A study from Harvard's School of Public Health shows that that four cups of coffee per day can lower body fat by approximately 4%.
Somehow I do not weigh 20 pounds.
*.*
Nike and Tiger Woods have gone their separate ways after 27 years.
Yes, they were partners for a lot of years. Although, Tiger is putting down a 26.
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Breakfast pastry lovers around the globe held a moment of silence today after news broke that Bill Post, inventor of the Pop-Tart, had passed away at the age of 96. Post's surviving family announced that he would be laid to rest by being lowered vertically into a thin slot in the ground.
"He would've wanted it this way," said gathered loved ones with a mixture of sadness and appreciation for the man who invented the world's foremost pre-made, packaged breakfast food. The touching ceremony followed Post's expressed wish for his remains to be kept warm and toasty below the earth's surface.
"He had such a delicious personality," said one close friend. "Once you got past his crusty exterior and he warmed up to you, he was really sweet. You could always count on him, he was never too flaky. Whenever things got heated, it only made him even better. We're all going to miss the happiness he would bring to our lives every morning he was around."
Post's long-time coworkers agreed with the kind sentiments. "We all made a toast to Bill this morning when we heard the news," said a man who worked closely with Post for years. "Working with him was wonderful. Sometimes he would be a little too hot to handle at first, but after he had time to cool off, he was always enjoyable."
At publishing time, the finishing touches were being made to Posts's custom-made toaster-themed gravestone. Bill Post is survived by his wife, children, and his twin, who remains alive and will be kept in a foil wrapper and saved for later.
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Top 5 Signs you have a Really Lousy Health Insurance Plan:
Company slogan: "Nope, we don't cover that".
All online reviews include the words, "anyone but them!"
The phrase "satisfy the deductible" has been banned.
You must use a witch doctor.
Only prescription coverage is for leeches.
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According to a survey of city mayors across the country, roads are the number one thing the majority of them hoped to fix while in office.
Number 2 is elections.
Quote of the Times;
“If you ever have to cock a gun in a man’s face, kill him. If you walk away without killing him after doing that, he’ll kill you the next day.” - Murray “the Camel” Humphreys of the Capone mob in Chicago
Link of the Times;
Disgraced Ex-ABC News Reporter James Gordon Meek Sentenced to Only Six Years:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/09/disgraced-ex-abc-news-reporter-james-gordon-meek/
Issue of the Times;
The Extraordinary Presidency of James K. Polk by Jared Taylor
In 2008, Al Gore told a national television audience that the Mexican-American War has been “condemned by history.” That war, which added more than a million square miles of American territory, was largely the work of one man: President James K. Polk. Liberal orthodoxy therefore spurns Polk as a warmonger and imperialist, but he was one of the most successful Presidents in American history. Anyone not blinded by contemporary self-righteousness would recognize this, and veteran journalist Robert W. Merry has not been blinded. He has written a fascinating, detailed, fair-minded biography of one of our least appreciated Presidents.
When Polk took office in 1845, he had four goals: reduce tariffs, establish an independent treasury, and secure Oregon and California for the United States. He achieved all four goals in just four years, while fighting a war against political opposition that was sometime as fierce as the war against Mexico.
Polk was a protégé of Andrew Jackson, who was 28 years his senior. He first went to Congress in 1825, and, like Jackson, he was a Tennessean. He served one term as governor of Tennessee, but when he lost bids for reelection in 1841 and 1843, many people thought his political career was over.
At the Democratic nominating convention of 1844, Polk had been proposed for the Vice Presidential slot behind Martin Van Buren, but as Van Buren’s popularity faded, Polk emerged as a compromise candidate. In order to win the support of other Democratic pretenders, he promised to serve only one term. Thomas Hart Benton, John C. Calhoun, James Buchanan, and Silas Wright might have opposed him more vigorously if they feared a second term could thwart their own presidential ambitions. Mr. Merry fills his account of the convention with details that make it clear that personal ambitions and animosities were just as potent political factors 170 years ago as they are today.
Polk’s opponent in the general election, Whig candidate Henry Clay, assumed he would make short work of the relatively unknown Polk, but was brought down largely by the Texas question.
Texas
When Mexico became independent of Spain in 1821 it tried to populate Texas by encouraging American immigration, but as Mr. Merry writes, “the newcomers rejected loyalty to Mexico and cast their devotion to their ethnic brethren in the United States.” Mexico woke up to what was happening and outlawed immigration in 1830, but could not stop it. Texas won independence from Mexico in 1836 and was recognized by the United States and the European powers.
Mexico never accepted Texas independence, however, insisting that there was a state of war between it and its “rebellious province.” The Mexicans even made a few probes as far as San Antonio, but failed to recapture Texas. There was also a huge border disagreement between the Texans and the Mexicans. The Texas congress passed a law officially asserting its claim to the larger area.
Texas was chronically broke during its nine years of independence, and was the subject of constant political intrigue by the French and the British, who wanted to stop American expansion towards the Pacific. The British were particularly active, offering financial assistance to Texas in exchange for an alliance. Polk’s predecessor in the White House, John Tyler, feared that a close association between Texas and Britain would undermine American influence in the Gulf of Mexico and even menace American control over New Orleans (the Battle of New Orleans had been fought only 27 years before Tyler’s inauguration). Tyler had therefore started annexation negotiations with Texas but tried to keep them secret so as to avoid interference by France and Britain.
Although in retrospect nothing seems more natural than Texas joining the union, it was not a sure thing. The last president of Texas, Anson Jones, preferred independence, and the British and French even persuaded the Mexicans to recognize Texas independence if Texas promised never to join the United States.
Nor was American sentiment unanimously pro-annexation. Ordinary people wanted it, but Whigs and abolitionists opposed it. They were afraid annexation would mean war with Mexico, and they did not want another slave state. It was opposition to Texas annexation that caused Van Buren’s star to fade as the Democratic candidate, thus opening the nomination to Polk. And it was opposition to annexation that probably lost the election for Polk’s Whig opponent, Henry Clay. Polk himself had always been a staunch expansionist, and this boosted his popularity with voters.
Opposition to annexation by politicians was strong enough to defeat Congress’s first attempt to bring Texas into the union. President Tyler sent an annexation treaty to the Senate in 1844 at the end of his term but failed to get the necessary two-thirds majority. That was how matters stood when Polk took office in 1845. The new President solved the problem by sending an annexation bill to Congress, which won majority votes in both houses on February 28, 1845. This was a Constitutionally doubtful procedure. Congress had the power to make new states from territories, but Texas was an independent country, not a territory and, by all rights, should have come in by treaty. As Mr. Merry shows, getting Texas into the Union was no easy feat, and owed much to Polk’s determination and political skill.
Of course, by annexing Texas, Polk greatly angered Mexico, which broke off diplomatic relations exactly one month later on March 28, 1845. It declared that the United States had “usurped a portion of territory which belongs to Mexico by a right which she will maintain at whatever cost.” Many people in both countries predicted that Mexico would declare war.
Mexico
What had been American relations with Mexico up to that point? The United States had welcomed Mexican independence from Spain and was the first country to recognize it. It had signed treaties of friendship and mutual recognition of boundaries, and did everything possible to have good relations.
Mexico did not reciprocate. Ruled by thieves and incompetents, the government itself had stolen American property and had done little to prevent Mexican citizens from doing the same. In one notorious incident the American captain of a ship transporting Mexican troops under government contract was killed, and his crew was forced into servitude for three years. American vessels in Mexican ports were routinely seized. There had been nearly 100 such incidents, and Andrew Jackson had declared in 1837, his last year in office, that such “outrages . . . would justify, in the eyes of all nations, immediate war.”
In 1839 there was arbitration between the two countries, and an award of $2 million to the Americans, to be paid in 20 installments. Mexico quickly fell behind on the payments, and new claims continued to pile up. In 1842, a frustrated President Tyler proposed that Mexico hand over California as compensation, with the US government to pay off American claims, but the Mexicans refused.
War was the usual way to settle such claims in those days. The French had already received satisfaction by violent means, and the British were paid after threats of war. Many Americans thought they were being snubbed because they refrained from using force.
Polk did not want war, but he wanted American claims met and he wanted more territory. Magazine editor John O’Sullivan had coined the term “manifest destiny” in 1845, and Polk had a clear vision of the United States straddling the continent.
What were his intentions regarding Mexico? In Mr. Merry’s view, Polk was, first of all, determined to defend the borders of the United States, which he believed extended to the Rio Grande. Second, he was prepared to pay handsomely for as much territory as Mexico was willing to sell. Was he prepared to wage unilateral war? Mr. Merry is uncertain, but when the Mexicans fired the first shots, Polk was more than ready to fire back. In any case, in the summer of 1845, shortly after Mexico broke off relations, Polk ordered General Zachary Taylor to march into Texas to defend the state against possible attack — but not to enter the disputed territories.
Polk first proposed a diplomatic solution to the Mexicans. In response, in November 1845, Mexico agreed to accept an envoy “with full powers to adjust all the questions in dispute between the two governments.” Polk quickly dispatched John Slidell, with authority to pay as much as $30 million dollars in exchange for California and New
Mexico for assuming responsibility for the American claims. The Slidell mission was kept secret because the French and British were sure to try to sabotage any agreement that would add territory to the United States.
When Slidell got to Mexico City in December, the Mexicans went back on their word and refused to negotiate. This was probably because the government of the time, led by Jose Herrera, was under threat from more bellicose factions that threatened to take power if Herrera discussed the possibility of ceding territory. This rebuff infuriated Slidell, who warned that it could lead to war. Later that same month, Herrera was ousted anyway by Mariano Paredes, who ruled out compromise. He ordered Slidell out of the country, and started mobilizing for war.
It was only after the failure of the Slidell mission that Polk took the fateful step of sending General Taylor into the disputed territory. By March 28, 1845, there were 3,550 American soldiers on the Rio Grande near what is now Brownsville. Across the river was a force of 3,000 Mexicans. Their commander sent a message to Taylor saying he was in Mexican territory, warning him that there would be war if he did not withdraw. Taylor refused to move.
This standoff continued for a month, as the Mexicans brought in more troops, and by April 11, there were 6,000 soldiers on the Mexican side. Taylor then blockaded the Rio Grande, through which the Mexican troops were being supplied. On April 25, the Mexicans sent 1,600 men across the river above Taylor’s position. The next day, he sent 63 men to investigate. They were ambushed, with 11 killed and the rest captured.
When word of the incident reached Washington, Polk asked Congress for a declaration of war, stating that Mexico had “shed American blood on American soil.” As Mr. Merry notes, however, many Whigs accepted the Mexican version of the border and accused Polk of deliberately starting a war in order to wrest land from Mexico. There was much thundering about “invasion” and “waging aggressive war,” but in the end both houses voted by large majorities to declare war. At the time, Polk’s thinking appears to have been that Taylor would conquer enough territory to make Mexico sue for peace. In the meantime, Polk would send forces to occupy New Mexico and California, which would be accepted as compensation for the war.
Oregon
Polk now had a war with Mexico on his hands; he very nearly had one with Britain, too. At the time of his inauguration, the United States and Britain had jointly occupied the Oregon Territory for 22 years, and had pledged to negotiate ultimate ownership. Oregon was being settled at a rate of nine or ten American immigrants to one Briton, and in time, the territory would naturally have fallen into American hands. Polk wanted it right away, and in his inaugural address he angered the British by claiming that Oregon was American. The British posted frigates off the Oregon coast, and there was talk of war.
Mr. Merry charts the course of the clever but risky diplomatic maneuvers that eventually resulted in the current boundary at the 49th parallel. He argues that Polk got what he wanted only through a willingness to go right up to the brink of war. There were hotheads in his own party who demanded a border that would have been just south of Alaska — the “54’ 40” or fight” contingent — but this would unquestionably have meant a second and probably disastrous war. Polk did not get a satisfactory Oregon settlement until June 1846, by which time the Mexican war had already begun. If Polk had delayed, Britain would certainly have exploited the Mexican conflict to drive a harder bargain.
The War
Mr. Merry covers the war with Mexico at a level of fascinating detail that need only be summarized. Taylor fought a number of brilliant engagements, often defeating armies larger than his own, but the Mexicans refused to sue for peace. Polk finally had to send General Winfield Scott on an expedition to Vera Cruz, and the Mexicans agreed to peace talks only after Scott occupied the capital.
As Mr. Merry notes, the Mexicans deceived the gullible Americans several times. For example, at one time General Taylor had bottled up a Mexican army of 7,000 men in Monterrey, and their commander, Pedro de Ampudia sought terms. He claimed that he had word the two countries had started peace talks, and that since the war would soon be over there was no need to take his men prisoner. Taylor fell for this lie, and let the Mexican soldiers leave with their artillery. The escaped army of course went back into action against the Americans.
Perhaps the worst dupe, however, was Polk himself. In 1845 he had received word from Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, then in exile in Cuba, that if he ever returned to power, he would be happy to sell Texas and California for $30 million. In July 1846, after the war had begun, he said that if he gained power, he would sell California, recognize the Rio Grande border, and call off the war. The Paredes government had turned down a similar deal, so Polk instructed the American Navy, which was blockading Mexican ports, to let Santa Anna through. He landed at Vera Cruz in March 1847 to much fanfare, and took power. He then double-crossed Polk, announcing that he intended to roll the Americans all the way back to the Louisiana border.
After Santa Anna was defeated outside Mexico City and fled into the city, he tried to fool General Scott. He negotiated a truce that prohibited construction of fortifications and provided for resupply of the Americans, but broke these conditions.
Santa Anna’s government reluctantly agreed to negotiate. Polk had sent an envoy for this purpose, Nicolas Trist, who was under strict orders to insist on the Rio Grande border and to buy as much of Mexico as possible. Instead, Trist accepted a Mexican proposal offering only part of California, and declaring the territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande as a neutral zone. Polk was furious when he learned of this proposal and sent a letter recalling Trist.
In September 1847 Scott renewed the war and took Mexico City in a brilliant campaign. Santa Anna’s government fell, and a new government was formed under General P.M. Anaya. Anaya had a more realistic sense of how little leverage the Mexicans had, and was more willing to accept Polk’s terms. By then, Trist had been recalled, and had no authority to negotiate, but decided to stay in Mexico and see if he could work out an agreement anyway. Polk was again furious when he learned about this, and ordered General Benjamin Butler to expel Trist from the country. Trist replied calmly that since he was no longer an American envoy but a private citizen, the President had no power over him.
The Mexicans knew Trist had no authority, but they were in the mood to negotiate, and spent the winter working out a deal much along the lines of Trist’s original instructions. On February 2, 1848, Mexico agreed to take $15 million in exchange for New Mexico, California, the border at the Rio Grande, and forgiveness of American claims.
Polk believed that the treaty was illegal because it had been negotiated without authorization, but since the 6,000-word document contained everything he wanted — Trist had authority to offer as much as $30 million — he sent it to the Senate for ratification anyway.
Again, what seems in retrospect to have been a sure thing was not. There was much Whig bluster about the propriety of taking territory from a defeated enemy. Abolitionists feared the new territory might become slave states. Some Democrats — members of Polk’s own party — insisted on annexing all of Mexico. Just 19 votes in the Senate could have killed the treaty, and Mr. Merry ably describes the arguments and posturing that lead to the final vote of 38 to 14.
In the end, therefore, Polk got what he wanted, but at a high price. The war killed 13,780 Americans and an estimated 25,000 Mexicans, and cost the federal government $100 million — which, as Mr. Merry explains, Polk had great difficulty raising from Congress. If any other man had been in the White House, it is not at all certain that the United States would have absorbed California and New Mexico.
California
The great majority of the fighting was in Mexico, but there were Western adventures as well. Polk wanted New Mexico and California to be in American hands by the time the Mexicans recognized they were beaten and were ready to negotiate. Therefore, on August 18, 1846, shortly after the war began, American General Stephen Kearny led 1,458 men into Santa Fe, the capital of the Mexican department of New Mexico, and claimed it for the United States. He got it without firing a shot, but the outcome could have been entirely different. The Mexican commander Manuel Armijo had massed 4,000 men around a pass where they could have rained fire down on Kearney’s men as they approached, but at the last minute Armijo lost his nerve, ordered his men to disband, and fled to Mexico. Kearney set up a government in Santa Fe, and set out on September 25 with 300 men for California.
Polk had had his eye on California from the beginning. Mexico had been no better able to populate California than Texas, and Americans were settling in large numbers. Britain, which opposed American expansion, had offered Mexico money and arms with which to assert its sovereignty, and Polk feared eventual British domination in the West. Kearney was therefore under orders to take California as soon as he had secured New Mexico, but others got there first.
John Fremont, with 60 men, had been on a government map-making mission in the Western reaches of the Louisiana Purchase, and had angered the Mexicans by poking around in California even before the war began. After the declaration of war, he raised a small army of several hundred men from among the American settlers, and joined forces with Commodore John Stockton, who arrived in Monterrey in July 23, 1846, and took command of the American fleet.
Together they subdued California, which the Mexicans defended incompetently. This was a free-lance effort, however, since Kearney was the only officer with official orders to conquer California. When Kearney arrived, Stockton submitted to his command, but Fremont did not. This led to his arrest, court martial, and conviction, but Polk eventually pardoned Fremont. The campaigns in the West were a confused mess, which Mr. Merry sorts out nicely.
Westward Expansion
Ordinary Americans were thrilled at the idea of expansion, but many politicians were not. The Whig leader Henry Clay, for example, wanted to keep the American population east of the Rockies, and had no interest in settling Oregon. He was also afraid to absorb Texas: “Annexation and war with Mexico are identical.”
Daniel Webster, another Whig, called Polk’s war not just “a clear violation of duty” but “an impeachable offense.” He considered it an act of naked aggression for which there was no Constitutional authority, and led the fight not to vote funds for the war. He wanted no new, lightly inhabited territories far from Washington. The rising Whig politician Abraham Lincoln also condemned the war.
General Zachery Taylor was another anti-war Whig. This was ironic, since it was the war that made him a hero and enabled him to succeed Polk as President. On the day of his inauguration, as he rode to the Capitol in the same carriage as the outgoing President, he shocked Polk by remarking that New Mexico and California were so far away that he thought they should become independent countries. This was anathema to Polk, who had devoted himself to extending the United States to the Pacific.
Whig objections to expansion seem quaint now, but Mr. Merry notes that when Polk took office, the United States had a population of only 17 million, and the addition of the Louisiana Purchase just a few decades earlier must have made the country seem gigantic. The first steam-locomotive railway started operating only in 1831. Samuel Morse sent his first telegraph message in 1838. Indeed, at many crucial junctures during the Mexican-American war, Polk had no idea what was happening, and heard conflicting rumors before he got official dispatches. San Francisco must have seemed a world away from Washington, and the United States was already a huge country. For many Americans, it was already big enough.
Naked aggression or legitimate conquest?
Was Polk’s conduct of the war legitimate? Mr. Merry seems to have no doubt that by the rules of its era it was. War was a recognized way to force a country to meet its obligations. Indeed, in 1861, France, Britain, and Spain jointly occupied Vera Cruz as part of a military campaign to make Mexico pay its debts. The United States also had a strong, if not undisputed claim to the north bank of the Rio Grande. Polk argued that sending Taylor to the river was legitimate defense of American territory.
In hindsight, it was extremely foolish of the Mexicans to begin hostilities, but Mexico expected to win. Its standing army of 32,000 men was five times that of the United States, and had been toughened by countless revolutions. Its European advisors thought it would make short work of the Americans. The principal theater of the war was expected to be Texas, which would mean long supply lines for the Americans, who had never fought a war outside their own territory. Many Mexicans were also aware of Whig opposition to the war, and believed Americans would not fight in earnest. Paredes boasted that he would not only retake Texas but occupy New Orleans and Mobile. Some Mexicans believed their invading army would be supported by a massive slave uprising, and there was even talk of dictating peace terms from the White House.
Morally and strategically, the western invasion was a different matter; New Mexico and California were indisputably Mexican. However, once war began the rules were different, and territory could be rightly acquired by the law of conquest — though not all Americans agreed. Some Whigs argued that there was no constitutional authority to acquire territory by conquest, but popular sentiment overwhelmingly favored expansion.
Mexicans today complain about “stolen” land, but their claim is weak. They accepted American payment as part of the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo, thus ratifying the transfer. The Gadsden Purchase of 1854 was a reiteration of the principle of exchanging land for money. Moreover, if the Mexicans had defeated the Americans they would certainly have exercised their own rights under the law of conquest. Had they been able to occupy New Orleans and Mobile they would have felt entitled to keep them.
Mexico gambled on war and lost. It is impossible to predict what Polk would have done had Mexico not “shed American blood on American soil,” but once blood was shed, he was determined to make the most of it. Without Polk, there could have been a different and much smaller United States.
News of the Times;
The US funds Global Islamic Terrorism:
https://deeshaa.org/2010/05/08/the-us-funds-global-islamic-terrorism/
Multiple States Back Texas in Battle with Biden over Border Defense:
https://slaynews.com/news/multiple-states-back-texas-battle-biden-border-defense/
Three Former Presidents Start NGO to Import Illegal Aliens:
https://amgreatness.com/2024/01/22/three-former-presidents-start-ngo-to-import-illegal-aliens-into-the-u-s/
Illegal Alien Arrested and Released for Attack on NYPD Officers Arrested Again:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/02/illegal-alien-arrested-released-attack-nypd-officers-arrested/
Delta Boeing 757 loses nose wheel while preparing for takeof:
https://notthebee.com/article/daily-airline-update-delta-boeing-757-loses-nose-wheel-on-takeoff
Southwest Airlines Deletes X Post Celebrating “All Female Flight Crew”:
https://modernity.news/2024/01/12/southwest-airlines-deletes-x-post-celebrating-all-female-flight-crew/
FAA's DEI hiring goals include people with "severe intellectual" and "psychiatric" disabilities:
https://notthebee.com/article/the-faas-diversity-hiring-push-includes-a-goal-to-hire-more-people-with-intellectual-and-psychiatric-disabilities
Gazacaust!=Holocaust:
https://voxday.net/2024/01/25/gazacaustholocaust/
Ukrainian army fled Avdeevka in disarray:
https://www.rt.com/russia/592607-ukrainians-fled-avdeevka-chaos/
Caught on Video Gunning Down Pastor in His Driveway in Front of His Wife and Children
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/evil-female-neighbor-caught-video-gunning-down-beloved/
Diversity Training Increases Prejudice:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/diversity-training-increases-prejudice-activates-bigotry-among-participants-new-study
Google (Kinda) Apologizes After Woke AI:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/googles-gemini-ai-blasted-eliminating-white-people-image-searches
Europe’s Low Emission Zones Aren't Going Over Well:
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/cars/news-blog/driving-dystopia-europes-low-emission-zones-aren-t-going-over-well-44505043
German industry ‘moving abroad:
https://www.rt.com/business/592225-german-industry-relocation-plans/
A Handbook on Ethical Companies in Tabletop Gaming:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RlX78Yw9lbUMk2QwAZdpwNRGAd4Xe69eFgnFymWz6M0/edit#heading=h.s9uvg7c5ig4j
Polk?
Heed?
Yes, it's February, the shortest month of the year.
However, it's a Leap Year, so this one gets an extension.
*.*
Elon Musk announced that his controversial Neuralink brain chip has been implanted in a human.
How's the patient doing so far?
Musk said he'd give him a full examination once he gets back from mowing the lawn and washing his car.
*.*
In a move that combines the solemnity of war with the relief of student debt, President Joe Biden has unveiled a groundbreaking promise for Americans contemplating military service in the event of World War III: student loan forgiveness, no strings attached.
Addressing a solemn crowd, Biden declared, “I understand the weight that student loans can place on our youth. So, as your Commander-in-Chief, I’m proud to announce that any American who bravely serves and, unfortunately, doesn’t make it back from World War III won’t have to worry about student loan payments anymore. It’s the least we can do.”
The announcement, which some critics have dubbed the “Ultimate Loan Forgiveness Program,” aims to sweeten the deal for potential recruits while addressing the rising concerns about the looming global conflict.
“It’s a win-win, really,” explained White House spokesperson Harmony McClendon. “Not only do these brave individuals get the chance to defend their country, but they can also rest easy knowing that their student loans won’t haunt their families in the afterlife.”
The proposal has sparked a wave of reactions, with some praising Biden for his innovative approach to easing the burden of student debt and others questioning the appropriateness of tying loan forgiveness to the ultimate sacrifice.
“I think it’s a beautiful sentiment,” said one supporter. “Sure, it’s a bit morbid, but if I have to face World War III, at least I won’t be haunted by Sallie Mae from beyond the grave.”
As the nation grapples with the potential for global conflict and the intricacies of this unexpected student loan policy, one thing is certain: Biden has found a way to make the afterlife a bit more financially comfortable for those who may give their lives in service to their country.
*.*
Harvard University's chief diversity and inclusion officer, Sherri Ann Charleston, has been accused of 40 examples of alleged plagiarism in her academic work.
When asked if she should feel guilty, she responded with, "To be or not to be. That is the question."
*.*
The average woman complains about men twice a day.
I apparently inspire women to overachieve.
Quote of the Times;
“This is all pre-planned by an elite group of people. That’s what I’m talking about. Event 201 occurred in late 2019, prior to the rest of us knowing about this pandemic. This is very concerning in terms of what has happened, what is happening, what continues to be planned for our loss of freedom. Again, it needs to be exposed, but unfortunately, there are very few people, even in Congress, who are willing to take a look at this. They all pushed the vaccine. They don’t want to be made aware of the fact the vaccines might have caused injuries, might have caused deaths. So many people simply don’t want to admit they were wrong and they’re going to makes sure to do everything they can to ensure they’re not proven wrong. We’re up against a very powerful group of people here, Maria. We need the truth to be exposed, we need more Americans to listen to the truth, to be exposed to the truth, to pull their heads out of the sand, quite honestly, to open up their eyes and understand what is happening to this country. We are going down a very dangerous path, but it is a path that is being laid out and planned by an elite group of people that want to take total control over our lives. And that’s what they’re doing, bit by bit. They do it by massively increasing government spending, increasing the size of government, these amendments that are coming up that are going to be voted on in 2024, the WHO, are frightening and they really risk taking away all of our sovereignty. People have to awaken to the dangers of the moment.” – Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI)
Link of the Times;
If You’re a Hammer:
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2024/01/if_youre_a_hammer.html
Issue of the Times;
Downfall of Europe by Bishop Williamson
French Nationalists we may or may not heed,
But Catholics, French, we absolutely need.
The collapse of France and of Europe as a whole is a catastrophic reality. It did not happen overnight. The undermining has been going on for a long time, as French nationalists most keenly saw, predicting the grave consequences for society and civilization, which are now evident. Several outstanding writers, and magazines like Rivarol, have long been sounding the alarm, as dark events followed one after another.
After the collapse of France’s colonial empire and the betrayal of French Algeria the student uprising of 1968 in Paris demonstrated that the French people in general were ready to accept the overthrow of all common sense, Tradition, sane morals, of whatever used to make the greatness of our civilization. Then came the legalizing of abortion, a socialist government in 1981, anti-racism, engineered immigration, reshaping the family, LGBT, transgender, pedophilia, adrenochrome (a real horror), organ sales, “climate change,” chemtrails, etc. Yet there was little public reaction. People might be a little shaken for a moment or two, but soon they settled down again. Yet we speak of “a rise in the standard of living” as though there has been a real bettering of life, when in reality it has been little more than technical – better machines making available more material goods. The result has been that the household’s need for two salaries instead of one splits the mother from the home, especially if she may not like mothering.
For a whole age France radiated worldwide, in general for good, but now it is itself sinking in a moral and economic decline, in such a social and intellectual crisis that it can no longer exercise any such influence. Worst of all, it rejects, scorns and is ignorant of all that it once achieved. Yet surprisingly, that “West,” which is no longer anything more than the puppet of satanic masters who are an oligarchy of materialistic and gnostic globalists, still behaves as though it has a calling to lead the world, somewhat like the Talmudic Jews pretending themselves to be the priesthood of mankind.
And ever since Covid, that monstrous lie designed to test just how far the manipulation of modern man can go, the peoples of the Europe of Charlemagne have fast been enslaving themselves to the banksters of London and New York. The depopulation plan behind Covid goes back at least to the 1970’s when Jacques Attali, still today a key adviser to the French government, said in a public interview, “Useless eaters are good for the slaughter-house.” Hence the dangerous and deadly “vaccinations.”
As for France, it is cut up and sold for profit to the USA and private interests. As for Europe, it is torn apart by the USA-NATO attack on Russia, with the vile mass-media and their commentators spewing lies against Russia, while above all the entire political class keep silent. By their proxy war in the Ukraine, killing half a million whites, the USA have achieved at least one thing – Europe’s economic power and Germany’s competition are broken – German companies are moving to America. Little do the Americans suspect how history shows that such “conquests” are signs of an empire’s imminent fall. Moreover, the West has tied its fate to that of the State of Israel which it worships, but the rest of the world is rejecting such arrogance and degeneracy, and it is not accepting what Israel is doing to the Palestinians.
The complete lack of reaction in all of France’s highest institutions to such infamy of the France of Charlemagne signals the end of a world. They stand and watch, silent and docile, while France rolls into the trash-cans of history. Some hope it will last their time, others continue to sleepwalk, drunk on their own propaganda. Those in power strive to silence all opposition, while World War hangs over their heads.
Our task in politics is to do whatever we can that may have an effect, but it is mainly to preserve for a better future the best fruits of France’s glorious past, just as, when in the sixth century the Roman empire was being swamped by the barbarians, the monks in the monasteries preserved the glories of antiquity. These glories, preserved, played a large part in the building up which followed, of 1500 years of European and Christian civilization.
News of the Times;
Once Safe Small Wisconsin Town Begs Biden:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/once-safe-small-wisconsin-town-begs-biden-help/
Musk warns those dealing with Biden's border invasion 'coming for your homes':
https://www.wnd.com/2024/01/musk-warns-dealing-bidens-border-invasion-coming-homes/
Lloyd Austin’s Secret 911 Call Revealed:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/lloyd-austins-secret-911-call-revealed/
Young Girl in Coffee Shop RECOILS After Biden Creeps on Her:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/young-girl-coffee-shop-recoils-after-biden-creeps/
Johns Hopkins dean apologizes to staff after DEI officer sent woke hit list email:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12962519/amp/Johns-Hopkins-dean-apologizes-staff-DEI.html
5 Swedish police officers forced to pay fine to convicted Syrian migrant who brutally attacked them:
https://rmx.news/crime/it-feels-like-something-has-gone-terribly-wrong-5-swedish-police-officers-forced-to-pay-fine-to-convicted-syrian-migrant-who-brutally-attacked-them-during-quran-burning-riots/
Biden’s DHS paid over $700,000 to activist organizations to create ‘counter-propaganda’:
https://thepostmillennial.com/revealed-bidens-dhs-paid-over-700000-to-activist-organizations-to-create-counter-propaganda
Biden’s US border crisis is now deadly enough to kill EVERY American:
https://nypost.com/2024/01/19/opinion/biden-border-fentanyl-crisis-could-kill-every-last-american/
Public Charging Stations Turn into Electric ‘Car Graveyards’:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/this-is-crazy-its-disaster-public-charging-stations/
China’s Military Scandal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oupSYGUL0dE&ab_channel=Warographics
However, it's a Leap Year, so this one gets an extension.
*.*
Elon Musk announced that his controversial Neuralink brain chip has been implanted in a human.
How's the patient doing so far?
Musk said he'd give him a full examination once he gets back from mowing the lawn and washing his car.
*.*
In a move that combines the solemnity of war with the relief of student debt, President Joe Biden has unveiled a groundbreaking promise for Americans contemplating military service in the event of World War III: student loan forgiveness, no strings attached.
Addressing a solemn crowd, Biden declared, “I understand the weight that student loans can place on our youth. So, as your Commander-in-Chief, I’m proud to announce that any American who bravely serves and, unfortunately, doesn’t make it back from World War III won’t have to worry about student loan payments anymore. It’s the least we can do.”
The announcement, which some critics have dubbed the “Ultimate Loan Forgiveness Program,” aims to sweeten the deal for potential recruits while addressing the rising concerns about the looming global conflict.
“It’s a win-win, really,” explained White House spokesperson Harmony McClendon. “Not only do these brave individuals get the chance to defend their country, but they can also rest easy knowing that their student loans won’t haunt their families in the afterlife.”
The proposal has sparked a wave of reactions, with some praising Biden for his innovative approach to easing the burden of student debt and others questioning the appropriateness of tying loan forgiveness to the ultimate sacrifice.
“I think it’s a beautiful sentiment,” said one supporter. “Sure, it’s a bit morbid, but if I have to face World War III, at least I won’t be haunted by Sallie Mae from beyond the grave.”
As the nation grapples with the potential for global conflict and the intricacies of this unexpected student loan policy, one thing is certain: Biden has found a way to make the afterlife a bit more financially comfortable for those who may give their lives in service to their country.
*.*
Harvard University's chief diversity and inclusion officer, Sherri Ann Charleston, has been accused of 40 examples of alleged plagiarism in her academic work.
When asked if she should feel guilty, she responded with, "To be or not to be. That is the question."
*.*
The average woman complains about men twice a day.
I apparently inspire women to overachieve.
Quote of the Times;
“This is all pre-planned by an elite group of people. That’s what I’m talking about. Event 201 occurred in late 2019, prior to the rest of us knowing about this pandemic. This is very concerning in terms of what has happened, what is happening, what continues to be planned for our loss of freedom. Again, it needs to be exposed, but unfortunately, there are very few people, even in Congress, who are willing to take a look at this. They all pushed the vaccine. They don’t want to be made aware of the fact the vaccines might have caused injuries, might have caused deaths. So many people simply don’t want to admit they were wrong and they’re going to makes sure to do everything they can to ensure they’re not proven wrong. We’re up against a very powerful group of people here, Maria. We need the truth to be exposed, we need more Americans to listen to the truth, to be exposed to the truth, to pull their heads out of the sand, quite honestly, to open up their eyes and understand what is happening to this country. We are going down a very dangerous path, but it is a path that is being laid out and planned by an elite group of people that want to take total control over our lives. And that’s what they’re doing, bit by bit. They do it by massively increasing government spending, increasing the size of government, these amendments that are coming up that are going to be voted on in 2024, the WHO, are frightening and they really risk taking away all of our sovereignty. People have to awaken to the dangers of the moment.” – Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI)
Link of the Times;
If You’re a Hammer:
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2024/01/if_youre_a_hammer.html
Issue of the Times;
Downfall of Europe by Bishop Williamson
French Nationalists we may or may not heed,
But Catholics, French, we absolutely need.
The collapse of France and of Europe as a whole is a catastrophic reality. It did not happen overnight. The undermining has been going on for a long time, as French nationalists most keenly saw, predicting the grave consequences for society and civilization, which are now evident. Several outstanding writers, and magazines like Rivarol, have long been sounding the alarm, as dark events followed one after another.
After the collapse of France’s colonial empire and the betrayal of French Algeria the student uprising of 1968 in Paris demonstrated that the French people in general were ready to accept the overthrow of all common sense, Tradition, sane morals, of whatever used to make the greatness of our civilization. Then came the legalizing of abortion, a socialist government in 1981, anti-racism, engineered immigration, reshaping the family, LGBT, transgender, pedophilia, adrenochrome (a real horror), organ sales, “climate change,” chemtrails, etc. Yet there was little public reaction. People might be a little shaken for a moment or two, but soon they settled down again. Yet we speak of “a rise in the standard of living” as though there has been a real bettering of life, when in reality it has been little more than technical – better machines making available more material goods. The result has been that the household’s need for two salaries instead of one splits the mother from the home, especially if she may not like mothering.
For a whole age France radiated worldwide, in general for good, but now it is itself sinking in a moral and economic decline, in such a social and intellectual crisis that it can no longer exercise any such influence. Worst of all, it rejects, scorns and is ignorant of all that it once achieved. Yet surprisingly, that “West,” which is no longer anything more than the puppet of satanic masters who are an oligarchy of materialistic and gnostic globalists, still behaves as though it has a calling to lead the world, somewhat like the Talmudic Jews pretending themselves to be the priesthood of mankind.
And ever since Covid, that monstrous lie designed to test just how far the manipulation of modern man can go, the peoples of the Europe of Charlemagne have fast been enslaving themselves to the banksters of London and New York. The depopulation plan behind Covid goes back at least to the 1970’s when Jacques Attali, still today a key adviser to the French government, said in a public interview, “Useless eaters are good for the slaughter-house.” Hence the dangerous and deadly “vaccinations.”
As for France, it is cut up and sold for profit to the USA and private interests. As for Europe, it is torn apart by the USA-NATO attack on Russia, with the vile mass-media and their commentators spewing lies against Russia, while above all the entire political class keep silent. By their proxy war in the Ukraine, killing half a million whites, the USA have achieved at least one thing – Europe’s economic power and Germany’s competition are broken – German companies are moving to America. Little do the Americans suspect how history shows that such “conquests” are signs of an empire’s imminent fall. Moreover, the West has tied its fate to that of the State of Israel which it worships, but the rest of the world is rejecting such arrogance and degeneracy, and it is not accepting what Israel is doing to the Palestinians.
The complete lack of reaction in all of France’s highest institutions to such infamy of the France of Charlemagne signals the end of a world. They stand and watch, silent and docile, while France rolls into the trash-cans of history. Some hope it will last their time, others continue to sleepwalk, drunk on their own propaganda. Those in power strive to silence all opposition, while World War hangs over their heads.
Our task in politics is to do whatever we can that may have an effect, but it is mainly to preserve for a better future the best fruits of France’s glorious past, just as, when in the sixth century the Roman empire was being swamped by the barbarians, the monks in the monasteries preserved the glories of antiquity. These glories, preserved, played a large part in the building up which followed, of 1500 years of European and Christian civilization.
News of the Times;
Once Safe Small Wisconsin Town Begs Biden:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/once-safe-small-wisconsin-town-begs-biden-help/
Musk warns those dealing with Biden's border invasion 'coming for your homes':
https://www.wnd.com/2024/01/musk-warns-dealing-bidens-border-invasion-coming-homes/
Lloyd Austin’s Secret 911 Call Revealed:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/lloyd-austins-secret-911-call-revealed/
Young Girl in Coffee Shop RECOILS After Biden Creeps on Her:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/young-girl-coffee-shop-recoils-after-biden-creeps/
Johns Hopkins dean apologizes to staff after DEI officer sent woke hit list email:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12962519/amp/Johns-Hopkins-dean-apologizes-staff-DEI.html
5 Swedish police officers forced to pay fine to convicted Syrian migrant who brutally attacked them:
https://rmx.news/crime/it-feels-like-something-has-gone-terribly-wrong-5-swedish-police-officers-forced-to-pay-fine-to-convicted-syrian-migrant-who-brutally-attacked-them-during-quran-burning-riots/
Biden’s DHS paid over $700,000 to activist organizations to create ‘counter-propaganda’:
https://thepostmillennial.com/revealed-bidens-dhs-paid-over-700000-to-activist-organizations-to-create-counter-propaganda
Biden’s US border crisis is now deadly enough to kill EVERY American:
https://nypost.com/2024/01/19/opinion/biden-border-fentanyl-crisis-could-kill-every-last-american/
Public Charging Stations Turn into Electric ‘Car Graveyards’:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/this-is-crazy-its-disaster-public-charging-stations/
China’s Military Scandal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oupSYGUL0dE&ab_channel=Warographics
BLT?
Food Network Star Darnell Ferguson has been arrested on strangulation and burglary charges.
Your classic recipe for disaster.
*.*
Top 5 Signs you Didn't Try a Dry January:
Your liver served you a court injunction.
The National Distillers Association bribed you to skip it.
It's not December?
You're going to try in February, shorter month.
The booze from New Year's Eve isn't even out of your system yet.
*.*
Oneliners:
I wish I had a pair of skinny genes.
You don't realize how old you are until you try to get up after wrapping presents on the floor.
My toxic trait is telling people to take care of themselves while I'm running on three hours of sleep, enough caffeine to kill a horse and a cookie.
Why aren't mustaches called "mouth brows?"
You can have my heart, but I need my liver.
I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.
Lately, instead of cleaning the house, I just turn off the lights.
Don't tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.
I need more friends who understand that I still want to be invited, I'm just not going.
Never test how deep the water is with both feet.
*.*
So, first they started charging extra for luggage.
Now they're going to ding us more to be on a plane where the door stays on?
*.*
Britney Spears says she is not returning to the music industry.
Not sure where to mail the 'Thank You' notes.
Quote of the Times;
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act, in exchange for campaign contributions; a decision he later regretted. In 1919, Wilson wrote: “I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country, a great industrial nation is now controlled by a system of credit. We are no longer a government by free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men.”
Link of the Times;
The 5 Best Independent Comics You Can Read For Free Right Now:
https://fandompulse.com/2024/01/04/the-5-best-independent-comics-you-can-read-for-free-right-now/
Issue of the Times;
Restaurant owner breaks down how inflation causes him to charge nearly $16 for BLT by Alicia Warren
Inflation, a driving force behind many of the challenges businesses face today, has caused one restaurant owner to charge nearly $16 for a BLT sandwich due to rising costs.
Will Restaurants Investment Group founder and CEO Brian Will broke down his monthly expenses during an appearance on “Varney & Co.” after a friend confronted him about the price of his $16 BLT sandwich.
The wholesale cost for the popular sandwich is only $5 according to Will, but the need to cover operational expenses is what caused the meal that was once $12.99 three years ago, to become $15.99 today.
Will detailed his monthly expenses, sharing insight on the business side of running a restaurant and justifying the rising price of meals.
Will spends $20,000 a month on renting a space that houses one of his restaurants in a “new mixed-use development,” arguing it “costs a lot” given the location.
“My utilities [are] $6,000 a month. My labor in December [was] $60,000, which means I’ve got $86,000 of base cost the day I open the doors on January 1,” Will explained.
“You figure in a 32% food cost. I have $11 of gross profit in that sandwich. You take all my costs divided by $11 of gross profit, and I [have] to sell 93,000 sandwiches just to get to zero before I can make any money,” he continued.
Will Restaurants Investment Group was established in 2010.
The premier restaurant management company owns and operates brands like Central City Tavern, The Tavern House, The Derby Sports Bar, and Cantina Loca.
Will told Fox Business that he’s “now dealing with a different economy” than when he first signed the lease for the eatery’s location.
“We signed our lease pre-COVID with fixed increases every year. And I have a personal guarantee, so my rent isn’t going down. It’s going up every year forever,” he stressed.
The commercial real estate industry continues to grapple with the rise in interest rates and the impact of remote work.
Will detailed his monthly expenses, sharing insight on the business side of running a restaurant and justifying the rising price of meals.
“My revenue per operation has dropped about $350,000 per store while my rent has gone up, labor is up 30%, insurance is up 40%, rents up 10%,” the restaurateur stressed.
News of the Times;
This damning video of Joe Biden had all hell breaking loose:
https://patriotpulse.net/this-damning-video-of-joe-biden-had-all-hell-breaking-loose/
Journos Caught on Tape Joking About Trump Assassination:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/hot-mic-reporters-caught-tape-joking-about-trump/
81% of Democrats Think Trump Should Be Tossed Off Ballot:
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2024/01/08/81-of-democrats-think-trump-should-be-tossed-off-ballot-n603614
Have the Billions Donated for ‘Racial Equity’ Made Any Difference?
https://legalinsurrection.com/2024/01/have-the-billions-donated-for-racial-equity-made-any-difference/
Dem Rep. Yvette Clarke Says the Quiet Part Out Loud About Illegals:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/ny-dem-rep-yvette-clarke-says-quiet-part/
Journalist Sneaks Into NYC Migrant Center:
https://www.infowars.com/posts/watch-journalist-sneaks-into-nyc-migrant-center-in-wild-footage/
Texas takes control of Eagle Pass park:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/2791902/texas-control-eagle-pass-park-illegal-immigration-crossings/
How Many Citizens Have Their Rights Impacted:
https://www.georgiarecord.com/politics/2024/01/12/how-many-citizens-have-their-rights-impacted-while-georgia-plans-to-provide-ever-more-to-those-making-their-way-across-our-open-border-and-landing-in-georgia/
Why the US can’t find enough troops:
https://www.rt.com/news/590333-us-troops-imperial-ambitions/
Pentagon Report Reveals Over $1 Billion in Weapons Sent to Ukraine Unaccounted For:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/pentagon-report-reveals-1-billion-weapons-sent-ukraine/
CNN Admits 'Disturbing' Israel-Palestine Policy:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-cnn-censor
Sentencing Exemplifies Broken System of Two-Tiered Justice:
https://politicalmoonshine.substack.com/p/federal-dog-whistle-ray-epps-sentencing
Parents Who Refuse to Let Their Kids Go Trans Could Face 7 Years in Prison:
https://modernity.news/2024/01/10/parents-who-refuse-to-let-their-kids-go-trans-could-face-7-years-in-prison/
This Is What The Fall Of Rome Looked Like:
https://vdare.com/posts/dick-durbin-s-american-foreign-legion-this-is-what-the-fall-of-rome-looked-like
Jewish tunnels situation is crazy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItEaNfPTf5E&ab_channel=AsmongoldClips
Your classic recipe for disaster.
*.*
Top 5 Signs you Didn't Try a Dry January:
Your liver served you a court injunction.
The National Distillers Association bribed you to skip it.
It's not December?
You're going to try in February, shorter month.
The booze from New Year's Eve isn't even out of your system yet.
*.*
Oneliners:
I wish I had a pair of skinny genes.
You don't realize how old you are until you try to get up after wrapping presents on the floor.
My toxic trait is telling people to take care of themselves while I'm running on three hours of sleep, enough caffeine to kill a horse and a cookie.
Why aren't mustaches called "mouth brows?"
You can have my heart, but I need my liver.
I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.
Lately, instead of cleaning the house, I just turn off the lights.
Don't tell me the sky is the limit when there are footprints on the moon.
I need more friends who understand that I still want to be invited, I'm just not going.
Never test how deep the water is with both feet.
*.*
So, first they started charging extra for luggage.
Now they're going to ding us more to be on a plane where the door stays on?
*.*
Britney Spears says she is not returning to the music industry.
Not sure where to mail the 'Thank You' notes.
Quote of the Times;
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act, in exchange for campaign contributions; a decision he later regretted. In 1919, Wilson wrote: “I am a most unhappy man. I have unwittingly ruined my country, a great industrial nation is now controlled by a system of credit. We are no longer a government by free opinion, no longer a government by conviction and the vote of the majority, but a government by the opinion and duress of a small group of dominant men.”
Link of the Times;
The 5 Best Independent Comics You Can Read For Free Right Now:
https://fandompulse.com/2024/01/04/the-5-best-independent-comics-you-can-read-for-free-right-now/
Issue of the Times;
Restaurant owner breaks down how inflation causes him to charge nearly $16 for BLT by Alicia Warren
Inflation, a driving force behind many of the challenges businesses face today, has caused one restaurant owner to charge nearly $16 for a BLT sandwich due to rising costs.
Will Restaurants Investment Group founder and CEO Brian Will broke down his monthly expenses during an appearance on “Varney & Co.” after a friend confronted him about the price of his $16 BLT sandwich.
The wholesale cost for the popular sandwich is only $5 according to Will, but the need to cover operational expenses is what caused the meal that was once $12.99 three years ago, to become $15.99 today.
Will detailed his monthly expenses, sharing insight on the business side of running a restaurant and justifying the rising price of meals.
Will spends $20,000 a month on renting a space that houses one of his restaurants in a “new mixed-use development,” arguing it “costs a lot” given the location.
“My utilities [are] $6,000 a month. My labor in December [was] $60,000, which means I’ve got $86,000 of base cost the day I open the doors on January 1,” Will explained.
“You figure in a 32% food cost. I have $11 of gross profit in that sandwich. You take all my costs divided by $11 of gross profit, and I [have] to sell 93,000 sandwiches just to get to zero before I can make any money,” he continued.
Will Restaurants Investment Group was established in 2010.
The premier restaurant management company owns and operates brands like Central City Tavern, The Tavern House, The Derby Sports Bar, and Cantina Loca.
Will told Fox Business that he’s “now dealing with a different economy” than when he first signed the lease for the eatery’s location.
“We signed our lease pre-COVID with fixed increases every year. And I have a personal guarantee, so my rent isn’t going down. It’s going up every year forever,” he stressed.
The commercial real estate industry continues to grapple with the rise in interest rates and the impact of remote work.
Will detailed his monthly expenses, sharing insight on the business side of running a restaurant and justifying the rising price of meals.
“My revenue per operation has dropped about $350,000 per store while my rent has gone up, labor is up 30%, insurance is up 40%, rents up 10%,” the restaurateur stressed.
News of the Times;
This damning video of Joe Biden had all hell breaking loose:
https://patriotpulse.net/this-damning-video-of-joe-biden-had-all-hell-breaking-loose/
Journos Caught on Tape Joking About Trump Assassination:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/hot-mic-reporters-caught-tape-joking-about-trump/
81% of Democrats Think Trump Should Be Tossed Off Ballot:
https://hotair.com/david-strom/2024/01/08/81-of-democrats-think-trump-should-be-tossed-off-ballot-n603614
Have the Billions Donated for ‘Racial Equity’ Made Any Difference?
https://legalinsurrection.com/2024/01/have-the-billions-donated-for-racial-equity-made-any-difference/
Dem Rep. Yvette Clarke Says the Quiet Part Out Loud About Illegals:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/ny-dem-rep-yvette-clarke-says-quiet-part/
Journalist Sneaks Into NYC Migrant Center:
https://www.infowars.com/posts/watch-journalist-sneaks-into-nyc-migrant-center-in-wild-footage/
Texas takes control of Eagle Pass park:
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/2791902/texas-control-eagle-pass-park-illegal-immigration-crossings/
How Many Citizens Have Their Rights Impacted:
https://www.georgiarecord.com/politics/2024/01/12/how-many-citizens-have-their-rights-impacted-while-georgia-plans-to-provide-ever-more-to-those-making-their-way-across-our-open-border-and-landing-in-georgia/
Why the US can’t find enough troops:
https://www.rt.com/news/590333-us-troops-imperial-ambitions/
Pentagon Report Reveals Over $1 Billion in Weapons Sent to Ukraine Unaccounted For:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/pentagon-report-reveals-1-billion-weapons-sent-ukraine/
CNN Admits 'Disturbing' Israel-Palestine Policy:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-cnn-censor
Sentencing Exemplifies Broken System of Two-Tiered Justice:
https://politicalmoonshine.substack.com/p/federal-dog-whistle-ray-epps-sentencing
Parents Who Refuse to Let Their Kids Go Trans Could Face 7 Years in Prison:
https://modernity.news/2024/01/10/parents-who-refuse-to-let-their-kids-go-trans-could-face-7-years-in-prison/
This Is What The Fall Of Rome Looked Like:
https://vdare.com/posts/dick-durbin-s-american-foreign-legion-this-is-what-the-fall-of-rome-looked-like
Jewish tunnels situation is crazy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItEaNfPTf5E&ab_channel=AsmongoldClips
Harvard?
Warning: Don't give Rice Krispies to children.
I ate them as a child and now when I stand up, I snap, crackle and pop!
*.*
Sharon Osbourne says having cosmetic surgery was "the worst decision I ever made in my life!"
This coming from the woman who married Ozzy Osbourne.
*.*
Top 5 Signs 2024 is going to be a Rough Year:
A psychic refuses to give you a reading, gives you your money back and yells, "Get away!"
That new calendar you bought doesn't go past June.
On New Year's Eve, you remembered every single one of your old acquaintances.
It happens to be the Chinese Year of the Honey Badger.
It’s January and you just said, "Is it 2025 yet?".
*.*
Travel.alot.com went around the country, looking for the saddest cities in America.
Number one: Fayetteville, North Carolina.
They were actually excited to win the award.
How sad is that?
*.*
New research shows that apes can recognize old friends they haven't seen for decades.
Especially the ones that owe them bananas.
Quote of the Times;
The purpose of this annual report is to provide the most accurate statistics possible about serial killers and their victims. Key findings: – Since 1990, the majority of serial killers were Black (50.9%) followed by White (36.3%), Hispanic (10.6%), Asian (1.9%), and Native American (.4%). – In all decades, the percentage of Black serial killers exceeds the percentage of Black citizens in the United States population. – The percentage of Black serial killers in the United States has steadily increased across the decades from a low of 17% in the 1920s to over 57% in the 2010s. - The Radford/FGCU Annual Report on Serial Killer Statistics 2023
Link of the Times;
The US Government “Misplaced” $21 Trillion:
https://www.theorganicprepper.com/budget-21-trillion/
Issue of the Times;
DEI Can Only Exist in a Noncompetitive Environment by Patrick Bobko
Harvard President Claudine Gay’s recent testimony before the U.S. Congress and subsequent exposure of her academic history have revealed much about the true nature and purpose of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) ideology.
The most significant “A-ha!” moment from le affair Gay is that DEI only “works” in noncompetitive environments such as government and academia. The principles of “diversity” and “equity” implicitly assume that entities and organizations will continue along their current trajectory regardless of who’s in charge. DEI discounts merit, ability, and leadership and assumes as a matter of ideological gospel that “diversity” will more than make up for their loss.
And although this might be true in glacial bureaucracies at Harvard University, the U.S. Department of Education, or Los Angeles City Hall where funding rolls in at the start of every fiscal year and there is virtually no accountability for poor performance, DEI cannot survive in competitive environments where outcomes truly matter.
Harvard is the paradigm example. The university will continue to exist despite Ms. Gay’s shortcomings, as it has for centuries. Eager students from around the world will line up for a chance at a place in the incoming class. Tuition and grants will continue to pour into the university’s coffers. Because of its secure position in academia and absence of any real competitive threats, Harvard has the luxury of making the conscious decision to place a person in a leadership position who, on the available evidence, is unqualified and incapable of effective leadership.
Truth be told, nobody cares whether Gay can lead a university or the quality of her academic work, because she has not one speck of impact on Americans’ day-to-day lives. From her perch at Harvard University, Gay is free to theorize about social injustice and systemic racism and her supporters can quibble about the precise definition of “plagiarism” without impacting the price of gasoline, milk, or mortgage rates. She is someone who exists only on TV in a different world from all but a very, very select few Americans.
And if Gay and her ideas existed only in the Harvard faculty lounge, none of this would be a problem.
But DEI doesn’t exist only at Harvard. DEI is being implemented as an official policy in schools, government, and even the military.
Regarding the military specifically, it should give everyone pause to know that somewhere out there a Claudine Gay is currently commanding an Air Force squadron, an Army regiment, or a Navy ship. The exact same DEI principles that moved Claudine Gay to the top of the heap at Harvard are moving someone just like her through the ranks into a front-line command position.
But unlike Gay’s pedagogical pursuits where nothing is truly lost and little is put at risk, military commanders exist in the most competitive environment imaginable, where results absolutely do matter. Competence, ability, and moral courage are essential characteristics for military leaders at all levels, and they matter absolutely, both to the security of our nation and to the men and women entrusted to the leaders’ command. Gay exhibited none of these qualities.
With this in mind, it is important to remember the dissembling woman with the thick frames and condescending glare was the leader and product of an organization completely committed to “diversity.” Harvard University, widely considered to be the zenith of American academia and home to some of the world’s most promising minds, has completely adopted DEI’s principles and implements them among students and faculty with a zeal that would have made Oliver Cromwell proud. The university boasts a $50 billion endowment and employs nearly as many administrators as students. If there was ever a place where “diversity” could display its proof of concept, Harvard is it.
Gay embodies what DEI purports to be in its most elevated form -- a minority woman ascending the heights of academia at one of this country’s most storied institutions.
Gay is apparently the best result of America’s best DEI program.
Excepting of course, that it is now widely reported that she is a plagiarist. Gay’s doctoral dissertation is alleged to not be the product of her own work or research but was instead stolen from others. If true, this means Harvard University’s president and shining exemplar of DEI is an intellectual thief. And if she passed off someone else’s work as her own to gain her position at Harvard, she is not only a thief but a liar.
And yet for the “diversity” tub-thumpers, none of this matters. The resulting defense of Gay and the dissembling over the precise meaning of “plagiarism” has shown that academic credentials, even for a university president, are of only supplemental importance. The revealed truth of DEI is that what Ms. Gay represents is an order of magnitude more important than what she actually is. Whether she is qualified and can do the job for which she was selected is merely ancillary to her having it. This, of course, can only work for people such as Gay who exist in an environment free from consequence.
Gay’s supporters would push back and say that the backlash shows who the racists really are. But what happens when Admiral Claudine Gay, selected for command because of what she represents instead of who she is, faces a competitive (read: combat) situation with the enemy for which she is unqualified and ill-prepared? What happens when a person such as Gay, selected for a position by virtue of her sexual orientation or ethnicity, without any consideration of consequence, encounters a situation where the consequences are measured in American lives?
Who will DEI’s supporters accuse of being the racists then?
News of the Times;
Cancer drugs are the most profitable for Big Pharma:
https://bigthink.com/health/cancer-drugs-most-profitable/
Florida Surgeon General Warns Against Using mRNA COVID Vaccines Over Possible Cancer Risk:
https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/florida-surgeon-general-warns-against-using-mrna-covid-vaccines-over-possible-cancer-risk
People receiving cancer treatment since 2020 skyrocketed by 73%:
https://www.naturalnews.com/2024-01-02-people-receiving-cancer-treatment-went-up-73percent.html
Vivek Slams CNN For 'Egregious Interference' After Town Hall Answers Go Viral:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/what-great-replacement-theory-musk-exposes-immense-growing-size-illegal-immigration
DHS Secretary Admits Over 70 Percent of Illegal Immigrants Are Being Released Into US:
https://www.ntd.com/over-70-percent-of-illegal-immigrants-are-being-released-into-us-communities-mayorkas-admits_964813.html
Biden Administration Ramps Up Domestic Oil Production:
https://redstate.com/jerrywilson/2024/01/01/biden-administration-ramps-up-domestic-oil-production-hopes-no-one-notices-n2168163
Ohio Health Dept Director Who Allowed Clinic to Abort Babies Up to Birth:
https://www.lifenews.com/2019/12/05/ohio-health-dept-director-who-allowed-clinic-to-abort-babies-up-to-birth-is-former-obama-activist/
Deadly mass shooting in LA:
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2024/01/01/deadly-mass-shooting-in-la-just-as-sweeping-new-gun-restrictions-go-into-effect-1424165/
21 Year Old Black Man Charged With Murder:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/21-year-old-black-man-charged-murder-white/
TSA official accused of exploiting a family member with dementia is arrested:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tsa-official-accused-exploiting-family-member-dementia-arrested-atlant-rcna132546
Bill Clinton Officially Named As Epstein’s ‘Most Prolific Pedophile’:
https://thepeoplesvoice.tv/bill-clinton-officially-named-as-epsteins-most-prolific-pedophile-in-leaked-court-documents/
What The Fed Accomplished:
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/what-fed-accomplished-distorted-economy-enriched-elites-crushed-middle-class
More than one million American college students faced penalties for free expression:
https://republicsentinel.com/articles/more-than-one-million-american-college-students-faced-penalties-for-free-expression
Mexican President Demands Joe Biden Grant at Least 10 Million Hispanics Legal Status in US:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/mexican-president-demands-joe-biden-grant-least-10/
Nobody Wants A Glorified Golf Cart:
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/sorry-president-biden-nobody-wants-glorified-golf-cart
I ate them as a child and now when I stand up, I snap, crackle and pop!
*.*
Sharon Osbourne says having cosmetic surgery was "the worst decision I ever made in my life!"
This coming from the woman who married Ozzy Osbourne.
*.*
Top 5 Signs 2024 is going to be a Rough Year:
A psychic refuses to give you a reading, gives you your money back and yells, "Get away!"
That new calendar you bought doesn't go past June.
On New Year's Eve, you remembered every single one of your old acquaintances.
It happens to be the Chinese Year of the Honey Badger.
It’s January and you just said, "Is it 2025 yet?".
*.*
Travel.alot.com went around the country, looking for the saddest cities in America.
Number one: Fayetteville, North Carolina.
They were actually excited to win the award.
How sad is that?
*.*
New research shows that apes can recognize old friends they haven't seen for decades.
Especially the ones that owe them bananas.
Quote of the Times;
The purpose of this annual report is to provide the most accurate statistics possible about serial killers and their victims. Key findings: – Since 1990, the majority of serial killers were Black (50.9%) followed by White (36.3%), Hispanic (10.6%), Asian (1.9%), and Native American (.4%). – In all decades, the percentage of Black serial killers exceeds the percentage of Black citizens in the United States population. – The percentage of Black serial killers in the United States has steadily increased across the decades from a low of 17% in the 1920s to over 57% in the 2010s. - The Radford/FGCU Annual Report on Serial Killer Statistics 2023
Link of the Times;
The US Government “Misplaced” $21 Trillion:
https://www.theorganicprepper.com/budget-21-trillion/
Issue of the Times;
DEI Can Only Exist in a Noncompetitive Environment by Patrick Bobko
Harvard President Claudine Gay’s recent testimony before the U.S. Congress and subsequent exposure of her academic history have revealed much about the true nature and purpose of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) ideology.
The most significant “A-ha!” moment from le affair Gay is that DEI only “works” in noncompetitive environments such as government and academia. The principles of “diversity” and “equity” implicitly assume that entities and organizations will continue along their current trajectory regardless of who’s in charge. DEI discounts merit, ability, and leadership and assumes as a matter of ideological gospel that “diversity” will more than make up for their loss.
And although this might be true in glacial bureaucracies at Harvard University, the U.S. Department of Education, or Los Angeles City Hall where funding rolls in at the start of every fiscal year and there is virtually no accountability for poor performance, DEI cannot survive in competitive environments where outcomes truly matter.
Harvard is the paradigm example. The university will continue to exist despite Ms. Gay’s shortcomings, as it has for centuries. Eager students from around the world will line up for a chance at a place in the incoming class. Tuition and grants will continue to pour into the university’s coffers. Because of its secure position in academia and absence of any real competitive threats, Harvard has the luxury of making the conscious decision to place a person in a leadership position who, on the available evidence, is unqualified and incapable of effective leadership.
Truth be told, nobody cares whether Gay can lead a university or the quality of her academic work, because she has not one speck of impact on Americans’ day-to-day lives. From her perch at Harvard University, Gay is free to theorize about social injustice and systemic racism and her supporters can quibble about the precise definition of “plagiarism” without impacting the price of gasoline, milk, or mortgage rates. She is someone who exists only on TV in a different world from all but a very, very select few Americans.
And if Gay and her ideas existed only in the Harvard faculty lounge, none of this would be a problem.
But DEI doesn’t exist only at Harvard. DEI is being implemented as an official policy in schools, government, and even the military.
Regarding the military specifically, it should give everyone pause to know that somewhere out there a Claudine Gay is currently commanding an Air Force squadron, an Army regiment, or a Navy ship. The exact same DEI principles that moved Claudine Gay to the top of the heap at Harvard are moving someone just like her through the ranks into a front-line command position.
But unlike Gay’s pedagogical pursuits where nothing is truly lost and little is put at risk, military commanders exist in the most competitive environment imaginable, where results absolutely do matter. Competence, ability, and moral courage are essential characteristics for military leaders at all levels, and they matter absolutely, both to the security of our nation and to the men and women entrusted to the leaders’ command. Gay exhibited none of these qualities.
With this in mind, it is important to remember the dissembling woman with the thick frames and condescending glare was the leader and product of an organization completely committed to “diversity.” Harvard University, widely considered to be the zenith of American academia and home to some of the world’s most promising minds, has completely adopted DEI’s principles and implements them among students and faculty with a zeal that would have made Oliver Cromwell proud. The university boasts a $50 billion endowment and employs nearly as many administrators as students. If there was ever a place where “diversity” could display its proof of concept, Harvard is it.
Gay embodies what DEI purports to be in its most elevated form -- a minority woman ascending the heights of academia at one of this country’s most storied institutions.
Gay is apparently the best result of America’s best DEI program.
Excepting of course, that it is now widely reported that she is a plagiarist. Gay’s doctoral dissertation is alleged to not be the product of her own work or research but was instead stolen from others. If true, this means Harvard University’s president and shining exemplar of DEI is an intellectual thief. And if she passed off someone else’s work as her own to gain her position at Harvard, she is not only a thief but a liar.
And yet for the “diversity” tub-thumpers, none of this matters. The resulting defense of Gay and the dissembling over the precise meaning of “plagiarism” has shown that academic credentials, even for a university president, are of only supplemental importance. The revealed truth of DEI is that what Ms. Gay represents is an order of magnitude more important than what she actually is. Whether she is qualified and can do the job for which she was selected is merely ancillary to her having it. This, of course, can only work for people such as Gay who exist in an environment free from consequence.
Gay’s supporters would push back and say that the backlash shows who the racists really are. But what happens when Admiral Claudine Gay, selected for command because of what she represents instead of who she is, faces a competitive (read: combat) situation with the enemy for which she is unqualified and ill-prepared? What happens when a person such as Gay, selected for a position by virtue of her sexual orientation or ethnicity, without any consideration of consequence, encounters a situation where the consequences are measured in American lives?
Who will DEI’s supporters accuse of being the racists then?
News of the Times;
Cancer drugs are the most profitable for Big Pharma:
https://bigthink.com/health/cancer-drugs-most-profitable/
Florida Surgeon General Warns Against Using mRNA COVID Vaccines Over Possible Cancer Risk:
https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/florida-surgeon-general-warns-against-using-mrna-covid-vaccines-over-possible-cancer-risk
People receiving cancer treatment since 2020 skyrocketed by 73%:
https://www.naturalnews.com/2024-01-02-people-receiving-cancer-treatment-went-up-73percent.html
Vivek Slams CNN For 'Egregious Interference' After Town Hall Answers Go Viral:
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/what-great-replacement-theory-musk-exposes-immense-growing-size-illegal-immigration
DHS Secretary Admits Over 70 Percent of Illegal Immigrants Are Being Released Into US:
https://www.ntd.com/over-70-percent-of-illegal-immigrants-are-being-released-into-us-communities-mayorkas-admits_964813.html
Biden Administration Ramps Up Domestic Oil Production:
https://redstate.com/jerrywilson/2024/01/01/biden-administration-ramps-up-domestic-oil-production-hopes-no-one-notices-n2168163
Ohio Health Dept Director Who Allowed Clinic to Abort Babies Up to Birth:
https://www.lifenews.com/2019/12/05/ohio-health-dept-director-who-allowed-clinic-to-abort-babies-up-to-birth-is-former-obama-activist/
Deadly mass shooting in LA:
https://www.bizpacreview.com/2024/01/01/deadly-mass-shooting-in-la-just-as-sweeping-new-gun-restrictions-go-into-effect-1424165/
21 Year Old Black Man Charged With Murder:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/21-year-old-black-man-charged-murder-white/
TSA official accused of exploiting a family member with dementia is arrested:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/tsa-official-accused-exploiting-family-member-dementia-arrested-atlant-rcna132546
Bill Clinton Officially Named As Epstein’s ‘Most Prolific Pedophile’:
https://thepeoplesvoice.tv/bill-clinton-officially-named-as-epsteins-most-prolific-pedophile-in-leaked-court-documents/
What The Fed Accomplished:
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/what-fed-accomplished-distorted-economy-enriched-elites-crushed-middle-class
More than one million American college students faced penalties for free expression:
https://republicsentinel.com/articles/more-than-one-million-american-college-students-faced-penalties-for-free-expression
Mexican President Demands Joe Biden Grant at Least 10 Million Hispanics Legal Status in US:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/01/mexican-president-demands-joe-biden-grant-least-10/
Nobody Wants A Glorified Golf Cart:
https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/sorry-president-biden-nobody-wants-glorified-golf-cart
Ragusa?
A former employee of the Jacksonville Jaguars has been accused of stealing more than $22 million from the NFL team.
They've always had trouble with their defense.
*.*
Some claim that Nostradamus had predicted that the year 2024 is going to be a year of war and famine.
Of course, keep in mind that in 2023, he had the Carolina Panthers winning the Super Bowl.
*.*
An older gentleman, worried about his health, visits the doctor.
“So how long do I have?” he wants to know.
“You smoke cigarettes?” the doctor wants to know.
“Never,” the man replies.
“You drink much vodka?” the doctor asks.
“Never touch the stuff.”
“You chase around with many women?”
“No, I never chase women.”
"I wouldn't wait."
*.*
I'm so broke, I rub cologne from magazines on my shirt.
When people say, "Oh, you smell good. What is that?" I tell them, "Page 14."
*.*
NASA has released stunning new pictures of Uranus and H.R. says I have to stop there.
Quote of the Times;
World War II was basically a repeat of World War I, in that quashing Germany’s economic and industrial power was the chief goal. In a March 1946 note from Winston Churchill to Harry Truman, the reason for World War II was made clear: “The war wasn’t only about abolishing fascism, but to conquer sales markets. We could have if we had intended so prevented this war from breaking out without doing one shot, but we didn’t want to.”
Link of the Times;
Do you notice anything different between this Moscow subway and NYC?
https://revolver.news/2023/12/notice-anything-different-between-this-moscow-subway-and-nyc/
Issue of the Times;
Major Scandal Rocks the Italian Catholic Church: Bishops Accused of Funding Illegal Immigration by Amy Me
The Catholic Church, akin to George Soros, is now under scrutiny for its involvement in financing the illegal invasion of Europe.
Rome, Italy – A significant scandal has recently emerged within the Italian Catholic Church, implicating high-ranking church officials, including cardinals and archbishops, in a scheme of organizing and financing illegal migration from Africa to Europe. Investigations led by the prosecutor’s office in Ragusa, Sicily, have uncovered troubling connections between several Italian dioceses and the George Soros-tied NGO “SOS Mediterranea,” accused of aiding and abetting human trafficking under the guise of refugee aid.
Financial Ties and Controversial Figures
The investigations have revealed that these dioceses channeled at least €2 million into operations alleged to support illegal migration. Notably, some funds reportedly ended up in the personal accounts of pro-immigration activists. Key figures implicated include Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, Archbishop Corrado Lorefice of Palermo, Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples, Archbishop Erio Castellucci of Modena, and Archbishop Giovanni Ricchiuti of Altamury. Additionally, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg is also on the donor list, having contributed €25,000 to these questionable activities.
Luca Casarini: The Radical Leftist Linchpin
Central to this scandal is Luca Casarini, a prominent left-wing activist and a key figure in the NGO “SOS Mediterranea.” Known for his involvement in the 2001 G8 summit protests in Genoa, Casarini has long been under scrutiny for his radical methods and unscrupulous tactics in illegal migrant transportation. These protests, marked by violence and chaos, highlighted his controversial role in the activist community.
In recent years, Casarini has been instrumental in the operations of “SOS Mediterranea,” an organization often working with other left-wing NGO groups like Antifa-tied “Sea-Watch.” These radical groups, have been accused of illegally ferrying migrants from Africa to Europe, raising significant concerns about the legality and ethics of their operations. As reported previously at RAIR, video evidence exposes the coordination between NGO migrant ferries and illegal human traffickers. The human traffickers even advertise their illegal services on left-wing Facebook. Casarini’s deep involvement in these activities has made him a central figure in the ongoing controversy surrounding the role of NGOs in the European migrant crisis.
Luca Casarini, a special synod guest from the aid organization Mediterranea Saving Humans, speaks during a briefing about the assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican on Oct. 11, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Casarini and five other individuals working for Mediterranea are under investigation in Sicily for a 2020 incident involving the Mare Jonio ship. At that time, they disembarked 27 migrants in a Sicilian port without permission, following a transaction with the Danish company Maersk. Prosecutors allege this was a payoff in violation of Italian immigration laws, further complicating the ethical landscape of these operations.
Pope Francis’ Involvement and Criticism
Adding to the controversy, Pope Francis‘ interactions with Casarini have drawn criticism and raised eyebrows. Despite his lack of active involvement in Church life, the Pope’s decision to invite Casarini to participate in the Vatican Synod of Bishops in 2019 has been seen as an endorsement of these left-wing globalist practices.
In a move that further intensified debate, Pope Francis notably received a life jacket with a crucifix from Casarini, a gesture interpreted as a symbol of support for the NGO’s activities. This act, along with the Pope’s public welcoming of illegal migrants in Lampedusa, has added to his anti-European stance on migration policies. These actions have not only been a topic of intense debate within the Church but have also sparked discussions on a broader societal level, questioning the Church’s role and stance in illegal migration and refugee aid.
Critics argue that such gestures by the Pope encourage illegal migration and conflict with the interests of European states grappling with illegal mass migration challenges. These incidents underscore the complexities of the Church’s involvement in geopolitical issues, particularly in the realm of illegals and caring more about their well-being than the citizens of Europe.
Church Asylum and Human Smuggling: An Alarming Nexus
This scandal highlights the misuse of “church asylum,” with radical left-wing, anti-European smuggling NGOs like Mediterranea receiving clerical support. Intercepted phone calls revealed that activists privately expressed disdain for the bishops while adopting a reverent tone in direct interactions. Casarini’s right-hand man, Giuseppe Caccia, made derogatory comments about the bishops, and Casarini himself mocked the value of the Pope’s letters of support.
Cynical View of the Church by Activists
A troubling aspect of this scandal is the notion that Mediterranea activists treated the Church as a mere funding source. Intercepts revealed admissions of using church money for personal expenses like rent, thus avoiding regular employment, reflecting a deeply cynical exploitation of the Church’s resources.
The Fallout: Decreased Donations and Damaged Credibility
The scandal threatens to undermine the Church’s credibility. There is growing concern that parishioners may stop donating during Mass, fearing their contributions are funding illegal immigration rather than pastoral activities. This situation poses a serious warning against the Church engaging in financing ideological projects.
Debate on Bishops’ Motivations
The scandal has intensified the debate over whether the implicated bishops followed Pope Francis’ directives or acted independently, driven by their interpretation of his humanitarian vision. Observers suggest that by financing activities supporting illegal migration, these bishops might have been trying to outdo Pope Francis himself in demonstrating commitment to his ideals, a phenomenon being termed ‘out-Bergoglioing Bergoglio.’
This raises serious questions about the autonomy of bishops within the Church’s hierarchy and the misalignment of their actions with official Vatican policies. It also highlights a dangerous precedent where moral and ethical pursuits blur the lines into politically charged territories, exposing the Church’s neutrality and governance.
The debate is not just about the bishops’ allegiance to the Pope’s stance but also about the decision-making and accountability within the Church. It underscores a critical issue: how far Church leaders can stretch the Pope’s vision before it becomes a liability, both ethically and politically, for the Vatican.
News of the Times;
The Most Popular Articles Of The Past Year And A Look Ahead:
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/2023-greatest-hits-most-popular-articles-past-year-and-look-ahead
Bedlam in Berlin as Police and Firefighters Attacked With Projectiles:
https://modernity.news/2024/01/01/bedlam-in-berlin-as-police-and-firefighters-attacked-with-projectiles/
Canadian Health Care Leaves Patients Frozen In Line:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/sallypipes/2023/12/26/canadian-health-care-leaves-patients-frozen-in-line/
Britain’s Net Zero Disaster and the Wind Power Scam:
https://realclearwire.com/articles/2023/12/20/britains_net_zero_disaster_and_the_wind_power_scam_1000250.html
Xi sends warning over Taiwan:
https://www.rt.com/news/589729-xi-warning-taiwan-separatism/
Etsy targeted by child trafficking conspiracy theories:
https://news.yahoo.com/etsy-targeted-child-trafficking-conspiracy-013406892.html?guccounter=1
Google Agrees to Settle $5 Billion Class Action Lawsuit:
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2023/12/google-agrees-settle-5-billion-privacy-lawsuit-tracking/
How the EPA Is Attempting to Kill the Berkey Water Filter:
https://www.activistpost.com/2023/12/how-the-epa-is-attempting-to-kill-the-berkey-water-filter.html
Portland Poop Crisis Triggers Bacteria Outbreak Normally Found In Third World:
https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/portland-poop-crisis-triggers-bacteria-outbreak-normally-found-third-world
Bill Clinton to be unmasked as ‘Doe 36’:
https://nypost.com/2023/12/31/news/bill-clinton-to-be-identified-as-doe-36-and-named-over-50-times-in-upcoming-epstein-doc-dump/
Former Planned Parenthood Director Commits Suicide After Police Raid:
https://www.lifenews.com/2023/04/14/former-planned-parenthood-director-commits-suicide-after-police-raid-his-home-in-child-porn-case/
Collins Comes Clean. Admits Covid Lockdown Was ‘Another Mistake We Made’:
https://www.newswithanalysis.com/articles/collins-comes-clean-admits-covid-lockdown-was-another-mistake-we-made?c=january2024
Governor Who Vetoed Bill Blocking Sex-Changes Took $40K From Pro-Trans Hospitals
https://www.zerohedge.com/political/ohio-governor-who-vetoed-no-sex-changes-children-took-40k-pro-trans-hospitals
Gay’s Getting off Easy:
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2023/12/31/honor-council-member-gay/
Rome Was Eternal, Until It Wasn't:
https://charleshughsmith.blogspot.com/2023/12/rome-was-eternal-until-it-wasnt.html
They've always had trouble with their defense.
*.*
Some claim that Nostradamus had predicted that the year 2024 is going to be a year of war and famine.
Of course, keep in mind that in 2023, he had the Carolina Panthers winning the Super Bowl.
*.*
An older gentleman, worried about his health, visits the doctor.
“So how long do I have?” he wants to know.
“You smoke cigarettes?” the doctor wants to know.
“Never,” the man replies.
“You drink much vodka?” the doctor asks.
“Never touch the stuff.”
“You chase around with many women?”
“No, I never chase women.”
"I wouldn't wait."
*.*
I'm so broke, I rub cologne from magazines on my shirt.
When people say, "Oh, you smell good. What is that?" I tell them, "Page 14."
*.*
NASA has released stunning new pictures of Uranus and H.R. says I have to stop there.
Quote of the Times;
World War II was basically a repeat of World War I, in that quashing Germany’s economic and industrial power was the chief goal. In a March 1946 note from Winston Churchill to Harry Truman, the reason for World War II was made clear: “The war wasn’t only about abolishing fascism, but to conquer sales markets. We could have if we had intended so prevented this war from breaking out without doing one shot, but we didn’t want to.”
Link of the Times;
Do you notice anything different between this Moscow subway and NYC?
https://revolver.news/2023/12/notice-anything-different-between-this-moscow-subway-and-nyc/
Issue of the Times;
Major Scandal Rocks the Italian Catholic Church: Bishops Accused of Funding Illegal Immigration by Amy Me
The Catholic Church, akin to George Soros, is now under scrutiny for its involvement in financing the illegal invasion of Europe.
Rome, Italy – A significant scandal has recently emerged within the Italian Catholic Church, implicating high-ranking church officials, including cardinals and archbishops, in a scheme of organizing and financing illegal migration from Africa to Europe. Investigations led by the prosecutor’s office in Ragusa, Sicily, have uncovered troubling connections between several Italian dioceses and the George Soros-tied NGO “SOS Mediterranea,” accused of aiding and abetting human trafficking under the guise of refugee aid.
Financial Ties and Controversial Figures
The investigations have revealed that these dioceses channeled at least €2 million into operations alleged to support illegal migration. Notably, some funds reportedly ended up in the personal accounts of pro-immigration activists. Key figures implicated include Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, Archbishop Corrado Lorefice of Palermo, Archbishop Domenico Battaglia of Naples, Archbishop Erio Castellucci of Modena, and Archbishop Giovanni Ricchiuti of Altamury. Additionally, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of Luxembourg is also on the donor list, having contributed €25,000 to these questionable activities.
Luca Casarini: The Radical Leftist Linchpin
Central to this scandal is Luca Casarini, a prominent left-wing activist and a key figure in the NGO “SOS Mediterranea.” Known for his involvement in the 2001 G8 summit protests in Genoa, Casarini has long been under scrutiny for his radical methods and unscrupulous tactics in illegal migrant transportation. These protests, marked by violence and chaos, highlighted his controversial role in the activist community.
In recent years, Casarini has been instrumental in the operations of “SOS Mediterranea,” an organization often working with other left-wing NGO groups like Antifa-tied “Sea-Watch.” These radical groups, have been accused of illegally ferrying migrants from Africa to Europe, raising significant concerns about the legality and ethics of their operations. As reported previously at RAIR, video evidence exposes the coordination between NGO migrant ferries and illegal human traffickers. The human traffickers even advertise their illegal services on left-wing Facebook. Casarini’s deep involvement in these activities has made him a central figure in the ongoing controversy surrounding the role of NGOs in the European migrant crisis.
Luca Casarini, a special synod guest from the aid organization Mediterranea Saving Humans, speaks during a briefing about the assembly of the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican on Oct. 11, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
Casarini and five other individuals working for Mediterranea are under investigation in Sicily for a 2020 incident involving the Mare Jonio ship. At that time, they disembarked 27 migrants in a Sicilian port without permission, following a transaction with the Danish company Maersk. Prosecutors allege this was a payoff in violation of Italian immigration laws, further complicating the ethical landscape of these operations.
Pope Francis’ Involvement and Criticism
Adding to the controversy, Pope Francis‘ interactions with Casarini have drawn criticism and raised eyebrows. Despite his lack of active involvement in Church life, the Pope’s decision to invite Casarini to participate in the Vatican Synod of Bishops in 2019 has been seen as an endorsement of these left-wing globalist practices.
In a move that further intensified debate, Pope Francis notably received a life jacket with a crucifix from Casarini, a gesture interpreted as a symbol of support for the NGO’s activities. This act, along with the Pope’s public welcoming of illegal migrants in Lampedusa, has added to his anti-European stance on migration policies. These actions have not only been a topic of intense debate within the Church but have also sparked discussions on a broader societal level, questioning the Church’s role and stance in illegal migration and refugee aid.
Critics argue that such gestures by the Pope encourage illegal migration and conflict with the interests of European states grappling with illegal mass migration challenges. These incidents underscore the complexities of the Church’s involvement in geopolitical issues, particularly in the realm of illegals and caring more about their well-being than the citizens of Europe.
Church Asylum and Human Smuggling: An Alarming Nexus
This scandal highlights the misuse of “church asylum,” with radical left-wing, anti-European smuggling NGOs like Mediterranea receiving clerical support. Intercepted phone calls revealed that activists privately expressed disdain for the bishops while adopting a reverent tone in direct interactions. Casarini’s right-hand man, Giuseppe Caccia, made derogatory comments about the bishops, and Casarini himself mocked the value of the Pope’s letters of support.
Cynical View of the Church by Activists
A troubling aspect of this scandal is the notion that Mediterranea activists treated the Church as a mere funding source. Intercepts revealed admissions of using church money for personal expenses like rent, thus avoiding regular employment, reflecting a deeply cynical exploitation of the Church’s resources.
The Fallout: Decreased Donations and Damaged Credibility
The scandal threatens to undermine the Church’s credibility. There is growing concern that parishioners may stop donating during Mass, fearing their contributions are funding illegal immigration rather than pastoral activities. This situation poses a serious warning against the Church engaging in financing ideological projects.
Debate on Bishops’ Motivations
The scandal has intensified the debate over whether the implicated bishops followed Pope Francis’ directives or acted independently, driven by their interpretation of his humanitarian vision. Observers suggest that by financing activities supporting illegal migration, these bishops might have been trying to outdo Pope Francis himself in demonstrating commitment to his ideals, a phenomenon being termed ‘out-Bergoglioing Bergoglio.’
This raises serious questions about the autonomy of bishops within the Church’s hierarchy and the misalignment of their actions with official Vatican policies. It also highlights a dangerous precedent where moral and ethical pursuits blur the lines into politically charged territories, exposing the Church’s neutrality and governance.
The debate is not just about the bishops’ allegiance to the Pope’s stance but also about the decision-making and accountability within the Church. It underscores a critical issue: how far Church leaders can stretch the Pope’s vision before it becomes a liability, both ethically and politically, for the Vatican.
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