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Thursday, April 28, 2022

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Economic Anxiety Rising

From the story: Americans’ confidence in the economy remains very low, and mentions of economic issues as the most important problem in the U.S. are at their highest point since 2016. Inflation, which registered as the top economic problem last month and continues to be, was previously at this level in 1984 (Gallup). Breitbart: On the eve of the election of Donald Trump in 2016, 31 percent of Americans named an economic issue as the most important facing the country. That number steadily fell throughout the Trump administration, eventually surpassing the previous record low of 13 percent set in 1999 (Breitbart).

Russia Turns Gas Off to Two NATO Nations: Poland and Bulgaria

From the story: Russia cut off natural gas to NATO members Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday and threatened to do the same to other countries, dramatically escalating its standoff with the West over the war in Ukraine. European leaders decried the move as “blackmail.” A day after the U.S. and other Western allies vowed to speed more and heavier weapons to Ukraine, the Kremlin used its most essential export as leverage against two of Kyiv’s staunch backers. Gas prices in Europe shot up on the news (AP News). Daily Wire: Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov noted the concern in a Twitter post, mentioning a call with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis regarding “energy security and diversification.” Poland Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he believed the move was in revenge for his nation’s support of Ukraine following Russia’s invasion. Russian gas corporation Gazprom announced on Wednesday that it had shut off access due to unpaid April bills after the nations refused to pay in Russian currency (Daily Wire).

New York State’s Gerrymandering Effort Shot Down by Judge

From the story: New York’s highest court sided with Republicans on Wednesday in a decision that invalidated Democrats’ redistricting map after finding it was gerrymandered in a “partisan” manner to give advantages to Democrat candidates. The new district map was created and passed by the Democrat-controlled state legislature after an independent redistricting commission deadlocked and was unable to reach an agreement on how to draw districts following the 2020 Census (Townhall). The Washington Free Beacon: Democrats had hoped the aggressive New York map would offset Republican gains in states such as Texas and Florida, where Republican-controlled legislatures approved their own partisan maps as part of the once-a-decade redistricting process that follows the decennial U.S. Census (Washington Free Beacon).

California to Raise Gas Tax

The state with the nation’s highest gas tax is going even higher. From the story: California lawmakers appear unlikely to pause the annual summer increase in the state’s gasoline tax ahead of a May 1 deadline, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said on Monday. Newsom, a Democrat, had previously expressed support for helping California motorists experiencing pain at the pump by waiting to implement a 5.6% tax hike scheduled to take effect on July 1. The tax is used to fund roads and other infrastructure projects; the state’s Legislative Analyst’s Office projected the tax will generate about $8.8 billion in revenue during the 2021-22 fiscal year. Prices for a regular gallon of gas hit $4.13 on Wednesday, according to AAA, up from $2.88 one year ago. But California – as is usually the case – has seen the steepest prices in the country, with a gallon of gas reaching $5.68. In some parts of the state, prices are even higher: Mono County has recorded an average price of $6.61 per gallon (Fox News). Assemblyman Vince Fong: The Governor once again has failed to exercise leadership to stop the gas tax increase as promised – another empty commitment (Twitter). The Washington Examiner: The legislature has nixed several attempts to push through a Republican bill to suspend the entire gas tax for eight months. Democrats cite concern over lost revenue, but the state currently has a $46 billion budget surplus , which could increase by $23 billion after income taxes are tallied (Washington Examiner).

Joe Biden to Teachers: Children Are “Yours” When in the Classroom

From the story: The president spoke at a Teacher of the Year event held Wednesday where he urged teachers to help students “gain confidence enough to know what they can do” (Daily Wire). American Principles: Joe Biden says to teachers about their students “they are not somebody else’s children. They’re yours when you’re in the classroom” (Twitter).

Biden to Appoint New Disinformation Czar

Nina Jankowicz will head the “Disinformation Governance Board.” From the story: The Department of Homeland Security is setting up a new board designed to counter misinformation related to homeland security, with a focus specifically on Russia and irregular migration. The board will be called the “Disinformation Governance Board, and will be headed by executive director Nina Jankowicz (Post Millennial). Jack Posobiec: We caught the Biden Disinformation Head in a lie on day one on the job (Twitter).

PayPal Closing Second Office in San Francisco

From the story: PayPal has a location at 425 Market St., between First and Fremont streets, and it will remain open for employees to use on a voluntary basis until early June. The San Francisco office houses staff who work for the company’s Xoom service that allows customers to send money to family and friends around the world and pay international bills. PayPal previously had two offices in San Francisco and closed the other earlier in the pandemic (MSN). ABC: The company’s stock hit a 52-week low this week ahead of its quarterly earnings report scheduled on Wednesday (ABC).

Dr. Fauci Says Pandemic Phase Is Over; Walks it Back

From the story: Dr. Anthony Fauci tells our @JudyWoodruff the U.S. is “out of the pandemic phase” (Twitter). Fox News: When asked about these comments, Fauci clarified that he actually does not believe the pandemic is over. “I want to clarify one thing,” Fauci said. “I probably should have said the acute component of the pandemic phase. And I understand how that can lead to some misinterpretation. I was talking about the acute fomenting phase, and everyone agrees we’re not there. We’re not getting 900,000 new infections a day” (Fox News). RNC Research: Jen Psaki contradicts Fauci who said the U.S. is “out of the pandemic phase.” “COVID isn’t over, and the pandemic isn’t over” (Twitter). Disclose.tv: Biden: “The greatest sin anyone can commit is the abuse of power” (Twitter).

American, Russian Conduct Prisoner Swap

Former Marine Trevor Reed in the process of being freed. From the story: Give Joe Biden credit for pulling this off in the middle of a full-blown economic war with Vladimir Putin. Former Marine Trevor Reed’s three-year ordeal in Russia has abruptly ended this morning, freed in exchange for a Russian pilot imprisoned for drug smuggling in the US. As (CNN reporter) Jim Sciutto notes, it demonstrates that diplomatic channels between the US and Russia are still operating (HotAir). ABC: Video released by Russian state TV they say shows former U.S. Marine Trevor Reed being escorted to a plane in Moscow, as he was released in a prisoner exchange. He is set to return home to the United States (ABC).

10.

Leaked Audio From Twitter Call After Musk Takeover

CMO Leslie Berland, speaking of Musk’s desire to ease up on content moderation: “This puts Twitter service and trust and safety as well as anybody who cares about health on the platform in a very difficult position” (Daily Caller). Breitbart: Later in the conversation, Berland questioned Agrawal, stating: “Elon made it clear in public that large part of the reason he bought the platform was because of our moderation policies and disagreements in how we deal with health, something that we place in value very highly within the company.” Agrawal responded that he believes “Twitter’s growth as a service allows for more people to use the product and have a better experience because we are able to make the conversation on Twitter be safe because we are able to eliminate manipulation because we are able to remove spammers. Because we have built tools, processes for people to be able to feel safe and control their experiences.” Agrawal went on to say that Twitter will continue to refine its moderation and content policies in an effort to “improve the product and the health of the public conversation” (Breitbart).

Featured

Dennis Prager | The Dennis Prager Show

Prager on WaPo Motto: “It is not democracy that dies in darkness. It is liberty that dies in darkness.”

Dennis Prager sheds light on the difference between democracy and liberty, and why that difference is important

Dennis Prager: “Democracy dies in darkness” is the motto of The Washington Post. The Washington Post is one of the great purveyors of darkness in our society. You would say it’s ironic. I don’t know if that is the proper adjective, but whether there is irony here or not, it is true. So, if...

Mike Gallagher | The Mike Gallagher Show

Pennsylvania Senate Race: “The voters are going to have to make a very difficult decision about Dr. Oz”

Mike Gallagher sounds the alarm on Dr. Oz’s apparently pro-choice comments on abortion

Mike Gallagher: We’ve got a lot of listeners in Pennsylvania. A lot of people in Philly. Love our friends in Philly. I am deeply concerned about a piece of video that came out regarding Dr. Oz. And I’ve already got Dr. Oz supporters saying, “Back off, Mike. Leave him alone, he’s evolved...

Charlie Kirk | The Charlie Kirk Show

David Sacks on Musk: “What you see is what you get”

Charlie Kirk gets a window into the man and mogul who is shaking up Twitter from someone who knows him well, venture capitalist, David Sacks

Charlie Kirk: I want to ask you just about Elon, the person. I think that’s something that really fascinates our audience to how much you’re able to share. Who would do something like this, right? It’s a very unusual move. Only the world’s richest man could do this. So, David, give us a...

Dinesh D' Souza | The Dinesh D'Souza Podcast

American Oil: “This is something that the Biden administration should be thrilled about”

Dinesh D’Souza is pumped about a recent boost in domestic drilling, even as the Biden administration stays staunchly opposed

Dinesh D’Souza: Oil drilling is picking up steam in Texas. And that is actually very good news for all of us. It actually should be good news for the Biden administration, but they don’t see it that way. In fact, I just saw Biden and he was saying, we kind of have to get away from this kind of...

Sebastian Gorka | America First

Chris Buskirk on Musk’s Motives: “I think that he is a good actor here”

Sebastian Gorka asks American Greatness editor and publisher Chris Buskirk the question of the hour — can Elon Musk be trusted?

Dr. Sebastian Gorka: Where do you stand on the whole Twitter, Elon Musk war? Do you think he’s a good actor? Do you think he can bring changes? Or is this just a cat amongst the pigeons that we watch for entertainment as the blue checkmark commentariat go insane? Chris Buskirk: You know, here’s...

Eric Metaxas | The Eric Metaxas Show

Rudy Giuliani: “I said, if I do one thing as mayor, I’m going to change this place because this could define the whole city”

Eric Metaxas sits down with ‘America’s Mayor’ for a look back on leadership and life in the Big Apple

Eric Metaxas: I am sitting here in the studio right here — I could touch him — with somebody that I have long admired. Even that’s putting it mildly. His name, I think you’re familiar with him, is Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Mayor Giuliani, I hardly know how to begin, so I will fumble my way...

Hugh Hewitt | The Hugh Hewitt Show

John Ellis: “CNN+ is doomed”

Hugh Hewitt and Ed Morrissey talk with columnist John Ellis, who was all too prescient about the demise of CNN+

Hewitt: John Ellis joins us now from Ellis Notes on Substack. Good morning, John. You’re on with Ed Morrissey. How are you? Ellis: I’m good. How are you? Hewitt: I am great. I’m so glad you found us, John. I’ve been telling everyone that Ellis Items is the single best Substack item to get....