A Manhattan Democrat Lawmaker demanded an East Village firehouse remove the so-called “red line” American flag honoring firefighters killed on 9/11 after a local complained that it is a “fascist symbol.” This came after one constituent complained. What is fascist is the lawmakers and residents complaining about honoring those who died on 9/11. Manhattan Democrat […] The post Manhattan Dem Lawmaker: Remove “Fascist” Red Line US Flag! appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

A recent Pew survey on the war showed that nearly half of Muslims in America (49%) believe Hamas has “valid” reasons for attacking Israel. In comparison‚ the majority (54%) also reject the idea that Israel has the right to defend itself against the Islamic terrorist organization. Pew Research Results The Massacre of Oct. 7 Unlike […] The post US Muslims: 49% Pro-Hamas‚ 54% Say Israel Can’t Defend Itself appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Though the exact cause of a container ship’s collision with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore‚ Maryland — which caused the structure’s collapse — is under debate‚ the disaster that has claimed at least two lives and caused an untold amount of economic damage has drawn attention to the state of America’s infrastructure. The bridge itself accommodated almost 30‚000 vehicles each day‚ and the Port of Baltimore‚ which will be heavily disrupted by the collapse and reconstruction‚ saw 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo and 11.7 million tons of general cargo coming into the port in 2023. President Joe Biden has already promised that the federal government will foot the bill for the repairs to the bridge. “It is my intention that the federal government will pay for the entire cost of reconstructing that bridge‚ and I expect Congress to support my effort‚” Biden said. “This is going to take some time‚ and the people of Baltimore can count on us though to stick with them at every step of the way until the port is reopened and the bridge is rebuilt.” The bridge was originally built in the 1970s at an estimated cost of $141 million‚ which is around $743 million in today’s dollars‚ CNS Maryland reported. Experts have estimated that roughly $15 million a day in economic activity will be disrupted as a result of the disaster‚ according to Business Insider. However‚ it seems like every election year politicians of both parties clamber to pitch grand infrastructure projects that promise to make voters’ commutes smoother and produce all-important “shovel-ready” jobs. Such an infrastructure overhaul was one of the pillars of Biden’s presidential campaign in 2020‚ and‚ on paper at least‚ he delivered. Two gigantic pieces of legislation passed during Biden’s two years in office‚ the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) in late 2021 and the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022‚ invested over a trillion dollars into multiple sectors of infrastructure — everything from roads to waterways to broadband — over the next decade‚ according to Brookings. Chen Mengtong/China News Service via Getty Images In truth‚ only a little over $110 billion in the IIJA will actually go toward repairing roads and bridges‚ the Washington Post noted. The rest is parceled out among a myriad of other projects‚ most notably railroads‚ broadband‚ and utility infrastructure. In 2023‚ the Federal Highway Administration reported that over 42‚000 bridges across the U.S. were in “poor” condition‚ according to WaPo. Between 2020 and 2023‚ the number of U.S. bridges rated “good” increased in only 11 states‚ while the number considered to be in “poor” condition increased in 37 states. While 43‚000 bridges saw an improved rating in 2023 compared t0 2020‚ a whopping 70‚000 received a lower rating. Almost 13‚000 bridges were downgraded from “fair” condition to “poor‚” but only 10‚000 bridges were improved from a “poor” rating. American Road and Transportation Builders Association said that a full third of U.S. bridges are in need of significant repairs or replacement‚ while 7% of bridges are “structurally deficient‚” the Council on Foreign Relations reported. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) releases a report card every 5 years on the overall health of the nation’s infrastructure‚ giving it an overall “C-” grade in 2021. The group’s diagnosis of bridges and roads in particular does not paint a rosy picture. The nation’s roads received a “D” grade from the group‚ which noted that 40% of public roads are in mediocre or poor condition. Commuters are forced to spend nearly $130 billion a year in repairs and operating coasts because of the prevalence of poor quality roads‚ and 17% of all vehicle miles were driven on roads deemed to be in “poor condition.” Bridges received a slightly higher score from the ASCE‚ a “C‚” but the group still expressed a great deal of concern. Over 40% of U.S. bridges are over half a century old‚ the ASCE stated‚ and the backlog of repairs in 2021 stood at $125 billion. The report advised a much higher investment level over the next few decades to improve the situation. “At the current rate of investment‚ it will take until 2071 to make all of the repairs that are currently necessary‚ and the additional deterioration over the next 50 years will become overwhelming‚” the ASCE report said. The ASCE estimated in 2021 that the nation’s “infrastructure investment gap” had increased to almost $2.6 trillion over the next 10 years. The organization warned that the deficit could cost the U.S. $10 trillion in GDP‚ 3 million jobs‚ and $2.4 trillion in exports by 2039. It noted that the infrastructure investment gap‚ if allowed to continue‚ would cost the average American family $3‚300 a year in higher costs. Drew Angerer/Getty Images Repairing the nation’s bridges represents such a huge stumbling block for the federal government because of its inability to appropriate the necessary funds to tackle traditional infrastructure (large portions of Biden’s infrastructure packages went toward green initiative) and the skyrocketing cost of those necessary repairs. “I look at South Carolina when the infrastructure bill came through. We only got about $1 billion more than we otherwise would have over a five-year period‚” Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) told Newsmax in the wake of the Baltimore disaster. “I can barely build a bridge in my district for $1 billion.” Between October 2020 and September 2022‚ the average cost for highway construction projects increased by 50%‚ and highway construction costs are almost 3 times higher than they were in 2003‚ according to the National Highway Construction Cost Index (NHCCI). The index reached an all-time high in the second quarter of 2023. The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse isn’t the first major infrastructure disaster of Biden’s tenure. In 2023‚ a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine‚ Ohio‚ resulting in a controlled burn of toxic chemicals that were released into the air and affected local residents. Biden was slammed for waiting a year before he visited East Palestine and was met with disappointed East Palestine residents when he made the trip to the small town last month. The total cost of the derailment is estimated at $1.1 billion. Despite two major infrastructure initiatives within the last 4 years‚ the long-term health of America’s roads and bridges does not look hopeful. Without a major decrease in the cost of repairs and an increase in infrastructure investments‚ the deterioration will continue‚ perhaps even accelerate. A poor network of roads and bridges will not only directly pass costs on to normal Americans‚ but also affect the nation’s economy as a whole‚ accentuating our financial woes. And perhaps most importantly‚ it will almost certainly increase the rate at which we see deadly disasters like the one in Baltimore.

King Charles III made a public appearance at an Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle as he battles cancer‚ while Prince William‚ Prince of Wales and his wife Kate Middleton stayed home. The 75-year-old monarch arrived at St. George’s Chapel accompanied by his wife‚ Queen Camilla. Charles III was photographed greeting the clergy and waving to the assembled crowd before entering the church. It was his first major public appearance since he announced his diagnosis. The king and queen were seated away from other parishioners to minimize exposure to potential infection‚ per People. Still‚ the king interacted with congregation members after exiting the church‚ shaking hands and thanking them for well wishes. He reportedly said‚ “I’m doing my best!” when one person bid him to “Get well!” Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby mentioned the king in his Sunday sermon‚ per NBC News. “In each of our lives there are moments which change us forever‚” Welby said. “Sometimes it’s individual. We have watched‚ sympathized with and felt alongside the dignity of the king and the Princess of Wales as they have talked of their cancer — and in doing so‚ by their lack of selfishness‚ by their grace and their faith‚ boosted so many others.” The monarch has not disclosed what kind of cancer he has or what stage‚ only revealing that he is undergoing chemotherapy treatments. Royal followers are reeling as Charles’ daughter-in-law‚ Kate‚ is also now going through treatment for cancer.  While the king did not directly address this during a pre-recorded Maundy Thursday speech read at Worcester Cathedral‚ listeners believe he was referring to his family’s current health struggles. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP During the speech‚ Charles said Jesus set an “example of how we should serve and care for each other” and how “we need and benefit greatly from those who extend the hand of friendship to us‚ especially in a time of need.” The Princess of Wales shocked fans last month when she broke her silence after weeks of speculation about her condition and whereabouts. “It has been an incredibly tough couple of months for our entire family‚ but I’ve had a fantastic medical team who have taken great care of me‚ for which I am so grateful‚” Middleton said in a video message‚ confirming that cancer “was present” and that she was undergoing “preventative chemotherapy.” Similarly‚ King Charles’ cancer was reportedly detected during an unrelated procedure. 

J.K. Rowling responded on Monday to the enactment of Scotland’s new Hate Crime Act‚ delivering a brutal X thread showing just who such laws would protect. The author‚ making good on a promise to deliver the goods on April Fool’s Day‚ laid out a list of biologically male criminal sex offenders‚ most of whom preyed on young women and girls — and without violating the new law by “misgendering” a single one‚ she painted a disastrous picture of the consequences she says such “hate crime” laws could have on female victims. “Scotland’s Hate Crime Act comes into effect today. Women gain no additional protections‚ of course‚ but well-known trans activist Beth Douglas‚ darling of prominent Scottish politicians‚ falls within a protected category. Phew!” Rowling began‚ sharing screenshots of Douglas posing with weapons while issuing threats to an “anti-trans” company. Scotland's Hate Crime Act comes into effect today. Women gain no additional protections‚ of course‚ but well-known trans activist Beth Douglas‚ darling of prominent Scottish politicians‚ falls within a protected category. Phew! 1/11 pic.twitter.com/gCKGwdjr5m — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 1‚ 2024 “Lovely Scottish lass and convicted double rapist Isla Bryson found her true authentic female self shortly before she was due to be sentenced‚” Rowling continued in mocking tones. “Misgendering is hate‚ so respect Isla’s pronouns‚ please. Love the leggings!” Fragile flower Katie Dolatowski‚ 6'5"‚ was rightly sent to a women's prison in Scotland after conviction. This ensured she was protected from violent‚ predatory men (unlike the 10-year-old girl Katie sexually assaulted in a women's public bathroom.) 3/11 pic.twitter.com/13J5XfRo3a — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 1‚ 2024 “Fragile flower Katie Dolatowski‚ 6’5″‚ was rightly sent to a women’s prison in Scotland after conviction. This ensured she was protected from violent‚ predatory men (unlike the 10-year-old girl Katie sexually assaulted in a women’s public bathroom)‚” Rowling’s next post read. “Samantha Norris was cleared of exposing her penis to two 11-year-old girls. Hooray!” The “Harry Potter” author continued. “Unfortunately she was then convicted for possession of 16‚000 images of children being raped and sexually assaulted. Be that as it may‚ Sam’s still a lady to me! ” Scottish woman and butcher Amy George abducted an 11-year-old girl while dressed in female clothing. No idea why this was mentioned in court – of course she was wearing women’s clothing‚ she's a woman! Amy took the girl home and sexually abused her over a 27-hour period. 5/11 pic.twitter.com/xy3DmnqZrc — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 1‚ 2024 “Scottish woman and butcher Amy George abducted an 11-year-old girl while dressed in female clothing. No idea why this was mentioned in court – of course she was wearing women’s clothing‚ she’s a woman! Amy took the girl home and sexually abused her over a 27-hour period‚” Rowling added. “But most women aren’t axe-toters or sex offenders‚ so let’s talk role models! Guilia Valentino (in red) wanted to play on the women’s team ‘because of sisterhood‚ validation and political visibility‚'” Rowling said‚ adding a post on biological males taking over women’s spaces for political and cultural attention. “Naturally‚ she was given some boring cis girl’s place. Yay for inclusion!” Mridul Wadhwa‚ head of a Scottish rape crisis centre‚ says‚ ‘sexual violence happens to bigoted people as well.’ She has no gender recognition certificate‚ but was still appointed to a job advertised for women only. Time to be ‘challenged on your prejudices’‚ rape victims! 7/11 pic.twitter.com/YfxUhbh6cw — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 1‚ 2024 Rowling also addressed the trauma that she says victims might experience in being forced to allow biological males into spaces that were designed specifically to protect victims from further abuse. “Mridul Wadhwa‚ head of a Scottish rape crisis centre‚ says‚ ‘sexual violence happens to bigoted people as well.’ She has no gender recognition certificate‚ but was still appointed to a job advertised for women only. Time to be ‘challenged on your prejudices’‚ rape victims!” Rowling said. Rowling rounded out the thread with several political and cultural leaders who espoused a platform of protecting women and women’s rights but could not define what a woman was. “Munroe Bergdorf isn’t just a pretty face! Public campaigner for a children’s charity until safeguarding concerns were raised‚ she was appointed UN Women’s first ever UK champion. ‘What makes a woman “a woman” has no definitive answer‚’ says Munroe. Great choice‚ UN Women!” Rowling cracked. Katie Neeves has been appointed as the UN Women UK delegate. She switched from straight man to lesbian at the age of 48 and‚ in a leaked 2022 webinar‚ described how she used to enjoy stealing and wearing her sister’s underwear. A truly relatable representative! 9/11 pic.twitter.com/VKzF7IuJTU — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 1‚ 2024 “Katie Neeves has been appointed as the UN Women UK delegate. She switched from straight man to lesbian at the age of 48 and‚ in a leaked 2022 webinar‚ described how she used to enjoy stealing and wearing her sister’s underwear‚” the author mocked. “A truly relatable representative!” “Last‚ but least‚ TV’s India Willoughby proves we women can call a black broadcaster a ‘nasty bitch’ who ‘wouldn’t be anywhere without woke‚’ dub lesbians men‚ insult the looks of a female Olympic swimmer‚ ‘joke’ about kidnapping feminists‚ and STILL get airtime! What a gal!” Rowling concluded. 🎉🌼🌸April Fools! 🌸🌼🎉 Only kidding. Obviously‚ the people mentioned in the above tweets aren't women at all‚ but men‚ every last one of them. In passing the Scottish Hate Crime Act‚ Scottish lawmakers seem to have placed higher value on the feelings of men performing their… — J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) April 1‚ 2024 But then the author delivered the punch line: “April Fools!” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “Only kidding. Obviously‚ the people mentioned in the above tweets aren’t women at all‚ but men‚ every last one of them‚” Rowling declared. “In passing the Scottish Hate Crime Act‚ Scottish lawmakers seem to have placed higher value on the feelings of men performing their idea of femaleness‚ however misogynistically or opportunistically‚ than on the rights and freedoms of actual women and girls.” Rowling then made it clear that she was not afraid of any possible repercussions she might face from speaking out against the new law. “I’m currently out of the country‚ but if what I’ve written here qualifies as an offence under the terms of the new act‚ I look forward to being arrested when I return to the birthplace of the Scottish Enlightenment‚” the author concluded.