‘I know you’re in pain. I’m in pain‚’ Emhoff said

'Adult entertainment' accounted for $188‚960 of Hunter Biden's spending

Calling all Patriots!

If you grew up in the 1960s and 70s‚ you probably had a few Chambers Brothers albums in your collection. The band released six studio albums between 1967 and 1975. The Chamber Brothers also released eight live albums. The group proved to have great success on the charts‚ especially with the massive iconic hit “Time Has Come Today. ” Many decades later‚ lead vocalist Lester Chambers has continued to enjoy his musical career in the band Moonalice. There are many reasons why Lester enjoys being a part of the psychedelic soul collective Moonalice. Of course‚ the biggest reason is that The post Lester Chambers Of The Chamber Brothers &; Moonalice Interview appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

Looking for a way to make devastating competitive moves against your friends while occupying an imaginative fantasy world? Look no further! I play board games any chance I get. My friends and I have an unwritten rule that every hardcore gaming session must include at least one new game. This has resulted in a recent onslaught of new board games‚ many of which take place in unique fantasy worlds or use fantasy concepts in intriguing ways. Here are five of my favorites—and I hope you’ll recommend your own top fantasy board games in the comments!   Small World In Small World‚ the world is… too small. You select a fantasy race to start the game. There are a few dozen in the game‚ including giants‚ dwarves‚ skeletons‚ ghouls‚ and more. Every type has unique abilities. Each race also comes with a random power attached to it. You might get Giants who excel at bivouacking. Perhaps you will draw flying sorcerers. These powers are shuffled in each game‚ so the combinations will always be different. You use your selected race to conquer portions of a map that’s made to be crowded. Eventually‚ you’ll realize you’ve stretched your crew too thin. At that point‚ you put your race into “decline” and pick a new one. Small World has elements of Risk‚ but the battle mechanics are simpler. The purpose of the game is to conquer as much as you can and earn the points that come with your conquest. It makes you feel like the commander of a small but mighty fantasy army‚ putting you in a tough spot when you suddenly have to abandon your forces for a new battalion. Of all the games on this list‚ Small World has the toughest learning curve. I recommend using an instructional video to get the basics down before you play.   Mysterium I absolutely love Mysterium. It is chaotic and frustrating as all hell. It’s also the only cooperative game on this list‚ so pick it up if you want to test a group’s propensity for teamwork. In the game‚ one player takes on the role of a ghost‚ using abstract art on cards to give “visions” to the other players‚ who must use those visions to determine who murdered the ghost‚ where they were murdered‚ and the weapon used. If you’re thinking it sounds like reverse cooperative Clue‚ you’re on the right track. Mysterium’s art stands out among its playing materials. Each card is beautifully illustrated with wacky and whimsical scenes. I’ve played the ghost many times‚ and it’s incredibly fun to dole out cards thinking the other players will make one obvious connection‚ only for them to make an equally valid one I never noticed. Though Mysterium is technically a race against the clock (the players need to correctly guess each category before seven turns end)‚ the pressure is low‚ and it’s fun to see what fantastical images catch the eye of your fellow players.   Century: Golem Edition Century comes in various forms—all the same game‚ but with different aesthetics. It’s an engine-building game in which you construct a deck that helps you exchange and upgrade gems in the hopes of buying cards with points on them. Fantasy doesn’t really find its way into Century’s game mechanics. Instead‚ I appreciate this pick for its art and presentation. The gems you collect are shiny plastic simulacrums of the precious stones they emulate. The cards all have wonderful depictions of fantasy characters harvesting these gems‚ sometimes from treacherous locales and sometimes in the shadow of the hulking titular golems‚ which loom menacingly over the diminutive gem collectors.   The Quacks of Quedlinburg It’s quirky! It’s novel! It’s QUACKS! You’re a potioneer/alchemist‚ and you’re trying to build the biggest‚ best potion without the volatile mixture exploding in your face. Quacks is played in nine rounds. In each round‚ players blindly draw ingredient tokens one by one from a sack. You place each token on your board based on the number it contains‚ and some have special powers that advance you further or give you a post-round advantage. Beware‚ though! Draw too many garlics and your potion will explode‚ ending your round and forcing you to choose between collecting points or purchasing more ingredients between rounds (players whose potions don’t explode are allowed to do both). In between rounds‚ you collect points and use your progress on the board to purchase more ingredients. Will you go for lower numbers but a higher volume of ingredients? Or more powerful tokens? It’s up to you. I enjoy Quacks for its sheer uniqueness of concept: how many other games involve creating a potion by pure chance? The clever presentation and the chaos that tends to result augment the game’s premise‚ pushing it atop my list of favorites.   Sheriff of Nottingham Some play board games to relax. Some play to prove they’re the most strategic. Others—like me—want a socially acceptable forum for lying to my friends’ faces. Enter Sheriff of Nottingham. You’re a smuggler. One of your fellow players is dubbed the Sheriff for a round‚ and the remaining smugglers have to attempt to pass goods through the Sheriff’s watchful outposts. Players put cards into a bag and announce the products they’re bringing into the cities: chickens‚ apples‚ sheep‚ or perhaps contraband like whiskey or crossbows. The Sheriff tries to sniff out the smugglers. If the Sheriff searches your bags and there’s nothing but above-board goods in it‚ you’re in the clear and the Sheriff will be reprimanded. If he catches you with contraband‚ though‚ you’ll lose a hefty portion of your resources. There’s a catch‚ though. If you can tell the Sheriff is onto you‚ you can offer a bribe and try to sneak your goods through without inspection. When I’m the Sheriff‚ I feel like a snooty noble sniffing out the lawless riffraff encroaching on my city. When I’m a smuggler‚ I feel like a Rogue deploying my skills of stealth and deceiving the idiotic bureaucrats who would stop me. Best part? You get to be the Sheriff and a smuggler in each game. ***   That’s the list! Have you played any of these games? Are there others you can recommend to fellow fantasy fans? Originally published April 2023 Cole Rush writes words. A lot of them. For the most part‚ you can find those words at The Quill To Live or on Twitter @ColeRush1. He voraciously reads epic fantasy and science-fiction‚ seeking out stories of gargantuan proportions and devouring them with a bookwormish fervor. His favorite books are: The Divine Cities Series by Robert Jackson Bennett‚ The Long Way To A Small‚ Angry Planet by Becky Chambers‚ and The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune.

Hunter Biden’s indictment in California on tax charges turns up the heat on President Joe Biden‚ making it harder for him to dodge questions about “lies” he told the public‚ legal experts said Thursday night. A federal grand jury in California indicted Hunter Biden Thursday on nine charges stemming from his alleged failure to pay more than $1 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019. While legal experts noted the indictment could shield Hunter Biden from his coming congressional deposition‚ multiple also said it will force Joe Biden to account for his repeated denials of the allegations contained in the indictment. “If the facts in the indictment are proven‚ and based on Hunter’s previous abortive plea deal I believe they can be and will be‚ this indictment is further proof (as if we needed more) that Joe Biden lied repeatedly to the American people during the 2020 election‚” Will Scharf‚ a former federal prosecutor and current Missouri attorney general candidate‚ said Thursday night. “My son has not made money in terms of this thing about‚ what are you talking about‚ China‚” Biden said during the presidential debate in October 2020. The indictment‚ however‚ lays out more than $7 million the younger Biden made from business dealings with entities in Ukraine‚ Romania‚ and China. George Washington University law professor Jonathan Turley also said the indictment makes it “clear that the president has lied.” “The fact is that this is a circle that is getting tighter around the president‚” Turley told Fox News host Sean Hannity Thursday night. The younger Biden is scheduled for a Dec. 13 deposition‚ which Republican Reps. James Comer of Kentucky and Jim Jordan of Ohio threatened to hold him in contempt of Congress over if he did not present himself. Turley said the indictment could mean this deposition is “effectively scuttled‚” though it may make it harder for Joe Biden to avoid questions. “Hunter may be able to use this to plead the fifth‚ to refuse to answer questions‚” Turley said on Fox News. “But the second event is the expected vote on the impeachment inquiry. This indictment might make it easier for Hunter not to speak‚ but it may make it more difficult for President Biden to avoid that inquiry.” The new 50+ page Hunter Biden indictment is stunning. Anybody not caught up on the evidence will be if they read it in full. None of this would have happened without the brave IRS whistleblowers‚ Judge Noreika &; dogged House investigators @DailyCaller https://t.co/EchOb0eZlJ pic.twitter.com/xCvlt5JnNB— James Lynch (@jameslynch32) December 8‚ 2023 Former United States Attorney Brett Tolman argued Thursday night that the indictment was timed to interfere with Hunter Biden’s deposition‚ as they could have brought the charges “much earlier.” “He’s going to plead the Fifth because he now has a criminal charge in California‚” Tolman told Fox News host Jesse Watters in reference to Hunter Biden’s deposition. “This is an effort to also protect Joe Biden‚” he continued. “The heat is increasing. The scope of his involvement is increasing. The evidence is coming forward that he had more participation and contact with Hunter Biden’s funders.” The indictment states the younger Biden spent money on “drugs‚ escorts and girlfriends‚ luxury hotels and rental properties‚ exotic cars‚ clothing‚ and other items of a personal nature‚ in short‚ everything but his taxes.” “Joe Biden needs to answer to the American people for his lies‚” Scharf said. “They implicate him in criminal conspiracies abroad involving the shadiest of foreign actors‚ and cut to the heart of his fitness for office.” Have an opinion about this article? To sound off‚ please email letters@DailySignal.com‚ and we’ll consider publishing your edited remarks in our regular “We Hear You” feature. Remember to include the URL or headline of the article plus your name and town and/or state. The post Hunter Biden’s Indictment on Tax Charges Will Make It Harder for President Biden to Dodge Questions‚ Legal Experts Say appeared first on The Daily Signal.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties‚ subscribe to Reclaim The Net. There’s gathering contention over a newly-introduced California law that appears to be timed with the kick-off of presidential campaigns. The law‚ Assembly Bill 873‚ is touted by its supporters as a tool to help students differentiate between accurate‚ impartial information and opinionated “misinformation.” However‚ critics see it as yet another ploy by the state to undermine and mute non-mainstream media channels in the minds of young children. Santa Clara University ed-tech professor‚ Pedro Hernandez-Ramos‚ voiced his views on the topic‚ saying‚ as reported by the Washington Times. “Legislation became necessary at the state level when the federal government didn’t take action.” He further accuses President Trump of manipulating information to serve his own interests and causing harm to others. In contrast‚ Williamson M. Evers‚ an education policy expert at the libertarian Independent Institute in Oakland‚ observed that the push for control over disseminated information is not limited to one political side. As a former assistant secretary of education in the George W. Bush administration‚ he argues that misinformation has historically stemmed from all political spectrums‚ including leftist‚ rightist‚ and centrists. He voices concern that too many educators hold the incorrect presumption that misinformation is exclusively right-wing. “Media literacy is a term the left uses as a euphemism for silencing conservative voices‚” said Dan Schneider‚ a lawyer at the Media Research Center to the WT. “The schools that adopt it are told that Ted Cruz’s podcast is unreliable but Al Franken’s podcast is reliable.” The law‚ signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 13‚ will take effect on January 1‚ 2024. Defining media literacy as teaching “skills necessary to safely‚ responsibly‚ and critically consume and use social media and other forms of media‚” the law requires the California Department of Education to mandatorily interpolate media literacy lessons into all K-12 curriculum subjects. The law also stresses ethical standards in digital journalism and promotes responsible media content creation by students. The legislation emphasizes that online misinformation can pose significant risks by disturbing international peace‚ interfering with democratic decisions‚ and posing threats to public health. It was written and introduced by Menlo Park Rep. Marc Berman‚ a Democrat representing the San Francisco region. The post Alarms Are Raised Over California Law Enforcing “Media Literacy” in Schools appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

Nelson Mandela‚ a monumental figure in the fight against apartheid and a global symbol of resilience‚ courage‚ and reconciliation‚ left a lasting mark on the world stage. Born on 18 July 1918‚ in Mvezo‚ South Africa‚ his life was marked by unwavering determination‚ sacrifice‚ and an unyielding commitment to justice and equality. After witnessing the racial injustices prevalent in South Africa‚ Mandela’s activism against apartheid led to his involvement with the African National Congress (ANC)‚ leading numerous non-violent protests. However‚ the Sharpeville Massacre of 21 March 1960 promoted Mandela to shift towards armed resistance through Umkhonto we Sizwe‚ the ANC’s armed wing. Arrested in 1962‚ Mandela spent 27 years behind bars (18 of which were spent at Robben Island Prison)‚ but used his imprisonment as a platform to emerge as a global symbol‚ championing the anti-apartheid cause. Mandela’s 1990 release heralded a new era‚ leading negotiations that ended apartheid‚ culminating in South Africa’s first democratic elections in 1994‚ where he became the nation’s first black president. His presidency prioritised reconciliation and forgiveness‚ demonstrated in the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) that addressed apartheid’s atrocities. His efforts earned global recognition‚ including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize‚ shared with his predecessor F.W. de Klerk. After retiring from politics‚ Mandela remained dedicated to humanitarian causes like HIV/AIDS awareness and children’s rights. Nelson Mandela’s legacy embodies perseverance‚ forgiveness‚ and unwavering commitment to justice. His life serves as an inspiring and enduring testament to the power of resilience‚ reconciliation‚ and the pursuit of freedom. December 2023 marks a decade since Mandela’s death‚ yet his inspirational actions and words live on. Here are 15 of his poignant quotes: “I like friends who have independent minds because they tend to make you see problems from all angles.” (From his unpublished autobiographical manuscript written in prison‚ 1975)   “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” (Interview with Ted Koppel of ABC News on ‘Nightline’‚ 1990)   “Do not judge me by my successes‚ judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” (‘Mandela’ documentary‚ 1994) Nelson Mandela and his wife‚ Winnie‚ raise clenched fists as they walk hand-in-hand upon his release from prison in Cape Town‚ South Africa‚ 11 February 1990Image Credit: Alamy / Associated Press / Greg English “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear‚ but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid‚ but he who conquers that fear.” (‘Mandela’ documentary‚ 1994) “There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.” (‘Long Walk to Freedom’ by Nelson Mandela‚ 1994)   “I am fundamentally an optimist. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun‚ one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested‚ but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” (‘Long Walk to Freedom’ by Nelson Mandela‚ 1994)   “No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin‚ or his background‚ or his religion. People must learn to hate‚ and if they can learn to hate‚ they can be taught to love‚ for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” (‘Long Walk to Freedom’ by Nelson Mandela‚ 1994) President Nelson Mandela of South Africa‚ 14 July 1994Image Credit: Alamy / David Reed Archive “Lead from the back – and let others believe they are in front.” (‘Long Walk to Freedom’ by Nelson Mandela‚ 1994)   “It is in the character of growth that we should learn from both pleasant and unpleasant experiences.” (Foreign Correspondent’s Association’s annual dinner‚ Johannesburg‚ South Africa‚ 21 November 1997)   “It always seems impossible‚ until it is done.” (2001 speech delivered by Nelson Mandela)   “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” (2003 speech delivered to the Nelson Mandela Foundation) Nelson Mandela during a meeting with Britain’s then Prime Minister Gordon Brown‚ at a hotel in central London‚ 24 June 2008. Mandela was in London to attend events celebrating his 90th birthdayImage Credit: Alamy / Associated Press / Dylan Martinez “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” (From a letter to Makhaya Ntini on his 100th cricket test‚ 17 December 2009)   “We were expected to destroy one another and ourselves collectively in the worst racial conflagration. Instead‚ we as a people chose the path of negotiation‚ compromise and peaceful settlement. Instead of hatred and revenge we chose reconciliation and nation-building.” (From Mandela’s ‘Conversations With Myself’ book‚ 2010)   “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return.”   “May your choices reflect your hopes‚ not your fears.” (Speech by Mandela in South Africa)

Texas DPS Troopers Cleared of Wrongdoing Against Illegal Immigrants

Ancient hunter-gatherers in Siberia’s Lower Ob’ region may have built the world’s very first fortress on the banks of a river. Whether these prehistoric communities constructed their fort for protection or to stake a claim to premier fishing territory is unclear‚ although radiocarbon dating conducted at the site reveals that it was erected an incredible 8‚000 years ago.Researchers visited the fortified settlement of Amnya‚ which sits on a sandy spit above a marshy river floodplain and is recognized as the northernmost Stone Age fort in Eurasia. Recent excavations at the site have revealed the existence of ten “house pits”‚ surrounded by a series of banks and ditches that enclose the tip of the promontory.Previous work carried out between 1987 and 2000 had already identified the remains of wooden palisades‚ indicating that the site was probably surrounded by a defensive wall. A second set of ten house pits were also discovered just outside the fortress‚ suggesting a hierarchical structure involving a fortified inner area and an unprotected outer section.Radiocarbon dating estimates obtained from one of the palisades and charcoal found in a ditch indicate that the fortress was initially constructed in the final century of the seventh millennium BCE. However‚ stratigraphic evidence from the house pits suggests that the site was repeatedly burned to the ground‚ hinting at the existence of violent conflict in the region 8‚000 years ago."Through detailed archaeological examinations at Amnya‚ we collected samples for radiocarbon dating‚ confirming the prehistoric age of the site and establishing it as the world's oldest-known fort‚” explained study author Tanja Schreiber in a statement. “Our new palaeobotanical and stratigraphical examinations reveal that inhabitants of Western Siberia led a sophisticated lifestyle based on the abundant resources of the taiga environment."In their write-up‚ the authors state that the Amnya fort was built “many centuries before comparable enclosures first appeared in Europe‚” adding that while some ancient hunter-gatherer groups in other parts of the world did construct defenses‚ “the very early onset of this phenomenon in inland western Siberia is unparalleled.”One of the house pits (top) and an outer defensive line (bottom) at the Amnya site.Image credit: E. Dubovtseva/Piezonka et al‚ Antiquity 2023 (CC BY 4.0)The researchers’ findings challenge the long-held assumption that permanent settlements and monumental architecture only emerged after the adoption of agriculture and subsequent development of complex societies. However‚ it’s still unclear what need a hunter-gatherer community would have for such a stronghold.One theory posited by the study authors is that territoriality increased among forager groups during a global cooling event that began around 8‚200 years ago and lasted for around two millennia. Alternatively‚ the advent of pottery during this period may have enabled these prehistoric communities to start stockpiling high-calorie foods like fish oil‚ which means the fort may have been constructed as a place to safely store these valuable resources.Finally‚ the study authors speculate that the fortress might have been built in response to an increase in inter-group conflict as immigrants from the south made their way into northern Siberia. Whether the keep was the work of the local hunter-gatherers or the newcomers is‚ however‚ impossible to say.Regardless of which side raised the fort‚ though‚ the very need for such a blockhouse represents a major challenge to the widely-held idea that competition and violence were largely absent in the pre-agricultural world.The study is published in the journal Antiquity.