The RESTRICT Act
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With gratitude,
Mike
DAILY BIBLE VERSE
"in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:6
Developing stories
As we go to press, word has arrived of yet another train derailment and fire near a small town. This time, it’s a train carrying ethanol and corn syrup that derailed early this morning near Raymond, Minnesota. Fortunately, there are currently no reports of injuries. The cause of the derailment is unknown.
In another breaking story, it was reported this morning that two HH60 Blackhawk helicopters of the 101st Airborne Division crashed during a training mission in Trigg County, Kentucky. There are reportedly multiple fatalities. Please keep the victims in your prayers.
Both of these are developing stories, so watch the news for more information as it becomes available.
The RESTRICT Act
Last night, Fox News’ Jesse Watters had one of the most stunning interviews seen in quite a while with Sen. Lindsay Graham. Watters spotlighted the RESTRICT Act. It supposedly targets tech like TikTok to prevent foreign adversaries from using it to spy on Americans. But as Watters pointed out in a MUST-SEE video, the language of the bill is downright terrifying.
https://dailycaller.com/2023/03/29/jesse-watters-lindsey-graham-restrict-act/
It’s vague enough to allow our government to target anybody for doing virtually anything they find suspicious, and cite that as a reason to investigate them and seize their Internet browsing histories. It includes huge fines and substantial prison terms, blocks citizens from seeking protection from the courts, and puts it off-limits to the Freedom of Information Act. In short, it might be the most horrifying assault on privacy and First Amendment rights in history. Here are those provisions in print, in case you don’t want to watch the full video.
Another scary thing about it: around 20 Senators back it, including Republicans like Graham, who is a co-sponsor. Then the interview entered deer-in-the-headlights territory when Watters asked Graham how he could support something like that, and he admitted he didn’t know that stuff was in it because he hadn’t read it, which “makes me look bad.” That’s an understatement.
Graham’s spokesperson later attempted damage control to little avail, saying, “Admittedly, it wasn’t Senator Graham’s best interview tonight. It happens.” But he said Graham would address China’s control of TikTok tomorrow, and would be happy to go back on the show soon “to discuss the issue further.”
Passing massive, incredibly destructive bills first and finding out what’s in them later is the kind of thing I’d expect from Nancy Pelosi. If what Watters quoted and showed on screen really is in that bill, and I have no reason to doubt him, then the best way to “edit” it is with a shredder. Then start over from scratch with a bill that prevents China from spying on Americans instead of empowering Washington to spy on Americans.
Coming up later today
former Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, now that state’s Senator, is set to testify to the House Weaponization of Government Committee alongside Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and former Missouri deputy attorney general for special litigation, D. John Sauer.
They were involved in the huge First Amendment lawsuit against the Biden Administration, and they will testify on what they discovered about government collusion with social media to silence critics. Schmitt will reportedly testify that the Biden Administration led "the largest speech censorship operation in recent history." We will be watching that hearing closely, and I’m sure will have much more to pass along tomorrow.