Home Blog Page 56

North Carolina, Mississippi Governors Ban TikTok on Public Devices

Matt OHern
-
0
North Carolina, Mississippi Governors Ban TikTok on Public Devices

As privacy breach concerns over TikTok’s parent company Bytedance continue to mount, two southern governors of different political parties have decided to ban the popular social media app on public devices.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) signed executive order 276 last Thursday. “Cybersecurity professionals have identified TikTok and WeChat as high-risk applications due to their lack of sufficient privacy controls and connections to countries that sponsor or support cyber-attacks against the United States,” Cooper said in a press release. “Several government entities in the United States, including multiple branches of the United States Military, the Transportation Security Administration, and other states, have banned TikTok, WeChat, and other applications on federal and state government information technology. It’s important for us to protect state information technology from foreign countries that have actively participated in cyber attacks against the United States, Protecting North Carolina from cyber threats is vital to ensuring the safety, security, privacy and success of our state.”

The executive order comes after two State House representatives, Jason Saine and Jon Hardister, penned a letter to the governor requesting the ban.

“The Governor’s Executive Order takes an important first step to ensure the privacy of our citizens and the security of North Carolina’s government networks,” Saine said.

In Mississippi, Governor Tate Reeves issued a directive to Mississippi departments and agencies banning TikTok from all state-issued government devices and the state’s network. The directive was announced in a letter from Governor Reeves to Mississippi department and agency heads. Governor Reeves issued the directive to better safeguard sensitive information and protect critical infrastructure from TikTok.

“It’s no secret that the Chinese Communist Party is actively trying to steal U.S. intellectual property and Americans’ personal information,” Reeves said in a press release. “It’s a major threat to our national security and critical infrastructure, costs the U.S. economy hundreds of billions annually, and jeopardizes American jobs,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “Mississippi isn’t going to sit around waiting for the Chinese Communist Party to steal our state government data, and that’s why I issued this directive. It will help us better protect our state’s sensitive information and critical infrastructure.”

Florida Keys Emerge as an Immigration Crisis Hot Spot

Matt OHern
-
0
Florida Keys Emerge as an Immigration Crisis Hot Spot

Hundreds of refugees from Cuba have arrived in Monroe County, Florida, the state’s southernmost county since New Year’s Day, prompting legislators at the state and local level to call for border protection improvements from the federal government.

In response to the recent surge of immigrants arriving in the southern end of the Sunshine State, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis activated members of the Florida National Guard. DeSantis also condemned relaxed approach to immigration and border law enforcement from President Joe Biden’s administration.

“As the negative impacts of Biden’s lawless immigration policies continue unabated, the burden of the Biden administration’s failure falls on local law enforcement who lack the resources to deal with the crisis,” said DeSantis. “That is why I am activating the National Guard and directing state resources to help alleviate the strain on local resources. When Biden continues to ignore his legal responsibilities, we will step in to support our communities.”

Florida’s senior U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican who recently won by a landslide in the 2022 Mid-Term Election, discussed the recent influx of immigrants with state and federal officials including U.S. Border Patrol, the US Coast Guard, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the director of the Monroe County Emergency Operations Center in Key West. Rubio is the descendant of Cuban refugees who fled the country just prior to Fidel Castro’s rise to power. In a recent press release from Rubio, the senator stated:

“We are seeing the impact of the Biden Administration’s failed immigration policies across the country, including here in the Keys. I appreciate the professionalism and dedication of the U.S. Coast Guard”, Rubio said. “They, along with our local first responders, are doing their part, but they cannot do it alone. The strain on local resources and communities is real, and it is only going to get worse unless the administration steps up to enforce the law.”

Arkansas Bill Aims to Restrict Drag Shows to Private Venues for Adults Only

Matt OHern
-
0
Arkansas Bill Aims to Restrict Drag Shows to Private Venues for Adults Only

Two state legislators in Arkansas have submitted a bill intended to restrict drag shows to private, adult-only venues for performances. State Senator and Arkansas Sen. Gary Stubblefield and Rep. Mary Bentley’s legislation would add “drag performance” to the list of adult-oriented businesses in the Arkansas code, and states that no adult-oriented business may be located on public property or where a minor can view it.

The bill’s exact language reads:

“SECTION 1. Arkansas Code § 14-1-302(6), concerning the definition of “adult-oriented business”, is amended to read as follows: “Adult-oriented business” means an adult arcade, an adult bookstore or video store, an adult cabaret, an adult live entertainment establishment, an adult motion picture theater, an adult theater, a massage establishment that offers adult services, an escort agency, or a nude model
studio, or a drag performance;
SECTION 2. Arkansas Code § 14-1-302, concerning definitions related to adult-oriented businesses, is amended to add additional subdivisions to read as follows: “Drag performance” means a performance:In which one (1) or more performers:Exhibits a gender identity that is different rom the performer’s gender assigned at birth using clothing, makeup, or other accessories that are traditionally worn by members of and are meant to exaggerate the gender identity of the performer’s opposite sex; and Sings, lip-synchs, dances, or otherwise performs before an audience of at least two (2) persons for entertainment, whether performed for payment or not; and that is intended to appeal to the prurient interest; and “Minor” means an individual who is less than eighteen years of age.
SECTION 3. Arkansas Code § 14-1-303, concerning the location of adult14 oriented businesses, is amended to add an additional subsection to read as follows: An adult-oriented business shall not be located: On public property; or Where a minor can view what the adult-oriented business is otherwise offering to the public that qualifies it as an adult-oriented business.”

NATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE EXPECTED

In last year’s legislative session, Arkansas was the first state in the country to ban gender-affirming care for minors, with concerns including but not limited to decisions from Sweden and other countries which discontinued certain gender-affirming hormone procedures in due to medical risks. Comedian Jon Stewart gained national attention for his interview with Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, who made vague references to expert concerns about gender affirming care, but failed to recall specific individuals or institutions. As the debate in the United States continues regarding proper care for gender dysphoria, a condition specified in American Psychological Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – Fifth Edition (DSM5), fellow pediatric and psychological organizations in the United Kingdom, France, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, and Sweden are reconsidering the use of hormones and surgeries and calling for rigorous systematic review of available evidence regarding the safety, efficacy, and risks of childhood social transition, puberty blockers, cross sex hormones and surgery.creating a first-in-the-nation law denying gender-affirming care for minors. A lawsuit filed in opposition to the law is currently before the trial judge for a decision.

Vanderbilt University Medical Center paused its practice of gender affirming therapies based on “new recommendations” from the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. VUMC’s deputy CEO and chief health system officer C. Wright Pinson said the clinic will be “seeking more advice from local and national clinical experts”. VUMC’s announcement came a week after Tennessee legislators pressed VUMC’s for answers regarding videos of a doctor on staff touting that gender-affirming procedures are “huge money makers”, and another video showed a staffer saying anyone with a religious objection should quit.

Three Southern Senators Plan to Visit US – Mexico Border

Matt OHern
-
0
Three Southern Senators Plan to Visit US – Mexico Border

On the same day that President Joe Biden visited the United State’s southern border parallel to Mexico, a group of three senators announced their plans to make their own journey to area.

Yesterday, Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn), Katie Britt (R-Ala), and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss) issued a statement about their planned journey to evaluate border security during a visit from Jan. 9-10. The Senators will meet with federal, state and local law enforcement to see the impact of undocumented immigrants crossing the border illegally. They will also meet with local landowners and those who have been victimized by drug cartels and human traffickers, often referred to as “coyotes” among residents among border communities.

The three Senators issued a joint statement about the purpose of their mission at the border. An excerpt from the statement reads:

“Under the Biden Administration, drug cartels have been emboldened to take advantage of innocent women and children for sexual and monetary gain,” said Senators Blackburn, Hyde-Smith and Britt. Human trafficking has skyrocketed from a $500 million business in 2018, to a $13 billion complex industry. President Biden’s failure to secure the border is resulting in countless innocent victims being sexually abused and killed. Over the last two years, drug overdose deaths – largely driven by fentanyl – have become the leading cause of death for adults 18 – 45-years-old. It’s time to enforce the rule of law and secure our border.”

According to a recent poll by Harris / Harvard, the majority of Americans believe that border security is a major issue for the country. NBC News published a report that the number of known undocumented immigrant crossings at the southern border in fiscal 2022 topped 2.76 million, and the unknown unofficial total includes drug traffickers.

A Trump-Endorsed Attorney General in Kentucky Hopes to Unite Republicans in Campaign for Governor

Matt OHern
-
0
A Trump-Endorsed Attorney General in Kentucky Hopes to Unite Republicans in Campaign for Governor

In a race that is sure to draw national attention in 2023, Kentucky’s Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced his campaign to become the state’s next governor. Should Cameron win the Republican Primary for Governor, he will face incumbent Democratic Governor Andy Beshear.

““We’ve been in the arena, and we’ve taken the slings and arrow,” Cameron said after he signed the papers to formalize his candidacy. “We’ve stood up for strong, conservative values and principles. We’ve never wavered. We’ve done our job without fear of failing. And I think you need somebody, particularly in today’s environment, again, that can do this job with a smile on their face, but will stand for principle.”

Cameron has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump and is considered a rising young star in the GOP. As an African American attorney general in a southern state, Cameron will likely enjoy an influx of additional campaign funds from out of the state, which could pose a major challenge for Beshear. In 2019, Beshear narrowly defeated Republican incumbent Matt Bevin by less than one percentage point. A Morning Consult poll showed Beshear’s approval rating at around 59 percent, which is high mark heading into re-election, but with so many months until 2023 Election Day, there is still plenty of time for challengers to pull even.

Other Republican candidates vying to become the party’s nominee include former Trump United Nations Ambassador Kelly Craft, state Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles and state Auditor Mike Harmon.

Kentucky’s voting population is difficult to gauge. Despite the Democratic Party control of the governor’s mansion, Kentucky voters have supported two Republican U.S. Senators, including minority leader Mitch McConnell, who relied on Cameron for legal counsel.

Cameron touted his positive relationship with both McConnel and Trump as an example of his ability to rally Republicans to unite for a common cause.

“They [Trump and McConnell] have their differences,” Cameron said. “I think what our candidacy means is that we’re able to transcend a lot of different factions within the Republican Party and bring people together. And I think that is what ultimately this candidacy represents.”

Immigration Remains a Top Issue of Concern for Voters at the Start of 2023

Matt OHern
-
0
Immigration Remains a Top Issue of Concern for Voters at the Start of 2023

With the Supreme Court voting to uphold Title 42 on immigration and Congress passing the most recent Omnibus Bill, fierce debates are expected to reignite regarding the best plans and methods to address America’s border crisis and immigration emergency at the southern border.

A recent poll by Harris / Harvard and other organizations show immigration maintaining its grip as a top concern among voters, regardless of party affiliation. The number of known undocumented immigrant crossings at the southern border in fiscal 2022 topped 2.76 million, and the unknown unofficial total includes drug traffickers. With the opioid overdose crisis killing thousands of Americans, attorney generals and governors in different states have demanded enhanced border protection and immigration enforcement efforts from the federal government.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody sued the Biden administration for failing to secure the border, demanding that the administration at a minimum issue the required charging documents to arriving aliens and initiate removal proceedings. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and Senators Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty told Biden to stop a scheduled release of immigrant detainees planned by Immigration Control Enforcement.

“In the last year, nearly three million migrants have illegally entered the country—a population larger than the largest four cities of Tennessee combined—Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga,” Hagerty said. “This does not even include the number of “gotaway” migrants who illegally crossed into our country undetected.”

Georgia political talk show host Ben Burnett highlighted legal immigration’s capacity to lower the cost of many of the goods and services that have become glaringly more expensive during the recent inflation surge since President Joe Biden took office. Burnett also covered the devastating consequences of illegal immigration, including illegally-imported drugs such as fentanyl and other life-threatening drugs.

“Even countries to the left of us have largely figured it out. If you want to move to Great Britain or Australia, you have to be under the age of 25 and work in an area of industry that they deem need-based,” Burnett said. “Service workers, tech workers, people that work in agriculture, fields, mining or machinery. Skill-based work. If you look at the state of affairs in Central America between Nicaragua, and Guatemala, these are war-torn countries. The Chinese government has set up chemical distribution and manufacturing facilities in order to get Fentanyl into the U.S. and other narcotics so that they can wage war on America, using people under the guise of customs and immigration. There are all kinds of horrible things that come across that wall.”

South Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar is expected to make another effort to pass her legislation known as “The Dignity Act”, which combines efforts to enhance border security, while also providing a pathway to citizenship for immigrants who are willing to pay fines and take other steps toward earning full citizenship. Salazar’s first attempt to pass the bill was met with staunch resistance from many conservatives in congress as well as the media, including Fox News talk show host, Tucker Carlson, who got into a heated debate with Salazar on his program.

Following the Republicans’ closer-than-expected retaking of the U.S. House and leadership battles among conservatives, forecasting the success of any immigration bill presented in the near term is essentially impossible.

Two Southern Governors May Be Dark Horse 2024 Presidential Candidates

Matt OHern
-
0
Two Southern Governors May Be Dark Horse 2024 Presidential Candidates

While political pundits throughout national media speculate about a potential 2024 campaign by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, two other governors in the south have quietly built impressive resumes against the odds in swing states where the respective US Senators are in the opposing party. 

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R) and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D) have proven that they can go against statewide voting trends. Cooper won two terms in office in a state that went red for Trump both elections, re- elected Republican Senator Richard Burr the same year Cooper was first elected in 2017. Tar Heel State voters went on to split the ticket in 2021, when they re-elected Cooper but also re-elected Republican Thom Tillis. In Georgia, Kemp easily won re-election in 2022 despite Democratic incumbent Senator Raphael Warnock defeating Republican Herschel Walker.

Georgia political talk show host Ben Burnett is a believer in Kemp. 

“Brian Kemp knows how to build a ground game and win in the trenches. Kemp stood up to Donald Trump and defied him often and only became more popular. While I have respect for Gov. Desantis. He’s great at running up the score over social issues, but when we talk about policies and accomplishments. It is clear that Brian Kemp would rather do something, than be somebody. If I were Governor Kemp and considering a Presidential run… that’s the message against Desantis. He’s the greatest showman, but underneath the costume, he’s a tin man.”

While many Republican’s may disagree with Burnett’s tin man analogy for DeSantis, nobody doubts Kemp’s remarkable success in a state that continues to become more purple with each election.

North Carolina Governor Cooper Demands Answers from Duke Energy After Blackouts

Matt OHern
-
0
North Carolina Governor Cooper Demands Answers from Duke Energy After Blackouts

RALEIGH, NC – In the wake of rolling blackouts that resulted in power outages for more than 200,000 residents, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is demanding detailed answers from Duke Energy.

Yesterday, Cooper Tweeted:

“Duke Energy assures me NC is in the clear now. But I’m deeply concerned about people who lost power and who didn’t get notice about rotating outages. Grateful for those who conserved energy. I’ve asked Duke for a complete report on what went wrong for changes to be made.”

Heavy demand across the nation due to freezing temperatures impacted Duke Energy’s ability to import power from neighboring regions, which typically serve as a backup source for energy. Duke did tap into solar energy during the initial wave of blackouts, but it wasn’t sufficient to cover the exceptionally-high demand.

Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Brooks explained “When we made the difficult decision to take these temporary outages, they were done in a fairly fast order. So that work happened at a pace that didn’t allow us to be as proactive in our communications as we’d typically be on other types of planned outages. This was sort of an emergent event. So I would say we did not get to communicate as well as we would like to with customers on the front end, but we did try to provide information when we could during the event. And I think there’s opportunities for us there to go back and look at that and see are there other things that we can do going forward to help improve that process, just as will look at this entire event to figure out what things can be added to our plans and our processes to help either avoid this in the future or to improve that process.”

1...555657...67Page 56 of 67