As wildfires rage across Los Angeles, which some say is the worst they’ve seen, looters have been emboldened, taking full advantage of the out-of-control region to plunder homes and businesses that have burned down. With LA police officers and private security guards pushed to the brink, the criminal element in the city is running rampant, showing just how fragile the fabric of society has become in this once-thriving metropolis. Unfortunately, the frightening sight of entire neighborhoods overtaken by wildfires has quickly turned southern California, including the Pacific Palisades, into an unrecognizable hellscape.

Los Angeles city leaders called in the National Guard to help control the havoc wreaked by the fires as looting and possible civil unrest loom in the distance. LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman warned residents of looters and vowed to hold them accountable. Looters have reportedly tried taking advantage of the increasingly fragile environment, which is said to have cost the city $150 million in damage and economic loss.

“While the community rallies to support one another, we are also aware of the individuals who are targeting vulnerable victims to preying on this misfortune, seeking to exploit the vulnerability of those who have already endured so much,” Hochman said. “Let it be clearly known that those who seek to illegally profit from the pain and suffering of others—whether through looting, fraud, theft, burglary, or any other form of criminal activity—will not go unpunished.”

Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) echoed similar warnings, saying that looting would not be tolerated.

However, some of California’s most prominent former residents accuse Newsom of “personally ruining” the state.

Why Are Our Campuses Seething with Antisemitism?

Short answer: That’s the way radical professors want it.

Jan 8, 2025

John M. Ellis

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The scale of support on college campuses for militant antisemitism and even for Hamas barbarism has alarmed most Americans, but there’s something else here that ought to trouble us, too: a startling ignorance of the most basic facts of Middle Eastern history. These are college students being educated on renowned campuses—yet they know virtually nothing about the matter they are protesting.

How can that be?

Let’s begin by asking what a serious education about the conflict in the Middle East would look like. At a minimum, we would expect students to have a basic grasp of the case made by each of the two sides. They should be able to evaluate both sets of claims, but that would require knowledge of the major historical events that each side appeals to when justifying its position.

Professors are withholding anything that might interfere with their radical ideology, which means keeping students ignorant.FacebookTwitterEmailPrintShareA grasp of both sides is education; exposure to only one is propaganda.

Unfortunately, propaganda regarding Israel is now routine on our campuses. College teachers are withholding from their students anything that might interfere with their radical ideology, which really means keeping their students ignorant of what they’re supposed to be teaching.

Consider a few examples of the huge gap between the slogans that students have been taught to chant and the facts of Middle Eastern history.

A constant refrain of the students is that Israelis are “settler colonialists,” that is, people without any intrinsic connection to the area. But Hebrew and Arabic are closely related languages that both originated in roughly the same area. Hebrew probably arose in what is now Israel, Arabic in what is now Syria. Of the two, Hebrew actually has a much longer recorded history in the area. Despite periods of forced exile, Hebrew speakers have had a verifiable presence there for more than 3,000 years, over 1,000 years longer than Arabic.

One professor among many who repeat the nonsensical “settler colonialist” line is Columbia University’s Joseph Massad. After the October 7 attacks on unarmed citizens in Israel, he expressed his approval, saying that Hamas’s attacks were justified as resistance to “settler colonialism.”

Furthermore, the union that represents the entire professoriate of the City University of New York recently issued a statement that repeated this charge.

Next, undergraduates are ignorant of the status of the area in dispute. “Palestine will be free,” chant the students. But there never was a nation state called “Palestine.” The area was part of the huge Ottoman empire for four centuries, and, when that empire collapsed following the First World War, territory including what is now Jordan, Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, containing both Arabs and Jews, was placed under temporary British stewardship as the “Palestine Mandate.” Eighty percent of that territory was soon given to the Arabs to form what is now known as Jordan, and the rest was later divided by the United Nations between Arabs and Jews.

“Palestine will be free” suggests that Israelis invaded and occupied a country called Palestine, where only Arabs had lived—rather like what Germans did to France in the Second World War. None of this is true, but that did not stop Professor Marc Lamont Hill from demanding a “free Palestine from the river to the sea” in a speech he gave at the United Nations. The students evidently don’t know enough to understand that what they think of as a call for justice is actually cheer-leading for murderous tribal aggression. The real meaning of the slogan is: “no compromise—we want everything.”

One historical fact immediately disposes of several of the student chants: It is that Israel has always been on a wartime footing since its founding in 1948. It has been invaded several times and has repelled the invaders, and when fighting stopped the defeated invaders always vowed to continue it at some later date. The students call Gaza an “open-air prison,” because Gazans are denied freedom of movement across their border into Israel. But when did any country ever allow free movement throughout its territory to people who are in a permanent state of war with it?

How could students not know that the people they champion want nothing to do with their humane values?FacebookTwitterEmailPrintShareSadly, very few students have been taught the history of this conflict.

The charge that Israel is an “apartheid state” similarly ignores Israel’s permanent wartime footing. Arab Israelis enjoy virtually full civil rights, but Israel is wary of Arabs serving in its military. They can volunteer but are not required to serve as Jews are. But how could Israel not be wary given the permanent state of war with its Arab neighbors? What is even more absurd about the “apartheid” accusation is that the Arabs who live in Israel have more civil rights than they do anywhere in the Arab world. And it’s beyond question that Arabs in Israel are better treated than are Jews in the Arab world.

Do the students who make their chant know anything about the state of human rights in Israel or the Arab countries? Their professors eagerly brand Israel as a terrible human-rights violator without saying anything about the high degree of tolerance and respect for difference that exist in Israel.

Perhaps the most foolish of all the student chants are those that criticize Israel’s conduct of the war as genocide, as well as slaughter of innocent civilians. How could students not know that the people they are championing want nothing to do with the humane values that they invoke here?

On the contrary, they are enthusiastically in favor of genocide and the murder of civilians. They routinely launch rockets at civilian areas of Israel and have been doing so for years. They make no secret of the fact that they want to annihilate all Jews. Do the students even understand what genocide means? The October 7 attack on Israeli civilians was only a more successful version of what Hamas and Hezbollah have long been trying unsuccessfully to do with their rockets.

Israel’s enemies don’t have their formidable defenses, and so Israelis could easily kill large numbers of “innocent civilians” if they wanted to—but they don’t. They are children of the European Enlightenment, which their adversaries are not. So why do the students parrot Enlightenment values on behalf of people who have complete contempt for them?

Why are college students, of all people, so ignorant of simple historical facts that make nonsense of their slogans?

Short answer: That’s the way their radical teachers want them. The point of higher education has always been to turn out students who were better informed, more thoughtful, and with a more humane outlook than they would have been without it. But higher education now produces students who are more narrow-minded, more ill-informed, and more foolish than they would otherwise have been—and that’s true about much more than Israel.

For radical professors it’s more important to create angry zealots for a poorly understood cause than to produce educated people.

John M. Ellis is a distinguished professor emeritus at the University of California-Santa Cruz, chair of the California Association of Scholars, and the author of several books, including, most recently, A Short History of Relations Between Peoples: How the World Began to Move Beyond Tribalism.

With less than two weeks remaining before his triumphant return to the Oval Office, Trump is already making big moves, including declaring that the Gulf of Mexico will be renamed the Gulf of America. What other new names does he have up his sleeve?

The Babylon Bee has obtained the following list of other things Trump plans to rename:

1. All USB ports in the country will be renamed “USA Ports”: Only patriotic connections for electronic devices from now on.
2. The Statue of Liberty will now be “Lady Melania”: The only proper name for the biggest, most beautiful woman in the world.
3. French Fries will now be known as “Florida fries”: All restaurants must comply or face the consequences.
4. South America will now be known as “Worse Mexico”: There’s only room for one America in this world. The right one.
5. New Mexico will be required to call itself “West Texas”: No part of the United States should ever be called Mexico.
6. Greenland will now be called “AmericaLand”: So much better.
7. Georgia will be required to rename itself South South Carolina: That’s for 2020, Georgia.
8. The first country that agrees to rename itself “Trumpistan” gets free NATO membership: Any nation should see the value in this.
9. China will now be spelled “Chy-na” on all world maps: We all say it that way anyway.
10. Tex-Mex cuisine will now be simply “Tex-Tex”: Nachos are American now, folks. It’s not even January 20th yet, and America can’t stop winning. Have your ideas for new names Trump should consider? List them below in the comments.

“Recently President Biden and some Democrat-controlled states have taken what they claim are decisive steps to combat climate change. But in the end, it was all nonsense, hypocrisy, and wasteful spending — with taxpayers picking up the tab. The Biden administration put the final touches on a new regulation that will ban most types of domestic water heaters that use natural gas.  Under the new regulations, approximately 40% of the tankless water heaters in production today would be banned by the year 2029 and replaced with less efficient models. The Department of Energy claims that the new regulations will reduce carbon dioxide emissions. However, natural gas is one of the cleanest fossil fuels in existence, and the regulation will increase consumer costs. Although the new rule was made on Dec. 26, it was done quietly, with no press release to accompany it as is standard. It wasn’t until The Washington Free Beacon reported on it Jan. 3 that it became public. Consumer are penalized in the end, affecting low-income households the most. “It’s one more example of an appliance regulation that raises costs and reduces choices,” Ben Lieberman, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute (CEI), told the Washington Free Beacon. “It bans an entire category of tankless water heaters and the ones that are most affordable.” But the administration wasn’t finished. On Monday the president banned offshore drilling of oil and gas in most federal waters.  This was just the latest of more than 200 actions Biden has taken to limit the oil and gas industry, according to Ron Ness, president of the North Dakota Petroleum Council. “As American consumers we should all be very concerned, they take massive areas just off limits, taking those decisions out of states,” said Ness. And as government hampers the ability to extract gas and oil, it becomes more expensive, with the consumer paying the price. Meanwhile, Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., announced that she’ll be assessing energy companies that legally sell gas, oil, and coal to the public $75 billion over the next 25 years under a new climate law. The fines will allegedly pay for the “damage” they create to the environment. Of course they will. But for the energy companies to remain in business, they’ll have to pass those fines along to the consumer. And as always, low income households will take the biggest hit. Hypocritically, Gov. Hochul turned out to be one of the largest individual consumers of fossil fuels, as she has spent $415,000 on private jets. But then again, she didn’t pay for that. It was paid by her campaign committee from public donations. A local pilot experienced in private aviation said, “It’s very wasteful, especially for an elected official. There is no reason why any elected official in New York should be taking a private jet. Nearly everywhere in New York or upstate has a [commercial] airport that will take you anywhere in the country. “New York is one of the most well-connected places on the planet.” Moving to the Midwest, last week the Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced plans to lease 420 acres of state forest in the northern part of the lower peninsula. The land would be leased to a solar energy provider, who would clear all 420 acres and replace the trees with a solar farm to meet a state climate goal of 100% clean energy by 2040. The announcement raised the hackles of Republican state lawmakers. “Mind-numbing decisions like this are absolute proof that the DNR is completely rotten to its core,” state Rep. Ken Borton, R-Gaylord, said in a statement joined by Rep. Mike Hoadley, R-AuGres, and State Sen. Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton. “This deforestation will destroy habitats and effectively kill wildlife,” Borton added. “Let me make that clear: the DNR is choosing to kill wildlife so they can build solar panels.” In addition, trees are nature’s own air cleaners. They take in carbon dioxide and replace it with pure oxygen. The Heritage Foundation announced late last month just how much the White House energy policy has hurt U.S. taxpayers. “The Harris-Biden administration energy rules and regulations have cost U.S. taxpayers $1.37 trillion since Biden and Harris took office, and all for no impact on the climate,” Heritage reported. “Vice President Harris’ policies are dangerously liberal.” Unfortunately, reversing the policies of the last four years isn’t going to be as easy as signing an executive order. And ultimately, extreme energy programs — whether state or federal — only hurt the people that government claims to serve. Michael Dorstewitz is a retired lawyer and has been a frequent contributor to Newsmax. He is also a former U.S. Merchant Marine officer and a Second Amendment supporter. Read Michael Dorstewitz’s Reports — More Here.” https://www.newsmax.com/michaeldorstewitz/gas-heaters-petroleum/2025/01/08/id/1194285/#:~:text=Recently%20President%20Biden,most%20federal%20waters.

Donald Trump wants success to be his revenge. He says his policies of deregulation, tax cuts, restoring America’s border and military might, and rolling back government bureaucracy will foster happiness and growth. I understand where he’s coming from. But of all people, Trump must understand that some people don’t want happiness and growth. They want destruction. They hate their fellow man, and many hate themselves. They won’t welcome success and prosperity.

Their response to success and prosperity last time around, in Trump’s first term? COVID fascism: The most widespread instance of temporary mass insanity in all of human history. They did it to get rid of Trump. They literally shut down the world for nearly two years. Nothing so bizarre has ever happened on planet Earth. It wasn’t just the media and Deep State. Millions of Democrat voters, leftist types — gullible, self-righteous sheep — followed and applauded it all. Do you think any of them have learned, grown or changed?

The next few years will be mighty revealing.

Follow Dr. Hurd on Facebook. Search under “Michael Hurd” (Charleston SC). Get up-to-the-minute postings, recommended articles and links, and engage in back-and-forth discussion with Dr. Hurd on topics of interest. Also follow Dr. Hurd on X at @MichaelJHurd1, drmichaelhurd on Instagram, @DrHurd on TruthSocial. Dr. Hurd is also now a Newsmax Insider!

Imagine an entire civilization that is taken over by an emotional parasite called suicidal empathy that trumps every other instinct that is within your adaptive repertoire. You are willing to sacrifice everything at the Altar of Suicidal Empathy. Nothing is more important than appearing kind, compassionate, and empathetic especially to those hellbent on eradicating you.

— @GadSaad, X

Leftism is the fusion of mental illness and moral depravity.

“Investigators Seek Clues to New Orleans Attacker’s Path to Radicalization,” says a headline.

Radical Muslim terrorist who hates America, himself, his fellow man and human liberty — or a radical Democrat who hates America, himself, his fellow man and human liberty. Is there any real difference?

“With the Biden ‘Open Border’s Policy’ I said, many times during Rallies, and elsewhere, that Radical Islamic Terrorism, and other forms of violent crime, will become so bad in America that it will become hard to even imagine or believe. That time has come, only worse than ever imagined. Joe Biden is the WORST PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA, A COMPLETE AND TOTAL DISASTER. What he and his group of Election Interfering ‘thugs’ have done to our Country will not soon be forgotten!”

— President-elect Donald Trump, on Truth Social

Follow Dr. Hurd on Facebook. Search under “Michael Hurd” (Charleston SC). Get up-to-the-minute postings, recommended articles and links, and engage in back-and-forth discussion with Dr. Hurd on topics of interest. Also follow Dr. Hurd on X at @MichaelJHurd1, drmichaelhurd on Instagram, @DrHurd on TruthSocial. Dr. Hurd is also now a Newsmax Insider!

Editor’s Note: Some of the ideas expressed in this essay are not shared by the website owner.

In the comic strip “Peanuts,” Lucy van Pelt referred to the beginning of the new year as “post-Christmas letdown,” when you mourn for the gifts you wanted but didn’t get. Interestingly, it’s also around this time when I get questions from parents asking me if they’re spoiling their kids. Though post-Christmas letdown can be real for some, it also makes perfect sense to shower your child with attention and affection.

The problem doesn’t stem from too much love or too many presents. It lies in not allowing the child to experience the consequences of his actions and choices. Let’s say your daughter carelessly breaks an expensive gift. Do you immediately replace it, or do you let her experience the disappointment and frustration that goes along with doing a dumb thing? This is where a lot of parents go wrong; they shield the kids from the consequences of not-so-smart decisions.

A great way to understand human nature is to read biographies. It’s remarkable how many successful people had rotten childhoods. Do children who are emotionally neglected therefore accomplish more in life? Of course not. Plenty of kids raised in loving homes turn out just fine. It boils down to whether kids are permitted to experience the consequences of their choices.

The unpleasant side effects of not giving children consequences often manifest themselves in the teenage years. Child psychologist Gregory Ramey, Ph.D. identifies nine classic characteristics of a spoiled teenager:

1. Rarely shows appreciation or says, “Thank you.”
2. Doesn’t seem satisfied with whatever she gets.
3. Asks for things and gets upset if he doesn’t immediately get them.
4. Doesn’t have any family responsibilities.
5. Frequently complains about being treated unfairly.
6. Rarely offers to help someone else.
7. Expects others to accommodate her wants.
8. Rarely compromises or shares with others.
9. Has a “what’s-in-it-for-me” attitude.

In one case study, Ramey details how he sent a spoiled teenager away from his office and proceeded to work with the parents. They had given the teen pretty much everything he wanted, and he developed a sense of entitlement. They were puzzled when he would act up when he didn’t get the latest computer game, phone or whatever. The answer was simple: They taught him that he could cajole, whine, beg and threaten his way to get whatever he wanted.

When this comes up in my office, my first reaction is, “What are you doing to encourage this behavior?” If a child is acting entitled, then we must have done something to encourage that attitude. It might feel like we’re victims because we’re getting the opposite of what we intended (“I work hard to give him everything he wants, and all I get in return is ingratitude!”), but good intentions don’t always lead to good results. The parents helped create this situation, and only they can reverse it.

People (not just teenagers) who feel entitled are not just obnoxious or selfish. In fact, they’re quite sad. They aren’t prepared for a world where nobody’s going to provide for them simply because they demand it. In today’s entitled society, more and more young people are returning home in their late 20s or 30s. They weren’t prepared for reality, so they limp back to mom and dad with a sense of failure masquerading as arrogance and anger.

It’s a loving thing to shower your child with affection. But it’s also a loving thing to allow him to feel the consequences of his choices. It’s OK for her to fall on her face, but give her the chance to get up on her own, and applaud her when she does. Life and love are about helping, but just as often they’re about self-reliance and leaving people alone to fend for themselves. Let someone you love stand on his or her own, and you’ll transform their sad sense of entitlement into real-world independence.

Michael J. Hurd