'Kansas doesn't have a brand': People sound off after Democratic NYC Mayor Eric Adams says that 'New York has a brand,' but Kansas does not



New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a Democrat, claimed on Tuesday that "New York has a brand," but that Kansas does not.

"We have a brand. New York has a brand," Adams said, claiming, "Kansas doesn't have a brand." He said that New York's "brand means diversity. That brand means we care. That brand means that we are compassionate."

Mayor Eric Adams Briefs Media on Trip to Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic youtu.be

The mayor's remarks were met with backlash by some on social media.

Kansas attorney general Derek Schmidt, a Republican who is currently running for governor, tweeted, "Mayor who? Kansas isn't New York and we sure as heck don't want to be. I'll stay focused here in God's Country on making life more affordable and keeping communities safe, neither of which can be said about New York."

\u201cMayor who? Kansas isn't New York and we sure as heck don't want to be. I'll stay focused here in God's Country on making life more affordable and keeping communities safe, neither of which can be said about New York.\u201d
— Derek Schmidt (@Derek Schmidt) 1664301871

Former Federal Communications Commission chair Ajit Pai tweeted, "Part of the Kansas brand is being nice and charitable toward people from other states who guffaw at how backward or inferior they think Kansas is—even when, most likely, none of them have actually spent meaningful time in the Sunflower State."

Radio host Buck Sexton tweeted, "I saw two shirtless homeless men throwing trash cans at each other last week at 10am in Times Square, and had a maniac threaten a family member with a stick this past weekend- while she was pushing a stroller. So yes, NYC has a brand."

"I lived in Kansas for a number of years. 'Brand' is overrated. Safe streets, good neighborhoods, and politicians more concerned with substance than brand are what make Kansas special," tweeted Jason Whitlock, host of BlazeTV's "Fearless with Jason Whitlock."

"Kansas has KS wheat, Jayhawk basketball, KS beef, and the Wizard of Oz. What's New York Mayor Adams' brand? Violence, murder, homelessness, and high taxes? I'll take Kansas any day," GOP Sen. Roger Marshall of Kansas tweeted.

"I'm choosing Kansas over New York City 100 times out of 100. See, I've never stepped over human feces in Kansas the way I have in NYC," Blaze Media's Keith Malinak tweeted. "Wait....Is human fecal matter on the sidewalks of your city your brand, @ericadamsfornyc?"

While many Americans have been disturbed by the "Drag Queen Story Hour" phenomenon that involves drag queens reading stories to children, Mayor Adams has previously expressed support for the practice of holding events with drag queens at schools and libraries.

"Drag storytellers, and the libraries and schools that support them, are advancing a love of diversity, personal expression, and literacy that is core to what our city embraces," a tweet posted earlier this year on the @NYCMayor Twitter account read. "At a time when our LGBTQ+ communities are under increased attack across this country, we must use our education system to educate. The goal is not only for our children to be academically smart, but also emotionally intelligent," another tweet stated.

\u201cAt a time when our LGBTQ+ communities are under increased attack across this country, we must use our education system to educate. The goal is not only for our children to be academically smart, but also emotionally intelligent.\u201d
— Mayor Eric Adams (@Mayor Eric Adams) 1655422119

Conservative Disney employees detail bullying and intimidation from left-wing colleagues



Conservative employees at Disney say that the company's activism on behalf of left-wing causes and the "increasingly aggressive" demands of progressive employees have "fostered an environment of fear," in which people with different opinions have become isolated and even been bullied for their views.

In an open letter published Monday and first reported by the Daily Wire, an anonymous employees of the Walt Disney Company warned that by embracing a "political agenda," the company is creating an exclusive workplace and will alienate customers who do not agree with the left. The employees also said that Disney has "come to be an increasingly uncomfortable place to work for those of us whose political and religious views are not explicitly progressive."

The letter came after left-leaning former and current employees demanded that Disney do more to oppose Florida's "Parental Rights in Education" bill, which has been mischaracterized as "Don't Say Gay" legislation. The controversial measure will ban discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade and restrict that subject matter to "age-appropriate" materials at higher grade levels. The legislature passed the bill, and Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign it into law.

Initially, Disney did not take a position on the Florida bill. But after left-wing employees and outside groups pressured the company, CEO Bob Chapek apologized for not being a "stronger ally in the fight for equal rights." Disney has since announced several measures to support LGBTQ+ groups and is reviewing its political donations in Florida, but the left says this is not enough.

Progressive Disney employees are demanding that the company permanently cut off donations to lawmakers who supported the parental rights bill. Additionally, they want the company to stop relocating employees to the state and halt construction and investment there until the bill is defeated, or repealed if it becomes law. Employees are staging a walkout Tuesday in protest of Disney's perceived inaction.

Disney released the following statement in response to plans for the walkout:

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products is committed to creating experiences that support family values for every family, and will not stand for discrimination in any form. We oppose any legislation that infringes on basic human rights, and stand in solidarity and support our LGBTQIA+ cast, crew, guests and fans who make their voices heard today and every day.
Statement from \u2066@WaltDisneyWorld\u2069 in regards to today\u2019s planned employee walkout \u2066@WPTV\u2069pic.twitter.com/aAQSTLbiOx
— Derek Lowe WPTV (@Derek Lowe WPTV) 1647955690

But conservative employees said in their letter that Disney does not give them the same "solidarity and support" their left-leaning colleagues expect and demand. "We watch quietly as our beliefs come under attack from our own employer, and we frequently see those who share our opinions condemned as villains by our own leadership," the conservatives said.

"The company’s evolving response to the so-called 'Don’t Say Gay' legislation in Florida has left many of us wondering what place we have in a company actively promoting a political agenda so far removed from our own. TWDC leadership frequently communicates its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where cast members feel comfortable sharing their perspectives and being their authentic selves at work. That is not our workplace experience," the letter said.

Progressives at Disney are "convinced that no one in the company could possibly disagree with them," the letter stated. The conservatives said that they are called "bigots" and that their colleagues "openly advocate for the punishment of employees who disagree with them." Disney's effort to promote "diversity and inclusion" within the company "doesn’t seem to have much room for religious or political conservatives." While progressives are "free to promote their agenda and organize on company time using company resources," the conservatives said they "keep our heads down and do our work without bringing our personal beliefs into the workplace."

"Employees who want TWDC to make left-wing political statements are encouraged, while those of us who want the company to remain neutral can say so only in a whisper out of fear of professional retaliation," the letter stated. "The company we love seems to think we don’t exist or don’t belong here. This politicization of our corporate culture is damaging morale and causing many of us to feel our days with TWDC might be numbered."

The letter asked Disney to correct course by staying politically neutral. Calling products like "Hamilton" and "The Mandalorian" unifying, the conservatives said that the "unique brand of family entertainment that Disney is known for is an objective good in this dark world."

"Disney is far more important and impactful to the world by avoiding politics than it will ever be by embracing a political agenda. By focusing on entertainment that inspires us with stories of universal appeal, we are doing good in the world," the letter stated.

"Disney shouldn’t be a vehicle for one demographic’s political activism. It’s so much bigger and more important than that. More than ever, the world needs things that we can unite around. That’s the most valuable role The Walt Disney Company could play in the world at this time. It’s a role we’ve played for nearly a century, and it would be a shame to throw all of that away in the face of left-wing political pressure. Please don’t let Disney become just another thing we divide over."

MSNBC host takes a dig at Bob Dole just hours after the late senator's death — and gets taken to the woodshed



MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan took a dig at former Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) just hours after Dole passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 98.

Dole — a decorated World War II veteran as well as former Republican presidential candidate and Senate majority leader — was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in February.

At the time, he said, "While I certainly have some hurdles ahead, I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own."

What are the details?

Hasan on Sunday criticized the New York Times' reporting on Dole's death, which highlighted his selfless and brave military and public service.

He shared the Times' tweet about Dole's death, which said, "Breaking News: Bob Dole is dead at 98. He overcame grievous war wounds to become Senate majority leader, spending decades on the national stage."

Hasan captioned the tweet with a dig of his own, "Bob Dole, who endorsed and voted for Trump twice, and called himself a 'Trumper' as recently as July, has passed away."

Bob Dole, who endorsed and voted for Trump twice, and called himself a 'Trumper' as recently as July, has passed away.https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1467538241918230531\u00a0\u2026
— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1638727111

What was the response?

Former Democratic congressional candidate Christopher Hale wrote, "Bob Dole fought and was paralyzed in World War II so television pundits could trash him freely after his recently deceased body was still warm."

Bob Dole fought and was paralyzed in World War II so television pundits could trash him freely after his recently deceased body was still warm.https://twitter.com/mehdirhasan/status/1467553988409237515\u00a0\u2026
— Christopher Hale (@Christopher Hale) 1638732237

Radio host Tony Katz added, "He was also a hero who served his country proudly in WWII. But what does that matter, right?

He was also a hero who served his country proudly in WWII. But what does that matter, right?https://twitter.com/mehdirhasan/status/1467553988409237515\u00a0\u2026
— Tony Katz (@Tony Katz) 1638735738

Steven Brookstein, vocalist and former "X-Factor" winner, chimed in, "Mehdi Hasan. Zero class."

Mehdi Hasan. Zero class.https://twitter.com/mehdirhasan/status/1467553988409237515\u00a0\u2026
— Steve Brookstein (@Steve Brookstein) 1638736765

Podcaster and columnist Derek Hunter added, "Bob Dole contributed more [to] the cause of freedom, to this country, and the world than @mehdirhasan, of any of the goon squad over at MSNBC could ever hope to in 50 lifetimes."

Bob Dole contributed more the cause of freedom, to this country, and the world than @mehdirhasan, of any of the goon squad over at MSNBC could ever hope to in 50 lifetimes.pic.twitter.com/QePesu06kK
— Derek Hunter (@Derek Hunter) 1638734594

Hasan later seemed to complain about the hate he was receiving for his remarks, and in a follow-up tweet, he wrote, "Trump supporters & rightwingers seem to think it is somehow a disrespectful attack by me on the late Bob Dole to point out he was a Trump supporter. That's kind of a revealing self-own. Btw here's their hero Trump after another Republican war veteran died."

His tweet accompanied a New York Times report titled "Trump Renews Attacks on John McCain, Months After Senator's Death."

Trump supporters & rightwingers seem to think it is somehow a disrespectful attack by me on the late Bob Dole to point out he was a Trump supporter. That\u2019s kind of a revealing self own.\nBtw here\u2019s their hero Trump after another Republican war veteran died:https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/17/us/politics/trump-mccain-twitter.amp.html?referringSource=articleShare\u00a0\u2026
— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1638733400

'A war hero and among the greatest of the Greatest Generation'

In a statement on his passing, Dole's family said, "Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep. At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years."

On Dole's passing, President Joe Biden said, "Bob was an American statesman like few in our history. A war hero and among the greatest of the Greatest Generation. And to me, he was also a friend whom I could look to for trusted guidance, or a humorous line at just the right moment to settle frayed nerves."

What has Hasan said in the past?

Hasan in 2019 came under fire for comparing non-Muslim people to animals, which eventually prompted an apology.

Hasan, 42, said that in his twenties, he said things that he ended up regretting.

In his 2019 apology, Hasan said, "Like a lot of journos (humans?) I’ve said things years ago that I now deeply regret. Chief among them for me is, more than a decade ago, in my 20s, when I wasn’t a public figure, I gave a bunch of speeches to students on Islam/extremism. And I said dumb offensive ranty stuff."

“Speaking without notes, & trying to be bombastic, I made stupid sweeping remarks about non-Muslims, especially atheists," he qualified. "I cringe now when I rehear/reread those remarks. I made stupid offensive analogies to animals. Argh. I’m embarrassed to have to write about all this again. But I don’t want to defend/explain today. I just want to say, I’m sorry.”

The offending remarks included comparing non-Muslims and atheists to "cattle" and more.

In resurfaced recordings, Hasan was captured delivering what appeared to be a sermon on Islamic law in which he said, "All of these ulama unanimously agree that at the very minimum if Yazid was not a Kaffir — then at the very minimum he was a fasiq, a transgressor, a breaker of Islamic laws, a corrupt individual, a tyrant, a killer a drunkard, a dog lover, a music lover, a homosexual, a pedophile, a sexual deviant, someone who slept with his own mother."

“In this respect the Koran describes the atheist as cattle," he added. "As cattle of those who grow the crops and do not stop and wonder about this world."

The Bias & Cowardice Of Chauvin Jurors on FULL Display | Louder With Crowder

The Bias & Cowardice Of Chauvin Jurors on FULL Display | Louder With Crowder

Third-degree murder charge dropped, other charges upheld against Derek Chauvin

Hennepin County Judge Peter A. Cahill dropped the charges at the request of the defense while refusing to drop the other charges against the former officer.