More from Ryan Tiedgen
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Wall Street emerges from Omicron slump, prepares for “Santa Claus Rally”
The beginning of the week looked bleak on Wall Street due in part to concerns on how the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is expected to affect the global economy. Things are picking back up ahead of a potential “Santa Claus Rally”. As of 12:19 p.m. EST, the S&P 500 rose 0.7%. Roughly 85% of stocks… -
Can Texas or any other state actually secede from the US?
A growing number of Americans are in favor of a national divorce. According to a Bright Line/YouGov poll, 37% of respondents expressed a willingness for their state to secede. Some Texans have been threatening secession for years, but states like California and New Hampshire also have growing secessionist groups. But could a state actually legally… -
Ghislaine Maxwell: Merely an Epstein associate or a criminal accomplice?
Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial began Monday, as the 59-year-old former socialite is charged with six counts of sexual exploitation. With her former companion Jeffrey Epstein dead, many see Maxwell as his proxy in the Manhattan courtroom. Depending on the jury’s decision, she could be held responsible for the sex-trafficking network that the pair allegedly used to abuse… -
Travel bans roll out after new Omicron COVID-19 variant detected in southern Africa
Countries around the world began issuing various travel restrictions affecting multiple countries in southern Africa Friday, in response to a new variant of COVID-19 that was detected earlier this week. B.1.1.529, now known as the Omicron variant, was first detected by scientists in South Africa, and has also been found in Botswana and Hong Kong… -
China, Taiwan tensions: What’s at stake for the US in the South China Sea
As U.S. lawmakers visited Taiwan this month, Chinese officials criticized the move, believing it meant the U.S. backed the island’s independence. And the tension under these circumstances is nothing new. It began when Republic of China leaders fled the mainland during the communist takeover in 1949. Taiwan became an independently-governed democracy, while China viewed it as… -
Executive privilege isn’t the same as complete immunity, expert explains
President Trump’s legal team has claimed executive privilege as the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection seeks to obtain communications and other records related to that day’s events. But executive privilege isn’t a blanket term. It must be used narrowly and precisely, according to legal experts. “In modern days, executive privilege means… -
As COVID-19 case counts dip, are Americans in the clear for the holiday season?
In several parts of the country, COVID-19 case numbers are on the decline. Cardiologist and Straight Arrow News medical expert Dr. Payal Kohli says while it’s too soon to forecast the end of the pandemic, she’s optimistic that Americans can safely make in-person holiday plans. “It doesn’t mean that all celebrations have to be virtual. But… -
Millions in cleanup costs. $167 for seagull replacements. Who pays for oil spills?
California’s Huntington Beach is reopening, but the cleanup is far from over after a pipeline leaked 126,000 gallons of crude oil into the Pacific Ocean. The spill was one of the largest oil spills in the state’s history and is expected to cost millions. Typically the owner and operator of the pipeline is liable for… -
DC Dictionary: Cloture explained
Cloture is a process the Senate is using on a fairly frequent basis. It’s a procedural vote, or as it’s sometimes called, a test vote. It’s one of the first ways to see if a bill will live or die. Cloture is a French word meaning ‘to terminate.’ That’s how the Senate uses it, to start… -
Haitian migrants travel thousands of extra miles for American asylum. Here’s why.
Thousands of Haitian migrants are gathered in Del Rio, Texas, hoping to be processed by Border Control and gain asylum in the United States. The trip to the border is demanding and dangerous. The most direct route from Haiti to the US would involve a boat ride to one of Florida’s ports, but many Haitian… -
DHS “horrified to see” viral videos of migrants at the southern border
Disturbing images and videos taken near the southern border in Del Rio, Texas drew strong reactions on both side of the aisle Tuesday. One video appeared to show a U.S. Border Patrol agent on horseback blocking migrants from crossing the river. Other images show an agent holding what are called “split reins” while grabbing the shirt of… -
Does the United Nations do more harm than good?
As the United Nations General Assembly reconvenes for its 76th session at the New York City headquarters, representatives from 193 countries have the opportunity to address each other. The organization states “it remains the one place on Earth where all the world’s nations can gather together, discuss common problems, and find shared solutions that benefit… -
Why are prescription drugs so darn expensive in America?
Prescription drugs, which can be more than twice as expensive in the United States as in other Western countries, cost the average American nearly $1200 per year. Matthew Fiedler, a research fellow at the Brookings Institute, said several factors drive up prescription drug costs in America. It’s a Classic Monopoly New name-brand drugs are more…