚095 individuals who were asked to rate three views of male buttocks: from the side‚ a three-quarter view‚ and facing them. Each view was digitally altered across five variants to present possibilities in terms of how much it sticks out‚ its general roundness‚ and its width. It seems that there is a happy middle when it comes to enjoying a man’s butt."Our results demonstrate that there is a preferred male gluteal aesthetic‚" lead author Dr Ashit Patel‚ of Duke University‚ said in a statement. "The findings suggest that a moderately enhanced‚ well-proportioned appearance is most desirable."The team found that the preferred thigh–to-buttock ratio (measuring the side length of the butt in the middle‚ and the thigh just below the butt) is 1.18. The team also estimated what the height of the butt should be compared to the width‚ coming out with a ratio of 0.66‚ and the angle between the crack and the edge in a three-quarter view‚ which came to 66 degrees. Round and thick‚ but still retaining muscular features."In our survey‚ raters thought the ideal male buttocks shouldn't be flat‚ but also shouldn't stick out too far‚" added Dr. Patel. "The buttocks shouldn't be too wide‚ and should retain the characteristic dimple on the sides."The survey respondents were moderately diverse‚ and looking at the different responses from different groups reveals that the average is not exactly a Platonic ideal. African-American respondents preferred slightly larger buttocks‚ both in ratios and angles. Asian-American respondents were on the other end of the spectrum. Gay‚ bisexual‚ and heterosexual men all preferred a butt that sticks out more‚ but there was a distinction in terms of the angle – men who have sex with men preferred a fuller one. The researchers highlight how different cultural influences in the United States have played a crucial role in these desires‚ which then fuel expectations when it comes to cosmetic surgery. That said‚ there were no major differences across genders‚ with non-binary people‚ men‚ and women (both cis and trans) broadly agreeing on what a good butt looks like.Similar to expectations for women’s physiques‚ the expectations for a man’s “ideal” body are important when it comes to cosmetic surgery to enhance one's physical attributes. The researchers point out how their paper helps inform how to sculpt a good butt in gender-affirming surgery for both cis and trans men. Or‚ indeed‚ anyone who wants to have a masculine derrière.The study is published in the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Deep beneath the permafrost on Svalbard‚ a Norwegian archipelago‚ a long-entombed threat is stirring. Although this may sound like the introduction to a horror movie‚ it is a reality that could have implications if it is ever released.Under the ice‚ millions of cubic meters of methane are trapped‚ but scientists have learned that this gas can migrate beneath the cold seal of the permafrost and potentially escape. If a large-scale escape were to occur‚ it could create a cycle of warming where melting ice releases trapped gas‚ which then contributes to further melting. This would ultimately result in methane emissions soaring.In addition‚ as Svalbard's geological and glacial history is similar to the rest of the Arctic region‚ other migrating methane deposits are probably out there‚ waiting to escape."Methane is a potent greenhouse gas‚" Dr Thomas Birchall of the University Center in Svalbard said in a statement. "At present‚ the leakage from below permafrost is very low‚ but factors such as glacial retreat and permafrost thawing may 'lift the lid' on this in the future."Icy imprisonment Melting permafrost‚ a frozen layer on or under the ground that is constantly below 0°C (32°F)‚ has received a lot of attention in recent years as its retreat reveals new aspects of our world’s ancient past. However‚ the loss of permafrost is a direct result of climate change‚ and is an alarming problem.The permafrost on Svalbard is not uniform or continuous; there are areas‚ especially in the west‚ that are warmer due to ocean currents‚ and so there tends to be thinner or patchier areas. Also‚ permafrost in the highlands is drier and more permeable in contrast to the ice-saturated frost of the lowlands.The rocks lying under this frozen layer are often fossil fuel sources that release methane‚ which is then trapped under this cold lid. However‚ new research shows that some geological features may allow the gas to escape.The researchers used historical data collected by scientists and various commercial companies who‚ over the years‚ have bored holes into the permafrost in search of fossil fuel deposits. They used this information to map the permafrost across Svalbard and to pinpoint the methane gas accumulations."I and my supervisor Kim looked through a lot of the historical wellbore data in Svalbard‚" said Birchall. "Kim noticed that one recurring theme kept coming up‚ and that was these gas accumulations at the base of the permafrost."When drilling into the frozen mud‚ the wellbores are often heated to help soften the process‚ but this can lead to distorted temperature measurements. However‚ observing the trend of temperature measurements and monitoring boreholes in the long term allowed the team to identify permafrost. They also kept an eye out for ice forming in the wellbore‚ changes in the drill cuttings produced while digging‚ and changes in the background gas measurements.They found that there were gas influxes into the wellbore‚ suggesting the accumulation of methane in the permafrost‚ as well as abnormal pressure measurements indicating the ice served as a kind of seal.But in other places‚ even where permafrost and underlying geological features were suitable for trapping gas and the rocks were known sources of hydrocarbons‚ there was no gas present. This‚ the team believe‚ shows the gas had already migrated elsewhere.Interestingly‚ the gas accumulations were more common than previously thought. Of 18 hydrocarbon exploration wells drilled in Svalbard‚ eight showed signs of permafrost‚ and half of these struck gas accumulation."All the wells that encountered gas accumulations did so by coincidence – by contrast‚ hydrocarbon exploration wells that specifically target accumulations in more typical settings had a success rate far below 50 percent‚" Birchall added."These things seem to be common. One anecdotal example is from a wellbore that was drilled recently near the airport in Longyearbyen. The drillers heard a bubbling sound coming from the well‚ so we decided to have a look‚ armed with rudimentary alarms designed for detecting explosive levels of methane – which were immediately triggered when we held them over the wellbore."The study is published in Frontiers in Earth Science.

A few years ago‚ coconut oil was king‚ touted for its supposed health benefits‚ and used for everything from teeth cleaning to repelling bugs (it was even suggested as a bogus COVID treatment). Once hailed as a “superfood”‚ research is now suggesting that the oil may not be as good for us as the “clean eating” and “wellness” fads of the last decade or two have had us believe.In fact‚ one study from earlier this year hinted at significant potential health risks associated with consuming the trendy commodity. As demonstrated in mice‚ coconut oil may alter food intake and impair certain metabolic hormones. It could also be linked to weight gain‚ anxious behavior‚ and increased inflammation of the central nervous system‚ adipose tissue‚ and liver‚ based on previous research.“The findings suggest that although the process is slow and silent‚ coconut oil supplementation for long periods can lead to significant metabolic alterations that contribute to the development of obesity and associated comorbidities‚” study author Marcio Alberto Torsoni said in a statement.And as such‚ it “isn’t recommended as a supplement to treat diseases or recoup good health”‚ Torsoni added.To come to this conclusion‚ the research team administered a daily dose – the caloric equivalent of a spoonful of soup – of coconut oil to healthy mice over a period of eight weeks. At the end of the study‚ they found that the key metabolic hormones leptin and insulin – which are involved in regulating satiety and blood sugar levels‚ respectively – were repressed‚ which‚ the authors write‚ “[harmed] the control of energy expenditure‚ expression of neuropeptides and food intake.” They also found evidence to suggest that the biochemical mechanisms involved in fat synthesis were stimulated.Overall‚ this is not entirely surprising. Saturated fatty acids‚ the main compound in coconut oil‚ are known to promote insulin and leptin resistance‚ and have previously been associated with inflammation and obesity. Past work (also in mice) from the same study authors has suggested that coconut oil consumption could lead to weight gain‚ a higher percentage of fat‚ reduced energy expenditure‚ inflammation‚ and anxious behavior.While this research is limited to animal models for now‚ and so should be viewed with caution‚ people should still reconsider their coconut oil intake‚ Torsoni warned. It’s best used in small amounts‚ he explained‚ as seasoning or part of a sauce‚ ideally with fresh or minimally processed vegetables and the guidance of a nutritionist.This isn’t the first time that the “dark side of coconut oil” has reared its ugly head. Due to the oil’s high saturated fat content – which is far more than that of regular butter‚ olive oil‚ peanut oil‚ or sunflower oil – it has been linked to “bad” cholesterol and therefore an increased risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association actually advises coconut oil should be avoided: “Because coconut oil increases LDL cholesterol‚ a cause of [cardiovascular disease]‚ and has no known offsetting favorable effects‚ we advise against the use of coconut oil‚” they wrote in a 2017 paper.It turns out coconut probably isn’t the healthier oil alternative we were promised.As well as potentially not being great for us‚ coconut oil isn’t a friend of the environment either. It takes a huge toll on the tropical ecosystems where it's grown‚ and threatens more species per metric ton produced than any other vegetable oil‚ including the much-vilified palm oil.All things considered‚ it may be best to stick to canola oil (don’t believe what you’ve heard about that one either).The study is published in the Journal of Functional Foods.

On Monday‚ The Daily Show proclaimed that Christmas was the “queerest holiday of all‚” on Tuesday it was ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel’s turn as he “interviewed” Sean Hayes‚ who was playing the role of a gay nutcracker. Hayes claimed that “pretty much every Christmas character is gay” and like The Daily Show‚ he including Joseph from the Nativity. After playing a montage of conservative media personalities denouncing the wokification of Christmas‚ including the gay nutcrackers‚ Kimmel introduced Hayes’s character‚ “Okay‚ fingers on the pulse‚ you know. Obviously they're making a big deal out of nothing. But I wanted to go to the source to find out how they see this. So joining us now live from the holiday aisle at Kohl's is a gay nutcracker. Hello‚ Mr. Nutcracker.” Kimmel wondered‚ “I guess my first question is‚ are gay nutcrackers‚ like yourself‚ bothered by what Fox News and this right-wing outrage media have been saying?”     Hayes responded‚ “I mean‚ not really. I'd say we're more confused than anything. I mean‚ first off‚ "gay nutcracker" is redundant. All nutcrackers are gay… We're a bunch of fit older men with perfect posture wearing bedazzled uniforms and knee-high boots.” Of course‚ nutcrackers are designed to look like 18th century soldiers‚ but Kimmel continued with the skit‚ “It does seem silly that they're getting so worked up about things like gender-neutral potato heads and inclusive Christmas decorations.” Moving on from nutcrackers‚ Hayes agreed‚ “I know‚ right? And just wait until they find out about Elf on the Shelf!... He's bi.” After Kimmel asked how he knows that‚ Hayes continued‚ “How do I know? How do you not know? I mean‚ get a load of that face. He looks like he's keeping a secret he can't wait to tell you. Hey‚ Fox News alert‚ pretty much every Christmas character is gay.” Kimmel pretended that was a bridge too far‚ but Hayes then ran down a list of classic Christmas characters‚ “The Grinch: decides to steal Christmas‚ the first thing he does is sew him and his dog flirty little outfits. Frosty: completely obsessed with his birthday and totally comes alive thanks to a fashion accessory. The Heat Miser: obvi. Hermey the Elf: clean-cut twink with perfect teeth. Linus: sorry‚ Sally‚ not interested. Rudolph: won't you lead my sleigh? Honey‚ this queen's been slaying since day one.” Finally‚ Hayes got to the Nativity‚ “And then there's Joseph…Why do you think they needed an immaculate conception? Joseph was the only guy in Bethlehem with two beards. The one on his face‚ and Mary.” It is one thing to fail at troll humor because you project 2023 trends onto classic stories‚ but the inclusion of Joseph is not only disrespectful‚ it is not even original disrespect. Here is an original transcript for the December 12 show: ABC Jimmy Kimmel Live! 12/12/2023 11:43 PM ET JIMMY KIMMEL: Okay‚ fingers on the pulse‚ you know. Obviously they're making a big deal out of nothing. But I wanted to go to the source to find out how they see this. So joining us now live from the holiday aisle at Kohl's is a gay nutcracker. Hello‚ Mr. Nutcracker. SEAN HAYES [AS GAY NUTCRACKER]: Please‚ Mr. Nutcracker was my father. Call Gay.  KIMMEL: Okay. All right‚ Gay. I just have a couple of questions‚ and I appreciate you're taking time.  HAYES: Yeah. KIMMEL: I guess my first question is‚ are gay nutcrackers‚ like yourself‚ bothered by what Fox News and this right-wing outrage media have been saying?  HAYES: I mean‚ not really. I'd say we're more confused than anything. I mean‚ first off‚ "gay nutcracker" is redundant. All nutcrackers are gay. KIMMEL: Oh‚ so-- they are?  HAYES: Of course! We're a bunch of fit older men with perfect posture wearing bedazzled uniforms and knee-high boots. Open your eyes‚ you dink!  KIMMEL: I guess‚ you know‚ I didn't think of it that way.  HAYES: Yeah‚ well.  KIMMEL: It does seem silly that they're getting so worked up about things like gender-neutral potato heads and inclusive Christmas decorations.  HAYES: I know‚ right? And just wait until they find out about Elf on the Shelf!  KIMMEL: Oh‚ what about the Elf on the Shelf?  HAYES: He's bi.  KIMMEL: He is?  HAYES: Yeah.  KIMMEL: Wait‚ how do you know that? HAYES: How do I know? How do you not know? I mean‚ get a load of that face. He looks like he's keeping a secret he can't wait to tell you. Hey‚ Fox News alert‚ pretty much every Christmas character is gay.  KIMMEL: Well‚ that's not true.  HAYES: Oh‚ it isn't‚ Jimmy?  KIMMEL: No.  HAYES: Let's do a little roll call‚ shall we?  KIMMEL: Okay. HAYES: The Grinch: decides to steal Christmas‚ the first thing he does is sew him and his dog flirty little outfits. KIMMEL: Alright. HAYES: Frosty: completely obsessed with his birthday and totally comes alive thanks to a fashion accessory. The Heat Miser: obvi. Hermey the Elf: clean-cut twink with perfect teeth. Linus: sorry‚ Sally‚ not interested. Rudolph: won't you lead my sleigh? Honey‚ this queen's been slaying since day one. And then there's Joseph –  KIMMEL: Wait a minute‚ Joseph of Mary and Joseph?  HAYES: Yeah. That's the guy‚ Jimmy. Why do you think they needed an immaculate conception? Joseph was the only guy in Bethlehem with two beards. The one on his face‚ and Mary. 

The video game distribution giant Steam has been called out once again for continuing to sell a propagandistic title wherein players assume the role of a Palestinian terrorist and massacre representations of Israelis. While some regard the game as a loathsome work of agitprop warranting removal‚ various commenters have fired back‚ noting that other violent games permitted on the platform — including titles in the Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty franchises — similarly enable players to virtually live out terroristic fantasies. With Israel actively battling Hamas and anti-Semitism aggressively rising in the West‚ Jesse Petrilla‚ a former captain in the Army National Guard‚ took issue with how the Bellevue‚ Washington-based Valve Corporation is still selling Fursan al-Aqsa: The Knights of the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Steam platform. Petrilla asked‚ "Why do you have a pro-terrorist game on @Steam?" Shortly thereafter‚ the Libs of TikTok account on X‚ managed by Chaya Raichik‚ shared footage from the game‚ noting‚ "This is available for your kids to play." Jeremy Dale Hambly‚ the popular YouTuber known as TheQuartering‚ responded to Raichik's expression of concern over the game‚ writing‚ "Don't care‚ it's a video game that you have to choose to pay for and then download and then play. Cringe." Carl Benjamin‚ the YouTuber known as Sargon of Akkad‚ noted‚ "This won't be the thing that turns them into terrorists‚ it'll be their university professors." — (@) Fursan al-Aqsa‚ a gory first- and third-person shooter released in full last year‚ has for its protagonist Ahmad al-Falastini‚ "a young Palestinian Student who was unjustly tortured and jailed by Israeli Soldiers for 5 years." The description for the game states‚ "Now‚ after getting out from the prison‚ [he] seeks revenge against those who wronged him‚ killed his family and stolen [sic] his homeland‚ by joining a new Palestinian Resistance Movement called Fursan al-Aqsa." Trailers for the game‚ which runs on the dated Unreal Engine 3‚ feature footage of the protagonist shooting‚ stabbing‚ bombing‚ and torturing Israelis‚ while frequently yelling‚ "Allahu Akbar." In one scene featured in the trailer‚ the terroristic protagonist says‚ "This is your end‚ f***ing Zionists!" while feeding an unarmed Israeli to a shark. In another featured scene‚ the Islamic protagonist prays beside a pile of butchered Israelis. A play-through shared by the developer earlier this year revealed that the missions require the player to "Kill all Zionist Soldiers." In recent promotional material shared on YouTube‚ the developer states‚ "See how many different ways you'll be able to snipe Israeli Soldiers." Another promotional video reportedly told players‚ "Get your knife and seek your revenge. The blood of the oppressed is calling you. Resistance is not terrorism." While the developer claims on the Steam sales page that the game "DOES NOT PROMOTE 'TERRORISM‚'" in the game‚ players are prompted to rank up from a "soldier" to a "general" and finally to a "terrorist." The review section for the game on the Steam platform is crowded with anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli remarks. One reviewer wrote‚ "May the zionists fall‚" prompting the developer to write back‚ "In sha Allah!" Another reviewer wrote‚ "Truly a simulation of the righteous struggle of Palestinians against the colonialist oppressors." Multiple reviewers wrote‚ "From the river to the sea‚ Palestine will be free" — a threat similarly made on the developer's website. The game saw a significant spike in largely positive reviews in early October‚ following the Hamas terror attacks on Israel. The developer of the game‚ Nidal Nijm‚ describes himself thusly: "I am a Brazilian‚ son of Palestinian Immigrants‚ Muslim. My father is an ex-fighter of Palestinian Resistance‚ he fought for the Independence of Palestinian State. From since childhood I felt too much proud of my father and the Palestine People in general‚ because of their Strength and Constant Resistance." Ahead of the game's release‚ Efraim Zuroff‚ the Simon Wiesenthal Center's chief Nazi hunter‚ said‚ "There is no question that this game glorifies Palestinian terror against Jews and is not a neutral exercise‚" reported Haaretz. "This is something that praises and glorifies the worst type of terror and basically promotes a result which would cost hundreds of thousands of people their lives‚" added Zuroff. Nijm defended the game‚ noting‚ "There are no Jewish‚ Israeli civilians for the player to attack." Steam‚ which takes a substantial cut of the revenue from each sale‚ indicated in a 2018 blog post that it had given up on most content moderation‚ stating‚ "If you're a player‚ we shouldn't be choosing for you what content you can or can't buy. If you're a developer‚ we shouldn't be choosing what content you're allowed to create. Those choices should be yours to make." "With that principle in mind‚ we've decided that the right approach is to allow everything onto the Steam Store‚ except for things that we decide are illegal‚ or straight up trolling‚" added the company. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A Florida high school was fined and put on probation for allowing a boy to compete in girls' sports‚ a violation of state law.The Florida High School Athletic Association reportedly informed Monarch High School and its principal that the school "permitted a biological male to participate on the girls volleyball team during the 2022-2023 and 2023-24 Girls Volleyball seasons‚" a violation of the law‚ the Daily Signal reported.This followed an investigation that was started approximately two weeks prior‚ when the Broward County Public Schools district reassigned several staff members while the district looked into the incident.The letter to the school's principal stated the school violated Bylaw 8.6.2‚ which states that "biological males may not participate on a female team in any sport." As well‚ Policy 16.11.6 states that the "use of an ineligible student when self-reported‚ may subject the school to a monetary penalty of a minimum of $100 per contest and/or other sanctions."The school also violated F.S. 1006.205(3)(c)‚ which says that "athletic teams or sports designated for females‚ women‚ or girls may not be open to students of the male sex."Along with an official letter of censure‚ the state also placed the high school on "administrative probation" through November 20‚ 2024.The school was fined $16‚500 for the number of games the boy participated in over two seasons. He allegedly played 13 games during the 2022-23 girls' volleyball season and 20 games during the 2023-24 season. The state decided to fine the school $500 per game.Additionally‚ Monarch High School representatives "are required to attend an FHSAA Compliance Seminar in 2024 and 2025" and also host an "Eligibility &; Compliance Workshop" before June 2024."Thanks to the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis‚ Florida passed legislation to protect girls’ sports‚ and we will not tolerate any school that violates this law‚" Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. said in a statement. Allegations of a male student playing on the girls' volleyball team came through a complaint to the school district‚ spawning the investigation. The student's name was not revealed‚ but WUWF‚ an NPR affiliate in northern Florida‚ reported that the student allegedly began acting and dressing as a girl at age 3‚ was diagnosed with gender dysphoria by 7‚ and began taking puberty blockers at 11‚ followed by estrogen at 13.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A North Carolina school board member is urging the state attorney general's office to take action after the board's former chairman and the school district "wrongfully" banned a parent‚ according to a letter recently obtained by Blaze News.What are the details?In a Monday letter to North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein‚ Onslow County Board of Education member Louis Rogers sounded the alarm about a parent who was allegedly unlawfully targeted by the board‚ its former chairman‚ and the district."I first want to note that the opinion in this letter does not reflect the opinion of the board‚ nor does it represent any position taken by the school district‚" Rogers' letter stated. "However‚ I am sending this letter as an individual board member in my official capacity."During the February 2023 school board meeting‚ then-Chairman of the Board of Education Bill Lanier "engaged in conduct that warrants notification of your office‚" Rogers wrote. He accused Lanier of "wrongfully order[ing] a sheriff's deputy to remove an individual after he accused her of disrupting the board meeting.""It has since been confirmed by eye-witness testimony‚ video recording‚ and both myself and my colleague that the individual was wrongfully accused of speaking. To defend the individual being removed‚ the person who talked informed the chairman that it was her and not the individual being removed‚" Rogers explained.As a result of the disruption‚ Lanier instructed an entire row of parents to leave the school board meeting immediately‚ including those who had not interrupted.Video from the February meeting captured Lanier kicking out the attendees."Take those people on that row. Get them out of here because I'm not having this in this forum. Take them all out‚ bye‚ see ya later‚" Lanier demanded. Board of Education Meeting - February 7‚ 2023 - 6 PM www.youtube.com Rogers stated that Lanier "made this decision without justification or cause" and further accused the former chairman and the district of "target[ing] the individual."During a subsequent meeting in March‚ school board member Angie Todd made a motion to oust Lanier from his position‚ claiming he "removed private citizens without just cause." She also stated that Lanier failed to control his emotions to de-escalate the incident. Rogers seconded Todd's motion‚ and Lanier was later removed from his chairman position but has remained on the Onslow County Board of Education.The banned parent was accused of making threats against school district staff and board members after she arrived at the meeting with a casket in the bed of her truck‚ Rogers explained. The individual also brought goody bags that contained a plastic knife‚ college degree‚ mason jar‚ and chocolate‚ Rogers added."Before the meeting started‚ she explained the symbolic representation behind everything she brought to individual board members and the local news‚" Rogers continued. "She was bringing attention to what she believed were security gaps that have led to multiple students in the district being injured and one being stabbed to death earlier in the year."Rogers noted that while the parent's method was "unorthodox‚" her concerns were "justified." He also added that several board members were observed "casually talking" with the parent before the December and February board meetings‚ and "two even took her goodie [sic] bags and thanked her."He claimed that Lanier‚ district Superintendent Dr. Barry Collins‚ and the board's attorney "were all part of the decision to ban the individual."The school board's attorney previously claimed during a September meeting that the parent was banned because she had "attempt[ed] to intimidate board members.""I believe the potential of a constitutional rights violation going unaddressed by the board and the district requires me to inform your office. I urge your office to consider looking into this matter‚" Rogers wrote to Stein.Current board Chairman Ken Reddic told Blaze News that the individual who was removed from the February school board meeting was issued a ban letter.“The individual you are asking about was issued a ban letter after they arrived at a Board meeting with a casket in the back of their vehicle and presented bags for each Board member including replicas of weapons‚ as well as funeral planning documents. Based on concerns over these actions‚ consultation with law enforcement‚ and review of school board policy‚ a ban letter was issued to the individual‚” Reddic explained.He further noted that the banned individual “has not reached out to either me or the superintendent for any reconsideration of the decision.”Onslow County School District has come under repeated scrutiny from worried parents who say the district is not abiding by its own safety and security policies‚ Blaze News previously reported. Community members have also expressed concerns that the district has failed to promptly notify parents about incidents on campus or involving students. In November‚ a number of parents spoke to Blaze News on the record about those concerns following a student-involved shooting in August that took place across the street from White Oak High School and a fatal stabbing that occurred last year at Northside High School. Many parents and community members have repeatedly addressed their concerns to the school board during the monthly meetings‚ but they feel their grievances are largely being ignored by the administration.Anything else?On Monday‚ school board members Rogers and Todd organized a community town hall where parents and other citizens were encouraged to share their thoughts and ideas on improving school safety. Rogers and Todd were in attendance as individual members and not on behalf of the board.Todd told Blaze News‚ "The purpose of this town hall was to make ourselves available to the community to hear their concerns in a welcoming and encouraging environment. We believe the event was a success and has given us a foundation to build off of for the new year. We do plan to hold another meeting in this same platform sometime after the holidays.""The most important thing was to create a discussion setting for attendees‚ not an official meeting with one-sided statements‚" Todd added.When reached for comment about the event‚ Rogers told Blaze News‚ "My attendance at the town hall was solely to listen and provide any factual information to the citizens in attendance. While attending the town hall‚ I made no official acts‚ nor did I act for the board or district."Rogers noted that the turnout was "amazing‚" with roughly 55 attendees‚ including parents‚ teachers‚ students‚ citizens‚ and elected officials. "It was noted by many that it was the first time they actually felt heard. We even had moments where teachers were engaging in discussion with parents; this is something we rarely see outside of a school setting‚" he stated.Rogers plans to request that Reddic approve the formation of a "district parent advisory committee.""I will ask [Reddic] to allow me to chair this committee so that organizations and parents in the district have a seat at the table. The NC Parental Bill of Rights made this a very necessary application to the board‚" Rogers continued. "I explained to [the town hall's attendees] that no promises were being made and that I was only there to provide information and take their questions back to the board‚ so this is all contingent on approval by the board chairman."In a statement provided to Blaze News last month‚ Onslow County Schools chief communications officer Brent Anderson said in part‚ "Recent local events have started a dialogue within our community around the importance of issues related to school safety. Onslow County Schools‚ the Onslow County Sheriff's Office‚ and the Jacksonville Department of Public Safety agree there is no higher priority for our community than the safety and security of our students‚ staff‚ and citizens."Lanier‚ Onslow County Schools‚ and the North Carolina Attorney General's Office did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News by the time of publication.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. 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Legendary "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill demanded an "assault weapons" ban along with the passing of red-flag laws in a video to victims of gun violence.Hamill sent in a video to the 11th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence‚ which was hosted by the Newtown Action Alliance. The alliance is a "national grassroots group formed after the Sandy Hook shooting to bring about legislative &; cultural changes" related to gun violence."Hello‚ everyone‚ I’m Mark Hamill‚" the actor began. "I’m sorry I can’t be with you in person to share this message‚ but I wanted to express my deepest condolences for your losses do to the tragedy of gun violence in America.""We are the greatest country in the world‚ but we also have the greatest gun problem in the world; no other nation comes close‚" the cultural icon continued."Nearly 50‚000 Americans die from gun violence every year. And guns have become the number-one killer of children and teens‚" the actor claimed. It seems the jedi's facts are misleading‚ however‚ particularly the claims of gun violence. The 50‚000 figure likely comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's data for "all firearm deaths‚" which totaled 48‚830 for 2021. However‚ more than half of those deaths (26‚328 or 54%) can be attributed to "firearm suicides‚" also according to data from the CDC.As well‚ the United States is not even in the top 10 for homicides by firearms per 100‚000 people and actually ranks seventh in terms of firearms homicides among high-income countries‚ according to Health Data.The Southwest Journal ranked the United States as 32nd on a list of gun deaths per 100‚000.In addition‚ Hamill's claims about gun deaths for children and teens are also questionable.For ages 1-4‚ 5-9‚ 10-14‚ and 15-19‚ the CDC does not list gun violence or assault as the top cause of death. In fact‚ "accidents" appears to be the top reason for child deaths in the United States across all age groups.The term "accidents" includes deaths caused by transport accidents‚ other "external causes of accidental injury"‚ and external secondary causes sometimes from disease.Therefore‚ it is difficult to tell where Hamill's claim derives from. @MarkHamill speaks at the 11th Annual National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence.\n\nWatch the vigil live on Facebook\n\nOR \n\nhttps://t.co/SlmI9iXAlp — (@) "We need to end this public health crisis now. Ban assault weapons now. Enact universal background checks now. Pass red-flag laws now‚" the actor demanded."I know this work isn’t easy‚ but you’re on the right side of history. And I’m beyond thankful for your efforts to end the scourge of gun violence in this nation‚" Hamill concluded.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Funny story: The YouTube channel Sensus Fidelium was a critical part of my reversion to the faith. As a YouTube addict who has frequented the space in search of heterodox political commentary for years‚ I was graced to discover the channel in 2018. This discovery ignited my interest in liturgy and my desire to start a family‚ both of which eventually led us to a cross-country move to join a traditional parish in North Carolina in 2020. Only a few months later did we discover that the man who founded the channel is a member of the parish. Shout-out to Steve. I began last week‚ the beginning of the new liturgical season‚ the first day of Advent‚ with Sensus Fidelium’s series on Advent reflections. I found this one‚ on the spiritual significance of silence‚ salient. Silence‚ the speaker says‚ is the necessary precondition to communion with God. It is the “guardian and protector of the spiritual life.” This is also the reality that Cardinal Robert Sarah addresses in his book "The Power of Silence: Against the Dictatorship of Noise." The book is a long interview with French journalist Nicolas Diat‚ in which Sarah rebukes the “worldly powers that seek to shape modern man” by “systemically do[ing] away with silence.” To Sarah‚ noise is a “drug on which [man] has become dependent. … Agitation becomes a tranquilizer‚ a sedative‚ a morphine pump‚ a sort of reverie‚ an incoherent dream-world.” On the natural level‚ it can be intuited that silence is a sort of mental purifier. The recent proliferation of secular silence retreats and internet detox programs and the resurgence of “dumb phones” indicate that on the most basic level‚ human beings are uncomfortable with our addictions. We desire to pull away‚ even if it feels impossible‚ even when we know we’ll fail.Roger Scruton’s critique of the tyranny of pop music is similar to Sarah’s and even more beautifully written: In almost every public place today the ears are assailed by the sound of pop music. In shopping malls‚ public houses‚ restaurants‚ hotels and elevators the ambient sound is not human conversation but the music disgorged into the air by speakers – usually invisible and inaccessible speakers that cannot be punished for their impertinence. For the most part‚ however‚ the prevailing music is of an astounding banality – it is there in order not to be really there. It is a background to the business of consuming things‚ a surrounding nothingness on which we scribble the graffiti of our desires. Whole areas of civic space in our society are now policed by this sound‚ which drives anybody with the slightest feeling for music to distraction‚ and ensures that for many of us a visit to the pub or a meal in a restaurant have lost their residual meaning. These are no longer social events‚ but experiments in endurance‚ as you shout at each other over the deadly noise.How can we fast from the noise if it is omnipresent? How can we fast from the noise without sacrificing our public lives entirely? Noise-canceling headphones are the only things more antisocial than the noise itself. Moreover‚ how can we fast from the regime’s noise using tools of the regime itself? Aren’t sound baths and silence retreats mere fixtures of the “wellness industry” that operates as a seamless pressure release valve for the ever-swelling anti-human hegemony?Silence has exterior and interior components; the exterior component typically makes possible the interior component. Ultimately‚ both components are properly ordered to God: communion with and meditation upon Him. Strict pursuit of exterior silence‚ even if ordered toward interior silence‚ is necessary but insufficient – it is incomplete‚ lacking that incorporation of its true telos.

In Washington‚ D.C.‚ lawmakers have managed to push their arguments about funding the government into next year. Under the latest agreement‚ federal spending will remain at last year’s level until January. After that‚ lawmakers would need to pass two different spending bills. They may increase spending‚ decrease it‚ or leave it at the same level. One key question in early 2024 will focus on how much to spend on defense. Influential voices are speaking up to demand more. As Politico reported‚ “Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.)‚ meanwhile‚ remains adamant that Pentagon spending be increased above the McCarthy-Biden deal‚ telling Playbook that ‘the topline number is not sufficient for the threats we face.’” The military has already spent too much on the F-35. Next year‚ it should start down a better path by investing in more effective systems. Graham is not alone in calling for an increase in defense spending next year. But lawmakers don’t necessarily need to appropriate more money. They could also make more money available for effective programs by reducing spending on ineffective military programs. They should begin with the F-35. The F-35 Lightning is a combination fighter/bomber/stealth jet that was supposed to replace several other types of military aircraft. It was supposed to be able to evade detection‚ take off from and land on aircraft carriers‚ and support troops deployed in the field. It has fallen short on just about every measure. “The jet has never reached its full operational capability and already needs updates and tweaks‚ including a new engine‚” CNN reports. Indeed‚ “all three flavors of the jet — the Air Force’s -A model‚ the Marine Corps’ -B model‚ and the Navy’s and Marines’ -C model — were at least 3 years late entering service‚ and even today‚ there are problems with the jet’s readiness and high cost per flight hour‚” Popular Mechanics explained. In 2018‚ the New York Times broke that cost down: “Flying an F-35A cost about $44‚000 per hour on average‚ about double the cost of operating the Navy’s Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.” That’s twice as much for a less effective jet. The numbers around the F-35 keep getting worse every year. The F-35 “remains DOD’s most expensive weapon system program. It is estimated to cost over $1.7 trillion to buy‚ operate‚ and sustain‚” the Government Accountability Office reported in April. The GAO is the government’s accounting department. It does not set policy‚ but it crunches the numbers for policymakers. In another report‚ the GAO found that “the F-35 fleet mission capable rate — the percentage of time the aircraft can perform one of its tasked missions — was about 55 percent in March 2023‚ far below program goals. This performance was due in part to challenges with depot and organizational maintenance.” In other words‚ there aren’t enough places to park the planes that don’t work‚ there aren’t enough parts to fix the planes that don’t work‚ and there aren’t enough technicians trained to work on those planes that don’t work. It seems impossible to fix the F-35. Even the company that makes new planes is struggling to do so. “Lockheed Martin Corp. continues to produce F-35 jets with flaws discovered after the fighter jets are delivered to US military units‚ according to the Pentagon’s contracts management agency‚” Bloomberg reported this year. “Four F-35Bs at a Marine unit at Cherry Point‚ North Carolina‚ have been repaired on-site since August by Lockheed technicians to correct ‘Category 1’ deficiencies‚ according to people familiar with the problems‚ including a defense official. Such flaws affect flight readiness but aren’t seen as endangering pilot safety.” Of course‚ such flaws endanger all of us‚ because our military posture was designed with an effective F-35 in mind‚ and we are never going to have one. The Pentagon is already putting more money into existing programs that work. That means more for planes like the Navy Super Hornet. This approach makes sense. The military has already spent too much on the F-35. Next year‚ it should start down a better path by investing in more effective systems and shelving the F-35.