Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has set his sights on the processed foods industrial complex. Nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, Kennedy has long been an outspoken critic of toxic ingredients in food, including dyes and seed oils.

Trump’s second term has yet to begin, but the merging of the ‘Make America Healthy Again‘ and ‘Make America Great Again’ movements has sparked a dietary awakening among millions of consumers.

It’s not just dyes and seed oils poisoning Americans and ending their lives short; plastic chemicals are increasingly being found in popular fast foods and supermarket staples.

The former CEO of GitHub, Nat Friedman, who is also an investor seeding AI, infrastructure, open source, and frontier tech companies and is focused on health, published data on X about plastic chemicals found in a majority of foods across the San Francisco Bay Area. 

“We did it! We tested 300 Bay Area foods for plastic chemicals. We found some interesting surprises,” Friedman wrote on X. 

Here are the top five findings from the test, most of which are shocking (full results published here): 

1. Our tests found plastic chemicals in 86% of all foods, with phthalates in 73% of the tested products and bisphenols in 22%. It’s everywhere.

2. We detected phthalates in most baby foods and prenatal vitamins.

3. Hot foods which spend 45 minutes in takeout containers have 34% higher levels of plastic chemicals than the same dishes tested directly from the restaurant.

4. The 1950s Army rations we tested contained surprisingly high levels of plastic chemicals.

5. Almost every single one of the foods we tested are within both US FDA and EU EFSA regulations.

Friedman noted:

“An important disclaimer: we have refrained from drawing high-confidence conclusions from these results, and we think that you should, too. Consider this a snapshot of our raw test results, suitable as a starting point and inspiration for further work, but not solid enough on its own to draw conclusions or make policy recommendations or even necessarily to alter your personal purchasing decisions. These results represent point-in-time results of a small number of product samples and may not be representative of actual product contents. These tests, like all tests, have inherent uncertainties, and different testing methodologies are likely to yield different results. And the existence of a chemical in a food doesn’t necessarily imply a safety issue. We’d be thrilled to see serious efforts to replicate our results and we are open to any corrections you may have.” 

“Was the Whole Foods meat from the counter or the packages on the shelves? I get this brand there,” one X user asked Friedman. 

He responded…

https://t.co/dnf3zlydL5 pic.twitter.com/xEL8bNQ5W6

— Nat Friedman (@natfriedman) December 28, 2024

The Ribeye steak from Whole Foods ranked fairly high on the list for plastic chemicals.

Someone else said.

the Whole Foods steak is disturbing

— Will Manidis (@WillManidis) December 28, 2024

The great food awakening continues, broadening from warnings about dyes and seed oils to a new call for Americans to demand changes in food packaging and processing to eliminate plastic chemicals. 

Studies reveal that microplastics accumulate in the body and pose “a significant health risk.” For more details, read here: “A Significant Health Risk’: How Everyday Items Fill Our Bodies With Microplastics.”

Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times,

The United States and Japan have unveiled new guidelines for “extended” deterrence, citing an “increasingly severe strategic and nuclear threat environment” that reflects heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific, where China, Russia, and North Korea have taken steps to modernize their arsenals and project power.

The guidelines, unveiled on Dec. 27 through coordinated statements from the U.S. State Department and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, underscore the two nations’ commitment to reinforcing their alliance to maintain regional stability and deter conflict.

“The Alliance will continue to explore how best to ensure extended deterrence is strong and credible,” read the identical statements from the two countries.

The guidelines are the culmination of long-running discussions under the Extended Deterrence Dialogue, a bilateral framework established in 2010 to address challenges to the U.S.–Japan alliance posed by evolving security threats.

Details of the new guidelines have not been disclosed.

Both the United States and Japan said that the document emphasizes enhancing strategic messaging to ensure adversaries clearly understand the alliance’s resolve and capabilities. The measures also include bolstering U.S. extended deterrence with Japan’s defense advancements, such as enhanced missile defense systems and readiness to respond to contingencies.

The joint announcement coincided with Japan’s Cabinet approval of a record $55 billion defense budget for 2025, marking the third year of a sweeping five-year military buildup under Japan’s national security strategy adopted in 2022. The broader national budget bill, totaling over $730 billion, is set for parliamentary approval by March.

Part of Japan’s plan involves bolstering its missile defenses. To this end, Japan has allocated another $3.37 billion for interceptors and a mobile reconnaissance radar on Okinawa, a strategic location hosting more than half of the 50,000 U.S. troops stationed in Japan.

Japan is also preparing to deploy U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles by late 2025, a pivotal step in its bid to acquire strike-back capability. The defense budget allocates $6 billion for a “standoff” defense system that includes long-range missiles, satellite constellations, and other advanced arsenals. Among these, $11.4 million is earmarked for outfitting Aegis-class destroyers to launch Tomahawks.

The five-year strategy also aims to double Japan’s annual military spending to around $63 billion, positioning Japan as the world’s third-largest military spender, behind the United States and China.

The new deterrence guidelines and Japan’s record defense budget signal a united front aimed at countering growing regional threats, reflecting concerns over China’s growing military assertiveness, North Korea’s persistent missile tests, and Russia’s activities in the Indo-Pacific.

Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been outspoken about the inadequacy of traditional deterrence frameworks. In a recent interview with the Hudson Institute, Ishiba warned that developments in nuclear weaponry and delivery systems by adversaries could undermine U.S. extended deterrence.

Ishiba has proposed the creation of an “Asian version of NATO” that would ensure deterrence against the “nuclear alliance of China, Russia, and North Korea,” while calling for nuclear-sharing agreements and the potential deployment of U.S. nuclear weapons on Japanese soil.

Via The Mind Unleashed,

Imagine if something as common as the oil in your kitchen could be silently contributing to cancer. For millions around the world, this unsettling possibility has moved from speculation to science. Two studies, released just days apart, have cast a harsh spotlight on widely used cooking oils, suggesting a troubling connection between their consumption and increased cancer risks, particularly in the colon.

These findings are not just scientific footnotes—they are alarms ringing in households globally, where seed oils like sunflower, soybean, and canola are staples in daily cooking. As scientists dive deeper into the health consequences of these oils, they’re uncovering a hidden cost to convenience and affordability. Are we sacrificing long-term health for short-term savings? And if so, how can we protect ourselves from this unseen risk?

What the Studies Reveal: Key Findings

In two groundbreaking studies released just days apart, researchers have spotlighted a concerning link between widely used cooking oils and cancer risks, specifically pointing to tumor growth in the colon and other organs. These studies raise critical questions about the health implications of seed oils, a staple in kitchens worldwide.

One study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles, focused on the effects of certain oils on cancer progression. Dr. William Aronson, a professor of urology at UCLA School of Medicine who led the study, stated: “Our findings suggest that something as simple as adjusting your diet could potentially slow cancer growth and extend the time before more aggressive interventions are needed.” His team’s research suggests that dietary changes could be pivotal in managing the progression of diseases like prostate cancer.

Meanwhile, another study examined how the consumption of seed oils, such as sunflower and soybean oils, could increase levels of carcinogenic compounds in the body. These compounds, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), are known to play a role in tumor development. The findings have sparked further investigation into the safety of these oils and their processing methods, especially when exposed to high heat during cooking.

Together, these studies provide a sobering glimpse into the risks associated with cooking oils that millions consider harmless. By focusing on the potential long-term impacts, the researchers aim to ignite a broader conversation about diet, lifestyle, and cancer prevention.

The Science Behind the Risk: How Cooking Oils Are Linked to Cancer

Cooking oils, often seen as innocuous kitchen essentials, may harbor hidden dangers that extend far beyond their caloric content. The scientific findings point to a troubling connection between these oils and the development of carcinogens during their use. Specifically, when oils like sunflower or soybean are heated, they release harmful compounds that have been linked to tumor growth.

One of the main culprits identified in the studies is the production of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and aldehydes. These toxic substances are formed when oils undergo thermal decomposition, a process that occurs when they are heated to high temperatures. These compounds have long been recognized for their potential to damage DNA and trigger cellular mutations, laying the groundwork for cancer development.

Dr. William Aronson emphasized the importance of understanding how dietary choices influence cancer risks. As he explained, “This is an important step toward understanding how diet can potentially influence prostate cancer outcomes.” The research underscores the role of oxidative stress caused by these compounds, which not only fuels cancerous growths but also accelerates inflammation, a known precursor to various chronic diseases.

Moreover, the risks aren’t confined to occasional deep frying or high-heat cooking. Even regular, everyday use of these oils in common cooking practices—like stir-frying or sautéing—can release these hazardous substances, making the threat widespread and pervasive. Understanding these mechanisms helps shed light on why the seemingly harmless cooking oils in our homes may be contributing to a growing public health concern.

Seed Oils in the Spotlight: A Look at the Culprits

At the center of these alarming studies are seed oils, a category that includes widely consumed options like sunflower, soybean, canola, and corn oils. Praised for their affordability and versatility, these oils have become staples in households and commercial kitchens worldwide. However, their widespread use comes with potential health risks that many consumers are unaware of.

Seed oils are particularly problematic because they are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are unstable when exposed to heat. When these oils are subjected to high temperatures during frying or other cooking methods, they degrade, releasing harmful chemicals such as aldehydes and PAHs. These compounds have been directly linked to cancer and other chronic diseases in multiple studies.

Adding to the concern, seed oils are heavily refined and processed, often involving high heat and chemical solvents during production. This process not only strips the oils of any beneficial nutrients but also creates toxic byproducts even before the oils reach consumers.

The global reliance on these oils is driven largely by their low cost and long shelf life. Sunflower and soybean oils, for example, dominate cooking practices in both high-income and low-income regions due to their availability and affordability. Yet, as these studies reveal, the convenience of seed oils may come at a significant cost to long-term health.

This growing body of research is forcing a re-evaluation of seed oils’ place in the modern diet, with scientists urging caution and advocating for safer alternatives. The implications for public health are profound, as millions of people continue to rely on these oils in their daily cooking.

The Global Impact: Millions at Risk

The widespread use of seed oils places millions of people at potential risk, especially in regions where these oils dominate culinary practices due to their affordability and availability. Sunflower, soybean, and canola oils, among others, are often considered essential kitchen staples in low-income households and developing nations, making the health implications of these studies a global concern.

A key issue lies in the balance between cost and safety. For many, these oils represent an economical solution to everyday cooking needs, but their long-term health costs are largely invisible. The findings from recent studies underscore that what appears to be a budget-friendly choice may carry hidden dangers in the form of increased cancer risks. This is particularly troubling in communities that lack access to healthcare resources, where prevention through dietary changes becomes even more critical.

Additionally, the reliance on seed oils is not confined to individual households. They are heavily used in the food industry for frying, baking, and as key ingredients in processed foods. This amplifies exposure to the harmful compounds linked to these oils, as they are often consumed multiple times a day in various forms.

The public health implications are significant. If these findings continue to hold true, governments and health organizations may need to revisit guidelines on cooking oils and promote education about healthier alternatives. Raising awareness about the risks and encouraging safer cooking practices could save countless lives while fostering a much-needed shift toward more conscious dietary choices.

In a world where seed oils are deeply embedded in culinary traditions and food supply chains, the challenge lies in addressing this health threat without compromising affordability or accessibility. This makes the recent findings not just a wake-up call, but a critical step toward global dietary reform.

Expert Opinions: What Scientists and Doctors Are Saying

The recent findings linking cooking oils to cancer risks have sparked widespread concern among researchers and health professionals. Experts are emphasizing the need for awareness and further investigation into the compounds released during high-heat cooking with seed oils. These harmful byproducts, including aldehydes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), have been directly tied to cellular damage and tumor development.

Researchers have also raised questions about the widespread reliance on highly processed seed oils in modern diets. The processing methods often involve high heat and chemical treatments, which can produce toxic residues even before the oils are used in cooking. This has led many health professionals to recommend exploring alternative oils with higher heat stability and lower risk profiles.

While not all experts agree on the immediate implications of these findings, there is consensus that diet plays a critical role in preventing chronic diseases, including cancer. Public health advocates are urging consumers to consider these findings when making everyday dietary choices, highlighting the need for further research to solidify these early conclusions.

By spotlighting the risks associated with widely used oils, these studies are a call to action for consumers, policymakers, and the food industry alike. The goal is not only to reduce exposure to potentially harmful substances but also to promote safer, healthier cooking practices on a global scale.

What You Can Do: Healthier Alternatives and Precautions

While the findings on seed oils are alarming, they also serve as an opportunity to take proactive steps toward healthier cooking practices. By making informed choices, consumers can minimize their exposure to potentially harmful compounds and reduce their risk of associated health issues.

1. Choose Safer Cooking Oils
   Replace seed oils like sunflower, soybean, and canola with alternatives that have higher heat stability and fewer harmful byproducts. Oils such as extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil are better suited for cooking at higher temperatures and are less likely to produce toxic compounds. Additionally, cold-pressed oils are less processed, retaining more of their natural nutrients and antioxidants.
2. Modify Cooking Techniques
   The method of cooking can significantly impact the safety of oils. Opt for low-heat cooking methods such as steaming, baking, or slow cooking, which reduce the risk of forming carcinogenic compounds. Avoid deep frying or prolonged high-heat cooking, and ensure proper ventilation in the kitchen to minimize exposure to any airborne toxins.
3. Incorporate Fresh and Whole Foods
   Diversifying your diet with fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help offset the potential risks associated with oils. These foods are rich in antioxidants and nutrients that combat inflammation and oxidative stress, two key factors in cancer development.
4. Stay Informed and Read Labels
   Pay close attention to the labels on cooking oils. Look for minimally processed options and avoid products that list additives or chemical stabilizers. Awareness of how oils are processed and the conditions under which they are used can help you make safer choices.

Small changes, like swapping oils and tweaking cooking methods, can have a significant impact on long-term health. By taking these precautions, individuals can mitigate risks and empower themselves with healthier, more conscious dietary habits.

*  *  *

Butter, Ghee, Olive oil
Not rockets science just use these.

— Simple Economics (@simpleeconomic) December 29, 2024

Via InternationalMan.com,

International Man: As we approach the end of the year, let’s take a step back, review the Big Picture, and assess 2024’s major developments to better understand what may come next.

Before we drill down into specifics, what’s your high-level view of what happened in 2024?

Doug Casey: Let’s break it down into politics, economics, technology, and culture.

Politically, the election of Trump, against the will of the Elite, the Deep State, and the Establishment—they’re pretty much the same thing—came as a surprise to me. I suspected they’d succeed in stealing the election. More important than the election of Trump, though, is the defeat of Kamala and the Jacobins of the Democrat Party.

That defeat is echoed by a reaction against the Left most everywhere. The leftist German government—it was starting to mimic the old East German regime—will hopefully be replaced with the AfD. The elitist Macron is on his way out in France, as is Trudeau in Canada. In Romania, the election of Georgescu (see our interview with him) is being fought tooth and nail by their Deep State, but I think he’ll triumph. Hungary and Slovakia won’t participate in the insane war in the Ukraine. There’s a growing reaction against both war and Wokeism.

Regarding the economy, the average guy’s standard of living is flat to descending, albeit propped up by debt. He’s buried under mortgage debt, auto loans, student debt, and credit card debt. It is, to use a currently fashionable word, unsustainable like that of the government itself. On the bright side, the top 10%, and especially the top 1%, aided by a roaring stock market, are doing better than ever. Will it lead to a violent wave of resentment among the hoi polloi? When has it not?

Technologically, Artificial Intelligence finally came into its own in 2024. It’s widely used, and scores of gigantic data centers, which consume gigantic amounts of power, are being built everywhere. AI itself is cause for huge optimism. But it also, almost inevitably, means there will be a renaissance of nuclear power; even Greens seem to recognize it.

Space exploration is advancing rapidly with the success of SpaceX, which has taken over from NASA, the Europeans, and the Chinese.

Culturally, it seems 2024 was the year of Peak Woke in the universities, media, and corporations. The idiotic bubble has finally burst. One sign of that was the delegitimization of mass media. Nobody trusts CNN, MSNBC, or any other networks. People increasingly get news from decentralized sources.

At the same time, there’s a growing trend towards delegitimizing government in general, and the US government in particular. We saw this with the hurricane in North Carolina, where FEMA was not only unhelpful but counterproductive. And the hundreds of large drones floating around the Northeast at night. The government proved itself too incompetent to solve the mystery and too dishonest to discuss its findings, if any. Across the country, people have become pretty fed up with the old order.

So, except for the underlying rot in the economy, this is all good news.

International Man: Trump winning the 2024 presidential election was a defining moment in 2024.

What are your thoughts on the political and cultural changes sparked by this?

Doug Casey: Sometimes a man makes the times, and other times, the times make the man. It’s the latter with Trump.

History is punctuated by people like Alexander, Caesar, Genghis Khan, Louis XIV, Napoleon, and Hitler. People like that—and it’s a hugely abbreviated list—change the nature of life, mostly by leaving a trail of dead bodies in their wake. The most famous men in history are, perversely, and almost without exception, the most criminal.

Americans escaped, by the skin of their teeth, what would have become a Democrat “people’s republic” under the dim and evil Kamala. That said, the election of Trump will break a lot of rice bowls, which is great. It’s needed, and I’m all for it. But anything can happen with the economy, the political system, American culture, and the international situation all on shaky ground.

Maybe Trump augurs morning in America, as did Reagan. But when Reagan was elected, the stock market was around 1000—in real terms, a historic low. Interest rates were over 15%, historic highs. And Reagan was philosophically quite libertarian. Now, however, the stock market is at all-time highs, in bubble territory. Interest rates have started rising from all-time lows. And Trump is no libertarian; he lacks a philosophical center.

Those are scary differences.

It’s said that a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon can cause a flood in China. Trump is like a butterfly the size of Rodan. And he’s righteously pissed off about what the Jacobins tried to do to him.

We’re in for big changes. But let’s look at this from a historical perspective. The long-term trend of history, since the end of the Neolithic 12,000 years ago, is that everything’s been getting better in all ways at an accelerating rate. Unless we suffer a real disaster, like WW3, economic and technological progress will almost certainly continue. The installation of Trump, Kamala, or whoever is no more than a bump in the road.

International Man: One of the most significant financial events of 2024 was the Federal Reserve’s pivot back to monetary easing under the pretext of having defeated inflation.

What are your thoughts on this policy shift and its broader economic implications?

Doug Casey: I’m amazed that anybody really cares about what the Federal Reserve says or seems to do. Manipulating short-term interest rates by a quarter or a half of a percent here or there is trivial. Long-term rates are what count; long-term, not short-term, rates represent the cost of capital to build industry and develop property. With the Fed creating dollars by the trillions to support the government, rates can only go up.

The dollar has lost at least 98% of its value since the Fed was created 111 years ago. And that trend is accelerating as the US government runs multi-trillion-dollar deficits, which can only be financed by the Fed, creating more dollars. They have no real choice.

The question is not whether the Fed is going to adjust rates up or down. It’s whether we will have a 1923-style German runaway inflation or a 1929-style catastrophic deflation. If the Fed doesn’t print money fast enough to finance all the debt in the world, the whole system will come unglued in a deflation. So, I’m betting on more money and credit being created. And higher prices to go with them.

International Man: What were the most crucial geopolitical events of 2024, and how might they shape the future?

Doug Casey: The most important geopolitical event has received the least press: the election of Javier Milei in Argentina. His success in rolling back the size of the Argentine government is historic. He has fired scores of thousands of government employees, abolished agencies, abolished many taxes, and abolished a lot of price controls and subsidies. The government, which has perpetually run in deeply the red, financed by printed fiat money, is now in the black after only one year. This is a really major change, a veritable first in world history, and a change in the megatrend, with any luck.

A lesser noticed but related sea change is the triumph of Bukele’s policies in El Salvador. Two years ago, it had probably the world’s worst crime problem after Haiti. Now, it’s one of the world’s safest countries. It was solved, at least temporarily, by locking up about 65,000 known gang members. In the meantime, there’s complete freedom of speech and opinion, and property rights are secure. As a bonus, Bitcoin is recognized as an official currency.

The other big event is the collapse of the Assad regime. There will be complete chaos as numerous groups jockey for control of Syria. I think it’s a template for the future in most of the artificially constructed countries of the Middle East and Africa—the whole world, in fact—although hopefully more peaceably in most places.

International Man: Gold and Bitcoin hit new all-time highs in 2024, while the S&P 500 rose around 24% year-to-date at the time of writing.

What’s next?

Doug Casey: Gold is no longer cheap. It’s about where it “should” be, compared to historical prices of houses, cars, clothes and food.

Bitcoin, as a new asset class, a digital age money, is finding its level. As it catches on with the world at large, it’s going higher. But this isn’t the time to discuss why I think that’s true.

Resource stocks—gas, oil, uranium, coal, gold, silver, copper, etc.—are truly cheap. They’re the best speculative vehicles I can think of. Will they go 10-1 as a group? It wouldn’t be the first time.

As for the bubbly stock and bond markets, there’s an incoming tsunami. Get out of the water.

*  *  *

Doug Casey’s forecasts helped investors prepare and profit from: 1) the S&L blowup in the ’80s and ’90s, 2) the 2001 tech stock collapse, 3) the 2008 financial crisis, 4) and now… Doug’s sounding the alarms about a catastrophic event. One he believes could soon strike. To help you prepare and profit, Doug and his team have prepared a special video. Click here to watch now.

A Jeju Airlines airplane veered off the runway upon landing in South Korea and collided with a wall, killing at least 23, Yonhap News agency reported.

BREAKING: Video shows crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 in South Korea. 181 people on board pic.twitter.com/9rQUC0Yxt8

— BNO News (@BNONews) December 29, 2024

The flight, yet another unfortunate Boeing 737 aircraft, was carrying 175 passengers and 6 crew members to Muan International Airport, in the country’s south. It was returning from Bangkok, according to the news agency and Flightradar24 data. The 737 plane in question was not a Max jet.

A Jeju Air flight from Bangkok with 175 passengers and six crew members skidded off the runway and crashed into a fence at Muan International Airport in South Korea this morning.

The Boeing 737-800 erupted into flames shortly after the collision.

📷: Social media

🧵1 pic.twitter.com/4PRD5SijRC

— BFM News (@NewsBFM) December 29, 2024

The incident is suspected to have been caused by a landing gear malfunction following a bird strike, according to the local fire department.

South Korean broadcaster MBC News has released footage purportedly capturing a bird strike on Jeju Air Flight 2216 shortly before its crash: https://t.co/41fmWgZ1NY pic.twitter.com/OpJd6oW0Nb

— GMI (@Global_Mil_Info) December 29, 2024

The Korean transport ministry said it was investigating the crash. The airline and the fire department were not immediately available for comment.

The fatal crash takes place just days after a Dec. 25 crash involving an Azerbaijan Airlines passenger plane, killing dozens.

All within the span of 3 days…

This is a dark time for the aviation industry. pic.twitter.com/Wppd6iPuRc

— War Monitor (@WarMonitors) December 29, 2024

Authored by Debra Heine via American Greatness,

Two Democrat legal experts are calling on Congress to take immediate action to prevent President-elect Donald Trump from taking office, citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

Evan A. Davis, the former editor in chief of the Columbia Law Review and David M. Schulte, the former editor in chief of the Yale Law Journal, called for Trump’s disqualification in an opinion piece for The Hill, citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment.

Davis is a New York City attorney and a former president of the New York City Bar Association. He worked on the U.S. House Judiciary Committee impeachment inquiry staff during the impeachment process against Richard Nixon.

Schulte is an investment banker and good friend of Barack Obama. He owns the oceanfront Martha’s Vineyard home where the Obama and his family used to vacation when he was in office.

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment bars individuals who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or given aid or comfort to its enemies from holding “any office, civil or military.”

In a unanimous decision last March, the Supreme Court tossed out a Colorado court decision that barred Donald Trump from appearing on the state’s Republican presidential primary ballot.  The lower court had based its decision on 14th Amendment  provision.

In their 9-0 ruling, the Supremes concluded that “states have no power under the Constitution to enforce Section 3 with respect to federal offices, especially the Presidency.”

But Davis and Schulte argue that evidence of Donald Trump engaging in “insurrection” is “overwhelming” and that Congress has the authority to block Trump from being inaugurated under the Constitution and the Electoral Count Act of 2022.

The act, which was intended to prevent another January 6 scenario, added certain procedures for the counting of electoral votes following a presidential election.

In January 2021, the then-Democrat controlled House of Representatives impeached Trump for “incitement of insurrection” following the January 6 Capitol riot, but the Senate acquitted him,  falling short of the two-thirds majority needed for conviction.

The Democrat lawyers argue that the majority (57-43) vote in the Senate supports their case for disqualification under the 14th Amendment.

They say that any votes cast for Trump should be deemed “not regularly given” due to his alleged disqualification.

“Democrats need to take a stand against Electoral College votes for a person disqualified by the Constitution from holding office unless and until this disability is removed,” the Davis and Schulte wrote.

“No less is required by their oath to support and defend the Constitution.”

Most legal experts however agree that the notion of Republican lawmakers supporting a move that could elevate Kamala Harris to the presidency is highly improbable and at the moment, Democrats just don’t have the stomach for such a fight.

“Republicans and Democrats seem to agree they’ll give Trump the smooth, drama-free transfer of power he denied Democrats in 2020,” Politico reported Thursday, adding “top Democrats say they have no plans to stand in the way of Trump’s victory — and they’re not even sure their rank-and-file colleagues will make the token objections they’ve lodged in years past.”

“I know most about Gates, you know, because I’ve written a book about him,” says Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – President-elect Trump’s Secretary of Health and Human Services – recollecting his 2021 book, “The Real Anthony Fauci’, where RFK Jr exposes Gates’ so-called “philanthro-capitalism”, which, he explains is “using philanthropy to make yourself rich and you use it strategically and that’s what he’s done again and again.”

“He’s gotten control of the World Health Organization so that they mandate vaccines all over the world and the companies that make those vaccines are, Gates’ and many of them the major shareholder. And so and he did the same thing with the green revolution.”

RFK Jr.  – full of facts and not conspiracies (for, if they were, where are the defamation suits) – then unraveled one of Gates’ greatest disasters:

“He got a hold of the the regulatory agencies in African countries and forced them to take, to change the nature of agriculture. You know, there there’s there’s 20,000 generations of agriculture of of people being, growing, crops like sorghum and plantains and yucca and all these plants for subsistence.”

“And he said, no. We’re gonna transfer them all to these, you know, GMO monocultures of corn, and then we’re gonna bring in, the companies that he owns Kraft, Coca Cola, McDonald’s, these big food companies, processing companies to buy that and that’s gonna be the deal.”

“And then of course during COVID, all of that shut down and you had, you know, there’s 30,000,000 Africans now as a direct result of Gates’s policy who are now on the edge of starvation.”

But, it gets worse, as Gates ‘ventured’ into the vaccine world:

“I think the the big the real tell was what happened with the DTP vaccine, which is diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Because of Gates pushing this this shot, it’s now the number one vaccine in the world, DTP.”

“And it’s mainly given in Africa. It was that particular shot is discontinued in the United States because it was killing 1 out of every killing or badly injuring 1 out of every 300 kids who took it. We ended it in Europe and the United States, but there’s Gates giving it to every kid in Africa. And in 2017, he asked the Danish government for money to support this program and he said, we’ve saved we’ve saved 20,000,000 kids. The Danish government said, can you show us the data?”

“He couldn’t. So the Danish government went and did its own study, and they had records of 30 years of this vaccine in a country called Guinea Bissau. And, they looked at the records and what they they realized in retrospect, which they were never seeing, is that the the girls who were getting that vaccine at 6 months of age were 10 times more likely to die over the next 6 months as children who didn’t get it. “

“Wow. And they were dying of things that nobody on the ground had ever associated with vaccination.”

“They were dying of anemia and bilharzia and malaria and dysentery, and, and, and nobody had ever had made the connection that it’s only the girls who got the vaccine who were dying of those things, that the other kids were much healthier. ”

“And the Danish government had hired the retained the greatest, vaccine scientist all and were pro vaccine. A guy called Peter Aaby who’s like a deity in that space, and another guy called Soren Morgensen.”

“And a whole team of scientists did that, and those scientists started speaking up and saying you got to discontinue this vaccine. And their careers, Gates made sure their careers were destroyed.”

All of which left RFJ Jr with no doubts:

“So that’s when I understood that he actually understands what he is doing. And, you know, this is not just him being hypnotized. He knows that this is wrong because he’s this science was indisputable. And it really made me wonder about what his motivations are.”

Watch the full conversation here:

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: “I know most about Gates, you know, because I’ve written a book about him and that what he calls philanthropicapitalism, which is you use philanthropy to make yourself rich and you use it strategically and that’s what he’s done again and again.”

“He’s… pic.twitter.com/EVzvuuGpKN

— Camus (@newstart_2024) December 26, 2024

h/t Camus

Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times,

Big Lots finalized a deal that preserved the brand name and prevented the discount retail chain from entirely going under.

Ohio-based Big Lots announced it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year, citing economic pressures. The company tried to sell its business to Nexus Capital Management but failed to strike a deal. On Dec. 27, Big Lots announced a sales transaction with Gordon Brothers Retail Partners.

As part of the agreement, North Carolina-based Variety Wholesalers will acquire around 200 to 400 Big Lots stores “which it plans to operate under the Big Lots brand.”

Variety, which owns more than 400 retail stores in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic United States, may also “employ Big Lots associates at the acquired stores and distribution centers, as well as certain corporate associates.”

Bruce Thorn, chief executive officer of Big Lots, said the sale to Gordon Brothers and transfer to Variety is a “favorable and significant achievement.”

“This sale agreement and transfer present the strongest opportunity to preserve jobs, maximize value for the estate, and ensure continuity of the Big Lots brand,” he said.

The agreement now needs to be approved by the bankruptcy court and must undergo other closing conditions.

Big Lots operates more than 1,400 stores across 48 states in the United States. While filing for bankruptcy, the company cited issues like inflation, saying that rising prices have changed the spending behaviors of customers.

“The prevailing economic trends have been particularly challenging to Big Lots, as its core customers curbed their discretionary spending on the home and seasonal product categories that represent a significant portion of the company’s revenue,” it said in September.

Big Lots listed assets and liabilities in the range of $1 billion to $10 billion, owing money to 5,001 to 10,000 creditors. The company’s shares have crashed by more than 99 percent this year.

Last week, the company said it intends to kick off a “going out of business” sale at its stores.

Bankruptcies on the Rise

Multiple American retail chains have entered bankruptcy over the past year. In June, apparel retailer Bob’s Stores went bankrupt and decided to sell all its stores in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island.

In July, furniture retailer Conn’s announced filing for bankruptcy, closing down all its 553 stores nationwide following a sales slowdown over past years.

New Jersey-based Party City filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December, and said it was preparing to close down almost 700 stores across the country. This was the second time in two years that the company filed for bankruptcy.

According to an S&P report, there have been 634 U.S. corporate bankruptcy filings in 2024, up to the end of November, with the figure on track to potentially hit a new 14-year annual high. S&P bankruptcy numbers only take into account large companies that exceed certain asset and liability thresholds.

The jump in bankruptcies comes as businesses face challenges like inflation, elevated interest rates, and changing consumer spending patterns, it said.

“While the US Federal Reserve has begun lowering its benchmark interest rate from a 20-year high, the pace of further cuts may slow in 2025 amid challenges posed by persistent inflation and potential tariffs implemented by President-elect Donald Trump,” said the report.

“However, Trump’s election victory in November did provide an initial boost to stock markets and investor risk appetite.”

The American Bankruptcy Institute reveals that overall commercial bankruptcy filings fell 1 percent yearly in November, according to a Dec. 4 statement.

Michael Hunter, vice president of bankruptcy filing data provider Epiq AACER, attributed this small decline to fewer business days and the holiday season.

ABI Executive Director Amy Quackenboss said that “elevated interest rates, tougher lending terms, and increased geopolitical tensions continue to impact the balance sheets of many struggling businesses and families.”

“While still below the levels recorded prior to the pandemic, the steady growth in filings reflects the growing financial challenges faced by distressed companies and consumers.”

Authored by Eric Utter via AmericanThinker.com,

This is going to be controversial to many, but I am going to tell it like I see it, so damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.

The Biden administration, set up as it was by the Obama administration, has been a clear and present danger to the United States of America. In almost every way imaginable.

It has tanked an economy that otherwise was on the way to (an almost inevitable) rapid, post-pandemic recovery, causing pain to countless American families.

Speaking of the pandemic, its ludicrous lockdown policy, and a host of other counterproductive and destructive policies, caused immeasurable physical, mental, and emotional harm to millions of people—and summarily destroyed many small businesses, particularly restaurants. It fostered a growing oligarchy by ensuring certain government-approved giant corporations prospered while the small businesses were devastated. It nourished this budding fascism even as it took every opportunity to baselessly label Donald Trump and his supporters as “fascists.”

Similarly, it incessantly talked of “saving our democracy” even as it tried to destroy it by pushing for the end of the Electoral College and the filibuster, supporting the advent of congressional representation for Washington, D.C., urging the granting of statehood to Puerto Rico, and, most egregiously, going to any and all lengths to get rid of its chief political opponent, Donald J. Trump. It is still doing all it can to obstruct the will of the people, as was evident in its post-election auctioning off materials for the border wall for pennies on the dollar, as well as in placing various other roadblocks in front of the incoming administration. (In other words, it is doing everything possible to counteract the will of the people. Doesn’t sound very democratic to me.) Leaving the border wide open for years has created the greatest current—and latent—security threat the nation has ever faced. Period. 

In colluding with the social media giants to suppress the Hunter Biden laptop story, or with foreign agents to concoct the Russian-collusion hoax, Democrats have shown, time and again, they will do anything to attain and retain power.

The Biden administration made that abundantly clear…seven ways from Sunday.

In its constant use of lawfare and its “accountability for thee but not for me” perversion of the justice system, it has created a two-tiered system of justice that is deeply anti-American and monstrously pernicious.

And that is troubling—and frightening—to most Americans.

The Biden administration has helped make a mockery of common sense—if not of reality itself—with its official inability to define what a woman is, and to simultaneously approve of “gender reassignment” surgeries and procedures (even for the very young)…and biological men in women’s locker-rooms, bathrooms, and on their sports teams. It has done grievous damage to our culture—and unity—by endlessly promoting the absurd ideologies of DEI and CRT.

Its unwillingness to ever be available, accountable, or transparent is only matched by its overwhelming desire and propensity to lie to the very citizens it is supposed to serve. Which we have seen in its attempts to protect itself, smear Trump and his supporters, give a pass to the Chinese spy balloon, and in its flat-out refusal to tell Americans anything resembling the truth about the drone fiasco that has been ongoing for over a month. The non-answers and gibberish that has spewed from the mouths of “government officials,” has been truly mind-blowing…on this and numerous other matters.

As if all of this weren’t enough, its foreign policy may yet lead to our destruction. It essentially surrendered to goat-herders in Afghanistan, leaving behind billions of dollars of high-end military equipment, more than a dozen dead Americans, and our reputation and dignity. It has bizarrely coddled Iran while playing hardball with Israel, the only liberal democracy in the Middle East. And it seems almost determined to get us directly involved in a shooting war with Russia, if not a nuclear one. 

To me, this is far worse than incompetence, more than malfeasance. 

To me, it spells T-R-E-A-S-O-N. 

Were this an age of reason, what other conclusion could be reached?

Authored by Rudy Blalock via The Epoch Times,

Mexico is developing a new cellphone app for its citizens who are in the United States illegally so they can notify their family members and the nearest Mexican consulate if they are facing deportation, according to a Mexican official on Friday.

The move comes in response to potential mass deportations of illegal immigrants in the United States under the incoming Trump administration.

Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Mexico’s secretary of foreign affairs, said the app is currently in small-scale testing, and it “appears to be working very well.”

De la Fuente described it as a “panic button” in a statement to The Associated Press.

“In case you find yourself in a situation where detention [by U.S. immigration authorities] is imminent, you push the alert button, and that sends a signal to the nearest consulate,” he said.

De la Fuente did not say whether the app includes a feature to cancel an alert if detention does not occur.

In addition to the app, the Mexican government has established a 24-hour call center to address questions from its citizens illegally in the United States or those who are unsure of their status. Mexico has also bolstered its consular staff and legal aid resources to assist illegal immigrants in navigating the deportation process.

According to Mexican government estimates, there are approximately 11.5 million migrants with some form of legal residency in the United States and 4.8 million who are there illegally.

The app is expected to be fully launched in January, coinciding with President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20. During his campaigning, Trump repeatedly said he would implement mass deportations once back in office.

The development also comes amid ongoing discussions between Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum regarding immigration policies. Trump recently claimed a victory in stopping illegal immigration through Mexico following a conversation with Sheinbaum.

Trump stated on his Truth Social account that Sheinbaum “agreed to stop Migration through Mexico.”

Sheinbaum’s own social media post suggested a different perspective, stating, “We reiterate that Mexico’s position is not to close borders but to build bridges between governments and between peoples.”

Sheinbaum further said that Mexico is already addressing migrant caravans, saying, “I told him the caravans are not reaching the northern (U.S.) border, because Mexico is taking care of them.”

The conversation between the two leaders occurred shortly after Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on Canada and Mexico as part of his strategy to combat illegal immigration and drug trafficking. Trump described the potential tariffs as “effectively closing our Southern Border.”

Citing data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, AP reports that arrivals at the U.S.-Mexico border have dropped 40 percent from an all-time high in December, largely attributed to increased Mexican vigilance around rail yards and highway checkpoints.