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Gonzalo's avatar

I really appreciate the depth and breadth of your reporting. Thank you for shedding light on the vast workings of far-right propaganda efforts. It's as if we are seeing the real time work similar to what was described in Rachel Maddow's book, Prequel. I'm glad you are there to show the public what is really going on. Keep up the good work.

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Karen Nielsen's avatar

Everyone needs to read Prequel!! I’m reading it now and every page I think if the names were changed, it would describe EXACTLY what is happening now. We beat them back then — we can beat them now if we are informed and vigilant!

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Louise Robbins's avatar

How about who is coaching Aileen Cannon? Amazing behavior that can't be just inexperience.

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Allison's avatar

And, is there any way to find out if there has been communication from the Trump team to her or donations

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David Miller's avatar

I agree. I was trained as an attorney, and as time has gone by in this case, I've reflected on how, if a judge scripted a plan to slow down a case, the specific things she's done have been brilliant in effecting that end. And I just don't think she's that crafty on her own.

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Ginger's avatar

Has she pronised her a seat on the supremes... OMG awful thought

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howard weiss's avatar

I woild like to see more coverage of Glenn Youngkin, the wolf in sheeps clothing Governor of critical swing state Virginia. He is not a moderate and his executive and legislative actions are in fact similar to those of right wing governors in states like Florida, Alabama, Mississippi.

Also, i would like to see continued intensive coverage of the Supreme Court and its ties to right wing organizations and the GOP.

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Janet Jeffers's avatar

Along those same lines, let’s dig into Larry Hogan’s real record in Maryland. He gets a pass from a lot of Dems and moderates because he “seems reasonable” but MD does not need to replace a D with an R in Congress!

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Glenn's avatar

Larry Hogan would vote with MAGA 100% of the time.

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Janet Jeffers's avatar

Exactly.

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Annie Besser's avatar

Really? (Not snark, I am really asking.)

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Glenn's avatar

Hogan would empower a right wing senate majority that is primed to implement Project 2025 in all its extremism.

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Janet Jeffers's avatar

This is why I would like to see analysis and coverage of his candidacy. He talks a good anti-Trump game but I have no faith that he would get into the Senate and cross the aisle to vote with Dems. On the contrary, his mere party affiliation could tip the balance of power in the Senate to the MAGAs.

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Debbie's avatar

Absolutely! Hogan is a Republican through and through.

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Timothy Fifer's avatar

Yep, youngkin is a wolf in wolf’s clothing. Especially when it comes to voting and abortion.

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Robert Spottswood, M.A.'s avatar

The American Friends Service Committee, a major peace arm of us Quakers, has identified over 50 corporations making gazillions in profits through continuing the 30:1 slaughter in Gaza.

https://afsc.org/divest

What is keeping this huge financial motive so invisible in the public discourse?

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Perry Borenstein's avatar

Wait. Your problem is not enough Israelis are dying? There were other ways to express your concern for Gaza deaths, like asking why Gaza civilians aren’t allowed to use the Hamas tunnels, but you gave away the game by making it clear that not enough Israelis are dying. You apparently also don’t know that Hamas has said publicly that the more Gazans that die, the better it is because of no nothings like you.

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JOEL's avatar

I’m thinking, “you reap what you sow”.

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TruthBeTold's avatar

Oh? An eye for an eye is one thing, but 30 eyes for one eye is Genocide.

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Sarah Meiklejohn's avatar

Thank you Judd for your reporting. Glancing at the list of your June work, all of which I read, the importance of the issues, the solid reporting and the reactions they elicited show the quality of your reporting. I am so glad you are here.

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Bill Berg's avatar

I would love to see you do some digging into Eric Hovde, the California millionaire who wants to be elected senator from Wisconsin. He has Wisconsin roots and knows that California doesn't send Republicans to the senate these days, so he came back "home". There is something not right about him.

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JustRaven's avatar

I Googled out of curiosity and have the same impression, especially his stance on abortions ("let the voters decide") when that healthcare choice should be up to the woman and her doctor.

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Joseph Mangano's avatar

It's not as if Jamaal Bowman was above reproach, but the amount of money spent by pro-Israel interests to unseat him is disconcerting, to say the least. I'm of the belief that no one is above primarying, but this hits different for me.

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Adam's avatar

Agreed. I don't like that in our political system at all.

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JustRaven's avatar

Still mind-boggling that one group alone (AIPAC) put in $14.5M for TV ads.. how much good could that money have done for the local communities instead? smh.

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Edie Sadowski's avatar

They don't care about the local communities

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Allison's avatar

How about cataloging all the threats to prosecutors, witnesses, etc. who have been involved in criminal cases against Trump. It seems to go way beyond anything we've seen with mob boss cases, etc. We also hear about people in Congress needing to get body guards. All the talk about gag orders, etc. really doesn't expose what is really going on. You'll hear passing references to bomb threats, etc. Is law enforcement finding the people responsible? Are there any charges? I think it is being downplayed because people don't want to rock the boat with Trump and his followers -- it should be out in public so people can see what he is instigating.

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Sally Gartner's avatar

The economy is going to be a major issue in this election. I want to know what the truth is. A recent OMB report showed that groceries were 8% of the average family budget today. That is down from 11% in 2022. There was a basket of goods report which I can’t find which said that same basket cost more in 2019.

However many reputable reporters such as Reich say corporate monopolies are driving up costs and using inflation as a cover. People complain about the costs of gas, housing, and food. I’m sure wages are figured into these reports which have risen. So what is the truth?

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Eric Lin Doub's avatar

Sally: You will find a wealth of information addressing your concerns by reading Hopium Chronicles by Simon Rosenberg. I am a passionate promoter of both Popular Information and Simon's work!

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Janet Jeffers's avatar

Just a note to say thank you for all your hard work. Keep it up! I learn something every day from your reporting

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George's avatar

Please keep shining a light on the very highly organized and very well coordinated and very well funded radical far right anti democratic campaigns to create their own agenda . Progressives are many in their opinions and their priorities and they don’t seem to be coordinated in these things. Diversity is a central premise of progressive thinking but that very diversity fragments the opposition to the radical right.

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L. Fairchild's avatar

Agree about SCOTUS. Also wondering how many examples of accepting lavish gifts from people with a direct financial and otherwise interest in legislation/rulings may be inhibiting congressfolks' addressing these examples of blatant SCOTUS corruption. If there were examples of similar acts by folks on the judicial committee that became public, that would explain their recalcitrance in addressing this crucial problem and also perhaps get them moving.

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Michael G's avatar

OpenSecrets tracks a good list of who donates money to candidates. The real problem is untraceable dark money and so-called unaffiliated PACs that still communicate with politicians, all behind the curtain. To my surprise, after large money donations from corporations and organizations to a favorable politician, the donations lists show a lot of token $100 to $250 donations from what would be opposing view companies. Thus, the company can claim unbiased nonpartisanship and opposing candidates can dig up dirt on “candidate So-and-so received money from Evil Corporations”.

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LC Sharkey (they/them)'s avatar

Thank you for this invitation to present topics for reporting! I would be forever grateful if you were to report on #StopTheShock, most specifically, the draft bill that if passed would prevent the FDA from banning devices made to use shocks as punishment on developmentally disabled children. The FDA has been on the verge of banning this for a long time, but there are people in Congress trying to prevent them from doing that.

https://autisticadvocacy.org/2024/06/action-alert-urgent-stoptheshock-phone-action-call-now/

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Charlie Cooper's avatar

Corporations and individuals funding AIPAC and why. Also, Miriam Adelson and other billionaires backing Trump.

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Annie Besser's avatar

Yes - Miriam Adelson is supposedly committing $100M to elect Trump according to the NYT. Yikes!

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Aleyna Sheradha's avatar

Thank you for your due diligence. Your articles are well written and more informative than more mainstream media. I wish I had deep pockets to advance your work. Thank you.

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Lisa Ditalia's avatar

Your invaluable reporting is what keeps me sane! Thank you for all of it. 🙏💕

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Stephen S. Power's avatar

First, great newsletter. Happy to be a paid subscriber.

Two, why did Kathy Hochul kill congestion pricing in NYC? I don't know how I feel about it, to be honest, but for some Upstater whom I bet has never been on the subway to do this at the last minute for no reason (at least Christie gave a stupid reason for killing ARC stupidly), smacks of her being paid off. And she and her husband are definitely not clean, being beholden to various upstate business interests. Please look into it.

Three, it infuriate me that blue state residents are paying red state taxes, effectively, because they won't take care of themselves. I'd be interested to know how red states rig their budgets to suck in federal largesse, but use it to pay for things they shouldn't. For example, a town that gets money for a library from the federal govt, cuts the local budget of the library by that amount, then puts that money towards, say, giving toddlers machine guns. Call it the Communicative Theory of Corruption.

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Katy Bolger's avatar

Judd,

Thank you.

Katy

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Roth's avatar

What is the status of militant organizations in US? I haven't heard much about the Proud Boys, Three Percenters, Oathkeepers, Boogaloo Boys, etc. Much of the media seems to have forgotten them for now. Have they grown, dismantled, reorganized? Are they more or less dangerous? What is their level of support among the right wing political class?

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Bruce Brittain's avatar

A weaponized First Amendment has become an instrument of destruction for the republic. If European countries can have robust hate speech laws, why not America?

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Bob, the Free Radical's avatar

Just because someone may be offended by something published, is NOT a reason to limit FREEDOM of Expression . . .

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Bruce Brittain's avatar

OK, then , Bob. I could publish that you, Bob, are a pedophile. No problem with that lie about you? How about, Hillary Clinton kills children and drinks their blood. No problem with that? Or how about, President Biden shat himself at the D-Day ceremony this year. You OK with that? Being "offended" is quite different from being libeled or slandered. Seriously, Bob, you don't see the difference?

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Bob, the Free Radical's avatar

You can publish at will, and as long as you do not advocate actually harming another person or for that matter the violent over-throw of the American government. . . . say whatever you please, and if I’m offended, so be it and truly, at least at the moment, its a free nation here.

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Devki Jensen's avatar

Keep up the good work on highlighting the Republican nonsense. After the election i can suggest more topics, but until Joe is re-elected that is #1 on my radar

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laurapcd1's avatar

I just want to say how much I admire you and I post nearly every story everywhere I can. You are doing the work I wish I could do.. I aggregate great journalism so I am doing what I can.. thank you..

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Jon's avatar

Where did your reporting on senator commitments to Adeel Mangi's nomination to the Third Circuit court land? Any planned updates? I heard back from my senator Tammy Duckworth (she is for his nomination) and sent it along, but don't recall seeing any formal update.

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Johanna Baynard's avatar

Thank you for being about what is good and right in America. Keep bringing us the truth Judd, we need it in this world.

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Jerry Yospin's avatar

It would be great to see a list of what Biden and Trump have accomplished and where they failed or were weak while in office. And the lies each have made

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Allison's avatar

Interesting that you end with the lies "each have made." I think it would be great to lay out each one's track record....Biden's will be much longer in the accomplishment column, by far, particularly for how he has helped the middle class and the working poor and repaired our relationships on the global stage. But, if Biden has told lies, I haven't heard about them (other than on right wing media) and if there are a few, they would not begin to compare with Trump's constant lying and cheating and stealing (and criminal activity). I don't think there is a two-sides argument here.

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Charlie Cooper's avatar

Biden recently said that Israel has not attacked Rafah. He does not make up total falsehoods like Trump does, but he is implicated in the lies that maintain U.S. imperialism around the world.

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Rusty Rollings's avatar

I’d like to find out who’s helping Aileen Cannon? Love to see her phone records and is her hubby still working with Trump’s campaign?

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Mary Cooke-Baker's avatar

Thank you for all the hard work you do!

This week, I sure do have questions! Mine center around that $3.2 million of campaign funds sent to a sketchy LLC.

I did some poking around and sent you some notes via email. This kind of thing simply cannot continue, and independent journalists such as yourself are our only bulwark against this level of corruption.

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David Sterry's avatar

Saw a guy named Yuval Levin on C-SPAN the other day talking about the constitution and political civility in America. I'd love for Popular Information to dig into root causes of malfunctioning US political machinery. Secret ballot on congress, campaign finance, etc. Such unnatural processes must require a lot of care and feeding.

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James Applegate's avatar

Just did a local paper op ed addressing these sinister Sinclair tactics in our region Encourage others to do the same. List of Sinclair’s 296 stations available on Wiki or their own site. Are you a victim?

My Turn | Viewers beware: Local TV news in central Illinois not so local anymorehttps://www.news-gazette.com/opinion/my-turn-viewers-beware-local-tv-news-in-central-illinois-not-so-local-anymore/article_772a283c-de2a-50ae-a8c9-1b17da3e68b2.html

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Heather OReilly's avatar

Would appreciate the thorough reporting you deliver on the Project 2025 document. Topline reports fail to uncover the many many ways this document could forever alter everything.

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Jarrod Baniqued's avatar

I’m still waiting on more coverage of industrial policy, the economy, and climate change. Perhaps try following up on the FTC bust of the OPEC-Marathon Petroleum collusion case? You could also contact Jordan Zakaria or Les Leopold or Hamilton Nolan for ideas

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BabsPHL's avatar

Any investigations into Justice system - ProPublica seems to have SCOTUS well covered - from slow Justice Dept to Appeals and Circuit courts needs to be looked into.

State and local races that funnel up to Congress worth your time, I see lots of people asking for coverage of various state actors running.

Big items you've covered, hope you'll continue:

Public schools, vouchers, religion, prayer - all the anti-constitutional crap of mixing religion and state that's NOT allowed.

Book banning, how it's being squashed by sentient people, not religious nuts

It's great that you go into stuff that doesn't get national coverage, or is under covered by press - keep up great work - PI and ProPublica are 2 underrated and overworked powers for decency and justice!

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Beach Bum's avatar

George Conway is feted as a voice of reason by progressive media. Please research his past as a radical agent of the Federalist Society and similar anti-Constitutional projects.

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DJ Mom's avatar

Can we have more about this please

(I’m a paid subscriber)

https://x.com/TizzyEnt/status/1811141130735735296

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Holly Hospel's avatar

Please provide a balanced and fact based article on Biden, age and the next election. Obviously I am feeling demoralized after the debate.

As an aside, I believe Biden's political ego is risking everything he says he stands for. Is it too late to pivot. Do we have a dark horse that could beat Trump?

1) Feinstein died in office because her ego could not acknowledge her infirmity

2) RGB was asked to step down while a Dem President could appoint here replacement. She didn't and died during the Trump administration. Gorsuch was her replacement. Roe V Wade then died. 3) Biden is old. Objectively old. (yes, so is Trump) But in the interests of democracy and progress, shouldn't Biden step aside? It appears he is falling into the same ego trap; believing only he can "save" us. Instead it feels like he is risking it all, by (potentially) losing to Trump or dieing himself. His ego is superseding the interests of democracy.

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BC's avatar

Thank-you doesn’t do gratitude justice. Journalism is deadly.

RESPECT ✊

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Bill Montgomery's avatar

The MAGA's have been trump-eting the news about how much they have received in campaign donations, not emphasizing the fact the Melon gave $50M and some Las Vegas type gave 20. It would be interesting to know what the average size of contributions is, and how many contributors added to the recent haul. Notwithstanding Bloomberg's contribution, I bet the per capita contribution to Biden was much smaller, with a much larger contributing base.

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Justin Sain's avatar

I would like to know what can be done and what is being done to slow global warming. Is there hope? And if there is a lack of hope, is that going to determine the outcomes of the November election? We need to separate myth from reality. We need a new Age Of Reason. Because without that, it's bugger all down here on earth.

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Justin Sain's avatar

Obviously it's a self fulfilling prophecy, so to speak.

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Rich Schafermeyer's avatar

I always enjoy your reporting on economic topics. One area I would love to know more is the economics behind the taxpayer funded private school "scholarships" that multiple states have now enacted. Here in Ohio it's very hard to find any information about the fair school funding plan that will add $2 billion to state expenditures in 2025: how and why different public school districts receive varying amounts of money from the state, how local support helps or hurt a school district (it seems those who tax themselves more via property tax get less from the state, potentially creating a disincentive to support school levies), do private schools in a district get full funding even if public schools face a short-fall from a levy failure, and how funding will be affected by economic slowdowns (will the state favor private schools by giving them full funding if a recession occurs, while cutting payments to local district since they conceptually can raise their own taxes?).

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Angelo Damone's avatar

In this day and age of the information superhighway, what has happened to this country?

I have never seen so much division from the government to the people. Don't we need to get along?

Politics is the art of compromise, that was lost years ago. Look at what we have now.

A country that is divided and will remain that way until we get someone in to actually run this country.

That will never happen as far as I can see. Inflation running wild, Wages that can't keep up. Prices skyrocketing everywhere. Who can afford this country anymore? There is no such thing as the middle class any longer. Rich vs Poor that is the game now we know who wins that one.

We give away countless money to countries that are fighting wars in the name of democracy, please cut that in half and use some of that money for here. How can we say we live in a democracy, when homelessness and hunger persist. We neglect our own people.

If you want to live in a real democracy, get rid of the DNC and RNC, toss the Lobbyists to the curb, and get money out of politics. Easier said then done. Keep up the great work Judd, great information every time.

Thank you, Wishing everyone the best always.

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jerry Zibton's avatar

TERM LIMITS

This isn't quite the expose that you focus on, but give some time to discuss a potential solution. TERM LIMITS is the only real solution to the mess we're in, although it's still working the long game.

There are some things happening but it needs more visibility and support.

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bisbeefred's avatar

There has been much news about DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion),and getting rid of it; in education and in investment of companies who are committed to working towards equality. it would be interesting to see what is the racial makeup of the DC and home staffs of those US Congress reps and senators that are in the forefront of attacking DEI.

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Karen Nielsen's avatar

The right wing push for a constitutional convention to rewrite the Constitution.

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Kate's avatar

Something about the states that are busy passing restrictions on healthcare for women and children turning down federal money for groceries for lower income families this summer and blaming the feds for attaching strings—people are suffering and they meed to know who to blame! https://www.wlrn.org/government-politics/2024-06-21/very-difficult-florida-opts-out-of-federal-grocery-subsidy-for-2-million-low-income-children

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Bob, the Free Radical's avatar

I'm open to a debate as to WHY is it ( do you think . . ) that the 4th Amendment is routinely violated at every airport in the U.S.A. ?

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PMUELLER's avatar

I’m a huge fan of yours and especially appreciate the political timing of your articles. Please research more into why housing prices are rising so quickly. I understand that corporations are buying rental properties in big lots, and feel this is a large voting issue. Also reasons behind higher food prices - the major issue in my experience.

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David Shible's avatar

I'm going to ask you to criticize the Left a bit. While it is OK for people to not like Israel or its government. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. But why is much of the left wing media I.e. TYT pro Hamas? Surely we all know what Hamas is. How can Americans support a terrorist organization?

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Perry Borenstein's avatar

How do we get people to read the Hamas charter? They claim Israel because they conquered it, not because they were indigenous. Check section 11. https://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp

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Janet Jeffers's avatar

I see many people posting pro-Palestine information but I’ve not heard or seen anyone say they are pro-Hamas. If you’ve seen this, could you please provide some examples? Over and over, I see mentions of people being pro-Hamas, but I have yet to see a legit quote or video clip.

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Margie V.'s avatar

I’d like to see analysis of Agenda 47 - Trumps personal agenda for when he regains office.

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Annie Besser's avatar

Aka Project 2025, comprehensive Trump transition plan compiled by the Heritage Foundation.

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Tonya L Finnegan's avatar

I would like to know the truth (which you are so good at finding) behind this movie “The Apprentice “ that is NOT being released in the most important place…THE USA!!

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Perry Borenstein's avatar

Perhaps investigate UNRWA for money laundering. UNRWA pays its employees in Gaza in U.S. dollars, which must be converted into shekels to spend. Hamas money exchangers charge high fees to do that and then put the money into their pockets. The dollar is not the local currency. The UN normally pays in the local currency, except in Gaza. Why is that?

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Charlie Cooper's avatar

Israel made undocumented charges against about a dozen UNRWA employees out of tens of thousands. This caused the U.S. and other western nations to withdraw funding. Together with the Israeli blockade policy that keeps trucks from entering, there is now terrible thirst, hunger, and lack of medicine for millions of women and children in Gaza. Collective punishment like this violates international law. There is no validity to the idea that Hamas' war crimes justify Israeli war crimes.

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Perry Borenstein's avatar

They are completely documented. Just because you don’t know something, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. And here it is so you don’t have to look it up ====>. https://unwatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/UNW-129-%E2%80%94-The-Unholy-Alliance-%E2%80%94-2025-01-09-%E2%80%94-Web-%E2%80%94-Singles.pdf

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Perry Borenstein's avatar

Undocumented? Very well documented. unwatch.org U.N. Watch has collected documentation over the last 10 years. The UNWRA teachers even use books which contain indoctrination to become martyrs. U.N. funds to UNWRA are even used to pay bonuses to mothers of suicide bombers.

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Perry Borenstein's avatar

You seem unaware of the UNRWA’s telegram channel that had two thousands UNRWA teachers celebrating Oct. 7. Israel showed the evidence to the U.N. Or the Hamas server farm directly underneath UNWRA headquarters with electricity supplied from inside the headquarters.

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Charlie Cooper's avatar

You are equating the expression of an opinion with starving hundreds of thousands of people. If indeed a significant number of UNRWA staff members celebrated the October 7 attack, that is not in itself. A violent act. On the other hand, Israel's siege of Gaza violates international law. The cutoff of funding to UNRWA is part of starving a civilian population?

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