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Tuesday, March 8, 2022

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Zelenskyy: Biden “Can Do More”

The president of Ukraine is requesting fighter jets. Biden’s response so far: We’re thinking about it (ABC News). Axios notes “Those jets would likely be Soviet-era MiG-29s possessed by Poland, which Ukrainian pilots are capable of operating. The U.S. would, in turn, backfill Poland’s fleet with American-made F-16s” (Axios). The Wall Street Journal editorial board looks at why President Obama refused to help Ukraine (WSJ). Meanwhile, a captured Russian officer admits they are committing genocide in Ukraine (Hot Air).

Biden Ponders Russian Oil Ban as Congress Prepares to Move Without Him

From the story: The White House’s posture this week amounts to an about-face for an administration that just days ago feared an import ban would send gas prices skyrocketing. At the very least, officials were hopeful to enact a ban in lockstep with European allies. But they are adjusting to what has become an overwhelming bipartisan interest on Capitol Hill — and within corners of the administration — in ridding American markets of Russian oil as Vladimir Putin continues his bloody assault on Ukraine (Politico). Democrats and Republicans in congress reached a deal to ban Russian energy imports (Daily Mail).

Psaki: Keystone Wouldn’t Help Gas Prices

From the story: “White House press secretary Jen Psaki suggested Monday that the Keystone XL Pipeline, the construction of which President Biden canceled on his first day in office, would not have made a difference in the nation’s skyrocketing gas prices. Psaki made the claim in response to questions from Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy, who asked her why the Biden administration is seemingly blaming Russian President Vladimir Putin for rising U.S. gas prices, which hit a new record high of $4.104 on Monday, surpassing the previous record of $4.103 set in 2008, according to data from GasBuddy” (Fox Business). From Kevin McCarthy: Democrats will try to blame historic gas prices on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But the facts show otherwise: On Day 1, Biden halted the Keystone Pipeline and issued a moratorium on new oil and gas permits on federal lands. Then he gave the green light on a pipeline for Putin (Twitter). Biden “I Did That!” stickers are showing up on pumps across America (PJ Media).

Florida Governor Challenges Reporter on Leftist Language Regarding Florida Bill

From the story: While appearing at a press conference on Monday, DeSantis was confronted by WFLA reporter Evan Donovan on “what critics call the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill.” “Does it say that in the bill?” DeSantis asked. “Does it say that in the bill?” As Donovan attempted to respond, DeSantis interjected, “I’m asking what’s in the bill because you are pushing false narratives. It doesn’t matter what critics say” (Fox News). Another story notes “Nowhere in the legislation is the word “gay” mentioned, though the word “parent” is mentioned 32 times and the word “parental” is mentioned seven times. The legislation heavily focuses on parental notification and parental awareness of what children are being taught or exposed to in school” (Daily Wire). Meanwhile, the Heritage Foundation looks at the struggles parents go through as their children become targets (Twitter). From Lindsey Fifield: This is how trans allies “support” children and “protect” children from their parents. Real champions for mental health care. This is what @GovRonDeSantis is trying to protect children and families from—while being smeared as a #dontsaygay bill (Twitter).

Angry Russian Mothers Fume at Putin for Sending Their Sons to Death Trap in Ukraine

From the story: … Sergey Tsivilev, governor of the Kuzbass region in Siberia, stood forlornly on a stage in a school gym as angry soldiers’ mothers accused the Kremlin of lying. “We were all deceived, all deceived. They were sent there as cannon fodder, “one woman shouted. “They are young. They were unprepared.” As Mr Tsivilev, shuffling and mumbling, tried to frame Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as a “special operation” and not a war, he was shouted down (Telegraph). Meanwhile, from Dr. Albert Mohler: the Russian Duma adopted legislation approved by President Putin that would criminalize anyone for violating by public speech or public the official line given by the Russian government about the war in Ukraine. For one thing, the government insists it’s not a war. It is instead a special military operation. It might be a crime that could lead to a sentence of 15 years for every occurrence if anyone, and especially anyone with a publication, anyone in the media, should use the word war or in any other way violate or contradict the official Russian government line about what the government calls this special military operation (Briefing).

Poll: If U.S. Attacked, Republicans and Independents Would Stay and Fight, Democrats Would Flee

Buried in this Quinnipiac poll is this question: “If you were in the same position as Ukrainians are now, do you think that you would stay and fight or leave the country?” 68 percent of Republicans and 57 percent of independents would “stay and fight.” Only 40 percent of Democrats would stay, and 52 percent would “leave the country.” Also worth noting: a slim majority of those 18-34 would flee.

Quinnipiac

Florida Governor Announces New State Policy Against Vaccinating Healthy Children

And in the very first sentence, this Washington Post “news” piece wants you to believe the idea flies “in the face of recommendations by every medical group in the nation.” Every singe one? That’s quite a hyperbole bath. From later in the story: Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo prefaced the change by deriding the school closures and mask and vaccine mandates issued by many states since the start of the pandemic as “terrible, harmful policies.” “Florida is going to be the first state to officially recommend against the covid-19 vaccination for healthy children,” Ladapo said (Washington Post). From Karol Markowicz: I happen to agree that healthy children don’t need this vaccine as their statistical risk of a poor covid outcome is already zero but the real thing is that the CDC and the AAP are both politicized organizations which can not be trusted anymore. And that’s truly unfortunate (Twitter). From Bethany Mandel: I enjoy this new round of gaslighting on the heels of the news that the 5-11 shot doesn’t even really work (Twitter).

Judge Blocks Oregon Ban on Letters from Home Buyers

From the story: The Democratic-controlled state Legislature brought forward the legislation early last year, and it was signed into law by Gov. Kate Brown back in June. The lawmakers supporting the legislation wanted to prevent prospective buyers from writing “love letters” trying to influence sellers because they claimed that sellers might make decisions based upon factors such as race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Washington Examiner

Texas School District Allows Teachers to Carry Firearms

The story notes “… district employees who want to carry the firearms must have a license to carry and apply for the program to enter screening and training with the Texas Department of Public Safety, entailing 40 initial hours of training initially and further training on a continuous basis.”

Daily Wire

10.

Shoppers Heading to Dollar Stores as Grocery Prices Spike

Fresh food is replaced by cheap, processed food-ish stuff.

GMA