#051 | The State of Discord at the State of the Union
All of the top stories 📰 of the week to keep you in the know
It’s FRIDAY, March 8, and these are the news bites of the week!
This week’s stories:
The State of Discord: A Closer Look at Biden's State of the Union
Unveiling the WPATH Files: Documents Reveal Cancer Risk and Consent Issues in Trans Healthcare
UN Special Envoy Confirms Reports of Rape and Torture in Hamas Attack on Israel
TikTok Faces Ultimatum: Break from ByteDance or Be Banned in U.S
Federal Agencies Accused of Weaponizing Financial Data Against Conservatives
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The State of Discord: A Closer Look at Biden's State of the Union
Last night, President Biden took to the podium to address the nation at the State of the Union. This was seen as an opportunity for Biden to dispel concerns about his age and demonstrate that he can still lead the country. It soon became apparent that Biden was utilizing the event, which was intended to unite and inform Americans about the state of the union, as a platform for his campaign and a chance to criticize his opposition.
From the outset, it was clear that this was Biden's play to rally his base and remind them that a threat looms on the horizon. It’s their duty to “protect democracy.” This is a risky approach—especially with independent voters who are trading towards Trump while grappling with economic concerns, border security issues, and foreign policy challenges.
The president's confrontational tone, which involved a lot of yelling, did little to bridge the divide. A pattern he has demonstrated throughout his presidency after campaigning on a message of unity. Instead, the address felt like a campaign speech, where he addressed Trump multiple times without saying his name, instead addressing him as “my predecessor.” But his attacks were not only directed at Trump. The speech was peppered with criticisms aimed at his political opponents, including a threat directed towards the Supreme Court Justices. The speech was laden with assertions that seemed designed to appease his party's far-left factions rather than to present a unifying vision for the country.
Biden opened the State of the Union with foreign policy, specifically on Ukraine, but did not address the border, the primary concern for most Americans, until 45 minutes into his 67-minute speech. Providing a glimpse into what Biden’s presidency prioritizes.
Key Takeaways from the Speech:
Ukraine and Foreign Policy: Biden opened his speech focusing on foreign policy, particularly addressing Ukraine and the significance of backing Kyiv in its struggle against Moscow's hostility. However, he was careful not to provide too much support to Israel, whom he spent more time criticizing than denouncing Hamas — who started the conflict and currently continues to hold hostages, including nine American hostages.
Gaza Port: Biden announced a plan to build a temporary port on Gaza's coast to help deliver humanitarian aid, like food and medical supplies, into Gaza. The plan is to set up from Cyprus and aims to get critical aid to Gaza's 2.3 million residents without putting U.S. military boots on the ground. However, some critics, like House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, worry about the aid ending up in the hands of Hamas and the safety of U.S. troops in the region.
The Economy: Despite the president's efforts to portray a rosy picture of the U.S. economy, the truth for numerous Americans is very different. The increasingly high costs, escalating interest rates, and record credit card debt expose the truth, an image Biden's positive spin feels more like gaslighting to most Americans.
Border Security: Biden's comments on the border were perhaps some of the most contentious, as he attempted to shift blame onto Republicans for what many see as the consequences of his own policies. Rep. Margory Taylor Green called out to Biden from the chamber, “Say her name,” referring to Laken Riley, a University of Georga nursing student, who was recently allegedly killed by a Venezuelan illegal migrant. However, Biden mispronounced her name, calling her "Lincoln" instead of "Laken." He proceeded to downplay the tragedy, asking, “But how many thousands of people are being killed by illegals?" implying the threat is insignificant. The tragic story of Laken Riley highlights the cost of Biden’s border policies. Riley's unfortunate death highlights the consequences of Biden's border policies. Having prior offenses, the illegal migrant charged with Laken's murder had been previously apprehended and subsequently released into the United States, a result of Biden's overturning of the Trump administration's policies on illegal immigration.
Supreme Court Comments: Biden pointedly remarked to the Supreme Court justices sitting just feet away from him about their ruling on Roe v. Wade: "With all due respect, Justices, Women are not without electrical power! Excuse me, electoral or political power. You're about to realize just how much you're..." This struck a discordant note, suggesting that somehow, the Justices could be negatively affected by the women’s vote.
Fact-Checking Biden's Claims:
Jan. 6 and Historical Attacks on Democracy: Biden's comparison of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot to the Civil War, where 600,000 Americans died, overlooks significant incidents such as the 1954 shooting where four Puerto Rican terrorists attacked the Capitol and bombings in 1971 and 1983 by the Weather Underground, where the Capitol was directly attacked.
Economic Assertions: Biden's claim of reducing the federal deficit contradicts projections indicating increasing deficits over the next decade. His assertions about tax cuts benefiting the wealthy also miss the mark, as data shows those earning over $200,000 paid more in taxes post-2018 cuts.
COVID-19 Economic Impact: The assertion that COVID-19 represented the worst economic crisis in a century overlooks the greater devastating impact of the Great Depression.
Border Security Reforms: Biden touted border security reforms as the “toughest set of border-security reforms we’ve ever seen.” However, the bill was criticized for allowing more than 1.8 million illegal aliens to enter the United States a year. The legislation also would have allowed the “catch and release” policy to continue and be incorporated into law.
Misrepresentation of IVF Treatments in Alabama: The claim that Alabama shut down IVF treatments is inaccurate; the state's Supreme Court ruled embryos as human beings without directly affecting IVF treatments, and subsequent legislation protected IVF procedures.
Inflation and 'Shrinkflation': Biden's criticism of corporations for "shrinkflation" overlooks the clear economic trend of increasing costs in all sectors, indicating a flawed understanding of reality.
What you Might have Missed
During Biden's State of the Union address, Steve Nikoui, a grieving father of a fallen Marine Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, who lost his life in the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, was arrested for interrupting Biden's speech with shouts of "Abbey Gate! Second Battalion, First Marines!" from the balcony. His outburst, a direct challenge to Biden's claim that "America’s safer today than when I took office," led to his swift escort out by Capitol Police and a misdemeanor charge, although he was later released.
In Case You Missed It
News of the Week
Unveiling the WPATH Files: Documents Reveal Cancer Risk and Consent Issues in Trans Healthcare
Newly disclosed documents highlight serious concerns about the side effects and ethical dilemmas surrounding "gender-affirming care" for transgender individuals, particularly minors. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), a key reference for transgender medical interventions, faces criticism for endorsing what many see as experimental treatments without adequately considering the implications of informed consent and long-term health outcomes.
Journalist Michael Shellenberger's report, "The WPATH Files," reveals internal discussions among WPATH members about the challenges of obtaining informed consent from young patients, who often cannot grasp the permanent consequences of hormone therapies and surgeries. Instances include teens developing cancer, experiencing reduced sexual function, and undergoing surgeries with lifelong effects without fully understanding the impact.
Highlights from the report include:
The difficulty in ensuring that patients, especially young ones, fully understand the implications of treatments, with some doctors admitting the challenge of discussing fertility preservation with teenagers.
The debate within WPATH about treating patients with dissociative identity disorder, including the ethical necessity of obtaining consent from all of a patient’s alternate personalities before proceeding with hormone therapy.
Concerns about the timing and impact of surgeries on minors, with some doctors performing significant procedures like vaginoplasties on patients under 18.
Reports of unpleasant side effects from hormone treatments, such as pain during sex for females transitioning to males and pain during erections for males transitioning to females.
Instances of doctors using incorrect medical codes to avoid scrutiny or denial of services and discussions about the secretion of fluid that resembles semen from male patients who have undergone vaginoplasty.
The dismissal of detransitioning concerns, with some WPATH members downplaying the significance of individuals who choose to revert to their biological sex after undergoing transition procedures.
Acknowledgment of cancer risks associated with hormone treatments, including liver cancer in teenagers.
These revelations have sparked a broader debate about the ethics of providing such care to minors, the adequacy of informed consent processes, and the overall safety of gender-affirming treatments. Critics argue that minors are not capable of consenting to these experimental treatments, which can have irreversible consequences. Some states have begun to legislate against gender-affirming care for minors, reflecting these concerns.
UN Special Envoy Confirms Reports of Rape and Torture in Hamas Attack on Israel
The United Nations has found "reasonable grounds to believe" that Hamas militants committed acts of sexual violence, including rape and "sexualized torture," during their attack on Israel on October 7. This conclusion comes after a U.N. team, led by the U.N. special envoy for sexual violence in conflict, Pramila Patten, visited Israel and the West Bank to investigate these claims, gathering evidence from January 29 to February 14. Despite Hamas's denials, the evidence suggests that sexual violence occurred at multiple locations, including instances of genital mutilation and cruel, inhuman treatment.
During the attack, Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people and took 253 hostages. In response, Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip have resulted in about 30,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. However, these numbers cannot be independently confirmed.
The U.N. report highlights that some hostages taken to Gaza were subjected to conflict-related sexual violence, with fears that such abuses may still be ongoing.
Israel has criticized the U.N.'s response to the attacks and the handling of sexual violence allegations, urging for immediate action against Hamas and the release of all hostages. In addition, Israel accuses the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) of having employees who are members of militant groups, which has led to significant funding withdrawals from international donors.
House Passes Laken Riley Act
In a decisive legislative move aimed at addressing the consequences of border security challenges, the House passed the Laken Riley Act, legislation compelling the detention of migrants charged with crimes such as burglary or theft.
This measure, named after Laken Riley, a 22-year-old nursing student at the University of Georgia, tragically killed, allegedly by a Venezuelan immigrant previously arrested for illegal border crossing in 2022, reflects the intensifying debate over immigration policy and border security in the United States.
The bill was approved with a vote tally of 251-170, with all Republicans present voting in favor, alongside 37 Democrats. However, the remaining Democrats opposed the bill, indicating a rift over the approach to handling immigration and border security issues.
This legislative action occurs amid increasing scrutiny of the U.S.-Mexico border's security, where an upsurge in migrant crossings and related criminal activity has sparked nationwide concern. By mandating the detention of migrants for specific criminal charges, the Laken Riley Act aims to mitigate potential risks and prevent future tragedies like Laken Riley. The vote reveals a palpable tension in American politics around immigration, with the bill's supporters advocating for stricter enforcement measures as a means to bolster public safety and its detractors criticizing the approach as overly punitive.
TikTok Faces Ultimatum: Break from ByteDance or Be Banned in U.S
In a significant move toward curbing TikTok's influence in the United States, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved a bipartisan bill aiming to sever ties between TikTok and its China-based parent company, ByteDance. The bill, known as the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, spearheaded by Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), mandates that app stores remove any social media apps owned by entities connected to foreign adversaries, such as China. This legislation focuses particularly on TikTok due to concerns over its potential ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the influence it wields over American youth.
Echoing the bill's intentions, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) articulated the stark choice facing TikTok: to divest from ByteDance and continue operating in the U.S. or to face a ban by aligning with the CCP. The committee also backed another bill that prohibits the sale of U.S. user data to foreign adversaries.
In response, TikTok launched a campaign urging users to contact their representatives in opposition to Gallagher’s bill, leading to an influx of calls to congressional offices. Rodgers has criticized this move, accusing TikTok of exploiting American users to protect ByteDance from U.S. action.
Supporting Gallagher’s bill, which awaits a floor vote, are notable figures including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and the White House, highlighting the bill's potential over previous proposals. However, some senators have raised concerns regarding the bill’s constitutionality.
The fast-tracked legislation proposes a six-month ultimatum for ByteDance to divest from TikTok or face a ban, with the House set to vote on the matter next week. The unanimous committee vote signals a strong push against TikTok, which boasts about 170 million U.S. users. Despite TikTok's claims of not sharing U.S. user data with the Chinese government, lawmakers, after a classified briefing, support the bill as a means to protect Americans from potential control by foreign adversaries.
This legislation does not outright ban TikTok but aims to eliminate CCP influence over the platform, offering ByteDance a deadline to divest. The White House has praised the proposal, emphasizing the administration's desire for a bipartisan solution to the security threats posed by foreign-owned apps, including TikTok. However, achieving legislative consensus in an election year may prove challenging.
Federal Agencies Accused of Weaponizing Financial Data Against Conservatives
A new report from the House Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government sheds light on the extent to which federal law enforcement agencies have solicited the cooperation of major banks in surveilling customers based on their political beliefs. This investigation, initially sparked by concerns over privacy and civil liberties violations, has uncovered practices that many fear could indicate a new era of government overreach and surveillance targeting everyday citizens.
According to the findings, agencies such as the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Counterterrorism Center have flagged individuals opposing gun control measures, supporting stringent border policies, and criticizing COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccine mandates as potential domestic violent extremists. These conclusions were part of an intelligence report shared with approximately 650 private financial institutions, urging them to monitor and share customer transaction records that might indicate support for these views. Astonishingly, the report suggests that advocating for what many would consider mainstream conservative policies could lead to someone being labeled as a violent extremist, posing a purportedly increasing threat.
The investigation, stemming from allegations made last summer regarding Bank of America's voluntary provision of customer data to federal agencies in the aftermath of January 6, revealed a broader behavior pattern. Whistleblowers had claimed that the bank handed over records without warrants or probable cause, a move now understood to be part of a larger strategy involving numerous financial institutions. This strategy facilitated sharing customer banking records outside the normal legal process, often through a secretive portal that allowed for continuous, back-channel communication between banks and federal law enforcement.
This collaboration between big government and big banks to scrutinize and potentially act against individuals based on their political views has alarmed many. Critics argue that such practices not only infringe on the constitutional rights of citizens but also set a dangerous precedent for the use of financial surveillance as a tool to police thought and speech. The essence of the concern lies in the fear that legitimate, lawful expressions of political opinion could trigger unwarranted scrutiny or, worse, simply because they diverge from prevailing government policies.
The Committee Chair, Jim Jordan, succinctly captured the prevailing sentiment during Thursday's hearing, asserting that the government should not employ technology or financial systems to censor or target Americans for engaging in legal and constitutionally protected activities. This sentiment echoes a growing unease among the public about the erosion of privacy rights and the potential for abuse in the name of national security.
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