🚨 Flippin’ the bird – April 28 2023

*Stock data as of market close, cryptocurrency data as of 5:00pm AM. 

The Lead: U.S. Votes To Keep On Invading Somalia

credit: us air force

U.S. politicians voted against withdrawing from Somalia just weeks after it voted against withdrawing from Syria. 

The proposal from Florida Representative Matt Gaetz would have removed war powers from President Biden and mandated that he order troop withdrawal within a year. President Biden has increased troop presence in Somalia but has used special war powers to keep exact numbers undisclosed. 

“The future of Somalia must be determined by Somalia,” Gaetz said on the House floor ahead of the vote. “I would argue that the African Union is far better positioned to build a stronger sense of national identity and national unity among clans that have been warring in Somalia for generations than U.S. troops.”

Indeed. According to DefenseNews.com: 

“U.S. troops are stationed in Somalia under a 2001 military authorization, which Congress passed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks to target al-Qaida in Afghanistan.

Four presidents have since used the 2001 military authorization to justify at least 41 military operations in at least 19 countries across the globe.” 

IRS is Packing Heat

credit: reddit

The IRS is hiring: special gun-carrying agents in all 50 states. Why does the tax man need to be packing? 

The IRS website says that this is for the Criminal Investigation (CI) division that investigates financial crimes, money laundering, tax-related identity theft and terrorist financing efforts. Aggressively so apparently! 

The job description says that these agents must be prepared to defend themselves with their firearms and be willing to use deadly force. 

Usually, the IRS just sends letters but sometimes a letter doesn’t cut it. 

Ironically the new IRS tax code requires taxpayers to report stolen money. So they trust criminals will report their profits but are equipped with guns if they don’t. 

Take Flight with Phoenix

We’re unlocking value with technology

With Banks collapsing and the turbulent state of the stock market millions of Americans have watched their retirement savings disappear. I want to share with you a unique investment opportunity that is not only protecting retirement savings, but investors are seeing consistent yields and growth.

Phoenix Capital Group is offering high-value U.S. oil and gas investments through their corporate bonds. It’s a way for people to invest in energy assets and diversify their portfolio. Yield range from 8%-12% APY – paid monthly with different qualifications and maturity dates.

Phoenix Capital Group is a tech-led energy company – owning in some of the most lucrative basins across America. Investor capital along with their own capital goes towards cashflow positive oil and gas projects. They had the choice of offering a significantly lower interest rate and paying the different to middlemen but decided to break the mold and bring stronger investments directly to investors.

So, if you're looking for an alternative investment with sizeable yields and monthly payment options, I highly recommend checking out Phoenix Capital Group's bond offerings. To learn more, download their free investor guide today at PHXonRedacted.com.

I Vow To Be Ethical

credit: supremecourt.gov

The Supreme Court declined to instate a formal code of conduct this week, but the Justices signed a statement saying they are committed to being ethical. Is that good enough? 

Democrats are calling for a formal code of ethics to be adopted for the conservative-majority court. This comes at a time when trust in the court has become polarized and questions have come up about the Justices’ finances. 

The statement addresses potential conflicts such as the Justices’ financial investment disclosures, speaking engagements, and recusals. It does not bind them to any protocol about those things. It is more of an outline of good practice. 

Democratic politicians have been especially vocal about this even though they arguably have far more conflicts of interest from political donors than the Justices. 

What's Trending?

credit: ap

Emmett Till is trending because the woman who accused him of making advances on her died at the age of 88. Her name was Carolyn Bryant Donham. Her accusation led to Till’s horrific death. She later recanted at least part of that accusation. 

NFL Draft is trending because that started Thursday and will wrap up on Saturday.

Amazon stock is trending because the company reported strong Q1 earnings but the stock dipped on concerns about the strength of Amazon’s cloud services. 

News By The Numbers

30 days. That is how long butter can be kept at room temperature without spoiling and if left longer, will not make you sick. I’ve been saying this for years! 

72. That is how many female athletes have signed a letter applauding the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act which prohibits biological males from competing in women’s sports. The bill probably won’t pass the Senate, though. 

$25 million. That is how much Don Lemon is expected to get as a payout from his exit from CNN. He says that he is going to enjoy his summer on the beach and his boat. 

374,155. That is how many abortions Planned Parenthood performed in 2022, according to its 2022 annual report.

What Is Cis Sexual? 

credit: getty

Elon Musk this week said that he considers the word “cisgender” as a slur. I too have many problems with this word. 

“Cisgender” refers to someone whose identity corresponds to their biological sex. So a biological man who identifies as a man. It is the antonym to the word “transgender,” which is a person whose identity is not their biological sex. 

Okay, so add “cissexual” to that lexicon. This word refers to people who have opposite sex sex. Man-woman sex. The opposite would be anything…else? Including “pedophilia and pedosexuality.”?

Cisgender is usually used as a word of exclusion and denigration. Like, “Oh you’re cisgendered, your sexuality is so basic.” It was used like that in the Sex and the City reboot and beyond. So what is the implication of using “cissexual”? We already see movements towards pedophilia as a protected sexual orientation in state laws.  

If you are “cisgender,” you do not have to consent to being called that. We don’t need an opposite identity of every dysphoria. 

SUPPORT INDEPENDENT JOURNALISM!

Click here to go to our store to grab some of our exclusive Merchandise.