Politics

On Monday morning, the White House named Chirag Parikh as executive secretary of the National Space Council. This is a key position within the space policy firmament of Washington, DC, as Parikh will have responsibility for suggesting and implementing executive space policy across the domains of military, civil, and commercial space. With the announcement, the White House also said that Vice President Kamala Harris, who will serve as chair of the National Space Council, will host the first meeting of the council this "fall." Further Reading White House says Vice President Kamala Harris will chair the Space Council In background information provided about the announcement, the White House cited several top priorities for the space council, including climate change and advancing "peaceful" exploration programs with allies and partners. However, the first objective listed was, "Support sustainable development of commercial space activity." This signals that the Biden … [Read more...] about In selecting space leader, White House opts for policy chops over politics

Vulnerable Democrats running for reelection or higher office in the midterms are bracing for Republican attacks on rising inflation during the August recess when members are doing district work. Iowa’s lone Democrat congressional member Rep. Cindy Axne (D-IA), has already seen questions on inflation asked by constituents. Last month, as the Real Clear Politics reported , she was asked by a constituent if she was “concerned about the rising gas prices and the rise in the cost of consumer goods here in Iowa and in America?” In a serious-looking manner, she blamed the inflation on the Chinese coronavirus since the experts are “comparing costs against last year” and says it’s “because we were in the middle of [Chinese coronavirus]. Axne even called inflation “false advertisement.” Real Clear Politics pointed out that during an interview with a local Iowa TV station, Axne said, “We’re not even remotely close to a point to say that we’re at rising inflation.” In the interview, she … [Read more...] about Vulnerable Democrats Brace for Inflation Attacks During August Recess

The bipartisan “infrastructure” bill Breitbart News released Sunday night includes “gender identity” as a protected class. On page 2149, the bill reads : No individual in the United States may, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity , sexual orientation, age, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity that is funded in whole or in part with funds 16 made available to carry out this title [emphasis added]. It should be noted that President Biden’s 2021 coronavirus package, the American Rescue Plan, does not include the phrase “gender identity.” National Public Radio (NPR) defines gender identity as “one’s own internal sense of self and their gender, whether that is man, woman, neither or both. Unlike gender expression, gender identity is not outwardly visible to others.” “Issues of equality and acceptance of … [Read more...] about Bipartisan ‘Infrastructure’ Bill Defines Gender Identity as Protected Class

Workers with employers mandating Chinese coronavirus vaccinations as an employment condition have the “power to say no,” South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) said Saturday, urging them to “find a new employer that values personal choice and responsibility.” “Workers whose employers are mandating a vaccine for continued employment have the power to say no,” Noem said. “Our robust economy and job market gives them the option to find a new employer that values personal choice and responsibility, and doesn’t force mandates on their employees,” she continued: Workers whose employers are mandating a vaccine for continued employment have the power to say no. Our robust economy and job market gives them the option to find a new employer that values personal choice and responsibility, and doesn’t force mandates on their employees. — Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) July 31, 2021 Her remark comes as employers across various sectors — from Silicon Valley to the healthcare industry — begin … [Read more...] about Noem: If You Don’t Like Vaccine Mandates, ‘Find a New Employer’

During a Monday appearance on CNN’s “Inside Politics,” director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota and former adviser to President Joe Biden’s transition team Dr. Michael Osterholm addressed the “confusion” surrounding how different states and local governments are handling the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Osterholm argued against the use of cloth face coverings as means of mitigating the spread of COVID-19. He emphasized the effectiveness of N-95 respirators, which he said “would do a lot” for both the vaccinated and unvaccinated in preventing the spread. “First of all, we’re in a very unfortunate situation. We’ve really brought this country to a point of confusion, which really misses the main point that we should be focusing on vaccine, vaccine and vaccine,” Osterholm lamented. “You know, I wish we could get rid of the term ‘masking’ because, in fact, it implies anything you put in front of your face works. And if I could … [Read more...] about Osterholm: Cloth Masks ‘Not Very Effective’ — N95s ‘Could Do a Lot’ in Mitigating Spread of Coronavirus

Senior officials for President Joe Biden’s administration blame Centers for Disease Control Director Rochelle Walensky for demanding mask mandates, according to a report. Walensky demanded last week that the Biden administration issue new mandates for fully vaccinated people to wear masks indoors to help stop the spread of the delta variant of the coronavirus, according to “two senior officials familiar with the conversations” who spoke to Politico . “Walensky insisted that doing nothing wasn’t an option,” Politico reported, noting both the CDC and the White House “privately expressed frustration with one another.” Biden and his officials have repeatedly stated they will trust the science and federal health officials as their “North star,” but the report details some frustration with Walensky and the CDC. The White House and the CDC also struggled with data surrounding the spread of the Delta variant, which culminated in angry reactions from White House staff against … [Read more...] about Infighting Consumes Biden Coronavirus Missteps: White House Blames Rochelle Walensky for Mask Mandate

Fascism is a complex ideology. There are many definitions of fascism; some people describe it as a set of political actions, a political philosophy or a mass movement. Most definitions agree that fascism is authoritarian and promotes nationalism at all costs, but its basic characteristics are a matter of debate. Fascism is commonly associated with the Italian and German regimes that came to power after World War I, though other countries have also been ruled by fascist regimes. Adolf Hitler in Germany, Benito Mussolini in Italy, Francisco Franco in Spain and Juan Perón in Argentina were the most well-known fascist leaders of the 20th century. Certain aspects of fascist rhetoric and political organization have shifted in the decades that followed World War II. And fascism has further evolved in the political landscape of the 21st century. However, core fascist ideologies and goals espoused by the likes of Hitler and Mussolini are still present in populist organizations today, and … [Read more...] about What is fascism?

Sometimes truth may be stranger than fiction, but for best-selling author Tom Clancy, the two are often more closely paralleled. Clancy died Tuesday (Oct. 1) at the age of 66, but his thrilling, espionage and military-inspired novels helped him become one of the most well-known American authors. From a dramatic Soviet-era defection to a high-profile assassination plot, here are four true stories from Clancy's novels. The Hunt for Red October Clancy's first novel, "The Hunt for Red October," was published in 1984. The book introduced Clancy's most famous fictional character, Jack Ryan, who would become a central figure in the majority of the author's novels. In the action-packed novel, CIA analyst Ryan helps a Soviet submarine captain and his crew defect to the United States. The action takes place aboard an experimental nuclear submarine , called Red October. The novel was reportedly inspired by a real-life mutiny aboard a Soviet Navy anti-submarine … [Read more...] about Spies & Secrets: 4 True Stories From Tom Clancy’s Novels