Spectator World ^ | 11/17/2025 | Bridget Phetasy Posted on by SeekAndFind What’s clear is that the 2024 election was not the final boss. It didn’t destroy wokeism. You have to picture the spider in The Lord of the Rings, Shelob, crawling back into her cave after being stabbed by Samwise. Is she injured? Yes. Dead? No. She will probably be back to kill you. Republicans and pundits and podcasters will come up with all sorts of reasons for the latest losses (including blaming the Jews), but it comes down to fundamentals. Ground game. Optics. And of course, “It’s the economy, stupid!” The GOP has no ground game in part because it depends on cultural momentum, in part because many of the biggest voices in conservatism right now are more concerned with grabbing market share in the attention economy than they are about winning elections. All of this underlines the tragic loss of Charlie Kirk. It appears Charlie really was the glue holding the entire conservative movement together. He was phenomenal at mobilizing and organizing Republican “get out the vote” efforts. Charlie knew that politics was about changing hearts and minds. He also understood that the only way to win an election is to do the hard work and compete on the ground. Knock on doors. Register people to vote. Encourage them to get to the polls or mail in their ballot. Zohran Mamdani won in New York because he focused on fundamentals. He ran a great ground game. He came up with creative ways to engage voters. He knocked on doors. He relentlessly spoke to the anxiety people feel about the cost of living. It appears Trump may have overestimated his mandate, his popularity and just how far the average American is willing to go to correct some of the problems we face, such as immigration. Americans are happy with the borders being secured. But the Trump administration’s attempt to bring back deterrence by turning ICE into a dystopian reality show is wildly unpopular with independents. I don’t think the average person is cool with masked men zip-tying abuela and throwing her into an unmarked van while tasing her grandson for trying to interfere. Obama deported more people than Trump has. But he did it the way Americans like: out of sight. People are still poor (and getting poorer). AI is taking jobs. Grocery prices are high. Healthcare costs just increased astronomically. My groceries continue to go up in price. My electricity bill jumped 25 percent. Our healthcare premium went up a whopping 43 percent. All our insurances have increased in cost. Gas prices are down so that saves me about. $10 a month. In my podcasting business, I’ve also been giving work to talented freelance writers and designers who have been replaced with AI at big companies, just to help keep them afloat. Recovering investment banker and best-selling author of You Will Own Nothing, Carol Roth, has been warning everyone about the K-shaped economy for years. “A K-shaped economy describes an economy (or recovery or trend) where there is stark divergence in the experience or outcome of different groups like the visual of the letter K,” Roth says. “Part of the country is experiencing an upward economic trajectory (you can think of that as the asset holders, with portfolios, 401(k)s, homes, etc.) that have been doing great (at least on nominal terms, meaning not inflation-adjusted). Others are experiencing a downward economic trajectory, dealing with a more expensive cost of living across [many] categories, as well as job losses or underemployment and wage stagnation.” For a media genius, Trump doesn’t seem to get that optics matter. Building a gilded ballroom while the government is shut down and people are cut off from food stamps and aren’t receiving paychecks and flights are being canceled does not suggest that he cares about the struggles of the average American. I think a big problem with our K-shaped economy is that those at the top have zero idea how bad it is for those sliding down. They assume that the people whining about the fact that the average age of a first-time home buyer is 40 must just be bad with money. And lots of boomers have no empathy. Yes, young people have some bad habits, but the game is very different for them. Fielding questions from reporters and getting defensive about the economy, Trump says: “I don’t want to hear about affordability.” He doesn’t seem to understand that people can be pro-tax breaks and still think bananas are too expensive. (And thanks to his tariffs, banana prices happen to be up about 8 percent since April.) Americans will put up with a lot of crap from their leaders, but this administration should have learned from Joe Biden that we won’t put up with being gaslit about rising prices. We know. We are the ones buying things. We are the ones choosing to get this instead of that. We are the ones who go to bed with crippling financial anxiety, wondering how we are going to pay for childcare and utilities and insurance and kids’ activities and student loans. We are the ones worrying about what the future will look like for our children if it’s already this unsustainable for us. I said it before when Trump won and I’ll repeat it: if Americans don’t feel real material relief, the right-wing vibe shift will be a one-hit wonder. TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events KEYWORDS: affordability; bordersecurity; currencydebasement; debt; deficit; freaksversusnormals; inflation; lawandorder; maga Click here: to donate by Credit Card Or here: to donate by PayPal Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC PO Box 9771 Fresno, CA 93794 Thank you very much and God bless you. 1 posted on by SeekAndFind To: SeekAndFind 2 posted on by Angelino97 Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4353322/posts
Category Archives: general
Project Hail Mary cast & characters: Meet the stars behind the film and the roles they play
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s Project Hail Mary is scheduled for release in the U. S. on March 20, 2026. Based on Andy Weir’s 2021 novel, the sci-fi adventure film is directed and produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, along with a screenplay by Drew Goddard. Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller, Milana Vayntrub, Ken Leung, Lionel Boyce, Liz Kingsman, Orion Lee, and James Ortiz star in the film. Their performances help drive the narrative of the interstellar rescue mission at the center of the story. Main cast and characters of Project Hail Mary 1) Ryan Gosling as Dr. Ryland Grace Ryan Gosling plays Dr. Ryland Grace, a molecular biologist-turned-schoolteacher who awakens alone aboard a mysterious spacecraft with no memory of his identity or mission. As his fragmented memories return, he discovers he is the sole surviving astronaut sent to the Tau Ceti system on a desperate mission to save Earth from an extinction-level energy crisis. Gosling is a Golden Globe Award-winning Canadian actor known for his roles in La La Land, Drive, The Nice Guys, Blade Runner 2049, and First Man. Beyond acting, he is also a musician; his band, Dead Man’s Bones, released a self-titled debut album and toured North America in 2009. Outside of entertainment, Gosling co-owns Tagine, a Moroccan restaurant in Beverly Hills, California. He is also an active humanitarian, supporting various projects. 2) Sandra Hüller as Eva Stratt Sandra Hüller stars as Eva Stratt, the commanding and uncompromising leader of the Hail Mary Project. She receives urgent worldwide authority to organize the team and shape choices that affect humanity’s survival. As she never wavers, Stratt becomes central to the plot through decisive action. Sandra Hüller, a German actress, appears in films from Germany, Austria, the UK, France, and the US. She gained global recognition for her roles in Toni Erdmann, Anatomy of a Fall, and The Zone of Interest. 3) Milana Vayntrub as Olesya Ilyukhina Milana Vayntrub plays Olesya Ilyukhina, an astronaut picked for the Hail Mary mission from the start. As she is highly capable and focused, her role adds depth to the portrayal of teamwork across nations in the movie. Milana Vayntrub appears in Other Space, This Is Us, and has also featured in Werewolves, alongside several other comedy roles. She is also recognized for her activism and voice work. 4) Ken Leung as Yáo Li-Jie Ken Leung plays Yáo Li-Jie, a fellow astronaut chosen for the interstellar mission. His expertise and calm, precise nature add vital balance to the Hail Mary crew. Leung is an American actor known for his roles as Miles Straume in the ABC series Lost (2008-2010), Eric Tao in HBO’s finance drama Industry, and appearances in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rush Hour, and Old. 5) James Ortiz as Rocky James Ortiz portrays Rocky, an alien engineer from the planet Erid who becomes Ryland Grace’s unexpected companion and ally. Rocky is a non-humanoid, rock-like being with five limbs, portrayed through an innovative combination of puppetry and CGI. James Ortiz is a New York City-based actor, director, designer, and puppeteer whose creative work spans film, theatre, and visual storytelling. Known for his role in The Woodsman (2016). Supporting cast of the movie The supporting cast includes: Lionel Boyce Liz Kingsman as Shapiro Orion Lee as Xi Daniel R. Hill Project Hail Mary (2026) is set for release in the United States by Amazon MGM Studios on March 20, 2026. Also read: Live-action Legend of Zelda movie reveals first look at Zelda and Link.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/movies/project-hail-mary-cast-characters-meet-stars-behind-film-roles-play
Not a bounce of truth in her words.
‘ A former stray refused to stop yelling until we listened’: An orange hero finds a hidden, hurting kitten and shows him the way to a life of comfort, care, and constant companionship ‘I worked hard to get where I am’: Husband insists 29 y/o wife quit her job because he received a sizable salary increase, she refuses on principle 17-year-old refuses to cook meals for his estranged 28-year-old brother and his 3 kids after he ignored him his entire life: ‘He ignores my birthdays, he ignores me at Christmas, he never invites me to parties.’ ‘There is nothing more heartbreaking than seeing a creature give up, but nothing more inspiring than watching them fight to live.’: Arizona commuter finds and rescues an abandoned desert dog moments before he was swept away by floods.
https://cheezburger.com/10573976832/not-a-bounce-of-truth-in-her-words
Giannis Antetokounmpo Reveals Painful Memory Fueling His Chasedown Blocks
One of the best qualities that makes Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks great is his relentlessness.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/basketball/news-giannis-antetokounmpo-reveals-painful-memory-fueling-his-chasedown-blocks
Saif Ali Khan makes major real estate move; buys commercial offices worth Rs. 30.75 crores in Mumbai
Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has added yet another prime asset to his real estate portfolio, this time in Mumbai’s thriving commercial district of Andheri East. According to property registration documents, the actor has purchased two office units in the Kanakia Wallstreet building for a total consideration of Rs. 30. 75 crore. Saif Ali Khan makes major real estate move; buys commercial offices worth Rs. 30. 75 crores in Mumbai The combined area of the newly acquired offices measures 5, 681 sq ft and includes six dedicated parking spaces. The seller of the property is Apiore Pharmaceutical, a US-based pharma company, as reflected in the registration filings. The deal was arranged by Volney, a real estate advisory and investor network firm. The transaction was officially registered on November 18, 2025, with a stamp duty of Rs. 1. 84 crore and a registration fee of Rs. 60, 000. Industry experts note that Andheri East has rapidly emerged as one of Mumbai’s busiest commercial corridors, attracting corporates, global enterprises, and creative firms due to its improved connectivity and infrastructure. Volney’s founder, Rohan Sheth, described the area as a market that combines accessibility with strong rental prospects, adding that it continues to draw long-term investors. Saif’s new commercial investment also places him among several high-profile names who have recently secured space in the vicinity. Elon Musk’s satellite internet company, Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited, recently leased a 1, 294 sq. ft. office in the nearby Chandivali area for a five-year period, with total rent valued at Rs. 2. 33 crore. Additionally, the same building previously housed leased offices where Hrithik Roshan and Rakesh Roshan acquired three commercial units earlier this year for about Rs. 31 crores through HRX Digitech LLP. Beyond his latest acquisition, Saif Ali Khan is already known for his premium residential and commercial holdings across Mumbai. He currently resides in a high-end apartment in Bandra West, a property he purchased nearly a decade ago for Rs. 24 crores. Records also show that he bought a sprawling 6, 500 sq. ft. apartment in April 2012 for Rs. 23. 50 crore from Satguru Builders, further cementing his presence in the city’s luxury real estate landscape. With his latest investment, the actor continues to strengthen his position not just in cinema but also in Mumbai’s top-tier property market. Also Read: Dining with the Kapoors Trailer: Netflix brings together Bollywood’s first family for a grand tribute to Raj Kapoor BOLLYWOOD NEWS LIVE UPDATES.
https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/saif-ali-khan-makes-major-real-estate-move-buys-commercial-offices-worth-rs-30-75-crores-mumbai/
Greene questions whether DOJ will release the full Epstein documents
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Tuesday questioned whether the Department of Justice (DOJ) will release all information it possesses about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. During a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol earlier in the day, Greene spoke with Reps. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), the sponsors of a bill that…
https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5612146-marjorie-taylor-greene-doj-full-epstein-files/
Former Vice President Harris talks ‘107 Days’ amid protesters and national reckoning against Trump
Former Vice President Kamala Harris spoke to a sold-out Chevalier Theatre in Medford, Mass. on Saturday, one of 18 stops on her “107 Days” book tour. Moderated by Heather Cox Richardson, a professor of history at Boston College, Harris addressed issues ranging from President Donald Trump’s federal overreach to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The conversation was protested by individuals on all sides of the political spectrum. Outside the theater, five pro-Trump protesters waved “Trump 2024” flags, and one held a sign that read “Long Live King Trump.” Meanwhile, inside the theater, Harris’ remarks were interrupted four separate times by pro-Palestinian protesters in the crowd, holding Palestinian flags and standing up from seats in different sections of the theater, in a similar fashion to other stops on her book tour. While in office, former President Joe Biden and Harris were criticized by progressive members of the Democratic Party for not acting early in supporting a ceasefire in Gaza. The protesters were escorted out of the theater for disruption. Afterward, Harris reflected on the pushback she received in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza in March 2024 at the Bloody Sunday Commemoration in Selma, Ala. “From the beginning, I have been very, very concerned,” Harris said, addressing the demonstrators. Harris said she cares deeply about the future of Gaza in terms of security, governance, and rebuilding throughout the region. She also used the opportunity to contrast her foreign policy under Biden to that of Trump. “Right now, you are looking at an administration with this White House that could give two ‘you know whats’ about any of that, and gave Netanyahu a blank check for nine months leading up to this moment,” Harris said. In retrospect, Harris said she believes the Biden administration should have done more to help mitigate suffering in Gaza. “We should have used the leverage we had,” Harris said. “We should have spoken publicly about deep concerns I had about Netanyahu and how he was prosecuting that war.” During her time as vice president, Harris met with more than 150 world leaders. At the beginning of many of these meetings, she would say, “America is back,” referring to the contrast between the Biden administration and the first Trump administration. Harris said that many of these world leaders ask in response, “For how long?” “107 Days” takes readers through each day of Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign, from getting the call from Biden saying that he would be dropping out of the race to her conceding the election to Trump. Harris went on to note that in the 2024 election, one-third of the electorate voted for President Trump, one-third voted for her, and one-third did not vote. Moving forward, Harris urges party leaders and voters to reflect on why the remaining third of the American electorate did not vote last year. More recently, many of these voters made their voices heard in 2025 as a rebuke against the Trump administration, with Democrats sweeping races in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City. “We need to fight fire with fire, but we also need to be the party that emphasizes the battle between mis- and disinformation and truth,” Harris said. “We cannot afford to be passive observers. We cannot afford to allow this thing to be normalized.” Harris believes the “wake me up when it’s over” approach is not an option. “We have to remain vigilant. we have to pay attention, and no one should be made to fight alone,” Harris said. Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, Harris said Democrats’ greatest challenge and opportunity is to tackle misinformation spread by the Trump administration on social media. “Leaders need to do a better job in helping inform the public, the consumer, about the harms, the strengths, and what they have a right to demand, and in particular, around the dissemination of accurate information,” Harris said. “There is a place to do it where you have standards that are ethical standards about verifying sources.” Reflecting on the “vestiges of our democracy,” Harris encouraged the audience not to let the Trump administration “defeat [their] spirits.” “We cannot let this moment convince us that there’s no option that we have right now,” Harris said. “If we let them do that to us, they’re winning.” Harris dedicated “107 Days” to her campaign team. In the audience was Dan Koh, a member of her 2024 campaign staff who is vying for Rep. Seth Moulton’s seat in Congress, as Moulton is taking on incumbent Senator Ed Markey in the Democratic primary. Harris referred to Koh as an “extraordinary leader and servant.” On the 2024 campaign trail, Harris often said, “When we fight, we win.” Moving forward, Harris encouraged audience members to “hold on” to their fight. “The power is with the people,” Harris said. “The power is truly with us. It’s our country.”.
https://berkeleybeacon.com/former-vice-president-harris-talks-107-days-amid-protesters-and-national-reckoning-against-trump/
Oracle’s OpenAI Deal Triggers $315 Billion Market Loss Amid Debt Risks
The $300 billion Oracle-OpenAI agreement, announced on September 10, has led to a $315 billion wipeout in Oracle’s market value, resulting in a net negative of $74 billion for the deal. This sharp decline stems from investor concerns over Oracle’s heavy debt reliance and singular focus on OpenAI for future growth. Oracle’s market value plummeted [.] Source:.
https://bitcoinethereumnews.com/tech/oracles-openai-deal-triggers-315-billion-market-loss-amid-debt-risks/
Panera Bread launches multimillion-dollar turnaround strategy to drive up sales
Panera Bread is launching a multimillion-dollar initiative to overhaul its operations to boost traffic and reverse years of stagnant sales growth. Panera, one of many fast-casual restaurants contending with a challenging landscape, announced its transformation strategy on Tuesday, dubbed “Panera RISE,” which is focused on refreshing the menu, boosting its value proposition and customer experience by enhancing the look of its restaurants and expanding its network. The company aims to use this strategy to help it reach more than $7 billion in systemwide sales by 2028, up from the $6 billion it currently brings in annually. In 2023, U. S. sales peaked at $6. 5 billion, but its units and sales haven’t substantially increased since, according to reports citing data from Technomic. “As we transform our business, we are investing in four strategic pillars that put the guest at the very center of everything we do,” Panera Bread CEO Paul Carbone said, adding that the company has already “made considerable progress in strengthening” its foundation. The fast-casual chain specializing in salads, sandwiches and baked goods, had 2, 239 bakery-cafes, company-owned and franchise locations across North America. Part of the turnaround includes building new locations and “modernizing” its current portfolio of restaurants “to ensure consistent operational excellence across franchise and Panera company bakery-cafes,” the company said. Panera didn’t disclose where the new locations would open or what they would look like. The company said its plan also includes elevating the company’s food served throughout the day to “incorporate abundant, flavorful and distinctive, high-quality ingredients.” It also aims to enhance its bakery and beverage options. Panera will also promise to have a “variety of price points” so its menu remains affordable. The company will also deploy more staffing into front-of-house service to enhance the experience for guests. Panera is the latest company to initiate a major turnaround as the industry contends with supply-chain disruptions and rising labor costs coupled with subdued traffic. Starbucks chief Brian Niccol announced a “Back to Starbucks” turnaround program shortly after taking the reins in 2024. The program is focused on driving traffic through operational improvements, store portfolio optimization and innovation. Earlier this year, TGI Fridays CEO Ray Blanchette told FOX Business that it was revamping its menu as part of its comeback from bankruptcy. Similarly, Hooters is also trying to make a return after emerging from bankruptcy this year. Its new owners are updating its menu and changing the image that once defined the restaurant chain. Meanwhile, Dine Brands Global CEO John Peyton told FOX Business that the company is working to boost sales by strategically combining its morning-focused brand, IHOP, with its evening-centric one, Applebee’s. The goal is to create a dual-branded model that allows it to capture and serve customers throughout every daypart breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night in a way that, as Peyton puts it, “no other restaurant company can.”.
https://nypost.com/2025/11/18/business/panera-launches-multimillion-dollar-turnaround-strategy-to-drive-up-sales/
Investigations increasing into violent online 764 network targeting minors
CHICAGO (WLS) — The 764 network operates not only in the United States but all over the world using threats, blackmail, and perverse manipulation to groom children for violence and pain. Members force young people to perform depraved acts against themselves and others. “When we started seeing these reports concerning online enticement, but with extremely egregious sadistic elements our team immediately knew this was an outside of the norm and began tracking this trend specifically,” said Fallon McNulty. She is the executive director of the CyberTipline at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch McNulty says members of 764 start to groom their victims on seemingly innocuous platforms and blackmail them into producing sexually explicit material, harming themselves, or even other children. “Offenders are first making contact with children through online gaming platforms or through social media and then trying to move children to more private or encrypted messaging spaces,” McNulty told the I-Team. The more debased and violent the image or video a member is able to coerce a child to produce, the higher their standing in 764. “They’re striking up communication or chat in gaming, they are trying to seek what that child’s interests are, what that child’s vulnerabilities are, their personal information, and then they’re using that against the child,” warned McNulty. SEE ALSO | ’10 minutes of murder’: Why one family is speaking out about the online extremist network 764 The FBI is now comparing 764 actions to those of terrorist organizations. “Lots of commonalities with other types of terrorist activity,” said Javed Ali, an associate professor at the University of Michigan Ford School of Public Policy. Ali worked at the FBI and National Security Council during the Trump Administration. “All this activity that is just so reprehensible. What’s to say that they wouldn’t go to another level and try to commit an act of terrorism, even though it may not be part of the origin, origins, or the initial ideals of what the 764 network tries to do,” said Ali. But there are real challenges to dismantling a network that exists all over the world and primarily online. “How do you, either from a parenting side, or from a national security perspective, how do you get your arms around it? Because it is so vast, and it’s so unregulated for the most part,” Ali told the I-Team. Additional resources: To report an incident to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline: For more resources on child sexual exploitation, including how to talk to your child about this topic: To report an incident of child exploitation to the FBI:.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/what-is-764-group-investigations-increasing-violent-online-network-targeting-minors/18171678/