“As the company shifted to streaming‚ it seemed set up to lap Netflix and eat the box office simultaneously. But today‚ Disney’s stock is at a nine-year low. Operating margins are down 75 percent. Disney+ lost $4 billion last year‚” writes The Ringer‚ carefully avoiding any talk of gender ideology and WOKE movies. Ringer’s talking […] The post In Disney’s Clown World‚ Woke Loser Films Are Good for Us appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti led a coalition of 17 Republican attorneys general to press the Biden administration over a proposed Health and Human Services rule that they say could compel foster care providers to facilitate transgender procedures on minors.  They penned a letter to HHS official Kathleen McHugh on Monday urging the agency to reconsider a proposed rule they say would expand the power of the federal government over family law and intrude on religious liberty.  The rule‚ proposed in September‚ would dictate that minors who identify as LGBT are placed with providers who agree to affirm a child’s gender identity‚ pronouns‚ and provide them with “services that are necessary to support their health and wellbeing.” Federal funding would also be contingent on following the proposed rule‚ which the Republican officials said goes beyond the scope of federal authority.  “The proposed rule exceeds the agency’s authority and raises serious constitutional concerns. It also hampers the ability of the states to protect kids by forcing children’s services agencies to police pronoun usage with the same urgency they address physical abuse‚” Skrmetti said in a statement. The letter identifies three major issues with the proposed rule. First‚ it says the policy is effectively a power grab by HHS.  “It’s illegal. This is another example of a federal agency overreaching beyond the scope of its authority and intruding on the state’s responsibilities‚” Skrmetti told The Daily Wire.  The AGs say that HSS does not have the authority to ”mandate particular federal conceptions of ‘proper’ foster care for LGBTQI+ youth‚ let alone support requiring agencies to restructure sex-segregated facilities and programs to instead align around foster children’s gender identity.” There are also concerns that foster care providers would be forced to support “transitions” of minors who identify as transgender. “The apparent requirement that foster parents facilitate risky medical treatments for youth is a particularly problematic case in point. After careful consideration‚ Tennessee prohibited gender-transition hormone and surgical treatments for minors because the State determined that those treatments are unproven and unsafe‚” the letter says.  Skrmetti said that the rule would impact many faith-based providers‚ forcing them to comply with “gender ideology.” “A lot of foster care providers are committed to helping kids as a way of living out their faith. By laying down a thick set of rules forcing them to affirmatively promote every excess of gender ideology‚ and by creating a risk that either the federal government or an unhappy foster child could tie them up in costly federal litigation‚ this rule will interfere with their ability to help kids. It will do it in a way that could violate their First Amendment rights. And we have a shortage of good foster homes. We need to be getting more people involved‚ not creating barriers to providing foster care‚” he told The Daily Wire.  The AGs also say that the rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act and risks driving out qualified care providers through additional regulations.  “The resulting restrictions would perversely undercut the Placement Rule’s stated goal of promoting LGBTQI+ care by driving up the compliance costs and legal exposure associated with taking in LGBTQI+ foster children‚” the letter says.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The other AGs who signed onto Skrmetti’s letter represent Alabama‚ Alaska‚ Arkansas‚ Georgia‚ Idaho‚ Indiana‚ Kentucky‚ Louisiana‚ Mississippi‚ Missouri‚ Montana‚ Nebraska‚ South Carolina‚ Texas‚ Virginia‚ and West Virginia.  Skrmetti said that the Volunteer State could sue if the rule goes into effect. “Tennessee has not hesitated to litigate to stop illegal federal overreach‚” he said.

The annual lighting of the giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan will be targeted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators‚ who plan to disrupt the event. On Wednesday night at 7 p.m.‚ the tree will be lit‚ but pro-Palestinian groups issued a “call for action‚” in which they insisted “Jesus was a Palestinian‚” rather than Jewish. The call for action states‚ “Flood The Tree Lighting.” Demonstrators are urged to bring flags‚ signs‚ and wear kaffiyehs. “We do anticipate that there will be protests in the city on Wednesday — to include around the area of the tree lighting — and at future gatherings around the city in the days and weeks to come‚ as we have seen over the past seven weeks‚” a spokesman for the NYPD’s Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau stated. “The NYPD will be on hand to protect the tree lighting and all those attending‚ and we will not tolerate disruption or any threats to public safety.” The use of the term “flood‚” which Hamas used in calling the October massacre of Israelis the “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood‚” was noticed. Notice it’s not a prayer protest for peace‚ it openly embraces the Hamas-Iran hate rhetoric of “flood” which was a call to genocide on Oct 7. — Seth Frantzman (@sfrantzman) November 29‚ 2023 Earlier this week pro-Palestinian demonstrators disrupted a Christmas tree lighting celebration in Ypsilanti‚ Michigan‚ drowning out a children’s choir. “Feel good about ruining Christmas for little kids?” asks an irritated onlooker. Pro-Hamas protesters in Ypsilanti‚ MI‚ disrupted a Christmas tree lighting‚ drowning out the children's choir before followed the crowd and wreaked havoc at a planned concert. pic.twitter.com/S3PELEhEqJ — Canary Mission (@canarymission) November 28‚ 2023 Pro-Palestinian protesters just disrupted a Christmas tree lighting celebration in Ypsilanti‚ Michigan‚ chanting as crowds gathered for the annual event in the city’s historic district pic.twitter.com/bpuCB50n89 — Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) November 27‚ 2023 Last week‚ pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked the traditional Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York‚ gluing their hands to 6th Avenue in Manhattan. Balloons and floats intended to travel down the street were blocked‚ forcing the NYPD to divert the parade‚ The New York Post reported. The parade traditionally ends at Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square. Pro-Palestinian protesters have glued their hands to 6th Avenue‚ disrupting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; floats‚ bands and balloons are being diverted. pic.twitter.com/nYKLGyev87 — Matthew Chayes (@chayesmatthew) November 23‚ 2023 The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is intended to be lit every day until January 13. On Christmas Day‚ it is lit for 24 hours‚ and on New Year’s Eve‚ it is lit from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The first lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree occurred in December 1933. In 1936‚ the Center erected two trees and a new ice skating rink was opened in Rockefeller Plaza. During World War II‚ the tree was adorned with red‚ white‚ and blue unlit globes and painted wooden stars. Between 1942-1945‚ the tree remained unlit because of blackout regulations. The tallest tree at the Center was erected in 1999 when a 100-foot tall tree was placed there. In 2011‚ after the 9/11 attacks‚ the tree was decorated in red‚ white‚ and blue.

Trans-identifying TikTok influencer Dylan Mulvaney was named to Forbes’ list of “30 Under 30 Social Media‚” the publication announced this week. Forbes stated in the article that the list was compiled “with the help of nominations from the public – as well as expertise from Forbes tech journalists and judges from all corners of creatordom.” The outlet added that it includes “young founders‚ industry leaders and online stars transforming the creator economy and future of the internet.” Forbes described the “creator economy” as a “$250 billion industry estimated to roughly double over the next five years.” Others on the list include comedians Alan Chikin Chow and Steven He‚ fashion influencer Alix Earle‚ and disabled content creator Molly Burke.  Mulvaney‚ 26‚ became popular on TikTok for the creator’s “Days of Girlhood” series‚ which documented the process of Mulvaney’s so-called gender transition. The social media star made headlines after doing a promotional campaign with Bud Light‚ which led to massive brand boycotts costing parent company Anheuser-Busch millions in lost revenue. WATCH THE TRAILER FOR ‘LADY BALLERS‚’ ‘THE MOST TRIGGERING COMEDY OF THE YEAR’ Forbes’ description for Mulvaney mentioned the “Days of Girlhood” series‚ saying it attracted “more than 1 billion views.”  The article also included a quote from Mulvaney which said‚ “Whether somebody’s trans or not‚ I just hope they can watch my videos and feel inspired to unlock a new part of themselves.” Mulvaney shared the digital cover on Instagram‚ writing in the caption‚ “Businesswoman special!!! This was my dream‚ I couldn’t be more grateful. And buckle up‚ we’re just getting started.” “I now realize that when I work with a brand‚ they will forever be a part of my story‚ going forward‚” Mulvaney told Forbes‚ referencing the Bud Light controversy. “And I want there to be a mutual respect – and not only for me‚ but also for my community.” “I think I am becoming a bit of a businesswoman‚” the influencer added. “As much as I love the creative side‚ I love getting smarter: I want to know everything‚ and how it all works. Of course being in front of the camera‚ but I love the idea of producing and I think‚ why not learn it all.”

A Huntsville‚ Texas‚ man has been charged with arson after initially claiming that his house burned down as part of a hate crime. Mario Roberson owns the home that burned back in June‚ and told police at the time that racist graffiti had been spray-painted on the property the month before the fire. That message allegedly said: “We don’t like your kind‚” Fox 26 reported. The message also included a racial slur. Roberson claimed he was nearly shot in the same neighborhood two weeks after the graffiti was painted on the property. Roberson owned the home as a rental property but told police that it was not being rented at the time of the blaze. The bodies of two men were found inside the burnt property‚ one of whom was a member of Roberson’s family. A third man escaped the fire but was seriously injured. On Monday‚ a grand jury issued a “true bill” for Roberson‚ allowing him to be charged with first-degree felony arson. The indictment comes after a months-long investigation by the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office‚ KTRK reported. Roberson told the outlet he wasn’t responsible. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP The man who survived the fire told San Jacinto County deputies that he had “stepped in some gas” and that he was “burned up.” He was seen by neighbors covered in flames as he ran from the burning building‚ and drove a truck away from the blaze before crashing into a ditch‚ where he was found by deputies. When a deputy asked the man what happened‚ he said: “I’m telling you. I’m from Houston. This dude‚ he told me to bring him out here to Huntsville… He said somebody wants to do a numbers job on a house.” A “numbers job‚” often refers to insurance fraud‚ law enforcement officials told KTRK. “Whoever is doing it‚ he knows the man with the house‚” the burned man told police on body-camera footage obtained by KTRK. “A numbers job or something. That’s all I know.” The outlet also discovered that Roberson had multiple civil lawsuits against him in Oklahoma and Texas. One suit was filed four years to the day before the fire. In that lawsuit‚ it is alleged that Roberson agreed to buy property containing a golf course‚ hotel‚ office buildings‚ and a restaurant for $104 million at the end of 2017‚ according to KTRK. He made this agreement 13 years after filing for bankruptcy. The lawsuit claimed that Roberson claimed to have $1 million in cash in briefcases when he arrived to a title company’s office to purchase the property. The plaintiff said in the lawsuit that he didn’t believe the money existed. A judge dismissed the case without prejudice to Roberson. After the fire‚ Roberson repeatedly told news outlets that he was the victim of a hate crime‚ telling KTRK at the time that “People are being terrible because of the hatred in their heart.” At the time‚ he blamed the homeowners’ association due to an ongoing dispute over rental properties. Following Roberson’s claims‚ CAIR-Houston and the ADL Southwest called for the FBI to investigate the fire as a hate crime. If convicted‚ Roberson faces anywhere between five and 99 years in prison.

The Democrat-led Senate rejected another nominee from the Biden administration on Tuesday. A bid to advance the nomination of Jose Javier Rodriguez to be an assistant secretary of labor failed to reach the requisite simple majority to invoke cloture and reach a final vote. Two Democrats — Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) — joined with Republicans to oppose the motion while five members did not vote. The final tally was 51-44. Multiple reports noted Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) changed his vote to a “nay‚” allowing him to bring up the nomination again at a future date. A spokesman for Manchin told POLITICO that Manchin voted against Rodriguez due to “concerns about his political activism and lack of experience.” Biden first nominated Rodriguez‚ an attorney and former member of the Florida state legislature‚ to be the assistant secretary for employment and training at the Labor Department more than two years ago. Rodriquez’s nomination got stuck in a committee deadlock in 2021‚ which led to Biden renominating him in 2023‚ according to Bloomberg. The Senate‚ narrowly controlled by the Democrats‚ similarly failed to invoke cloture on a Labor Department nominee in March 2022. Three Democrats joined with all Republicans to stop the advancement of David Weil’s nomination to become chief of the agency’s Wage and Hour Division. Weil withdrew from consideration soon after. Another Biden pick whose nomination has been tied up in the upper chamber is Julie Su‚ a deputy who has been working as acting secretary of labor following the departure of former chief Marty Walsh earlier this year. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP There have been a few instances in which Biden’s picks to help run other agencies over the past few years have dropped out or been withdrawn in the face of opposition in the Senate. They include National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nominee Ann Carlson‚ Federal Communications Commission nominee Gigi Sohn‚ and Federal Aviation Administration nominee Phillip Washington. In addition‚ there is Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) months-long “hold” on the Senate’s ability to quickly approve U.S. military nominees in protest against a Pentagon abortion policy. The majority leader‚ Schumer‚ announced in a recent “Dear Colleague” letter that he plans to have the Senate consider a resolution passed by the Rules Committee to end the standoff that has impacted hundreds of general and flag officer nominations. After which‚ Tuberville told POLITICO that lawmakers may be close to reaching “some kind of resolution.” Schumer also said in his letter that this week‚ “the Senate will continue working to confirm President Biden’s diverse and experienced nominees and add more of those nominees to the federal bench.”