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Wednesday, February 23, 2022

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Ukrainian Foreign Minister: U.S. Promised “Security Guarantees” for Giving Up Nuclear Arsenal

If the U.S. doesn’t come through, Dmytro Kuleba explained “This will send a clear message across the entire world that the West is incapable of defending its principles,” Kuleba said, warning that “other players” would soon “challenge the United States” based on its inaction in Ukraine (Fox News). From Marc Thiessen: Remember the uproar last month when President Biden declared that the U.S. response to a Russian invasion of Ukraine would depend on whether it was a “minor incursion”? Critics rightly pointed out that Biden had effectively given Russian President Vladimir Putin a greenlight to invade eastern Ukraine. President Volodymyr Zelensky quickly rebuked Biden, tweeting, “There are no minor incursions.” Biden had to quickly backtrack, declaring the next day that “any — any — assembled Russian units move across the Ukrainian border, that is an invasion.” Well, on Monday Putin sent assembled Russian units across the border into eastern Ukraine. And what was the Biden administration’s immediate reaction? To excuse Putin’s actions and downplay them as nothing more than a minor incursion (Washington Post). From Nikki Haley: President Biden promised a “swift and severe” response. He did not deliver. Ukraine is a test of western resolve. It’s not just about Putin. The Chinese communists and Iranian jihadists are watching too. It’s a major leadership moment for Biden. So far, he’s failing (Twitter). From David Harsanyi: … the notion that Biden has shown firmness or deftness on foreign policy is at odds with not only recent events — most notably the disastrous pullout from Afghanistan — but also 50 years of his history. On the issue of Putin, Biden has been relentlessly wrong (National Review). From Ed Morrissey: Biden announced some new sanctions in his presser, trying to parse the word “invasion” as an excuse to avoid confrontation. The vacillation from Biden presents a dangerous incentive to the ruthless geopolitical threat Putin represents (Townhall Review). Here’s video of Biden, during his VP days, mocking Mitt Romney for seeing Russia as a future threat (Twitter). From CNN’s Chris Cillizza, who still spends a good deal of his tweets bashing Trump: It’s time to admit it: Mitt Romney was right about Russia(Twitter).

Supreme Court Takes Case of Artist Told She Must Ignore Faith

From the story: The Supreme Court said Tuesday it would consider whether a Colorado website designer had a First Amendment right to refuse to produce same-sex wedding announcements, the latest clash between LGBT and religious rights. Since its landmark 2015 decision extending marriage rights to same-sex couples, Obergefell v. Hodges, the high court has moved cautiously in carving out constitutional exemptions for organizations and business owners opposed to those rights (WSJ). From the Alliance Defending Freedom, which is representing artist Lorie Smith, pictured above: For years, Colorado has relentlessly sought to target certain speakers, and other states have followed that example. As ADF explained in a brief asking the high court to accept Smith’s case, “The First Amendment’s promises of free speech and religious liberty are bedrock principles. Yet over the past decade, those promises have been shattered: Elane Photography and Sweet Cakes are out of business, Barronelle Stutzman was forced to retire, Emilee Carpenter is risking jail, Bob Updegrove and Chelsey Nelson are in harm’s way, and Jack Phillips is still in court, pursued by a private enforcer who wants to finish the job. This Court must act now or officials with enforcement power over nearly half the country’s citizens will continue compelling artists to speak against their consciences while silencing them from explaining their beliefs” (ADF). David Harsanyi looks at the deceptive way many media outlets are framing this battle (National Review).

Biden Administration Ignores Law Requiring Report on Jobs Lost in Keystone Pipeline Cancelation

He’s also required to explain how the action could affect energy costs. The timing is quite telling as energy prices soar and the country could use the pipeline.

Washington Times

Media Mischaracterizes Florida Debating Sexual Orientation in School

The story explains “Florida’s state Legislature engaged in an emotional debate Tuesday over a measure that would ban schools from teaching young students about sexual orientation or gender identity. Critics have dubbed the measure the “Don’t Say Gay” bill and said it would suppress classroom discussions about gender and sexual identity that would benefit LGBTQ students. The measure would prohibit schools from teaching about sexual orientation or sexual identity in kindergarten through third grade, or in any other grade “in a manner not age-appropriate or developmentally appropriate in accordance with state standards” (Washington Times). From Allie Beth Stuckey: Today’s propaganda re “Don’t Say Gay” FL Bill is that teachers are forced to “out” students. In reality: teachers cannot keep secrets from the parent about their child’s “identity” or sexuality. If 6 y/o James says he wants to be Sally, the teacher has to tell mom & dad. … Duh (Twitter).

Rittenhouse Plans to Sue Whoopi and Other Celebrities

He told Tucker Carlson “We’re looking at quite a few, politicians, athletes, celebrities, Whoppi Goldberg is on the list, she called me a murderer after I was acquitted.”

Daily Mail

Poll: 36 Percent of Americans Approve of Biden’s Handling of Russia/Ukraine

Just above that, 37 percent approve of his handling of the economy. He is under water by 25 points on that issue.

Gallup

Christian Physicians Sue California Over Being Forced to Aid in Assisted Suicide

From the story: The objecting physician would have to educate the patient about aid-in-dying medication and procedures and transfer the patient’s files to another doctor who would provide the treatment. In addition, S.B. 380 shortens the period between the legally required two separate notifications by a patient that they wish to undergo the procedure from 15 days to 48 hours. Documentation of the request — even if made to a physician who has religious or ethical objections to the practice — would constitute one of those required notifications, making the objecting physician effectively a participant in the end-of-life procedure, the lawsuit claims.

Washington Times

Organizer of Ottawa Protests Denied Bail

Because she might “reoffend” if released. So the threat of organizing a peaceful protest keeps you in jail in Canada (ABC News). Last September, a Canadian man accused of 1^st degree murder of a policeman was released on bail (City News).

New York Professor Tells Students She Gives “Priority to Non-White Folks”

The syllabus for Ana Maria Candela’s Social Change -Introduction to Sociology class continues: It also means that if you are white, male, or someone privileged by the racial and gender structures of our society to have your voice easily voiced and heard, we will often ask you to hold off on your questions or comments to give others priority and will come back to you a bit later or at another time (Daily Wire). Binghamton University forced her to change the syllabus (Fox News).

10.

Starbucks Employee Secretly Passes Note on Cup “Do You Want Us to Intervene?”

From the story: The 18-year-old female was sitting alone at a Starbucks in Corpus Christi over the weekend when a man approached her actively and strangely, Brandy Roberson, the woman’s mother, said in a Facebook post, which has since been deleted. “Are you okay? Do you want us to intervene? If you do, take the lid off the cup,” the Starbucks cup’s note read, according to the post Roberson shared. The woman did not request help but was touched by the effort.

Fox News