U.S.
Tomi Lahren Blasted on Twitter After Condemning Transphobia Against Caitlyn Jenner at CPAC
Published
11 months agoon
By
Lili Stenn
Conservatives criticized the commentator for expressing views they did not support while liberals accused her of being hypocritical for anti-trans remarks she has made in the past.
Tomi Lahren Defends Caitlyn Jenner
Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren trended on Twitter Monday for defending California gubernatorial candidate Caitlyn Jenner after she was deadnamed and subject to transphobic remarks at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this weekend.
In a video posted on Twitter, a heckler can be heard addressing Jenner by her former first name while also calling her a “sick freak” and asking her not to “forget about Jesus.”
Caitlyn Jenner was harassed yesterday at CPAC. pic.twitter.com/sgwwcqEdwV
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 10, 2021
In a series of tweets Sunday, Lahren said the way conservatives treated Jenner made her “blood boil.”
“There’s no room for your hate in the America First movement,” she wrote. “We believe in freedom and we believe in limited government. The way she chooses to live her personal life harms you in no way!”
Hearing how some “conservatives” treated @Caitlyn_Jenner at CPAC makes my blood boil. There’s no room for your hate in the America First movement. We believe in freedom and we believe in limited government. The way she chooses to live her personal life harms you in no way!
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) July 12, 2021
Lahren reiterated her remarks in another tweet a few hours later, in which she called the attacks on Jenner “despicable,” and added, “I’ll go to bat for her every single time and if you want to take my ‘conservative’ card for it, take it and shove it.”
The attacks on @Caitlyn_Jenner are despicable. I’ll go to bat for her every single time and if you want to take my “conservative” card for it, take it and shove it. Your mob is no better than the Left’s and in fact, it’s uglier.
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) July 12, 2021
Backlash From Both Sides
Lahren’s comments drew widespread criticism from people on both sides of the political spectrum.
Fellow conservatives denounced the commentator, some arguing the Republican party does not support trans-Americans and claiming she does not represent the America First platform.
We do not believe in the lie of “trans”. You cannot force us to accept your new religious dogma. It goes against the Bible.
— Austin Ruse (@austinruse) July 12, 2021
Jenner isn’t America First and neither are you. https://t.co/hz9mVUNkvL
— The Columbia Bugle 🇺🇸 (@ColumbiaBugle) July 12, 2021
Meanwhile, liberal Twitter users accused Lahren of being hypocritical because she has repeatedly spread transphobic content in the past and fostered the same anti-trans environment in the GOP that she was condemning.
Many resurfaced transphobic tweets Lahren has made throughout the years, including one from 2019 where she took issue with a Gillette ad that featured a transgender boy shaving for the first time, as well as other posts from 2017 regarding former President Donald Trump’s trans military ban.
Others also pointed to a tweet from January of this year in which she voiced opposition to trans students competing on sports teams.
BTW, if you think Tomi really cares about the LGBTQ community, you should really do some research first. She's just posturing. She has a real problem with it, especially Trans.
— Jax Persists (@LadyJayPersists) July 12, 2021
Here are just a few of the many hateful comments to spewed regarding the Trans community. pic.twitter.com/jKTO5NdJkr
Lahren Doubles Down
Lahren addressed the conservative backlash in a series of tweets Monday, where she doubled down on her previous stance but attempted to distance herself from pro-trans views.
“I don’t support @Caitlyn_Jenner BECAUSE she is trans. I agree with most of her policy ideas & know she will fight for CA,” she wrote.
I don’t support @Caitlyn_Jenner BECAUSE she is trans. I agree with most of her policy ideas & know she will fight for CA. She’s also a kind human & more conservative than half the people with “Rs” in Congress. I don’t care how she identifies. She is more than that. Freedom first.
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) July 12, 2021
The “conservatives” attacking Caitlyn for her personal choices attacked Trump for his & declared him to be adverse to Christian values. They were the bulk of the “NeverTrump” pearl-clutching movement that suddenly became real quiet when his POLICIES worked! Save your BS!
— Tomi Lahren (@TomiLahren) July 12, 2021
Jenner, for her part, thanked Lahren for her support.
Thanks @TomiLahren We have to keep fighting. Our party is for everyone – the big tent party! I am a proud Republican 🇺🇸 https://t.co/zvGcSsdGDA
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) July 12, 2021
See what others are saying: (Yahoo News) (Business Insider) (The Hill)
U.S.
Lawmakers Call For Action as Oil Companies Post Record Profits Amid Rising Gas Prices
Published
27 mins agoon
May 23, 2022By
Lili Stenn
A recent analysis from the Center for American Progress found that the top five oil companies earned over 300% more in profits during the first quarter of 2022 than the same period last year.
As Consumer Prices Climb, Big Oil Profits
American oil companies are facing increased scrutiny over profiteering practices as gas prices continue to surpass record highs driven by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Last week, costs surged to above $4 per gallon in all 50 states for the first time ever, according to the auto club AAA. Prices are currently averaging over $4.59 per gallon nationwide, which is 50% higher than they were this time last year.
In addition to consumers hurting at the pump, there are also rising concerns for industries that rely on fuel and oil like trucking, freight, airlines, and plastic manufacturers.
To account for high prices, some in sectors have responded by ramping up prices further down the supply chain to account for costs, putting even more of a burden on consumers to pay for everyday items.
But as Americans struggle with sky-high gas prices at a time of record inflation, recently released earnings reports show that many of the world’s largest oil companies thrived in the first quarter of 2022.
ExxonMobil more than doubled its earnings from the same period last year, reporting a net profit of $5.5 billion. Meanwhile, Chevron logged its best quarterly earnings in almost a decade, and Shell had its highest earnings ever.
According to a new analysis conducted by the Center for American Progress, the top five oil companies — including the three mentioned above — earned over 300% more in profits this quarter than during the same time last year.
“In fact, these five companies’ first-quarter profits alone are equivalent to almost 28 percent of what Americans spent to fill up their gas tanks in the same time period,” the report noted.
Per Insider, for at least four of those companies, that growth marks a tremendous increase in profits from even before the pandemic.
Lawmakers Ramp-Up Efforts to Reduce Prices
To address these startling disparities, federal lawmakers have moved in recent weeks to increase pressure on oil companies and take steps to lower prices.
On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a bill proposed by Rep. Katie Porter (D-Ca.) that aims to reduce gas prices. The legislation, called The Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act, would give the president the authority to issue an Energy Emergency Declaration that would be effective for up to 30 days with the possibility of being renewed.
In that emergency period, it would be illegal for anyone to increase gas or home energy fuel prices to a level that is exploitative or “unconscionably excessive.”
The proposal would also give the Federal Trade Commission the power to investigate and manage instances of price gouging from larger companies and give state authorities the ability to enforce price-gouging violations in civil courts.
The bill, which has already seen widespread opposition from Republicans and extensive lobbying from pro-oil interest groups, faces an uphill battle in the 50-50 split Senate.
During debate on the act Thursday, Rep. Porter delivered an impassioned speech accusing oil companies of driving their record profits by using their market power to unfairly increase prices.
“The oil and gas industry currently has more than 9,000 permits to drill for oil on federal land, but they are deliberately keeping production low to please their investors and increase their short-term profits,” she said. “Even when the price of crude oil falls, oil and gas companies have refused to pass those savings on to consumers.”
“Let me be clear: price gouging is anti-capitalist,” Porter continued. “It exploits a lack of competition, which is a hallmark of capitalism. It is an effort to juice corporate profits at the expense of customers. Energy markets are reeling because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Big oil companies, however, are using this temporary chaos to cover up their abuse.”
See what others are saying: (The Washington Post) (Vox) (NPR)
U.S.
Lincoln College to Close for Good After COVID and Ransomware Attack Ruin Finances
Published
2 weeks agoon
May 10, 2022By
Chris Tolve
Last year, 1,043 schools in the U.S. were the victim of ransomware attacks, including 26 colleges or universities, according to an analysis by Emsisoft.
One of the Only Historically Black Colleges in the Midwest Goes Down
After 157 years of educating mostly Black students in Illinois, Lincoln College will close its doors for good on Friday.
The college made the announcement last month, citing financial troubles caused by the coronavirus pandemic and a ransomware attack in December.
Enrollment dropped during the pandemic and the administration had to make costly investments in technology and campus safety measures, according to a statement from the school.
A shrinking endowment put additional pressure on the college’s budget.
The ransomware attack, which the college has said originated from Iran, thwarted admissions activities and hindered access to all institutional data. Systems for recruitment, retention, and fundraising were completely inoperable at a time when the administration needed them most.
In March, the college paid the ransom, which it has said amounted to less than $100,000. But according to Lincoln’s statement, subsequent projections showed enrollment shortfalls so significant the college would need a transformational donation or partnership to make it beyond the present semester.
The college put out a request for $50 million in a last-ditch effort to save itself, but no one came forward to provide it.
A GoFundMe aiming to raise $20 million for the college only collected $2,452 as of Tuesday.
Students and Employees Give a Bittersweet Goodbye
“The loss of history, careers, and a community of students and alumni is immense,” David Gerlach, the college’s president, said in a statement.
Lincoln counts nearly 1,000 enrolled students, and those who did not graduate this spring will leave the institution without degrees.
Gerlach has said that 22 colleges have worked with Lincoln to accept the remaining students, including their credits, tuition prices, and residency requirements.
“I was shocked and saddened by that news because of me being a freshman, so now I have to find someplace for me to go,” one student told WMBD News after the closure was announced.
When a group of students confronted Gerlach at his office about the closure, he responded with an emotional speech.
“I have been fighting hard to save this place,” he said. “But resources are resources. We’ve done everything we possibly could.”
On April 30, alumni were invited back to the campus to revisit the highlights of their college years before the institution closed.
On Saturday, the college held its final graduation ceremony, where over 200 students accepted their diplomas and Quentin Brackenridge performed the Lincoln Alma Mater.
Last year, 1,043 schools in the U.S. were the victim of ransomware attacks, including 26 colleges or universities, according to an analysis by Emsisoft.
See what others are saying: (The New York Times) (Herald Review) (CNN)
U.S.
U.S. Tops One Million Coronavirus Deaths, WHO Estimates 15 Million Worldwide
Published
3 weeks agoon
May 5, 2022By
Chris Tolve
India’s real COVID death toll stands at about 4.7 million, ten times higher than official data, the WHO estimated.
One Million Dead
The United States officially surpassed one million coronavirus deaths Wednesday, 26 months after the first death was reported in late February of 2020.
Experts believe that figure is likely an undercount, since there are around 200,000 excess deaths, though some of those may not be COVID-related.
The figure is the equivalent of the population of San Jose, the tenth-largest city in the U.S., vanishing in just over two years. To put the magnitude in visual perspective, NECN published a graphic illustrating what one million deaths looks like.
At the beginning of the pandemic, the White House predicted between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans would die from the coronavirus in a best-case scenario.
By February 2021, over half a million Americans had died of COVID.
The coronavirus has become the third leading cause of death in the U.S. behind heart disease and cancer.
The pandemic’s effects go beyond its death toll. Around a quarter of a million children have lost a caregiver to the virus, including about 200,000 who lost one or both parents. Every COVID-related death leaves an estimated nine people grieving.
The virus has hit certain industries harder than others, with food and agriculture, warehouse operations and manufacturing, and transportation and construction seeing especially high death rates.
People’s mental health has also been affected, with a study in January of five Western countries including the U.S. finding that 13% of people reported symptoms of PTSD attributable to actual or potential contact with the virus.
Fifteen Million Dead
On Thursday, the World Health Organization estimated that nearly 15 million people have died from the pandemic worldwide, a dramatic revision from the 5.4 million previously reported in official statistics.
Between January 2020 and the end of last year, the WHO estimated that between 13.3 million and 16.6 million people died either due to the coronavirus directly or because of factors somehow attributed to the pandemic’s impact on health systems, such as cancer patients who were unable to seek treatment when hospitals were full of COVID patients.
Based on that range, scientists arrived at an approximate total of 14.9 million.
The new estimate shows a 13% increase in deaths than is usually expected for a two-year period.
“This may seem like just a bean-counting exercise, but having these WHO numbers is so critical to understanding how we should combat future pandemics and continue to respond to this one,” Dr. Albert Ko, an infectious diseases specialist at the Yale School of Public Health who was not linked to the WHO research, told the Associated Press.
Most of the deaths occurred in Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
According to the WHO, India counts the most deaths by far with 4.7 million, ten times its official number.
See what others are saying: (NBC) (U.S. News and World Report) (Scientific American)

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