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“Content Agnostic”: EU Official Denies Anti-Free Speech Policies In Bizarre Letter To Congress

After returning recently from speaking at the World Forum in Berlin, I testified in the Senate Judiciary Committee and warned about the building threat to free speech from the use of the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA). House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan has taken up the issue and received a letter from the EU’s Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Henna Virkkunen. The letter is both evasive and deceptive.

In my book, The Indispensable Right, I detail how the DSA has been used to allow for sweeping speech investigations and prosecutions. In direct contradiction to past statements by the EU, Virkkunen denied any effort to regulate speech or enforce the DSA outside of Europe.

What is particularly maddening is the false claim that the EU remains “deeply committed to protecting and promoting free speech.” Many in the free speech community view the EU and the DSA as the greatest threats to free speech in the West.

In his letter, Jordan correctly raised the concern that the DSA could “limit or restrict Americans” constitutionally protected speech in the United States by compelling platforms to crack down on what the EU considers “misleading or deceptive” speech.

In her response, Virkkunen bizarrely describes the DSA as “content-agnostic” while insisting that the DSA “applies exclusively within the European Union.”

That is not what EU officials previously said or what the law itself allows. Articles 34 and 35 of the DSA require all sites to identify, assess, and mitigate “systemic risks” posed by content, including any threats to “civic discourse”, “electoral processes,” and “public health.” It is up to the EU to define and judge such categories in terms of compliance.

The act bars speech that is viewed as “disinformation” or “incitement.” European Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager celebrated its passage by declaring that it is “not a slogan anymore, that what is illegal offline should also be seen and dealt with as illegal online. Now it is a real thing. Democracy’s back.”

Some in this country have turned to the EU to force the censorship of their fellow citizens. After Elon Musk bought Twitter and dismantled most of the company’s censorship program, many on the left went bonkers. That fury only increased when Musk released the “Twitter files,” confirming the long-denied coordination and support by the government in targeting and suppressing speech.

In response, Hillary Clinton and other Democratic figures turned to Europe and called upon them to use their Digital Services Act to force censorship against Americans. (Clinton spoke at the World Forum and lashed out at the failure to control disinformation).

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Pennsylvania Man Caught on Camera Carving Swastika into Tesla Makes Another Incredibly Dumb Move That Leads to His Identification and Arrest

Radical leftists across the country have been vandalizing Teslas and setting Tesla dealerships on fire across the country all because of their blind hatred of Elon Musk. But in a twist, one of these unhinged losers decided to make things easy for law enforcement this week.

As NBC 10 Philadelphia reported, an unidentified male was caught on tape vandalizing a Tesla in the parking lot of a Planet Fitness in Doylestown Borough on Monday. The Bucks County Courier Times reported the man responsible for the vandalism is 55-year-old Chadd Ritenbaug of Doylestown Township.

The Central Bucks Regional Police Department said the suspect was caught on the car’s cameras parking next to the Tesla and getting out of his silver-colored Lexus. The video then showed him squatting behind the vehicle and proceeding to scratch a swastika into the Tesla moments before 9:30 a.m.

But instead of running away, Ritenbaugh thankfully made another incredibly foolish move that came back to haunt him.

After vandalizing the Tesla, Ritenbaugh walked into Planet Fitness and scanned his membership card with the staff at the front desk. He proceeded to work out as if nothing happened.

Ritenbaugh’s decision enabled police to identify him using his gym membership card and his Pennsylvania Driver’s License photo.

Ritenbaugh is charged with misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief, harassment, and two counts of summary harassment and disorderly conduct. Patch reports Ritenbaugh was arraigned on March 28 before Judge Mark Douple.

His bail has been set at $25,000.

This incident is made more ironic by the fact that Ritenbaugh apparently has a LinkedIn account which shows he owns a company called Black Car Service of Bucks County, PA. The company also happens to be hiring right now.

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Maryland Democrats Pass “Sleep Tax” – Is A Thinking Tax Next?

Maryland lawmakers are scrambling to address a staggering $3.3 billion budget shortfall.

To close the gap, far-left Governor Wes Moore and activist Democrats have proposed a wave of tax hikes that would hit Marylanders’ wallets the hardest amid a deepening affordability crisis. 

With power bills already skyrocketing to record highs for many folks due to backfiring and disastrous green energy policies, these same progressive lawmakers are creating even more nightmares for taxpayers—this time by proposing a tax that effectively targets sleep.

A small but vocal group of conservative Republicans in the Maryland House of Delegates were stunned on Friday when far-left Democrats pushed through HB 858—a bill that establishes a mattress stewardship program under the guise of promoting safe disposal and recycling. This is another tax on Marylanders as the state sinks into financial turmoil and elevated credit downgrade risks. The new 6% tax on mattresses is on top of the existing 6% sales tax. 

Del. Mark N. Fisher (R-Calvert), one of the leaders of the Maryland House Freedom Caucus, blasted the “Sleep Tax” and asked if there would be a “snoring surcharge.”

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Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting ‘Anti-American Ideology’ At Smithsonian Museums

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order targeting “anti-American Ideology” in the Smithsonian Institution.

On Thursday, Trump signed the order aimed at removing “anti-American ideology” from the Smithsonian Institution and restoring monuments that were removed during the past five years.

The executive order, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” directs Vice President JD Vance to remove “improper partisan ideology” from the Smithsonian, which the order claims has promoted the idea that American history is “inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed.”

“Over the past decade, Americans have witnessed a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation’s history, replacing objective facts with a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth,” the order states.

“This revisionist movement seeks to undermine the remarkable achievements of the United States by casting its founding principles and historical milestones in a negative light.”

According to the Smithsonian Institution website, they were founded in 1846 as a public-private partnership.

The order states that one aspect of this “anti-American ideology” the administration plans to address is how the Biden Administration supported training by an organization that pushes for undermining “Western foundations” at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, where Park Rangers were told their racial identity should govern how they interpret history to tourists.

Another issue the order will address is the American Art Museum which currently features an exhibit that purports to show how “sculpture has been a powerful tool in promoting scientific racism” and claims that the United States has “used race to establish and maintain systems of power, privilege, and disenfranchisement.”

Several more facets of this “anti-American ideology” will be addressed, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture which has proclaimed that “hard work,” “individualism,” and “the nuclear family” are aspects of “White culture.”

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University Of Michigan Guts DEI Programs

The University of Michigan said it will eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts following the Trump administration’s warning that colleges with discriminative policies could lose federal funding.

The changes, announced on Thursday, include shutting down two diversity offices and ending its “DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan.” This follows earlier steps to phase out DEI-related requirements, such as removing mandatory DEI statements in admissions, hiring, promotions, awards, and performance reviews.

The university said individuals who previously worked on DEI initiatives across various schools, colleges, and departments will now “refocus their full effort on their core responsibilities.”

“These decisions have not been made lightly,” University of Michigan President Santa Ono and three top administrators said in a joint statement. “We recognize the changes are significant and will be challenging for many of us, especially those whose lives and careers have been enriched by and dedicated to programs that are now pivoting.

“We are deeply grateful for the meaningful contributions of leaders, faculty, and staff who have advanced our ongoing efforts to create an ever-more inclusive and respectful community.”

Federal Pressure Intensifies

The changes come as the Trump administration ramped up the enforcement of federal anti-discrimination laws, including Title VI and Title IX, which prohibit discrimination based on race and sex, respectively, in education settings.

The University of Michigan specifically pointed to a “Dear Colleague” letter from the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights division. The Feb. 14 letter warned that the 2023 Supreme Court decision that declared the use of racial preferences in college admissions unconstitutional would now extend to all university policies and programs beyond admissions.

“At its core, the test is simple: If an educational institution treats a person of one race differently than it treats another person because of that person’s race, the educational institution violates the law,” the letter stated.

Moving forward, the university said it plans to increase investments in student-facing programs, including financial aid, mental health support, academic advising and counseling, and a scholarship for students from foster care.

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Satanist Leader Arrested After Alleged Physical Altercation in Kansas State Capitol

A Satanist leader was arrested on Friday morning after reportedly getting into a physical altercation at the Kansas State Capitol during a so-called “Black Mass” event.

Michael Stewart, the founder of the Satanic Grotto, was detained at the Kansas Statehouse in the capital of Topeka after getting into a shoving match with another individual, according to WIBW News.

The Satanic Grotto is described as an “organization for Satanists and allies who follow the Left-Hand Path,” according to the organization’s website.

Per the outlet:

Stewart then made his way to the rotunda, where he held his arms skyward and made a dedication to Satan. One woman confronted him, saying he was not allowed to do that, while a man approached holding a medallion and praying. A third person then approached, and he and Stewart started shoving each other.

In a post on X from CatholicVote, Stewart could be seen holding his arms up as another person appeared to grab something out of his hand. Stewart then appeared to punch the person, and the two could be seen getting into a physical altercation before law enforcement officers intervened and tackled Stewart to the ground.

According to the outlet, prior to entering the building, law enforcement officials greeted Stewart and informed him that “he was welcome inside the building, but he could not perform any demonstrations.”

Roughly 20 people “were on hand in support of the Black Mass,” while between 300 and 400 people were protesting the event, according to the outlet.

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A ‘landmark finding’: Homo naledi buried their dead 250,000 years ago, according to newly updated research

Homo naledi, an extinct relative of modern humans whose brain was one-third the size of ours, buried their dead and engraved cave walls about 250,000 years ago, according to new research.

The findings are overturning long-held theories that only modern humans and our Neanderthal cousins could do these complex activities.

Evidence of burial practices in this early hominin would be a “landmark finding,” according to a team of researchers who published their hypothesis in the journal eLife in 2023. But their theory became controversial, with numerous experts saying the evidence wasn’t enough to conclude that H. naledi buried or memorialized their dead.

In a revised study published Friday (March 28) in eLife, the researchers laid out 250 pages’ worth of proof of purposeful burial that they say has convinced more people.

Archaeologists first discovered the remains of H. naledi in South Africa’s Rising Star cave system in 2013. Since then, over 1,500 bones from multiple individuals have been found throughout the 2.5-mile-long (4 kilometers) system.

The anatomy of H. naledi is well known due to the remarkable preservation of the remains. They were bipedal, stood around 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and weighed about 100 pounds (45 kilograms). They had dexterous hands and small-but-complex brains — traits that have led to a debate about the complexity of their behavior.

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Trump Administration Using Spy Satellites To Monitor Southern Border

The Trump administration ordered two Pentagon intelligence agencies—the NGA and NRO—to use spy satellites to monitor the U.S.-Mexico border in a broader effort to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking., according to Reuters.

The involvement of spy agencies and troop deployments highlights the growing militarization of the southern border, where Trump declared a national emergency.

Though the extent of satellite surveillance over U.S. territory remains unclear, the NGA confirmed forming a task force for the border mission, while the NRO said it was working with the Pentagon and intelligence community to secure the border.

The Reuters report says that their role stems from Trump’s executive orders targeting illegal crossings, trafficking, and the deportation of up to 14 million undocumented immigrants.

Trump, who made immigration central to his 2016 campaign, is now expanding the use of military tools—originally designed for foreign conflict—to the U.S.-Mexico border.

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Ohio Sheriff Busts Illegal Aliens Working on Construction Crew at His Jail

A sheriff in Ohio just revealed that illegal aliens who were working on a construction crew at his jail were arrested this week. 

On Friday, Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones announced that a secure area of the Butler County Jail in Hamilton is currently under construction. 

While reviewing worker documentation provided by a subcontractor, authorities determined some of the credentials appeared to be fraudulent. 

Because the Butler County Sheriff’s Office recently entered into a partnership with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, an ICE agent was on site at the jail. 

During interviews with the agent, two of the workers admitted to being in the U.S. illegally.

One of the men has already been deported multiple times, according to Sheriff Jones. 

“They had fake identification. It was some of the best identification I’ve ever seen,” Jones said of the illegals’ driver’s licenses, passports, and social security cards. 

The men are currently being held at same jail where they were working. 

“You just can’t make this stuff up. I’ve been very verbal with my stance on illegal immigration and two illegal aliens come to the Butler County Jail to work. I do believe I’ve now seen it all,” stated Sheriff Jones.

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Transgender inmate arrested for strangling 11-month-old daughter allowed to receive gender reassignment surgery

An inmate claiming to be a transgender woman who allegedly strangled her 11-month-old daughter to death is set to receive state-funded gender transition surgery.

Autumn Cordellione, born Jonathan Richardson, was sentenced to 55 years behind bars in 2001 in Indiana for killing her stepchild while her partner was at work.

In 2023, she requested but was denied gender transition surgery — leading her to file a lawsuit with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

A federal judge found she was at risk of harm if she did not get surgery and granted an injunction — a legal order requiring someone to do something — to have Cordellione undergo an orchiectomy, to remove testicles, and a vaginoplasty, to invert the penis into a vagina. Overall, these surgeries typically cost about $27,000 in total.

The decision to allow the surgeries to move forward came despite the opinion of a psychologist, who said Cordellione did not have gender dysphoria and did not need the operations, but rather was seeking attention.

But the ACLU said refusing to organize the surgeries violated the eighth amendment — that no punishment be excessive.

The Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC), which had refused the surgeries, argued, however, it could not fund them because of an Indiana state law that bars the use of taxpayer funds for gender transition procedures for inmates.

Despite that, it has now been ordered to arrange them, and find a surgeon for Cordellione — who was rejected as a patient by the state’s only gender-transition clinic because it said it did not operate on inmates.

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