Though now proud to call America my home, I was born in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, in a rural, semi-nomadic community with no modern amenities whatsoever. I grew up surrounded by people who worked very hard, but they never spoke of hard work as a moral virtue. They worked hard for one simple reason: if they didn’t, they wouldn’t survive.  If you accept that the presence of obstacles means that your hard work may never pay off, then you’ve already lost. When I first arrived in the U.S., I used to hear Americans speak proudly of pulling themselves up by their bootstraps. In recent years, though, I’ve noticed a decline in the frequency with which my fellow Americans mention their bootstraps. The tenor of the national conversation about hard work has changed. A new belief seems to be spreading, especially Among younger, more politically progressive Americans: a conviction that hard work does not always pay off. (READ MORE: Snowflake Work Habits)  Supposedly, institutional biases, corruption, and greed prevent hardworking people like me from reaping the fruits of our labor. It’s true, of course, that corruption sometimes occurs. Though I’ve won the respect and support of merit-based institutions like the Fulbright Program and the MacDowell Foundation, I’ve also encountered corrupt organizations that have misled, exploited, and abused me. These experiences are real, and I have learned a lot from them. They have not, however, shaken my faith in the idea that hard work always does pay off. They never will.  Since such obstacles alone do not explain why some lose faith in hard work, I’d like to explore a few factors potentially driving this trend.  The first is a failure to distinguish between two related concepts: “work” and “effort.” Physicists define “work” as the change of state that results from the application of force to an object or system. Built into the definition of “work” is the concept of change. Effort alone does not imply change. You can apply force to an object for years, but if your effort is met with an equal and opposite force, you will never get anywhere. You will have done no work. To work hard, you must apply leverage. You must think strategically.  The second is a failure to distinguish between hard work and the mere idea of hard work. Recently, a woman complained to me that her son couldn’t find a job. When I asked her what kinds of jobs he was looking for, she said that he wanted to be a C-level executive. When I asked about his credentials, she said he’d never gone to college. She’d raised him to believe that hard work always pays off, but apparently she’d failed to make him understand that simply saying the words “hard work” over and over doesn’t actually get you anywhere — that you actually have to do something hard if you want to get results.  The Hard Work Pay Off This leads us to the third factor: an unhealthy fixation on external rewards. Almost two thousand years ago, Marcus Aurelius knew better. “It is not in our control to have everything turn out exactly as we want,” he wrote. “Our control and power are limited to our own thoughts.” But, he added, “When you control your thoughts, you control your destiny.”  Too often, we assume that if we do not get the outcome that we want — if we do not secure the grant, or get the client, or land the job — then our work has not paid off. Too rarely do we realize that simply by doing what we can, approaching the client or submitting the application, we’ve already reaped the rewards of our labor. “I never lose,” Nelson Mandela once famously said. “I either win or learn.” (READ MORE: Claudine Gay: Another DEI Success Story) If you accept that the presence of obstacles means that your hard work may never pay off, then you’ve already lost. Whenever you approach a challenge with the fear of failure, you instinctively hold something back. What you hold back may turn out to be the very thing that makes the difference between success and failure, hunger and satiation, life and death.  The overwhelming majority of Americans used to understand this, not so very long ago. That’s why I feel so at home in this country, so honored and proud to call America my home. I’m troubled by Americans’ loss of faith in hard work, but I also trust that such a deeply rooted ethos cannot simply be eradicated from the culture overnight. Some Americans still remember. Many more teeter on the brink of remembering. I offer you this dispatch from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco to remind you of what you still know in your bones: that hard work always pays off.  Itto Outini is an author, journalist, and Fulbright Scholar. The post Does Hard Work Pay Off? appeared first on The American Spectator | USA News and Politics.

from Candace Owens:  TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

by Jordan Conradson, The Gateway Pundit: The Gateway Pundit has obtained damning excerpts from Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer’s June 21, 2024, deposition transcript in his defamation lawsuit against Kari Lake and her husband, showing that Richer contemplated running for Senate to “make life hell for Kari Lake” and admitted that he is “anti-MAGA” shortly […]

Decision Desk HQ has declared Democrat Rep. Ruben Gallego the projected winner to become Arizona’s next senator. “Decision Desk HQ projects Ruben Gallego (D) wins the US Senate election in Arizona,” the outlet wrote. Decision Desk HQ projects Ruben Gallego (D) wins the US Senate election in Arizona.#DecisionMade: 8:57 PM EDT Follow live results here:https://t.co/Dalbgd1kjG pic.twitter.com/7uYO8QdVjH — Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) November 10, 2024 With 88% reporting, Decision Desk HQ has Gallego ahead of Lake 49.7% to 48.2% (about 45,000 votes). * Image from Decision Desk HQ * From the New York Post: Gallego, an incumbent congressman in a Phoenix-area district since 2015, and Lake, a former local news anchor who previously ran for governor, faced off for the seat Democrat-turned-independent Kyrsten Sinema will soon vacate. Both candidates aimed to tackle moderate and disaffected voters, particularly Republicans. Gallego won the endorsement of the Arizona Police Association, which backed President-elect Donald Trump. “I am proud to have the APA’s support and look forward to working with them in the Senate to ensure Arizona’s law enforcement officers have the resources necessary to combat fentanyl trafficking, train the next generation of officers, and, above all, keep Arizona families safe,” Gallego said of the APA endorsement. Meanwhile, Lake won the endorsements of Ducey and her former gubernatorial primary rival Karrin Taylor Robson – two key figures who are considered popular among moderate Republicans and some independents. BREAKING: Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is projected to beat Republican Kari Lake in Arizona Senate race https://t.co/k4cz1Mwtud — The Hill (@thehill) November 10, 2024 The Hill reports: His victory comes as a small but significant relief for Democrats, who had a crushingly disappointing election cycle this year. Though they managed to protect their Senate seats in the battleground states of Nevada, Wisconsin and Michigan, in addition to Arizona, they also lost seats in Ohio, Montana and West Virginia, and look poised to lose in Pennsylvania as well. They also lost control of the White House, while their prospects for keeping the House look exceedingly dim. Lake is a former local news anchor who previously ran for Arizona governor in 2022, narrowly losing to Gov. Katie Hobbs (D). Lake became well known during her 2022 bid as a prominent election denier — something that came back to haunt her again during her Senate bid even as she continued to fight her 2022 loss in court. Lake also attracted controversy over some of her remarks. She angered some Republicans for making critical statements invoking the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) — statements she argued that were made in jest.

The National Football League (NFL) fined San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa $11,255 for wearing a MAGA hat during a postgame interview last month. Bosa wore the hat during a televised interview after the 49ers defeated the Dallas Cowboys on “Sunday Night Football” on October 27th. NEW: 49ers Defensive Lineman Nick Bosa has been fined $11,225 by the NFL for wearing a MAGA hat on the field during interviews Worth EVERY single penny! pic.twitter.com/o0ZZMOcuK7 — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) November 10, 2024 Bosa told reporters he knew there could be a fine. He said it would be “well worth it.” Nick Bosa of the San Fransisco 49er’s has been fined $11,255 by the NFL for wearing a MAGA hat. Bosa’s response: “It was well worth it” pic.twitter.com/jg2C7iV6ym — Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) November 10, 2024 From the New York Post: Per multiple reports, the hat violated Rule 5, section 4, article 8 of the NFL rulebook, which reads: “Throughout the period on game-day that a player is visible to the stadium and television audience (including in pregame warm-ups, in the bench area, and during postgame interviews in the locker room or on the field), players are prohibited from wearing, displaying, or otherwise conveying personal messages either in writing or illustration, unless such message has been approved in advance by the League office.” When addressing reporters this week, Bosa acknowledged that he knew a fine from the league could follow, but said that it’d be “well worth it.” “Well, I don’t think my position on speaking about it is going to change,” Bosa said this week when asked why he decided to make the political statement. “Clearly, the nation spoke, and we got what we got.” After the 49ers’ Week 8 game, when they defeated the Cowboys, 30-24, without stars Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk, quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle and running back Isaac Guerendo — three of the pieces that allowed San Francisco to still hit 30 points despite the absences — were being interviewed by NBC’s Melissa Stark on the field, and Bosa walked over behind Purdy and motioned toward his hat. He exited the camera frame moments later, and Stark said, “Alright, Nick Bosa with a message there.” WATCH: BOOM!!!! Nick Bosa just sported the MAGA hat on National Television! EVERYONE is speaking out now. More will come. THE TIDE HAS TURNED! pic.twitter.com/ZHdVYz1Urf — Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) October 28, 2024 Per ESPN: After wearing the hat in support of former President Donald Trump’s candidacy during the postgame interview, Bosa made his way to the podium for his usual postgame session. When asked multiple times about his decision to wear the hat, Bosa declined to elaborate on his reasoning, saying, “I’m not going to talk too much about it, but I think it’s an important time.” The 49ers had their bye after the win against the Cowboys. Bosa did not speak to media again until his usual Wednesday session, which followed Tuesday’s election, where Trump was declared the winner. On Wednesday, Bosa, who signed a five-year, $170 million extension in 2023, again declined to discuss his decision to wear the hat but noted that he had a “good time” watching the election coverage and stayed up for the results. “I don’t think my position on speaking about it is going to change,” Bosa said. “Clearly, the nation spoke. And we got what we got.”

Commenting on streaming revenues, Alice In Chains mainman says "It's a bad business model"

One In Four Americans Say THIS Was The MOST Stressful Event Of The Year!

Actress Rashida Jones paid tribute to her father, legendary music producer Quincy Jones, following his death on November 3. “My dad was nocturnal his whole adult life,” she wrote on Instagram. “He kept ‘jazz hours’ starting in high school and never looked back. When I was little, I would wake up in the middle of the night to search for him. Undoubtedly, he would be somewhere in the house, composing (old school, with a pen and sheet music). He would never send me back to bed. He would smile and bring me into his arms while he continued to work…there was no safer place in the world for me.”  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rashida Jones (@rashidajones) “He was a giant. An icon; A culture shifter; A genius,” Rashida continued.  “All accurate descriptions of my father but his music (and ALL of his work) was a channel for his love. He WAS love. He made everyone he ever met feel loved and seen. That’s his legacy.” “I was fortunate enough to experience this love in close proximity. I’ll miss his hugs and kisses and unconditional devotion and advice. Daddy, it is an honor to be your daughter. Your love lives forever,” she concluded. Along with the tribute, Rashida Jones shared a photo. In it, she is an infant in her father’s arms and he looks upon her lovingly. Quincy Jones Worked With Legendary Singers Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, and More Quincy Jones is one of the most decorated musicians in history who worked with iconic artists such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles. The 30-time Grammy winner was a film composer, record producer, performing artist, and entertainment executive. He notably produced Michael Jackson’s Thriller and composed the score of The Color Purple. The latter earned him one of his seven Oscar nominations. Along with Rashinda,48, Quincy Jones was a father to son Quincy Delight Jones III, 56, and daughters Kenya Kinski-Jones, 31; Kidada Ann Jones, 50; Martina Jones, 58; Rachel Jones, 61; and Jolie Jones Levine, 71. Quincy Jones died at his home in Bel-Air, surrounded by his family, according to his publicist, Arnold Robinson. He was 91. This story’s featured image is by s_bukley via Shutterstock. The post “Parks And Recreation” Star Rashida Jones Breaks Silence After Death Of Father Quincy Jones appeared first on InspireMore.

The Great Replacement theory is often dismissed as a tinfoil-hat-wearing fever dream, a fringe notion that only the most paranoid could entertain. Yet in Ireland, it is playing out in real time, driven by policies that explicitly aim to replace the native population with an influx of foreign-born residents.As an Irishman, I write this with a mixture of anger and absolute sadness. A truly wonderful country full of truly wonderful people is being destroyed, and the elites are enjoying every second of it.Far from being a wild conspiracy, this demographic transformation is a stated goal of the Ireland 2040 plan, which seeks to integrate massive numbers of migrants into a small island nation, eroding its traditional identity and social fabric. The elites are giving the Irish a glimpse of their future, and it’s nothing short of grim.Critics, begone!Irish-born Canadian Stefan Molyneux — long ago unpersoned by the mainstream media for "white supremacy" and other offenses — tried to raise the alarm some five years ago, only to have YouTube promptly ban his video. It still survives in places online, allowing you to take in his calm, careful argument against the initiative ... if you dare. The rationale provided for the 2040 plan is riddled with fallacies. The supposed inevitability of a growing, diversifying population is nothing more than propaganda. Population growth is portrayed as an unstoppable force, akin to natural phenomena like aging or the changing of the seasons.In reality, this is a man-made phenomenon, a social construct pretending to be something organic. The Irish government’s claim that by 2040, the island will be home to millions more people, is treated as a foregone conclusion. But this outcome is far from inevitable. It is the direct consequence of policies that prioritize open borders and mass migration over the preservation of cultural identity and social cohesion. Yes, demographic decline is a concern. But who we're letting in is a far bigger concern. The government seems fixated on issues of quantity; elected leaders should instead be obsessing over the quality of people entering the land they are paid to protect.Selling a fantasyThe economic argument for mass immigration falls flat under scrutiny. Politicians sell the public on the fantasy that immigrants from the third world will seamlessly integrate, fill labor gaps, and support an aging population. However, this narrative ignores stark differences in academic qualifications, cultural practices, overall work ethic, and the fact that many struggle to speak basic English. Believing that large numbers of people from regions with vastly different cultural and economic backgrounds will immediately become tax-paying, productive members of society is not only unrealistic but delusional. Moreover, it’s dangerous. It creates a permanent underclass, with associated increases in crime and social unrest. It’s not about xenophobia or prejudice; it’s about recognizing that nature, evolution, and/or divine design have shaped different groups for different environments, much like how wolves and dogs have adapted to their specific habitats. An Aboriginal would struggle to adapt to life in a modern Western city just as much as an urbanite would fail to thrive in the harsh Australian outback.Just like the Biden administration, the Irish government uses deceptive language to mask its eagerness to embrace diversity at all costs. When officials speak of social cohesion and sustainability (a term that means everything and absolutely nothing), what they're really endorsing is a future where traditional Irish communities are replaced by multicultural enclaves. This transformation is being portrayed as something beyond the control of the people, an unavoidable reality of globalization. But history shows that immigration patterns can and have been controlled. Ireland existed for thousands of years without being swamped by third world migration. What has changed is not the inevitability of population growth but the willingness of the government to undermine its own culture in the name of diversity.Dublin or Durban?As Molyneux shows, the parallels with Africa serve to illustrate a number of important points. Moving people from the third world to first-world countries is not a solution; it is a transfer of problems from one region to another. The carbon footprint of a Somali arriving in Dublin skyrockets compared to what it would be if they stayed in their native village. The notion that immigration somehow benefits the environment is a clever bait-and-switch. It is a pernicious plan that sacrifices cultural preservation and social stability at the altar of radical egalitarianism.The Ireland 2040 document is filled with vague bureaucratic platitudes about sustainable growth, environmental management, and community development. Yet, nowhere in its many pages is there a real plan to preserve what makes Ireland unique. Instead, the plan involves diluting the native population and creating a new society in which diversity is celebrated as an end in itself, regardless of the consequences. The influx of foreigners is not just a policy choice; it is a cultural bulldozer, demolishing centuries of history in a matter of decades.Today, Ireland looks a lot like Africa. Literally. The streets of Dublin resemble the streets of Durban. The people are not being asked whether they want this; they are being told it is happening, whether they like it or not. The dismissal of concerns about the loss of social cohesion as mere racism reveals the extent to which the discourse has been manipulated. True racism lies in the refusal to acknowledge the legitimate fears of those who see their communities transformed before their eyes. It lies in the sneering disregard for the cultural heritage of a people who fought for their independence, only to find it threatened again, this time not by foreign armies but by native-born lawmakers.Godless globalismIreland does not need to become a multicultural experiment at the behest of an administrative aristocracy more interested in global accolades than in the welfare of its own citizens. As an Irishman, I write this with a mixture of anger and absolute sadness. A truly wonderful country full of truly wonderful people is being destroyed, and the elites are enjoying every second of it. They’re dismantling what it means to be Irish, all for the approval of the beasts in Brussels, most of whom will will never set foot in the communities they’ve helped destroy. This is not progress; it’s a betrayal. The Irish spirit — once fierce, unbreakable — is being suffocated under the weight of policies designed to strip it bare. We are not just losing our identity; we are having it stolen from us, and those responsible are laughing as they do it. All the while, the Irish citizens — good, decent people like my mother and father — are left to watch in heartbreak as the country they cherished morphs into something truly horrific.