Michigan town defunds 'groomer' library over its insistence to include graphic LGBT content in young adult section



After a protracted battle over its LGBT content, residents of Jamestown Township, Michigan, voted no (62.5% to 37.5%) on August 2 to a 10-year millage renewal and increase for the Patmos Library. (A millage rate is the tax rate used to determine local property taxes.)

Bridge Michigan has reported that 84% of the library’s $245,000 annual budget derives from the now rejected millage, which means, according to library board president Larry Walton, Patmos will likely run out of funds in early 2023, despite the library having $325,000 in reserve. It will also mean residents won't have their property taxes raised by $24.

Walton accused those who voted to defund the library over its LGBT content of being “short sighted.”

Nathan Triplett, president of the ACLU of Michigan, lauded Walton and his team for "refus[ing] to give in" to the demands of residents of a county that voted for Donald Trump over Joe Biden by a 20-point margin.

\u201ccc: Jamestown Township, Michigan.\n\nIt's a credit to the staff and board leadership of the Patmos Library that they have steadfastly refused to give in to demand that they purge their collection of LGBTQ materials. We need more of that courage and resolve today.\u201d
— Nathan Triplett \u2696\ufe0f\ud83d\ude8c \ud83c\udfd5\ud83e\udd7e (@Nathan Triplett \u2696\ufe0f\ud83d\ude8c \ud83c\udfd5\ud83e\udd7e) 1659632703

Another Twitter user suggested Walton had held the library hostage over LGBT pornography.

\u201cI guess the Patmos Library board director, Larry Walton, is willing to hold the entire library hostage from the community over Gender Queer, a book that visually depicts minors in pornographic ways. Okay.\u201d
— Fiacrescrone, live from \ud83e\udd21\ud83c\udf0e (@Fiacrescrone, live from \ud83e\udd21\ud83c\udf0e) 1659569957

Executive director of the Michigan Library Association, Debbie Mikula, told Bridge Michigan that among the 40 public library millage rates that were voted on across the state on Tuesday, most passed. Patmos Library, she suggested, was exceptional given its "cultural issues."

In the weeks leading up to the vote, concern was expressed over the content on display and in circulation at Patmos Library.

In one instance, some parents reportedly took issue with the inclusion of Maia Kobabe's "Gender Queer: A Memoir" in the library's collection. Kobabe's comic book contains illustrations of sex acts, including one encounter involving a sex toy, and has been touted as "a tool" to help others understand pronoun use and the meaning of "nonbinary." When asked to remove the book from circulation, the library board instead set it behind the counter.

The board kept 59 other books with LGBT themes — including "Spinning" and "Kiss Number 8" — on the shelves (some in the young adult section) despite similar backlash.

\u201c"Vote NO on Library"\u201d
— Jason Scott (@Jason Scott) 1659583566

Kelly Jensen, writing for Book Riot, blamed "conservative propaganda" for painting Patmos Library "as an institution with groomers." She highlighted the efforts of a small group named the Jamestown Conservatives, which has a private Facebook page with 146 members, created on May 24. Jensen assigned them the victory: "Jamestown Conservatives, a right-wing group ... is responsible for helping defund their public library."

Jensen also warned fellow liberals: "We will continue to see groups like Jamestown Conservatives across the country get onto public library and school boards to make decisions on the curriculum and materials all students have access to."

Jamestown Township resident Sarah Johnson told Bridge Michigan after voting against the millage renewal: "We're all for the library. I use it. We want to make a statement that we want some say in the books."

Two workers rescued after falling into chocolate vat at Pennsylvania Mars Wrigley factory



Two people were rescued after they fell into a vat of chocolate at the Mars M&M factory in Pennsylvania Thursday, officials said.

More than two dozen emergency first responders were sent to the chocolate factory in Elizabethtown, Pa., after two employees became trapped in a chocolate tank, LancasterOnline reported. First responders from the Elizabethtown Fire Department arrived shortly after 2 p.m. and had to cut a hole in the side of the tank to free the employees.

The factory is owned by Mars Wrigley, the manufacturer of several popular confections including M&Ms, Snickers, Twix, and many more.

Lancaster County 911 Dispatch told the outlet that the two individuals were "not floating around" in the chocolate tank and that rescuers had difficulty getting them out.

According to a report from PennLive, the employees fell into the chocolate tank at around 1:51 p.m. They were not injured, but they could not get out on their own, officials said.

The chocolate vat was reported to be about waist-high. It is unclear how they managed to fall into the tank.

\u201cJust arrived on scene here at Mars M&M Chocolates in Elizabethtown after 2 employees have fallen into a tank filled with chocolate. Stay with @CBS21NEWS for the latest\u201d
— Nathan Yerges (@Nathan Yerges) 1654800724

CNN reported that the two employees were transported to a nearby hospital after they were rescued.

"One patient was transported by ground and one person was transported by helicopter," a 911 dispatcher said.

A spokesperson for Mars Wrigley gave the following statement to WPMT-TV: "We can confirm both people have been taken offsite for further evaluation. We’re extremely grateful for the quick work of the first responders."

The incident spawned a number of jokes on social media comparing the accident to a scene from Roald Dahl's famous book, "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," where one of the characters, Augustus Gloop, falls into the factory's chocolate river after gluttonously drinking chocolate.

"Two M&M/Mars employees have been rescued from a vat of chocolate," one Twitter user wrote. "Reports say that rescue efforts were hampered by Oompa Loompas who kept getting in the way as they sang moral lessons."

Others joked that drowning in a vat of chocolate wouldn't be so bad.

"If this happens to me, don’t rescue me. This is how I’d wanna go," BlazeTV host Steve Deace tweeted.

\u201cIf this happens to me, don\u2019t rescue me. This is how I\u2019d wanna go.\u201d
— Steve Deace (@Steve Deace) 1654858064

Hundreds cheer on launch of 'People's Convoy' from the Mojave Desert in California on its way to Washington, DC



Hundreds of people lined up along the highway at a city in the Mojave Desert of California to cheer on the launch of the "People's Convoy" of trucks and other vehicles on their way to protest in Washington, D.C.

Videos on social media showed hundreds of supporters bringing supplies to help kick off the convoy from Adelanto, a small city in San Bernardino County. Many waved pro-Trump flags, anti-Biden flags, and even some Canadian flags in reference to the trucker blockade in Ottawa.

The convoy is scheduled to arrive in Washington, D.C., on March 5, when President Joe Biden will be giving his State of the Union address to Congress.

Organizers said the truckers are protesting against mask mandates, vaccine mandates, and high gas prices. They are also demanding that the government end the emergency declaration first begun under the Trump administration.

“To the truck drivers around the world: Now is your time to stand up. Now is your time to usher in a renaissance time of freedom,” said organizer Brian Brase at the rally. “Do not bow down.”

Trucks taking off from Adelanto Stadium in California, heading out onto U.S. Route 395 as they begin a cross-country convoy towards Washington DCpic.twitter.com/AXqx62Gann
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@Brendan Gutenschwager) 1645650468

The website for the group said they had already collected close to half a million dollars in donations.

“Funds will be used to reimburse fuel and hard costs of the trucker, and the fund is being handled by volunteer accountants and overseen by a law firm,” the website said.

The Los Angeles Times reported that hundreds of cars joined the convoy but that the number of actual big rigs counted less than 40.

Several hundred people have gathered at Adelanto Stadium in the California Mojave Desert as a convoy of U.S. truckers set off to the Washington, DC area in protest of pandemic restrictions.pic.twitter.com/h4ifYCz9rz
— Nathan Solis (@Nathan Solis) 1645643436

The National Guard said that 700 troops have been sent to the D.C. area as a precaution.

The Pentagon said the National Guard troops called to the capital won't be armed or participating in law enforcement duties, but instead will be primarily sent for traffic control.

"We're not out here to be a hostile group, we're not out here to fight with police," said Bob Bolus, a trucker from Pennsylvania who is also headed to D.C., to KTLA-TV.

“Let’s put it this way: We’re not shutting the traffic down today. If we don’t have a resolution from the government, to the rights that they’re taking from us, I will predict in the future it will get shut down," Bolus explained.

Here's more about the convoy launch in Adelanto:

Truckers slated to gather in Adelanto Wednesday as convoy heads from California to D.C.www.youtube.com

VIDEO: Virginia school board has STUNNING response when father tearfully reports daughter's 'sexual assault'



At a Prince William County School Board meeting in Virginia on Wednesday, Jeffery Darr told the board that his 13-year-old daughter was "sexually assaulted," but that the school only suspended the alleged attacker for one day "for improper touching."

Board members first sat in silence as Darr demanded to know what was being done to protect students.

"Does anyone have any answers?" Darr repeated, as the board continued to sit in silence. Eventually, Darr was told to send an email and asked to "step aside."

"I don't understand," Darr shot back. "I want the public to know, that's why I've come here ..."

“We won’t be answering you, but you can certainly keep asking,” responded Board Chair Babur Lateef.

"I want to know the school’s definition of sexual assault, because my daughter was told … that if it’s above the clothes, it’s not sexual assault. That’s the way the county does the kids here? That’s messed up," Darr said, now struggling to fight back tears.

"That’s my daughter," he added, pointing to his daughter in the school board meeting room. "And no one wants to do nothing about it. Suspend the boy for one day for improper touching? I don’t think that’s right. … Somebody needs to look into the matter and do something, because there's more kids out there that y'all are not doing and letting stuff slide ... the only ones it's hurting is the kids."

Watch the video clip shared on Twitter below or find the full video here:

#NotJustLoudoun: Northern Virginia father tells school board his daughter was "sexually assaulted," claims the assailant was only suspended for "one day" Full Video: https://bit.ly/3FMd9Ve pic.twitter.com/g3BUoF87nm


#NotJustLoudoun: Northern Virginia father tells school board his daughter was "sexually assaulted," claims the assailant was only suspended for "one day" \n\nFull Video: https://bit.ly/3FMd9Ve\u00a0pic.twitter.com/g3BUoF87nm
— Nathan Brinkman (@Nathan Brinkman) 1642714297


Early vote count shows union defeat at Amazon warehouse in Alabama and liberals are melting down



A highly anticipated union vote among Amazon warehouse workers in Bessemer, Alabama, appeared to be headed toward defeat for the union, and many liberals on Twitter are very angry about it.

The vote count will resume Friday but with half of the votes counted Thursday, only 463 votes supported unionization, while 1,100 votes opposed unionization, more than a 2 to 1 margin.

A total of 3,215 votes were cast in the vote that is being overseen by the National Labor Relations Board.

The unionization effort needs 1,608 votes to win, a "nearly insurmountable climb" according to NBC News.

Some on the left took to Twitter to express their fury and frustration with the failure to unionize Amazon.

"Not surprised at the disappointing Amazon union vote so far," said Nathan Robinson, editor of Current Affairs.

Not surprised at the disappointing Amazon union vote so far. No matter how hard organizers work, when the wealthies… https://t.co/EdjIL5YWuD
— Nathan J Robinson (@Nathan J Robinson)1617920633.0

"No matter how hard organizers work, when the wealthiest man in the world is pulling out all of the stops to terrify workers & lie to them about unions, and actively punishes people for being pro-union, it's hard to win," Robinson said.

"I think a lot of folks really, really want Amazon workers to win, and it's amazing to see, but the reality is that union campaigns are rigged against workers in the best of circumstances, let alone when you're taking on Amazon," replied unionist C.M. Lewis.

"This Amazon union vote is another good lesson on how out of touch online politics is with the realities on the ground. It's like night and day," said another user who identified himself as a "Hillary Clinton Democrat."

"The most likely outcome in these situations is that the employer successfully busts the union by instilling fear and uncertainty into the workers, and even those workers that were initially in favor of organizing into a union get afraid and change their mind," said associate professor Rebecca Givan at Rutgers University.

Despite the apparent defeat in Bessemer, Alabama, unions will likely get a boost from efforts by the Biden administration to pass the "Pro Act," which would force more Americans to pay into unions, and dismantle protections against union intrusion at the state level.

Here's more about the Amazon union vote:

Amazon union vote count set to beginwww.youtube.com

Democrat competing in Georgia runoff worked at church that hosted Fidel Castro, bashed police



Just one week removed from Election Day, the country has turned its eyes to Georgia where control over the U.S. Senate hinges on two important runoffs, both of which will take place on Jan. 5.

Republicans currently hold Senate seats following the results of the 2020 election and must win at least one of the two Georgia seats — which are currently held by Republican incumbent Sens. David Purdue and Kelly Loeffler — to avoid relinquishing control of the Senate. If Republicans lose both, then the Senate would be split 50-50, essentially giving Democrats control of the Senate because media-declared Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would serve as a tie-breaking vote.

Now, we are getting a better picture of Democrat Raphael Warnock, who is running against Loeffler.

What about Warnock?

Warnock is generating criticism because of past comments and past associations.

According to Fox News, Warnock worked at an Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem when it hosted Cuban dictator Fidel Castro in 1995. Castro gave a speech at the church during which he bashed America. Church attendants reportedly praised Castro, chanting, "Fidel! Fidel! Fidel!"

FROM THE VIDEO ARCHIVES -->"FIDEL! FIDEL! FIDEL!"Georgia Democrat Raphael Warnock hosted a celebration for Fide… https://t.co/Rl6Scm6a1C
— Nathan Brand (@Nathan Brand)1605038572.0

Loeffler's campaign said the Castro visit represented yet another example of Warnock's "radical, far-left, socialist position."

However, it's not clear if Warnock, who served as the church's youth pastor at the time, was in attendance during Castro's speech. Warnock's campaign declined to say definitively.

Warnock campaign spokesman Terrence Clark said, "Twenty-five years ago, Reverend Warnock was a youth pastor and was not involved in any decisions at that time."

What else?

Warnock is also being criticized for anti-police comments and for praising the controversial Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

As Fox News reported, in 2015, Warnock likened police to thugs and "bullies" and claimed police endanger children.

"So, in Ferguson, police power, showing up in a kind of gangsta and thug mentality. You now, you can wear all kinds of colors and be a thug. You can sometimes wear the colors of the state and behave like a thug," he said.

"We shouldn't be surprised when we see police officers act like bullies on the street," Warnock also said.

"It's children's day, and we've got to lift up our children because our children are in trouble. And they're often those who are sworn to protect cause more trouble," he said.

Tucker Carlson Slams Raphael Warnock for Disparaging, Anti-Police Comments www.youtube.com

Meanwhile, former Fox News host Greta Van Susteren interviewed Warnock in 2008 during which she asked him if he embraced Jeremiah Wright, who infamously said one time, "God damn America."

"Do you embrace that? Is that something you would do, sir, in your church?" Van Susteren asked, the Daily Wire reported.

Warnock responded by affirming Wright.

"We celebrate Rev. Wright in the same way that we celebrate the truth-telling tradition of the black church, which, when preachers tell the truth, very often it makes people uncomfortable. And I think the country has been done a disservice by this constant playing over and over again the same soundbites outside of context," he said.

AOC vows to push Biden to far left if elected, says Democrats should abandon 'this idea of bipartisanship'



Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) promised Sunday that if Joe Biden wins election, she will push him to become even more liberal.

What did she say?

Speaking with CNN host Jake Tapper on "State of the Union," Ocasio-Cortez explained why she will hold Biden's feet to the far-left progressive fire if he becomes president.

"Frankly, I think it would be a privilege and it would be a luxury for us to be talking about what we would lobby the next Democratic — and how we will push the next Democratic administration. But, in terms of my role, I believe that that has been my role," she said. "And my role is consistent, in making sure that we push the Democratic Party to have a larger vision for our future."

She continued, "And, so, is my job to push the Democratic Party? Absolutely. And that has been my job since and that has been a part of my role since I have been elected."

According to Ocasio-Cortez, the Democratic Party has the opportunity to win the Senate, White House, and maintain their majority in the House — and they have an "obligation" to demonstrate the liberal agenda.

In fact, Ocasio-Cortez said Democrats should move away from "this idea of bipartisanship."

She explained:

If we have an opportunity, if we work hard enough to elect folks like Jaime Harrison, to make sure that we protect seats like Gary Peters', and to make sure that we unseat Republicans like Joni Ernst, and we have the unique, frankly, once-in-a-generation opportunity to have the White House, the Senate, and the House majorities Democratically controlled, then I believe we have an obligation to the American people to show what a Democratic administration can actually accomplish, and that we can govern, and that we can truly have leaps in policy that people can feel in their everyday lives that makes voting Democratic worth — not just worthwhile, but a memorable shift from just a flatline of this idea of bipartisanship, which often just becomes Republican manipulation.
AOC tells CNN that if Democrats take the Senate, the left can "shift" the country without worrying about being bipa… https://t.co/NhI5vh0F5h
— Nathan Brand (@Nathan Brand)1603635529.0

Ocasio-Cortez said the central goal of a Biden administration should be to implement a progressive vision.

"I believe that it's critically important that the Biden administration appoint progressive leaders," she said. "This is about making sure that we're not just going back to how things were and rewinding the tape before the Trump administration."

Anything else?

As Election Day nears, Ocasio-Cortez has publicly warmed to the idea of Biden becoming president.

During the Democratic primary, she ardently opposed Biden, supporting Sen. Bernie Sanders instead. But now, recognizing the circumstances, Ocasio-Cortez is galvanizing progressive Democrats to back Biden with the mindset that any Democrat is better than President Donald Trump.

"Young people right now have a very disciplined activist mindset. And they are not here with the intent of voting for their favorite person or voting for someone that they think is perfect as president," Ocasio-Cortez told Tapper.

"They want to vote for a president that is at least going to be receptive to their advocacy, activism and protest," she added. "There's no question that Joe Biden is a much better person in that position."

HOT MIC: BC NDP star candidate caught mocking Indigenous candidate's name

Cullen has already issued an apology stating, "I apologize unreservedly for my comments and have done so personally to Roy. I need to, and will, do better."