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Lowry: It’s wrong to censor views of RFK Jr.

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:20 GMT

ABC News did a wide-ranging interview with Robert Kennedy Jr. the other day. The ABC reporter asked him a number of challenging questions, notably about the lack of support from his own family for his presidential run.It was interesting stuff and good journalism — having on the heterodox, newly minted presidential candidate, allowing him to make the case for his candidacy, and forcing him to think and reflect out loud.Then, came the note at the end: ABC, as a matter of “editorial judgment,” had left out portions of the interview where Kennedy had expanded on his anti-vaccine views (which were briefly discussed).Now this is not, as a technical matter, censorship; ABC News isn’t a government entity and can exercise whatever editorial judgment it pleases. But the spirit of the exercise was in keeping with censorship, and it reflected how the press and social media platforms operated during the height of the pandemic when they were the self-appointed arbiters of ...

Liam Hendriks perfect in 1st rehab outing in return from lymphoma: ‘I’m just excited to be here,’ the Chicago White Sox closer says

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:20 GMT

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks pitched a perfect inning in his first minor-league rehab outing with Triple-A Charlotte on Friday in Gwinnett, Ga.Hendriks has been on the injured list since the beginning of the season while undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He announced on April 20 he was cancer-free after completing chemotherapy on April 5.“First game out, it was nice being in the bullpen, getting that camaraderie going,” Hendriks said in a videoconference call Friday night. “But a little wet out here tonight. So it was always an interesting one, running in. But then go through my warmup pitches and then they made a PA announcement and both teams got out and started clapping, which is — don’t get me wrong, it’s really, really nice. I very much appreciate it. It made me very emotional.“I’m a guy who pitches on anger, and it’s really hard to get angry when you know the other team is full of nice people. So a li...

McCaughey: Don’t buy into Sharpton’s attack on McDonald’s

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:20 GMT

Racism is abhorrent. So are shakedown artists who cry racism to rake in cash.The Rev. Al Sharpton publicly threatened McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski on April 27, using the same language his National Action Network has used for three decades to squeeze cash out of major corporations.Sharpton referred to “multiple accusations of racial discrimination” by McDonald’s and warned that NAN is poised to mobilize nationally against the company. “You cannot sell Black folks Big Macs and give us little justice,” he said.Mainstream media glorified this threat, calling Sharpton a “social justice leader.”Racial discrimination should be punished to the full extent of the law. But Sharpton isn’t a judge or juror.Is McDonald’s guilty of racial discrimination? That’s for courts to decide. McDonald’s has been sued by Black franchise owners alleging they were mistreated compared with white owners. But a federal judge threw out on...

Solomon: NYC bans weight discrimination – will others follow?

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:20 GMT

Sometime before the summer, New York City’s Council will approve a bill that would ban weight discrimination in hiring and housing.The bill would outlaw discrimination based on a person’s weight or height in jobs, housing, and public accommodations. The legislation is aimed at protecting people from being fired or denied housing because of their weight as part of a larger effort to combat discrimination and promote equality in New York City.Currently, only a few cities and states in the US have laws in place that ban weight discrimination. San Francisco, Binghamton, Madison, and Urbana are among the cities that prohibit discrimination against people because of their weight. There is currently a bill prohibiting body size discrimination before the Massachusetts Legislature.The state of Michigan is the only state in the country that has passed a law to declare weight as a protected category from discrimination. The state of Washington considers obesity a disability, which means ...

Jaylen Brown: Joel Embiid’s stomp on Grant Williams’ head was ‘craziest thing I’ve seen’ on court

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:20 GMT

PHILADELPHIA — Grant Williams was writhing on the court in pain. He was holding his face, crouched down with two knees on the floor, and finally emerged to go take a seat on the Celtics bench. His face was bloodied.The Celtics forward had just taken the shot of all shots. As Jaylen Brown fouled Joel Embiid with 5:08 remaining in the fourth quarter, bodies were flying. Brown had dove to the floor for a loose ball, and he took bodies with him. He collided with Williams. As they both crashed to the floor, Embiid was trying to keep his balance when he inadvertently stomped straight on Williams’ head.All the weight of the 76ers 280-pounder’s right foot, right on Williams’ skull.“When I saw Grant get his head stepped on by a 300-pound individual, to see that live was crazy, seeing that in real time,” Brown said. “It was probably the craziest thing I’ve seen on a basketball court.”Williams found the video after the game, and though he had already lived it, the visual was just as jarr...

5 patio projects to enhance outdoor living

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:20 GMT

Warm weather paves the way to more opportunities to enjoy fresh air. For homeowners who have the luxury of outdoor spaces, including private patios, now is the time to start thinking about projects to enhance these gathering spots.A patio can be considered a transitional area that links the outdoors to the inside of a home. According to the home and lifestyle resource The Spruce, a patio is often an oasis for lounging and entertaining. And depending on homeowners’ budgets and preferences, a patio can be just as comfortable and stylish as interior spaces. The following are five patio projects that can transform these valuable spaces.Pretty pergolaA pergola is an open-air (traditionally wood) structure that adds a measure of shade and privacy without completely blocking views of Mother Nature. Installing a pergola over the patio helps define the seating area. Hanging plants can add to the ambiance and string lights can make this a great spot to gather when the sun sets.Patio fir...

Editorial: Biden’s bureaucrats busy beefing up regulatory state

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:20 GMT

Economic growth under the Biden administration has been underwhelming, with the economy actually shrinking during the first half of 2022. After rebounding somewhat, growth now lags again, coming in at a disappointing 1.1% for the first quarter of 2023, the Commerce Department reported last week.The president who famously told us that his self-created inflation was only “transitory” opted to put on his happy face and proclaim in a statement that “the American economy remains strong, as it transitions to steady and stable growth.” Back on Earth, Fed economists are predicting a “mild recession” later this year, according to Politico.It is against this backdrop that the White House has conducted a relentless campaign to nourish the corpulent federal administrative state. According to Dan Goldbeck, director of regulatory police for the American Action Forum, President Joe Biden in his first two years has increased the paperwork burden on businesses and others by an astounding 220 million...

Dear Abby: Older sister gives away family heirlooms

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:20 GMT

Dear Abby: My mother passed away years ago. I have one older sister, “Nadine.” Following my mother’s death, with the blessing of my father, Nadine and I divided Mom’s jewelry. My sister almost immediately began digging through closets and drawers and removing items from our parents’ home every time she visited our father.Dad asked if I wanted any particular items that belonged to Mom. I mentioned three things, but told him I didn’t want to take anything from his house until he passed on. I thought it would be disrespectful to do otherwise.Nadine threw her future daughter-in-law a wedding shower, and gave her two antique items that had been Mother’s — items I recognized immediately. I felt upset that she hadn’t at least mentioned them to me before she gave them away. I have the only granddaughter, and may have wanted to pass those items down to her.Following the shower, I spoke with my father. He agreed that before Nadine gave the...

King Charles III coronation in London: Watch live

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:20 GMT

LONDON (NewsNation) — Coronation festivities have begun in Great Britain as the royal family turns the page of a new chapter with the crowning of King Charles III, the first event of its kind in 70 years. Though King Charles III ascended the throne when his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, died last year, the coronation is a religious ceremony that provides a more formal confirmation of his role as head of state and titular head of the Church of England. Along with the king, his wife, Camilla, is being coronated as queen, a first for a spouse of a U.K. monarch. Five things to watch in King Charles III’s coronation A procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey starts at about 5 a.m. ET, 2 a.m. PT.The coronation is the latest event to draw the world's eyes to the British royal family, which has been rocked by tumult and scandal in recent years — from Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan's shocking exit from royal duties and their subsequent onslaught of accusations against the...

Biden hopes strong job market means soft landing for economy

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:16:20 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — For President Joe Biden, the past few days have raised hopes that the U.S. economy can stick a soft landing—possibly avoiding a recession as the 2024 election nears.Most U.S. adults have downbeat feelings about Biden’s economic leadership, as high inflation has overshadowed a strong jobs market. It’s long been economic orthodoxy that efforts to beat back inflation by the Federal Reserve would result in unemployment rising and the country sinking into recession. But to the president and some economists, the April jobs report issued Friday challenged that theory with its 3.4% unemployment rate and 253,000 jobs gained.The strong jobs report came after a Wednesday Fed meeting that suggested the U.S. central bank might pause on its rate hikes, the primary tool for cutting inflation from its still high 5% to something closer to 2%. Talks are also starting over the need to raise the debt limit — with Biden inviting congressional leaders to the White House for ...