Category: blaze media

Americans all over the country celebrated the 250th anniversary with fireworks, barbecue, and friends and family. Still others celebrated by joining one of the most patriotic-looking events — which was joined by United States Marines.

On Sunday, the day after Independence Day, dozens of Marines joined hundreds of enthusiastic runners for a remarkably patriotic run in the heart of New York City.

‘It does not matter who gets in our way. We will tell them we love them, and we’ll keep it pushing anyways.’

Video from the run shows rows of uniformed Marines running through Central Park, followed closely by hundreds of proud Americans carrying American flags of various sizes.

The group that organized the run, Unify USA, is on a mission to run with the American flag in all 50 states, uniting the country “one step and one smile at a time.”

RELATED: What are the odds? America’s birthday is full of incredible coincidences

One of the co-founders, Teagan McCoy, spoke at the event, holding a large American flag as he addressed the enthusiastic crowd of runners in Central Park.

“We are out here to spread patriotic positivity!” he said. “I expect to lose my voice at every event because I’m so passionate about this.”

He added that it doesn’t matter which state anyone is in because there are patriots all over the country: “I don’t care where you’re at. There are Americans who care in this country, and we are here to exemplify that.”

Teagan’s brother and group co-founder, Koston McCoy, also addressed the crowd, emphasizing the message that Unify USA is seeking to promote:

Every single day we have to wake up and decide: Are we going to do what we have to do to unify America one step and smile at a time? Are we gonna continue to ignore that there’s division in this country? And are we gonna stand proud for the flag that we hold in our hands today — and not only for today, but for the weeks, months, years, and for the rest of our life say we are proud to be Americans?

“It does not matter who gets in our way. We will tell them we love them, and we’ll keep it pushing anyways.”

Unify USA started at the end of last year and has gained traction as the 50-state tour has progressed. Its six-pillar mission includes restoring patriotism in the communities they visit, leading more people to heaven, supporting our veterans, and giving back to others.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​American flags, Americans, Independence day, New york city, States, Veterans, Politics 

Triple-degree heat and a severe thunderstorm weren’t enough to dampen patriots’ celebration of America’s 250th anniversary in the national capital.

Hours after the National Mall was evacuated on account of severe weather warnings, perhaps as many as 150,000 soaked and resilient attendees returned to join President Donald Trump in celebrating the country, honoring its heroes, and enjoying the dazzling fireworks.

‘I feel betrayed.’

Whereas his countrymen gathered at the National Mall couldn’t contain their joy, Chuck Todd, the ex-host of “Meet the Press,” evidently found himself unable to contain his anger and resentment over the America 250 celebrations.

The eponymous host of “The Chuck ToddCast” worked himself into a lather on Sunday, ranting about how “Donald Trump has ruined the American brand and the American birthday celebration” by supposedly making it “feel like an endorsement of one man or one political movement.”

While short on specifics about how Trump ruined the celebrations, Todd was confident that the country would have been better off with “hokey and bland” ceremonies rather than memorable, high-production events such as the UFC 250 matches at the White House.

Todd rattled off a list of sights that make some Americans feel patriotic, including military power, memorials for the founders, and fireworks — then noted what really floats his boat is a naturalization ceremony. He argued that Trump’s 250 celebrations were too narrowly tailored to certain types of patriotism and failed to “make room for other people’s patriotism too.”

RELATED: What are the odds? America’s birthday is full of incredible coincidences

Amid FARAHI/AFP/Getty Images

Despite suggesting that patriotism takes different forms, Todd insinuated that liberal guilt was essential.

“Patriotism is not being afraid of history. It is not pretending the country was perfect in 1776. It is not acting as if the only way to love America is to sand off every rough edge and call the result pride,” said the podcaster.

“I am so angry and feel betrayed,” whined Todd.

“I feel betrayed as an American by him on this.”

Closing out the July 4 events that caused Todd to gripe and tremble, Trump said, “We have thrived and flourished because our founders were great. Our cause was just. Our people are brave. Our culture is exceptional. And our destiny is written by God.”

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​America 250, Chuck todd, Independence day, Patriotism, Politics, President donald trump, Trump derangement syndrome, Washington dc 

Sony’s July 1 announcement that it would no longer produce video games in disc format has quickly spiraled out of control for the company.

After the PlayStation creators initially faced intense backlash from the gaming community on their social media and blog posts, that rage turned into a viral craze of major international brands trash-talking Sony overnight.

‘You wouldn’t steal fried chicken.’

Sony said on Wednesday it is ending the production of its physical game discs and will completely cease by January 2028, but by early Thursday morning companies like KFC were already dragging Sony over the announcement.

“BREAKING NEWS: KFC will stop offering its physical format starting today,” KFC Spain wrote on X at about 3 a.m. ET. “Its products can only be consumed through its app in fake PNG format.”

This was accompanied by “digital format” menu items, along with a parody commercial of the 2004 “you wouldn’t steal a car” ad campaign that condemned digital downloads. Instead, KFC wrote, “You wouldn’t steal fried chicken.”

RELATED: ‘You are killing ownership’: PlayStation goes digital-only as disc-loving gamers rage

Domino’s U.K. made a more serious accusation of Sony at first, saying the digital switch “makes about as much sense as us changing to digital pizzas.”

The pizza company added, “They took Blockbuster from us; now the gaming aisle.”

On Thursday morning, Domino’s announced its own digital format. “Domino’s UK will cease production of physical pizzas and shift to production of digital pizzas only,” the post read. “Consumers will be able to download our full range of delicious pizza codes and, using the power of the imagination, enjoy them in an entirely virtual sense.”

RELATED: New Senate bill punishes chilling of online speech — if it passes

GameSir, which manufactures video game controllers, also said the company “will fully cease the production of physical controllers,” to be replaced by “quantum entanglement and pure imagination.”

Other companies like email provider Proton said they will make their services entirely physical instead, in a hilarious reversal.

The company said it will offer “… encrypted letters hand-delivered by our team … [and] someone who follows you around and remembers your passwords.”

This was followed by a “VPN [that] flies you to one of 90+ locations so you can browse like a local,” while the AI service would instead be “a smart employee” who is sent to you to “answer questions, help with work, and draw things.”

On a serious note, gamers pointed to a recirculating post from iconic video game writer/director Hideo Kojima from 2021.

That August, Kojima predicted that “Eventually, even digital data will no longer be owned by individuals on their own initiative.”

The Japanese creator explained that whenever a “major change or accident” happens around the world, access to media may “suddenly be cut off.”

“We will not be able to freely access the movies, books, and music that we have loved. I would be a have-not. That’s what I’m afraid of. This is not greed,” Kojima added.

His predictions have proven to be true, with the most recent example from just this week when Sony also announced it would be deleting over 500 movies from its library due to licensing.

This means that users who have purchased the content will have it removed from their accounts starting September 1.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​News, Sony, Playstation, Physical media, Domino’s pizza, Kfc, Hideo kojima, Tech 

California regulators say they’re trying to save drivers money.

Their latest proposal would establish energy-efficiency standards for replacement tires, with the state arguing that more efficient tires will reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions, and save consumers money at the pump.

Imagine walking into a grocery store and being told certain products are no longer available because government officials decided another option was more efficient.

On paper, it sounds reasonable.

But it raises a much bigger question: Why should Sacramento decide which tires Americans are allowed to buy in the first place?

And if you think this will stay in California, think again. New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Massachusetts, and several other states have a long history of following California’s automotive regulations.

Where the rubber meets the road

Supporters argue that many replacement tires are less efficient than the original equipment tires that came on a vehicle, causing drivers to spend more on fuel.

The problem is that regulators are making an assumption that simply isn’t true: that the factory tire was somehow the best tire available.

Anyone who has spent time in the automotive industry knows better.

Automakers don’t choose tires based solely on fuel economy. Tire selection is a compromise involving cost, supplier relationships, ride quality, handling, noise, durability, availability, production requirements, and corporate agreements.

Sometimes, the factory tire is excellent. Sometimes, it’s merely adequate. Sometimes, it simply helped the manufacturer hit a cost target.

That’s why the replacement tire market exists.

Different priorities

Drivers have different priorities. Some want a quieter ride. Others want longer tread life, better snow traction, improved handling, or simply a less expensive option than the tire that came from the factory.

California’s proposal elevates fuel economy above all of those considerations.

Ask someone in a snowy climate whether they care more about winter traction or a small improvement in fuel economy. Ask a family on a tight budget whether they’d rather spend less on tires today or save a few dollars at the pump years from now. Ask a Mustang, Corvette, or Porsche owner whether maximum fuel efficiency was the reason they bought the car.

Different drivers have different priorities because they live different lives.

That’s why this debate isn’t really about tires. It’s about who gets to make decisions.

The state believes regulators should determine which tradeoffs are acceptable. Consumers traditionally believe they should make those decisions themselves.

RELATED: Spinning out at Discount Tire’s Treadwell test track

Discount Tire

Who decides?

Imagine walking into a grocery store and being told certain products are no longer available because government officials decided another option was more efficient. Maybe the alternative is perfectly acceptable. Maybe it isn’t. The point is that somebody else made the decision for you.

The state insists consumers aren’t losing all choice because multiple tire brands will still be available. But that’s not the issue. The issue is that government is narrowing the menu of options based on criteria regulators have prioritized over consumer preference.

Drivers replace tires for all kinds of reasons. They move to different climates, switch to all-season or winter tires, buy used vehicles that need affordable replacements, or prioritize tread life, comfort, or performance over fuel economy.

Those aren’t edge cases. They’re everyday realities.

California projects that consumers will save money through improved fuel efficiency. But that calculation only works if the additional cost of compliant tires doesn’t outweigh the fuel savings.

That’s a major assumption.

Tires are already expensive, and specialty and performance tires can cost hundreds of dollars each. If regulations reduce competition and eliminate lower-cost alternatives, consumers could face fewer choices and higher prices.

Let the market work

The replacement tire market works because it allows consumers to compare tradeoffs. Companies such as Tire Rack have built their reputations helping drivers evaluate those tradeoffs, and their testing routinely shows that no single tire is best at everything.

A tire with excellent fuel economy may not offer the best performance. A tire with exceptional tread life may sacrifice handling. A high-performance tire may give up efficiency in exchange for grip.

That’s not a flaw. That’s the point of a competitive marketplace.

Then there’s another question worth asking: Who benefits?

The answer isn’t some giant conspiracy theory involving tire manufacturers. But history shows that complicated regulations often favor larger companies with the engineering resources, testing facilities, and compliance departments necessary to navigate new requirements. Smaller competitors frequently face greater challenges.

That may not be the intent. But it is often the outcome.

California officials argue the program will help achieve broader environmental goals and reduce fuel consumption statewide. That’s a legitimate policy objective.

The question is whether those benefits justify restricting the choices available to millions of consumers.

Basic questions

Before regulators decide which tires Americans should be allowed to buy, they should answer a basic question: If a driver understands the tradeoffs and is spending their own money, why should Sacramento decide that fuel-efficiency targets matter more than that consumer’s personal preferences?

The California Energy Commission is conducting this rulemaking through Docket 26-TIRE-01 using authority granted under Assembly Bill 844, legislation passed in 2003.

Think about that.

A law enacted more than 20 years ago could soon help determine which replacement tires Americans can buy in the future.

That’s not speculation.

That’s public record.

Go read it.

​Automotive, Tires, California, Regulation 

Hawaii may be known for its beauty, but little known about the paradise is its anti-gun law — which forced gun owners to leave their firearms at home unless a public place posted that guns were welcome.

The state used its “spirit of aloha” as a reason for the law.

“So in other words, you can’t bring your gun anywhere unless it’s posted. Where the rest of the sane world, if a store owner says, ‘I don’t want guns in here,’ they have to post, ‘No guns allowed,’” BlazeTV host Glenn Beck explains.

“They fenced off 96% of publicly accessible land with a stroke of a pen. 96%. And they called it, proudly, the vampire rule. Because like a vampire, a vampire can’t cross the threshold unless you invite them in,” he says.

However, that all changed this past week in Wolford v. Lopez, in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Hawaii’s law prohibiting licensed concealed-carry permit holders from carrying handguns on private property open to the public violates the Second and 14th Amendments.

Glenn notes that Justice Alito played a huge part in the ruling, explaining that he “drove a stake through the heart of the vampire rule in Hawaii” when he ruled that your right to carry arms shouldn’t end in your home.

“Alito said the Second Amendment means the same thing whether you have a lei around your neck or not. It doesn’t bend to the spirit of aloha any more than it bows to the mayor of, you know, Chicago or New York,” Glenn explains.

“A right is a right. It doesn’t change with zip codes,” he adds.

Hawaii also used an 1865 Louisiana statute as an example of the law being used before.

“If you’re going back and you’re looking for ways to defend yourself and you have to go to the South in the 1860s, it’s probably not going to be something you should say out loud,” Glenn says.

“That statute in 1865 said you can’t bring a gun on another man’s property without permission. And they actually said ‘that’s tradition.’ … No, that’s not tradition. That was called the Black Code. And it was written after the Civil War to disarm free black men so they couldn’t protect their families,” he continues.

“So the instrument that was used for racial disarmament, they said it’s the ‘spirit of aloha,’” he adds.

Want more from Glenn Beck?

To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

​Civil war, Fourteenth amendment, Glenn beck, Justice alito, Second amendment, Hawaii, Supreme court, Gun laws, The glenn beck program 

Snapchat said what researchers found when they signed up for the app was not a balanced assessment, despite an overwhelming amount of “unsafe” content reportedly being shown to teens.

A study from ParentsTogether Action and the Heat Initiative has revealed that new Snapchat accounts meant for 13-year-olds are allegedly recommended a bounty of violence, sex, and drug-themed content as soon as they sign up.

‘A systematic failure to keep kids safe on Snapchat.’

The adult researchers say they created Snapchat accounts registered as 13-year-old users with no saved contacts and used avatars, not real photos, before documenting their interactions with recommended accounts and videos.

The users watched one hour of Snapchat’s recommended “Spotlight” videos and one hour of videos on Snapchat Stories and said that “within the first minute,” the accounts were suggested unsafe content.

Unsafe content was defined as being sexual in nature, promoting depression or self-harm, containing drug use/alcohol/violence, promoting plastic surgery, and more.

There was reportedly no shortage of such material, as researchers said they were recommended 739 unsafe videos that included 244 sexual videos and 257 videos about drugs or alcohol.

Some of the content showed bags of marijuana, allegedly underage teens using drugs, and even teens talking about killing themselves.

Other sexual content contained one girl talking about being a “dirty little slut,” while another talked about her experience with anal sex.

Additionally, Snapchat also “recommended adults who were using their Snapchat accounts to promote adult-oriented businesses, including shoes and costumes for exotic dancers, a burlesque club, and lingerie modeling.”

This was in addition to content showing very young girls in revealing outfits doing dances or trying on outfits. Many comments sexualized the young girls and used pizza-related emojis, which is allegedly a veiled reference to pedophilia.

RELATED: The KIDS Act would turn web browsing into a TSA line

Images courtesy of ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative

NBC’s “Today” ran a segment that stated half of Americans ages 13-17 say they use Snapchat every day. The program interviewed three teenagers who said they joined Snapchat before turning 13 years old, with one girl saying it is “normal” to see “extremely hyper-sexual” and “extremely violent” content on the app.

“I think it’s kind of omnipresent,” a male teen said about the content.

Showing kids this type of content, the teenager argued, has “redefined” kids to be “unsurprised by vile … acts.”

One teen named Emma said she often gets added by strangers who “most of the time” send her pictures of their “anatomy.”

Snapchat told “Today” that it automatically makes young peoples’ accounts private and undiscoverable by adult strangers. Snapchat also said it “will not connect adults with underage users unless they have three mutual contacts.”

Snapchat further told “Today” that the report is “based on a handful of ‘researcher’-created accounts,” which “does not provide a balanced or representative assessment of teen safety on Snapchat.”

Snapchat insisted that “no single safety feature or policy can eliminate every potential risk,” adding that the company continues to “invest in new protections and work closely with safety experts, law enforcement, parents, and policymakers … to keep all Snapchatters safe.”

RELATED: US company will use Chinese humanoid robots at Michigan data center

Image courtesy of ParentsTogether Action and Heat Initiative

“Our research makes clear that Snapchat’s own product design, particularly its recommendation algorithms, consistently puts children in harm’s way, sometimes within minutes of joining the platform,” said Heat Initiative President Brooke Istook in a statement to Blaze News.

Istook added, “Parents have been sounding the alarm for years. Lawsuits have documented the harms. Children continue to be targeted, exploited, and exposed to dangerous content because Snap has not fixed the systems that cause these risks.”

Shelby Knox, director of online safety for ParentsTogether Action, said in a statement that what researchers found “wasn’t just disturbing; it was a systematic failure to keep kids safe on Snapchat.”

The organizations called for Snapchat to redesign its platform with safer defaults and recommendations.

Snapchat did not respond to a request for comment by Blaze News.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​News, Snapchat, Social media, Child safety, Tech 

Just when the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team looked to be shorthanded going into its next World Cup match, FIFA made a shocking announcement.

Though the team won 2-0 against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday, the victory was bittersweet for the United States given that lead scorer Folarin Balogun received a red card in the 64th minute, which came with a suspension for the next match.

‘It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad decision.’

Just a day before their pivotal round-of-16 match against Belgium, the Americans learned they could breathe a sigh of relief knowing that FIFA had concluded, following a review, that Balogun’s foul was no longer worthy of a suspension.

The FIFA disciplinary committee announced it would instead place Balogun on a probationary period, allegedly after President Donald Trump gave FIFA President Gianni Infantino a call following Wednesday’s game.

Trump called Infantino to ask if FIFA’s governing body would review the red card, the Associated Press reported, while Fox News similarly reported this to be the case, citing an inside source.

“In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the implementation of the match suspension is suspended for a probationary period of one year,” FIFA said in a statement, per NBC News. “If Folarin Balogun commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.”

Trump reacted to the news on Sunday afternoon with a post on Truth Social that read, “Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!”

RELATED: Trump’s USA World Cup watch party a raucous hit on National Mall

Adding controversy to the story is the fact that referee Raphael Claus — who issued the red card to Balogun — has been involved in an investigation surrounding match-fixing in Brazil.

The New York Post reported that Claus was summoned as a witness in a match-fixing and sports-betting investigation in 2024, in which multiple soccer teams had raised concerns over his in-match decisions and issuance of cards. However, Claus was found not guilty and faced no charges or punishments as investigators reportedly found no direct evidence that linked him to any such schemes.

Claus refereed in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, too.

Neither the Brazilian Football Confederation nor FIFA responded to a request for comment from Blaze News.

Reactions

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia was described by the Associated Press as mocking FIFA’s decision, comparing it to an April Fool’s joke: “I didn’t know that in the offices of FIFA the 5th of July was the 1st of April in Europe.”

Garcia added, “The Belgian federation does not defend itself; it does not protect the national team. She defends football in general, she defends her integrity, her ethics. I think it’s the first time in the history of the World Cup that there is this kind of decision.”

The Royal Belgian Football Association said it was “astonished” by the decision and that it was “investigating all potential options.”

RELATED: NFL legend Chris Johnson, father of 4, reveals devastating diagnosis: ‘I can’t even hold a cup’

The United States Soccer Federation said it was “pleased” by FIFA’s decision to reinstate Balogun, according to NBC News.

“We accept the decision of the Disciplinary Committee and are pleased that Folarin Balogun is eligible to compete [Monday],” the statement said. “Our full attention is focused on the Round of 16 match against Belgium in Seattle, and we look forward to the continued support of our amazing fans.”

At the same time, Norway head coach Stale Solbakken said FIFA rescinding the suspension was a “bad decision” that would tarnish a U.S. victory, should the team prevail against Belgium.

“It’s a bad, bad, bad, bad decision for the World Cup, and I feel sorry for the U.S., because if they win, the result will always be looked at in that way,” Solbakken said, per ESPN.

Soccer legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic said the red card should never have been given in the first place.

The United States and Belgium play at 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Lumen Field in Seattle.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Fearless, World cup, Team usa, Soccer, Donald trump, Fifa, Belgium, Sports, Politics 

Two female police officers were assaulted and injured in a July 4 mob attack in South Carolina that was caught on video. Authorities also recovered guns as well as a spear.

The North Charleston Police Department said the city had permitted a neighborhood block party. Police said its leadership met with block party organizers to discuss the event, including traffic and parking plans to ensure emergency vehicles could safely access the area if needed.

‘We can’t attack and jump on a police officer who was just trying to do her job and beat her like that, like a mob. That just can’t happen.’

But police said around 8:30 p.m., officers began receiving reports of gunfire and individuals shooting fireworks toward passing vehicles.

Officers responded immediately, and attendees told them that several people had begun discharging firearms, police said, adding that officers made repeated public announcements advising that the event had ended and directing attendees to leave the area safely, in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

Police said that despite those efforts, multiple fights broke out and additional gunshots were fired.

Officers exited their patrol vehicles to intervene, separate individuals involved in fights, and restore order and protect the public, police said, adding that during the response, multiple firearms and a makeshift spear were recovered.

Police said “multiple officers were physically assaulted, with two female officers sustaining minor injuries,” and “several attendees were arrested as a result of their own actions.”

The following is cellphone video of the physical attacks:

RELATED: Bodycam video: Thug ambushes, repeatedly stabs Florida deputy. Sheriff’s office reveals what ultimately saved deputy’s life.

Police said other law enforcement agencies — including the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, the Charleston Police Department, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, and the South Carolina Highway Patrol — responded to assist the North Charleston Police Department.

“Attacks on law enforcement are unacceptable, and those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” police said. “The safety of our residents and visitors remains our highest priority.”

Police also said “we especially thank those from the community who helped officers during the attacks.”

WCSC-TV reported that the attacks occurred near Chicora Community Park on Calvert Street — and that police said the event had been held in the same location for about 10 years without incident.

About 400 people were present at the scene, police told WCSC.

North Charleston Police Chief Ron Camacho told the station that the two female officers who were injured “are fine. They’re working.”

Three juveniles and one adult were arrested, Camacho added to WCSC, saying that “at least one or two of those arrests were for assaulting an officer.”

Camacho also told the station that additional arrests are expected as investigators review body-camera video: “What you got on that social media, you’re looking at one little snippet, at one little video. We were out there for an extended period of time.”

Community advocate Elvin Speights told WCSC he was shaken after watching the video circulate online: “A lot of emotions. Ashamed. Disgraced. I’m very pleased that no one was seriously hurt. That could have gone really bad.”

Speights added to the station that “we just can’t do that. We can’t attack and jump on a police officer who was just trying to do her job and beat her like that, like a mob. That just can’t happen.”

Speights also told WCSC the police response was admirable: “I just wanted to give a huge shout-out to that officer who showed humongous restraint on not going out here and pulling her gun and start shooting. The North Charleston Police Department as a whole — no one was seriously hurt. They showed a lot of restraint.”

Camacho told the station that police had prior intelligence that juveniles were planning to engage in fights using fireworks in the area that night — but were not prepared for the scale of what took place at the block party.

“We were not ready for this,” Camacho noted to WCSC.

More from the station:

The chief said the department has already made policy changes in how officers respond to calls involving juveniles, including requiring higher-ranking officers — corporals, sergeants or lieutenants — to respond to certain juvenile-related calls in an effort to lower the temperature of those interactions.

“We need some help,” Camacho told WCSC. “We really do. We need some help from the community. Because stuff like this is getting dangerous.”

Camacho also told the the station that unruly juveniles are “the most difficult thing that I’ve had to deal with in my policing career.” He added to WCSC that he plans to meet with community leaders soon to discuss solutions.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson had the following to say on X regarding the incident, according to the station:

The violence we witnessed in North Charleston is unacceptable. There is no place in South Carolina for mob violence or attacks on law enforcement.

Anyone who assaults a police officer, fires a weapon into a crowd, or threatens public safety should be arrested, prosecuted, and held fully accountable.

South Carolina is a state of law and order. We will not tolerate mob rule.

Those with additional information about the individuals involved in the shootings or other criminal activity are encouraged to contact authorities through the CRIMEWATCH app, WCSC reported.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Physical attack, Assault, South carolina, North charleston, July 4, Block party, Mob attack, Police officers assaulted, Crime 

An 84-year-old Bartow, Florida, man is suing Waffle House after he says a window advertisement for the chain’s limited-edition strawberry shortcake waffle proved more powerful than his own legs.

Edward Bowlds was crossing the parking lot with his wife on April 17, 2025, when the promo display caught his eye. While his attention stayed locked on the waffle, his feet found an “abnormally high” curb with no paint or markings to warn him it was coming — and down he went, the lawsuit filed earlier this year claimed.

It would be ‘disingenuous for Waffle House to suggest that Mr. Bowlds should have been watching where he was walking,’ letter claims.

The lawsuit doesn’t hold back on the marketing critique, either. The ad was, according to the lawsuit, sized and placed specifically to grab the attention of customers who had already parked — a strawberry-frosted trap, apparently, for anyone weak enough to glance at it.

A pre-lawsuit demand letter put it more bluntly: It would be “disingenuous for Waffle House to suggest that Mr. Bowlds should have been watching where he was walking when it was Waffle House who distracted his attention away from where he was walking.”

RELATED: America has culture — just ask the World Cup fans discovering Waffle House

Nicole Craine/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The fall allegedly left Bowlds with a fractured nose and a torn rotator cuff, and his attorney says the injuries have taken a real toll — he is largely confined to a recliner now and can’t help his wife with groceries or yard work like he used to, the letter claimed.

Bowlds and his wife reportedly sought a $300,000 settlement before filing suit. Waffle House declined, and now a jury will get to decide just how irresistible a picture of a waffle can legally be.

Waffle House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Lawsuit, Settlement, Politics, Florida 

President Trump won the 2024 election promising to gut Biden-era DEI across the federal government, calling it “illegal and immoral.” The CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence tried to do exactly that — moving to fire 19 career officers who had spent their time on diversity, equity, and inclusion assignments instead of actual intelligence work.

Two Democrat-appointed judges said not so fast.

‘As long as the employee subject to termination chooses to pursue reassignment, the agencies must attempt to reassign her.’

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Thursday that the CIA and ODNI have to let the 19 DEI-linked officers appeal their firings and, in some cases, apply for reassignment before they can be shown the door, the Washington Times reported.

The panel found the agencies skipped procedural steps required for a reduction in force — a technicality that’s now kept the firings frozen for well over a year, according to Bloomberg Government.

Writing for the majority, Biden-appointee Judge Nicole Berner — joined by Obama-appointee Judge Stephanie Thacker — ruled the officers had enough of a claim to their jobs to sue in the first place.

Berner wrote: “As long as the employee subject to termination chooses to pursue reassignment, the agencies must attempt to reassign her.”

RELATED: ‘BIG WIN’: Trump calls SCOTUS ‘Slaughter’ ruling the greatest increase of presidential power in 100 years

Graeme Sloan/Bloomberg/Getty Images

In a blistering dissent, Judge Paul Niemeyer, a George H.W. Bush appointee, argued that Congress gave intelligence directors “unfettered discretion” to fire employees precisely so courts couldn’t micromanage personnel decisions at agencies handling national security.

He called the injunction unlawful and urged the Supreme Court to step in, calling it a serious separation-of-powers problem: judges telling the CIA how to run its own house.

The ruling lands days after the Supreme Court handed Trump a win affirming his broad authority to fire employees, with a separate case providing a narrow carve-out for officials like Federal Reserve board members.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Blaze news, Censors, Cia, Dei, Diversity, Election, Equity, Federal government, Federal reserve, Inclusion, President trump, Reduction in force, Supreme court, Politics 

George Will has called it “one of the half-dozen best speeches ever given by an American president.” Calvin Coolidge gave it in Philadelphia on a Monday, to a crowd of 35,000, in a voice one reporter described as “as unemotional as Fate.”

Calvin Coolidge holds a unique distinction. He is the only U.S. president born on the Fourth of July. But the year in question, his birthday landed on a Sunday — and for Coolidge, a Calvinist, that meant church came first. He and his family attended services at Washington’s First Congregational Church, then spent the evening at home over a quiet dinner. The big Philadelphia commemoration would simply have to wait until Monday.

‘About the Declaration, there is a finality that is exceedingly restful.’

As if on cue, a rainstorm tore through Washington on the Fourth itself. Fireworks were rained out that Sunday, pushed to a next-day show on the July 5. The country’s actual birthday got rained out. Coolidge’s rebuttal happened the next day — and the rain followed him. Tens of thousands packed the Sesquicentennial Stadium in Philadelphia anyway to hear him speak.

The fight was over whether the Declaration of Independence still meant anything. A wave of progressive thinkers had taken to dismissing its core claims — that all men are created equal, that rights are inalienable, that government answers to the people — as relics from a less enlightened age, ideas modern minds had supposedly outgrown.

Coolidge stood up and told them they were wrong.

RELATED: After UFC patriotic smash, Trump announces ‘spectacular’ 250th anniversary celebration rally at the Lincoln Memorial

HUM Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

“About the Declaration,” he said, “there is a finality that is exceedingly restful.” If all men are created equal, “that is final.” If they are endowed with inalienable rights, “that is final.” If government draws its power from the consent of the governed, “that is final.”

Then he went farther. Those who wanted to reject those propositions weren’t moving forward — they were moving backward, toward a time when there was no equality, no rights of the individual, no rule of the people. “Those who wish to proceed in that direction cannot lay claim to progress. They are reactionary.”

He was telling the smartest people in the room that they had missed the point of their own country. A century later, the argument hasn’t aged a day.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Declaration of independence, Founding principles, Inalienable rights, Philadelphia, Politics 

BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey has long been vocal about her opposition to in vitro fertilization. Between embryos being routinely frozen, discarded, or destroyed; the high health risks posed to both women and babies; eugenics-like embryo selection; and technology that takes us from what’s natural to what’s possible in often unethical and immoral ways, IVF is a hard no for the Christian, she argues.

However, now there’s another issue to add to the list: IVF mix-ups.

On this episode of “Relatable,” Allie pulls the curtain back on a disturbing reality the IVF industry keeps hidden.

In December 2025, a white couple from Florida — Tiffany Score and Steven Mills — went through IVF at the Fertility Center of Orlando. Tiffany gave birth to a healthy baby girl whom they named Shea.

But there was one problem: The child was not theirs.

Shea’s skin color and features looked nothing like either parent. Genetic testing confirmed that she was in fact 100% South Asian and not biologically related to either parent.

After meetings with both sets of parents, they reached a custody agreement. Score and Mills would raise Shea as her permanent custodial parents, while her biological parents would have some involvement in her life but not primary custody. The biological parents reportedly wanted to keep Shea but accepted the custody agreement due to the legal challenges of claiming a child carried and born by another woman.

“Just think about this as a mom, how hard this would be,” Allie sighs, sympathizing deeply with both sets of parents.

Score and Mills sued the Fertility Center of Orlando and its lead reproductive endocrinologist for negligence in implanting the wrong embryo. Shea’s genetic parents are also suing the clinic, which permanently closed earlier this year.

“[Score and Mills are] also looking to track down their own embryos and find out if one of their embryos might have also been implanted in another woman … or if they still exist,” Allie says.

Tragically, this mix-up isn’t an anomaly. Robert Marcereau, the attorney representing Shea’s biological parents, has handled multiple high-profile IVF and embryo error cases across clinics.

But perhaps the most shocking part of IVF mix-ups is that clinics are not required to report them.

“America is a wild, wild west for the fertility industry. It is so unregulated, it’s insane,” Allie says.

To hear more, watch the episode above.

Want more from Allie Beth Stuckey?

To enjoy more of Allie’s upbeat and in-depth coverage of culture, news, and theology from a Christian, conservative perspective, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

​Relatable with allie beth stuckey, Allie beth stuckey, Ivf, Relatable 

When WNBA coach Stephanie White of the Indiana Fever spoke to reporters on Wednesday, her comments seemingly began as a defense of her player Caitlin Clark.

However, standing up for her star guard seemed like a sidebar to a rant that ran through a near-exhaustive list of buzzwords about diversity.

‘Our league is about elevating — elevating women.’

There has been immense blowback from casual viewers about the on-court treatment of Clark, which culminated when she received a fist to the throat from Phoenix Mercury player Alyssa Thomas while on the ground.

While no foul was issued during the game, Thomas was eventually handed a flagrant foul 2 and a one-game suspension.

Thomas has since alleged she’s received threats online, which Coach White decided to address in Wednesday’s media scrum.

“I think as a league as a whole, there’s been so much more toxicity, racism, homophobia, straight-out, like, nonsense, hate nonsense. And it is absolutely unacceptable,” White began.

With her scope immediately broadening to all progressive politics, the head coach soon assured fans that the WNBA is about as liberal as a sports league could be.

“Our league is about inclusiveness. Our league is about competition. Our league is about elevating — elevating women, elevating marginalized communities,” White listed off.

The 49-year-old wasn’t finished there, saying the league’s views included “being inclusive of all different walks of life” while even claiming the WNBA has been and will continue to be “on the forefront of social norms.”

White added, “That is what our league has always been about from day one. That is what our league will continue to be about.”

RELATED: Caitlin Clark gets fist to the throat as WNBA primed to explode: ‘She’s a straight white basketball player’

The coach also claimed most of the alleged online abuse directed at Thomas was not from WNBA fans, but rather the “online community.”

White then said that it was an attempt by online actors to use the WNBA for their own politics.

“I believe that this is people who are using our league, using our players to further divisive agendas. It’s not acceptable,” she reaffirmed.

White did manage to get some time in for the actual subject at hand — her star player — by saying the league was not effective in communicating with Clark regarding the foul and her treatment.

“We have to continue to protect our players. We’ve got to continue to support our players in our league,” White said.

However, the coach made sure to sprinkle in comments like: “It’s not hard to not be a jerk. And if you are one of these people that are online doing this, do not call yourself a WNBA fan.”

RELATED: Comedian Druski and BET Awards LAMPOON the black church

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

According to the New York Times, Thomas said that she was not even aware of her foul against Clark until after the game.

“A lot of us, myself included, didn’t even know the play took place until after the game, and now we’re being painted as thugs and there’s death threats out on us, so it’s really unacceptable. It’s something that needs to change in this league, and I’m just really sick and tired of it,” Thomas reportedly said after her team’s practice on Tuesday.

Thomas also reportedly claimed that she had not heard from the WNBA commissioner’s office, but inside sources from the Times claimed that the commissioner “exchanged texts and offered to get on a call with Alyssa Thomas last week.”

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Fearless, Caitlin clark, Wnba, Woke, Sports 

One of the reasons I am alarmed by the socialist/communist trends in my own country is that I visited such countries in my youth.

My first look at communism was at Checkpoint Charlie in West Berlin in 1984. There, you crossed into East Berlin (the communist side) through a barbed wire, land-mined, machine gun-guarded, no-man’s land.

The bite wound — on her hand — appeared serious enough to require an antiseptic. But where could they find that, late at night, in Havana?

People had died trying to cross it.

Once inside East Berlin, you immediately saw why. The city was lifeless, poor, and depressing. The people were ugly and not safe to interact with. The general misery was suffocating. It was a huge relief to get back to West Berlin.

In the following years, I had other experiences in the “democratic socialist” countries of Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, which were also chillingly prison-like and horrific.

After several decades of communism, all the normal people in these countries had escaped or died. Only the creeps, criminals, and mentally enfeebled remained.

I always believed that if Americans could see for themselves what “democratic socialism” looks like, they would be instantly dissuaded from supporting or advocating for it.

But as I’ve learned, that is not always the case.

Americans abroad

My favorite example is when an American friend (35) and her mother (61) visited Cuba in the 2010s. They were an adventurous duo and fairly seasoned travelers.

They were also very liberal. They both donated to NPR. They were both ardent fans of Rachel Maddow. And they would later suffer from severe cases of Trump derangement syndrome.

So what did they think of socialist Cuba? And its poverty, corruption, and lack of economic opportunity?

They loved it. They thought Cuba was great.

RELATED: Liberal critics hate ‘The Wizard of the Kremlin’ — that’s how I knew it was worth a watch

Curiosa Films

Royalty among the peasants

Now, I have traveled to third-world countries myself, and I have been impressed by the resilience of the people. There is something romantic about such cultures, something satisfying about the simplicity and earthiness of their lives.

Part of the enjoyment of such places is that all standards are lowered. The locals are poor and uneducated. You are practically a philosopher-king among the peasants. You can relax and enjoy your superiority.

Havana moon

When my friend and her mother returned from Cuba, she told me about their trip: the great food, the picturesque street life. The two had gone to nightclubs and danced to incredible live music.

The locals fawned over them. A kindly Cuban woman invited them to her house for dinner. They bought peasant skirts, handmade hats, and local jewelry.

It was all very romantic. Everyone was so nice to them. The locals appreciated their interest in Cuban culture.

Straight from the horse’s mouth

They did have one problem though. The mother, while strolling along the promenade in Havana, was bitten by a horse.

The bite wound — on her hand — appeared serious enough to require an antiseptic. But where could they find that, late at night, in Havana?

No pharmacies were open. So they found a sympathetic bartender who doused the wound with vodka and wrapped it in a bar towel as best he could.

In the morning, it was worse. They had to find a doctor, which was not easy to do.

Finally, they found an English-speaking doctor, who was eager to help them once he found out the mother was married to a doctor in America.

He properly dressed the wound but mostly peppered the mother and daughter with questions about doctors in the USA. How much did they make? What kind of car did they drive? How big was their house?

The doctor hounded them for contact information. He was plotting his own escape. Fortunately, he had not escaped already and was there to help the mother with her horse-bitten hand.

Socialists love their socialism

I don’t mean to be critical of my friend, but this trip demonstrated why left-leaning liberals don’t see any problem with a socialist government.

To them, the slower pace of life is spiritually enriching. Not to mention the delicious food. And the soulful music.

If only Americans could be more like the Cubans. If only we weren’t such money-grubbing workaholics and could just relax and enjoy those sultry nights and the gorgeous Havana moon, which shone so bright in the sky (mostly because there was no electricity for street lights).

No, socialists love their socialism. Or rather their dream of socialism. I noticed that my friend was very happy to be back in the suburbs, to get back to her yoga class and her air-conditioned Suburu.

​Blake’s progress, Socialism, Cuba, East berlin 

When Glenn Beck first learned that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be hosted in America, he immediately lamented that “all the people that hate us are going to come” and further the bash the country.

But it seems the opposite has happened. Tourists from all over the world have been proclaiming praise for America and its people — even accusing their own countries of lying to them about the United States.

On a recent episode of “The Glenn Beck Program,” Glenn sat down with Andrew Brocklesby — a British-American from Nottingham, England, who moved to the U.S. in 2020 — to discuss exactly how the British media convinced so many millions of people to fear and hate America.

– YouTube

Brocklesby explains that in the U.K., America is portrayed by the media and in TV shows like “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” as a place defined by “war” that’s run by a “bad person” (Trump).

“You can imagine my shock when I first came to the U.S. … I’ve had not a single issue. It’s been absolutely wonderful. The community here has just blown me away,” he tells Glenn, noting that the Southerners he lives among now have been quite the opposite of the “hillbillies” England portrays them to be.

Social media, Brocklesby says, is full of evidence that the U.K.’s anti-America propaganda has been hugely effective. He cites viral street interviews where British people cringe and recoil at the idea of visiting the United States.

“I recommend anyone in the U.K., if they’re listening to this, please, please come to the U.S. Come to the South, anywhere in the U.S. You’re going to be blown away, and you’re not going to want to go home,” he says.

“It’s almost as if we’ve been made into cartoons for the rest of the world,” Glenn says, recalling a story about a black Canadian woman who was legitimately afraid to visit Texas because there are “guns and racists everywhere.”

From what he’s experienced, Brocklesby says Texas “might be one of the safest places in the entire world.”

“Everyone has guns for a reason, and that’s to protect themselves, their family, and the community. That’s what it’s all about. You’re going to be safe,” he says.

Glenn then asks Brocklesby about the notion of “free speech,” which England claims to protect despite its significant legal restrictions on hate speech, “offensive” expression, and other categories of speech.

Free speech in England is “not the same” as free speech in the U.S., Glenn says. “Our Bill of Rights makes things different.”

“One thing that really breaks my heart since becoming a U.S. citizen … is you’re not allowed to fly the Union Jack or the England flag because it’s seen as rude, offensive, racist,” Brocklesby says.

“What I want people in my home country to understand … [is] the flag stands for community. It stands for what you envision the country to be, and you should be proud of that,” he continues. “And the fact that you can be fined and arrested in the U.K. for voicing your own opinion now is absolutely disgusting, and I’m so hurt for my family and my friends back home.”

“What’s the best thing about America?” Glenn asks.

“The community,” Brocklesby says. “Everyone just looks out for each other, no matter who you are. … That doesn’t happen anywhere else.”

“There is no other country in the entire world that does it quite like America.”

To hear more, watch the video above.

Want more from Glenn Beck?

To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

​The glenn beck program, Glenn beck, United kingdom, Andrew brocklesby 

In his 1956 essay “Sometimes Fairy Stories May Say Best What’s to Be Said,” C.S. Lewis separates the creator of any given imaginative work (novel, poem, etc.) into two distinct identities: the Author and the Man.

The Author, initiator of the creation, is he who first feels the desire to put imagined scenes to form. For him, it’s inspiring, it’s fun. It is the Man, on the other hand, who elevates the work. He supplements it by sprouting meaning within the Author’s vision. The two are essential to any great work, says Lewis, in order to create something that is just as edifying as it is pleasing.

I am there to define, explain, or find out more alongside them. We learn together. Each individual piece in the book acts as a wellspring for more.

It is within Dr. Matthew Mehan’s most recent work — a 375-page tome for all ages, which commemorates our nation’s 250th anniversary — that we see Lewis’ united Author-Man theory perfectly executed.

A good, new book

“The American Book of Fables” is, at long last, a good, new book. Not a reprint of a forgotten favorite, not an old “classic” we must dust off and apply new pictures to. But a new classic, which explores both the natural splendor and man-made creations that make up our United States — alongside (or rather, through) beautiful poetry and prose and stunning illustrations by master artist John Folley.

The book is divided into 13 parts. Each one is introduced by a unique portion of text from the Declaration of Independence and focuses on a different ecological region of the country. Within the text, we find poems, rhymes, fables, and true narrations of America’s historical and cultural traditions. Ensuring no one is left out of the book’s offerings, Mehan includes something each for “littles,” “middles,” and “bigs” in every chapter.

On a personal level (I’m a homeschool mom), this setup has been invaluable. I say this because this year, as we lead up to the semiquincentennial, I’ve struggled with exactly where to begin in teaching my small children about the greatness of our nation.

Yes, we’ll be going to the Independence Day parade in our town. We’ll wear red, white, and blue and wave American flags. We’ll see fireworks and eat hot dogs. But I’d be lying if I said I actually thought these activities mean nearly as much as having a true understanding of America — its epic history, its diverse beauty, its superb design.

Bigs and littles

This is what “The American Book of Fables” offers. I’m able to start my eager 4-year old with the rhymes and poetry in the “littles” section. My 6-year-old especially enjoys the fables of the “middles” section. And I myself have learned a great deal from the section for “bigs,” which we will undoubtedly graduate our kids to as they get older.

It was last fall that I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Mehan about his book, which was then still in the works. Talking with him via FaceTime, I had one of those experiences where I was so obviously in over my head in regard to the content of our discussion. I pride myself on being rather well-read and knowledgeable of historical facts and general information. But Dr. Mehan is a walking encyclopedia of the Western canon. His knowledge of the great books, the great thinkers, and all related fields is light-years beyond my own. I won’t fib and say I didn’t sometimes struggle to remember my philosophers and to understand some of the concepts we discussed.

I don’t say this to stir pity, but rather to emphasize a theme that I’ve come to understand in both talking with Dr. Mehan and reading his book. And that is that it’s good to be a bit in over your head. In fact, this is the way the best thinkers learn. It is, for instance, how our founding fathers learned. And somewhere over the last 250 years, we Americans have forgotten that.

Antidote to brain rot

Shining the spotlight on modern-day kids’ literature, I hate to be the millionth parent to say it, but much of it is brain rot. If it doesn’t lack a moral center, it lacks plot or meaning entirely. The oversimplified Corporate Memphis illustrations add nothing. Sometimes, the books are actually evil — for example, in those that encourage kids to believe it’s possible to change their sex.

The children of the founding generation dined on far heartier intellectual fare. And this drove the entire educational process from youth through adulthood.

When we talk about the greatness of America, we do ourselves a disservice by only skimming off the top of what the founding fathers created. Dr. Mehan emphasizes that it’s important to go deeper and examine what they themselves read, studied, and mulled over. This is, after all, what created their imaginations. And “it is just that ‘brilliant imagination’ that formed a crucial and prior condition for all of the founders’ deliberations, words, and deeds — the very things that brought about the formation of this great country,” Dr. Mehan explains.

RELATED: ‘The American Family’s Book of Fables’: Wit and wisdom for our nation’s 250th

Matt Mehan at work (l, photo by his son) and on a research trip to the Everglades (r). Hulton Archive/Getty Images/mythicalmammal.com

A rich tapestry

In “The American Book of Fables,” Dr. Mehan creates a tapestry of Judeo-Christian values, lessons from the “Book of Nature,” ancient philosophy, Greek and Roman myths, beast fables, and other imagery that the founding fathers studied. He accomplishes this while weaving within them his own tales and adapting certain works to American soil.

As the title implies, fable stories feature prominently in the book. Fables are, to most modern Americans, a type of story for kids. Historically, however, fables were read and appreciated by adults just as much as children. According to Mehan, these tales were fundamental in the teaching of right from wrong but also in the teaching of human passions and self-government.

The more you read fables, the clearer it becomes that individual animals tend to have their own lower order passions they struggle with. Humans share the same struggles. The pig, for example, the gluttonous pig, errs in his gluttony — a sin that is likewise certainly not unheard of in humans. So how do you learn from the pig and govern yourself better? The fables were very much a part of early America’s self-governing spirit and, Mehan says, were mentioned often in the letters and speeches of the founding fathers.

As my family reads “The American Book of Fables” together, my kids are sometimes flummoxed by new words or ideas. They have a lot of questions. What’s a lynx? What was the Navajo Nation? What does “candor” mean?

Literature to last

But again, this is a good thing. And it’s why this is a family book. I am there to define, explain, or find out more alongside them. We learn together. Each individual piece in the book acts as a wellspring for more — to look up pictures of the Rocky Mountains or videos of otters swimming, to discuss what the Independence Bell is and why it’s important, or to talk about the marriage of John and Abigail Adams — or what marriage means, for that matter. Each line of text and each beautiful image provides thread for new stitches in our own imaginative tapestries.

Two-hundred fifty years from now, God-willing new generations of good Americans will be celebrating our nation’s quincentenary, our 500th anniversary. All of us alive today will be gone. But the good literature of our time will live on, as we have seen good literature do for thousands of years before us.

Undoubtedly, “The American Book of Fables” will make it to that time. Its beautiful pages and stories will continue to enlighten the minds of Americans and their children for innumerable generations to come.

​Review, Books, Matthew mehan, The american book of fables, America at 250 

On June 14, President Trump hosted UFC Freedom 250 on the White House South Lawn for his 80th birthday and America’s 250th anniversary. The historic event featured seven thrilling fights, showcasing some of the UFC’s top fighters in a one-of-a-kind display of American strength and resilience.

But Trump isn’t the first president to host fights at the White House. Many forget that Teddy Roosevelt regularly used the president’s house for sparring and boxing, often training with military aides, visitors, and even professional boxers as part of his “strenuous life” philosophy.

This penchant for physical and mental toughness translated to his six children. Roosevelt was known for pushing them toward strenuous activities, outdoor adventures, and intellectual curiosity that would hone their physical skills and their moral character.

“He would just take [his young children] out in the middle of the forest and say, ‘Find your way home,”’ Glenn Beck recounts to bestselling author Brad Meltzer, who is known for his children’ s books on prominent American figures.

Out of all the American figures he’s written about over the years, Teddy Roosevelt, Meltzer says, is “the most complicated.”

While Roosevelt’s political career is undeniably marked by several controversial decisions and beliefs, he chose to focus on the 26th president’s best traits in his new book, “I am Teddy Roosevelt.”

Roosevelt’s father, Meltzer explains, taught young Teddy to stand up for the underprivileged and downtrodden. “His father says, ‘When you have money and you have power, that doesn’t make you fantastic or strong or terrific. What it does is it gives you a responsibility — a responsibility to help other people,”’ he recalls, noting that this care for others extended especially to orphans and the working class.

Roosevelt’s protectiveness translated to the environment as well. He is widely regarded as America’s greatest conservationist president thanks to establishing five national parks, 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, four national game preserves, and protecting roughly 230 million acres of public land during his presidency.

While Glenn understands why a children’s book should highlight Roosevelt’s strengths, he personally has a difficult time reconciling some of his controversial perspectives.

“He was a big eugenist guy,” says Glenn, highlighting how Roosevelt pushed for more breeding among certain white Americans while discouraging it among people he saw as unfit or inferior.

Meltzer agrees that Roosevelt’s belief in eugenics is deeply problematic but still finds him “an incredibly great hero” — especially for kids.

“I think today Teddy Roosevelt is sometimes held out as being that strong guy, the macho guy … but that’s not who he is when he’s growing up. He’s actually sick a lot. He’s smaller than everyone else. He gets picked on,” he says.

“He had mice and spiders he used to keep in his room. He was a weird kid,” he adds.

But tragic loss would soon turn the fragile, intellectual Teddy into the tough, fearless leader he’s best known for today.

“His father dies and then soon after his mother and his wife die on the same day, Glenn, on Valentine’s Day,” says Meltzer.

“He moves to their ranch out in North Dakota, and … he just sits under the stars, and he listens to the wolves. … And if being out in nature teaches him anything, it’s that success doesn’t come from having natural gifts; it comes from how hard you work those gifts,” he continues, “and that’s where he falls in love and starts protecting the outdoors.”

On July 4, 1886, in a speech in Dickinson, Dakota Territory (his first major Independence Day address as a young rancher/politician), Roosevelt famously said, “Like all Americans, I like big things; big prairies, big forests and mountains, big wheat fields, railroads — and herds of cattle too; big factories, steamboats, and everything else. But we must keep steadily in mind that no people were ever yet benefited by riches if their prosperity corrupted their virtue.”

“That’s when he starts protecting Yellowstone and Yosemite and Niagara Falls, and he creates five national parks. … They exist because of Teddy Roosevelt,” says Meltzer.

Glenn’s favorite Roosevelt story by far, however, is his shocking response to being shot in the chest while on his way to deliver a 90-minute campaign speech in Milwaukee. Instead of seeking immediate medical care, Roosevelt delivered the speech anyway, famously declaring, “It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose!”

“Where does [that kind of strength] come from?” exclaims Glenn.

“[Roosevelt] is complicated,” Meltzer emphasizes, “but he has these hero moments that you’re like, ‘Oh my goodness.”’

To hear more, watch the video above.

Want more from Glenn Beck?

To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

​The glenn beck program, Glenn beck, Teddy roosevelt 

A Florida motorist was arrested Tuesday after Polk County deputies said he sideswiped an ambulance and injured a paramedic in the crash, WFLA-TV reported.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said an ambulance was traveling north on Harden Boulevard when a driver in a Volkswagen Jetta made a U-turn in front of the ambulance, the station said.

‘He was vulgar and rude to the deputy and had to be removed from the patrol car after he refused to get out of it.’

“After completing the U-turn, the Jetta entered the lane occupied by the ambulance, and the vehicles collided,” the sheriff’s office said, according to WFLA.

Deputies said the Jetta driver then left the scene of the crash, the station reported, while a paramedic in the back of the ambulance was taken to a hospital with a neck injury following the crash.

The sheriff’s office told WFLA that deputies went to the home where the Jetta was registered and spoke with the owner of the car — and she said her nephew had been driving it.

Gregory McManus, 41, was found asleep on a couch, deputies told the station.

RELATED: Florida teens’ stupid ‘social media stunt’ earns them fittings for snazzy jail attire

“When deputies awakened him, he admitted that he had been involved in the crash, but claimed it was the ambulance driver’s fault,” Polk deputies said, according to the station.

The sheriff’s office said video from the ambulance “clearly showed that McManus had caused the crash,” WFLA noted.

Sheriff Grady Judd had this to say, according to the station: “Gregory McManus not only caused the crash, he fled from the scene without checking on anybody, and then had the audacity to claim the other driver was at fault. He was vulgar and rude to the deputy and had to be removed from the patrol car after he refused to get out of it. I doubt there is a responsible bone in his body.”

McManus was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash with injury, WFLA said.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

​Florida, Polk county sheriff’s office, Polk county sheriff grady judd, Ambulance sideswiped, Arrest, Leaving the scene of a crash with injury, Crime 

A friend recently asked why so many Americans seem embarrassed by their own country.

The question came during the annual Fourth of July arguments about patriotism, flags, and whether America deserves to be celebrated. It reminded me of something the late Robert Woodson often said about America’s beginning.

Love does not require perfection. It requires stewardship. That seems like a good way to care for a family. And it seems like a good way to care for a nation.

Woodson acknowledged the contradiction at our founding: a nation proclaiming that all men are created equal while tolerating slavery. Others point to limited rights for women and other shortcomings present at the nation’s birth.

What interested Woodson was not the diagnosis but the response. He compared America to a child born with a birth defect. Loving parents do not deny the condition or abandon the child because of it. They adapt, advocate, protect, teach, accommodate, and love.

They learn stewardship.

Caregiving taught me that lesson long before I heard Woodson apply it to a nation. During one particularly difficult season, a wise friend told me something that permanently changed the way I viewed caregiving.

“Your wife has a Savior. You are not that Savior.”

For years I had lived as though my job was to fix everything. If I researched enough, worked hard enough, and sacrificed enough, I could somehow force life toward the outcome I wanted.

Eventually I collided with a truth every caregiver must learn. I could not control the outcome. I was accountable for my stewardship.

That realization changed the way I looked at life and the world.

For years I believed life would finally begin after the next surgery, the next recovery, the next crisis, or the next milestone. Like many caregivers, I kept telling myself that if we could just get through this one thing, then we could finally get on with our lives.

Eventually I realized this wasn’t a rehearsal. This was my life.

RELATED: Sorry, socialists: The system isn’t the savior

SAHAB ZARIBAF/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images

When I stopped trying to get through life in order to get on with life, I quit treading water waiting for rescue and learned to swim.

The problems remained. My stewardship changed.

Too often we tell ourselves that happiness waits on the other side of some future event. If only this election goes differently. If only this grievance is resolved. Then we can finally live.

Stewardship asks another question. Not, “Why wasn’t I given something better?” But, “What am I going to do with what I’ve been given?”

I’ve seen the difference between cultures that cultivate stewardship and cultures that discourage it.

Years ago, while helping establish our prosthetic limb outreach in West Africa, I worked alongside local technicians learning to build prosthetic legs for their own people. In one clinic, nearly every decision required approval from above.

One day I asked a technician a simple question. “What do you think?”

The puzzled expression on his face answered before he spoke. It wasn’t that he lacked intelligence. No one had ever expected him to own the decision.

America, at its best, asks that question every day. What do you think? What will you build? What responsibility are you willing to carry? That expectation lies near the heart of the American experiment.

America’s founding principles created room for reform because the nation’s founding documents proclaimed truths many of the founders themselves failed to live fully. Those same principles later became the standard by which Americans challenged slavery and expanded civil rights.

The story of America is not one of perfection. It is one of stewardship.

RELATED: Caregivers should not have to lie to prove compassion

asbe/iStock/Getty Images

Of course, stewardship is not the only response to a defect. Some people learn from it. Others exploit it.

Every family caring for someone with disabilities eventually encounters people more interested in the diagnosis than the person. Nations experience something similar. America’s original contradiction has served both as a call to greater fidelity and as a tool for those seeking power through perpetual grievance.

Woodson understood the difference. One path produces stewardship. The other manufactures resentment.

I love this country not because it is flawless, but because it repeatedly calls each generation to measure itself against ideals higher than itself.

When I look at my grandchildren, I hope they inherit a nation that prizes freedom, embraces responsibility, rewards merit, and teaches that life is shaped more by stewardship than by grievance.

What if we stopped waiting for the perfect election, the perfect apology, the perfect reckoning, or the perfect outcome before deciding to engage faithfully with the country we have? Imagine the gratitude, creativity, service, and responsibility that would follow.

Parents of children with disabilities understand this. Caregivers understand this. Love does not require perfection. It requires stewardship.

That seems like a good way to care for a family. And it seems like a good way to care for a nation.

​America, America 250, Caregiving, Faith, Family, Fourth of july, Gratitude, Opinion & analysis, Patriotism, Slavery, Stewardship 

While millions of Americans participate in Fourth of July festivities, many don’t know what exactly it is they’re celebrating; others may vaguely know, but the complete history of the United States is something they’ve long forgotten or were never taught.

On this episode of “The Glenn Beck Program,” Glenn revisits a powerful but largely forgotten story about America’s dramatic birth — the hidden plots, betrayals, and extraordinary character that defined the days right before July 4.

“All of us celebrate Fourth of July — everybody does. But nobody knows what’s happening the days before the Fourth of July. … This is when this country was being born in two cities at the same time and on two completely different tracks,” says Glenn, “and those two tracks slam together on one morning.”

“Because while [Thomas] Jefferson is writing … what kind of men we could be [in the Declaration of Independence], George Washington is discovering the kind of men that we already have among us. The British fleet are coming,” he continues.

But a bloody war wasn’t the only plot to foil America. While the British fleet sat in the harbor awaiting the signal to invade New York, British Crown-appointed New York Governor William Tryon and New York City Mayor David Mathews were scheming to assassinate or kidnap George Washington.

“[Tryon and Matthews] are quietly buying off Continental soldiers, paying them to switch sides the moment the British land. … The minute the British land, they’re to turn their guns around and blow the powder magazines, seize the bridge at the north end of Manhattan, so Washington’s whole army is trapped on that island like fish in a barrel,” Glenn recounts.

One of the men in Washington’s personal “lifeguard” (secret service) — Thomas Hickey — was in on this plot.

“Hickey gets himself thrown in jail for passing counterfeit money, and he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. He bragged to another prisoner about the conspiracy … well, that prisoner talked, and it landed in front of a secret committee tasked with sniffing out exactly this kind of treason committee led by a young New Yorker named John Jay,” says Glenn, highlighting Jay’s contributions from writing the famous Federalist Papers to becoming the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Jay’s task force, he says, is often described by historians as “the first American intelligence agency.”

Hickey’s trial for treason happened at the same time Jefferson was penning the Declaration of Independence — two “tracks” Glenn says “come together” in a remarkable way.

On Monday, June 28, 1776, Hickey was publicly hanged for treason, making him “the first soldier this country ever executed for treason before we were a country,” Glenn explains.

At that same time, Jefferson went to Independence Hall with the finished draft of the Declaration of Independence in tow.

“One single morning, in one young nation that didn’t legally even exist yet, in one city, the words of who we wanted to become were first being read into the record. And another city just up the road, a man was being hung by a rope for trying to strangle that nation in its cradle,” Glenn summarizes. “The promise and the betrayal in the same hour — 90 miles apart.”

Four days later on July 2, Congress voted to approve a resolution for independence.

“The ink isn’t even dry and the enemy is already in the water,” says Glenn.

“It would have been so easy in that moment of terror — invasion coming, traitors in the ranks, the mayor himself in on it — for Washington to become the very thing that they were fighting.”

Instead he refused to become a tyrant, choosing to uphold the rule of law and the ideals of the revolution even when it was risky and difficult.

“In the middle of the most dangerous month of their life, with a knife already at the Republic’s throat, they chose process over panic, law over vengeance. And in the same breath, in the same week, they put their names down on this document that said power has to answer to something higher than its own power,” says Glenn.

“That’s who we are. That’s who we were. That’s who we can be every day going forward.”

To hear more, watch the video above.

Want more from Glenn Beck?

To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

​Glenn beck, George washington, John jay, Thomas jefferson, Independence, Fourth of july, The glenn beck podcast