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Epoch Times
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
How Virtue Sustains the Individual and a Nation, According to Our Founding Fathers
'We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable,' reads Thomas Jefferson's Jefferson's draft was discussed, debated, and edited over the coming days by the other members of the Committee of Five, which included Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston; and then by the Second Continental Congress. When it came to those 'inalienable rights,' the men, whom posterity would herald as the Founding Fathers, understood perfectly what was meant by life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The last of these three, however, has, over the last century, been slowly and completely redefined.
Time Magazine
03-07-2025
- Science
- Time Magazine
How Has The Climate Changed Since the First 4th of July?
The Founding Fathers who gathered in Philadelphia to adopt the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776 picked a nice day to do their work. It was a Thursday, and the temperature at 6:00 a.m. was 68°F, going up to a warmish but still pleasant 76°F at 1:00 p.m., according to daily records kept by Virginia's Thomas Jefferson. The planetary metabolism at the time was set more for such balmy days than it was for the increasingly suffocating summers we experience in the 21st century. It was in 1867 that scientists would first define the epoch that includes the late 1700s as the Holocene—a period that began 11,700 years ago and is still ongoing. The Holocene was originally temperate, with atmospheric carbon levels measuring about 280 parts per million (ppm)—enough to keep the Earth warm but not stifling. About a billion acres of North America—or 46% of the continent—were covered in carbon-absorbing trees, further helping to regulate the climate. If anything, the planet was calibrated for cold. The first Independence Day occurred during the period known as the Little Ice Age, which ran from 1300 to 1850 and saw temperatures in North America falling 1°C to 2°C (1.8° F to 3.6°F) below thousand-year averages. 'It was quite a bit colder [than average] in the 17th century,' says Kyle Harper, professor of classics and letters at the University of Oklahoma and a faculty member at the Santa Fe Institute. 'The 18th century is a little less extreme, but it's still part of the Little Ice Age. The 19th century starts to get even colder for a little bit. And then, of course, it turns around.' That turnaround—a wholesale reshaping of our world's climate—has been attributable in large measure to humans, and it's what makes today's Independence Day so different from the one 249 years ago. The Little Ice Age that preceded the majority of climate-altering human activity was caused largely by clusters of volcanic eruptions, which released a sun-shielding haze into the atmosphere, along with four solar minimums—or periods of reduced solar activity—occurring on and off from 1280 to 1830. 'The sun is not a totally constant star,' says Harper. 'The power of the solar dynamo itself is changing.' Those factors helped lead to a shift in the Atlantic current, which furthered the cooling. Cool temperatures were not constant during the Little Ice Age, of course. As always, day to day weather is very different from decade to decade or century to century climate, and there were plenty of scorchers in America's early years. 'Some of those summers in the 1770s and 1780s were still really hot,' says Harper. 'In 1787 when they were drafting the Constitution in Philadelphia it was hellishly hot.' Humanity would make that heat more common—and more intense. In 1760, the Industrial Revolution—a period of explosive factory-building and carbon-burning—began in Europe and North America, pouring greenhouse gasses into the sky and countering the natural forces keeping the Earth relatively cool. At the same time, great swaths of forested land around the world were being cleared and put to the torch to make room for agriculture. That practice, known as slash-and-burn farming, actually began 12,000 years ago, though it didn't get started in earnest in North America until 1500 when European settlers arrived. Since then more than 25% of the continent's forestland has disappeared. In the Amazon, the figure is about 20%. Not only does that take hundreds of millions of acres of carbon-absorbing trees out of circulation, it also pumps more carbon into the skies as unwanted trees and surrounding brush are incinerated. 'Trees are a huge carbon stock,' says Harper. 'You take something that was alive and had a lot of carbon in it and you burn it and that releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The percentage of trees that we've cumulatively cut down definitely affects the Earth system.' Across the arc of the past two and a half centuries, those slash-and-burn practices, along with fossil fuel-burning factories and internal combustion engines have released an estimated 1.5 trillion tons of CO2 into the air, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). That has swamped the skies, with CO2 levels rising from 280 ppm in Colonial times to 422.8 ppm in 2024, according to NOAA. In turn, temperatures have soared. Last year, the Earth was 2.65°F (1.47°C) warmer than it was when formal record-keeping began in the late 1800s, according to NASA and NOAA—and the problem is only forecast to get worse. 'What does one degree mean? What does two degrees mean?' asks Harper. 'Two degrees, when you're talking about a global average, is a massive change. And beyond that, you talk about four degrees—it's really like a different planet.' Nearly 250 years ago, a small group of men on a little patch of that planet raised the flag of a new country. Today, that country—and the 194 others around the globe—face an existential peril the American colonists could not have foreseen.
Newsweek
16-06-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
America Needs a Real Plan To Make Homeownership Affordable Again
The American dream of homeownership, already slipping out of reach in recent years, is now vanishing for millions. The housing market is under siege from all sides. We're short approximately four million homes, mortgage rates have nearly tripled since the coronavirus pandemic, and tariffs are driving up the cost of materials, slowing development to a crawl. In April alone, single-family housing starts dropped 12 percent compared with the same month last year. From the earliest days of the republic, property ownership was deemed essential to liberty. The Founding Fathers believed that broad ownership of private property, especially land, was essential to sustaining a self-reliant citizenry. "Dependence begets subservience," Thomas Jefferson warned, and owning the ground beneath your feet was a guardrail against both. That ideal distinguished the United States from the Old World, where land belonged to the elite and everyone else merely rented. Legislation like the Homestead Act of 1862 and the GI Bill of 1944 reflected the fundamental ethos that ownership ensures empowerment. Today, that ethos is at risk. Our nation faces three interlocking crises: a massive supply shortfall, punishing interest rates, and a worsening affordability spiral. Tackling them head-on to produce homes that everyday Americans can afford requires courageous and targeted reform. First, policymakers must create incentives for developers to build entry-level housing targeted at buyers earning around the median income in the communities where they operate. The sole purpose of this policy should be to increase the inventory of homes accessible to everyday Americans while limiting competition from investors and second-home buyers. As part of this initiative, the federal government should offer a 50 percent reduction in capital gains or income tax liability to non-publicly traded developers who build and sell homes priced within 20 percent of the local median home price, provided those homes are sold to first-time buyers. To further jumpstart development and encourage scale, that incentive should rise to 75 percent after the first ten qualifying homes. Larger, publicly traded firms should be included as well, though at a lower incentive rate. AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 17: An aerial view of houses undergoing construction in a neighborhood on April 17, 2025 in Austin, Texas. AUSTIN, TEXAS - APRIL 17: An aerial view of houses undergoing construction in a neighborhood on April 17, 2025 in Austin, the federal government should put its own land to better use. Vast tracts of underutilized and unused federal land could be sold at a discount to qualified developers, yet with strings attached. Homes must go to first-time buyers, priced near the local median, and states must commit to a 20-year property tax abatement. President Donald Trump's proposal to unlock federal land was an admirable start. But we also need to direct development toward working families rather than vacation-home investors. Third, states must be empowered to lead. Governors would apply, identifying housing-strapped regions, providing local price data, and agreeing to tax abatements. A dedicated federal agency should coordinate this program, modeled on the successful Opportunity Zone framework established under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Without micromanaging, the agency would ensure funding and enforcement consistency across state lines. New homes mean nothing if no one can afford to buy them. Since 2020, prices have soared by almost 50 percent while rates have tripled. That's a double whammy for prospective middle-class buyers. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should offer discounted mortgage rates for income-qualified households purchasing homes in the program. Without financing relief, inventory will not translate into ownership. Then there remains the danger that Wall Street will pounce on any new homes. Institutional investors have bought up single-family homes in cash by the thousands, inflating prices and freezing out first-time buyers. Publicly traded firms should be capped at ownership of 50 single-family homes. If they own more, they must sell the excess within two years or face heavy penalties. That single measure would instantly return inventory to the market. To additionally safeguard homes for families, we also need to keep them from becoming just another asset class. Homes built under the program should carry 20-year deed restrictions with only primary occupants having the ability to buy and sell. If a homeowner wants to sell before the 20 years are up, the next buyer must also intend to live there. Localities have used similar models successfully for decades. This plan is admittedly aggressive, but it's achievable. It merely asks government to use resources readily at its disposal—land, taxes, and regulation—to empower developers, protect families, and rebuild the American middle class. If implemented, it would resuscitate the founding principle that every citizen should have a shot at owning the place they call home. Policymakers must act before the American dream becomes little more than a nostalgic memory. Pierre E. Debbas is managing partner of Romer Debbas LLP. Follow on X: @pierredebbasesq The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
People Are Saying This Video Of Soldiers Booing When Democrats Are Mentioned "Sent A Chill Down" Their Spines
Donald Trump recently gave a speech in front of military soldiers in Fort Bragg, North Carolina — home of the largest military installation in the US — and it was deeply disturbing. In his speech, Trump called anti-ICE protestors "a vicious and violent mob," and baselessly accused Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass of paying people to cause chaos at the LA protests. He also heckled the "fake news" media, mocked Joe Biden, insulted trans people, and announced he was restoring the names of multiple military bases to feature Confederate leaders. Trump goaded active duty troops at his Fort Bragg speech to boo:The Media, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Mayor Karen Bass, and Joe Biden — The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) June 10, 2025 AP / Twitter: @BulwarkOnline Oddly enough, the most shocking aspect of Trump's speech wasn't his words, but rather, the reactions of the in-uniform soldiers. "In Los Angeles, the governor of California, the mayor of Los incompetent, and they paid troublemakers, agitators, and insurrectionists. They're engaged in this willful attempt to nullify federal law and aid the occupation of the city by criminal invaders," Trump said. The soldiers booed loudly, seemingly in agreement. "This is a record think this crowd would've showed up for Biden? I don't think so," Trump continued, smiling. Related: The Internet Is Having A Field Day Over Marjorie Taylor Greene's Tweet About Homeschooling With An Altered Map Many soldiers laughed and booed at the mention of former commander in chief Joe Biden. "Ladies and gentlemen, the fake news. Look at 'em, look at 'em I have to put up with. Fake news," Trump said pointing to reporters. In response, the soldiers loudly booed the media. Related: A NSFW Float Depicting Donald Trump's "MAGA" Penis Was Just Paraded Around Germany, And It' "For a little breaking news, we are also going to be restoring the names to Fort Pickett, Fort Fort Robert E. Lee," Trump said. The news of Confederate leaders' names being returned to military bases was met with loud applause and cheers. Since their posting on X, the speech clips have ramped up millions of views, and commenters have expressed fear and anger about Trump's politicization of the military, and the soldiers' reactions. "The way this disgusting creature is politicizing the troops endlessly in this rant AND the fact they are participating in it is equally despicable. He is everything the Founding Fathers feared," one person wrote. Another X user who claims to be a veteran described the speech as "absolutely unacceptable," continuing, "we serve ALL Americans, even the ones we disagree with or dislike and we do not turn fellow citizens into enemies." "The troops booing sent a chill down my spine," this person wrote. This person called it "outrageously unpresidential" and "un-American" to "speak to the US military like they're his partisan personal army." Another veteran who spent 37 years in uniform said they'd never witnessed anything like it. "The military booing an American city, goaded by the president, is deeply unsettling." What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below. Also in In the News: JD Vance Shared The Most Bizarre Tweet Of Him Serving "Food" As Donald Trump's Housewife Also in In the News: This Senator's Clap Back Fully Gagged An MSNBC Anchor, And The Clip Is Going Viral Also in In the News: AOC's Viral Response About A Potential Presidential Run Has Everyone Watching, And I'm Honestly Living For It
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
White House mocks Newsom address, accuses governor of hiring Harris', Biden's campaign manager
The White House took several jabs at California Gov. Gavin Newsom's address to the nation on Tuesday night as his state navigates massive immigration protests in Los Angeles. Newsom, a Democrat, said in the address that "Democracy is under assault" as he sparred with President Donald Trump over the administration's decision to dispatch thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to address the riots. In response, White House assistant to the president and director of communications Steven Cheung accused Newsom of spending time creating the video rather than serving as governor. Likewise, Cheung took a swipe at the video's audio, claiming the production quality was akin to Newsom's leadership. Newsom Says Los Angeles Rioters Will Be Prosecuted, Slams Trump For 'Traumatizing Our Communities' "Gavin NewScum spent all this time--instead of doing his actual job-- preparing for a webinar just for the audio to not work," Cheung said in a post on X late Tuesday evening. "The production quality is just like his leadership quality-- sh***y." Additionally, Cheung suggested that Newsom had brought on former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris' campaign manager, who both repeatedly warned during the 2024 campaign cycle that a second Trump term would pose a "threat to democracy." Read On The Fox News App "NewScum must've hired Kamala and Biden's loser campaign team because he saying this is a 'threat to democracy,'" Cheung said. A spokesperson for Newsom did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Other White House officials also weighed in on Newsom's address to defend the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration. "American voters elected President Donald Trump to carry out his agenda, which includes enforcing the immigration laws passed by their elected representatives," deputy assistant to the president and principal deputy communications director Alex Pfieffer said in a post on X on Tuesday. "California is trying to subvert democracy." Newsom Files Emergency Motion To 'Immediately Block' Trump's Use Of Military To Stop La Riots Newsom said in the address that more than 200 people have been arrested in connection to the protests and labeled Trump's decision to deploy troops to Los Angeles a "brazen abuse of power." "This isn't just about protests here in Los Angeles," Newsom said in the video. "This is about all of us. This is about you. California may be first, but it clearly will not end here. Other states are next. Democracy is next. Democracy is under assault before our eyes." White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller also responded to one of Newsom's posts on X late Tuesday evening after the governor said the Founding Fathers did not "live and die to see this moment," and urged for peaceful protests. Meanwhile, Miller shared a photo of a shirtless man standing on a vehicle and waving a California flag in front of fumes with the comment: "According to Governor Newsom, this is what the Founders were fighting for." Trump has gone head-to-head with Newsom over the deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles following protests sparked by ICE arrests in the city on Friday. Hegseth Defends National Guard La Deployments, Says Ice Agents Must Be Protected While Trump has argued the National Guard troops are necessary to prevent destruction in Los Angeles, Newsom said most of the troops "are sitting, unused, in federal buildings without orders." Additionally, Newsom argued that the move violates state sovereignty because governors typically oversee National Guard troops. Trump invoked a law to place the troops under federal command in order to bypass Newsom. "This isn't about public safety," Newsom said in a post on X on Monday. "It's about stroking a dangerous President's ego."Original article source: White House mocks Newsom address, accuses governor of hiring Harris', Biden's campaign manager
