Harmony Evans's Blog, page 595
December 20, 2023
REPORT: Pete Buttigieg Has Spent $59,000 in Taxpayer Cash Traveling on Government Jets | The Gateway Pundit
Mayor Pete, Biden’s utterly useless transportation secretary, has been traveling large on the taxpayers’ dime. Anyone surprised?
According to an inspector general report, Buttigieg has racked up almost $60,000 in plane tickets on government jets. that means that his current carbon footprint is bigger than some American cities, and he accomplished that with other people’s money.
It must be nice to be a Democrat.
FOX News reports:
Pete Buttigieg spent $59,000 in taxpayer money traveling on govt jets: inspector general
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and his staff spent nearly $59,000 traveling to official events on government-managed executive aircraft between August 2021 and June 2023, according to an inspector general audit released Wednesday.
Buttigieg opted to travel on the government fleet across eight trips and more than 20 flights, the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Office of Inspector General (OIG) determined in its months-long investigation. Though DOT has repeatedly explained that Buttigieg’s use of the jets saved taxpayers money, the audit revealed that just three of the trips were justified by “cost effectiveness,” while the others were justified by security, scheduling and communications concerns.
“Ensuring that Federal officials, including career personnel and political appointees, adhere to Federal requirements regarding the proper use of public resources is essential to maintaining public trust and confidence,” the DOT OIG report concludes.
“The Department has internal controls over the process to authorize and approve travel on official use of DOT aircraft, such as requiring legal review and approval of all aircraft use justifications, and has implemented new ones, such as expanded voucher audit criteria, to help ensure process standardization,” it continues. “Continued oversight in this area is important to maintain transparency and accountability for Federal funds.”
How not shocking.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg shelled out tens of thousands in taxpayer dollars on gas-guzzling jet travel since Aug. 2021 — all while the government works toward a sprawling green energy agenda, according to an IG report Wednesday https://t.co/yhzsOg5nGU pic.twitter.com/Xq0BVa3na3
— Gabe Kaminsky (@gekaminsky) December 20, 2023
Buttigieg’s position could be eliminated tomorrow and it would make no difference to 99.9% of Americans. He is transportation secretary in title only. His real job is being an agent for his party and trying to sell the Biden agenda to voters.
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USA takes steps to draft AI standards and guidance
President Biden’s administration has announced the first steps in writing artificial intelligence (AI) guidance and procedure.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking information to support its response to the Executive Order on AI.
The NIST is a part of the Department of Commerce and shapes guidance through “an open and transparent process that involves a wide range of stakeholders from industry, academia, government, and civil society.” NIST said it was seeking public input by Feb. 2 for conducting key testing crucial to ensuring the safety of AI systems.
The recent Executive Order on Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by the White House is the first step in the US having a say in the global standing place for AI legislation.
Executive order addresses AI’s potentialThe Executive Order states “Artificial intelligence (AI) holds extraordinary potential for both promise and peril.”
The EU’s 27 member states recently set a global precedent in leading the legislative charge for AI governance. Making clear the discussion around the ethical deployment of AI in the workplace and safeguarding of established jobs.
The White House statement addresses the concerns around AI saying it has the potential to “ solve urgent challenges while making our world more prosperous, productive, innovative, and secure. At the same time, irresponsible use could exacerbate societal harms such as fraud, discrimination, bias, and disinformation; displace and disempower workers; stifle competition; and pose risks to national security.”
The U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said “President Biden has been clear — AI is the defining technology of our generation, and we have an obligation to harness the power of AI for good while protecting people from its risks.”
American companies investing in AIThe commercial potential of AI has been seen throughout 2023 with major American companies heavily investing in AI. There needs to be legislative processes and practices agreed upon to enable the ethical use of technological development.
Microsoft recently agreed with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union regarding contractual terms focused on applying artificial intelligence (AI) within the company.
Photo Credit: Pexels/Aaron Kittredge
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Banana Republic Winter 2023: Elegance in Nature
Mayowa Nicholas poses in the Banana Republic winter 2023 campaign. Photo: Josh Olins
Banana Republic embraces the essence of Norwegian winter in its striking winter 2023 campaign. Shot amidst Norway’s captivating landscapes, photographer Josh Olins captures a blend of style and nature.
The campaign stars models Mayowa Nicholas, Suvi Riggs Koponen, and Roberto Sipos, each embodying the brand’s commitment to wearable elegance. The collection features a versatile array of designs, from the fluidity of a breezy red dress to the structured sophistication of a long coat.
Banana Republic Winter 2023 Campaign[image error]Suvi Riggs Koponen wears a camel coat layered over a crisp white tee and sequined pants for Banana Republic’s winter 2023 campaign. Photo: Josh OlinsA grey turtleneck sweater paired with an oversized scarf offers a quintessential winter look, while pleated skirts add a touch of refined femininity. The Banana Republic winter 2023 campaign also introduces a festive touch with its sequin pants, perfect for adding sparkle to the season.
[image error]A striking burnt orange gown stands out against the rugged mountain backdrop, embodying the adventurous spirit of Banana Republic’s winter collection. Photo: Josh OlinsBanana Republic’s blazers, available in luxurious green velvet, are also a highlight of the collection. These pieces come in a palette of neutral brown, rich metallic gold, and a dramatic red, ensuring versatility and style for any occasion.
[image error]A golden sequin dress beside a plaid suit captures the joyous spirit of holiday celebrations in Banana Republic’s winter collection. Photo: Josh OlinsThe creative direction of Remi Paringaux and Ryan Spacey shines through in the campaign, seamlessly combining outdoor elements with cold-weather fashion. Banana Republic’s statement for the Winter 2023 campaign is clear: “Intentionally designed for not only this season but for those to come, filled with timeless expressions that fully blend elegance with ease.”
[image error][image error][image error][image error][image error][image error]Source link
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California-Based Green Energy Company That Received Millions From Biden Regime Failing | The Gateway Pundit
solar farm; stock photo
A green energy company that received millions of dollars from the Biden Regime is failing.
Shares of SunPower, a California-based residential solar company, plunged on Monday as the company warned it may not survive.
“Shares of SunPower Corporation (SPWR) are falling over 35% Monday morning after a recent regulatory filing showed the company felt there was “substantial doubts” about whether or not it could continue to operate. In addition, the company breached a key term in a credit agreement that could prompt lenders to recall certain loans.” Yahoo Finance reported.
SunPower received millions of dollars from the Biden Regime over the past year.
“Last summer the Department of Energy (DOE) gave it a $6.7 million grant and earlier this year it received a $1.4 million contract from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This week SunPower shares are down sharply following a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing warning of “substantial doubt” about its ability to continue operating.” Judicial Watch reported.
Recall that SunPower received taxpayer money during the Obama years.
Obama spent at least $39 billion a year on his green energy projects, according to the Institute for Energy Research.
At least 36 of Obama’s taxpayer-funded green energy projects went belly up – Solyndra being the biggest green scam of all.
FOX Nation reported in 2015:
The complete list of faltering or bankrupt green-energy companies:
Evergreen Solar ($25 million)*
SpectraWatt ($500,000)*
Solyndra ($535 million)*
Beacon Power ($43 million)*
Nevada Geothermal ($98.5 million)
SunPower ($1.2 billion)
First Solar ($1.46 billion)
Babcock and Brown ($178 million)
EnerDel’s subsidiary Ener1 ($118.5 million)*
Amonix ($5.9 million)
Fisker Automotive ($529 million)
Abound Solar ($400 million)*
A123 Systems ($279 million)*
Willard and Kelsey Solar Group ($700,981)*
Johnson Controls ($299 million)
Schneider Electric ($86 million)
Brightsource ($1.6 billion)
ECOtality ($126.2 million)
Raser Technologies ($33 million)*
Energy Conversion Devices ($13.3 million)*
Mountain Plaza, Inc. ($2 million)*
Olsen’s Crop Service and Olsen’s Mills Acquisition Company ($10 million)*
Range Fuels ($80 million)*
Thompson River Power ($6.5 million)*
Stirling Energy Systems ($7 million)*
Azure Dynamics ($5.4 million)*
GreenVolts ($500,000)
Vestas ($50 million)
LG Chem’s subsidiary Compact Power ($151 million)
Nordic Windpower ($16 million)*
Navistar ($39 million)
Satcon ($3 million)*
Konarka Technologies Inc. ($20 million)*
Mascoma Corp. ($100 million)
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Insomniac leak: Rhysida hack sparks rally of support for game developer
Hacker group Rhysida made good on a promise to leak gaming and personal data related to Insomniac Games. This has caused a rallying surge of support from game developers in the wake of these personal data breaches.
Spider-Man 2 studio hackedThe Spider-Man developer refused the ransom demand of 50 Bitcoin (BTC), which is equivalent to around $2 million.
This has resulted in the sharing of sensitive information online about the company’s gaming projects, but more importantly personal details of Insomniac staff. IGN reported that the data leak by the ransomware group released 1.67 terabytes of data, made up of more than 1.3 million files.
We have reached out to Sony for comment.
The blackmail demand to InsomniacInsomniac received a threat from Rysida stating that the developer had seven days to agree to the ransom or the sensitive information would be leaked.
Insomniac Games is a Sony studio and the PlayStation manufacturers told Eurogamer, “We are aware of reports that Insomniac Games has been the victim of a cyber security attack. We are currently investigating this situation. We have no reason to believe that any other SIE or Sony divisions have been impacted.”
The sensitive data has now been released via social media, hours after the ransom deadline passed.
Gaming community shows their supportOther gaming studios have shown their dismay at the leaks.
Cory Barlog, God of War developer shows his support for Insomniac. Whilst Remedy Studios have commented on the personal information being shared as truly “disgraceful and shameful.”
insomniac
— the fake cory balrog (@corybarlog) December 19, 2023
Our sympathies to @insomniacgames and all the affected team members. After all the effort and dedication they have poured into their games, they didn’t deserve this. No one does. The hackers also leaked employee’s personal information, which is truly disgraceful and shameful.
— Remedy Entertainment (@remedygames) December 19, 2023
Control 2 writer Eric Stirpē goes further to say the leaks were in fact “malicious blackmailing” by the hacker group.
What happened to Insomniac is not a “leak;” it was a malicious blackmailing by hackers that dragged people’s personal info and privacy into the mix. Every outlet, every influencer, using material procured by these hackers in their own “news” and “content” should be ashamed.
— Eric Stirpē (@stirpicus) December 19, 2023
Spider-Man 2 set gaming sales records to become the fastest-selling Playstation Studios game ever according to Sony. Sony’s homegrown titles had a positive year in review with other titles such as Final Fantasy XVI the standout performers for the company in 2023.
Image Credit: Pexels.
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Apple’s next iPad Pro could feature MagSafe
Apple’s forthcoming iPad Pro refresh could support MagSafe charging, according to a recent claim.
Earlier in the week, MacRumors issued a report stating that the 2024 iPad Pro would support MagSafe, Apple’s magnetised wireless charging standard on which the new Qi2 standard is based.
According to “a source that is familiar with companies that manufacture magnets for Apple products”, MagSafe will represent one of the additional updates to both the 11.1-inch and 13-inch variants.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard that Apple was working on such a feature. Back in 2021 we heard that the next iPad Pro would be able to charge your iPhone and AirPods wirelessly, using a MagSafe system to reverse-charge smaller items as well as being able to charge itself.
Said MagSafe addition would have necessitated a switch from a metal back to a glass one, as is the case with the iPhone. According to a subsequent 9to5Mac report, it was worries over this added fragility that put an end to Apple’s MagSafe plans – or at least, prompted a pause.
One of Apple’s solutions, according to that more recent report, was to implement a glass Apple logo within a more traditional aluminium frame. Whether the company is still planning such an approach for the 2024 iPad Pro remains to be seen.
If you’ve been holding out for a new high-end Apple tablet, next year could be the time to pull the trigger. Besides MagSafe, the biggest upgrade to the new iPad Pro is expected to be a switch to OLED displays.
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J6 Political Prisoner Ryan Samsel Can’t Walk, Suffers Life Threatening Condition In Solitary Confinment And Judge, Marshals, Guards Could Not Care Less | The Gateway Pundit
January 6 political hostage Ryan Samsel could barely stand when he woke up on Thursday morning.
The same throbbing pain that pierced through his left arm in 2021, where doctors discovered blood clots, is surging through his massively swollen left leg.
Locked in the hole of the DC gulag, he calls the correctional officers for help begging to see a doctor to no avail.
The Supreme Court of the United States has long held that jails and prisons cannot deny essential medical care to people who are incarcerated, deeming medical deprivation to be cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the U.S. Constitution. But activist federal judges are having a field day abridging the Bill of Rights.
When Samsel realized he couldn’t stand, he screamed in agony again for help asking to be taken to medical, but the nurse on duty was fast asleep and ignored his pleas.
The hole of the Washington DC Correctional Treatment Facility where January 6 defendants are held in unconstitutional pretrial custody is less restrictive than solitary confinement in other jails and prisons.
Inmates in the hole are allowed out of their ten-by-five dog cage-size cell for about three hours a day and are allowed to step outside, into another small barbwire-covered cage, for a few minutes to breathe in fresh air.
The limited movement is exacerbating Samsel’s deteriorating condition which he suspects is caused by another blood clot as the pain gets more severe by the day.
“I’m stuck in the bed because of the clot in my leg,” Samsel told The Gateway Pundit in an exclusive interview. “I ask the guards to take me to medical nearly every day. They don’t care. It’s my judge who is at fault. I beg her, ‘Please, I’m really in pain!’ And she says nothing. She doesn’t care. She’s not going to do anything about it. I don’t know what else to do. I mean… I really don’t know what to do.
“She has denied the outside hospital recommendations. Before I was arrested, I was scheduled for surgery. I’ve been to three hospitals in jail and at all three jail hospitals my file was marked ‘urgent,’ saying I needed surgery and blood thinners.
“I am dying little by little. I am in lockdown. I beg that you get the public to please call my Judge Jia Cobb, the DC Marshal or the jail. I can’t even walk. I need emergency medical attention along with the surgery that will help restore the blood flow back to my heart from my left arm due to the long-standing clots. I have scar tissue that needs to be removed. I truly am in fear. I can’t feel my leg and the jail won’t send me to the hospital because they don’t have my medical records.
“I am unable to reach my lawyer Stanley Woodward and don’t have the money he needs to file an appeal to the judge to receive medical treatment. So, I am stuck.”
**PLEASE SUPPORT RYAN SAMSEL’S FUND FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT HERE**Samsel has a history of suffering from blood clots. In March 2021, two months after he was apprehended by the FBI, he received a medical examination for a cist on his chest that was oozing with blood while detained in a Lewisburg, Virginia jail.
Doctors in the Virginia correctional facility told him to follow up with a specialist to determine whether the cist was a malignant tumor or cancer.
Instead of scheduling the appointment for surgery, Samsel was transferred to the DC gulag, where he was brutally assaulted by correctional officers. Following the beat down, he lost vision in his right eye and began suffering from seizures. He was taken to the emergency room where doctors found a blood clot in his arm.
Instead of providing treatment, Samsel was again transferred to Philadelphia jail where he was locked in a “hard cell” and starved. Another J6 defendant, Zachary Rehl, housed on the floor above him would send him food and coffee to sustain himself from a rope made with sheets through the toilet.
Samsel initially called TGP last week in good spirits to address claims that the viral photos published by TGP, where he is seen locked in a broom closet, are bogus.
Samsel cautioned his former attorney Bill Shipley leaked the photos without his knowledge or consent and erroneously claimed they were captured in New York jail. This reporter spoke to inmates who were detained with Samsel in Philadelphia and they confirmed the jail guards, in fact, locked Samsel in the closet in retaliation for receiving food through the toilet. Meanwhile, his health took a severe turn for the worse.
Samsel and his family are calling on our readers to put pressure on the “honorable” Judge Cobb to do the right thing and allow him to see a doctor.
“I’ve been in the hole since I was transferred back to the DC 45 days ago. It’s very small,” Samsel said. “They let us out of our cells only a few hours a day. Honestly, compared to what I have been through in the past, it’s better. I wake up with roaches and mice. Once in a while, you’ll get a visit from old Henry, a big old rat. But he is not a bother, he’s chill.
“I can’t even sue for my assaults. My former lawyer, Bill Shipley, at least tried to file a civil suit and Judge Cobb denied the suit without a hearing. I have no clue what to do.
“If somebody can help me, anybody, I just need medical attention. If Congress sees this please help me get to a hospital. I was so desperate I even called my judge’s chambers and she refused to ask the jail to see me. This is an emergency.”
J6 defendant Jake Lang, who founded SponsorJ6.com to help provide January 6 defendants with adequate legal counsel, is locked in the hole alongside Samsel. Lang is assisting Samsel with finding the lawyer who could save his life.
“We are still looking for a lawyer who will stand up to the occasion and take on the DOJ for its gross indifference to Ryan’s medical problems. If it wasn’t for TGP and SponsorJ6.com, my brother Ryan really would be left alone in this battle. He has been badly abused by prison guards at multiple facilities and consistently been targeted for being a relentless patriot who won’t surrender to the DOJ,” Lang told TGP in an exclusive interview. “I love Ryan for who he is, and though we don’t agree on everything, overall I’m glad he’s on our side. We are both in the hole, in solitary confinement, and must watch each other’s backs. Thank you to the American people who support us, please donate to Ryan’s family fund.”
**PLEASE SUPPORT RYAN SAMSEL’S FUND FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT HERE**If Samsel doesn’t see a doctor soon, he could die any moment, contends bioethicist and legal nurse consultant Wendy Olsen.
“As a frontline nurse, I have witnessed the positive and negative outcomes of patients who develop blood clots. When blood clots are identified and immediately treated with mediatizations, the life expectancy of a patient will increase. When a patient is denied medical treatment for a blood clot, it could lead to stroke or pulmonary embolus in the lungs, both easily resulting in death,” Nurse Wendy Olson, RN, MSN-RA, wrote in a Nov. 30, 2022 letter to Judge Cobb.
“Once it’s identified it has to be treated or you don’t know when it can move and result in the death of your patient.”
Olson has not been able to verify whether Samsel’s attorney has provided the judge with the letter or the judge has refused to act despite her warning.
Samsel’s situation is not an anomaly or aberration within the prison system. Every defendant who is sick or reliant on medications or medical treatment is given a death sentence in prison, a long-ignored system blackhole, contends legal nurse consultant and bioethicist Wendy Olson.
“This is a systemic issue in every bureau of prisons across the United States. J6ers have contacted me from the East Coast to the West Coast about the BOP refusing to give them medications, even chemotherapy,” Olson told TGP in an exclusive interview. “Because the DOJ is failing to provide their life-saving medications, they might as well have been sentenced to death. The medications we take for granted — those who need cholesterol medications are at risk for stroke, and blood pressure medication is put at risk for heart attack. One who was arrested after he had already been diagnosed with cancer, had not received treatment and by the time he was released from prison, the cancer had metastasized.
“These attorneys could be doing more for their clients and they’re not. I have provided analysis of these inmates’ medical histories. I’ve even crafted legal cases so their attorneys could see precedents set in similar cases to their clients — I’ve done everything to make it easier for their attorneys to help their clients get medical treatment and to my knowledge, nothing ever comes of that work I’ve done. These attorneys took an oath to advocate for their clients and they are not advocating as they are supposed to. And if you look at the judges, it’s clear none of them are impartial. Justice is not blind. I wrote to Samsel’s judge over a year ago!”
In April, the Washington Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs filed a class action lawsuit against the DC Department of Corrections for depriving inmates of medical care.
“Each of the individuals named in the lawsuit has suffered serious harm due to dangerous and systemic deficiencies in the D.C. Jail’s health care system, ranging from failing to biopsy or otherwise diagnose a mass in a patient’s testicle for more than a year to repeatedly failing to provide vital medication to a patient with chronic heart failure. One patient has been nearly blind for the duration of his incarceration because the jail has failed to consistently provide him with the medicated eye drops and prescription eyeglasses that he needs to see,” according to a statement issued by the WLC.
Samsel is not yet a plaintiff in the complaint.
Judge Cobb is slated to announce a verdict on Samsel’s case on January 4.
** Please call or write a letter to Judge Jia Cobb and demand she allow Ryan Samsel to receive adequate medical care.
The Honorable Jia M. Cobb
U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse
333 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20001
(202) 354-3560
[email protected]
US Marshalls DC
202-772-0301
A member of Samsel’s family who asked her name be withheld said she has persistently fought with Samsel’s attorneys and the US Marshalls to provide him with life-saving treatment.
“His pain is severe. The nurse who was on call was sleeping and just ignored his yells!” Samsel’s loved one told TGP in an exclusive interview. “The next day, he tried again to get help and they said they would not give him any treatment. The doctors and nurses need medical records transferred over to them to find out his condition. I have fought with his lawyer to send medical records over to the jail. The US Marshalls aren’t doing anything — we’ve gotten into a screaming match on the phone saying that they can’t help and want nothing to do with it. He is under US Marshall custody. I told them, ‘If anything happens to him it’s going to be on your hands.’”
**PLEASE SUPPORT RYAN SAMSEL’S FUND FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT HERE**Source link
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Meta’s Oversight Board says Israel-Hamas videos should not have been removed
Meta’s Oversight Board has said that it should not have removed two videos depicting hostages and injured people in the Israel-Hamas conflict, stating that such content is important to portray the extent of human suffering in the war.
The social media giant, owner of Facebook and Instagram, is coming under close scrutiny as are other platforms at this time due to concerns over misinformation and accusations of biased coverage. Content moderation is a very contentious issue, especially given this subject, with the reach of social media and the number of people who use the apps daily.
As reported by Reuters, This case is thought to be the first time the Oversight Board has examined cases with priority after the independent body pledged earlier this year to commit to a faster review process of disputed content on Facebook and Instagram.
One of the videos was removed from the latter platform, which showed the aftermath of an airstrike near Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza with children who appeared to be dead or injured. The other concerned Hamas’ attack on Israel on 7 October, with the video showing an Israeli woman begging for her life as she was taken hostage.
The Oversight Board cited both content takedowns for review and subsequently, Meta reversed its decision to censor the content and restored the videos with a warning screen before they can be viewed.
Meta’s decision to restrict the content and not recommend it to other users was not approved or enforced by the Board. Conversely, it issued a statement urging the social media giant to “respond more quickly to changing circumstances on the ground, which affect the balance between the values of voice and safety.”
In this example, we can see how the real-life situation of the horrific conflict in the Middle East conflates with online moderation and the responsibility that the social media platforms have to carry.
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December 19, 2023
Biden Campaign Co-Chair is Afraid Democrats Will be Blamed for the Border Crisis – Who Wants to Tell Her? | The Gateway Pundit
Rep. Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from Texas, is a Biden campaign co-chair and she is reportedly worried that Democrats will be blamed for the border crisis. Who wants to tell her that Democrats ARE to blame for the border crisis?
Who exactly does she think deserves blame for this disaster? Everyone knows it is Biden and the Democrats.
How out of touch do you have to be to even think this way?
The New York Post reports:
Biden campaign co-chair Veronica Escobar ‘afraid’ Democrats will get blame for border crisis
One of President Biden’s re-election campaign co-chairs has said she worries that growing frustrations over the deteriorating situation at the southern border will hamper Democrats’ prospects in 2024.
“People are really frustrated. They want to see order. They want to see government manage situations,” Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) told Politico in an interview published Tuesday.
“Unfortunately Democrats are getting the brunt of that right now, and people have brainwashed themselves into thinking that somehow Donald Trump solves this.”
During fiscal year 2023, more than 2.47 million encounters were reported along the Mexico frontier — with more than 240,000 migrants apprehended in October, the most recent month for which stats are available, according to data from US Customs and Border Protection.
That influx has put a strain on liberal states and cities, where border state governors have directed the new arrivals.
Does she think that thousands of people are showing up at the border every day because of Republican policies?
The current scene at America’s southern border. pic.twitter.com/Oj4DAZiCYi
— House Judiciary GOP (@JudiciaryGOP) December 19, 2023
Another record-breaking day at the border.
The Biden administration could take action right now to help secure the border. Why won’t they? https://t.co/9JMgrp21Ew
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) December 19, 2023
Democrats will be blamed for this because it is their fault. They are allowing it to happen.
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7 Tech Tools Every Landlord Needs to Be More Efficient
You probably won’t find anyone who claims being a landlord is inherently easy, but there are things landlords can do to make their lives easier. Streamlining property management has never been easier, thanks to the ever-evolving landscape of tech tools.
In this guide, discover seven indispensable tech tools that every forward-thinking landlord should embrace. You’ll be able to enhance tenant experiences and make your landlord duties easier with these tech tools:
1. Smart Home TechnologySmart home tech in or around your tenants’ homes can make your life easier by automating routine maintenance tasks and protecting your property. It can also make your tenants’ lives easier for the same reasons. For example, implementing smart lock systems in your rental properties can significantly enhance security and convenience for both parties. By integrating high-tech locks, you ensure controlled access while eliminating the need for physical keys and the inherent risks of loss or duplication.
Should a situation arise where access needs to be granted remotely or revoked swiftly, smart locks empower you to do so from anywhere. Additionally, in cases of tenant turnover, resetting access is as simple as a few clicks. This not only improves the property’s security — meaning your tenants can feel safe — but it also streamlines administrative tasks.
Cameras are another popular smart home tech often worth the investment because they can alert you to things that might be amiss. If anything happens on the property, you’ll also be able to review the incident on the camera. If you do install cameras, make sure the cameras don’t point anywhere that would violate your tenants’ privacy. Most of today’s security systems are wireless, but if you’re worried about the system being hacked, you can opt for wired security cameras. Both work just the same and provide many benefits to landlords.
2. A Property Management AppIf you’re going to manage your own properties, you need an app that covers everything from tenant screening to rent collection. Centralizing tasks like rent collection, maintenance requests, and communication with tenants in one platform saves you time and makes the renting process more accessible to tenants.
An app can help you stay organized because it’ll keep track of all lease agreements, important documents, and financial records. If a tenant misses a payment, you’ll have evidence and they’ll likely be notified. Keeping these records in a place that’s easily accessible for you and your renters means difficult conversations can be a bit easier. If a tenant is consistently missing payments, the app can send notifications and reminders about consequences, if applicable.
Another benefit of a property management app is that it can allow you to manage your properties remotely — if you use it correctly. Sometimes, though, it is best to have someone on location. If you don’t want to manage the properties yourself, you can pass off your property management duties to a professional property management team instead, like the property management experts at Green Residential. When you have a property management team working for you, they’ll have a software suite of their own, so you won’t have to do any of the work.
3. Airplane Mode or ‘Do Not Disturb’>This isn’t a tool you’ll have to buy or install. Luckily, it’s something you likely already have in your pocket! If you’re a busy landlord, or you just like keeping your personal life quiet, airplane mode or ‘do not disturb’ will be your best friend. It’s simple technology, and it’s not new, but it’s extremely powerful, especially when you want to relax and not be bothered by your phone.
When you have tenants, you might get calls both day and night. Hopefully, you have someone else to take these calls for you and manage the situations as they arise. If not, and it’s all on you, start using airplane mode to set boundaries for when you’re available. Use it during the day to go on breaks and enjoy your hobbies — at least for a few hours.
Make sure to set up an emergency number for when you’re not available. Whether it’s a trusted property manager, maintenance service, or an emergency hotline, having a dedicated line for urgent matters ensures that critical issues can still be addressed promptly. You should also set up your voicemail message, so callers know you’ll return their call as soon as possible. Remember, it’s unreasonable for anyone to expect you to answer the phone 24/7 around the clock, day after day. So, don’t have that expectation for yourself.
4. Pet Management SoftwareJust when you thought nobody could invent an entirely new type of software, here come pet management applications. For landlords who need to keep track of tenants who have pets, this software can be a game-changer. A simple pet management platform helps landlords stay in control of their pet policies and stay on top of the related paperwork.
You can keep track of what tenants have what types of animals, along with information about complaints, damage, or anything else. Having this information in a database makes it easier to verify when it looks like someone might have brought a new animal into their unit. Some platforms even offer ESA verification, which aims to recognize fraudulent letters that don’t meet state or federal requirements. If you’re frustrated from dealing with ESAs because people claim their pets qualify when they don’t, there are a few things you should know about ESAs.
ESAs are exempt from pet-related fees under the Federal Fair Housing laws, like pet rent, but you can still charge a security deposit. However, keep in mind that not all housing is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act. Exemptions include:
Dwellings with four or fewer units where one unit is owner-occupiedSingle-family homes rented by the owner without a brokerHousing owned by private clubs or religious organizations that only rent to membersWhile pet tracking software can be helpful, if you don’t need to allow pets or ESAs, you can make your life a whole lot easier by not allowing them at all if you qualify for an exemption.
5. A ‘Real’ ComputerWhile it’s certainly possible to conduct all of your business from a mobile smartphone, it’s not the most efficient way to work. If you didn’t grow up using a full-sized desktop computer monitor, or at least a laptop, you don’t know what you’re missing.
Studies have shown that reading on a smartphone increases prefrontal cortex activity, which is associated with lower reading comprehension. This means if you’re doing all your business activity on your smartphone, you might not be comprehending everything you’re reading or researching. It’s much easier to make mistakes on a small screen.
When you use a full-sized monitor or laptop to manage your business, you’ll be able to see more, concentrate better, and get your tasks done faster. There’s more screen real estate to open several different applications at once, move them around, and even browse the internet simultaneously.
It’s also easier to save your files to your local hard drive instead of relying on cloud accounts for everything. There’s nothing wrong with using the cloud, but it’s faster to access files when you don’t have to log into an account or open an app. You also don’t need an internet connection to access your files on a laptop or desktop computer.
6. Self-Showing TechNothing kills your profits faster than vacancies. Self-showing tech can help you combat this by removing the need for you or a real estate agent to be present when someone looks at your properties. You can make it possible for tenants to view your properties on their own by using locks that require a digital code to enter.
Another option would be providing virtual tours online. Virtual tours are immersive, digital experiences that allow potential tenants to virtually explore a property from anywhere with an internet connection. They offer a comprehensive view of the property, showcasing its layout, design, and features through a series of images, videos, or interactive 3D models. There are many specialized services and apps designed for creating and hosting virtual property tours
Some tenants actually prefer to look at properties on their own because they can move through the unit at their own pace and don’t have to listen to anyone try to narrate their tour. This helps to increase your chances of renting a unit. It’s also cheaper and easier for you. If you don’t want to run down your properties all the time just to give a tour, self-showing tech will eliminate that burden for you.
7. Online ApplicationsAccepting your applications online will streamline everything you do. Sifting through applications is time-consuming and monotonous, and if you’re sitting there reading physical pieces of paper, you’re going to eventually skip over something important. Do yourself a favor and move your application process entirely online.
When you do, you’ll notice many benefits right away. For example, you can filter applications based on input in order to move unqualified applicants into a separate folder that you never have to check. Another benefit to online applications is that it forces prospective tenants to fill the application out completely. Sometimes, people leave certain areas blank on purpose, hoping it won’t be noticed. That won’t fly with an online application.
When you move this process online, you can also require the application fee payment before they can click submit. If they don’t want to pay, it won’t go through. This prevents you from having to manage physical payments that may or may not bounce.
Tech is Constantly Improving Landlords’ LivesThese are just some of the tech tools you can use to make your life and job as a landlord easier. As tech continues to evolve, so will the ways landlords can use technology to lighten their load and increase their profits.
Emma BentleyEmma Bentley is VP of Editorial at Adogy with a Bachelor’s Degree from John Brown University. She loves to work with people and have a positive impact on here team and department. Emma strengthens her coworkers and builds the company as a whole to helping it move forward while keeping relationships with publications strong.
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