This morning‚ some Republican senators walked out of a briefing on Ukraine. Then Zelensky blew them off. Democrats will not close the border even though unvetted people are coming at the rate of 3.7 million each year. Several Republican senators walked out of the closed-door briefing about Ukraine on Tuesday. Speaking after leaving the meeting‚ […] The post GOP Walks Out of Ukraine Briefing So Zelensky Ditches Congress appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Kevin McCarthy said he will resign from the House at the end of December. Like so many of these congresspeople‚ he doesn’t care about the country at all. It’s all about agendas‚ prestige‚ and money. So‚ we lost Santos’s seat. Democrat Suozzi will run and get that seat. In the meantime‚ there is no one […] The post A 1-Seat Majority! What If a “Geriatric Old Fart Strokes Out?” appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Billionaire Bill Ackman‚ who gave $26 million to Harvard in 2014‚ called for the resignation of the presidents of Harvard‚ UPenn‚ and MIT after they would not say calling for the genocide of Jews on campus violated their rules against bullying and harassment. On Tuesday‚ New York Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik repeatedly asked Harvard President Claudine Gay‚ University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill‚ and MIT President Sally Kornbluth whether calling for the genocide of Jews constituted bullying and harassment. They all dodged the question‚ citing the need for “context.” After noting the question that Stefanik repeatedly asked the university presidents‚ Ackman wrote‚ “The answers they gave reflect the profound moral bankruptcy of Presidents Gay‚ Magill and Kornbluth. … they gave the same answers over and over again. In short‚ they said: It ‘depends on the context’ and ‘whether the speech turns into conduct‚’ that is‚ actually killing Jews. This could be the most extraordinary testimony ever elicited in the Congress.” “The presidents’ answers reflect the profound educational‚ moral and ethical failures that pervade certain of our elite educational institutions due in large part to their failed leadership‚” he continued. “Don’t take my word for it. You must watch the following three minutes. By the end‚ you will be where I am. They must all resign in disgrace.” “If a CEO of one of our companies gave a similar answer‚ he or she would be toast within the hour‚” he declared. “Why has antisemitism exploded on campus and around the world? Because of leaders like Presidents Gay‚ Magill and Kornbluth who believe genocide depends on the context.” “Throughout the hearing‚ the three behaved like hostile witnesses‚ exhibiting a profound disdain for the Congress with their smiles and smirks‚ and their outright refusal to answer basic questions with a yes or no answer‚” he concluded. The presidents of @Harvard‚ @MIT‚ and @Penn were all asked the following question under oath at today’s congressional hearing on antisemitism: Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate [your university’s] code of conduct or rules regarding bullying or harassment? The… pic.twitter.com/eVlPCHMcVZ — Bill Ackman (@BillAckman) December 5‚ 2023 During the exchange with Stefanik‚ Magill said‚ “If the speech turns into conduct it can be harassment‚” angering Stefanik‚ who fired back‚ “’Conduct’ meaning committing the act of genocide? The speech is not harassment? This is unacceptable.” After Gay was questioned last‚ agreeing that calling for the genocide of Jews violated Harvard’s code of conduct depending on the context‚ Stefanik declared‚ “It does not depend on the context. The answer is yes.” Stefanik then said to the three presidents‚ “And this is why you should resign. These are unacceptable answers across the board.” Transcript of the tense exchanges below: Stefanik: Dr. Kornbluth‚ at MIT‚ does calling for the genocide of Jews violate MIT’s code of conduct or rules regarding bullying and harassment? Yes or no? Kornbluth: With targeted individuals‚ not public statements. Stefanik: Yes or no? Calling for the genocide of Jews does not constitute bullying and harassment? Kornbluth: I have not heard calling for the genocide of Jews on our campus. Stefanik: But you’ve heard chants for intifada. Kornbluth: I’ve heard chants which can be anti-Semitic depending on the context when calling for the elimination of the Jewish people. Stefanik: So those would not be according to the MIT’s code of conduct or rules? Kornbluth: That would be investigated as harassment if pervasive and severe. Stefanik: Ms. Magill‚ at Penn‚ does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Penn’s rules or code of conduct? Yes or no. Magill‚ smiling: If the speech turns into conduct it can be harassment. Yes. Stefanik: I am asking‚ specifically calling for the genocide of Jews‚ does that constitute bullying and harassment? Magill: If it is directed and severe or pervasive it is harassment. Stefanik: So the answer is yes. Magill‚ smiling: It is a context-dependent decision‚ Congresswoman. Stefanik: It’s a context-dependent decision? That’s your testimony today? Calling for the genocide of Jews is depending on the context? That is not bullying or harassment? This is the easiest question to answer yes‚ Ms. Magill. So is your testimony that you will not answer yes? Yes or no? Magill: If the speech becomes conduct‚ it can be harassment. Yes. Stefanik: “Conduct” meaning committing the act of genocide? The speech is not harassment? This is unacceptable‚ Ms. Magill. I’m going to give you one more opportunity for the world to see your answer. Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Penn’s code of conduct when it comes to bullying or harassment? Yes or no. Magill: It can be harassment. Stefanik: The answer is yes. And Dr. Gay‚ at Harvard‚ does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard’s rules of bullying and harassment? Yes or no. Gay: It can be‚ depending on the context. Stefanik: What’s the context? Gay: Targeted as an individual; targeted at an individual. Stefanik: It’s targeted at Jewish students. Jewish individuals. Do you understand your testimony is dehumanizing them? Do you understand that dehumanization is part of anti-Semitism? I will ask you one more time: Does calling for the genocide of Jews violate Harvard’s rules of bullying and harassment? Yes or no. Gay: Anti-Semitic rhetoric — Stefanik: And is it anti-Semitic rhetoric? Gay: Anti-Semitic rhetoric‚ when it crosses into conduct‚ it amounts to bullying‚ harassment‚ intimidation‚ that is actionable conduct and we do take action. Stefanik: So the answer is yes‚ that calling for the genocide of Jews violates Harvard’s code of conduct‚ correct? Gay: Again‚ it depends on the context. Stefanik: It does not depend on the context. The answer is yes. And this is why you should resign. These are unacceptable answers across the board.

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced on Wednesday that he will retire from the House by the close of 2023 after losing the speakership back in October. “I have decided to depart the House at the end of this year to serve America in new ways. I know my work is only getting started‚” McCarthy said in a Wall Street Journal op-ed. McCarthy‚ who represents the 20th Congressional District in California‚ was first elected to Congress in 2006 and worked his way up the GOP ranks while becoming a fundraising powerhouse. He won the speaker’s gavel in the 15th round of voting in January‚ but only after making concessions‚ such as restoring the ability of a single member to trigger the process that would lead to such a no-confidence vote. Citing frustrations with McCarthy’s leadership‚ Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) filed a “motion to vacate the chair” in early October after the House passed a short-term spending bill to avert a government shutdown. Gaetz and seven other Republicans joined with Democrats in a 216-210 vote that ousted McCarthy. The GOP-led House elected Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) as its 56th speaker in late October‚ ending a weeks-long stalemate. Upon losing the speakership‚ McCarthy assured reporters that “yes” he would seek re-election and said he would not resign‚ asserting that he had “a lot more work to do.” But the California Republican recently began to signal that he was reassessing his future plans. In his op-ed on Wednesday‚ McCarthy touted his accomplishments‚ including helping Republicans win the majority in the House and passing various bills — including the spending legislation that preceded his ouster as speaker. “No matter the odds‚ or personal cost‚ we did the right thing. That may seem out of fashion in Washington these days‚ but delivering results for the American people is still celebrated across the country‚” he wrote. More than a couple dozen House members have announced that they will not seek another two-year term in new year’s elections. Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC)‚ who served as temporary House speaker during a leadership fight this fall and is seen as a close McCarthy ally‚ announced on Tuesday that he will pass up a 2024 re-election bid. McCarthy leaving early means the GOP’s majority in the House‚ in which Republicans only have a handful more members than the Democrats‚ gets narrower after the chamber voted to expel Rep. George Santos (R-NY) last week. A special election to replace Santos for the remainder of his term is set for mid-February. Another special election for McCarthy’s seat could soon be scheduled too. Looking forward‚ McCarthy said‚ “I will continue to recruit our country’s best and brightest to run for elected office. The Republican Party is expanding every day‚ and I am committed to lending my experience to support the next generation of leaders.” David Giglio‚ a businessman who is running to take McCarthy’s seat as an “America First” candidate aligned with former President Donald Trump‚ issued a statement on Wednesday warning that McCarthy is looking to “wield power and influence behind the scenes through a handpicked successor.”

Former President Donald Trump predicted on Tuesday that President Joe Biden will not be the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in 2024. During a Fox News town hall in Iowa‚ host Sean Hannity said Biden is “struggling cognitively” and asked Trump if he believes Biden will be the candidate for the Democrats in the next election. “I personally don’t think he makes it‚ OK? I haven’t said that. I’m saving it for this big town hall. I’ve never really said that. I personally don’t think he makes it‚” Trump said. President Trump doesn't think Joe Biden will make it to the Election as the Democrat nominee: "I don’t think he makes it physically." pic.twitter.com/Aie3hhGm2K — Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) December 6‚ 2023 “I think he’s in bad shape physically‚” Trump also said‚ adding later‚ “mentally I would say he is possibly equally as bad‚ and maybe even worse.” Biden is 81 while Trump is 77. Biden’s tendency to lose his train of thought while speaking‚ along with moments caught on camera where he has tripped or fallen over‚ have spurred concerns — even among Democrats — about Biden’s ability to lead effectively. Still‚ Biden‚ like Trump‚ is running as his party’s clear frontrunner. Trump also responded to Biden telling donors earlier on Tuesday that he was “not sure” he would be running for re-election in 2024 if Trump was not also seeking a second term. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “Well‚ I think somebody gave him a talking point. They thought that would sound good‚” Trump said. Some of the buzz that emerged from the town hall focused on Trump saying he would be a “dictator” on “day one” of his second term to crack down on border security and ramp up drilling for fossil fuels. “After that‚ I’m not a dictator‚” Trump added. Trump: "He says 'you're not going to be a dictator are you?' I said no no no‚ other than Day 1. We're closing the border‚ and we're drilling drilling drilling. After that‚ I'm not a dictator." pic.twitter.com/SZU6KiYd2l — The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) December 6‚ 2023 Biden’s campaign manager‚ Julie Chavez Rodriguez‚ issued a statement that said‚ “Donald Trump has been telling us exactly what he will do if he’s reelected and tonight he said he will be a dictator on day one. Americans should believe him.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Throughout the rest of the town hall‚ Trump offered up some policy ideas such as expanding drilling to pay for senior benefits and predicted he would win the Iowa caucuses next month. He trained much of his fire at Biden‚ who has warned voters “democracy is at stake” because of Trump and “extreme MAGA” Republicans. “You know‚ I see Biden talking about‚ ‘Oh‚ MAGA! MAGA!’ MAGA means Make America Great Again. That’s what it means. And that’s what people want‚” Trump said‚ adding‚ “They want to see our country be great again. Right now we’re not a great country. We’re a country in decline. We are a declining country.”

Legendary Hollywood producer Norman Lear‚ who was responsible for some of the most popular television shows of the 1970s‚ has died at the age of 101. “Thank you for the moving outpouring of love and support in honor of our wonderful husband‚ father‚ and grandfather‚” Lear’s family said in a statement‚ per Variety. “Norman lived a life of creativity‚ tenacity‚ and empathy. He deeply loved our country and spent a lifetime helping to preserve its founding ideals of justice and equality for all. Knowing and loving him has been the greatest of gifts. We ask for your understanding as we mourn privately in celebration of this remarkable human being.” Lear had his first big hit with the sitcom “All In the Family” featuring Archie Bunker (Carroll O’Connor) as the family patriarch of a working-class family. The program soon became the most-watched show in the United States and is regarded by many as one of the best sitcoms ever created. Lear’s next hit TV sitcom was “Sanford and Son‚” which focused on a black widower father and his son living in Los Angeles. It’s seen as a precursor to many other black-focused comedies to come.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Other shows credited to Lear include “Maude” and “The Jeffersons‚” which were both spin-offs of “All in the Family‚” “One Day at a Time‚” and “Good Times.” He also worked on film scripts for popular projects‚ including writing scripts for “Come Blow Your Horn” (1963); “The Night They Raided Minsky’s” (1968); “The Thief Who Came to Dinner” (1971); “Stand by Me” (1986) and “The Princess Bride” (1987)‚ and “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991).  The TV producer received many awards over the course of his career‚ including six Emmys‚ two Peabody Awards‚ the National Medal of Arts‚ the Kennedy Center Honors‚ and the Golden Globe Carol Burnett Award in 2021. He was also a member of the Television Academy Hall of Fame. Lear‚ who was a liberal‚ is well known for creating one of the most iconic politically incorrect characters of all time in Archie Bunker‚ whom he said he based on his own father. Lear later compared President Donald Trump to Bunker. He’s also remembered for addressing social issues of the day‚ including racism‚ abortion‚ homosexuality‚ and the Vietnam War. In a two-part episode of “Maude” which aired in 1973‚ the main character opts to have an abortion after becoming unexpectedly pregnant at the age of 47. This was the first time a character on primetime television had an abortion‚ and the narrative happened to coincide with the historic Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.  In the ’80s‚ Lear dropped out of television and founded the liberal public-interest group People For The American Way. When asked if he found his shows controversial during a 2005 Onion A.V. Club interview‚ the producer replied‚ “My shows were not that controversial with the American people. They were controversial with the people who think for the American people. That’s a very hard thing to help the establishment know. We’re still an establishment that thinks the average mentality is something like 13 years of age‚ that never forgot H.L. Mencken’s notion that nobody lost money underestimating the intelligence of the American people. That’s the horsesh** the establishment has always lived with.” Lear went on to say the American people were not “the best educated” but “wise at heart.”

Pop superstar Taylor Swift has been named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year for 2023‚ the publication announced on Wednesday. The 33-year-old gushed over the honor‚ telling the outlet‚ “This is the proudest and happiest I’ve ever felt‚ and the most creatively fulfilled and free I’ve ever been. Ultimately‚ we can convolute it all we want‚ or try to overcomplicate it‚ but there’s only one question: Are you not entertained?”  For almost a century‚ Time has been picking a person who had the most influence on the world‚ be it positive or negative. The distinction was initially called “Man of the Year‚” and prior to 1999‚ only four women had been selected. Swift was also named Person of the Year in 2017‚ making her one of just a handful of individuals who were selected more than once. She beat out other contenders for this year‚ including Barbie‚ Trump prosecutors‚ King Charles III‚ Hollywood Strikers‚ Sam Altman‚ Vladimir Putin‚ Xi Jinping‚ and Jerome Powell. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP Besides being named to the Time list‚ Swift was named the Most Intriguing Person of the Year by People Magazine and topped the Forbes list of the world’s most powerful women in media and entertainment. This was a big year for Swift‚ who headlined her worldwide Eras Tour. The “Cruel Summer” singer also re-released two albums‚ “Speak Now (Taylor’s Version)” and “1989 (Taylor’s Version).” She became Spotify’s most-streamed artist worldwide with 26.1 billion streams since January. Swift took home a Grammy and 9 MTV Video Music Awards this year. Her net worth crossed the $1 billion threshold thanks to the success of The Eras Tour and the movie version of the concert‚ which was released in theaters in October. “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” became the highest-grossing concert film of all time in the U.S. and Canada within days of its premiere in theaters and has since raked in more than $250 million. The singer also began a high-profile romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce‚ which has only served to bring more attention to this massively popular celebrity.