Politics
ROOKE: Blue State Should Pay The Price For Breaking America’s Greatest Promise
by Mary Rooke, commentary & analysis writer The First Amendment protects American citizens’ right to free speech, but a recently passed Colorado bill plays into left-wing ideology that violates this promise and more. Under the guise of “anti-discrimination” and adding legal protection for so-called transgender individuals, Colorado lawmakers adopted into law House Bill 25-1312, “Legal Protections for Transgender Individuals,” which may violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments. This bill puts the government and schools in charge of the welfare of children by requiring that the courts consider whether parents committed cardinal sins of transgender ideology like deadnaming or misgendering, which is now considered “coercive control” under the law. It also prevents the court from removing a child from a parent for allowing the child to receive so-called “gender-affirming care services.” These procedures are known to cause irreversible damage to children’s bodies, including removing healthy organs and loss of future fertility. Fines For Free Speech HB 25-1312 also changes the state law to include deadnaming and misgendering as discriminatory acts. This makes using biological pronouns and birth names in a public place a discriminatory practice, which could mean fines starting at $5,000 per violation. It requires teachers to use “chosen” names and pronouns, and that school districts provide clothes and other amenities for these confused children, even if the parents disapprove. Here’s the Colorado perverts responsible for passing HB 25-1312 which makes “misgendering” a form of “discrimination” empowering the state to kidnap your children. Jesus promised millstones would be His response. pic.twitter.com/s1MK4tgSNw — Sean Feucht (@seanfeucht) May 10, 2025 Defending Education, Colorado Parent Advocacy Network, Protect Kids Colorado, Do No Harm, and Dr. Travis Morrell joined to bring a complaint against state officials and others under 42 U.S.C. §1983, claiming HB 25-1312 violates the First and Fourteenth Amendments. (RELATED: Kay Hill On America’s Spiritual Revival & The Battle With Secular Power) “‘If there is any fixed star in our constitutional constellation, it is that no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.’ West Virginia v. Barnette, 319 U.S. 624, 642 (1943). The state cannot place its thumb on the scale to favor one side of a contentious public debate. It certainly cannot stifle viewpoints it doesn’t like simply because it finds those views offensive or disagreeable,” Defending Education said in a statement. As parents sit back and watch the state remove our divine right to raise our children within the bounds of our moral values, it’s hard not to wonder when the higher courts will step in to protect our ability to do that. SCOTUS The U.S. Supreme Court did step in on behalf of children in 2024 when it reversed a lower court ruling that blocked an Idaho law to protect children from irreversible procedures progressives tout as gender-affirming care for minors. Hopefully, it doesn’t come down to SCOTUS to decide whether this law is unconstitutional. It seems like a very straightforward answer. The language of HB 25-1312 is government-compelled speech, and violations of the law result in massive penalties. The lower courts should have no reason to deny the complaint against them. Still, as parents have unfortunately experienced during the rise of transgender ideology in our country, we can’t rely on the judicial system to protect our rights. The left wants you to believe that the government has the right to sever the parent-child relationship by ending the importance of parental authority. It also wants you to believe in a false reality that sex is not immutable by forcing even non-parents to use fake names and pronouns. Their ultimate goal is to get to children. They want them so badly, and you, as their parent, stand in the way. (RELATED: Pastors Must ‘Make It Clear To Our People’ That Anti-Parent Transgender Laws Come From ‘One Political Party’) We have to fix this problem. Not only should this law be struck down as unconstitutional, but any state official who voted for or otherwise signed their name to it should face serious repercussions at the ballot box. We have to end the left’s control of our state and local governments, or these laws will continue to pass. TMM Action Follow Mary Rooke on X: @MaryRooke_ Sign up for Mary Rooke’s weekly newsletter here!
Indian-Born Congressman In A Wig Can’t Name Cities In His District
This op-ed was written by Josh Slocum for WokeSpy. Click here to read in full. The “anything goes” and “you do you” attitude that’s prevailed for the last 15 or so years has brought us all sorts of public behavior that no one wanted. The Human Resources dictum to “bring your whole self to work” has given permission for staff to bring their marital and emotional problems to the office so what used to be private business is now everyone’s concern. Have you noticed how there are also no grooming standards anywhere anymore? If you’re in your late 40s or 50s, you remember a time not long ago when you were expected to comb your hair, tuck in your shirt, and-gasp!-even wear a clean uniform. That’s been replaced by hairy guts hanging out below food-stained T-shirts (men) and literal prostitute-wear (women). People’s faces are full of metal like nose rings and painful lip piercings, and even middle class women are covered with the kinds of tattoos formerly seen only on bikers, prisoners, and psychopaths. This strange behavior goes on in the elite classes, too. Consider ShriThanedar, an immigrant from India who represents Michigan’s 13th district in the House of Representatives. There’s no “nice” way around this: the man looks like a creation from Jim Henson’s Muppet Studios. It’s obvious from his photographs over the years that he’s been heavily reliant on makeup and hairpieces. When you look at his Congressional portrait, you imagine that Thanedar walked into a Baltimore wig emporium and said, “I’ll take the Carol Brady in brunette.” (MORE NEWS: Kay Hill On America’s Spiritual Revival & The Battle With Secular Power) Then there’s the obviously drawn-on (tattooed?) eyebrows. Recently, they’ve taken on the in-vogue square shape, the kind that looks like they were drawn on with a Sharpie. Of course, we’re not supposed to comment on how people look, even when they choose their look specifically to get attention, as Thanedar appears to have done. So let’s examine his political actions. Thanedar has a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome, and recently put up a video announcing his articles of impeachment against President Trump. Take a look and a listen to this weird dude. His odd priorities are not a one-off. Recently a citizen reporter interviewed Thanedar and asked him to specifically name prominent cities in the Congressional district he represents. Thanedar couldn’t do it, begging off by saying “I’m not here to answer a quiz.” Take a look. Shri’s Impeachment Vaudeville Has Been a Big Flop The congressman’s “Impeachment Town Hall” last weekend had only 27 attendees and less excitement than an AA meeting By Charlie LeDuff (@Charlieleduff) Lincoln Park — Congressman Shri Thanedar doesn’t like DOGE. He doesn’t like… pic.twitter.com/G3CeP7wCmK — Michigan Enjoyer (@mich_enjoyer) May 14, 2025 TMM Analysis: Don’t Pick Political Celebrities Surely, we can all agree that Slocum’s writing style is arguably one of the funniest around right now, even if some of us vehemently disagree with his stance on tattoos and piercings? Beneath Slocum’s wit is a very real issue: for too long we’ve normalized making celebrities out of our politicians, to the point that our politicians now look and act more likely stupid celebrities than actual leaders. Every elected official is paid for by you. Every elected official is chosen for their job by you. At no time should a politician refuse to answer a question that relates to their position. It’s just that simple. You need to stop choosing political celebrities over the folks who just want to make America a better place for all of us. Usually, the underdog — the quietest, most under-funded name in the race — is the one who deserves the chance to lead us. As we grow, The Modern Memo will be elevating the most important voices for the social sustainable future of American society. We will elevate good people, great ideas, and stuff our editorial team finds interesting, funny, or valuable to you, dear readers. At the same time, we will never be above calling out wrongdoers, stupid ideas and the things that endanger our survival as a society and species. If you’d like to be more involved, contact us today to learn more.
Gavin Newsom Begs Regulators To Keep Refineries In Biz After California Dems Ran Industry Out Of Town
This article was written by Nick Pope for the Daily Caller News Foundation (April 23, 2025) Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom is asking a state regulator to try to keep oil refineries in business in the state after Democrats spent years targeting the industry with aggressive regulation. Newsom wrote to California Energy Commission (CEC) Vice Chair Siva Gunda on Monday to urge that Gunda and the CEC “redouble” their efforts to keep fuel refiners in the state on the heels of Valero’s announcement that it will be taking at least one of its California refineries offline by April 2026. In the letter, Newsom attempts to characterize the state’s dwindling refining presence as part of a wider national trend, but analysts have warned for years that California’s hostile regulatory environment is what is truly driving the fossil fuel industry’s retreat from the state. “I write to direct you to redouble the State’s efforts to work closely with refiners on short- and long-term planning, including through high-level, immediate engagement, to help ensure that Californians continue to have access to a safe, affordable and reliable supply of transportation fuels, and that refiners continue to see the value in serving the California market, even as demand for fossil fuels continues its gradual decline over the coming decades,” the letter states. “Further, I am directing you, as my Administration’s lead representative on this issue, to reinforce the State’s openness to a collaborative relationship and our firm belief that Californians can be protected from price spikes and refiners can profitably operate in California — a market where demand for gasoline will still exist for years to come.” Valero announced on April 16 that it intends “to idle, restructure, or cease refining operations at Valero’s Benicia Refinery by the end of April 2026.” Patrick De Haan, a gasoline analyst, noted in an April 16 post to X that Valero’s announcement will leave only seven refineries in California by April 2026. For comparison, the state had 20 refineries as of 2000, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. California’s “cap-and-trade” program, as well as its tax environment and push to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars in the state by 2035, are frequently cited as examples of hostile regulation driving refineries out of the state. Meanwhile, Newsom and other California Democrats like Attorney General Rob Bonta have ripped the fossil fuel industry for years, often characterizing it as a malignant force in society or a collusive industry committed to misleading consumers. (MORE NEWS: Mainstream Media Finally Wakes Up To Massive Geological Threat To US) A spokesman for Newsom said that “the Governor’s letter speaks for itself.” California has the highest average per-gallon price of gas at the pump of any state in the country, according to AAA gas price data. Meanwhile, California regulators have proposed to more deeply involve the state in the management of refineries, including the prospect of state-owned refineries. Andy Walz, president of Chevron Americas products, described California as a “tough place to do business” in August 2024 after his company decided to move its headquarters out of the state earlier that year. Walz specifically identified California’s “cap-and-trade” rules and the gas-powered car ban as specific headwinds that helped lead Chevron to its decision to move its center of gravity elsewhere. ‘No Environmental Benefit’ “For well over two decades now, politicians like Governor Newsom have hammered California’s conventional energy producers, both large and small, with excessive taxes, regulations, and threats of profit taking,” Tom Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, previously told the DCNF. “Many companies have already moved out of the state, along with hundreds of thousands of residents as a result of these and other harmful policies … like a cap on profit margins, that hurt consumers by making conventional energy investments uneconomic. These types of policies have outsourced jobs to other states and increased California’s reliance on oil and electricity imports — all with little or no environmental benefit.” (MORE FROM CALIFORNIA: Complicit? California Democrats Send Another Child Sex Trafficking Bill Into Oblivion – LGBTQ Concerns Raised) In the letter, Newsom pointed to the recent closure of the LyondellBasell refinery in Houston and the Trump administration’s trade policies to support his argument that refinery closures are part of a broader national trend. When LyondellBasell announced that the refinery would close in January, the company said that it is getting out of the refining business altogether and focusing instead on low-carbon energy. Analysis from The Modern Memo Have you ever heard the phrase: “play stupid games, win stupid prizes.” We exist in an oil-based economy. Our entire civilization is built on oil and gas. The existence of our renewable energies industry is exclusively dependent on oil and gas, because we can’t make and transport things like solar panels and wind turbines without oil and gas. Unfortunately, the world is far too divided for any type of zero-point energy, like that created by Nikola Tesla, to be viable for any macro roll-out. We therefore need a means of balancing our energy needs with our economy and natural environment. Part of that balance starts with electing people who don’t push stupid legislation that can upend our stability as a nation. Instead of short-term, click-bait bills and legislation designed for the limited time elected officials have between reelection campaigns, we need leaders who focus on long-term solutions to all of the major societal issues we’re facing today. That’s why The Modern Memo is a huge supporter of Million Voices, and their work in breaking down the barriers between you and your elected officials. Million Voices has engaged well over 150 million American voters with non-partisan Candidate Fact Sheets, and helped more than 650,000 low-propensity voters pledge to vote. Outside of major election years, Million Voices helps you contact your reps in ways they can’t ignore you. Did you know that if just eight to 10 people write letters to their elected officials about the same issue, that politician has to take action? If they don’t, that politician is ignoring a crisis — and we won’t let them get away with it. You can tell your lawmakers to stop doing stupid stuff today….
Complicit? California Democrats Send Another Child Sex Trafficking Bill Into Oblivion – LGBTQ Concerns Raised
This article was written by Martin Tribe for WokeSpy. The Democrat-dominated California legislature is reluctant to pass a bill to protect children under 18 years from sex trafficking. Introduced by Sacramento Democrat Assemblywoman Maggy Krell, Assembly Bill 379 (AB 379) aims to protect children under 18 years from sex solicitation and child trafficking. “I want to solve two problems with this bill: One, we have to create more resources for victims like Julie and the thousands of other victims who are being trafficked,” the Assemblywoman explained. “And two: we have to crack down on the men who are buying them for sex. That’s what Assembly Bill 379 does. “It creates a law that allows law enforcement to intervene, when men are out on the prowl trying to buy victims for sex. It also makes it chargeable as a felony when those victims are under 18 years old.” Democrats ‘Neutered’ The Bill In 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 1414 into law, making it a felony to solicit sex from children under the age of 16. However, soliciting or purchasing sex from 16- and 17-year-old children was a wobbler, allowing prosecutors to charge it as a misdemeanor or felony. (MORE FROM WokeSpy: Another Trump Victory: Walmart Announces Buy “American-Made” Initiative) Introduced by Bakersfield Republican state Senator Shannon Grove and Assemblywoman Krell, SB 1414 aimed to make it a felony to solicit sex from all children under the age of 18. According to Krell, banning solicitation across the board would help to protect children from sex trafficking, which hinges on the ability to purchase sex from minors without serious consequences. Nonetheless, California Democrats neutered the bill, capping the age at 15 years and below for felony charges to apply. Additionally, they attempted to kill it by sending it to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Use Your Voice for Change Today with Million Voices We shouldn’t have to fight for the right to protect children. Your voice is a powerful tool for making a meaningful difference in your community, state, and nation. Use Your Voice bridges the gap between you and your representatives, amplifying your concerns and advocating for the change you want to see.
Joe Pags Launches ‘Unshaken And Unafraid’ With Salem Media Group; WATCH The Epic Premiere Episode
Nationally syndicated radio talk show host Joe Pags launched his new podcast “Unshaken and Unafraid” Monday with an epic first episode, exclusively developed by Salem Media Group. Friend of The Modern Memo, Joe Pags, launched the first episode of his new podcast with one of the most intense interviews you’ll hear about what’s really going on in the Middle East, and why it matters to every single American here at home and abroad. Pags is joined by CIA targeter Sarah Adams, one of the most knowledgeable individuals on the heightened threat of Islamic fundamentalists to Western civilization, and they get right to the meat of it. “I think the belief is that the terrorists just want us out of their land overseas, but that’s only one step. They want that, and then they want to end our civilization and then take over our lands. And I think the last piece really gets forgotten and then people get confused when you [say] that they’re targeting the homeland,” Adams explains early in the conversation. https://t.co/E1oTU7ocml — Joe Pags Pagliarulo (@JoeTalkShow) May 5, 2025 As these collective terror groups gain control of Iran, Afghanistan, Syria, and likely Somalia in the coming months, Adams describes their behavior as “baby steps” in a “grander” plan. (RELATED: ‘Will Be Punished’: Consequences Arrive Early For Canadian Voters After Doubling Down On Wokeism) At the center of the threat are the sons of Osama bin Laden. While the late senior terrorist was absolutely fine waiting potentially hundreds of years for his global Islamic caliphate to be realized, his offspring want to see it come to fruition in their lifetimes. Imminent Threat? The magnitude of the Islamic terror threat appears to have been shielded from the general American public under the mass-propaganda machine of mainstream news media, which Pags pointed out so eloquently as having pushed the false narrative that cities like Fallujah are like “Charlotte, North Carolina.” (RELATED: Guys, We May Have Found The Most Addictive New Outdoors Show On YouTube) The U.S. has never seen the type of terrorist that exists in cities like Fallujah, Adams continues, noting that law enforcement in the U.S. needs adequate training to deal with their tactics, especially as so many known terrorists walked over President Joe Biden’s open border in the last four years. Watch / Listen To ‘Unshaken & Unafraid’ You can subscribe to Joe Pags on YouTube by clicking here. The Modern Memo will be bringing you as many of Pags’ episodes as humanly possible, but please follow and subscribe to him across all of the following platforms. Check out Joe Pags on X: always the hottest takes and the news you need Joe Pags Official Website Rumble — Joe Pags Screenshot/X/RealLegendAFG Use Your Voice: Defund The Taliban H.R. 260 – No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act was introduced on April 9, 2025 by Tennessee Republican Rep. Tim Burchett. We encourage you to read this act in full. We cannot believe we have to ask you this, but please consider contacting your local, state, and federally elected officials to let them know how you feel about our tax dollars funding the Taliban. Learn More About Using Your Voice with Million Voices:
Democrat Teasing Possible Run For Office Thinks Fourth Time May Be The Charm
by Hudson Crozier for the Daily Caller News Foundation A thrice-failed Democratic political candidate is considering taking on a Republican Senate seat in a consistently right-leaning state if voters want him to. Former Texas Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke said at a town hall in Denton, Texas, on Saturday that he would be open to launching a new Senate campaign for the 2026 midterm elections. Republican Sen. John Cornyn is running to hold onto his Senate seat against state Attorney General Ken Paxton, while no Democrats have entered the race so far. “If it comes to pass that this is what the people of Texas want, that it’s the highest and best use of what I can give to you, then yes, I will,” O’Rourke said when asked about a potential Senate run. “We’ll see what the future holds, but I’m going to do whatever is the greatest good for the greatest number in this state,” O’Rourke later told local news outlet WFAA. He said he is focused on running the liberal PAC Powered By People he founded in 2019. O’Rourke served as a House member from Texas between 2013 and 2019. The former representative ran unsuccessfully for Senate in 2018, dropped out of a presidential race in 2019 and lost a race for Texas governor in 2022 but took to the stage to stoke enthusiasm for the Democratic Party. He lost the 2018 election to Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas by 2.6 percentage points and the 2022 election to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott by 11. O’Rourke did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation. (MORE NEWS: Tracy Beanz Reveals MAHA’s Mission & What Comes Next In Fascinating Interview) The former candidate also spent the town hall criticizing President Donald Trump, specifically accusing him of persecuting transgender people in response to a question from a trans-identifying town hall attendee. “The way that these tinpot dictators, these wannabe tyrants, these authoritarians work is they try to pick the most vulnerable among us, the people that they hope you do not want to be associated with,” O’Rourke said. He then pivoted to Trump should respect “the rule of law” and “due process” before deporting alleged gang members to El Salvador prisons. “What you do to the least of us unchecked will happen to the rest of us pretty soon,” O’Rourke said. O’Rourke brought the transgender attendee up on stage and declared support, saying, “We’re going to stand with one another” as the crowd gave a standing ovation. Get News. Take Action. You’re probably already thinking of a million ways to take action with this story. We suggest signing up to Million Voices for three simple reasons: If Beto does run, they will create a comprehensive Voter Guide so you know exactly what platform he is running on You can join national campaigns for advocacy, often leading to major cultural shifts on other issues you care about Make the world a more Biblical place
Trump’s First 100 Days: Gangs, Primetime Collapse, And More ‘Underreported Stories’
“Underreported Stories” host Chrissy Clark sat down in April with Semafor White House correspondent Shelby Talcott to discuss the myriad things that have happened during President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office — this is one you’re not going to want to miss! “It has been a lot,” Talcott told Clark of her job during Trump’s second term in office thus far. “There’s been a lot of lack of sleep. But it’s been a lot of fun and I think we came into this, or at least I came into this, knowing that this was going to be the pace in which the Trump administration was doing things because they told us during the transition.” Talcott smiled as she told her story, noting that officials told journalists before the start of Trump’s second term that there would be no slowing down. “They want to overwhelm the system,” Talcott added. 2-Year-Old Deported? In their first story for the episode, Clark and Talcott discussed how the Trump administration was recently criticized for technically deporting a 2-year-old child and her mother who is an illegal immigrant. The child will be welcomed back to the U.S. whenever she chooses as she is legal to do so. (MORE NEWS: Navy SEAL Dissects Ukraine Negotiations Strategy In Must-Watch Chrissy Clark Interview) Despite immigration being a generally good issue for Trump, Clark noted that this particular case isn’t a good look for the administration. “It’s just such a tough situation and there’s a lot of ‘He said; She said,’” Talcott added. Clark also shared a social media post about the story where she went into more detail. We highly recommend you watch the whole thing! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chrissy Clark (@thechrissyclark) Find More From Chrissy Clark Follow Chrissy Clark on social media and a whole heap of other platforms … Check out Chrissy’s YouTube Follow her on Instagram Read and watch more on X
Wisconsin Could Control America If Voters Stay Home In April 2025
Wisconsin voters have the potential to decide the fate of all Americans in April, a situation finally getting some of the attention it deserves (but probably not enough). Voters in Wisconsin will head to the polls on April 1 to decide the ideological balance of the state’s Supreme Court, which could have a direct impact on every future presidential election. The “highly consequential” race will further dictate the future of issues such as life, religious freedom, as well as election integrity, and more. The current balance in Wisconsin’s Supreme Court is a 4-3 liberal majority after Justice Janet Protasiewicz won in 2023. Justice Ann Walsh Bradley is officially retiring her position, allowing for either an even balance or a significant liberal majority to dictate the future of Wisconsin’s legislation, according to Breitbart. “It’s probably going to be just as competitive as the last couple of presidential and gubernatorial elections and Senate elections here,” said former Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker, according to NBC News. Though the race is supposed to be nonpartisan, Walked noted the situation is promised to “reach a level that much more like what you see in partisan elections.” Who Are The Candidates? Left-wing billionaires like George Soros, Silicon Valley’s Reid Hoffman, and more, are pouring millions into Dane County Circuit Court judge Susan Crawford. “I believe people in Wisconsin deserve to feel safe as they go about their lives…My top priority in making decisions is always to make our communities safer,” said Crawford of her policies, according to Ballotpedia. Other liberal judges have also endorsed Crawford’s campaign. The Milwaukee Police Association officially endorsed Waukesha County Circuit court judge Brad Schimel’s campaign. He says he’s running to “restore confidence in the people of Wisconsin that the justice system will be fair and impartial…I will be honest about my principles, but will never prejudge a case.” Support is rolling into both campaigns, including $1 million from a group with ties to technology billionaire Elon Musk, according to Politico. Why This Matters To People Outside Of Wisconsin “Wisconsin is the only state that was one of the closest three margins in the last three Presidential elections. It was critical in deciding who became president each of the last three elections. The margins have been by less than 30,000 with over 3,000,000 votes cast,” Million Voices’ John Graves explains. “The four liberal justices overruled the three conservative justices after the liberal took over the court in 2023, and reversed the ruling on drop boxes and other critical election integrity rulings. That’s why it’s the most important state right now, and that’s why this election is so important.” The Wisconsin election isn’t just about what happens for state residents. The issues that matter most to you ultimately, as they trickle upwards from the local level, end up in the hands of those who run this nation. Wisconsin basically chooses the president every four years. Do you want policies related to noncitizen voting, ballot drop boxes, and more, to be part of Wisconsin’s electoral system? It is essential to tell your friends, family, pastor, anyone you know who may have ties to Wisconsin, to get out and vote in April. We’ll be bringing you the latest updates on the races, so be sure to share them with your kin. Read more from Million Voices and get your Wisconsin Voter Guide! Explore more from The Modern Memo.
EXCLUSIVE: State Law Could Cut Food Costs With Overhaul Of Farming, Agricultural Industry
This article was originally published by Million Voices. North Carolina Republican State Rep. Neal Jackson introduced House Bill 62 on Wednesday (Feb. 19), which aims to protect farmers from financial discrimination based on their use of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices. ESG probably isn’t the first thing you think of when you’re looking at the cost of food in today’s America. In recent weeks, we asked our partners and newsletter subscribers to start sending us comments on the key issues impacting their day-to-day lives. Cost-of-living and the price of food and fuel was by far the most notable issue. Did you know that ESG — essentially “pro-climate” policies — are one of the main reasons many people believe we have “rising prices and smother[ed] innovation,” according to the HB 62’s sponsors, the Carolina Journal noted. “I am proud to sponsor HB 62 the Farmers Protection Act. This bill is a step in the right direction for North Carolina. Rather than using ESG ratings that have proven to be disastrous on the international stage, banks in our state should return to evaluating loans based on financial indicators. North Carolina’s agriculture industry is vital to our state’s success, and we cannot allow misguided policies to hold back our farmers,” Jackson told Million Voices. What Does The Bill Include? “It is unlawful for any bank to deny or cancel service to any agriculture producer based, in whole or in part, upon the agriculture producer’s greenhouse gas emissions, use of fossil-fuel derived fertilizer, or use of fossil fuel-powered machinery,” the bill states. “If a bank has made any ESG commitment related to agriculture, there is a rebuttable presumption that the bank’s denial or restriction of service to an agriculture producer violates this section. A bank may overcome this rebuttable presumption, by demonstrating through clear and convincing evidence, that its denial or restriction of a service was based solely on documented financial considerations rather than an ESG commitment.” If passed, it will be interesting to see how this bill shapes up to Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s focus on ending chronic illness — also at the source: our food and the chemicals we use to grow and distribute it around the country. Then again, as many of the world’s major academic and scientific institutions have been “captured” by corporate interests, it could be that the science on the environment and our climate will also change rapidly throughout the Trump administration’s time in office. “When applied to agriculture, ESG principles drive restrictive policies and financial practices that penalize farmers for operating in ways that have sustained the sector for generations,” Center for Food policy analyst Kelly Lester said of the legislation. “These include requirements to reduce emissions, adopt renewable energy, and avoid certain farming practices deemed environmentally harmful. The real-world application of these goals burdens farmers with excessive costs and compliance requirements, often with little respect for the unique challenges of agriculture.” “Agriculture is one of the most crucial industries to the North Carolina economy,” Jackson said of the bill, per CJ. “Unfortunately, farmers in our state have encountered challenges obtaining financing by some of the larger lending institutions who have determined that farming does not align with their organization’s carbon or social goals. The Farmers Protection Act ensures that there is no discrimination against NC farmers based upon a radical ESG philosophy.” Does Your State Support Its Agricultural Community? Unlike money, a huge amount of our food actually does grow on trees — and roams in fields, flourishes in our soils, and soars above us in our skies — and America has all the land it needs to produce all the food we need. But each state and its unique environment requires local knowledge to get the best out of God’s green Earth. “Europe provides a cautionary tale for ESG agricultural policies,” said John Locke Foundation’s Brooke Medina, according to CJ. “Aggressive climate policies in the Netherlands have driven many farmers to the brink of bankruptcy, with the possibly disastrous consequences of food shortages and economic collapse. This should serve as a warning for US policymakers, that ESG regulations could lead to the same dire outcomes.” Explore more of The Modern Memo by clicking here.
Greed, Ambition, and the Fight for Women’s Sports: A Turning Point or Just a Temporary Win?
by Rebekah Howell On Wednesday (Feb. 5) surrounded by dozens of women and girls with smiling faces, President Trump signed an Executive Order in furtherance of two objectives: 1) prohibiting the use of federal funds for educational programs that treat women and girls unfairly and threaten their privacy; and 2) opposing biological men from competing in women’s sports. It was a remarkable, joyous occasion and it is an incredible Executive Order, but it is one that never should have had to be signed. So, how did we get to this place? “She gave everything she had, but then the league forced her to share a spot on the podium with a male swimmer who took her trophy while the media celebrated this stolen glory.” Trump recognizes @Riley_Gaines_‘s contributions at the signing of the executive order protecting… pic.twitter.com/o8lBMWvU9Q — The Daily Signal (@DailySignal) February 5, 2025 Some believe the Radical Left is solely to blame. Others argue it was the feminists in the 1970s, the ones who championed “reproductive freedom” and equal outcome as opposed to equal opportunity. Then there are those who say it is the LGBTQ activists who have dedicated their lives to promoting moral relativism. Each of these answers holds merit, but they all share a common thread—greed and an insatiable desire for more. The Radical Left wants more power. The feminists want more money, more “freedom”, and more accolades. The LGBTQ activists want more validation, hoping to justify a lifestyle that has left them broken, unfulfilled, and angry. And transgender athletes like Lia Thomas and CeCé Telfer want more medals. When I was growing up, culture declared that this search for more was admirable. It was ambitious, and ambition is a good thing. “Dream bigger,” they said. “You can do or have anything you want.” But overtime ambition turned into something else entirely. The principles of hard work and perseverance to achieve success gradually gave way to a mindset of cutting corners and cheating one’s way to the top. .@Riley_Gaines_ reacts outside the White House to Donald Trump’s EO banning men from women’s sports: “What we saw today is in total contrast to the treatment that we as women have received for the past four years…I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.” pic.twitter.com/f858BpDUAE — Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) February 5, 2025 And, for the last several years, cultural and political leaders defended this shift. Why? Greed. They wanted more power and more influence. To get that, they needed more people to follow them and vote for them. Did they really believe then that it was a good idea for biological men to compete against women? Do they still genuinely believe that now? It doesn’t matter. They too—in their futile search for more—subscribed to the same mindset of cutting corners to get to the top. They were more than willing to sacrifice objective truth due to their greed. 1 Timothy 6:9-10 says: “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” The truth is that greed does lead to more—more greed and more discontentment. Or, as Timothy says, more ruin, destruction, and pangs. (POPULAR POST: ‘Separation Of Church And State Is So Stupid’: National Radio Host Joe Pags Goes Off) Thankfully, this Executive Order serves as a barrier to some of those driven by greed. Women and girls are now free to pursue their ambitions and receive the recognition they rightfully earned through their achievements. Is this merely a one-time exception, or does it signal a seismic shift in mindset? That depends on us. If we stay engaged and continue to stand for truth, this could mark a new era in America. If we grow complacent, however, this moment will fade into history as an anomaly rather than a turning point. So, will you speak boldly, act courageously, and remain steadfast in your convictions to ensure this is the foundation for radical transformation, and not just a fleeting victory?