Category: Opinion

The Colonial Pipeline is performing normal operations once again after being targeted for a cyberattack that cut off the gas supply for most of the eastern United States for several days.

“Following this restart, it will take several days for the product delivery supply chain to return to normal,” Colonial Pipeline said in a statement. “Some markets served by Colonial Pipeline may experience, or continue to experience, intermittent service interruptions during the start-up period.”

“Colonial will move as much gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel as is safely possible and will continue to do so until markets return to normal,” the statement added.

The hackers demanded millions in ransom money which the pipeline operator refused to pay. Help from the Department of Energy soon stepped in as well as federal, state, and local authorities. Deputy Energy Secretary Dave Turk said the company has already resumed partial operations under manual control.

Colonial said safety would be its “primary focus” following the restart. The pipeline operator will conduct a series of safety assessments to comply with federal guidelines.

“This is the first step in the restart process and would not have been possible without the around-the-clock support of Colonial Pipeline’s dedicated employees who have worked tirelessly to help us achieve this milestone,” the company said.

We just got off the phone with #ColonialPipeline CEO. They are restarting pipeline operations today at ~5pm. More soon.

— Secretary Jennifer Granholm (@SecGranholm) May 12, 2021

The ransomware attack has been credited to Russian hacking group Darksideand targeted a 5,500-mile pipeline that moves 100 million gallons of fuel a day, which’s about half of the East Coast’s supply.

Last Friday, the pipeline was forced to shut down some systems to counter the ransomware attack. This caused fuel deliveries to come to a screeching halt and triggered panic among the public much like the toilet paper shortage we experienced at the beginning of the pandemic.

A state of emergency has been declared by several governors in response to the crisis.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki addressed the impacts of the Colonial Pipeline shutdown by flip-flopping between admitting and denying a supply shortage and said the administration used appropriate language in each moment.

On Monday President Biden’s homeland security adviser, Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall informed reporters “Right now there is not a supply shortage.”

“We are monitoring supply shortages in parts of the Southeast and are evaluating every action the Administration can take to mitigate the impact as much as possible,” Psaki said.

The next day, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm refused to acknowledge the shortage, saying instead that there was a “supply crunch.”

“It’s not that we have a gasoline shortage. It’s that we have this supply crunch and that things will be back to normal soon and that we’re asking people not to hoard and know that we are all over this.”

“We know that we have gasoline. We just have to get it to the right places,” the secretary continued.

However, the EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg both called the lack of gasoline at the pumps is indeed a “shortage.”

Colonial Pipeline, which transports 45% of fuel used on the East Coast, shut down its entire operation Friday after a ransomware attack, in which hackers typically lock up computer systems by encrypting data, paralyzing networks, and demand a large ransom to unscramble it. The FBI has assigned blame to criminal group DarkSide, whose group members are Russian speakers. Russia has denied involvement in the attack.

Psaki punted on a question of whether Colonial Pipeline paid the ransom. “The guidance from the FBI is not to do that,” Psaki said while directing questions toward the company.

“I will say that there is advice and guidance we get from the federal government because we know this incentivizes additional attacks,” she said. “That is guidance that’s given from the FBI. But this is a private sector company, and I would refer you to them for any questions about what they have or have not paid.”

Do not fill plastic bags with gasoline.

— US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) May 12, 2021

The EPA has issued a temporary fuel waiver lifting environmental protection standards and the Department of Transportation waived hours requirements which allow truckers to take fuel to affected states beyond the daily limit of 100 hours.

Thousand of gas stations turned off their signs once they ran out of fuel on Tuesday as parts of the country deal with the aftermath of the cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline orchestrated by the ransomware gang “Darkside.”

The Colonial Pipeline is a private company that controls the largest pipeline in the United States. The pipeline runs from the Texas Gulf Coast to the New York metropolitan area. The states most dependent on the pipeline include Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas.

The S&P’s Oil Price Information Service has a number of gas stations suffering from fuel shortages at more than 1,000 at the time of writing. Some analysts said that panic buying could be playing a role in gas stations running out of fuel.

On social media, multiple videos went viral of people showing that their gas stations were out of fuel in states including Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Virginia, and others.

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm warned that gas stations in the impacted regions of the country will likely continue to experience a “supply crunch” even after the pipelines are fully operational again.

“The crunch is in the areas that are affected by the pipeline, the main spurs of the pipeline,” Granholm later added. “So that really is the Southeast. It’s about 70% of the supplies of North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and especially Southern Virginia are impacted the most. And so those are the areas that we have the greatest concerns with. And because of the fact that there’s not a whole lot of other supply… Now, this particular pipeline also supplies other states, but there are other pipelines that supply their states as well.”

“We know that we have gasoline, we just have to get it to the right places,” she claimed. “That’s why these next couple of days, I think, will be challenging. And we want to encourage people, it’s not that we have a gasoline shortage, it’s that we have this supply crunch and that things will be back to normal soon and that we’re asking people not to hoard and know that we are all over this.”

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R), and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam (D) all declared emergencies on Tuesday due to the crisis. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) declared an emergency over the matter on Monday.

While making an appearance on ‘SNL’ billionaire Elon Musk cast a shadow of doubt on Dogecoin but now his company is working hard to reverse the damage. Their solution to the SpaceX founder’s damaging jokes is to send a launch a satellite into outer space and it’s funded entirely by cryptocurrency.

A company called Geometric Energy Corporation announced Sunday that they’ll be launching an 88-lb cube to the moon sometime in early 2022 … with the help of none other than SpaceX, Elon’s pride and joy for space exploration. SpaceX confirmed the news, BTW.

They say this is gonna be the first-ever commercial lunar payload that’s paid for entirely with Doge … meaning, SpaceX is accepting the crypto from Geometric — which will presumably fundraise/buy Dogecoin for this mission … one they’re calling DOGE-1 Mission to the Moon.

SpaceX is going to put a literal Dogecoin on the literal moon

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 1, 2021

The cube — which will be equipped with high-tech cameras/sensors to help obtain “lunar-spatial intelligence” upon touchdown — is flying passengers aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Elon hasn’t commented on the momentous moment just yet — but one of his SpaceX execs did. Tom Ochinero, the Vice President of Commercial Sales, says … “This mission will demonstrate the application of cryptocurrency beyond Earth orbit and set the foundation for interplanetary commerce.” He adds, “We’re excited to launch DOGE-1 to the Moon!”

This makes two things clear: it looks like Elon wasn’t kidding when he said SpaceX would be putting an actual Dogecoin on the moon. Also, this is major damage control after Elon admitted to Michael Che that Dogecoin was a “hustle.”

That comment caused the meme coin to crash and burn … losing almost 37% of value in just a few moments.

In a press release, late Friday in Portland, Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler begged Portland residents to “unmask” and assist local law enforcement to identify members of the “self-described anarchist mob” that have rioted and looted the city nearly every night since last May. Wheeler extended the city-wide state of emergency that has been in effect for days.

A riot was declared just a few hours after the mayor pleaded with Portland residents by the Portland Police. Rioters caused a massive wave of destruction and chaos across the city’s northwest side, with only two “anarchist” protesters arrested.

“The Portland Police Bureau said the planned protest had been billed as an ‘autonomous demonstration,’” Fox News said. “It started around 9 p.m. PT with around 75 protesters dressed all in black who started vandalizing property around 15 minutes after they began marching from a park near the city’s downtown.”

Wheeler declared the state of emergency in the city last week due to being concerned that a “not guilty” verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial would set off a wave of destruction and violence. Chauvin was found guilty of killing George Floyd, but even that hasn’t stopped the rising violence by protestors.

Wheeler declared a state of emergency in the city early last week, ahead of the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, concerned that a “not guilty” verdict might set off a wave of destruction. Chauvin was ultimately found guilty of killing George Floyd.

“The Democrat extended a state of emergency in Portland through Monday amid concerns about potential unrest following the trial of Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer found guilty on all charges for the death of George Floyd. The Portland mayor asked the public to come forward with any information on members of the anarchist group,” Fox News added on Sunday.

“The city is beginning to recover, but self-described anarchists who engage in regular criminal destruction don’t want things to open up, to recover,” Wheeler told Portland residents. “They want to prevent us from doing the work of making a better Portland for everyone. They want to burn, they want to bash.”

Wheeler who, back in June, pledged to divert millions from Portland law enforcement amid calls to “defund the police” (a position he reversed in March) said on Friday that he supports Portland police using all “legal strategies” to handle the riots, including the controversial “kettling” maneuver, which has police routing protesters into a small area, allowing them out one by one after being processed and searched.

Wheeler said that Black Lives Matter has already stepped forward to denounce the destruction, and he is now asking Portland residents to turn in friends and neighbors they believe might be part of the “self-described anarchist mob” to authorities.

“Our job is to unmask them, arrest them and prosecute them,” he said, ” asking the public to contact the police and provide them with information about the rioters, write down their license plate numbers or film them when they commit acts of vandalism,” per The Washington Post.

“Together we can make a stand,” Wheeler added. “We’re doing what we can today. I’m also asking for your help to make a stand and take our city back.”

“Our community needs to resume their lives, people need to go back to work, employers need to be able to reopen,” he said.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has had enough of unemployed Floridians not returning to the workforce of his state. The Republican governor announced during a press conference that May will be the last month that those collecting unemployment benefits without proving that they are looking for work.

DeSantis proved that now since Florida has “reopened” after the pandemic that capable residents need to get off the government dole and that there are ample opportunities for employment.

“Normally when you’re getting unemployment, the whole idea is that it’s temporary, and you need to be looking for work to be able to get off unemployment,” DeSantis said. “It was a disaster, so we suspended those job search requirements. I think it’s pretty clear now — we have an abundance of job openings.”

“We absolutely can put more people to work,” he continued. “The demand is there. Businesses want to hire more people, and I think we can go in that direction very soon.”

At the height of the pandemic, Florida’s rate of unemployment was 13.8%. From the most recent report from the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity, the rate had dropped to 4.7% in March which is well below the national average.

“I think now we’re in just a different situation, you have a surplus of jobs, particularly in the restaurant, lodging, hospitality, that people want to hire,” DeSantis said. “I mean, you see the signs all over the place. Look, that’s a good problem to have. But we also just want to make sure, like, look, if you’re really unemployed, can’t get a job, that’s one thing. But making sure that you’re doing your due diligence to look for work, and making sure those incentives align, better.”

As the Tampa Bay Times further reported:

DeSantis continued to criticize the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about COVID-19 precautions that have idled the cruise ship industry in Florida. Also, he said some restaurants are closing one day a week because they don’t have enough employees.

DeSantis somewhat dismissed the premise of a question about whether people were taking advantage of changes in the unemployment system. While Florida offers low state benefits, many unemployed people also have been eligible for federal jobless aid.

“I don’t think it’s manipulation. You know, whatever the benefits are, people are availing themselves of it. That’s not their fault,” DeSantis said.

DeSantis also announced this week that Florida will be sending $1,000 bonuses to every first responder who worked during the pandemic. “Some want to defund the police. In Florida, we’re funding them & then some … ” he tweeted.

DeSantis is a rising star in the Republican Party, and some speculate he could be the party’s presidential nominee in 2024.

Josh Duggar, known for appearing in “19 Kids and Counting,” has been arrested in Arkansas. The 33-year-old reality star was arrested on federal charges related to the possession of child pornography on Thursday afternoon.

The US attorney’s office released a statement that Duggar allegedly downloaded material that depicted the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12 in May 2019.

Josh Duggar appeared on the show “19 Kids and Counting” as the oldest son of Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar. The indictment for Duggar shows one count of possession of child pornography and one count of receipt of child pornography. With those charges, Duggar faces up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000 if convicted.

He appeared in federal court Friday via video conference and pleaded not guilty to both charges.

“We intend to defend this case aggressively and thoroughly. In this country, no one can stop prosecutors from charging a crime. But when you’re accused, you can fight back in the courtroom — and that is exactly what Josh intends to do,” Duggar’s attorneys said in an email to CNN Friday.

Duggar is set to appear in court again on May 5 for a detention hearing. The trial is currently scheduled for July 6, Judge Erin Wiedemann said.

Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar posted a statement on their family website about the “very serious accusations” Duggar is facing.

“We appreciate your continued prayers for our family at this time. The accusations brought against Joshua today are very serious. It is our prayer that the truth, no matter what it is, will come to light and that this will all be resolved in a timely manner. We love Josh and Anna and continue to pray for their family,” they said.

In a move that has received backlash from many BLM activists, Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis announced that all first responders in Florida will receive $1,000 bonuses. That includes over 174,000 first responders, including law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics.

Some want to defund the police.

In Florida, we’re funding them & then some by providing all of our heroes $1,000 bonuses. This represents more than 174,000 first responders across the state!

🚔🚒🚑 pic.twitter.com/ZMcB9T620g

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 5, 2021

DeSantis’ office said in a statement:

The authorization comes following the Governor’s call for the bonuses in March, with the bonuses included in the 2021-22 state budget. While the budget is not yet signed, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is working to immediately implement this bonus program, expediting the distribution effort. Approximately $208 million has been allocated from DEO for over 174,000 first responders across the state, including 49,405 sworn law enforcement officers, 40,732 EMTs, 35,811 firefighters and 33,185 paramedics in Florida.

This move by DeSantis, an outstanding force in the Republican Party, is under fire by BLM activists across the U.S after the far-left Democrats called for defunding the police last year. Those same Democrats just this year have gone to call for abolishing of the incarceration system, calling it modern-day slavery, and calling for an absolute end of policing, stating that communities could protect their own.

“Supporting our law enforcement and first responders has been a top priority for my administration, and it has never been more important than over the last year. As a state, we are grateful for their continued service to our communities,” DeSantis said. “This one-time bonus is a small token of appreciation, but we can never go far enough to express our gratitude for their selflessness.”

In what is considered the first competitive race since Joe Biden was elected president the special election in Texas’ Sixth Congressional District took place over the weekend. The event was also an indicator of how the district felt about Biden’s first 100 days in office.

The results were a devastating blow to the Democrats since it was two Republicans who won the votes needed to advance to a runoff. Susan Wright was followed in votes by Jake Ellzey who slid past Democrat Jana Lynn Sanchez by just 400 votes.

Trump reached out to Wright to congratulate her for advancing to the runoff.

The Democrats have just conceded the race,” said the former president. “Susan surged after I gave her an endorsement last week. Her wonderful husband is looking down, and is very proud of her!”

Dems should prepare for a SHELLACKING in 2022… "Democrats aiming to flip Texas House seat fall short as 2 Republicans qualify for runoff" https://t.co/j5Sga30LPI

— Tammy Bruce (@HeyTammyBruce) May 2, 2021

National affairs columnist for the National Review, John Fund spoke out in a tweet about the results of the race and the overall popularity of our president.

“If Biden Is So Popular, Why This?” Fund demanded to know and included a link to a story with the election result. “Republicans grabbed the two runoff slots in the Texas 6 special election yesterday. Dems were shut out, their candidates won a total 36% in a Dallas area seat that Trump carried by only 3 points last November.”

Let’s go win this! #MAGA 🇺🇸 🦅 https://t.co/hjqVFq3Hod

— Susan Wright (@SusanWrightTX6) May 2, 2021

Fox News contributor Tammy Bruce posted the results of the election along with the warning, “Dems should prepare for a SHELLSHACKING in 2022.”

Gilberto Hinojosa, the Texas Democratic Party chair addressed the race in a statement, “The clear enthusiasm in this election is one more sign that Texas is moving closer and closer to turning blue with every year that passes. The new Democratic South is rising, and we will continue to rally our movement to take back our state — including as we look toward the 2022 governor’s race.”

As of now, there is no date set for the runoff.

An assisted living facility in Tennessee is facing some serious consequences after two residents were able to escape last month using some special military training.

After failing to provide daily checks on the whereabouts of the two residents who escaped from the secure memory unit for a short time the Elmcroft Senior Living in Lebanon must now pay a hefty $2,000 fine.

The two residents were a husband and wife who, according to public records, both suffer from dementia as well as Alzheimer’s disease but in a moment of clarity the husband was able to use his past military training in Morse code to decipher the building’s electric lock code.

By listening carefully to the staff punch the code into the pin pad, the husband was able to figure out the pattern and made a break for freedom but not without his wife. The two enjoyed just 30 minutes on the outside before a stranger discovered them wandering two blocks away from the facility.

When the husband started to display some concerning habits such a wondering about and looking for exits, the staff was meant to increase the number of daily check-ins. He was allowed scheduled times to walk outside in an effort to mitigate these habits but nothing could deter his need to exit the building.

The Elmcroft facility made a statement saying, “The safety of our residents is the top priority at our senior living community. We are thankful both residents were returned to the community safely. We reported the situation to the state and their family immediately after it happened and fully cooperated with the state during its review.”

All of the facility’s exit codes have since been changed.