Dogs don’t think the same way people do‚ and it is important not to prescribe human characteristics to dogs. Just because we think they’re cute doesn’t mean they think we’re cute. For instance‚ humans’ “cuteness” developed to make us like babies 1. Things that are often considered cute also look like babies‚ such as small dogs with squished noses. Of course‚ it makes no sense for this same sense of cuteness to develop in dogs‚ who have babies that look much different from ours. We cannot ask dogs if they think humans are cute or not. However‚ the answer is probably a “no.” We’ll probably never get a definite answer‚ though‚ until we learn how to communicate directly with dogs. Do Dogs Think Their Owners Are Pretty? Prettiness is completely subjective‚ though there are some traits that most humans consider pretty. For instance‚ the vast majority of humans like symmetrical faces‚ likely because this indicates a low level of inbreeding. Humans with a higher genetic diversity simply make better breeding partners. Of course‚ dogs look at completely different things when determining breeding partners. Smell probably plays a larger role than it does for us‚ for instance. However‚ they probably do not look for the same things that humans do when judging attractiveness‚ though there is no way to know for sure. Despite not having the same views on attractiveness that we do‚ dogs do bond deeply with their humans and develop a deep attachment to them‚ and love their owners in many cases 1. Image Credit: Natallia Miranchuk‚ Shutterstock What Do Dogs View Humans As? The answer to this question is a bit complicated‚ as it is hard to test‚ and we have no way to know for sure. You’ll find many articles assuming that dogs are like wolves and view us as a “member of their pack.” However‚ this probably isn’t true. Dogs have changed a lot from wolves and no longer share many of the same behavioral traits‚ especially when it comes to humans. For instance‚ dogs often make eye contact with humans to communicate with them 2. It’s known to release oxytocin in their brains‚ which is the bonding hormone (just like it does in people). However‚ wolves make eye contact to show dominance. It’s the same behavior with a completely different meaning behind it. Therefore‚ it isn’t that dogs are just domestic versions of wolves and see humans as weird‚ two-legged pack members. Instead‚ it is very likely that dogs see humans as another species. They are not without critical thinking skills‚ as many dogs have exhibited. They know we aren’t just dogs without fur walking around on two legs. The way they see us is probably similar to how we see them—a different species that is also a part of our family. While dogs know we aren’t pack members or just another dog‚ they do still bond closely with us. This relationship developed over thousands of years. Dogs also see us as a source of food and shelter‚ which explains why many stray dogs approach humans and beg for food. However‚ dogs also are affectionate beyond our ability to care for them. Image Credit: Monika Wisniewska‚ Shutterstock Do Dogs Think Humans Are Their Parents? Not likely. Dogs often treat other dogs differently from people‚ so it’s pretty clear that they know we aren’t other dogs. Therefore‚ it also makes sense that they would not believe we are their parents. However‚ whether or not they remember their real parents is up for debate and probably depends on many factors. For instance‚ puppies that were removed from their mothers early may not remember her‚ while puppies that weren’t removed until closer to 12 weeks likely do. Of course‚ this is also hard to test‚ and we can’t just ask them. If your dog doesn’t remember their mother‚ we have no way to know if they ever think about this absence. Do dogs who don’t remember think they have a mother? Do they ever question where they came from? Do dogs even have a concept of a mother past puppyhood? No one knows! What we do know is that dogs see humans as another species‚ in all likelihood. Image Credit: Tatjana Baibakova‚ Shutterstock Do Dogs Know We Are Human? Yes‚ there is a very good chance that the vast majority of dogs know humans are different from other dogs. There are many studies that have found dogs act differently towards other dogs than they do humans. For instance‚ one study on play found that dogs play differently when with each other than they do when they are playing with another human. For instance‚ dogs are much more likely to give up on a competition (like tug-of-war) when their partner is human. They also didn’t hold onto toys for as long and showed more interest in toys when playing with people. When with another dog‚ dogs were more likely to be possessive of a toy and hold it for longer‚ as opposed to showing interest in several different toys. They know we’re different‚ just like we know that they are different. Of course‚ their concept of “species” isn’t the same as what we think. Furthermore‚ because dogs don’t communicate these complex topics‚ this answer likely varies from dog to dog. Conclusion Dogs do not have the same concept of cuteness or beauty that humans have. Human cuteness largely comes from our connection to our babies. Things that look like babies often make us think they are cute. Of course‚ dogs would be completely different since their puppies look very different from a human baby. Dogs also know that we are not just weird dogs. They show behavioral differences when with dogs than with humans. Sources https://www.ox.ac.uk/research/how-cute-things-hijack-our-brains-and-drive-behaviour https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4348122/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5023129/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159199000787   Featured Image Credit: smrm1977‚ Shutterstock The post Do Dogs Think Humans Are Cute? Canine Perception Explained appeared first on Pet Keen.

Click to Skip Ahead What to Do Signs Causes You have probably noticed noisy gurgling sounds coming from your cat’s abdomen on more than one occasion. These are the same type of noises as those you hear from your own stomach‚ which you may be more familiar with. These audible gurgling and growling noises are known as borborygmus or borborygmi and are sounds coming from the intestines. These rumbles are natural and originate from the peristalsis or movement of food and waste being pulsated through the stomach and along the intestinal tracts. The majority of the time‚ borborygmus is completely safe and normally raises no cause for concern. However‚ it can also be a sign of other underlying health problems and disturbances‚ so if it is something of concern to you‚ occurs frequently‚ is increasing‚ or you find other signs present‚ then a trip to your veterinarian is warranted to investigate the cause. Should any other cause be discovered‚ then necessary treatment or advice will be instigated. Why Does My Cat’s Stomach Make Loud Noises? For the most part‚ these loud noises occur because of the normal and natural digestive process of food and liquids passing through the gastrointestinal system‚ along with some gas. Normally‚ these digestive noises are not heard by us‚ but this is not always the case. Gas (air within the gastrointestinal system) accounts for most of the noise and is also a normal occurrence within the feline gastrointestinal system. Gas is either created by air being ingested at the time of eating or by bacteria in the gut. As food‚ waste‚ and liquids are maneuvered through the gastrointestinal tract via a particular type of propulsion move called peristalsis‚ the abdomen can make some audible noises. For example‚ a growling noise may indicate the stomach emptying‚ while popping‚ rumbling‚ or gurgling sounds generally refer to the mixture within the intestines being digested and pushed along. Some cats simply have more noisier tummies than others. If your cat has poor or unbalanced intestinal flora‚ this may also contribute to gurgling noises. Similarly‚ gastrointestinal disease can do the same. Image Credit: Zhuravlev Andrey‚ Shutterstock What Should I Do About My Cat’s Gurgling Stomach In the first instance‚ just observe and monitor. Do the sounds occur after eating and drinking or at random times? Are other signs and/or unusual behaviors exhibited at the same time as the gurgling or at other points throughout the day? Are they in obvious discomfort when the gurgling happens? Any of these concerns require a veterinarian to investigate further. If after observing your cat‚ the noises only seem to occur post-eating and your feline friend is otherwise well and showing no signs of pain or discomfort‚ then there is usually no reason to worry. However‚ read on to discover what other signs and problems to watch out for that may coexist with the gurgling‚ thus indicating a potential health issue. Signs to Watch Out for Alongside Gurgling Stomachs Image Credit: Tom Wang‚ Shutterstock The reason for borborygmus may not solely be down to the normal digestive process in all cats and in all cases. Gurgling noises happening at the same time as other signs indicate that a medical exam is in order; therefore‚ if you notice one or a few of the signs below alongside a noisy tummy‚ please have your veterinarian examine them to rule out other medical problems. It is also worth seeking advice if the stomach gurgling persists‚ increases‚ or changes in any way. Decreased appetite Vomiting Regurgitation Soft feces or diarrhea Abnormal fecal volumes Changes in their eating habits and patterns Abdominal discomfort and/or pain Lethargy Causes of Gurgling Stomachs in Cats Aside from the natural peristalsis motion causing rumbles‚ growls‚ and gurgles‚ here are some of the health conditions could also be at play; Food sensitivities or allergies Inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) Ingestion of a foreign body (toys‚ feathers‚ strings‚ etc.) Diarrhea Cancer or tumors of the gastrointestinal tract Intestinal irritation‚ such as parasites‚ eating new foods‚ or consuming spoiled food Ingesting excessive amounts of gas (air) Pancreatitis Conclusion Gurgling or noisy tummies often have no cause for concern‚ but it is always worth having this problem checked out with your veterinarian. Sometimes‚ other underlying health issues can cause these noises. Your veterinarian can assist in finding options to help keep your cat healthy‚ and stomach gurgling to a minimum. Sources https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/healthcare/understanding-why-my-cats-stomach-gurgles?lightboxfired=true https://www.petmd.com/cat/how-relieve-cat-stomach-issues Featured Image Credit: Stock-Asso‚ Shutterstock The post My Cat’s Stomach Is Gurgling: What Should I Do Next? (Vet-Reviewed) appeared first on Pet Keen.

Yet another male competitor has won a female powerlifting competition‚ with the event's governing body standing by its current policy.A man by the name of Vicki Piper won the Masters National Weightlifting Championships in Reno‚ Nevada‚ in late March 2024. Piper competed in the 76-kilogram weight category for women 55 years old and over. Piper‚ 57‚ defeated 55-year-old women as well as a 58-year-old female en route to a crushing victory.Results showed that in the snatch competition‚ he lifted over 123 pounds‚ compared to the second-place finisher who lifted just over 101 pounds. In the clean and jerk‚ 156.2 pounds was Piper's winning total against a second-place total of 140.8 pounds.Video of Piper's victory started circulating online‚ as well as photos from the podium‚ which of course showed an obvious biological advantage. None — (@) "Thank you‚ USA Weightlifting‚ for hosting such a well thought out and supportive event here in Reno‚ Nevada‚" Piper wrote on Instagram‚ according to Breitbart.The competition's governing body‚ USA Weightlifting‚ released an official statement in which it stood by its policy‚ last updated in 2021.The rules stated that men who believe they are women are required to have gone through hormone therapy for a minimum of two years to "minimize gender related competitive advantages."If a man undergoes sex-change surgery and has been cleared to participate by a doctor‚ the man may also compete against women.The rules also provided definitions of transgender and gender identity‚ referring of course to sex being "assigned at birth" and gender identity referring to one's "internal psychological identification‚" which includes male‚ female‚ "both‚" or "neither." None — (@) The company said in its statement that it strongly believes in supporting a "diverse and inclusive weightlifting category" and seeks to maintain "competitive equity."Organization officials also said that they welcome feedback but would not engage with nor tolerate "hate speech." \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\ud83d\udea8\u203c\ufe0f Girls‚ step aside‚ now a man will show you how to lift a barbell correctly.\n\nVicki Piper‚ 57‚ who identifies as a woman‚ took first place in the women's 76-kilogram weight class during the 2024 Masters Nationals. Both of Piper's lifts were competition records.\n\nThe athlete\u2026 — (@) Male powerlifters showcased their ability to beat women across the world in 2023‚ including one male in Western Canada beating his second-place opponent by 450 pounds.Another male competitor bragged about "p**sing" next to women.Actual female powerlifter April Hutchinson‚ who has become a vocal critic against men in her competitions‚ remarked on the latest fiasco."If we have to do cheek swabs at every competition‚ let's do that. But there's no reason why a man should be competing in women's sports‚" she told NewsMax.Hutchinson was removed from a museum months earlier because she had spoken out on the topic. "If we have to do cheek swabs and every competition‚ let's do that. But there's no reason why a man should be competing in women's sports."\n\n\u2014 April Hutchinson‚ powerlifter\n\n@Lea_Christina4 @EmmaRechenberg — (@) Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Unruly pro-Palestinian protestors inside and outside a New York City venue caused some disruptions to the star-studded event that raised tens of millions for President Joe Biden's 2024 campaign.On Thursday‚ Biden joined former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton at Radio City Music Hall in Midtown Manhattan for a fundraiser that several media outlets‚ including the Washington Post and MSNBC‚ described as "historic" because it hauled in a whopping $25 million for Biden's campaign coffers. The event featured several celebrities‚ including late-night host Stephen Colbert‚ rapper Lizzo‚ and actress Mindy Kaling.However‚ not everyone was there to support the president. In fact‚ several pro-Palestinian protestors infiltrated the event to heckle and slam Biden for his response to the war in Gaza. "You’re out of your f**king minds‚" yelled one person‚ who was immediately escorted out‚ The Hill reported. Others screamed that Biden had "blood on [his] hands."According to reports‚ the disruptions were organized by Abandon Biden‚ a group that pledges not to vote for Biden in primary elections because of his supposed support for Israel. "In the primary‚ I will not be voting for Joe Biden in the primary. I’m going to leave it blank in New York‚" one protestor told Reuters.In response to a question about the war‚ Biden replied‚ "There’s a lot of people who are very‚ very — there are too many innocent victims‚ Israeli and Palestinian. We’ve got to get more food and medicine‚ supplies into the Palestinians.""It’s understandable Israel has such a profound anger‚ and Hamas is still there. But we must in fact‚ stop the effort that is resulting in significant deaths of innocent civilians‚ particularly children‚" he added. He also reiterated his support for "a two-state solution."A pro-ceasefire mob outside the building caused even more of a ruckus. Hundreds of agitators swarmed the streets‚ tussling with police and bystanders and chanting anti-Israel slogans. — (@) The protests didn't just throw cold water on an evening orchestrated to make Biden appear popular by surrounding him with celebrities and beloved Democrats like Obama and Clinton. They evinced just how fractured reliable Democrat voting blocs have become over the issue‚ a shifting dynamic that may bode ill for Biden in November."I just feel very‚ very angry that I voted for such a person that would enable such atrocities‚" a former Biden voter in Michigan said a few months ago."I feel used as a Muslim voter‚" added a woman from California. "He used people like myself in order to get elected and is now doing whatever serves him in his position." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Caitlin Clark is about to become the highest-paid women’s basketball player of all time — and Ice Cube has made her an offer she might not be able to refuse. The "Good Day" rapper has offered Clark $5 million to play in his three-on-three league‚ the BIG3. “We intended the offer to remain quiet while Caitlin Clark plays for the championship. But I won’t deny what’s now already out there: BIG3 made a historic offer to Caitlin Clark. Why wouldn’t we? Caitlin is a generational athlete who can achieve tremendous success in the BIG3‚” Cube tweeted on X. Jason Whitlock applauds Ice Cube's move. “I love this‚” he tells Steve Kim. “I think this could be the wave of the future.” “Who wouldn’t watch Caitlin Clark playing the BIG3 against men?” he adds. But Kim doesn't share Jason's sentiments. “You’re turning Ice Cube’s league into the DI3 versus DI3‚” Kim says. “What is this? Intramurals at PE class?” Kim says. “She would get physically and athletically overmatched in this three-on-three format against other men‚” he adds. While Kim makes a good point‚ Whitlock believes that what Ice Cube is doing is nonetheless “smart.” “He’s going to disrupt the entire WNBA. If he gets a handful of women involved in the BIG3‚ the WNBA is toast. It no longer has a purpose. Let them all go play overseas somewhere‚” Whitlock says. To hear more‚ watch the video below. Want more from Jason Whitlock?To enjoy more fearless conversations at the crossroads of culture‚ faith‚ sports‚ and comedy with Jason Whitlock‚ subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America‚ defend the Constitution‚ and live the American dream.

The situation on campus is becoming more dire with each passing day. Conduct considered acceptable now would have been met with swift reprisals just several years ago. Such is the power of habituation — or‚ as Daniel Patrick Moynihan aptly put it‚ “defining deviancy down.” Students are being chased‚ surrounded‚ barricaded‚ verbally abused‚ spit on‚ and even physically assaulted. Of course‚ the victims are not just any students. The targets are those who don’t conform to the radical left-wing agenda now monopolizing most of American higher education. That means‚ practically speaking‚ students who are politically conservative‚ Christian‚ Jewish‚ pro-Western civilization‚ and/or pro-Israel. It’s time to stop relying on educational administrators‚ campus police‚ and local law enforcement. Citizens need to take matters into their own hands. Today’s script has become a parody. A student group announces that it will hold an event on campus. Left-wing students and their allies launch online and in-person harassment campaigns in the lead-up to the event. Even though the event was made known weeks if not months earlier‚ the security presence is inadequate. Left-wing students and their allies‚ using mob tactics‚ manage to disrupt the event‚ force it to end early‚ or prevent it from happening at all. One of the authors here (Hammer) experienced this firsthand in November when he delivered a Young America’s Foundation lecture at the University of Michigan on the Israel-Hamas war. He was shouted down for over half an hour. Campus police and university administrators stood silently on the sidelines. Adding insult to injury‚ the day after the lecture‚ anti-Semitic student protesters stormed the office of University of Michigan President Santa Ono‚ shoving their way past campus police. All this because a Jewish-American sought to deliver a pro-Israel talk shortly after the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. 'By any means necessary'? The left excels at spin and manipulation. Consider that these radicals in the quad are supposed “snowflakes‚” deeply triggered by even the slightest offenses. They’re the same young people who require emotional support animals‚ crayons‚ and freshly baked cookies to deal with the trauma of‚ for example‚ a Republican being elected democratically. When it comes to pursuing power‚ however‚ tactics that they would consider “fascistic” are the very ones they adopt. Any and all tactics — “By any means necessary!” — are considered acceptable‚ even admirable and noble. Ultimately‚ higher education is churning out scores of nihilistic ingrates. These left-wing students and their allies are today’s Brownshirts. That’s because they’re not merely silencing speech by preventing people from taking the podium; they’re exterminating ideas wholesale by threatening and harming people who merely want to listen to others speak. That is tyrannical conduct‚ pure and simple‚ and it must be treated as such. Spencer Platt/Getty Images Wokeism has many Marxist elements‚ but on campus it trends more toward fascism. Yet too many on the right do nothing other than take to social media and the airwaves to gripe about the radicalism and malevolence of the left‚ often by pointing to horrific videos taken on smartphones. Those videos are captured and disseminated by intrepid investigative journalists‚ not so the right can merely play the victim but to spur concrete action. We propose one such concrete action: Hold the ultimate sources of authority responsible for their failure to safeguard not just freedom of expression on campus‚ but also physical safety. The reality is that most campus administrators are left-wing ideologues who egg on‚ endorse‚ and often quite literally stand alongside the culprits. Unfortunately‚ campus police and local law enforcement have too often proven themselves woefully unprepared or understaffed for the task. That is certainly what happened at the University of Michigan in November and most recently at the University of Memphis with the appearance of Kyle Rittenhouse. The solution is to apply pressure to all pertinent elected officials — from mayors and city council members to state representatives and senators to U.S. representatives and senators. Public colleges and universities are‚ after all‚ squarely within their domain. Elected officials must no longer be allowed to pass the buck when egregious offenses occur on campus‚ especially repeatedly. The common good‚ which institutions of higher education once existed to promote‚ demands nothing less. It is also worth emphasizing that the act of suppressing or silencing another person’s speech — “the heckler’s veto” — does not qualify as protected “free speech” in the Anglo-American legal tradition. Neither does advancing any belief or behavior‚ for that matter‚ that is manifestly contrary to the most rudimentary principles of our constitutional republic. The English common law tradition and the thinkers of the Scottish Enlightenment‚ who decisively inspired the Founding Fathers‚ were neither libertarians nor free-speech absolutists. They understood perfectly well that institutions — namely markets‚ whether of ideas or goods and services — require reasonable guardrails and boundaries. New speech litmus tests Expression on campus is uniquely valuable. Thus‚ efforts to protect it should receive particular attention and extra resources. First‚ the campus is an exceptional space in that it was fashioned to facilitate education — meaning the acquisition of knowledge‚ development of skills‚ and formation of intellect — through the exchange of ideas. Second‚ campus is where young minds and personal character are shaped. Allowing expression to be damaged and destroyed sets a very dangerous precedent for the next generation of citizens who will soon assume control of business‚ government‚ and entertainment. At our current trajectory‚ we are mass-producing conniving radicals‚ not patriotic citizens. One way to goad elected officials into to rehabilitating the state of speech on campus is to establish litmus tests for actions we must expect when incidents occur on campus. Legislators at the state and federal levels must use their subpoena power to call in educational administrators and make them answer for their dereliction of duty — akin to the clown-show triumvirate of Claudine Gay‚ Liz Magill‚ and Sally Kornbluth we witnessed on Capitol Hill in December. Legislators and governors must also wield their power and leverage their influence over state boards of governors and university boards of trustees by either firing culpable actors or forcing them to resign in disgrace. Additionally‚ representatives and senators must cut off all federal funding for any college or university that tolerates such shenanigans‚ singling them out by name for unsavory treatment in appropriations bills so that the message cannot be misconstrued. Perhaps even more enticing‚ representatives and senators could enact a confiscatory tax on the endowments of offending institutions and redistribute the proceeds to colleges and universities that protect the constitutional rights of students. The litmus tests have been outlined. It’s now simple. Elected officials‚ proceed — or concerned parents and citizens will turn up the temperature with the aim of voting you out of office. The situation on campus is a crisis. It’s time to stop relying on educational administrators‚ campus police‚ and local law enforcement. Citizens need to take matters into their own hands. That means using our remarkable influence in the public square and at the ballot box to remove those who twiddle their thumbs while Brownshirts desecrate American higher education.

In the wake of a Blaze News report about multiple women saying they were randomly punched in the face and head on New York City streets this month‚ another woman has come forward saying she also was punched in an unprovoked attack.What's more‚ there's video of the brutal punch‚ the victim suffered a broken jaw — which is now wired shut — and the suspect reportedly was released without bail despite seven prior assault arrests. Image source: YouTube screenshotOh‚ and one of those priors reportedly was an attack on a cop.What are the details?Dulce Pichardo‚ 57‚ spoke to WABC-TV after a male randomly punched her in the face around 5 p.m. Tuesday while she was walking down Grand Avenue near Dean Street in Brooklyn.“He just punched me on the right side here‚ very strong‚” Pichardo told WPIX-TV‚ adding‚ “I was surprised. I said‚ ‘What’s going on? Why did you hit me? Why did you do it?’ I didn’t do anything. No reason to hit me." Image source: WABC-TV video screenshotShe told WPIX her attacker never said a word.Pichardo suffered a broken jaw‚ WPIX said. Image source: WABC-TV video screenshotWABC reported that her face was fractured in several places‚ her mouth is now wired shut‚ and she will need to drink food from a straw for six weeks. Image source: WABC-TV video screenshotIn addition‚ WABC said Pichardo sustained permanent damage to her lower lip‚ three of her teeth were knocked out‚ and she may need surgery.WABC said Pichardo is a school bus aide and was returning from work — just steps from home — when the attacker punched her.More from WABC:Her brother owns a restaurant across the street from where she lives. He and an employee chased the suspect down. Yohan Flores says the suspect was standing cold and emotionless when they confronted him. The suspect denied attacking Pichardo. Pichardo's brother and the employee followed the suspect for several blocks and stopped him from fleeing until police arrived.Suspect arrestedOfficers arrested a suspect identified as 33-year-old Franz Jeudy‚ WABC said.Jeudy was charged with third-degree assault — a misdemeanor‚ which means he's not bail-eligible — and he was released‚ the New York Post reported. Image source: YouTube screenshotJeudy was arrested seven previous times on assault charges‚ WABC said.The Post‚ citing police‚ said one of those priors took place in 2018 when he was charged with second-degree assault for an attack on a cop."Every time I see a man‚ I cross‚" Pichardo added to WABC. "I'm not going to be close to nobody. I'm very afraid. I tell my son where I'm going‚ I want you to walk with me." NYC woman randomly punched while walking down street youtu.be Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

I am sick and tired of hearing about our limitations. The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge this week is an amazing hero story of the cops and first responders who saved an untold number of lives by doing exactly the right thing quickly. But I’m really tired of hearing about how long it’s going to take us to recover from this catastrophe and how bad it’s going to be. The immediate impact for Americans regarding this bridge collapse seems dire. If you're waiting for a new car to come in from overseas‚ prepare to wait longer. The Port of Baltimore stands as the nation’s leading import-export site for cars and trucks. It’s also the leading nexus for sugar and gypsum‚ which is used in fertilizer‚ drywall‚ and plaster. A record 52.3 million tons of foreign cargo was transported through Baltimore just last year.To expect more from our leaders is rational. But to expect the most from ourselves is essential.The bustling port is now cut off after the 1.6-mile-long bridge crumbled and fell into the river early Tuesday‚ blocking the only shipping lane into the port.The officials have said the timeline for rebuilding the bridge will be years. The Port of Baltimore creates more than 15‚300 jobs‚ with another 140‚000 jobs linked to the activity at the port. This is a major disaster and will continue to cause significant problems on the East Coast for U.S. importers and exporters.The bridge collapse means it will not be possible to get to the container terminals or a range of the other port terminals in Baltimore. Maryland Secretary of Transportation Paul J. Wiedefeld told reporters on Tuesday that vessel traffic in the port would be suspended until further notice but noted the port is still open to trucks.Michael Mezzacappa‚ an attorney and expert on property damage cases in the shipping industry‚ told the New York Post that the collapse will have a major impact on shipping and traffic routes in the East Coast for the foreseeable future. “It’s not going to get fixed any time soon‚” Mezzacappa said. “It’s going to take a lot longer than anyone expects. This is going to be a major problem for the Northeast.” Remember the American spiritI am absolutely sick to death of all of these stories that say things like that. Have we forgotten who we are? Have we forgotten what we’ve done?Let me remind you of the American spirit‚ a spirit so potent and so vibrant that it has scaled towering mountains‚ mountains nobody thought they could cross.It’s the spirit that constructed marvels of engineering. Have you ever been to the Hoover Dam? Have you seen the New York City skyline? The skyscraper was invented here for a reason. Here we are on the threshold of tomorrow‚ and none of us knows what is going to happen. But I'm getting the impression that we’ve been so beaten down that we believe we’re not going to make it tomorrow. Have we forgotten who our ancestors are and what they did? If you look through our history even briefly‚ you will see a group of people who never take no for an answer. You will see a people who can do anything.I want to stop just briefly in 1930. The Great Depression had its icy grip on us. It was a time that felt like a flickering candle in the vast darkness just barely holding on. Yet‚ it was in this crucible of adversity that Americans did great things. Getty Images/Nextrecord ArchivesThe Empire State Building rose. It wasn’t just a structure of steel and stone. It was a beacon‚ a beacon of hope and American resilience and ingenuity. The way that thing was built — no one has ever seen anything like it before and since. In a record-shattering one year and 45 days‚ an army of workers‚ as many as 3‚400 men on certain days‚ transformed this audacious vision into a cowering reality.The Empire State Building wasn’t constructed. It was conjured into existence with a symphony of clanging metal and roaring machines and the inexhaustible spirit of its builders. The men perched on steel girders that were being flown in by giant cranes whispered tales about how they could still feel the warmth of the freshly poured metal beneath them. That beam was still warm‚ even though it was poured in Pittsburgh‚ put on a train‚ then put on a boat‚ then on a truck‚ then hauled up into the air.They could fill the warmth because we moved that fast. It was a feverish pace of construction. It seemed to defy the laws of time and physics.For a long time‚ it was the tallest building in the world — an architectural achievement. It was also a declaration to the world that America was a land where the impossible became possible‚ that we are a people of determination‚ innovation‚ with a relentless will to succeed.These aren't merely historical footnotes. They are blazing torches illuminating our path forward. They remind us that when we're faced with adversity‚ we don't just endure it. We overcome it. We don’t wait for history to chart our course. We write it with the sweat of our brow and the strength of our backs. That’s who we are. Have we forgotten that?What are we waiting for?We find ourselves at another crossroads faced with the challenges that threaten to dim the bright future that we all dream for our nation‚ for our children. The spirit that built the Empire State Building‚ laid down miles of railroads‚ cut through the Rocky Mountains‚ and sent astronauts to the moon is still inside of every heart of every American‚ somewhere. Awaken that spirit. Scale new mountains. It's not just rock and earth. Scale the mountains of innovation. Build. Not just physical structures but a future that upholds the spirit of adventure‚ hard work‚ and ingenuity. Stop tearing everything down. Let's start building.Why are we waiting? If this isn't a national emergency‚ I don't know what it is.And I don't just mean the bridge. I mean all of it. You might say‚ “Well‚ our government has to lead.” Really? Does it? Maybe that’s our problem. America is led by its values and principles that are found in the souls of those who still remember who we are and who we serve. Americans lead the way. The government always follows.You might say again‚ "Well‚ we can’t act without the government." Nonsense! Where are the bridge builders who will stand up today and say‚ “I'll get it done!” As soon as that happens‚ you’ll see who is leading and who is stalling. The government is the one that stalls the engine out. To expect more from our leaders is rational. But to expect the most from ourselves is essential.There is nothing we can't achieve when we all stand together‚ united by our dreams‚ and driven by the will to see them fulfilled. Don't listen to anybody else who tells you differently.Want more from Glenn Beck? Get Glenn's FREE email newsletter with his latest insights‚ top stories‚ show prep‚ and more delivered to your inbox.

A massive migrant caravan of at least 2‚000 individuals led by Mexican activists is heading toward El Paso‚ Texas‚ and will arrive at the southern border within days‚ the New York Post reported.The first group from the “Way of the Cross” caravan recently reached Chihuahua City‚ Mexico‚ according to KTRH. The news outlet noted that the migrants are being assisted by churches in Mexico.A video posted on social media showed the wave of migrants chanting‚ “A la frontera‚” which means‚ “To the border.” The group declared‚ “We are not criminals‚ we are international workers.” \ud83d\udea8BREAKING NEWS: New criminal alien caravan organized by Catholic Church \u201cViacrucis Migrante\u201d makes its way to the United States. Each one of them will break into our country and Joe Biden will give them free work permits‚ free housing‚ education‚ healthcare and legal services. — (@) The caravan was reportedly formed to ensure the security of migrants seeking to travel to the border and enter the United States. The activists argued that‚ without the safety of the caravan‚ the migrants are being exploited by criminal organizations.“Right now‚ there is a clear persecution of pro-migrant activists‚” activist Luis Villagran stated in a video captured by Real America’s Voice and posted on social media. “They haven’t been able to control this massive migrant flow.”“The only one that benefits out of human misery‚ it is the organized crime‚” he continued‚ according to RAV’s translation.The activist claimed that the migrants “do not have another options.”“Their only option is to walk in a caravan or go in the back of a tractor trailer to possibly die. Where we have seen‚ in the past year 2023‚ more than 400 migrants have disappeared in their journeys to try to get to the United States of America‚” the activist added. \ud83d\udea8BREAKING: @Oscarelblue captures footage of a CARAVAN OF 3000 Migrants leaving the south of Mexico with direction to the USA! — (@) It is unclear whether they all plan to enter the U.S. at the El Paso border or if they will separate into smaller groups and cross at several ports of entry.Border Report stated that churches near the southern border are preparing for the surge of new arrivals. Rev. Francisco Bueno Guillen‚ director of Casa del Migrante shelter in Juarez‚ said‚ “We are in contact with people and personnel in migrant shelters in south Mexico. They say many people have come into the country recently and are being joined by others already there. And yes‚ they are coming to Juarez.”Guillen has been in communication with other church officials to coordinate shelter space for those in the caravan.“We are a single church. We are not isolated‚ we work together. They (El Paso) also have places to shelter migrants‚ they assist us‚” he stated.El Paso Catholic Diocese Bishop Mark J. Seitz told Border Report‚ “We continue to marshal all available resources and be aware of the trends.”“El Paso has shown itself to be very able to gear up when the surge comes and provide a safe and orderly way for those who have been permitted to come in to find a secure situation and continue on their path.‚” Seitz added.Republican Sen. Ted Cruz from Texas responded to the news about the en-route migrant caravan.“Our border has been overrun for over three years. This is just the latest example of what Joe Biden has normalized‚” he wrote in a post on X.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The hidden gem in the newest Fox News poll should induce panic for President Joe Biden.The results of the poll‚ released on Wednesday‚ mirrored nearly every other major political poll conducted over the past six months: Donald Trump maintains a narrow lead over Biden‚ voters believe the country is headed in the wrong direction and they believe they are worse off under Biden‚ the economy and immigration are the top issues — problems voters trust Trump to solve — and Biden's approval rating is in the tank. — (@) But the unique finding of the poll is what voters believe Biden's top accomplishment is: nothing.That's right. When pollsters asked respondents to name the Biden administration's top accomplishment‚ 38% of them couldn't name a single thing or they said that Biden's presidency has been a net-negative for the country.Second to "nothing/made things worse" was the economy and jobs (19%) — likely from Democratic voters who believe Biden's narrative about the economy — while "not being Trump" (6%) was Biden's third-best accomplishment‚ according to the respondents.Meanwhile‚ voters said Trump's top presidential accomplishment was his handling of the economy."More voters fondly remember Trump's economic successes than can recall any of Biden's. That underscores the challenge Biden faces‚" said Democratic pollster Chris Anderson‚ who helps conduct Fox News' polls.The Fox News poll is yet another demonstration of why Biden's campaign is mostly ignoring the polls‚ though Biden himself is anxious about them.While the polls provide a rough sketch of how voters feel right now‚ the 2024 election is undoubtedly going to be close‚ ultimately coming down to a number of key battleground states.Unfortunately for Biden‚ his predecessor still commands a respectable lead in most of those states.According to the latest Bloomberg/Morning Consult poll‚ Trump leads Biden in four key battleground states — Arizona‚ Georgia‚ Nevada‚ and North Carolina — while he and Biden are tied in Michigan and Pennsylvania. Biden‚ on the other hand‚ leads Trump in Wisconsin by 1%. Overall‚ the poll represents an improvement for Biden in the Rust Belt.Still‚ it's important to remember that Biden held a comfortable lead over Trump in the polls ahead of the 2020 election. That Trump is now leading Biden in most polls and states is a harbinger for Biden's re-election hopes.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!