(RightWing.org) – The clash between states’ rights and federal rights is nothing new. In the wake of President Joe Biden’s disastrous immigration and border security policies, border states like Texas are taking the initiative and taking steps to secure the boundary between the US and Mexico. However, as happens all too frequently, Liberals are taking an extremist approach to the situation and equating recent actions by Texas lawmakers and the state’s Republican governor, Greg Abbott, and comparing them to the actions of seditionists who want to start a civil war.
Conservative political commentator Glenn Beck recently decided to school them on Texans and their true motivation.
Glenn Beck Reality Checks Liberals About Texans
On January 22, the US Supreme Court issued an unsigned order allowing federal Border Patrol Agents to cut, remove, or move razor wire installed along a stretch of the border between Texas and Mexico by the Texas National Guard. The ruling didn’t instruct local officials or the National Guard to do or not do anything. The order only applied to the US Border Patrol.
A couple of days later, Abbott issued a statement extolling the state’s right to defend and protect its citizens. He also accused Biden of violating his oath to execute the duties of his office faithfully and to “preserve, protect, and defend” the US Constitution.
And that’s where Glenn Beck comes into play.
On January 31, Beck published an article on his website, The Blaze, explaining that Texans don’t want a civil war. Nope! All they really want is to get their “constitution back.”
Yes, the Texas National Guard continues stringing razor wire along key portals of entry into the country used by illegal migrants. Yes, the Republican governors of several states have dispatched their guardsmen to Texas to help the state defend its southern border. AND NO, that doesn’t mean anyone wants to secede from the union or start a second clash between the North and the South, conservative states and liberals, citizens concerned with border security, and the White House.
Beck reminded his readers that a “house divided against itself” is doomed to fall. Texans understand that. The nation’s Founders empowered the states to have the tools to fight against unlawful immigration.
Continuing, Beck noted that the US is currently “under an invasion” and the Biden administration isn’t “fulfilling its duty” to defend the Texas border. As a result, Abbott’s decision to empower the Texas National Guard to secure the border “was clearly constitutional.” End of story.
Thankfully, the US Constitution empowers Americans to defend themselves when “the federal government fails to do so.” As Beck explained, “The Founders foresaw” that situation.
Protecting the border from an invading hoard isn’t an effort to start a civil war. It’s Texas taking the initiative to take over where the federal government stepped off and take care of border security.
China is ramping up its aggression to a terrifying new level.
They’re taking advantage of weak leadership in Washington, D.C.
And the FBI issued a dire warning about China that exposed this massive failure by Joe Biden.
President Joe Biden is the weakest Commander-in-Chief since Jimmy Carter occupied the Oval Office and America’s enemies are ready to pounce.
FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Congress that the nation is being threatened by a massive hacking and cyber warfare operation by China.
He testified at a hearing of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party about the growing danger posed by Chinese hackers.
Critical civilian infrastructure is being targeted by China and the country is completely unprepared to counter the threat.
He said that Chinese hackers are preparing to “wreak havoc and cause real-world harm to American citizens and communities.”
“There has been far too little public focus on the fact that PRC [People’s Republic of China] hackers are targeting our critical infrastructure—our water treatment plants, our electrical grid, our oil and natural gas pipelines, our transportation systems—and the risk that poses to every American requires our attention now,” Wray said.
Wray added that the Chinese hacking program is now larger than every other major country combined.
And the FBI is woefully unprepared to counter it.
“In fact, if each one of the FBI’s cyber agents and intelligence analysts focused exclusively on the China threat, China’s hackers would still outnumber FBI cyber personnel by at least 50 to 1,” Wray explained.
The damage is already being done by Chinese hackers in America according to Wray.
“Today, and literally every day, they’re actively attacking our economic security—engaging in wholesale theft of our innovation and our personal and corporate data,” Wray said. “The PRC cyber threat is made vastly more dangerous by the way they knit cyber into a whole-of-government campaign against us. They recruit human sources to target our businesses, using insiders to steal the same kinds of innovation and data their hackers are targeting while also engaging in corporate deception—hiding Beijing’s hand in transactions, joint ventures, and investments—to do the same.”
China began stepping up its aggression globally after Biden took office.
The communist nation increased military activities near Taiwan and in disputed territories claimed by American allies in the South China Sea.
Andersen Air Force Base in Guam has been targeted by Chinese hackers and aggressive actions by the Chinese military in response to what the communist government claims is collusion between the U.S. and Taiwan.
Former President Donald Trump took a hard line against China but that all changed during the Biden administration.
The threat from China is growing more complex and the country is woefully unprepared with Joe Biden occupying the White House.
The controversy over Harvard in recent months has underscored how much the nation’s most prestigious school has become “woke.” The once internationally respected university has now become a breeding ground for far-left progressive views.
It’s gotten so bad, the former president couldn’t even condemn openly anti-Semitic views. The school was even prepared to protect her, even as accusations of plagiarism mounted.18
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Claudine Gay was forced to resign, after facing accusations that she’s stolen from other authors. It was an embarrassing moment that should force the school to reevaluate its values. Instead, they did this.
From Daily Wire: The Harvard Divinity School’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging hosted a “Gathering to Breathe and Heal” event on Thursday to help students grieve the resignation of disgraced former President Claudine Gay…
The event was intended to give participants the opportunity to “gather to breathe and to heal.”
A school once revered for academic rigor and achievement has hosted a “Gathering to Breathe and Heal” over their president’s ousting. The event is apparently meant to help people “heal,” as if Gay’s leaving the school brought emotional suffering to the students.
Gay was exposed for stealing the content of other writers. In some cases, she took nearly entire pages of writing for her works, without attributing the other author. Plagiarism is a serious offense in the academic community. But only after intense pressure from outside the school, did Gay resign.
It does not appear that this event was about confronting the wrongdoing of the former president. Instead, it appears students were “mourning” her loss while refusing to acknowledge that she committed plagiarism.
This event will no doubt be compared to the “safe spaces” that have become common in American colleges and universities. Progressives have turned schools of higher learning into what appear to be expensive daycare centers. Instead of challenging and educating students, they are placating them like children.
News of this event might also further harm the school’s reputation among Americans. Harvard has been repeatedly criticized in recent years over race-based admissions processes and exorbitant tuitions—while sitting on billions.
Key Takeaways:
Harvard hosted an event to “breathe and heal” over Claudine Gay’s ouster.
The president was forced to resign after failing to condemn anti-Semitism and being accused of plagiarism.
The school has been criticized for embracing far-left “woke” ideology.
Monster storm bears down on California: The danger zones, the forecast, the warnings
RONG-GONG LIN II
Long Beach Marine Bureau workers Scott Larson, left, and Ryan Coppenger prepare sandbags Saturday in advance of expected heavy rainfall. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
California girded Sunday for a "potentially historic" storm that put much of the state on high alert, with officials expecting life-threatening damage and issuing evacuation orders or warnings in parts of Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Monterey counties.
"This storm is predicted to be one of the largest and most significant in our county's history, and our goal is to get through it without any fatalities or any serious injuries," Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said at a briefing Saturday.
This storm could surpass the effects of a powerful storm that hit Jan. 9, 2023, said David Neels, the Montecito fire chief. That event forced the mass evacuation of Montecito, flooded Santa Barbara and left U.S. 101 covered with mud, forcing its closure. It caused more than $80 million in damage to Santa Barbara County, Brown said.
"Our slopes are saturated once again," Neels said, adding that geologists are warning about the potential for landslides from this storm. "The likelihood of sediment mobilization is real."
Brown said 6 to 12 inches of rain is expected for Santa Barbara County's mountains. "But more concerning is the projected duration and sustained amount of rain that we can expect this weekend," he said.
"Unlike the rain that caused [last year's Jan. 9] debris flow, for example, the intensity of this storm's rain is not expected to exceed an inch or an inch and a quarter per hour. It's just that the rainfall will be far more sustained, over a more or less continuous period for 24 hours or more," Brown said. "We're anticipating the possibility of flooding of streets and neighborhoods and of our highways and freeways."
Los Angeles issued an evacuation warning for about 50 homes and businesses along a section of La Tuna Canyon Road in Sun Valley on Saturday just before midnight, around where McDonald Creek drains into La Tuna Canyon. The county Department of Public Works warned that heavy rain would bring significant flooding and mudflows to the area.
The regional rain forecast for Sunday. (National Weather Service )
The National Weather Service said there was a "high risk for flash flooding," a designation used only a few times a year anywhere nationwide, meteorologist Ariel Cohen said at the briefing.
"About half of flood-related deaths occur in high-risk areas. This includes all of the Santa Barbara area, all the way to Los Angeles. This is a particularly dangerous situation," Cohen said. "I can't stress enough the importance that everyone be at a very high state of readiness. Take those precautions to save your life from the upcoming floodwaters that will affect the Santa Barbara area."
The National Weather Service issued an extraordinarily rare "hurricane force wind warning" overnight just off the Central California coast, stretching from the Monterey Peninsula, past Big Sur, to the northern edge of San Luis Obispo County. There hasn't been a hurricane force wind warning issued off the California coast for at least decades, the weather service said.
A tornado or two are possible in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as in Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties.
The storm was hitting the San Francisco Bay Area and the Central Valley earlier Sunday, but the most significant rainfall totals are expected in Southern California and on the Central Coast, National Weather Service meteorologist Eric Schoening said at a separate briefing Saturday.
Los Angeles County, as well as Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, were designated as having the highest weather risk level — extreme, colored in purple, the worst on a five-level scale. Forecasters said there was a 40%-to-70% chance of life-threatening and damaging flooding in those areas.
Heavy snowfall is expected for the mountains, Schoening said, and gusts are expected to down trees and power lines.
"These next storms are going to be impactful and dangerous, and most of the damaging impacts most likely to our coastal and southern regions in the state," said Nancy Ward, director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, at the briefing. Storms are "the most dangerous natural disasters that we have — killing more people ... than wildfires every year."
Ward urged that people avoid nonessential travel during the storm's peak.
"Don't walk, swim or drive through flooded waters," Ward said. "Six inches of water can down an adult in that water. Twelve inches of water can sweep away your vehicle."
Five rivers in California are anticipated to hit the flood stage: the Ventura River in Ventura County, the San Diego River in San Diego County, the Guadalupe River in Santa Clara County, the Carmel River in Monterey County and the Russian River in Mendocino County, said Karla Nemeth, director of the California Department of Water Resources.
There are also 16 river systems that could hit flood monitor stage. In the Central Valley, reservoirs were already starting to drain stored water downstream to make way for incoming floodwaters, Nemeth said.
The powerful storm is arriving through an atmospheric river, a long plume of water vapor that pours into California from the Pacific Ocean. It carries so much water that it's likened to a river in the sky.
Here's a more detailed look at the forecast by region.
Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties
Risk level: Extreme (worst level on a five-point scale).
Peak timing of storm: Sunday through Monday. Very heavy rain is forecast in L.A. County between Sunday evening into Monday morning; in Ventura County, between midday Sunday through Sunday night; and in Santa Barbara County, between Sunday morning and Sunday night.
In a briefing, meteorologist Robbie Munroe called incoming system a "potentially historic storm."
"It looks like ... the worst rainfall and wind really is in that Sunday-to-maybe-Sunday-night time frame. But following that very heavy rain and very wet conditions, any additional rainfall Monday, Tuesday and even beyond really exacerbate things,” Munroe said.
On Sunday, there's a "high risk" — at least a 70% chance — of excessive rainfall leading to rapid onset flooding in large portions of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and a "moderate risk" — at least 40% chance — of that in a wide swath of northern and western Los Angeles County and coastal San Luis Obispo County.
On Monday, there's a "moderate" risk of excessive rainfall in eastern and southern L.A. County.
The regional rain forecast for Monday. (National Weather Service)
Rainfall forecasts: Astonishing amounts of rain were forecast across urban L.A. County through Tuesday, including about 4 inches in Long Beach, Redondo Beach and Oxnard; about 5 inches in downtown Los Angeles and Pomona; and 6 inches in Northridge, Santa Clarita and Santa Barbara.
"Especially with the recent rains, we can expect widespread flooding issues in and around the L.A. area," Munroe said.
In the Santa Barbara County mountains, Big Pine Mountain could get nearly 10 inches of rain.
Thunderstorms: There's a chance Sunday, Monday and even Tuesday.
Peak rainfall rates: It's possible in some areas, especially south-facing foothills, that 2 to 3 inches of rain could fall within three hours. If that happens, that "could be a huge problem," Munroe said.
Peak winds: Peak wind gusts could hit 40 mph to 60 mph across the region, with gusts of up to 90 mph in the mountains. Officials said to expect delays at airports. Peak winds for L.A. County are expected Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.
Snow: Avalanche potential exists at an elevation of 7,000 feet above sea level, and there's a heavy snow risk at elevations above 6,000 feet. "Residents might need to be prepared to be stranded for several days," Munroe said. There could be traffic issues along the Grapevine section of Interstate 5.
Coast: Expect flooded beach areas and coastal erosion and dangerous surf. Residents who live in flood-prone areas should move their cars out of low-lying areas, Munroe said.
Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties
Risk level: Moderate to minor on Sunday; major to moderate on Monday.
Peak timing: Sunday afternoon through Monday, with moderate rain Tuesday.
Rainfall forecasts: Orange County, as well as the cities of Ontario and San Bernardino, could get up to 5 inches of rain; Riverside could get up to 4 inches; and San Diego up to 3 inches. "Any heavy rainfall that does occur, we will be seeing flash flooding again," National Weather Service meteorologist Adam Roser said in a video briefing.
Snow: Heavy snow could cause power outages and make traffic difficult in the mountains. Heavy snow could occur down to an elevation of 5,500 feet by Tuesday; areas near 6,000 feet are likely to see 6 inches or more; and nearly one foot of snow is expected between 6,000 to 7,000 feet. There may be areas that get 2 to 3 feet of snow at elevations over 8,000 feet.
Winds: Strong winds could be powerful enough to blow down tree limbs and make driving difficult for high-profile vehicles. In the San Bernardino Mountains into the high desert, there could be gusty winds in excess of 50 mph, and even up to 70 mph, Roser said.
Greater San Francisco Bay Area
Risk level: Extreme in Monterey and San Benito counties on Sunday; major to moderate in the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Cruz County
Peak timing: Early Sunday into Sunday evening.
Winds: Gusts of above 60 mph are possible; with gusts of more than 75 mph possible in the Santa Lucia Range above Big Sur.
San Francisco International Airport was also expected to be affected by strong winds.
"Loose or unsecured objects may be blown away," the weather service said in an email. "Strong winds may produce difficult driving for high-profile vehicles."
Thunderstorms: There increased thunderstorm risk in the South Bay and Central Coast areas. Tornadoes are possible.
Impacts: Downed trees and landslides are possible, including along the River fire burn scar in Monterey County. "People living unhoused along the Guadalupe River will be ordered to evacuate," San Jose officials said.
Central Valley and Sierra Nevada
Risk level: Major to moderate.
Peak timing: Sunday and Monday. Moderate to heavy rain is forecast for the Sierra Nevada, the Sierra foothills and the Kern County desert. The winter storm "could easily be the strongest of the season," the weather service office in Reno said.
Impacts: Flash flooding and landslides are possible, and travel will be difficult. "Gusts of up to 80 mph are conceivable along the Grapevine" section of Interstate 5, the weather service said. "Avoid large trucks and tractor trailers, slow down, and hold on to the steering wheel with both hands."
As for the Sierra Nevada, "we still have high confidence in major snow impacts and whiteout conditions," wrote weather service meteorologist Brian Brong. Forecasters warned of "near impossible mountain travel" Sunday into early Monday.
An avalanche watch was issued by the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center.
Areas of concern
Ventura County
The sheriff on Saturday issued issued evacuation orders and warnings. Residents of Matilija Canyon and Camino Cielo in unincorporated Ojai were ordered to vacate from 5 p.m. Saturday to at least 5 p.m. Sunday; others were warned that they may have to do so. The sheriff’s office also told residents of La Conchita to prepare for the possibility of landslides or debris flows. The hillsides above the community have received nearly 4 inches of rain over the last two weeks and may see an additional 3 to 5 inches over the next five days, the sheriff’s office said.
A shelter will operate at Ventura College gymnasium at 4667 Telegraph Rd. starting Sunday morning.
Santa Barbara County
Officials are urging residents to stay away from rivers, creeks, flood-prone, low-lying areas and wildfire burn scars, which can turn into dangerous mud and debris flows during heavy rains. Beaches, bluffs and harbor areas may see coastal flooding and erosion, and residents and visitors are advised to stay away.
Evacuation orders were issued for properties along waterways associated with the Thomas, Cave and Alisal burn areas and, in the city of Santa Barbara, those in the vicinity of Sycamore Creek, from Stanwood Drive to parts of Ninos Drive.
Los Angeles County
Officials are keeping a close eye on the Palos Verdes peninsula, which saw devastating land movement last summer and a mudslide Thursday, as well as Long Beach and areas along the San Gabriel Mountains, according to Emily Montanez, associate director with the L.A. County Office of Emergency Management.
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