Far Left Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) sponsored legislation to destroy the Third Co-Equal Branch of government because they don’t like recent decisions. The bill would stack the Court, adding six Justices. The Court would undergo audits, putting them under the authority of Congress. They would no longer be a co-equal branch of government, but another […] The post Sen. Wyden’s Bill to Destroy the Supreme Court appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

A Troubling Story in Idaho Boise State University administrators must pay a coffee shop owner $4 million after a jury unanimously ruled the school officials violated the woman’s First Amendment rights in a conflict over her public support of law enforcement. Sarah owns Big City Coffee and was asked to open a coffee shop on […] The post A Troubling Story in Boise State & a Woman Who Fought appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.

Hezbollah's Leader Killed In Israeli Airstrike

North Carolina's lieutenant governor remains in 'good spirits' following the 'incident'

It’s hard to reconcile Vice President Kamala Harris’ friendly overtures to gun owners with the footage that recently emerged of a 2007 press conference in which the then-district attorney of San Francisco said cops could conduct random home inspections to enforce compliance with the city’s new “safe storage” laws. Yes, really. She told reporters: We’re going to require responsible behaviors among everybody in the community, and just because you legally possess a gun in the sanctity of your locked home doesn’t mean that we’re not going to walk into that home and check to see if you’re being responsible and safe in the way you conduct your affairs. On the one hand, it’s not particularly surprising to hear Harris voice her support for a policy that, even as gun control “wish lists” go, is pretty extreme. This press conference occurred, after all, just one year before she signed onto an amicus brief in District of Columbia v. Heller that defended Washington, D.C.‘s complete ban on handgun possession and argued against any constitutional right to own guns in the first place. She may now begrudgingly pay lip service to the Second Amendment and tout her status as a gun owner, but it’s no secret that she remains perfectly willing to trample on Americans’ right to keep and bear arms. It’s still nonetheless shocking that, as San Francisco’s chief prosecutor, she so brazenly and vindictively threatened to violate gun owners’ other constitutional rights, as well. Harris isn’t some amateur on criminal law who can claim ignorance. She knows (or at least should know) that the Fourth Amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures. As a general rule, the government can’t search a person (or his or her property) without a warrant or absent probable cause that a crime has been committed. Government officials certainly can’t just waltz into private homes whenever they please, going on fishing expeditions through our closets and attics, looking for evidence of wrongdoing. She should also know that there’s no “Second Amendment loophole” to the Fourth Amendment. There’s no asterisk with fine print excluding gun owners from the rest of the Bill of Rights. The government can’t force us to pick and choose between our rights, nor can it condition the exercise of one right on the waiver of another. Americans have the right to keep and bear arms, and we have the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. We also have the right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures while keeping and bearing arms. Harris’ comments should rightly terrify Americans. You don’t have to be a gun owner or even like guns to see how dangerous this theory of governance is to a free society, and how dramatically it undermines constitutional norms. If Harris is willing to unilaterally waive gun owners’ Fourth Amendment rights, it’s not unreasonable to ask what other rights she’d be willing to unilaterally waive, and for whom. Can the government require all who peaceably assemble to forfeit any right against excessive bail? Can it quarter soldiers in the homes of people who petition for redress of their grievances? May it prohibit the free exercise of religion, but just for those who insist on their right to trial by an impartial jury? The correct answer, of course, is a resounding “no.” That’s not how our constitutional rights work—not for gun owners, and not for anyone else. Not even if Harris threatens otherwise. COPYRIGHT 2024 TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY The post On the Second Amendment, Harris Shoots Herself in Foot—Again appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Looking for a new and delicious way to preserve fresh apples? Come learn how to make dehydrated apple chips or rings in this simple step-by-step guide. They’re easy to customize to your liking: make them thin and crispy, thick and chewy, with cinnamon and more!It’s easy to dry apple slices in the oven or using a food dehydrator. You can also dry apples in an air fryer, though they won’t last as long in storage. I’ll cover simple tips for all three methods.Aside from homemade apple cider vinegar, this is one of my favorite ways to preserve our homegrown apples. Yet even before we had our own apple trees, I loved to go apple picking in fall and make apple chips as a healthy seasonal snack. Once done, dried apples last for many months in the pantry.Note: this post was originally published in July 2019.Disclosure: Homestead and Chill is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Tips and Frequently Asked QuestionsDehydrated apples do not need added sugar. They’re plenty sweet on their own. Enjoy nature’s candy!   No matter how you make them, homemade apple chips will never stay crunchy for as long as store-bought ones. Likewise, your dried apples probably won’t be quite as pillowy and chewy as commercially-made apple rings. That is because we aren’t adding preservatives and chemicals, which is a good thing! I am simply trying to temper your expectations. FAQ: Do you need to peel apples before drying them? That’s a personal decision, but it isn’t necessary to peel apples before dehydrating them. We personally avoid the extra tedious step. Plus, the skins have a lot of nutrients and fiber in them! However, apple skins can get extra firm and chewy once dried, so some folks prefer to remove them. FAQ: Should I soak apples before dehydrating them? Some recipes say to soak apple slices in lemon water (equal parts water and bottled lemon juice) or citric acid prior to dehydrating them, which prevents the apples from browning. However, we usually skip this optional step and our apple chips turn out just fine. Best Apples for DehydratingWhen dried, the sugars and flavors in apples become highly concentrated. And, the flavor will mirror the variety used. So, use what you like! For the sweetest dehydrated apples, stick with Gala, Fuji, or Golden Delicious. Pink Lady and Honeycrisp offer a nice balance of sweet and tart. If you enjoy extra tart apples, choose Granny Smith, Jonagold, or Macintosh. Here on our homestead, we love to dehydrate homegrown apples that aren’t as great for eating fresh, including ones that are more mealy or past their prime. Supplies NeededRipe apples A food dehydrator, air fryer, or oven  For the oven: a wire baking rack and baking sheets, or parchment paper-lined baking sheets A vegetable peeler or specialized apple peeler, if you wish to peel yours (optional) Air tight storage containers Optional: cinnamon for sprinkling on topThis handy tool makes peeling AND coring apples a breeze! Though we usually don’t bother to peel ours at all. Oven vs Dehydrator vs Air FryerIt’s best to make dehydrated apples using a food dehydrator or oven if you want to preserve them long-term. You can also make quick and easy apple chips in an air fryer, but it doesn’t remove all of the moisture from the apples the same way a dehydrator or oven does. That means air fryer dried apples are best consumed within a few weeks, though they may last a couple months if you dry them long enough and store them in the fridge.I personally like using a food dehydrator over the oven because it requires less oversight and is impossible to accidentally burn them. We use our favorite Excalibur food dehydrator. Between its timer, precise temperature settings, and fan in the back of the machine (rather than top or bottom), we just set it and forget it! I don’t even have to rotate the trays.Instructions1) Wash and Cut ApplesFirst, wash the apples with warm water. If you want to peel and core them, do so now.Next, cut the apples into thin even slices – about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. The thinner you cut them, the faster and easier they’ll dry. Thinner slices may result in more crisp apple chips. Slightly thicker slices will take longer to dry, but will be more reminiscent of soft chewy fruit leather.You can cut your apples into bite-size slices or across their equator to create larger apple rings. Either way, try to keep all the slices about the same thickness (and avoid wedges) so they dry evenly. Cut out and discard any badly bruised or otherwise damaged areas.If you’re using an air fryer, skip to step 3.2) Spread on TraysNext, spread the cut apple slices in a single layer on food dehydrator trays, OR on oven-safe wire baking racks set on top of baking sheets. Avoid overlapping the pieces. Using raised wire racks helps apples dry best in the oven, allowing airflow around the entire slice. If you don’t have wire baking racks, you can put them directly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper instead. However, you’ll need to turn and flip the slices every hour this way, and it will take a little longer to dry.3) Season With Cinnamon (optional)Once the trays are filled with apple slices, dust them with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Add a few shakes over each tray until you’ve reached your desired level of cinnamon-y-ness. I sometimes add a small pinch of nutmeg too (but far less than the cinnamon). Or, try homemade apple chips with pumpkin spice seasoning!If you’re not a cinnamon fan, feel free to skip it. Yet cinnamon is always a welcome addition in my book. Did you know that cinnamon helps to stabilize and reduce blood sugar spikes? Being Type 1 diabetic, it makes these already healthy snacks that much better for me.4) Dehydrate ApplesIn a food dehydrator: dry apple slices on 135°F (medium heat or fruit setting) for approximately 6 to 12 hours – until the apples are leathery or crispy in texture, depending on your preference*.In the oven: use the lowest temperature setting possible (150-175°F) and bake the apples for 2 to 6 hours or longer. If you aren’t using a wire rack, flip the fruit over every hour. If you’re drying more than one tray, rotate the trays on occasion too. It may help to keep the oven door ajar just a couple inches to release humidity and speed up drying.To dry apples in an air fryer: preheat it to 150°F. Place a layer of apple slices in the bottom of the air fryer without overcrowding them. (Dry several small batches if needed). Dry for 15 to 20 minutes, tossing and turning them every 5 minutes or so, until the apples are dry and moderately crisp.*See more notes about assessing doneness below.*When are apples done drying?The exact time it takes to dehydrate apples varies depending on the method you use, your dehydrator or oven settings, the thickness of the apples, and just how “done” you want them. For instance, they’ll dry faster on a hotter setting, and thinner apple slices will dry faster than thicker ones. Drying for a shorter time will result in more soft, chewy, supple dehydrated apples. Longer drying times will create crisp and crunchy apple chips. However, keep in mind that the more moisture that remains, the shorter their shelf life will be. Drier apple chips are less likely to mold and will last longer in storage.Therefore, if you like your dried apples soft and plump, plan to eat them within a couple months of drying. If you make them extra-dry, they can last up to a year or longer in storage. See more storage tips below.How to Store Dried ApplesOnce the dried apple chips have cooled completely, transfer them to an airtight storage container such as zip lock bags or a large glass container with tight-fitting lid. Store in a cool, dark, dry location such as a cupboard or pantry.If properly dried, apples should stay good in dry storage for several months or longer. Though not required, storing them in the refrigerator will help prevent mold and extend their lifespan even further – up to a year. As long as they don’t grow mold, they’re still good!Air fryer apple chips are best consumed within a couple weeks. Store in the refrigerator to help them last up to a couple months.Ways to Use Dehydrated ApplesHomemade dried apples are delicious to eat on their own. My personal favorite way to enjoy our apple chips is mixed with a handful of almonds or pecans like homemade trail mix. It makes the perfect healthy, energy-packed snack. They’re also awesome chopped on top of cereal, yogurt, salads, dipped in peanut butter, or as part of a cheese platter.I also love to chop up dried apples to add to our sourdough granola recipe. You can also throw a handful of dehydrated apples into the pot or bowl while making oatmeal; they’ll reconstitute and soften as it heats. Get creative and add dehydrated apples to homemade sourdough bread or other baked goods.If you dry them out completely (until brittle), dehydrated apples can be ground into apple powder using a blender or food processor. A friend of mine adds apple powder to granola, plain yogurt, oatmeal, or other fitting dishes. Yum!That’s all folks!I hope you enjoy making (and eating) homemade apple chips as much as we do. Please let us know if you have any questions or leave a review below! If you’re interested in growing you own apples, don’t miss these helpful articles about fruit tree chills hours or thinning fruit trees to get the best harvest possible.Love dehydrating food? You may like these articles:How to Make Homemade Garlic Powder How to Dry Apricots Two Ways (Food Dehydrator or Oven) Preserving Onions: How to Make Onion Powder in 6 Easy Steps How to Make Dried Persimmons Homemade Tomato Powder (Fresh Tomatoes or Saved Skins) Print Dehydrating Apples (Dried Apple Chips) in an Oven, Dehydrator, or Air Fryer Learn how to preserve and dry apples in a food dehydrator, oven, or air fryer to create crispy apple chips – or soft chewy apple rings! Course Appetizer, Breakfast, Preserved Food, SnackKeyword Apple Chips, Dried Apple Rings Prep Time 35 minutes minutesCook Time 8 hours hours EquipmentFood Dehydrator, Oven or Air FryerWire baking rack or parchment-lined baking sheets (oven method)Apple peeler (optional)Air tight storage containers IngredientsApplesCinnamon (optional)Nutmeg (Optional) InstructionsPrepWash and slice the apples into even 1/8 to 1/4-inch thick rings or slices. Peeling is optional.Thinner slices will result in more crisp apple chips. Slightly thicker slices will take longer to dry, but will be more reminiscent of soft chewy fruit leather.Lightly season the apple slices with cinnamon and nutmeg (optional) once they're on the baking or dehydrator trays. Sprinkle over to taste.DehydratorFill the dehydrator trays full of sliced apples. Keep them in a single layer, not overlapping. In a food dehydrator, dry apple slices on 135°F (medium heat or fruit setting) for approximately 6 to 12 hours – until the apples are leathery or crispy in texture, depending on your preference.OvenSpread the apple slices in a single layer on oven-safe wire baking racks set on top of baking sheets. If you don’t have wire baking racks, you can put them directly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper instead. In the oven, use the lowest temperature setting possible (150-175°F) and bake the apples for 2 to 6 hours or longer. If you aren’t using a wire rack, flip the fruit over every hour. If you’re drying more than one tray, rotate the trays on occasion too. Air FryerTo dry apples in an air fryer, preheat it to 150°F. Place a layer of apple slices in the bottom of the air fryer without overcrowding them. (Dry several small batches if needed). Dry for 15 to 20 minutes, tossing and turning them every 5 minutes or so, until the apples are dry and moderately crisp.Checking DonenessDrying for a shorter time will result in more soft, chewy, supple dehydrated apples. Longer drying times will create crisp and crunchy apple chips. However, keep in mind that the more moisture that remains, the shorter their shelf life will be. Drier apple chips are less likely to mold and will last longer in storage.StorageStore dried apples in an airtight storage container such as zip lock bags or a large glass container with tight-fitting lid. Store in a cool, dark, dry location.If properly dried, apples should stay good in dry storage for several months or longer. Though not required, storing them in the refrigerator will help prevent mold and extend their lifespan even further – up to a year. As long as they don’t grow mold, they’re still good!Air fryer apple chips are best consumed within a couple weeks. Store in the refrigerator to help them last up to a couple months. Did you enjoy this article? Want to hear more? Stay in touch! Sign up below to receive weekly updates on new posts from Homestead and Chill. The post Dehydrating Apples: How to Make Apple Chips in a Dehydrator, Oven or Air Fryer appeared first on Homestead and Chill.

New Poll Shows Voters Moving Right on Tax Cuts

Washington Post associate editor and PBS News Hour talking head Jonathan Capehart was triggered on Friday when the American Enterprise Institute’s Danielle Pletka argued that President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’s record on Russia isn’t the greatest. While he found Pletka’s arguments to be “incredibly insulting,” he never actually debunked them. Host Geoff Bennett began by asking Pletka what has to happen to get Donald Trump to view Ukraine’s success as something that is in the U.S.’s best interest. Pletka responded by putting the question to the side and highlighted several ways the White House hasn’t helped. First she recalled President Zelenskyy’s recent trip to a Pennsylvania munitions factory, “I think he was manipulated, and I think he was manipulated cynically by the White House.”     She defended Zelenskyy going to the factory, but criticized the optics of having Democratic politicians join him, “Now, that wasn't organized by the Ukrainian Embassy. It was organized by the White House. I think Zelenskyy fell into that. I think he exacerbated that problem when he went and gave an interview to a house organ of the Democratic Party, the New Yorker, and made, frankly, let's say, unwise comments.” Despite the differences between Trump and Zelenskyy, Pletka praised both men for being willing to meet with each other. Circling back to Bennett’s original question, Pletka replied, “I think that's really important to understand, because the one thing I haven't seen since this invasion happened is Joe Biden and Kamala Harris stand up and show the necessary bipartisan leadership to sell this to the American people. So what is it going to take? I come back to your original question. It takes leadership. It takes effort. It takes the bully pulpit. People need to be persuaded.” Bennett then tried to defend Biden, “Democrats would make the point that Joe Biden has shown that leadership and that the reason that there is a Western alliance that has been unified in supporting Ukraine is because of that leadership.”     Pletka agreed Democrats “would make that argument,” but rebutted that they are wrong and such assertions would be surprising to the Ukrainians themselves, “Ukrainians will tell you, as will the Republicans on Capitol Hill and most Democrats, that the Biden administration has been a day late and a dollar short in every single weapons transfer to the Ukrainians.” After providing several examples, she added, “Helping people when they're losing is not the best plan. Helping them when they can win is the right plan. That's what I call leadership, not just going and schmoozing at NATO.” Bennett acknowledged the truth behind Pletka’s claims as he turned to Capehart, “What about that, Jonathan? And this is really a bipartisan criticism that the Biden administration, when it comes to giving Ukraine aid, when it comes to giving them the missiles that they have asked for, that the Biden administration has been too slow to get to yes.” He elaborated, “And now the question is, will the West, will the U.S. give Ukraine the authority to shoot Western weapons deeper into Russia? The administration might get to yes on that question too, but at the moment it has taken them weeks and weeks and weeks to get there.” Not having the amenable David Brooks around must have been shocking because Capehart was not happy, “Sorry, I'm just trying to recover from the hurricane of platitudes there.” Capehart then launched into his own platitudes about “we don't want this to flare up into a situation where the United States and the NATO countries are going to have to go to war with Russia” and “They're the ones who pulled together the coalition that has helped Ukraine last in a war that everyone thought would be over in a week.” As for Pletka’s take on Zelenskyy’s trip to Pennsylvania, Capehart declared, “the idea that a wartime president like Zelenskyy could be manipulated by anyone, I think, is unbelievably insulting.” For liberals like Capehart, it is simply taken for granted that Biden is a Churchillian figure standing up to the forces of evil abroad and appeasement at home, but Pletka is right: he has always been one step behind, much to Ukraine’s distress. Here is a transcript for the September 27 show: PBS News Hour 9/28/2024 7:43 PM ET DANIELLE PLETKA: But I want to talk a little bit about Zelenskyy for a second, because I think he was manipulated, and I think he was manipulated cynically by the White House. The trip to Pennsylvania that he was going to do, which was one of many trips that he, the ambassador, Ukrainian leadership, do to thank the American people and the people in factories — I agree totally with, Jonathan, this is a really appropriate thing to do — had none of the senators — Democratic senators on the trip, on the original manifest, had a short meeting with Governor Josh Shapiro to sign a sister city agreement and otherwise was not a political setup, and ended up looking like a campaign visit. Now, that wasn't organized by the Ukrainian Embassy. It was organized by the White House. I think Zelenskyy fell into that. I think he exacerbated that problem when he went and gave an interview to a house organ of the Democratic Party, the New Yorker and made, frankly, let's say, unwise comments. I happen to agree with some of them, but unwise comments about JD Vance. But they created this firestorm. And, actually, I give a lot of credit not just to him in reaching out to Donald Trump to try to fix this, but Donald Trump being gracious and accepting that outreach immediately. So I think that's really important to understand, because the one thing I haven't seen since this invasion happened is Joe Biden and Kamala Harris stand up and show the necessary bipartisan leadership to sell this to the American people. So what is it going to take? I come back to your original question. It takes leadership. It takes effort. It takes the bully pulpit. People need to be persuaded. (Crosstalk) PLETKA: Go ahead. GEOFF BENNETT: Democrats would make the point that Joe Biden has shown that leadership and that the reason that there is a Western alliance that has been unified in supporting Ukraine is because of that leadership. PLETKA: Democrats would make that argument. And Ukrainians will tell you, as will the Republicans on Capitol Hill and most Democrats, that the Biden administration has been a day late and a dollar short in every single weapons transfer to the Ukrainians. When they need HIMARS, HIMARS come a year later. When they need aircraft, aircraft come a year later. When they need ATACMS, they come a year later. When they need to reach into Russia to hit targets where Russians are staging against them and the Biden administration won't let them do it, they finally grudgingly allow them to in the last month. You know, helping people when they're losing is not the best plan. Helping them when they can win is the right plan. That's what I call leadership, not just going and schmoozing at NATO. BENNETT: What about that, Jonathan? And this is really a bipartisan criticism that the Biden administration, when it comes to giving Ukraine aid, when it comes to giving them the missiles that they have asked for, that the Biden administration has been too slow to get to yes. And now the question is, will the West, will the U.S. give Ukraine the authority to shoot Western weapons deeper into Russia? The administration might get to yes on that question too, but at the moment it has taken them weeks and weeks and weeks to get there. JONATHAN CAPEHART: Sorry, I'm just trying to recover from the hurricane of platitudes there. Listen, Geoff. And we can't just be simplistic about this. The hesitation of President Biden here in Russia's war on Ukraine is thinking that, you know what, we don't want this to flare up into a situation where the United States and the NATO countries are going to have to go to war with Russia. I appreciate and applaud the president's reticence and deliberation in helping the Ukrainians, in helping President Zelenskyy. And I'm glad you brought up the major point. The president and the Biden-Harris administration haven't been doing nothing. They're the ones who pulled together the coalition that has helped Ukraine last in a war that everyone thought would be over in a week. And the idea that a wartime president like Zelenskyy could be manipulated by anyone, I think, is unbelievably insulting.