Free speech and football represent the best aspects of America: unapologetic individuality. In Canada, neither football nor free speech are particularly popular. While Canadian football remains a protected sport (there have been talks of an NFL team in Toronto for decades; good luck), it truly has one of the most bizarre sets of rules of any professional league in the world. Have you ever heard of a "rouge"? Watch this embarrassing end to a CFL game where the teams kick the ball back and forth to each other until the clock runs out. While football has a mixed origin story that involves both America and Canada, the NFL flows better, is more exciting, and involves far less kicking than the CFL. One can claim the CFL is more traditional or is charming in its rule book, but the fact remains it is just not as good as American football. Therefore, the NFL and its American football predecessors reflect exactly what makes American great: taking something good and making it better. When the Founding Fathers left the drudgery of Europe to make a new country, a new Constitution, and a new way of life, they simply made a better-functioning society, with a superior rule of law. This, of course, is best reflected by the First Amendment. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. There exists no other nation in the world where free speech is enshrined in law — not before the formation of the United States and not after. This concept may seem odd or even outrageous to the average American, but a quick news search reveals a backward set of speech laws in every nation that is a close U.S. ally. In Canada, human rights tribunals act as kangaroo courts, where a panel of unknowns determine the fate of a citizen accused of bigotry or hate. One of the most famous cases, for example, happened when Canadian comedian Mike Ward was ordered to pay $42,000 for insulting the appearance of a disabled person during a comedy show. A few years prior, a Toronto comedian was fined $22,500 by a different tribunal for insulting a lesbian at a comedy show. More recently, a woman in the United Kingdom was investigated for "inciting racial hatred" because of a post she made on X a year prior. Police called it a criminal matter, as opposed to the sometimes used "non-crime hate incident." Down under, Australian legislation seeks to make it a crime to use "vilifying" speech. This would be on top of current racism legislation that makes it a crime to "offend" or "insult" someone based on ethnicity. There are other aspects of the law that are more redeeming, but with 49% of respondents in a recent survey supporting "new measures to protect people from hate speech" in Australia, there may be more clamoring for less speech. These instances, while indeed laughable, are often frightening for people in these countries. Imagine walking down the street, fearing arrest for a conversation you might be having. This is a very real possibility in some of the most like-minded countries to the United States. This is why I am thankful for America, for free speech, and for real football. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A Chicago food vendor who was carrying concealed fatally shot a male who pulled a gun on him Friday night.Chicago police told WLS-TV the shooting occurred in the South Austin neighborhood's 300 block of South Central Avenue just before 9 p.m.'Good outcome. The robber won't be turned loose on the street by the useless court system to reoffend.'The male approached the 35-year-old food vendor, and a brief struggle ensued, police told the station.Police said the male pulled out a gun, and the food vendor — who has a concealed carry license — also took out a gun, WLS reported.In an exchange of gunfire, the male who approached the food vendor suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his body, and he was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, the station said.The Cook County Medical Examiner identified the male who was killed as 34-year-old Demitrius Manning, WLS noted.The food vendor was shot in his right arm, and he was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police added to the station.Police told WLS the incident is being investigated as an attempted robbery and that there were two guns at the scene.How are people reacting?Individuals posting comments under the WLS Facebook post about the incident seem to be squarely in the food vendor's corner."Great news this time around," one commenter wrote."Thank goodness he was able to protect himself," another user noted."Good," another commenter said. "[People] are tired and starting to fight back.""We need more of this," another user declared. "Good guys and girls with guns. Only way to stop bad people with guns.""Good outcome," another commenter stated. "The robber won't be turned loose on the street by the useless court system to reoffend.""I’m so glad the food vendor is OK," another user said. "We should all buy from this hard-working person. He deserves a medal.""He better not have to go through a trial," another commenter wrote."Hell yeah love this!!!" another user exclaimed. "Stop messing with [people].""Score one for the good guy," another commenter opined.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed on X that the Washington Post is attempting to link President-elect Donald Trump's victory to a series of alleged hate crimes that took place after November 5, despite not having evidence that they are connected to Trump."I just received one of the most absurd emails EVER from the Washington Post," Leavitt said. "This 'reporter' is doing gymnastics to try and sow division and blame President Trump for something that he admits in his email has no trace to him whatsoever. This is exactly why NOBODY trusts the Fake News Media." "Jeff Bezos warned his staff before the election, and they’re still not listening to him!" she added.'Ridiculous premise or allegation followed by an "experts say" and boom, article.'The inquiry was sent by Emmanuel Felton, who is WaPo's race and ethnicity reporter. Felton was asking for comment from the Trump transition team about an incident in New Jersey two days after the election in which someone allegedly spray-painted, "I hate n***ers Sorry not sorry."Felton claimed the incident was just one among a "wave of racial incidents" that took place after Trump's victory, including alleged text messages sent to black people saying they were going to be enslaved and neo-Nazis marching in Columbus, Ohio."While none of these events can be traced directly back to Trump," Felton went on to admit, "experts say his rhetoric has been tied to an increase in hate crimes across the nation." Ben Williamson, who worked for the first Trump administration, said these types of inquiries from the mainstream media are extremely common."People would be stunned at how many of these exact type of emails come in. Ridiculous premise or allegation followed by an 'experts say' and boom, article," he explained.There has been no shortage of inflammatory rhetoric toward Trump, those nominated to his Cabinet, and his senior staff. On Wednesday, Leavitt said there were widespread threats against their lives.“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump's Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives and those who live with them. These attacks ranged from bomb threats to 'swatting.' In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action," Leavitt said in a statement.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

The sound of steel being honed to a razor edge is one of my most enduring Thanksgiving memories. My late father, David D. Hanneman, always sat at the head of the sculpted wooden dining room table on Thanksgiving. His was the seat of honor and authority. On one November Thursday every year, it was also the place where the golden-brown turkey landed to have its meat separated from bone, to the delight of all. That could not happen until the knife was put to the honing rod to prove it was ready for the task ahead. I described the typical Hanneman Thanksgiving scene in my 2010 book, "The Journey Home," which detailed my father’s cancer battle during his final six months. Schwaat-ting! Schwaat-ting! The sound of carving knife sliding across the sharpening steel was a sure sign that dinner was almost ready. Then the glorious bird, toasty brown from six hours in the oven, was set on a platter to “settle” for a few minutes before the master endeavored to carve it for the waiting masses. The memory is burned in my mind of one of the last Thanksgivings Dad sat in his rightful place. The 2005 photo atop this article captures that memory to perfection. Family around the table, a smiling Dad carving the bird, everyone waiting to say grace. Whenever I think of that day, and so many dozens before it, I like to linger for just a while. I strain to try to hear the bustle and eager chatter at the table, see the smiling faces, and even behold an occasional tear. Then to pile into the family room to watch the Green Bay Packers play the Detroit Lions. Maybe doze on the couch, until my three children came along. Then there were no more turkey naps. A Hanneman Thanksgiving in Wisconsin, circa 1970. Mother Mary Hanneman is in polka dots, my grandparents Carl and Ruby Hanneman are to the left, and the author is the redhead. After that, it was back to the kitchen for Mom’s unparalleled pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream. Such simplicity weaves beautiful memories. When I was a child, Thanksgiving meant getting my own "glass" of wine to go with the turkey, sweet potatoes, green-bean casserole with almond slivers, jelled cranberry sauce, rolls with butter, and, second only to the bird: Mom's signature dressing. I can almost taste it. This Thanksgiving I will raise a glass of wine and toast the many family members and friends from that table. Most of them — grandparents, Mom and Dad, family friends — have gone to their reward. But each of them left something behind that I can treasure anew by simply calling forth a thought. Memories of Thanksgiving. I am most grateful for them. My recollections are but pale reflections of another banquet we will all share, in a place where the day never ends, the food is plentiful, and all hearts are full because we will never again be apart. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Transgenderism has seeped into even the highest levels of government, which has recently made waves as Reps. Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) have taken it upon themselves to fight it. Mary Rooke, author of the Daily Caller column, believes that these transgender “rights” Johnson and Mace are fighting actually all started with women’s rights. “I’ve been thinking about this for a really long time,” Rooke tells Jill Savage and Matthew Peterson of “Blaze News Tonight.” “One of the major things that I’ve come up with is the fact that it’s born and bred transgenderism.” “Because of feminism, and its fight to erode the distinction between the sexes, there’s no longer a protected space for either one,” she continues. “I think that if our society can go back to a time, whenever common sense, and respect, and understanding of the dignity between the sexes can then become the focus of the conversation, then we can bring it back around where women don’t have to fight this hard to keep men in dresses out of our bathrooms.” What’s so insane about this fight is that these spaces that men are attempting to infiltrate are places where young children and teenagers often frequent. “This is just the insanity that we’re at right now, because we’ve no longer allowed men to come and protect us,” Rooke says. While she appreciates representatives like Mace fighting this, Rooke is still skeptical. “Whenever you dig into her history, she was the one that fought to tear down this space for men. She is the first graduate of the Citadel, which is a military college over there in the South, and she uses this as a point of pride for her,” Rooke explains. “‘Look at me, I was able to break down this door of sexism, I was able to break down this door of misogyny, and here I am now being able to stand and fight for women,’” she continues. “What she doesn’t understand is that her fight was not against sexism and misogyny. In fact, what her fight actually did was remove spaces where men can be formed.” Want more from 'Blaze News Tonight'?To enjoy more provocative opinions, expert analysis, and breaking stories you won’t see anywhere else, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

If you're quick you can snag yourself a serious Samsung gaming monitor bargain in this early Black Friday discount. With a saving of 39% against its MSRP, you're getting a massive 32-inch panel that can run at up to 165Hz for just $199.99. With Samsung regularly finding its OLED displays on our best gaming monitor guide - check out our Samsung Odyssey G95SC review as an example - its prowess in panels is proven. However, while that display costs north of $1,000, today's deal is far more affordable. Continue reading Grab a 32-inch 165Hz Samsung gaming monitor for just $199.99, if you’re quick MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Samsung 980 Pro review, Best SSD for gaming, Best gaming monitor

What are the Path of Exile 2 classes? There are six new and six returning classes coming to Path of Exile 2, but if you're unsure on which class suits you, here's what to expect from their weapons, combat style, and attributes. Though 12 classes are coming to the full Path of Exile 2 release date, there are only six classes available at the early access launch: the Ranger, Witch, Warrior, Monk, Sorceress, and Mercenary. Let's take a closer look at all the PoE 2 classes and more on which Path of Exile 2 class to pick based on what we've seen so far in the RPG game. Continue reading Path of Exile 2 classes - which PoE 2 class to pick? MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Path of Exile 2 Witch class guide, Path of Exile 2 preview, Path of Exile 2 release date

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Sony has announced what games will be available for PlayStation Plus members in December, and two marquee titles lead the way. It Takes Two, which won Game of the Year in 2021 at The Game Awards, leads the way. The co-operative multiplayer title will be available for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 owners. Those who wish to participate in online multiplayer can have a friend join for free through Friend's Pass.