Nov 11, 2019
Happy Veterans Day. It’s easy to forget in modern America that freedom is not free. The price of freedom is paid for by the enormous sacrifice of our service members, like retired Marine Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter, the youngest recipient of the Medal of Honor. Today, we tell the story of Carpenter’s deployment to Afghanistan, where his selfless actions saved the life of his friend—at great cost. Watch his story and remember those who fight to keep us free. Also, The Heritage Foundation is challenging a decision by YouTube to censor a Daily Signal video in the name of political correctness. Find out more about this story below. Lastly, Heritage President Kay Coles James was invited to join Carly Fiorina on her podcast to discuss leadership, the state of American culture, and her faith. We hope you will listen to their inspiring conversation and share with your family and friends.
Youngest Medal of Honor Recipient Reminds Us How Great America Truly Is <[link removed]>
On this Veterans Day, Heritage’s Edwin J. Feulner Institute presents the story of retired Marine Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter. Carpenter is the youngest recipient of the Medal of Honor, and his story reminds us of the sacrifices our service members make for our freedom. In 2010, Carpenter was severely injured after diving onto a live grenade to save his friend while fighting in Afghanistan. “Not everyone has the freedoms, peace, and the chance and hope for democracy that we have here,” says Carpenter. “Don’t go through every day thinking that we’re just here because we’re here. No. We got here because of incredible amounts of courage and sacrifice.” Watch Kyle’s story <[link removed]>.
YouTube Is Censoring This Medical Doctor’s Daily Signal Video <[link removed]>
Heritage and The Daily Signal are fighting back after YouTube removed a video featuring Dr. Michelle Cretella <[link removed]>, executive director of the American College of Pediatricians. YouTube objected to the doctor’s medical opinion on surgical procedures for people who believe their gender identity is different from their biological sex. “Censoring a medical doctor doesn’t put YouTube on the right side of history. It just shows that it’s a big tech company prioritizing the preferences of the activist left over free speech for all,” says Katrina Trinko, editor-in-chief of The Daily Signal, Heritage’s multimedia news platform. Major news outlets and media personalities have shared The Daily Signal’s story, including Ben Shapiro, who read Trinko’s article on his show. Find out more about the video YouTube doesn’t want you to see <[link removed]>.
The Courage to Collaborate: Carly Fiorina Interviews Kay Coles James <[link removed]>
Heritage President Kay Coles James recently appeared on the
latest episode of Carly Fiorina’s “By Example” podcast, in which the former presidential candidate discussed the life events that helped form James’ leadership skills. “You've had a lot of really important positions and titles ... but you're a leader not because of those positions and titles,” Fiorina said as she introduced James. “You're a leader because your entire life you have changed the order of things for the better.” James discussed the hardships she overcame as a student when southern schools desegregated, the current challenges of political tribalism, and the importance that Christian faith has played in her life. Listen to the whole interview or read the transcript <[link removed]>.
HAPPENING AT HERITAGE
Heritage staff from the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies were invited to attend President Donald Trump’s event on federal judges at the White House last week. Trump touted the successful confirmation of nearly 160 judges. Learn more about Heritage's impact <[link removed]> on Trump’s judicial appointments and explore our judicial appointment tracker <[link removed]>.
Heritage released the trade freedom scores from the “2020 Index of Economic Freedom” for 62 developing countries that are under consideration for assistance by the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation. Check out the scores <[link removed]>.
Klon Kitchen, a senior research fellow in Heritage’s Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, testified before a Senate Judiciary subcommittee on data breaches, cybersecurity, and China. His testimony was widely covered by the media. Learn more about Klon's assessment <[link removed]>.
Heritage members and the pro-life movement scored a major victory when the Senate made a legislative decision that fell directly in line with years of The Heritage Foundation’s policy recommendations to Congress. Learn more about our impact <[link removed]>.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday at noon, Heritage will host an event to discuss constitutional law within the Supreme Court. This event will feature Randy Barnett, a professor of legal theory at the Georgetown University Law Center; and Josh Blackman, associate professor of law at the South Texas College of Law in Houston. Watch the event live <[link removed]>.
Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., Heritage and Refugees International will host an event to discuss the atrocities committed against Rohingya, an ethnic minority in Myanmar. This event will feature panelists Wai Wai Nu, founder and director of Women’s Peace Network; Matthew Smith, co-founder and chief executive of Fortify Rights; Daniel Sullivan, senior advocate for human rights at Refugees International; and Francisco Bencosme, Asia Pacific advocacy manager at Amnesty International. Watch the event live <[link removed]>.
Thursday at 10 a.m., Heritage, the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, and Vivekananda International Foundation India will host an event to discuss the challenges among India, Israel, and the United States. Panelists include Dore Gold, president of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs; Arvind Gupta, director of Vivekananda International Foundation; and David Shedd, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and Heritage visiting fellow. Watch the event live <[link removed]>.
Friday at noon, Heritage and the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women will host an event featuring Lala Mooney, who will share her story about leaving Cuba. Watch the event live <[link removed]>.
HERITAGE PODCASTS
This week on “Heritage Explains,” Michael Gonzalez, the Angeles T. Arredondo E Pluribus Unum senior fellow in Heritage’s Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy, digs deeper into the fight against China’s attempt to take over American culture. Listen to the podcast <[link removed]>.
This week on “SCOTUS 101,” hosts Elizabeth Slattery and Tiffany Bates discuss recent oral arguments, preview a new documentary about Justice Clarence Thomas, and answer a listener question about a case involving the infamous climate change "hockey stick" graph. Listen to the podcast <[link removed]>.
HERITAGE IN THE NEWS
Here are the highlights from Fox News, Fox Business, C-SPAN and more featuring Heritage experts. This week, they touched on hot topics like Mexican cartels, Iran, Medicare for All and more. Watch the video <[link removed]>.
POLICY PICTURE
Let us know how you are celebrating veterans in your community. Email us at [email protected] <[link removed]>.

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