This cluster of pink loveliness might have put you in mind of a sea of cherry blossom‚ or a juicy raspberry compote just waiting to ooze over your pancakes. Well‚ you can shelve these delightful images immediately‚ we’re afraid. What you’re looking at here are bacteria‚ and though these structures might be called “pink berries”‚ we can assure you that you they do not make a tasty snack.But while they definitely belong on the list of scientific oddities that you should not eat‚ pink berries are still a fascinating microbial phenomenon.Bacteria often find that there is strength in numbers. Some of the trickiest bacterial infections in humans are caused by biofilms‚ layers of microbes covered in a sugary coating that can colonize wounds or wrap themselves around medical devices like catheters. Being clustered together like this makes it difficult for antibiotics to get a foothold. Pink berries are a very specific type of bacterial aggregate that form only under certain conditions. They’re usually found coating the surface of submerged sediment in salt marshes‚ giving the pools a rosy tint. Pink berries in a pool at Great Sippewissett Marsh‚ Woods Hole‚ Massachusetts.Image credit: Lizzy WilbanksUnder the microscope‚ you can see how the individual cells have clustered to form a berry shape‚ held together with a gloopy transparent polymer coating. The characteristic pink color comes from a species called Thiohalocapsa PSB1‚ which makes up most of the cluster. This species can generate its own food using sulfur and light. Genetically similar individuals cuddle up with symbiotic species that work together to create zones free from oxygen – which is toxic to the bacteria – and their collective weight helps the berries settle nicely into their environment.This berry is approximately 3 millimeters in diameter.Image credit: Scott ChimileskiBut there’s a downside to all this close proximity. As humankind discovered recently with COVID-19‚ when a virus strikes‚ it’s best to keep your distance from others – but if you’re a bacterium in a pink berry‚ that’s not really an option.“It’s a perfect cocktail for an epidemic to blow through and wipe out everything‚” said Lizzy Wilbanks‚ a microbiologist who has been interested in pink berries since first encountering them in grad school‚ in a statement. Wilbanks and colleagues recently conducted a study to learn how Thiohalocapsa gets around these issues when faced with a viral threat.The bacteria use a nifty genetic trick called diversity-generating retroelements (DGRs). Sections of DNA are transcribed into RNA and then back into DNA‚ a process that tends to introduce errors. These sequences are then inserted into a target gene‚ thereby adding lots of new genetic variation into specific spots in the bacterial genome. Similar systems exist in other organisms‚ but scientists haven’t fully understood how they work.The new study uncovered that many of the targets of DGRs in Thiohalocapsa are components similar to those found in the immune systems of more complex organisms‚ including humans. Examination of hundreds of pink berries revealed that the variation in these genes changed depending on the environment‚ which could reflect differences in the viruses present in different pools across a salt marsh.More work needs to be done to fully unpick how Thiohalocapsa may be manipulating its genome to evade pathogens‚ but the possibilities for this research reach beyond microbiology‚ and even have implications for our understanding of human evolution.“It tells us about the challenges we faced back when we were little balls of cells‚” Wilbanks said. “If you're forming multicellular structures‚ you've got to evolve some pretty fancy immune defenses in order to stay alive.”With all this to offer the scientific community‚ we think we can forgive the pink berries for catfishing us.The study is published in PNAS. 

One of ABC’s legendary Shark Tank investors dismantled the logic behind a radical judge’s asinine ruling against former President Donald Trump. Kevin O’Leary — a.k.a “Mr. Wonderful” — called the ruling by leftist New York Supreme Court judge Arthur Engoron an egregious “assault on the 11th sector of the S&;P 500‚ which is real estate” during the Feb. 18 edition of Fox &; Friends Weekend. Engoron fined Trump $355 million for allegedly inflating his assets and banned him from being an officer in any New York-based corporation for three years‚ despite “nobody” losing money‚ as The Wall Street Journal editorial board pointed out. O’Leary analyzed the whole event as an overexaggerated demonization of a common practice within the corporate world when real estate developers haggle with banks in order to get loans. “This is not about Trump anymore‚” O’Leary concluded. “If you’re a developer and you see this happen in the state of New York‚ why would you take the risk to put up this much money and have a judge arbitrarily decide that you are in some form of breach of fraud when no damages occurred at all?” In O’Leary’s view‚ “This is crazy!” The Journal editorial board noted that what Engoron did smacked of “political overkill” and constituted the equivalent of launching “a Hellfire missile to annihilate a shoplifter.  Deutsche Bank [which signed off on the loans for Trump’s real estate] made money on the loans‚ and its valuation teams gave a ‘haircut’ to the numbers provided by Mr. Trump. There was no real financial victim.”  Effectively‚ The Journal analyzed‚ “This is choosing a target and then hunting for something to charge him with‚ which is an abuse of the law.”  Washington Examiner Chief Political Correspondent Byron York also noted in a post on X that “The banks relied on their own due diligence and priced loans from that‚ not Trump's statements.” O’Leary further noted that this politburo-styled prosecution has changed his perspective on what’s the worst state in America to do business: This is about the competition of states. I thought before this judgment that the number one loser state in America was California‚ which is basically putting itself out of business slowly and surely. But after this judgment‚ I’m going to make New York the number one loser state‚ followed by California‚ then Massachusetts‚ New Jersey‚ Michigan. These are places where taxes are not competitive. O’Leary concluded that Engoron’s ruling was eventually going to be overturned on appeal because “this is so damaging to business in New York” and “it makes no sense.”  Conservatives are under attack. Contact ABC News at (818) 460-7477‚ CBS News at (212) 975-3247 and NBC News at (212) 664-6192 and demand they tell the truth about the holes in the logic of Engoron’s anti-Trump ruling.  

As befits a careful lawyer who has served in senior positions in both Republican and Democrat administrations‚ Chuck Rosenberg is more even-handed than the typical MSNBC legal analyst.  But there's nothing even-handed about Morning Joe regular Katty Kay‚ of the notoriously liberal BBC. And so‚ the pair had a polite but clear clash on today's Morning Joe in discussing the motion brought by one of Trump's co-defendants to have Fani Willis disqualified from the election interference case she has brought against them in Georgia.  Rosenberg began by describing the issue of the potential conflict of interest if Willis benefitted financially from her hiring of her boyfriend‚ Nathan Wade. He then ventured into the issue of the timing of the beginning of the Willis/Wade relationship‚ and how it's a political problem. Interjected an impatient Kay: "Frankly‚ does any of that really matter for the substance of the Georgia case?" Translation: enough of this stuff about Willis' misconduct. Let's get back to the business of convicting and imprisoning Trump! Riposted Rosenberg‚ politely but firmly‚ "Maybe." He explained that if the relationship started before Willis hired Wade‚ then the affidavit he submitted could be "false." Moreover‚ Willis then submitted Wade's affidavit to the court in support of her contention‚ so she could be on the hook for its falsity‚ too. But Rosenberg wasn't through with Willis/Wade -- or with Kay. He went on to say‚ "I was a prosecutor for a long time. If a supervisor is having a relationship with a subordinate‚ regardless of when it starts‚ that's reason for the subordinate or the supervisor to step away from the case. So‚ in some ways‚ to me‚ it doesn't really matter when it started‚ but if it started before she hired him‚ you might have false affidavits in this case." In the current circumstances‚ it's hard to imagine that Wade would be removed but Willis is allowed to remain. More likely‚ they'd both be out. And as his coup de grace‚ Rosenberg opined that even if a financial conflict of interest can't be established‚ there would still be the "appearance" of a conflict—"and that's messy." That should have taught Kay not to rumble with Rosenberg—but she got in a pouty final word: "That said‚ that means we're talking about this rather than the substance of the Georgia case."  Sorry‚ Katty! Here's the transcript. MSNBC Morning Joe 2/19/24 6:15 am ET JONATHAN LEMIRE: Chuck‚ let's quickly touch on another legal matter. We saw it play out in Fulton County at the end of last week. The district attorney there‚ Fani Willis‚ giving a pretty impassioned defense on Thursday‚ and then the state decided not to call her‚ she did not appear on the stand again on Friday. What's your read as to how‚ how that went at the end of Friday‚ and where things could go next in that case? CHUCK ROSENBERG: Yeah‚ through a couple of different prisms‚ Jonathan. Legally‚ the defendants have to show that there was some improper financial arrangement that‚ that makes that a conflict of interest. If the defendants can show a conflict of interest‚ a financial one‚ by Ms. Willis hiring Mr. Wade when they had a romantic relationship‚ and that she somehow benefitted from the money that was being paid to him‚ that could be a conflict. They could be disqualified from the case. That's the legal part. And I don't think the defendants have succeeded yet. I mean‚ it's messy. It's ugly. If you've watched any of it‚ you probably have that sort of icky feeling when you see it. But I don't know that they've made out the disqualification grounds yet. Politically‚ it's a mess. Because there's a bunch of things that happened at the hearing that shows sort of -- it got into personal relationships between Ms. Willis and Mr. Wade. There was some contention about when that relationship started. There was a witness who might have been very important on that fact. But he didn't testify fully because Mr. Wade was invoking a privilege to preclude him from doing that. KATTY KAY: But frankly‚ does any of that really matter for the substance of the Georgia case‚ though? ROSENBERG: Maybe. So if the romantic relationship between Ms. Wade and Ms. Willis happened before he was hired by her in Fulton County‚ then the affidavit that he submitted might be false. And not only did‚ would that affidavit be false‚ Katty‚ Ms. Willis propounded that affidavit‚ provided that affidavit‚ to the court in support of her contention that the relationship started subsequently. By the way‚ at any point‚ and I was a prosecutor for a long time. If a supervisor is having a relationship with a subordinate‚ regardless of when it starts‚ that's reason for the subordinate or the supervisor to step away from the case. So‚ in some ways‚ to me‚ it doesn't really matter when it started‚ but if it started before she hired him‚ you might have false affidavits in this case. And that‚ if I may‚ Katty‚ that raises a separate point. Even if the defendants fail to show an actual conflict of interest—and they may very well fail—an appearance of a conflict of an interest is also a problem. And as prosecutors‚ you have to be sensitive to the appearance. So even if the legal motion fails‚ and the judge doesn't disqualify Ms. Willis or Mr. Wade from the case‚ you still have an appearance. And that's messy. KAY: That said‚ that means we're talking about this rather than the substance of the Georgia case‚ as well‚ at the moment.

The Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl victory parade Wednesday ended in panic and bloodshed. A beloved mother of two was slain‚ and dozens of others‚ including at least nine children‚ were grievously wounded. Missouri Gov. Mike Parson (R) suggested "thugs and criminals" were responsible for the brazen shooting. Kansas City's Democrat Mayor Quinton Lucas took offense to the Republican's characterization of the barbarians responsible for the shooting‚ suggesting Parson was trafficking in coded racist language. Quick background Around 1 million people flocked to downtown Kansas City on Valentine's Day to celebrate the hometown team's Super Bowl Win. As festivities began winding down‚ gunmen opened fire west of Union Station‚ where a stage had been set up for speeches by the NFL team's triumphant players. KCMPD Chief Stacey Graves confirmed that at least 22 people‚ ages ranging from 8 to 47‚ were wounded in the shooting. Elizabeth Galvan‚ a 43-year-old mother of two and popular radio disc jockey‚ died from her injuries. Blaze News previously reported that investigators suggested there were no indications the shooting was the product of "terrorism or homegrown violent extremism." Instead‚ Graves suggested that "this appeared to be a dispute between several people that ended in gunfire." Jacob Gooch Sr.‚ a survivor of the shooting‚ told "CBS Mornings" that prior to the shooting‚ he heard a girl begging one alleged shooter‚ "Don't do it. Not here. This is stupid." Gooch said his daughter observed the alleged shooter break free of the woman‚ then begin "shooting and spinning in a circle." Footage obtained by TMZ allegedly shows part of the dispute that led to the shooting. — (@) Within moments of the shooting‚ two heroic dads tackled an individual they believed to be one of the gunmen. That too was caught on camera. — (@) Teens charged The Jackson County Circuit Court confirmed that a pair of teenagers were charged with "gun-related" offenses Friday as well as with resisting arrest‚ reported the Kansas City Star. Both suspects‚ currently being held at the Juvenile Detention Center‚ will likely be slapped with additional charges as the investigation into the shootings continues. The Star noted that depending on the charges‚ the teens might also be tried as adults‚ especially if accused of first-degree assault and murder. "I am grateful for the charges against the two juveniles who hurt innocent people‚ simultaneously scarring an entire community‚" Chief Graves said in a statement Friday. "We will not relent until everyone who may have played a part in these crimes is apprehended so that they may be punished to the fullest extent of the law." Democratic Mayor Quinton Lucas indicated he too was pleased the duo had been charged‚ writing‚ "I thank law enforcement‚ juvenile court officers‚ and the Jackson County Prosecutor for bringing a first set of charges of two minors involved in Wednesday's mass shooting. I know more investigation and potentially further charges are ahead as we pursue justice for all impacted." Thugs Gov. Parson‚ who was reportedly present on the other side of the stage when the shooting occurred‚ told host Pete Mundo on KCMO Talk Radio Thursday that Kansas City does not "need to be judged by one incident that happened at the end of that yesterday. ... It's a wonderful city‚ a great city‚ a lot of good people up there — as you seen perfect examples of that yesterday with the people that responded to this incident." "We can't let some thugs and criminals just‚ you know‚ take over and ruin what happened‚" continued the governor. "I feel for these parents‚ these kids." The Republican suggested that it should be easy to track down those responsible on account of all the active cameras in the area and intimated further that all of those who drew weapons are ultimately culpable for murder. Thinking on the tragedy and on the children whose lives have been forever impacted‚ Parson said‚ "I just hate it‚ you know‚ as a grandparent of kids going out there‚ trying to have a little fun‚ trying to get a glimpse of a player or whatever they may be there for — a celebration." "Then you just got some absolutely — be careful what I say before I say something I'm gonna probably regret — just a bunch of criminals‚ thugs out there‚ just killing people in an instant like that‚" continued Parson. "And attempting to kill all those people and created such chaos that people got hurt‚ been trampled." Parson stressed that prosecutors should "go after these people full bore." Perceived racism Mayor Lucas appeared on a local radio show called "Up to Date" Friday and used up some of his airtime to condemn Parson for daring to call those who would open fire into a crowd of innocents "thugs." Lucas‚ a leftist who has fought state efforts to increase funding for police‚ told KCUR host Steve Kraske‚ "I disagree strongly with how he would describe that situation. I certainly do think this was criminal activity. It was lawlessness‚ and I think that's troubling. But 'thugs' is a dog whistle in the most classic sense‚" reported Fox News Digital. In the most classic sense‚ "thug" was an Indian term for a cheat or swindler. However‚ it appears to have been ported over from Marathi to English in the 19th century and used in reference to roving gangs of murderous robbers. In the way of murderers and robbers‚ Lucas' city appears to have an overabundance. According to the Kansas City Star‚ the city set a record last years for homicides with at least 185 slayings. Over 240 were slain across the metro area. The previous year‚ there were 171 homicides. Kansas City has a score of 1 on Neighborhood Scout's crime index‚ where 100 is safest. The chance of becoming victim of a violent crime is 1 in 67. The likelihood of falling victim to a property crime is 1 in 21. "I've seen this dog whistle time and time again‚" continued Lucas. "There's this kind of giant conservative theory on social media now that the reason these mug shots haven't been shown is because the purported defendants are black‚ and if it were a white defendant we would have just shown them. That is absolutely preposterous. There are protections to juveniles." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Authorities in Broward County‚ Florida‚ have arrested a suspect who is accused of beating up an elderly Jewish man after yelling a racial slur at him. According to police in Lauderhill‚ the attack occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. The victim‚ who was not identified by name‚ told police that he had just left services at his local synagogue when he was suddenly jumped by a man who was identified by police as Trevor Rodney. The victim told police that he had never met the man before and did not recognize him but that the man yelled a "racial slur" at him during the attack. According to the Sun-Sentinel‚ the victim was dressed in traditional Orthodox Jewish clothing at the time of the attack. Police say that the victim suffered "bruised eyes‚ several minor abrasions on the face‚ and severe body pain." The attack might have been much worse if not for a passerby‚ who saw the attack occurring and pulled over to yell at Rodney‚ who then fled the scene. The passerby then called police‚ who responded to the situation. Father of Lauderhill rabbi victim of seemingly random hate attack www.youtube.com Rodney reportedly told police that he saw the victim's head "spinning in circles‚ a blue cloud appear over the victim's head and he feared that the victim would eat his face." Rodney was booked into the Broward Sheriff's Office Main Jail‚ where he was charged with battery of a person 65 years of age or older. The victim was treated at a local hospital for his injuries and released that same day. Lauderhill police issued a statement saying‚ "In light of this incident‚ it is reminded that we continuously strive to encourage a community that retains and promotes improved quality of life‚ where people of diverse cultural backgrounds peacefully interrelate."

Radio host Charlamagne Tha God is giving Democrats a much-needed reality check.In an interview with ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl on ABC News' "This Week‚" Charlamagne Tha God‚ whose real name is Lenard McKelvey‚ explained why he believes President Joe Biden is trailing Donald Trump. "[Biden]'s just an uninspiring candidate‚" he said. "There's nothing about Joe Biden that makes you want to listen to him."He has no main character energy at all. None‚" McKelvey asserted.McKelvey's perspective is especially illuminating because his radio show‚ "The Breakfast Club‚" reaches millions of listeners each month‚ particularly young people‚ and thus McKelvey has his finger on the pulse of young voters. And unfortunately for Biden‚ McKelvey doesn't believe Biden's problems are rooted in his old age — especially because Trump is only a few years younger than Biden."I think it has just everything to do with him. Like Donald Trump is — what? — four years‚ three years younger than President Biden?" McKelvey said. "But [Trump] just comes off a lot more youthful. He comes off like he has a lot more energy."And I always say this about him: Donald Trump seems more sincere about his lies than Joe Biden does about his truth‚" he added. Throughout Biden's presidency‚ McKelvey has not refrained from criticizing Biden‚ Vice President Kamala Harris‚ or Democrats. That criticism has generated pushback from the White House‚ something McKelvey believes symbolizes the problems the Biden camp is unwilling to acknowledge."I think that's the stupidest s*** ever. ... I feel like you should be able to criticize whoever your elected official is‚ right?" he said. "I'm criticizing them because of what I see coming up in November. I see what we're facing. "What I'm saying to them is: Where is the sense of urgency?" he continued. "You can't keep saying that there's a threat to democracy — and democracy as we know it is going to be gone — but not act like it."One way Democrats have tried to relay urgency‚ McKelvey pointed out‚ is by demonizing Republicans — and it has only backfired‚ he said."They've always done this with every single Republican candidate. Since I've been alive‚ whoever the Republican presidential candidate has been‚ they've demonized. It doesn't matter who it is. It doesn't matter if it's John McCain‚ doesn't matter if it was Mitt Romney‚ it doesn't matter who it is. They will demonize the Republican candidate. "And now that there's an actual legitimate threat right there in our faces‚ they're like the party who cried wolf. Nobody believes them‚" he observed.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

More than 18‚000 elementary school students were threatened with a suspension from their school district for not having updated vaccine records.The Region of Waterloo Public Health in Ontario‚ Canada‚ issued suspension orders that required young students to get all their necessary vaccines and update their records within a six-week period or face suspension. The region has issued the orders to a total of 18‚643 students who have until March 27‚ 2024‚ to update their records.High school students have longer‚ until May 27‚ 2024‚ to receive their vaccine updates‚ according to Global News‚ but suspensions may start at the beginning of that month.Public health representatives claimed that during COVID-19 lockdowns‚ there was a decline in parents staying up to date with their child's repeat vaccine doses. This included shots for measles‚ mumps‚ rubella‚ diphtheria‚ tetanus‚ polio‚ meningococcal‚ pertussis (whooping cough)‚ and varicella (chicken pox). Dr. Hsiu-Li Wang‚ the medical officer of health for the region‚ used language very similar to that of the COVID-19 vaccination push. Wang said in a press release that "vaccination protects kids and keeps schools healthy by stopping the spread of serious and preventable disease.""Children who are not vaccinated are at increased risk of getting infections and spreading diseases to others. The enforcement of the Immunization of School Pupils Act is critical for ensuring the health and well-being of our community‚" the doctor added.The number of students facing discipline was cut nearly in half since the region made a previous threat of suspensions in January 2024. At that time‚ 32‚000 students were facing suspensions over their records‚ prompting regional officials to expand vaccine clinic times and advertise their services in certain areas.The messaging included nearly identical tag lines‚ including "vaccination protects kids and keeps schools healthy by stopping the spread of serious and preventable disease. Children who are not vaccinated are at increased risk of getting infections and spreading diseases to others.""We are working closely with local school boards and our community partners to reach as many families as possible. Our priority is to keep kids healthy and in school‚" said David Aoki‚ director of infectious diseases and chief nursing officer for public health.Another 10‚000 students in nearby Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph were encouraged to get vaccines at clinics at public health offices and even in their schools. High school students in that region have since passed their deadline to update their records.All elementary and secondary school students are required to provide their proof of vaccination under the Immunization of School Pupils Act‚ state broadcaster CBC News reported.The province provides guidance for 20 different routinely issued state-funded vaccines. The guidance includes recommendations for doses at certain ages‚ depending on the inoculation. In total‚ there are 24 vaccination schedules for different age groups listed.Vaccine exemptions must be reported to state health officials‚ as well.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry declared a state of emergency Thursday over a shortage of police officers‚ the Associated Press reported.Landry‚ a former police officer and sheriff’s deputy‚ signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency‚ citing Louisiana’s statewide police officer shortage‚ which the governor claimed has led to an increase in crime.According to a Friday press release from the governor’s office‚ Louisiana sheriffs’ offices across the state are down roughly 1‚800 deputies as of July. The record-low employment has resulted in longer response times‚ it noted.Landry’s executive order read‚ “Nation and State are experiencing a police officer staffing crisis‚ and law enforcement agencies are losing officers faster than they can hire new ones.”According to the order‚ law enforcement agencies nationwide experienced a 47% increase in resignations in 2022 compared to 2019. Retirements also rose by 20% over that same period. Louisiana police officers’ longer response times have resulted in “an increased threat to the lives‚ property‚ and safety” of its residents.Landry’s executive order temporarily removes limits on the number of new employees sheriffs can hire. It also lifts restrictions on payroll increases.“As a former police officer and sheriff’s deputy‚ I understand the vital role our law enforcement officers play in our communities. Currently‚ our state is facing a shortage of officers‚ resulting in increased crime and less public safety. Today’s executive order‚ and the upcoming crime special session‚ will ensure our law enforcement officers are supported and we can begin to bring law and order back to our state‚” Landry stated.Michael Ranatza‚ the executive director of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association‚ praised Landry for issuing the executive order.“We applaud Governor Landry for highlighting the importance of the law enforcement profession and our state’s desperate need to fill valuable front line deputy positions‚” Ranatza said.The executive order will remain in effect until March 15.Landry‚ who was elected last year and took office in January‚ has vowed to bring law and order back to Louisiana. Earlier this month‚ the governor called the state legislature to convene for a special session focused on the issue of crime.According to a press release from the governor’s office‚ “The legislature will create laws that strengthen our criminal justice system and repeal soft on crime policies that enable criminals and hurt our communities.”Landry plans to address lawmakers on Monday during the special session.“This special session begins to fulfill the campaign promises we made to the people of Louisiana to make our state safe again. No one‚ regardless of their neighborhood or zip code‚ should feel unsafe. We all want safer communities‚” the governor remarked. “We will defend and uplift our law enforcement officials and deliver true justice to crime victims who have been overlooked for far too long. I am eager to enact real change that makes Louisiana a safer state for all.” Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Remember Summit Carbon Solutions and that Green New Deal pipeline the company wanted to lay through the Dakotas‚ seizing people’s land in the process? Well‚ the project is back‚ and it’s stronger than ever. Evidently‚ supporting property rights and opposing Agenda 2030’s “carbon neutral” dystopia is too much to ask of South Dakota Republicans.The state Senate’s Commerce and Energy Committee last week passed SB 201‚ which pre-empts all local ordinances and restrictions on carbon capture pipelines. These pipelines serve no purpose other than pleasing the gods of phantom global warming and satisfying the grift of green energy companies backed by government venture socialism. They do nothing other than capture and store carbon forever with no feasible endgame. It’s hard to imagine this bill would get so much support from Senate leadership if Kristi Noem were vociferously opposed to it.Local South Dakota counties have thrown up zoning and ordinance barriers to the pipelines’ construction. So Summit tried to get the state Public Utilities Commission to circumvent local ordinances. When that didn’t work‚ Summit lobbyists set about pre-empting local control by changing the law.The bill‚ which passed the committee 7-2 and now heads to the state Senate floor‚ got support from six Republicans‚ including Majority Leader Casey Crabtree. If signed into law‚ SB 201 would categorically strip local governments of authority to regulate routing‚ setbacks‚ construction‚ operation‚ maintenance‚ and zoning permits of any carbon capture pipeline. Obviously‚ the state has an interest in avoiding a scenario in which counties can block vital public works projects such as electricity lines or gas and oil pipelines. But this product offers nothing of substance except to buttress the lie that somehow carbon — the basis of human life itself — is a danger. The entire premise that carbon is bad and is somehow causing warming is a lie. There has been no warming since 2015‚ despite an additional 450 billion tons of carbon emissions. In the same year renewables increased by 12% and coal decreased by 8%‚ U.S. carbon emissions still ticked up by 1.3% in 2022. — (@) Carbon dioxide itself only composes 0.04% of the atmosphere; it has only increased by 0.01% over the past 60 years and was much higher in the past — long before the arrival of SUVs and trucks. Besides‚ humans are only responsible for a small percent of the carbon in the atmosphere.The fact is that CO2 is vital for humanity. Carbon dioxide is basic plant food‚ and even NASA satellites show that it is greening the Earth. Trying to capture and sequester a false enemy is absurd and unworkable. One estimate shows that the carbon capture scam will cost Great Britain £40 billion (around $50.3 billion)‚ and it will likely cost us a lot more if red states continue to embrace Green New Deal subsidies. It is shocking that South Dakota lacks statewide leaders who speak with conviction about the fraud of global warming‚ the carbon capture grift‚ and the need to protect local control of property rights. Many of these same South Dakota RINOs were reluctant to pass legislation banning local government from imposing mask mandates on schoolchildren because they hid behind the principle of local control. In 2021‚ after cities like Sioux Falls imposed mask mandates‚ the South Dakota House defeated House Bill 1136 and House Bill 1093‚ which sought to limit a municipality’s ability to lock down businesses or impose mask mandates. Now lawmakers are keen to infringe upon local control because the lobbyists who control the state party are bought into the global warming scam. The difference‚ of course‚ is that during COVID some local governments were violating human rights‚ while in this case they are protecting property rights.Where is Kristi Noem? It’s hard to imagine this bill would get so much support from Senate leadership if she were vociferously opposed to it. She is on TV every night decrying the invasion at the border‚ but what about the invasion of local property rights by a foreign-backed green energy company subsidized through government green energy subsidies and mandates?Not only should Noem oppose the bill stripping local governments of the authority to regulate carbon pipelines‚ but she should champion the effort to bar eminent domain for such pipelines statewide. HB 1219 by Rep. Jon Hansen (R) would prohibit the exercise of eminent domain for the construction of pipelines carrying carbon oxide. Such a common-sense bill should sail through the legislature‚ yet it barely squeaked by the House Commerce and Energy Committee last week by a vote of 7-6. Republicans have a 12-1 majority on that committee‚ yet five Republicans sided with the green land-grabbers‚ and now it faces a tougher battle in the more liberal GOP Senate. Republicans control the state House 63-7 and the state Senate 31-4‚ but these insurmountable majorities are meaningless unless Noem fastidiously engages the legislative session on this and other issues. If she really wants to be the vice presidential nominee‚ she should begin by leading her own state legislature the way we’ve seen with Ron DeSantis in Florida.

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