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On Thursday, the New York Times reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi approved the restoration of gun rights to ten people, one of whom is actor Mel Gibson. The decision to restore Gibson’s gun rights comes less than a month after DOJ pardon attorney Elizabeth Oyer claimed she was fired for not supporting the move. Gibson lost his gun…
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In today’s edition of Hollywood Hates You More Than It Loves Money, Meryl Streep is in talks to play Aslan in Netflix’s upcoming Narnia movie. Christian author C.S. Lewis made no secret of the fact that Aslan, the talking lion in his timeless Narnia series, was meant to be an allegory, a stand-in, for Jesus.…
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Lawmakers in Maryland this week overwhelmingly approved a measure to study reparations for slavery. A synopsis of the measure states that the Maryland Reparations Commission would “study and make recommendations relating to appropriate benefits to be made to individuals whose ancestors were enslaved in the State or were impacted by certain inequitable government policies.” As…
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The Trump administration’s mass deportation program has sparked outrage among faith leaders, with many expressing deep concern over the treatment of immigrants, particularly those who share the Christian faith. “It is hard to believe that as a so-called Christian nation, the United States has turned its back on the key teachings of Jesus,” Reverend Randy…
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The Constitutional Court of South Korea voted to remove impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday, ending a four-month-long drama that began with Yoon abruptly attempting, and failing, to impose martial law on the country. The Court found that Yoon egregiously violated the South Korean constitution and caused “grave … negative effects” on the country, necessitating…
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They’ve investigated blood tests to find cancer early and treat it with the best drugs. They’ve looked at new obesity drugs to curb cocaine addiction. They’ve developed medications aimed at addressing chronic pain and prevent norovirus symptoms that have plagued some cruise ships. These are some of the scientists at the University of Maryland, Baltimore whose projects have been canceled, stalled or put under threat by cuts at the National Institutes of Health under the Trump administration. The researchers heading up this work in labs or clinics held an online news conference this week to make sure the public understood what is at stake in Maryland and around the country. Federal officials say they are looking to reduce government spending and stem research that doesn’t align with Trump’s directives. As a result, they have canceled millions in grants to Maryland and are slowing the process for new funding. The Baltimore Banner thanks its sponsors.
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Bookkeeping Made Affordable for Startups as IBN Technologies Announces April Discount of Up to 70% – Technology Today – EIN Presswire
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AOC for President?: Following the slow-motion collapse of Joe Biden’s presidency, and the election loss of Kamala Harris in 2024, the Democratic Party is looking for new leadership for a new era. Could they turn to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or AOC?
The New York Congresswoman, who upset many-term incumbent Rep. Joe Crowley to win her seat in 2018, has long been on something of the periphery of the party, and seen as a bit of an insurgent. But at a time of fatigue with the establishment of the party, an insurgency may be what the Democrats need.
AOC has been on the road with Bernie Sanders of late, on what they call the “Fighting Oligarchy” tour that has been drawing massive crowds in big cities, and drawing clear crowd energy at a time when many on the Democratic side are struggling with exactly how to respond to the second Trump era, AOC and Sanders’ tour has found that energy.
And with Sanders 83 years old and unlikely to ever run for president again speculation has risen that AOC could inherit Sanders’ mantle as the head of the left flank of the party, with a presidential run in 2028.
The Upside of AOC in 2028
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is undoubtedly a talented politician who is good at connecting with crowds. She is social-media-savvy, at a time when the Democratic Party has struggled with that aspect of retail politics. She is a rare prominent figure in the party who does not come from what’s commonly called the “professional-managerial class,” and despite numerous online conspiracy theories, AOC is not and has never been a person of wealth.
Following the bad end of the Biden presidency, and at a time when older figures are in many key positions in the Democratic Party, AOC is only 35- someone who wasn’t even eligible to run for president until recently.
Despite drawing a great deal of hate from conservatives who dislike her and underestimate her intelligence, Ocasio-Cortez is savvy when it comes to the policy realm, and often holds her own in Congressional hearings.
It’s not hard to imagine AOC running for president and catching fire with a Democratic electorate that has been offered more of the same for a long period, and is looking for something different- much as the GOP was looking for something different when Donald Trump came along in the 2016 cycle.
AOC would be, of course, the first woman president, and also the first president of Puerto-Rican descent, and the youngest president.
On the Other Hand…
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez has said multiple times in interviews over the years that she is not all that interested in a presidential run, and enjoys the legislative process.
But if she did run, there are reasons to believe that Ocasio-Cortez would have a difficult time securing the Democratic nomination.
For one thing, she came up in politics through New York’s chapter of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). And while her relationship with the group has deteriorated over the years, including an unendorsement from them last year, the word “Socialist” can be a dirty word in politics.
AOC screenshot from 2020 Democratic National Convention in 2020.
There were various times, most notably in 2020 when the establishment of the Democratic Party lined up to defeat Sanders, and there are reasons to think they would do so again if AOC runs and looks like she has a chance to win. Ocasio-Cortez would likely run based on the support of small-dollar donors, with the majority of the party’s donor class opposing her.
The Big Questions
Politico wrote this week about the big questions that surround AOC’s possible presidential bid.
“The only way she ends up running is if things continue the way they’re going, where it’s just going down this dark path and no one really steps up,” a person familiar with her thinking told Politico. “And she kind of gets pressured into it, like she just feels it’s her moral obligation to do it.”
About the Author: Stephen Silver
Stephen Silver is an award-winning journalist, essayist and film critic, and contributor to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Broad Street Review and Splice Today. The co-founder of the Philadelphia Film Critics Circle, Stephen lives in suburban Philadelphia with his wife and two sons. For over a decade, Stephen has authored thousands of articles that focus on politics, technology, and the economy. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @StephenSilver, and subscribe to his Substack newsletter.
Arguably Donald Trump’s biggest supporter, Elon Musk dropped nearly $300million backing the president in the run-up to the 2024 election but in an incredible moment of irony the tech billionaire’s own AI chatbot says he made the wrong decision. In the first few months of the president’s second term, Trump and Musk have been almost…
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TEHRAN– Iran’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey, has highlighted ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts to enhance tourism and facilitate travel for Iranian expatriates and foreign visitors.As part of these initiatives, Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri is in discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to establish tourism advisory offices in select countries.Speaking to IRNA, Mohseni-Bandpey noted that approximately eight to nine million Iranians reside abroad, and attracting them to visit Iran, whether for tourism or long-term stays, requires a strategic and trust-building approach.
The deputy tourism minister acknowledged that negative portrayals by the U.S. and its allies have influenced perceptions of travel to Iran. However, the High Council of Iranian Affairs Abroad and the Tourism Ministry are actively working to remove barriers and encourage Iranian expatriates to visit their homeland.
“The ministry has outlined multiple strategies to boost tourism. Among them is the establishment of tourism advisory offices in key countries to counteract misinformation and promote Iran’s rich cultural and natural attractions. The goal is to engage both Iranian expatriates and international tourists in efforts to challenge misconceptions about Iran and highlight its diverse tourism offerings.”
Mohseni-Bandpey further emphasized the importance of tourism diplomacy, stating that active participation in international tourism exhibitions is a priority. Additionally, the ministry plans to submit specialized tourism proposals to the High Council of Iranian Affairs Abroad. “One key initiative is encouraging tour operators to design travel packages dedicated to first- to fourth-generation Iranian expatriates, allowing them to reconnect with their heritage through short-term leisure visits.”
A major focus of Iran’s tourism policy under the 14th government is strengthening ties with nations sharing cultural and historical connections, including those in the Nowruz Civilization Sphere, the Persian Gulf region, as well as populous countries like China and India. The ministry aims to create favorable conditions for hosting both foreign visitors and Iranian expatriates.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Mohseni-Bandpey highlighted the steady growth in tourist arrivals in recent years. In the year 1402 (stated in March 2023), Iran experienced a significant rise in international visitors compared to the previous year. By the first 10 months of 1403, the country had already welcomed 6.3 million tourists—matching the total for the entire previous year. With continued efforts by tour operators, travel agencies, hotel associations, and other tourism industry stakeholders, projections suggest a further increase in arrivals.
Iran boasts a wide range of tourism attractions, including religious sites, health tourism facilities, natural landscapes, ecotourism opportunities, and historical and cultural heritage sites. Mohseni-Bandpey expressed optimism that by expanding the tourism sector, one of the key drivers of economic, social, cultural, and political development, Iran will achieve its long-term goal of attracting 15 million annual tourists as outlined in the country’s national development plan.
AM