Free Republic

A TikTok boat jumping challenge that sees people jump from the rear of the vessels while moving at high speed has been blamed for four deaths in Alabama. The challenge, which has been popularized on TikTok, involves individuals engaging in dangerous water activities. Those participating in the challenge launch themselves from the rear of a boat and into the wake behind it, as the boat continues to move. Now, officials in Alabama have said the new fad has claimed the lives of four people, after they broke their necks instantly. Officials said in the last six months, they had to...

Parents say the app’s algorithm showed their children deadly challenges TikTok is facing multiple lawsuits from parents who say their children died of strangulation attempting the “blackout challenge,” after the app showed them videos of other people trying it. One suit filed against the company in June alleges that at least seven specific children died last year while attempting the challenge, which the complaint says “encourages users to choke themselves with belts, purse strings, or anything similar until passing out.” All the children who reportedly died were under 15 years old. We’re not going to get into the distressing details...

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) vowed Tuesday to hold a vote on legislation forming a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, daring Republicans to oppose an effort that has bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. “Republicans can let their constituents know, are they on the side of truth [or] want to cover up for the insurrectionists and for Donald Trump?” Schumer asked at a weekly press conference.

Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) on Tuesday night said there is growing support in the Senate to deny President Barack Obama the funding he needs to executive his immigration plans, and said Obama’s veto of that legislation would not be supported by the American people. Sessions said on the Mark Levin Show that Republicans will be looking to pass a government funding bill that prevents Obama from using any money to implement an amnesty program for millions of illegal immigrants. Sessions admitted that passage of this language might have to wait until next year, when Republicans take over the Senate.

GOP dares Pelosi: Sign on the line By Josephine Hearn U.S. House Minority Leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) gestures as she speaks during a taping of 'Meet the Press' at the NBC studios in Washington, DC May 7, 2006. NO SALES NO ARCHIVES REUTERS/Alex Wong/Meet the Press Freshman Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry (N.C.) wants to help House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) — well, sort of. McHenry has prepared an ethics complaint for Pelosi to file against a fellow Democratic lawmaker, Rep. William Jefferson (La.), who is under investigation by the Justice Department for allegedly having received more than $450,000...

Those who couldn't make it to beautiful Bryant Park yesterday on a gorgeous September day to show their support for those who are living in horrendous conditions and giving their lives in Iraq to save our sorry behinds now have a wonderful stroke of good luck: another chance to redeem themselves. The Cindy Sheehan show is scheduled for both 6:30 p.m. (their website) and 8 p.m. (their press release) at St. John the Divine, Amsterdam Avenue at 112th St. (Take the 1 train to 110th Street and Broadway, or take the B or C to 110th Street and Central Park...

<p>The California state prison system provides a poignant example of how a government agency became dominated by a special interest.</p> <p>Over the past 20 years, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA) has held the state's correctional system in an ever-tightening grip. The union's control of state criminal justice policy has produced mismanagement and abuse that waste tax dollars and compromise the public interest.</p>