Category: Fox News
California city mayor pro tem calls for end of Pride Month observation, and outrage ensues
LGBTQ activists are outraged after the mayor pro tem of a California desert city called for the local government to stop observing Pride Month.
Palm Desert Mayor Pro Tem Joe Pradetto suggested during a Dec. 16 council meeting that the city should reconsider hanging banners in support of Pride Month. Pradetto said the city should stay out of the private lives of its residents.
‘We must agree to a non-aggression pact. We can’t use the power of the state to punish those who disagree with us.’
He also said that some of the residents expressed concern that the banners showed preference by the city in favor of some residents against others.
The Palm Springs Pride group released a statement condemning the proposal.
“Discrimination is division. The city must unequivocally reject this harmful proposal and reinforce its commitment to being a truly open, diverse, and welcoming home for everyone,” they wrote in a statement.
On Tuesday, the city council voted against the proposal and will keep hanging banners.
In a comment emailed to Blaze News, Pradetto clarified that he had nothing against the LGBTQ community.
“America is divided, and it breaks my heart. Our current strategy of progressive identity politics is failing, and doubling down will only make it worse,” he wrote in part.
“When politics becomes about identity rather than policy, compromise becomes impossible,” Pradetto added. “The temperature rises. I can’t fix that throughout the nation, but I can start in my own city. That is why I proposed policy changes to focus on our similarities, rather than our differences, and remove group-specific banners from City Hall.”
RELATED: LGBTQ activists complain companies are caving to Pride Month backlash: ‘Scared to death’
He went on to say that the policies threatened the values of a pluralistic society.
“In a pluralistic society, you are safe to express who you are and what you believe in the public square. But we must agree to a non-aggression pact. We can’t use the power of the state to punish those who disagree with us,” Pradetto wrote.
“Although my proposal failed, I hope it encourages other officials to look at their policies because our current trajectory will divide us and render state power not as a governing structure but a blunt tool against those who disagree with you,” he concluded.
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Trump touts his economic record in live prime-time speech to the nation: ‘I inherited a mess’
President Donald Trump made a national address where he blamed the former administration for the affordability crisis and touted his economic progress.
The president highlighted many of the statistics that showed improvement from former President Joe Biden’s term compared to his second term.
‘One year ago, our country was dead. We were absolutely dead. … Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world.’
“When I took office, inflation was the worst in 48 years … which caused prices to be higher than ever before, making life unaffordable for millions and millions of Americans,” the president said.
“Over the past 11 months, we have brought more positive change to Washington than any administration in American history. There has never been anything like it,” he continued.
He said that he successfully negotiated $18 trillion of investments into the country and went on the attack against Democrats.
“Under the Biden administration, car prices rose 22%, and in many states 30% or more,” Trump said. “Gasoline rose 30 to 50%. Hotel rates rose 37%. Airfares rose 31%. Now, under our leadership, they are all coming down and coming down fast.”
The president also cited statistics on his successes concerning border enforcement.
“Drugs brought in by ocean and by sea are now down 94%. We have broken the grip of sinister woke radicals in our schools. … I’ve restored American strength, settled eight wars in 10 months, destroyed the Iran nuclear threat, and ended the war in Gaza, bringing, for the first time in 3,000 years, peace to the Middle East,” he continued.
He looked ahead to the country celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the World Cup, and the Olympics.
“One year ago, our country was dead. We were absolutely dead,” he stated. “Our country was ready to fail. Totally fail. Now we’re the hottest country anywhere in the world. And that’s said by every single leader I’ve spoken to over the last five months.”
The president also announced what he called a “warrior dividend” of $1,776 — garnered from his tariffs — to be sent to members of the military in time for Christmas.
“Tonight, after 11 months, our border is secure, inflation is stopped, wages are up, prices are down, our nation is strong, America is respected, and our country is back, stronger than ever before,” he added. “We’re poised for an economic boom the likes of which the world has never seen.”
RELATED: Karoline Leavitt berates CNN’s Kaitlan Collins over inflation and the economy
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) tried to pre-emptively undermine the president’s message on social media.
“He can say whatever he wants on camera, but this is the reality for America: Prices are higher, unemployment is rising, the holidays are more expensive than ever, and his tariffs are taxing people to no end,” he posted.
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Wild viral video shows blood-red scenes covering island after rainstorm
Heavy rainfall on Hormuz Island created blood-red runoff as iron oxide soil washes into coastal waters, and it was captured in stunning viral blood-red footage.
Trump drops receipts on US savings since Biden’s Oval Office exit
President Donald Trump announces economic recovery progress including lower turkey and egg prices while criticizing Biden administration policies.
US government admits fault in deadly Potomac River collision that killed 67 people in Washington DC
U.S. government admits fault in deadly plane crash near Washington airport that killed 67 people when Army helicopter collided with passenger flight.
NY Gov. Hochul to sign bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide: ‘Who am I to deny you?’
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will sign legislation allowing medically assisted suicide for terminally ill patients, allowing them to die on their own terms.
