The reason political campaigns come up with talking points — and pay focus groups a lot of money to test them — is that it’s effective to repeat things over and over again. Even when people know they’re being fed a manufactured soundbite, and even if people know it’s a lie, it can still work to some extent at a subconscious level.  Advertising slogans work on the same principle. If you constantly bombard people with the same message, eventually they’ll internalize it. But talking points can backfire, especially when politicians go off-script. They can get themselves into a lot of trouble very quickly. And we’re starting to see that right now with a soundbite you’ve now heard a million times — and which we discussed yesterday — which is the refrain that JD Vance is “weird.” Every Democrat and media outlet has clearly been instructed to repeat this attack endlessly for the past week. In an interview the other day, it was West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin’s turn to repeat the line. But he didn’t just repeat it. He also attempted to explain what it means to be “weird.” And nothing he said made any sense, which suggests that Democrats don’t really understand the talking point they’ve been handed. Watch: Manchin on Vance’s “cat ladies” dig: “I thought I’ve heard everything after as long as I’ve been around, but there are some things I haven’t heard. I thought that was a very weird way of putting it.” — “I don’t think the news he’s making is the news they thought he would make.” pic.twitter.com/y1enZTaobp — Alejandro Alvarez ? (@aletweetsnews) July 31, 2024 You kind of have to feel bad for Manchin, because everyone knows that a 76-year-old man would never call another man “weird.” What are they going to do next, force Manchin to say that JD Vance gives him the “ick”? Maybe he’ll come out and tell us Vance’s vibes are cringe. The whole thing is, for Manchin, degrading and inauthentic, and everyone can see through it. But the interesting part of that clip is Manchin tries to explain what the talking point means. First, Manchin says Vance is “weird” because he’s a smart guy who said something “out of the mainstream.” Then he suggests JD Vance is guilty of “name-calling” instead of clearly articulating what kind of policies he wants to pursue. It’s a jaw-dropping claim because the entire point of JD Vance’s statements — the ones they’re claiming are “weird” — go to maybe the single most important issue facing this country, which is the decline of the family and the rise of childlessness. It’s the decline of the family that has led directly to skyrocketing rates of violence in major cities. It’s led to plummeting birth rates that are well below replacement level. And it’s led to a historic number of deaths of despair, including overdoses and suicide. But Manchin dismisses all of this. He simply claims JD Vance is insulting people, instead of talking about serious issues, whatever those may be. This is what it looks like when a talking point unravels. WATCH: The Matt Walsh Show None of the Democrats or media outlets want to address the substance of what Vance was talking about, which is the importance of starting families and having children. These are not fringe ideas; they’re what allow civilization to exist. So instead, to justify their soundbite that Vance is “weird,” Democrats are just making things up and attributing them to Vance. And it’s not just Joe Manchin who’s doing it. The other day, CNN tried to push the “weird” talking point — this time, by claiming Vance called people “sociopaths” if they don’t have children. Then they show a video of what Vance actually said, and it completely contradicts that claim. Watch: Any reasonable person watching that clip would agree with every word JD Vance said. There’s not even any hint of name-calling in that segment. He’s not saying childless people are sociopaths, as CNN reported at the beginning of that clip. Pretty clearly, he’s saying babies are good — they’re good for communities, they’re good for the country, and they’re good for parents. What he said is that only a sociopath would think that babies are a bad thing.  That’s a pretty uncontroversial point. If you have an affirmative dislike for human children — if you think it’s a bad thing that people are reproducing — then you clearly have an extraordinarily antisocial and anti-human outlook. You’re also probably incapable of understanding the joy that children bring to their fathers and mothers. And all of these traits are hallmarks of sociopaths. So CNN completely misrepresented what JD Vance said. There’s no argument he was describing people without children as sociopaths, as they claimed. This is the “name-calling” that Joe Manchin was referring to, and it’s a complete fabrication. But CNN wasn’t done lying. Here’s the rest of the segment: We’re supposed to be outraged by this podcast interview too, even though again, there’s nothing insulting or confusing about it. He’s saying, on balance, societies are better off when people have children. For one thing, society can continue to exist, because dead people get replaced by children. That’s a pretty big net positive. And as Vance said, having children generally makes people less narcissistic and less self-centered, by necessity. Parents are forced to consider the well-being of their child, which is obviously a fundamental and instinctual desire that’s encoded in our DNA. Up until about 15 minutes ago, everyone understood this. It wasn’t a controversial point. It wasn’t long ago that Barack Obama was giving speeches in which he described fatherhood as, “the greatest gift.” That’s from a speech in 2008 that he delivered at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago. Obama said, “If I could be anything in life, I would be a good father.” His whole speech was about how fatherhood made him less narcissistic — which really makes you wonder just how narcissistic this guy must have been before he had kids: “When I was a young man, I thought life was all about me — how do I make my way in the world, and how do I become successful and how do I get the things that I want. But now, my life revolves around my two little girls.” There was no scandal when Barack Obama delivered this speech. No one thought it was controversial to say that fatherhood means caring more about other people, besides yourself. No one thought it was strange to suggest, as Obama did, that becoming fathers is often the most meaningful thing that men can do. So we have to ask: When and how did this change in American politics? When did it become unacceptable to point out that having a family is good in part because it involves caring for others? That’s a question we should all be asking. Instead, the media is pretending JD Vance is the outlier. Joe Manchin and CNN are accusing him of being “out of the mainstream.” It doesn’t make sense. But it appears to be a widespread problem now. A lot of people seem to be thinking along these lines. Yesterday I talked to a Wall Street Journal reporter who’s doing a piece on this controversy. The guy was nice enough and didn’t appear to be going for the “gotcha” moments, but the premise behind his line of questioning was totally confused. He wanted to know about the “rise” in pro-family rhetoric like the kind we hear from Vance (and me). I tried to explain that our view is not some new political phenomenon. Our view is the one held by every reasonable person who has ever lived up until approximately last Tuesday. It’s the anti-family view, the view that celebrates the “child free” lifestyle, that has recently arisen. It is the sudden and very modern phenomenon that he should be trying to explain.  Of course, the idea of attacking the nuclear family isn’t new. Karl Marx called for the abolition of the family in the Communist Manifesto. Friedrich Engels claimed that the family is “founded on the open or concealed domestic slavery of the wife.” Soviet schools taught children to report their own parents for wrong-think. And in Hungary’s soviet government, which lasted only a few months, schools began indoctrinating children on various explicit sexual topics, as a way of driving a wedge between the children and their parents.  As the biographer of one Hungarian commissar put it: Special lectures were organized in schools and literature printed and distributed to ‘instruct’ children about free love, about the nature of sexual intercourse, about the archaic nature of bour­geois family codes, about the outdatedness of monogamy, and the irrelevance of religion, which deprives man of all pleasure. Children urged thus to reject and deride paternal authority and the authority of the church, and to ignore precepts of morality. Sound familiar? We’ve obviously been seeing this same creeping influence in American politics for some time. Teachers are now instructing kindergartners about topics like gender identity. Children are receiving hormones that can sterilize them for life. California is hiding students’ so-called “transition” from their parents. In some cases, children are being removed from homes because their parents won’t affirm their delusions.  The difference is that, unlike the Soviets, today’s Democrats generally don’t come right out and admit that they want to destroy the nuclear family. Yes, sometimes the mask does slip. At the height of the George Floyd hysteria four years ago, for example, BLM had this passage on their website: We disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and ‘villages’ that collectively care for one another, especially our children, to the degree that mothers, parents, and children are comfortable. Eventually, BLM had to take that down — not because it was posted in error, but because they had said the quiet part out loud.  Now, suddenly, it’s fine for Democrats to say the quiet part out loud. Advocating for strong families is now prohibited on the Left. They’re saying that, if a critical mass of people decide to stay single and self-serving for their whole lives, then that can’t possibly have any negative ramifications whatsoever for society. This is the view that Democrats push — and it’s very much “out of the mainstream” of conventional thought in this country since it was founded. Democrats are importing Marxist views on the family, and they’re calling you “weird” for noticing what they’re doing.  And they’re doing it relentlessly. The other day, New York Magazine ran a piece that — like CNN — completely misrepresented what JD Vance believes: Conservatives have long staked out a claim to be the movement of traditional values, of families, of normal people, all in contrast to liberalism. The weirdness attack works so well because it flips that script and fights on important cultural terrain. It’s weird to care about how many children people have. It’s weird to treat women like incubators. It’s weird to care about people being drag queens. It’s weird to lose your sh— because some people are trans. It’s weird to obsess over alleged sex differences. Most people aren’t like this and don’t want to be like this, either. The GOP has become the party of internet poisoning, and it’s important to say as much. Everyone likes to tell a freak to shut up. In other words, Democrats can give sterilizing hormones to children. They can make every single day on the calendar some kind of LGBTQ holiday — from the Trans Day of Remembrance to International Pronouns Day to Gay Uncle Day to Pride Month and so on. They can pretend that basic biology — which makes all life possible — is completely meaningless and entirely subjective. And if you complain about any of this, you’re the one who’s making an issue out of it. You’re the one who’s “weird” and “name calling” and “out of the mainstream.” As with everything else we see from these people, this is projection. And it’s all they have. The only way they can accuse JD Vance of being strange is to tell you to shut up, which is why New York Magazine explicitly says “Shut up” in the article. For good measure, like CNN, they also invent things that JD Vance didn’t even say. For example the article continues: None of this is normal, and voters know it. Most parents don’t have kids simply to own the libs or because they’re worried about getting outbred by immigrants. People are childless for many reasons, and none is Vance’s business. Of course, JD Vance didn’t say that people should have kids to own the libs, or that people should have to explain why they ‘re childless, or that people should have kids because they’re worried about being “outbred.” None of this is tethered in any way to reality. The truth is that they’re not attacking us for any of the reasons New York Magazine claimed. They’re attacking us for promoting family life and parenthood as a positive good, which it obviously is. Everyone throughout history has recognized that. What we’re seeing now is just part of their years-long campaign to demonize the nuclear family. If they’re smart, Republicans will use this issue as an opportunity to remind voters about the Democratic attacks on parents and families, especially in recent years. With JD Vance, for the first time, a major Republican politician has done exactly what BLM did, inadvertently, four years ago. He told the truth about Democrats’ efforts to destroy the nuclear family, which is the foundation of all civilization — and also the solution to so many problems that Democrat-run cities are suffering from right now. Strong, stable families are the way to fix all of it. It’s obvious to everyone. But what’s become clear over the past week, amid the Left’s obsession with their dumb talking point, is that they’d rather watch the population of this country wither and die out than admit what everyone knows, which is that JD Vance is right.

Are you leaning into your hurt? Even if your feelings are valid, they may be lying to you.

'Disarm them'

'It's definitely unhealthy. You can't go outside. You can't breathe'

'Is she Indian or is she black?'

When was the last time you turned on your faucet and expressed gratitude that water materialized and that it was safe to consume? If you’re like most Americans, having available, drinkable water is something that most of us take for granted. We shouldn’t. Currently, there is a global water crisis. There are communities who can’t […]

'This is election interference- there must be accountability'

Our “10 Classic Rock Songs to Start a Party” article is more than just an entertaining guide to party-starting tunes; it’s an essential resource for those looking to get the party started right from the beginning. I spent many years playing in party bands that performed in nightclubs, weddings, and any event that wanted live music. We were a party band, and we knew what songs always worked no matter how dead a crowd may look. There are always a handful of songs that will get most people out of their seats and up on the dance floor. When people The post 10 Classic Rock Songs To Start A Party appeared first on ClassicRockHistory.com.

The post PetFriendly Subscription Box Review 2024: A Detailed Look by Sara Seitz appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com. Click to Skip Ahead About PetFriendly Key Features Reviews Our Experience   Our Final Verdict We give the PetFriendly Subscription Box an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. Quality: 4.7/5 Effectiveness: 4.8/5 Ingredients: 4.5/5 Value: 4.8/5 Check Price on PetFriendly There’s a lot that goes into keeping your cat healthy and happy. If you’re looking for an easier way to get all the supplies and supplements they need to thrive, PetFriendly may be worth a look. This subscription pet supply company specializes in providing personalized, vet-quality health products for cats and dogs. These safe and effective pet products are delivered to your door every month to ensure you never run out. From flea treatment to treats, PetFriendly has everything a cat needs to be healthy and safe. I had a chance to try PetFriendly’s subscription box on my one-year-old cat, Makoa. I got a variety of products, including Bug Bites treats, calming supplies, and Squeaky ear wipes. I found a lot to love about these products but also some room for improvement. To find out if this subscription box is worth it for your cat, keep reading. At a Glance: What We Received Image Product Details Best Overall Mellow Diffuser for Cats Room diffuser with calming pheromones Place anywhere Covers up to 700 square feet CHECK PRICE Squeaky Ear Wipes for Pets Removes wax and dirt For ears and paws Plant-based cleaning ingredients CHECK PRICE Bug Bites Treats made from fly larvae Sustainable protein Crunchy heart-shaped morsels CHECK PRICE Mellow Calming Spray for Pets Calming pheromone spray Use wherever your cat spends time Fast acting CHECK PRICE About PetFriendly PetFriendly is a pet wellness company that specializes in delivering safe and effective pet products right to your door. Each subscription box is personalized to your cat’s needs and includes their photo and name. They carry a long line of pet products including flea and tick sprays and treatments, health supplements, calming supplies, and treats. Who Makes PetFriendly Products and Where Are They Produced? PetFriendly was co-founded by Aaron Shady and Ryan Finstand. They are based out of Omaha, Nebraska and all their products are made in the US and Germany. Which Types of Cats is PetFriendly Best Suited For? Whether you’re looking for calming products, flea and tick preventative, or other supplies to keep your cat healthy and happy, PetFriendly has you covered. While their cat-specific line is limited at the moment, it is growing fast, with new vet-approved products being added frequently. They carry multiple flea and tick products for cats, including topicals, home sprays, and flea combs. The topicals are made with the same medications as the leading flea and tick products for cats. PetFriendly also has multiple pheromone-based calming products. These are great for kitties who are chronically anxious or stressed, as well as those who need extra help relaxing during vet visits and other scary situations. Key Features Check Price on PetFriendly Now let’s take a look at what sets this pet subscription box apart from others out there. We’ll dive into the ingredients used, product options, personalization, and subscription options. Ingredients PetFriendly products feature effective, scientifically researched ingredients. Their flea and tick topical uses the same active ingredients as Frontline Plus while their flea treatment uses the same active ingredients as Advantage II. These are not natural treatment alternatives, but rather a more affordable option for those looking for a product with the same proven effective ingredients as these popular commercial products. PetFriendly’s Bug Bites cat treats are made with black soldier fly larvae, a more sustainable healthy protein option for cats. The other ingredients in these treats are all-natural, though they do contain corn, soybeans, and wheat. Other cat products from PetFriendly, like their calming supplies and ear wipes, use effective formulas developed by researchers and veterinarians. Options When it comes to PetFriendly’s flea and tick products, it’s easy to get exactly what your cat needs. After you build your pet’s profile you simply choose the product type you want and add it to your box. The product will be automatically updated to the right dose based on your cat’s weight. If you have multiple cats, each box will be customized to each individual cat. Some of the other products, such as the calming spray and ear wipes, are only available in a single size. But you can order as many as needed to last the full month between box deliveries. Personalization One of the most unique and fun features of the PetFriendly box is the personalization that comes with each supplement and treatment product. These items arrive with your pet’s photo and name on the box. This is a fun touch but also very helpful for multi-cat households as it ensures the right kitty gets the right dose every time. Each box also comes with a personalized note and exciting bonus products like treat samplers. Subscription Most of the items in your PetFriendly box will be delivered on a recurring schedule every month. The sizes and formulas of these products are made to last a full month. If you have multiple cats or need multiple calming diffusers to cover more rooms, for instance, you can add more to your box. You can also add one-time purchases to your box each month, as needed. There is also an option to get six months’ worth of products at a time and have your box delivered just twice per year. All orders over $20 receive free shipping and are automatically shipped out to ensure you never run out. You also have the option to forgo the subscription and instead buy a single month’s worth of any product. You can even buy a single six-month supply and save some money. But the real savings lie in signing up for the subscription option. You’ll save up to 50% with the one-box-every-month option or up to 60% for the one-box-every-six-month option. Our Reviews of Petfriendly Products 1. Mellow Diffuser for Cats Check Latest Price The Mellow Diffuser for Cats is a pheromone-releasing table-top diffuser. It naturally helps cats relax by releasing the same type of pheromones mother cats use to keep their kittens calm. Each diffuser refill lasts for a full month and is good for spaces up to 700 square feet. This non-electric diffuser is meant to be placed in areas where your cat frequently hangs out, such as near their bed or by their favorite sunning spot. It is a great option for cats who struggle with chronic anxiety or nervousness. It can also be very helpful for multi-cat households that are more chaotic than calm. The diffuser has a sweet smell that is only obvious when you are close to the product. The pheromones themselves don’t have a scent and are undetectable to humans but highly effective on cats. The cute paw print cutouts and simple design of the diffuser holder blend easily to any home decor while the green inserts make it easy to tell when it’s time for a replacement. I use my Mellow Diffuser in the laundry room where my cat sleeps at night. It helps calm him down while he’s locked up and has made a big difference in how much of the night he spends pacing and waking us up. Pros Works fast Easy to use Small size with a cute design Place on any surface Covers up to 700 square feet Cons Scent can be overwhelming if too close 2. Squeaky Ear Wipes for Pets Check Latest Price If your cat suffers from ear mites or frequent ear infections, these Squeaky Ear Wipes from PetFriendly are a great option. Each canister contains 100 soft, presoaked wipes to make ear and paw cleaning a breeze. The round wipes are the perfect size for cat ears and dainty cat feet. The plant-derived surfactants made from coconut and palm oil help break the bonds of dirt, grease, and wax to gently remove them from your cat’s skin and coat. Wax and grime buildup in the ear can lead to bacterial and yeast infections. These wipes are also helpful for removing the dirty residue left by mites and keeping the area clean so mites have fewer places to hide. Squeaky wipes also provide a simple and effective way to clean up dirty paws. I love that these convenient wipes come presoaked with gentle cleansers. They make it super easy to keep up with ear cleaning even if your cat isn’t a big fan of the process. Pros Very easy to use Gentle plant-derived cleansers 100 wipes per container Multiple uses Cons Not the best-smelling wipes Palm oil may not be from a sustainable source Contains preservatives 3. Bug Bites Check Latest Price If you’re looking for a more sustainable cat treat or one that doesn’t contain chicken and other common protein sources, then say hello to PetFriendly’s Bug Bites. These unique cat treats are made with black soldier fly larvae. Wiggly larvae like these are high in protein and minerals that cats need. They are also far more sustainable to farm than traditional protein sources. In fact, these larvae are raised on leftover fruits and veggies that would otherwise go to waste, making them doubly good for the Earth. The treats themselves are small, crunchy, and come in an adorable heart shape. They are the perfect size for spoiling good kitties without spoiling their dinner. While I love that these treats feature protein-packed fly larvae, I am less thrilled about the other ingredients in them. The first four ingredients listed are corn, wheat, soybean meal, and cane molasses. Many cats are sensitive to grains and they don’t provide much in the way of biologically available nutrition. But, if your cat isn’t too sensitive, these fun treats make a great, affordable option to pamper your cat with a new kind of protein that is better for the planet. Pros Unique, bug-based protein Small and crunchy Highly palatable Sustainable protein Cons Contains corn, wheat, and soy 4. Mellow Calming Spray for Pets Check Latest Price PetFriendly’s Mellow Diffuser is great for keeping kitties calmer in the house, but what about those stressful situations on the road? That’s where Mellow Calming Spray comes in. This product contains the same effective kitty pheromone ingredients as the diffuser, but in a convenient spray bottle that can be used when and where you need it. Spray this pleasant, floral-smelling mist in your cat’s carrier before going to the vet, on their bed during storms, or on their collar for lasting calm that goes where they do. While it is not meant to be sprayed directly on pets, it is a great way to provide targeted anxiety relief by using it wherever your pet is likely to be when they need it most. Even more so than the diffuser, this product seems to work fast. I use it for my cat when he gets a little too hyperactive around bedtime, in his carrier anytime we leave the house, and when we have furry company over. Pros Use when and where needed Pleasant smell Long-lasting Starts working immediately Cons Can’t spray directly on pets Our Experience With PetFriendly I love the idea of subscription boxes for pets. They are a super convenient way to make sure your pet has everything they need without ever running out. While my cat, Makoa, does not have any issues with fleas or ticks, I still found plenty of great options to fill my PetFriendly Box. I chose their “The Cat Pack” combo, which came with Mellow Calming Diffuser and Spray, Squeaky Ear Wipes, and a bag of Bug Bites Treats. Unfortunately, because my order didn’t contain any supplements or flea treatment, I didn’t receive any personalized products with Makoa’s name and picture. Still, I was excited to test these products out. I knew right away where I was going to put the Mellow Calming Diffuser. Because Makoa eats inedible objects on occasion, we make him sleep in the laundry room to limit how much trouble he can get into overnight. I placed the diffuser on the shelf in there hoping it would keep him calmer overnight. After just a couple of weeks of using it, I have noticed a huge difference in how much he jumps around while locked up. He’s also more likely to be sleeping when I open the door in the morning than sitting there yowling to come out. I keep the Mellow Spray in his carrier bag and use it whenever we go to the vet. While he isn’t really an anxious cat, it still definitely seems to help him find more chill when we are out and about. The Squeaky Ear Wipes are another great product. They make quick work of cleaning Makoa’s ears, which is good because he is not a fan of the process, so the faster the better. But by far my favorite item in this combo pack is the Bug Bites Treats. I am a big fan of bug-based pet products. This kind of protein is much more sustainable than traditional meat as it requires a fraction of the land, water, and feed to make the same amount of “meat.” Plus, wild cats often use bugs as a source of energy and nutrients. I love the cute little heart shapes of these tiny treats and Makoa loves how they taste! I’m less of a fan of the other ingredients, however. Not only do they include corn, wheat, and soy, but fly larva is the fifth ingredient listed, which means there likely isn’t that much of it in each treat. Still, Makoa seems to enjoy them and he doesn’t have any sensitivities to grains, so they work well as an occasional motivational treat. Plus, they are fairly affordable as far as bug treats go. Overall, I can see how the PetFriendly Box would be a useful subscription for cat owners, especially those who use monthly flea and tick treatments. It’s convenient, inexpensive, and features some fun aspects that other subscription companies don’t, like personalized product boxes and extra savings for buying in bulk. Check Price on PetFriendly Conclusion If you’re looking for a subscription option that will make keeping your cat healthy and happy easier and more affordable, I suggest taking a look at what PetFriendly has to offer. Their subscription boxes make it super easy to get your cat the monthly flea treatment and other frequent-use supplies they need. And they do it while saving you loads of money over the other options out there. Plus, they have a lot of unique products like bug-based cat treats and effective calming options. My cat, Makoa, has been loving his subscription box and I love how easy PetFriendly makes it to pamper him every month. The post PetFriendly Subscription Box Review 2024: A Detailed Look by Sara Seitz appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress last week at the invitation of House Speaker Mike Johnson. The prime minister’s job that night was to make clear to Congress, the nation, and the world the “what” and “why” of Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip, following the murderous attack by Hamas terrorists Oct. 7 inside Israel. Why, for example, should Americans identify with and support Israel’s struggle? My heart went out to this brave and besieged leader as he made his case. As I watched and listened, I thought of the words of another brave and besieged leader of the nation Bibi Netanyahu represents—King David. I thought of the 23rd Psalm, authored by that great king and leader: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,/Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Perhaps it is too prosaic to compare the struggle of war to business. But a few days earlier, I received in my email a quote from Apple founder Steve Jobs. Jobs observed: “I’m convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance. It is so hard. You pour so much of your life into this thing. There are such rough moments … that most people give up. I don’t blame them. It’s really tough.” The message is that in life’s most defining and difficult moments, we often stand, from the perspective of the outside, alone. But those who make it through do not feel totally alone. They are convinced that there is truth in this world, and they feel connected to it. They feel part of something bigger than themselves. Of course, the difference is that, in business, what is on the line is your money. In war, it’s your life. Those who really know history—far too few—can appreciate the common bond between Israel’s struggle and the American struggle. When Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, declared its birth as an independent state on May 14, 1948, and when America’s Founders signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, both did so in solitude in the face of certain war and attack by powers far larger and stronger. Israel then was a tiny island surrounded by a sea of hostility from neighboring Arab countries far greater in number, all committed to the destruction of the newly declared Jewish state. The American Founders, representing 13 American colonies, took a great, lonely stand against the mighty British empire. Following both declarations was war. And, against the odds, both small fledgling nations were victorious and prevailed. Both struggles were for eternal values and the freedom to struggle for and pursue them. It’s why both peoples prevailed against great odds. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi boycotted Netanyahu’s address last week and then called it “the worst presentation of any foreign dignitary … addressing the Congress of the United States.” The California Democrat lectured that Israel’s prime minister should be using his time working on “a cease-fire deal that will bring the hostages home.” This is exactly what Netanyahu is doing. But in contrast to Pelosi, who has nothing on the line except her political calculations, he understands what is involved and how to protect his people and his nation. In 2011, Israel released 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, held hostage. One of the 1,027 released was Yahya Sinwar, Hamas leader and mastermind of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Sinwar was in prison, sentenced for the murder of two Israeli soldiers. He is known to have murdered at least 12 of his own people accused of cooperating with Israel, several of whom he admits to personally having strangled to death. Negotiating with murderers is no path to peace. Benjamin Netanyahu understands this. Israel’s struggle is indeed America’s struggle. Let’s turn our prayers to support this brave leader. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post Bibi Netanyahu: Profile in Courage appeared first on The Daily Signal.