Category: Opinion

According to a Quinnipiac poll released on Wednesday, sixty-two percent of Americans believe the U.S. military will be forced to go back to Afghanistan to fight terrorism.

“The pullout is over, but boots will be back on the ground eventually,’ predict voters, who clearly see a looming terrorist threat churning in the cauldron that is Afghanistan,” said Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy.

The poll which was conducted Sep. 10-13 also reported that 54 percent of Americans say they approve of Biden’s decision to withdraw service members from Afghanistan, compared with 41 percent who disapprove.

Biden has been harshly criticized for the withdrawal, which saw the swift takeover of Kabul by the Taliban and a suicide bombing that claimed the lives of 13 U.S. service members.

Sixty-nine percent of Americans polled said military withdrawal from Afghanistan was the right move while 24 percent say it wasn’t. Sixty-five percent scored the way Biden handled the withdrawal negatively. Thirty-one percent, meanwhile, scored it positively.

The poll also revealed that 50% disapprove of the way Biden is handling his job as president, with 42% approving. Also, 48% approve of Biden’s handling of the COVID-19 response, but the majority still lies with the 49% who disapprove.

Biden received negative scores on his handling of foreign policy (59-34 percent), the economy (42-52 percent) and climate change (45-42 percent)

“If there ever was a honeymoon for President Biden, it is clearly over. This is, with few exceptions, a poll full of troubling negatives…from overall job approval to foreign policy, to the economy,” said Malloy.

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Bob Menendez has had just about enough and has threatened to subpoena top Biden administration officials over the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Menendez made a statement promising accountability. Menendez made it clear that he would subpoena Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other Biden officials who declined to voluntarily appear before the panel.

“Mr. Secretary, the execution of the U.S. withdrawal was clearly and fatally flawed,” Menendez told Blinken.

Menendez stated that multiple administrations “lied” about the stability of the Afghan government, then added that Austin’s refusal to testify “will affect my personal judgment on Department of Defense nominees.”

Menendez said, “We know now that the Taliban had no intention of pursuing a political path and peace deal with the Afghan government.”

“The administration says that we should judge the Taliban by their actions, and I agree,” Menendez said, “and their actions since taking over Afghanistan have been pretty horrifying – beating women activist, murdering ethnic and religious minorities such as the Hazara, separating classrooms by gender, shutting down local media, refusal to break with al-/Qaida, appointing the head of a foreign terrorist organization…to lead the ministry of interior, and the list goes on.”

Blinken testified that the Biden administration started planning in the spring and summer for a “worst-case scenario” in Afghanistan, and preparation had been made for evacuating the U.S. Embassy in Kabul in 48 hours and for establishing control of the airport there.

Blinken refused to present the committee with a copy of a July 13 State Department dissent cable that warned of the immediate fall of the Afghan government after the U.S. withdrawal.

“Such messages are only to be shared with senior officials in the department,” Blinken said.

Blinken said that the State Department is “still tabulating” the number of Special Immigrant Visa applicants that are still stranded in Afghanistan. He added the agency had increased resources this spring to reduce backlogs in the program.

Blinken had testified virtually for more than five hours on Monday before the House Armed Services Committee. Republican members of the committee called on him to resign after the disastrous withdrawal.

“We inherited a deadline. We did not inherit a plan” said Blinken, continually blaming former President Donald Trump for the epic fail.

Blinken insisted the evacuation effort was “extraordinary” despite the fact that about 100 U.S. citizens and an estimated “thousands” of green card holders are still stranded in Afghanistan.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Wednesday that there was “nothing” in recent reports about Gen. Milley that caused “any concern.”

Kirby said that he “couldn’t speak to” the allegations made concerning Milley in the new book “Peril” which was co-written by Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Robert Costa.

“I think you saw a statement by the chairman’s office specifically addressing this issue,” he said. “What I can tell you is that it is not uncommon at all for the department to continue to review security protocols, particularly when it comes to our strategic deterrence capabilities. That we constantly take a look at the protocols and procedures to make sure that they are still relevant.”

“It’s also completely appropriate, and again I’m not speaking to the validity of things that are in the book, but it is completely appropriate for the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, as the senior military advisor to both the secretary and the president, to want to see those protocols reviewed on whatever frequent basis that he wants to do that.”

Kirby reiterated that he could not confirm nor deny whether the reports are true but said that he did not feel that they were concerning.

“I did not see anything, in what I’ve read, that would cause any concern.”

In their book Woodward and Costa allege that Milley held a secret meeting at the Pentagon after the Capitol riot instructing high ranking military officials to report to him before taking orders from former President Donald Trump, who Milley was “certain” had gone into “serious mental decline.”

MIT nuclear strategy expert Vipin Narang explained that anyone who ignored an order from the president and disrupted the nuclear chain of command “would be doing so illegally and risk the charge of mutiny.” He said that the president has “sole authority” to order a nuclear launch.

Milley was also alleged in the book to have called his Chinese counterpart, Gen LiZuocheng of the People’s Liberation Army, and tol him that he would give him advance warning in the event of military action against them.

At the National September 11th Memorial and Museum in New York City on Saturday, President Joe Biden was joined by former President Barack Obama and former Vice President Bill Clinton.

A number of commemorations were held across the country, and President Biden managed to make it to all three 9/11 memorial sites throughout the day. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump met with police officers and firefighters at the New York Police Department’s (NYPD) 17th precinct.

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks but the president oddly stood back and had nothing to say. Biden did have pre-recorded remarks played on the subject on Friday evening.

“We are gathered today on hallowed ground, at this place that has been sanctified by sacrifice, to honor the heroism that the 40 passengers and crew members showed in the face of grave terrorism,” Harris said at the site where Flight 93 crashed after passengers heroically fought back against the terrorists.

“I remember when I first learned about what happened on that fateful flight. What happened on Flight 93 told us then and it still tells us so much about the courage of those on board who gave everything they possibly could; about the resolve of the first responders who risked everything; and about the resilience of the American people,” she continued.

VP Harris: "On the days that followed September 11, 2001, we were all reminded that unity is possible in America. We were reminded also that unity is imperative in America. It is essential to our shared prosperity, to our national security, and to our standing in the world." pic.twitter.com/EMKgzSzZ2m

— MSNBC (@MSNBC) September 11, 2021

Biden briefly spoke to reporters about Flight 93, calling the acts of those on board “genuine heroism.”

“These memorials are really important,” Biden said. “But they’re also incredibly difficult for the people affected by them, because it brings back the moment they got the phone call, it brings back the instant they got the news, no matter how years go by.”

Additionally, the president applauded former President George W. Bush’s speech in Shanksville, which took place during a memorial service for those who died in the plane crash. The Bushes, as well as former First Lady Laura Bush, former Vice President Dick Cheney, and Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, were in Pennsylvania on Saturday to support Harris. Bush talked about the feelings he had on that fatal day 20 years ago, as well as all that happened afterward.

“We saw that Americans were vulnerable, but not fragile – that they possess a core of strength that survives the worst that life can bring,” Bush said. “We learned that bravery is more common than we imagined, emerging with sudden splendor in the face of death. We vividly felt how every hour with our loved ones was a temporary and holy gift. And we found that even the longest days end.”

“There is no simple explanation for the mix of providence and human will that sets the direction of our lives. But comfort can come from a different sort of knowledge. After wandering long and lost in the dark, many have found they were actually walking, step by step, toward grace,” Bush added.

Legendary country star Reba McEntire was rescued by the Oklahoma fire department after the historic building she was touring with six others had a staircase that collapsed.

The country artist was one of seven persons rescued by officials in Atoka, Oklahoma, on Tuesday. After visiting a historic location — the building is at least 100 years old — Reba and a friend were trapped inside when the structure partially collapsed.

According to Travis Mullins, Director of Emergency Management, the building was in the midst of being refurbished at the time of the incident — the old stairs were already slated to be replaced when this occurred. There has been no information on why anyone was allowed to enter the building, assuming that was the case.

Close call for @reba in Atoka, Oklahoma Tuesday (9/14/21) Sure glad she and boyfriend Rex Linn are ok!
While touring an old building, a staircase collapsed. They were among seven people inside. Atoka’s finest came to the rescue.
No one hurt, just some bumps and bruises. pic.twitter.com/ppLhQOLDuA

— Lisanne Anderson (@Lisanne2016_) September 15, 2021

In any case, Reba and her friends were fortunate in that they were only on the second level when the stairs fell, leaving them trapped up there and requiring an old-fashioned ladder rescue. The incident was captured on video, which shows firefighters carefully lowering her and others through the window.

All but one of Reba’s friends were unharmed; nevertheless, one individual was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. Officials later stated that not only did the 2nd story stairwell collapse, but the stairwell leading up to the 3rd floor did as well, trapping anyone who was higher up at the time.

A number of gorillas at a Georgia zoo have contracted COVID-19, and it appears that a human staff member may have infected them…

As of today, Zoo Atlanta announces that at least 13 of their total 20 gorillas are presumptively positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus — this comes after some of them began showing symptoms in recent days and were tested by a local lab — with additional results expected in the coming days.

Update on our gorilla population: Zoo Atlanta has received presumptive positive test results indicating that members of its western lowland gorilla troops are positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. https://t.co/TugKKupxnV pic.twitter.com/ba5fpZ6MdC

— ZooATL (@ZooATL) September 10, 2021

Runny noses, coughing, and changes in appetite were among the symptoms observed, and samples were collected by the use of nasal swabs, oral swabs, and fecal material.

Ozzie, the eldest of their gorillas, is 60 years old and has also tested positive for the virus. They are being treated with monoclonal antibodies and will soon be given the Zoetis vaccine, which is a jab made specifically for animals and which numerous zoos have already administered to their animals.

Zoo Atlanta says at least 13 western lowland gorillas have tested positive for COVID-19, including 60-year-old Ozzie, the oldest male gorilla in captivity.https://t.co/Qs7d0i9MIL

— WABE News (@wabenews) September 11, 2021

As for how they became infected, ZA believes that a member of the care team who works there — who later tested positive — may have been responsible for passing the virus… accidentally and not on purpose, according to the organization. They claim that this employee was completely vaccinated and wearing a slew of protective gear when they reported working on the day that the virus apparently spread.

At this time, it does not appear like any of the gorillas are in danger of dying, but the Zoo is keeping an eye on their health. They’re also allowing visitors to continue to watch them because, according to them, it’s not possible for animals to transmit COVID to people and the built-in viewing distance is sufficiently safe.

Associate Editor Bob Woodward and national political reporter Robert Costa of the Washington Post released excerpts from their new book, “Peril,” which includes interviews with more than 200 people and will be released next week.

In the book, President Joe Biden allegedly pressed Democratic West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin to approve the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package during a phone call on March 5, the eve of the Senate’s vote.

“If you don’t come along, you’re really f**king me,” the president allegedly told Manchin.

During a February appearance on “Special Report with Bret Baier,” Manchin promised viewers that Republicans would have a say in the stimulus package’s final vote, guaranteeing that the legislation, known as the American Rescue Plan, would be passed “in a bipartisan way.”

On the day of the alleged phone call, Manchin reached a deal with his fellow Senate Democrats over a disagreement over a provision for unemployment benefits that were included in the legislative package. Republican Ohio Sen. Rob Portman’s proposal would have provided only $300 in weekly unemployment benefits through July 18, but Democrats favored paying $400 in weekly jobless benefits, and the West Virginia senator supported the Republican proposal.

The American Rescue Plan was approved by the Senate on March 6 by a vote of 50 to 49. American households earning less than $150,000 per year received $2,800 in direct stimulus payments, while families earning less than $75,000 received $1,400 in direct stimulus payments under the legislation. Among other things, the package included $800 million in federal food assistance, $470 million for the National Endowment for the Arts, and $100 million for the Environmental Protection Agency.

Because of concerns about the national debt and inflation, Manchin has come out against Biden’s campaign for the Senate to enact the $3.5 trillion budget reconciliation plan, which is a 10-year plan that aims to boost education, healthcare, and infrastructure expenditures.

In May, the House of Representatives enacted a $3 trillion COVID-19 relief package. According to Forbes, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi indicated in August that she will continue to advocate for the $3 trillion COVID-19 spending package, which was passed in 2017.

There’s no denying that Madonna is in excellent shape for her age and that she is one sexy woman, but Megyn Kelly isn’t convinced that Madonna’s bottom is all hers.

The Queen of Pop, whose true name is Madonna Louise Ciccone, made a surprise cameo during the opening ceremony of the MTV Video Music Awards, which took place the previous weekend. According to Women’s Health magazine, “she confidently displayed her super toned buttocks and legs in a one-piece thong bustier and matching cap that she rocked with heels and black fishnet stockings.”

Kelly, on the other hand, believes this is not the case. According to the Daily Caller, on her most recent broadcast, she told her guests, comedian Adam Carolla, and Fox News meteorologist Janice Dean, that there was “absolutely no way that’s her real bottom.”

“I gotta’ talk to you, JD, I gotta’ talk to you about Madonna’s *ss,” Kelly said, drawing laughter from Dean.

“There is 100 percent that that is fake. There is absolutely no way that that’s her real bottom,” Kelly said, adding that she knew it would be the “right thing” to do by praising the singer, “You go girl, 63! And that’s what 63 looks like and you’re still holding it together.”

“That’s not how I feel,” Kelly added. “I feel like, woman, cover up! It’s too much.”

“I just think that her old brand was vulgarity, and it worked, but it’s working less for me as she gets into her mid-60s and is officially a member of AARP,” Kelly said. She also added that Madonna should show “a little bit more dignity.”

Look for yourselves, what do you think in the name of science.

Brb Madonna walking #VMAs pic.twitter.com/AcNVO8umZ6

— Vulture (@vulture) September 13, 2021

After allegations spread that she had undergone buttock augmentation, Madonna responded in 2019. However, it is apparent that she also devotes a significant amount of time and effort to her fitness regimen. “One of her trainers, Craig Smith told Daily Mail Australia that Madonna works out for at least 30 minutes, six days a week,” Women’s Health wrote then. “‘I vary the workouts every single day,’ he says. ‘She does a combination of circuit training, interval training, and resistance training. Dance is obviously a huge part of that.’”

The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that an ex-U.S. military member who hacked computers for the government of the United Arab Emirates had been granted a “deferred prosecution” agreement, which allowed him to avoid criminal prosecution in exchange for paying a fine of $335,000 to the government of the UAE.

Nonetheless, for Daniel Gericke, the punishment will most likely not set him back too much because the same day he sold his part of the business in a roughly $1 billion transaction. Gericke has been with the company since 2004.

According to CNET, ExpressVPN revealed that it had been sold to Kape Technologies for a total of $936 million dollars.

Kape was co-founded by an ex-Israeli surveillance agent and a billionaire previously convicted of insider trading and was previously an adware company called CrossRider.

ExpressVPN told the publication, “We’ve known the key facts relating to Daniel’s employment history since before we hired him, as he disclosed them proactively and transparently with us from the start. In fact, it was his history and expertise that made him an invaluable hire for our mission to protect users’ privacy and security.”

Two former members of the United States intelligence community, Marc Baier and Ryan Adams, along with a former member of the military who has since renounced his citizenship, received an unusual plea bargain from federal prosecutors in the United States. Even though they had engaged in a stunning betrayal of national trust, the deal would result in their not incurring criminal convictions if they paid a fine and completed other requirements.

Baier must pay $750,000 and Adams $600,000 — despite years of working on behalf of the oil-rich foreign nation. But Gericke’s fine is particularly unlikely to form any sort of deterrent since the VPN deal was so lucrative.

The business deal will include establishing the ExpressVPN Digital Security Lab, an independent research arm which conducts high-quality, original research to empower consumers with information about digital rights.

Norm Macdonald, a seasoned comedian, actor, writer, and producer who was most known for his work on “Saturday Night Live,” among other things, has died.

He passed suddenly on Tuesday, according to his team, following a nine-year struggle with cancer that he kept hidden from the public eye. Macdonald had been fighting the disease in secret for nine years.

https://youtu.be/ehBgQMAd-XE

His longtime producing partner, Lori Jo Hoekstra, said, “He was most proud of his comedy. He never wanted the diagnosis to affect the way the audience or any of his loved ones saw him. Norm was a pure comic. He once wrote that ‘a joke should catch someone by surprise, it should never pander.’ He certainly never pandered. Norm will be missed terribly.”

The news comes as a shock to those who believed Macdonald was a star in the world of comedy. He is arguably best known for his role as one of the original ‘Weekend Update’ co-hosts on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ as well as his roles in a variety of other television shows and films throughout the years.

“SNL” was his home from 1993 to 1998, which many believe to be the best years of the sketch comedy series’s run of success. Norm’s career began with ‘Saturday Night Live,’ as it did for many other comedians, and from there it took off like a rocket.

In the following years, Norm appeared in (and made a lot of memorable cameo appearances in) films such as “Billy Madison,” “Dr. Doolittle,” “Screwed,” “Deuce Bigalow,” “Man on the Moon,” and several other Sandler films. He also had his own sitcom, “Norm” as well as his own chat show, which he hosted at various times. Speaking of late-night television, Norm was a frequent guest on shows hosted by David Letterman, Conan O’Brien, Jimmy Fallon, Larry King, Jay Leno, Howard Stern, and a slew of other legendary personalities.

His television resume is equally impressive — he has appeared in (and written for) shows such as ‘Roseanne,’ ‘My Name is Earl,’ ‘The Drew Carey Show,’ ‘Family Guy,’ ‘The Fairly Odd Parents,’ ‘The Orville,’ ‘The Middle,’ ‘Sunnyside,’ ‘A Minute with Stan Hooper,’ and a slew of others. He has also appeared in films

Norm was notorious for his edgy comedy — which, in recent years, had come into conflict with contemporary views… such as the PC/cancel culture. As a matter of fact, the last time we saw him — only a few years ago — he was telling us that he couldn’t really be humorous any longer because of political correctness in the workplace.

Even after a year, the guy was still performing on stages — he was doing comedy at the Improv, where he was talking about the coronavirus — and despite the fact that he was fighting cancer at the time, he still looked smart and maintained the same clever sense of humor that he’d always had.

RIP Macdonald.