Judge Engoron is going to find Donald Trump and his organization guilty of fraud and will likely attempt to shut down Donald Trump’s business. That’s a prediction‚ and I hope it’s wrong. This is a ridiculous case with an invented crime. There were no victims‚ but that doesn’t matter to this crew. This would set […] The post Prepare for a Guilty Verdict in the Engoron-James Trial appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

New York State is considering a plan to lower hiring qualifications for 4‚000 jobs to give jobs to illegal immigrants. They must show federal work permits. These permits are given out freely at the border‚ without vetting or restriction. Bloomberg News reported that a memo from the New York Department of Civil Service‚ state agencies have […] The post NYS Will Obliterate Requirements for 4‚000 Jobs to Hire Migrants appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

The Anger Of Loss “I went from angry and bitter in my grief journey to happy in the blink of an—well‚ a new script. Let me explain. After my wife of 30 years passed away‚ as you can imagine I suddenly found myself in utter dismay. What I was completely unprepared for‚ however‚ was the discovery that so many things in my life would remind me that she was gone. I guess it makes sense. When you’re married to someone for 30 years and you’ve built a life together‚ everything probably should remind you of her‚ from every song‚ to the furniture in your home‚ to Costco‚ to a beat-up-broken-down couch to… well‚ everything. But what shocked me the most in my grief journey was the first time I saw an old couple holding hands in Walmart. My reaction? NOT good. You have to understand. I was so desperately and hopelessly in love with my wife; there are no words to describe it. She was my EVERYTHING. My confidant‚ my counselor‚ my sweetheart‚ my Queen. No thing and no one came before her. She was my best friend and I was looking forward to growing old with her. And I think that was the problem. As I walked through Walmart that day hunting for some food for my kids‚ I spotted them. A couple in their 80’s or so who I could tell absolutely loved each other. I stopped and watched in silence as they smiled at one another‚ chatted‚ lovingly looked at each other‚ and seemed to be so in love. And I was enraged. Jealousy and bitterness completely engulfed me and I drooped my head forward to see both my hands balled into tight fists. Next‚ tears erupted from my eyes. I silently sobbed as I thought‚ ‘This is so wrong. What has happened is so unfair. I lost my sweet wife‚ and the kids lost their sweet mom. This SUCKS!’ I wanted to grow old with Shelly. I wanted to go grocery shopping with her when we were old and too smile at each other‚ chat‚ lovingly look at each other‚ and be so in love. I knew that staring at a sweet old couple with rage tears flowing down my face was probably not a great thing‚ so I turned away‚ left my cart right there in the produce section of Walmart‚ and anger-walked out to my car. As I drove home raging over the unfairness of my life‚ I couldn’t help but spin more and more out of control. But as I got closer to home I realized that all my happy‚ buoyant kids would be a bit shocked and confused if they saw me in a fury state‚ so I pulled into the Lowe’s parking lot away from any people and took some time to compose myself. After a long time alone in the parking lot‚ I drove home and acted as if nothing had happened. But it had‚ and I was confident it would happen again…if I didn’t do something about it. Transforming My Grief Years ago I had developed a strategy (I originally used it with my kids on the autism spectrum) that enabled me to view things in an entirely different manor and change my reaction when I encountered challenges I knew I may face again. And it worked wonderfully with them and allowed me to be a better dad. I wondered‚ could I shape-shift that old strategy for this situation? It seemed far-fetched (you know‚ because it seemed as if I had NO control over my emotions)‚ but‚ like I said‚ I knew it would happen again if I didn’t do something about it. After all‚ I believe that things don’t get better by chance. I must actively make them better. So‚ I went to work. I decided that my response was unhealthy for me and for others‚ so I sat down to write a new script for the next time I saw an old couple in love. A completely different script. A better script. A wonderful script. A beautiful script. A script that would have me soaking up their love as I spread love and kindness and removed all my bitterness and hate and rage. And‚ to my surprise‚ it didn’t remove the tears‚ it only transformed them into tears of joy. Ready to live life more meaningfully? Subscribe to our newsletter. Finding Joy After Loss A few days later came my chance to act out my new script. As I walked out of Walmart I spotted a cute old couple holding hands and very slowly and carefully walking towards me. Immediately‚ I smiled at them and they smiled back. I slowly approached and said‚ ‘You two seem so in love. I love that so much.’ You see‚ my new script required me to first look for older couples that looked like they loved each other. Next‚ I was to approach them kindly and try and feel their love for each other. And finally‚ my last step was to let their love fill me with joy and share how it impacted me. When I spoke to them‚ they stopped cold in their tracks‚ looked at each other‚ and looked back at me. Next‚ the sweet old lady said‚ ‘Come here young man.’ As I approached‚ she seemed unable to restrain herself as she leaned towards me and said‚ ‘We really do love each other. Come closer and give me a hug.’ As I leaned in‚ she and her husband both gave me the sweetest and longest hug I’ve received in forever. And I truly felt of their love for each other and me. As they pulled away‚ I noticed wetness in her eyes and immediately teared up myself. As I glanced towards her husband‚ he too had tears in his eyes and said to me‚ ‘Thank you so much for saying that. You just reminded us. You’re a good young man.’ Before I could reply‚ his wife again grabbed and hugged me‚ then very quietly whispered something I couldn’t understand. Then the sweetest thing happened. They turned towards each other and hugged each other very tightly. As I walked away‚ I could see the tears in both their eyes as they looked at each other. They DID love each other‚ and seeing them so in love left me walking away with tears of joy. ‘THAT’S what I’m talking about! That’s what seeing an older couple in love should do to me!’ I screamed in my mind. The experience left me grateful for love and that I had thirty years of that kind of love with my sweet wife‚ Shelly. Since then‚ over and over and over again I’ve shared wonderful experiences with older couples that were complete strangers to me. I’ve used my new script. Each and every time‚ these older couples have allowed me to feel their love. Many times we’ve shared giant smiles. A few times we’ve shared hugs. Even fewer times we’ve shared tears. But every single time‚ without fail‚ we’ve felt each other’s love. I’ve gone from angry and bitter to tears of happiness. Now‚ I’m constantly on the lookout. And if you’re an older couple in love‚ watch out. You may just help this widower feel the kind of love that Shelly and I would have shared as we grew old together.” Have a story of love‚ kindness‚ or healing to share? Visit our submissions portal to submit today. Read more stories like this: Woman captures precious final moments of grandparent’s 60-year love story Woman shares her grandparents’ love story in honor of their 75th wedding anniversary Do you know someone who could benefit from reading this? SHARE this on social media with family and friends.

Anger erupted online on Tuesday following the Biden Department of Justice’s successful prosecution of another six pro-life protesters‚ who now face more than a decade behind bars and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. Following a protest back in 2021‚ the activists‚ who were not accused of any violence‚ were found guilty in a Tennessee courtroom of conspiracy against rights secured by the FACE Act and committing FACE Act violations. The FACE Act is a Clinton-era law that criminalizes the use of force‚ or threats of force that prevent someone from accessing an abortion clinic. “A grand total of zero people have ever been arrested for protesting outside the houses of Supreme Court justices after Roe was overturned‚ which is a federal crime. But peaceful pro-lifers now face 11 years in jail for praying outside an abortion clinic‚” conservative strategist Greg Price posted Tuesday‚ emphasizing the apparently politically biased application of federal laws. A grand total of zero people have ever been arrested for protesting outside the houses of Supreme Court justices after Roe was overturned‚ which is a federal crime. But peaceful pro-lifers now face 11 years in jail for praying outside an abortion clinic. https://t.co/Ev2LNPC4mF — Greg Price (@greg_price11) January 30‚ 2024 Daily Wire podcast host and author Matt Walsh blasted the DOJ for its “full on Soviet style corruption and persecution.” “This is incredible‚” he wrote on X. “The US attorney prosecuting the pro life activists who were just convicted and face 11 years in prison for peacefully protesting outside of a clinic actually argued in court that there is no such thing as a non-violent crime.” “Meanwhile the Biden Administration is currently in the process of releasing hundreds of criminals from prison on the basis that their crimes were non-violent‚” Walsh added. “They are making legal arguments totally arbitrarily depending on the politics of the situation. Full on Soviet style corruption and persecution.” This is incredible. The US attorney prosecuting the pro life activists who were just convicted and face 11 years in prison for peacefully protesting outside of a clinic actually argued in court that there is no such thing as a non-violent crime. Meanwhile the Biden Administration… pic.twitter.com/fY4jtmalhJ — Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) January 30‚ 2024 “The Biden regime is evil and corrupt to the core‚” popular X account Libs of TikTok reacted. “They’re jailing pro-lifers for praying and singing.” “Meanwhile most BLM &; Antifa protesters had their charges dropped‚ Democrats staged multiple insurrections – taking over state Capitols‚ and Democrat run cities are riddled with crime as their soft-on-crime DA’s let violent criminals go free‚” the post continued. “The Democrats accuse us of fascism. This is real fascism. They always accuse us of what they themselves are doing.” The Biden regime is evil and corrupt to the core. They’re jailing pro-lifers for praying and singing. Meanwhile most BLM &; Antifa protesters had their charges dropped‚ Democrats staged multiple insurrections – taking over state Capitols‚ and Democrat run cities are riddled with… https://t.co/lewd1fz70w — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 30‚ 2024 Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) suggested the FACE Act “is being used by the DOJ to punish pro-life protesters but not their pro-abortion counterparts.” “Is the FACE Act sufficiently well written‚ fairly administered‚ and clearly appropriate as an exercise of federal lawmaking authority? I believe the answer to that question is ‘no’—on all three points‚” Lee wrote on X‚ adding‚ “Bottom line: the Biden administration incarcerates people for praying at abortion clinics while ignoring violent acts at churches and pregnancy centers. So many camels. So much obsessive attention paid to harmless things mistaken for gnats.” 10. Bottom line: the Biden administration incarcerates people for praying at abortion clinics while ignoring violent acts at churches and pregnancy centers. So many camels. So much obsessive attention paid to harmless things mistaken for gnats. — Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) January 30‚ 2024 The Biden DOJ has ramped up its prosecution of pro-life protesters since the start of the president’s term. One of the first cases that drew attention to the matter was the targeting of Catholic pro-life father of seven Mark Houck‚ who was arrested and had his home raided by an estimated 20 FBI agents in front of his children. Houck was ultimately acquitted by a jury after about an hour of deliberation‚ and the family is now suing the DOJ for millions of dollars.  CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP In another instance‚ anger erupted over the summer when the DOJ successfully convicted five pro-life activists on FACE Act-related charges. The activists were thrown in jail to await their sentencing and are facing 11 years behind bars and $350‚000 fines.  Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX)‚ a few months ago‚ pressed Attorney General Merrick Garland about how the FACE Act is being applied and to whom. Notably‚ the law is supposed to extend to the protection of pro-life pregnancy centers. “Are you concerned at all that enforcement of the FACE Act has been biased towards pro-lifers over anti-life protestors 126 to 4 by our count‚” Roy pressed Garland‚ “126 times against pro-lifers‚ versus four times?”   President Joe Biden‚ however‚ seems to be leaning into pro-abortion messaging. Since just last week‚ Biden has tweeted from his personal account about abortion and the overturning of Roe v. Wade eight different times. Additionally‚ Vice President Kamala Harris is currently on an abortion tour called the “Fight for Reproductive Freedoms” tour.  Related: ‘A Church Meeting Is Now A Conspiracy’: Pro-Lifers Pray Outside Court After Conviction Over Peaceful Protest

Saturday Night Live made headlines this weekend for all the wrong reasons. During Weekend Update‚ a cast member suggested that Donald Trump stumbled and introduced a “new term” to the debate called “de-banking.” What followed was a rather feeble attempt at mocking the former president. In reality‚ de-banking is no laughing matter. It means losing essential financial services‚ like a bank account‚ payment processing‚ or even insurance‚ because of your views. And it is on the rise — so much so that the U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments involving the issue this term. Funny enough‚ the case originates in the Empire State (“Live from New York‚” anybody?)‚ where the National Rifle Association is challenging New York’s attempt to coerce banks and insurance companies to withdraw services from the group. The NRA alleges that the Department of Financial Services — at the behest of then-Governor Andrew Cuomo — used its vast power to regulate “reputational risk” along with back-channel meetings‚ public investigations‚ and threats of fines to punish the group for its Second Amendment advocacy.  This is not an isolated incident. A string of religious ministries and conservative groups have also been victimized by de-banking. As Alliance Defending Freedom points out in a friend-of-the-court brief filed in support of the NRA’s position‚ pro-life group Heartbeat International was recently canceled by its insurance provider over its “anti-abortion” advocacy. Likewise‚ Bank of America de-banked Indigenous Advance Ministries‚ an ADF client that serves impoverished Ugandan widows and orphans. The bank closed Indigenous Advance’s long-standing account as well as the account of a local church that donates to the ministry. The bank claimed it no longer wanted to serve their “business type” and that Indigenous Advance exceeded the “bank’s risk tolerance.” It did this right before a planned mission trip to Uganda‚ sending Indigenous Advance scrambling to open new accounts and drastically reducing the funds for the trip. It couldn’t pay its Ugandan ministry partners — who live meal to meal — for several weeks. And it had to temporarily reduce aid to the impoverished people they serve. Similar instances of de-banking abound. Former Brexit leader Nigel Farage’s high-profile case resulted in the ouster of megabank NatWest’s CEO. Serial offender JPMorgan Chase’s hit list includes the Arkansas Family Council‚ Defense of Liberty‚ and U.S Ambassador Sam Brownback’s National Committee for Religious Freedom. There are many reasons for this phenomenon‚ but the root cause is vague terms of service.  “Reputational” and “social” risk policies pervade financial institutions. Customers at all 28 commercial banks scored in Alliance Defending Freedom’s index that measures corporate respect for free speech and religious freedom are currently vulnerable to de-banking. Most alarmingly‚ 7 of the nation’s 10 largest commercial banks — including the top 3 — have “reputational risk” or “hate speech” policies. These policies’ overly broad and subjective language permit employees to discriminate based on a customer’s viewpoint and then hide their viewpoint-based actions behind opaque standards. They also allow abuse by government regulators. A positive ruling in the NRA case — which‚ in a comedic twist that should provide fodder for SNL writers‚ is being argued by the ACLU — would affirm that the government cannot carry out its censorship schemes by co-opting third parties as censors. That would help. But that does not address the many de-banking decisions that can be laid at the feet of private actors. The solution to this problem may lie with the states. This state legislative season presents an opportunity for states interested in protecting against politicized de-banking to act. Any such law should focus on the worst actors – the largest banks and payment processors. Thanks to wide-reaching government benefits‚ such as greater lending power‚ FDIC insurance rates‚ subsidies‚ bailouts‚ and an anticompetitive chartering system‚ these institutions dominate their markets over state-level competitors yet are responsible for the worst de-banking incidents. At a minimum‚ the law should prohibit denial of services based on religious or political beliefs‚ give customers the right to ask for a detailed explanation when services are denied‚ empower the attorney general to enforce the statute‚ and provide aggrieved customers a private right of action. No one should have to worry that they could lose their bank account‚ insurance coverage‚ or other essential financial services because of their religious or political views. Yet it’s clear that vague financial service policies abused by private and government actors pose a serious threat to everyone’s freedom of speech and religion. So‚ an inadvertent thanks to our pals at SNL for bringing up de-banking. It’s about time we talked about it. And it’s about time for the law to require viewpoint neutrality from the biggest banks and payment processors. * * * Jeremy Tedesco is senior counsel and senior vice president of Corporate Engagement for Alliance Defending Freedom (@ADFLegal). The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Daily Wire. 

Universal Music Group‚ which is in charge of songs made by recording artists such as Taylor Swift‚ Olivia Rodrigo‚ Drake‚ Bad Bunny‚ Billie Eilish‚ and many other major music industry stars‚ announced that its music would be removed from TikTok unless they can come to an agreement over money. UMG said in an open letter posted Wednesday that it is looking out for its artists and demands higher compensation for music used on the platform. Per NBC News‚ about 60% of TikTok videos include music. “TikTok proposed paying our artists and songwriters at a rate that is a fraction of the rate that similarly situated major social platforms pay‚” the statement said in part. The Dutch American-owned company said‚ “Ultimately TikTok is trying to build a music-based business‚ without paying fair value for the music.”  The letter also mentioned artificial intelligence (AI) tools employed by TikTok‚ which it said could have negative outcomes in addition to ushering in “a tidal wave of hate speech‚ bigotry‚ bullying and harassment.” “As our negotiations continued‚ TikTok attempted to bully us into accepting a deal worth less than the previous deal‚ far less than fair market value and not reflective of their exponential growth‚” the letter said. UMG also accused TikTok of “selectively removing the music of certain of our developing artists” while keeping “audience-driving global stars” as a form of intimidation. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “TikTok’s tactics are obvious: use its platform power to hurt vulnerable artists and try to intimidate us into conceding to a bad deal that undervalues music and shortchanges artists and songwriters as well as their fans‚” the letter said. “We will never do that. We will always fight for our artists and songwriters and stand up for the creative and commercial value of music.” TikTok responded to the letter‚ saying it was “sad and disappointing” that UMG chose to “put their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters.”  “Despite Universal’s false narrative and rhetoric‚ the fact is they have chosen to walk away from the powerful support of a platform with well over a billion users that serves as a free promotion and discovery vehicle for their talent.” The response noted that TikTok was able to reach an agreement with other labels and publishers‚ then accused UMG of having “self-serving interests.”

The people behind the X account for Elmo‚ the popular Sesame Street puppet‚ received a huge response after posting a simple question. “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” the post said. Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing? — Elmo (@elmo) January 29‚ 2024 It has since gone viral‚ with more than 177 million views since it was first shared Monday morning. Many of the replies were especially dismal‚ which led to the Sesame Street account sharing a link to mental health resources.  “Every morning‚ I cannot wait to go back to sleep. Every Monday‚ I cannot wait for Friday to come. Every single day and every single week for life‚” one popular reply said.  “Elmo I’m suffering from existential dread over here‚” another user wrote. “Not good‚ Elmo. Not good‚” echoed a third. “The world is burning‚ Elmo. No amount of tickles can fix this‚” Not the Bee answered. Actress Rachel Zegler‚ who recently faced major backlash for her comments about Disney’s upcoming live action version of “Snow White‚” also replied to Elmos’s post‚ saying she was “resisting the urge to tell elmo that i am kinda sad.” “Wow! Elmo is glad he asked! Elmo learned that it is important to ask a friend how they are doing‚” the “Sesame Street” character wrote in a follow-up. “Elmo will check in again soon‚ friends!  Elmo loves you.❤️ #EmotionalWellBeing” This prompted President Joe Biden’s X account to also share a message about mental health. CLICK HERE TO GET THE DAILYWIRE+ APP “I know how hard it is some days to sweep the clouds away and get to sunnier days‚” the post from the president said. “Our friend Elmo is right: We have to be there for each other‚ offer our help to a neighbor in need‚ and above all else‚ ask for help when we need it. Even though it’s hard‚ you’re never alone.” This isn’t the first time Sesame Street accounts have caused a stir on social media. Last June‚ they got trashed for a post celebrating Pride Month‚ as The Daily Wire previously reported. “On our Street‚ we celebrate inclusion‚ belonging‚ and freedom of authentic self-expression. Happy #PrideMonth to all the people in our neighborhoods!” the post said‚ along with a rainbow array of hearts following the text. An image attached depicts a colorful cartoon garden with the Progress Pride flag in the center of it. Many fans pushed back against the messaging‚ especially since it comes from PBS and is aimed at young children.