Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Trump’s nominee for HHS Secretary, revealed in a resurfaced interview that he used heroin in high school, claiming it improved his academic performance. He attributed his initial struggles to undiagnosed ADHD, stating that the drug initially allowed him to focus and excel. However, Kennedy acknowledged heroin’s devastating consequences, detailing his 14-year addiction and subsequent recovery, including an arrest for possession. He now advocates for “wellness camps” to address the rising rates of addiction among young people.
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Donald Trump’s announced plan to impose sweeping tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada, and China upon taking office has sparked widespread concern among US businesses. This follows a previous round of tariffs under his presidency that significantly damaged US businesses’ international sales, as exemplified by Catoctin Creek Distillery’s complete loss of European sales. Industry leaders across sectors warn of potential price increases, supply chain disruptions, and runaway inflation resulting from these new tariffs, echoing concerns from the 1930s Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. While proponents claim tariffs will boost domestic manufacturing, critics argue they will ultimately harm the US economy and increase consumer costs.
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Following the 2024 election, some Democrats wrongly blamed the party’s losses on its support for transgender rights, arguing that this stance alienated moderate voters. These claims, however, contradict exit polls indicating economic concerns and a desire for change were primary factors in Trump’s victory. Politicians scapegoating the transgender community ignore the lack of evidence linking trans rights to the election outcome and exploit the group’s limited political power. This tactic risks further marginalizing a vulnerable population for purely political gain.
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Trump’s announced 25% tariff on all Mexican imports is largely viewed as a strategic maneuver, potentially designed to pressure Mexico on immigration. The threat hinges on a false premise: that Mexico is inactive in curbing migration. This deception highlights a pattern of misleading voters regarding Trump’s policies on both tariffs and immigration. Ultimately, the tactic aims to portray any future concessions from Mexico as a personal triumph.
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President Biden’s administration has requested $24 billion in emergency funding for Ukraine, comprising $16 billion for replenishing US weapons stocks and $8 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI). This request, submitted on November 25th, faces a December 20th deadline to avoid a government shutdown and has drawn criticism from some Republicans who believe it hinders peace negotiations. The USAI funds weapons production for Ukraine rather than depleting US reserves further. Despite this opposition, the administration remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s defense through 2025.
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The Russian ruble has fallen to its lowest level against the US dollar since the beginning of the Ukraine invasion, reaching 107 rubles per dollar—a two-year low. This significant depreciation is attributed to ongoing sanctions impacting the Russian economy, particularly the recent targeting of Gazprombank, hindering international payments and further reducing gas export revenue. The upcoming holiday season is expected to exacerbate the situation, increasing import demand and putting additional pressure on the ruble. While a weaker ruble may benefit exports, the resulting high inflation (currently 8.5 percent) and the Central Bank’s attempts to counteract it through interest rate hikes are proving insufficient to stabilize the currency.
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A top aide to Donald Trump, Boris Epshteyn, stands accused of soliciting substantial sums of money from individuals vying for Cabinet positions. The alleged quid pro quo involved Epshteyn requesting $100,000 in exchange for his support and influence in securing these high-level roles within the incoming administration. This revelation raises serious concerns about potential corruption and ethical breaches at the highest levels of government.
The accusations against Epshteyn are particularly alarming given his prominent position within the Trump organization. He’s been a senior advisor since the 2016 campaign, playing a key role in Trump’s legal defense and gaining influence within the transition team.… Continue reading
A recent surge in human H5N1 (bird flu) infections, including three cases with unknown origins, has public health experts deeply concerned about a potential pandemic. The detection of bird flu in a California raw milk sample further highlights the risk, particularly given the incoming administration’s stance on raw milk consumption. Concerns are amplified by a fragmented response to the outbreak, hampered by economic interests of dairy farmers and potential cuts to public health agencies. Experts urge the incoming administration to prioritize proactive measures, including enhanced surveillance, biosecurity, and research into rapid testing and vaccines, to prevent a major health crisis. Failure to address these issues effectively could exacerbate existing tensions between public health and the agricultural sector.
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A Chinese main battle tank recently experienced a highly publicized mechanical failure during a public demonstration. The tank, shown in videos circulating online, visibly struggled to ascend a relatively steep incline. Instead of successfully completing the maneuver, it rolled backward and came to a complete standstill, remaining immobile for the duration of the event.
This incident immediately sparked a flurry of online commentary, with many speculating on the cause of the malfunction. Several observers, drawing on their own mechanical experience or general knowledge, suggested a transmission failure as the most likely culprit. The idea that a major component like the transmission had failed was presented as a plausible explanation for the tank’s inability to handle the incline.… Continue reading
Elon Musk’s recent X posts publicized the names and job titles of four relatively obscure climate-focused federal employees, sparking a wave of online harassment and forcing at least one to delete their social media accounts. This action, enabled by Musk’s massive following, has instilled fear among federal employees, who worry about becoming targets of online abuse and even physical threats. Experts suggest this tactic aims to intimidate employees into quitting, effectively downsizing the government without formal processes. A former federal employee, previously targeted by Musk, reported receiving death threats and being forced to relocate, highlighting the potential dangers of such public shaming.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood