2022’s Danger Signs: From Totalitarian Paranoia To Authoritarian Madness By John & Nisha Whitehead January 12, 2023 Share The danger signs were everywhere in 2022. With every new law enacted by federal and state legislatures, every new ruling handed down by government courts, every new military weapon, invasive tactic and egregious protocol employed by government agents, we were reminded that in the eyes of the government and its corporate accomplices, “we the people” possess no rights except for that which the Deep State grants on an as-needed basis. Totalitarian paranoia spiked. In a Machiavellian attempt to expand its powers, the government unleashed all manner of dangers on an unsuspecting populace in order to justify its demands for additional powers to protect “we the people” from emerging threats, whether legitimate, manufactured or overblown. The state of our nation suffered. The nation remained politically polarized, controlled by forces beyond the purview of the average American and rapidly moving the nation away from its freedom foundation. Thought crimes became a target for punishment. Those who criticized the government—whether that criticism manifested itself in word, deed or thought—were flagged as dangerous alongside consumers and spreaders of “mis-dis-and mal-information.” Speech was muzzled. Those who want to monitor, muzzle, catalog and censor speech continued to push for social media monitoring, censorship of flagged content that could be construed as dangerous or hateful and limitations on free speech activities, particularly online. The government spoke in a language of violence. Police violence kills three people a day. Warrior cops—trained in the worst-case scenario and thus ready to shoot first and ask questions later—did not make us or themselves any safer. Despite this, President Biden pledged to expand law enforcement and so-called crime prevention through a $30 Billion “Fund the Police” Program. Cancel culture became more intolerant. Cancel culture shifted us into an Age of Intolerance, policed by techno-censors, social media bullies and government watchdogs. Everything has now become fair game for censorship if it can be construed as hateful, hurtful, bigoted or offensive provided that it runs counter to the established viewpoint. Homes were invaded. Government agents routinely violated the Fourth Amendment at will under the pretext of public health and safety. This doesn’t even begin to touch on the many ways the government and its corporate partners-in-crime used surveillance technology to invade homes: with wiretaps, thermal imaging, surveillance cameras and other monitoring devices. Political theater kept the public distracted. Having devolved into a carefully calibrated exercise in how to manipulate, polarize, propagandize and control a population, the political scene provided ample diversions with its televised January 6th, 2023 Committee Hearings, the Russia-Ukraine Crisis, the Ketanji Brown Jackson Confirmation Hearings and more. Bodily integrity was undermined. Although the Supreme Court overturned its earlier rulings recognizing abortion as a constitutional right under the Fourteenth Amendment, it did nothing to resolve the larger problem that plagues us today: namely, that all along the spectrum of life—from the unborn child to the aged—the government continues to play fast and loose with the lives of the citizenry. The government’s fiscal insanity reached new heights. The national debt amount that the federal government has borrowed over the years and must pay back hit $30 Trillion. That debt is expected to be twice the size of the U.S. Economy by 2051. Surveillance got creepier. On any given day, the average American going about his daily business was monitored, surveilled, spied on and tracked in more than 20 different ways, by both government and corporate eyes and ears. In such a surveillance ecosystem, we’re all suspects and data bits to be tracked, cataloged and targeted. Precrime became more fact than fiction. Under the pretext of helping overwhelmed government agencies work more efficiently, AI predictive and surveillance technologies were used to classify, segregate and flag the populace with little concern for privacy rights or due process. Gun confiscation laws put a target on the back of every American. Red flag gun laws which authorize government officials to seize guns from individuals viewed as a danger to themselves or others and gained traction as a legislative means by which to allow police to remove guns from people suspected of being threats. Red flag gun laws merely push us that much closer towards a suspect society where everyone is potentially guilty of some crime or another and must be preemptively rendered harmless. The Supreme Court turned America into a Constitution-free zone. Although the Court’s rulings on qualified immunity for police who engage in official misconduct were largely overshadowed by its politically polarizing rulings on abortion, gun ownership and religion, they were no less devastating. The bottom line: there will be no consequences for cops who brutalize the citizenry and no justice for the victims of police brutality. The FBI went rogue. The FBI’s laundry list of crimes against the American people ran the gamut from surveillance, disinformation, blackmail, entrapment and intimidation tactics to harassment and indoctrination, governmental overreach, abuse, misconduct, trespassing, enabling criminal activity and damaging private property, and that’s just based on what we know. The government waged war on political freedom. In more and more cases, the government declared war on what should be protected political speech whenever it challenges the government’s power, reveals the government’s corruption, exposes the government’s lies and encourages the citizenry to push back against the government’s many injustices. The military industrial complex waged more wars. America’s part in the showdown between Russia and the Ukraine conveniently followed on the heels of a long line of other crises which have occurred like clockwork in order to keep Americans distracted, deluded, amused and insulated from the government’s steady encroachments on our freedoms. Authoritarian madness escalated. You didn’t have to be a conspiracy theorist or even anti-government to recognize the slippery slope that starts with well-meaning intentions for the greater good and ends with tyrannical abuses no one should tolerate. When any government is empowered to adopt a comply-or-suffer-the-consequences mindset that is enforced through mandates, lockdowns, penalties, detention centers, martial law and an utter disregard for the rights of the individual, there should be reason for concern. The takeaway: the more things changed, the more they stayed the same. As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, if there is any means left to us for thwarting the government in its relentless march towards outright dictatorship, it rests—as it always has— at the local level, with “we the people." Unless we work together to push back against the government’s overreach, excesses and abuse, 2023 will be yet another terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year for freedom. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org < Previous News Next News >

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Keller's Korner - Todd Golden By Neil Keller Feb 18, 2025 Pictured: Florida Gators men’s basketball Head Coach (L) Todd Golden with Neil Keller. (Photo Courtesy of Alyse Sachs) Welcome to Keller’s Korner. This column will cover the men’s basketball Head Coach for the Florida Gators, Todd Golden. He was born on July 7, 1985 and as of this writing, he is coaching the sixth ranked team in the country. The Florida Gators had a huge and loud crowd when we attended the February 4, 2025 game against the Commodores of Vanderbilt. Todd always loved the sport of basketball. He grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and led Sunnyslope High School to the 2002 Arizona 4A state championship in basketball. From there he played guard for St. Mary’s College of California from 2004 to 2008. The Gaels made the 2005 and 2008 NCAA Tournaments. Todd graduated as the Gaels' all-time leader in free-throw percentage (83.2%) before the record was broken by future NBA player Matthew Dellavedova. From 2008 to 2010, Todd played for Maccabi Haifa in the Israeli Basketball Premier League. He also competed in the 2009 Maccabiah Games playing for the USA. Todd added to me, “Bruce Pearl also coached me in 2009 in Israel in the Maccabiah Games.” Bruce is now the Head Coach of the Auburn Tigers. After playing a few years in Israel, Todd became an Assistant Coach for Columbia University and then Auburn and finally the University of San Francisco. Todd’s big promotion happened on April 1, 2019, when USF announced Todd would be the Head Coach of the Dons. Todd stayed there until the 2021-2022 season as bigger developments came into his life. At the age of 36 years old, Todd was named the Head Coach of the University of Florida on March 18, 2022. Now Todd was coaching in the big-time Southeastern Conference. The Gators won 24 games during the 2023-2024 season and Todd led them into the SEC finals against his mentor Bruce Pearl and Auburn. The Gators fell to the Tigers but the campus in Gainesville got Gator fever. One of their biggest fans is freshman Eden Rose. She is a die-hard basketball fan that gets in line hours early to sit in the front row. Eden is easy to spot wearing her foam Gator hat. She added, “I love the games, but it is also very exciting to wait in line with other students who love the team too.” Now in the 2024-2025 season, the Gators are rolling. As of February 7, 2025, they are ranked 6th in the country. I mentioned to Todd that of the 6 top ranked teams in men’s basketball, three had Jewish coaches. He is aware that they are Bruce at Auburn, Todd at Florida and Jon Scheyer at Duke. When asked if he had any comments to three Jewish coaches who have had such similar success, he responded, “It is definitely something that I am proud of. I think it is a really unique situation and cool to see. Obviously, I know Jon (Scheyer) pretty well, but Bruce is family to me.” As of this writing, Auburn is ranked #1 in the nation and they have a showdown with Florida on Saturday, February 8. It will be Jewish coaches Bruce Pearl vs. Todd Golden. Also, it should be noted that Steven Pearl, Bruce’s son, is an Associate Coach for the Tigers. When asked about Steve, Todd said, “Steve is one of my best friends.” As for the showdown, Todd said, “I owe a lot to them (Bruce and Steve) in terms of my success as a coach. I am proud to be coaching Florida, and I am excited to try to beat Bruce on Saturday." Note, on February 8, the Gators did upset the #1 ranked Auburn Tigers in Auburn, 90 to 81. Neil Keller is a Jewish historian. Visit his website: www.NeilKeller.com to learn who is Jewish. Previous Next

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Taco Tuesday Is Looking A Bit Different By Family Features November 2, 2023 Share Mealtime traditions are common among many families, from taco Tuesdays to weekend favorites. You can add a special touch to one of the most popular traditions - Taco Night - with a plant-based twist. With a nutty, smokey and truly meaty taste and texture, Pecans offer a perfect Plant-Based Protein to incorporate in favorite dishes like Tacos. However, great taste is just the beginning - Pecans pack a nutritious punch with a unique mix of health-promoting nutrients while shining in a wide range of flavor profiles. To help make your next Taco night all the rage among loved ones, the American Pecan Promotion Board recommends serving up authentic Vegan Taco recipes using Pecans in place of meat in dishes like Smoky Chipotle Pecan Burrito Bowls and Vegan Pecan Al Pastor Tacos. Their texture makes them uniquely suited as a meat alternative that doesn't sacrifice flavor so it can taste like the original and leave your family clamoring to keep Taco night on the weekly menu. Learn more and discover delicious Plant-Based Recipes at: www.eatpecans.com Smoky Chipotle Pecan Burrito Bowls Recipe Courtesy of Dominique Williamson on behalf of the American Pecan Promotion Board Prep time: 40 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Servings: 2-3 Pecan "Meat:" • 2 1/2 Cups of Water • 1 Cup of Pecans • 1/2 Cup of Portobello Mushrooms • 2 Tablespoons of Taco Seasoning • 2 Tablespoons of Tamari Sauce or Soy Sauce • 2 Cloves of Garlic, minced • 1 Tablespoon of Liquid Smoke • 1 Tablespoon of Vegan Worcestershire Sauce • 1 Tablespoon of Chipotle in Adobo Sauce Pineapple Salsa: • 1 Pineapple, diced • 2 Roma Tomatoes, diced • 1-2 Jalapeños, diced • 1 Cup of Cilantro, finely chopped • 1 Red Onion, diced • 1/4 Cup of Lime Juice • Salt, to taste Chipotle Crema: • 2 Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce • 1 Cup of Vegan Mayo • 3 Cloves of Garlic, minced • 2 Teaspoons of Vinegar • 2 Tablespoons of Plant-Based Milk • 1 Teaspoon of Agave • 1/2 Teaspoon of Salt To make the Pecan "meat:" In a bowl of boiling water, soak the Pecans, covered, at least 30 minutes, or overnight in room temperature water for a softer texture. Drain the Pecans and place them in a food processor with the Mushrooms. Pulse the mixture to a texture resembling meat crumbles. Avoid over-pulsing. In a pan over Medium Heat, add the Pecan mixture, the Taco Seasoning, the Tamari Sauce, the Minced Garlic, the Liquid Smoke and the Vegan Worcestershire Sauce. Cook it for 7-10 minutes then add the Chipotle in the Adobo Sauce and Cook it for 3 minutes. To make the Pineapple Salsa: Combine the Pineapple, the Tomatoes, the Jalapeños, the Cilantro, the Red Onion, the Lime Juice and the Salt, to taste. To make the Chipotle Crema: Combine the Chipotle Peppers, the Vegan Mayo, the Garlic, the Vinegar, the Milk, the Agave and the Salt. To assemble the bowls, place the Pecan mixture in a bowl followed by the Pineapple Salsa and the Chipotle Crema. Vegan Pecan Al Pastor Tacos Recipe courtesy of the American Pecan Promotion Board Prep time: 35 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Servings: 4-6 • Water • 2 Pounds of chopped Pecans • 1 Cup of Onion • 8 Cloves of Garlic, minced • 8 Dried Guajillo Peppers • 2 Tablespoons of Oil • Salt, to taste • Pepper, to taste • 7 Ounce 1 can of Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Toppings And Garnishes: • Flour or Corn Tortillas (6 inches each) • Cilantro • Diced Onion • Lime • Pineapple In a bowl of boiling water, soak the Pecans, covered, at least 30 minutes, or overnight in room temperature water for a softer texture. Drain the Pecans. In a food processor, pulse the Pecans to meat-like crumbles. Do not overprocess the Pecan Butter. Finely chop the Onions, the Garlic and the Guajillo Peppers. In a skillet over Medium-High Heat, heat the Oil and sautée the Onions until transparent, 2-3 minutes. Add the Garlic and cook it for 1 minute. Sprinkle it with the Salt and the Pepper, to taste, and stir to combine it. Add the Chipotle Peppers in the Adobo and cook it for 1 minute. Add the crumbled Pecans and stir it well to combine it. Remove it from the heat and serve it on the Tortillas. Serve it with the Cilantro, the Onion, the Lime and the Pineapple. < Previous News Next News >

Ballon Development Consultants - Bringing More Than Three Decades Of Luxury Pre-Development Expertise To Developers Nationwide South Florida Sun Times Jul 30, 2026 After More Than 30 Years In Luxury Residential Development Sales, Amy Ballon Has Launched Ballon Development Consultants, A Boutique Advisory Firm That Partners With Developers, Sales And Marketing Organizations, And Brokerage Firms To Guide Luxury Residential Projects From Early Planning Through Sellout. Known throughout South Florida for her work on some of the region's most notable residential developments, Ballon has spent her career advising developers from the earliest planning stages, shaping product positioning, pricing strategy, sales execution, broker engagement, market intelligence, and top-tier on-site sales teams. Her track record includes more than $5 Billion in luxury residential sales and consulting work across Florida and beyond. A key part of the firm's mission is building an elite Luxury Pre-Development Sales Certification Program, aimed at training the next generation of pre-construction sales professionals. The program will teach the specialized discipline of luxury development sales, preparing agents to represent the nation's top residential projects with confidence. Ballon's own path illustrates the value of that full-cycle perspective. Before launching Ballon Development Consultants, she worked as an independent consultant on Pier Sixty-Six Residences, later stepping into the role of Director of Sales to lead the project through its most critical selling phase. During her tenure, Pier Sixty-Six achieved record-breaking pricing. She has since launched Ballon Development Consultants to bring that same strategic expertise to developers nationwide, helping position properties in emerging and transitional markets for long-term success. Spanning a 32-acre waterfront campus in Fort Lauderdale, Pier Sixty-Six Residences is one of the most significant luxury developments in the country, combining private residences with a legendary superyacht marina, an iconic resort, a private club, world-class dining, and unmatched waterfront amenities, all while honoring the legacy of one of South Florida's most recognizable landmarks. Over the years, Ballon has advised a respected list of developers and organizations, including Fernbrook Homes, where she provided strategic consulting during the company's expansion into the Florida market; the development team behind Sabbia Beach in Pompano Beach, a landmark luxury project that helped raise the city's profile; and Fortune International Group, where she worked with Chairman and CEO Edgardo Defortuna on market analytics, pricing strategy, and sales intelligence that highlighted growing demand for luxury oceanfront living in Pompano Beach. As founding partner of Hemisphere Sales Group, Ballon was tapped to lead the exclusive sales and marketing effort for a transitional luxury project that helped pave the way for future development in the surrounding market. She has also held leadership roles with ONE Sotheby's International Realty and Premier Sales Group, along with consulting work on several other distinguished luxury developments nationwide. "Exceptional developments need exceptional strategy long before the first residence sells," said Ballon. "The real value gets created early, when market intelligence, product vision, pricing, architecture, sales strategy, and customer experience all come together. Ballon Development Consultants exists to partner with developers from that starting point, turning strong ideas into lasting legacies." As the firm grows nationally, Ballon Development Consultants will continue offering strategic advisory services, pre-development planning, market analysis, sales and marketing collaboration, executive coaching, broker engagement, luxury sales team development, and consulting built to set standout projects up for long-term success. About Ballon Development Consultants Ballon Development Consultants is a boutique advisory firm specializing in luxury residential pre-development strategy, sales consulting and market positioning for developers nationwide. Founded by Amy Ballon, the firm partners with developers, sales and marketing organizations, and brokerage firms to guide projects from early planning through sellout. Drawing on more than three decades of experience and more than $5 Billion in luxury residential sales and consulting work, Ballon Development Consultants provides expertise in market analysis, pricing strategy, sales execution, broker engagement and luxury sales team development. For more information, visit: https://ballondevelopmentconsultants.com Amy Ballon has launched Ballon Development Consultants Previous Next

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Dive Into A Fascinating World - Explore The Profound Connection Between Humans And Dolphins In Larger-Than-Life Detailed IMAX South Florida Sun Times Apr 3, 2025 Dolphins Have Long Fascinated Us With Their Intelligence, Complex Social Lives And Playful Antics. But What Else Draws Us To These Captivating Animals? Discover The Answer In Call Of The Dolphins, The New Giant-Screen Documentary Now Playing At The Autonation® IMAX® Theater At The Museum Of Discovery And Science (MODS). Narrated by Academy Award®-winning actress Mary Steenburgen, Call of the Dolphins invites audiences on an unforgettable journey into the fascinating world of wild dolphins, revealing the profound bond we share with these highly intelligent creatures. With stunning visuals and immersive storytelling on the world’s largest screens, the film takes viewers beneath the ocean’s surface for an up-close exploration of how dolphins live, play and interact—both with each other and with humans. “Call of the Dolphins is an engaging and heartfelt glimpse into the marine world that underlines the need to better understand and preserve the dolphin’s natural habitat,” said Joseph P. Cox, President and CEO of MODS. These endearing mammals and their clever, emotional and lively dispositions populate Florida’s coastlines and beyond. Environmental sustainability is one of the Museum’s key educational pillars. Through our various marine education initiatives and programming, we hope to ignite a sense of wonder and stewardship for our ocean friends and the natural world that sustains them.” The film features a range of remarkable stories, including those of Captain Wayne Scott Smith, who has spent 35 years leading dolphin snorkeling trips in the Bahamas and who shares a unique bond with Atlantic spotted dolphins; researchers from Hawaii and Florida’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, who are uncovering the mysteries of dolphin behavior; and members of the IFAW Dolphin Rescue Center in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, who save more than 300 stranded dolphins each year. Call of the Dolphins is the latest giant-screen documentary from award-winning filmmaker Jonathan Bird, whose previous works include Ancient Caves (winner of the 2020 Best Film of the Year award from the Giant Screen Cinema Association), Astronaut: Ocean to Orbit and Secrets of the Sea, (winner of the 2022 Best Film of the Year award). Bird is also the producer and host of the Emmy® Award-winning series Jonathan Bird’s Blue World. “Call of the Dolphins brings audiences face-to-face with wild dolphins, offering a fresh and immersive experience with these remarkable animals that have captured human imagination for centuries,” said Bird, director and co-producer of the film. “The film also introduces an enthusiastic team of individuals dedicated to understanding and protecting these intelligent creatures. I hope it inspires a renewed sense of wonder and a deeper appreciation for the importance of safeguarding their ocean home.” Call of the Dolphins is produced by Oceanic Research Group Films and presented by MacGillivray Freeman Films. The film is family-friendly and has a run time of 40 minutes. For more information, visit: https://macgillivrayfreeman.com/project/call-of-the-dolphins/ The AutoNation® IMAX® Theater at the Museum of Discovery and Science is located at 401 Southwest 2nd Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. Call of the Dolphins is included in the MODS Discovery Pass, an all-in-one ticket that includes Museum exhibitions, live science demonstrations and one IMAX documentary film. For tickets, please visit: https://mods.org/tickets/ - And for showtimes, please visit; https://mods.org/showtimes/ The AutoNation® IMAX® 3D Theater The AutoNation® IMAX® 3D Theater, owned and operated by the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS), offers an immersive and unparalleled experience on the largest IMAX screen in Florida, certified by the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA). Equipped with IMAX GT 4K dual laser projectors and a 15/70mm projection system, it is one of only five theaters in the United States to offer this format. This technology transforms the viewing experience on the six-story-high screen, enhanced by a state-of-the-art 12-channel sound system with 114 speakers delivering 52,000 watts of digital sound. From the faintest whisper to the earth-shaking force of a volcanic eruption, audiences will feel every moment like never before. The AutoNation® IMAX® 3D Theater is the only location in South Florida where you can experience the power of IMAX® with Dual Laser. For showtimes, please visit: https://mods.org/showtimes/ - Private screenings are available, please inquire by email:booking@mods.org. The Museum of Discovery and Science Founded in 1976 as the Discovery Center, today the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS) is at the forefront of science education, innovation and exploration. MODS connects people to inspiring science, providing STEM education and cultural experiences for 450,000+ visitors annually in the 150,000 square foot facility. MODS is a 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit organization that has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) for three decades. MODS has added to that distinction by being named Broward’s Hub for Resilience Education by the Board of the Community Foundation of Broward, selected by the LEGO Foundation as one of only 21 museums nationwide to join the Playful Learning Museum Network and awarded the prestigious 2023 IMLS National Medal for Museum Service. The Museum welcomes visitors from all walks of life. The Museum hours are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. Noon to 5:00 p.m. MODS is located downtown at 401 Southwest Second Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33312. For more information about the Museum, please visit: https://mods.org - Or call: (954) 467-MODS. Or Call: (954) 467-6637. Previous Next

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