HMM: Is This the Rosetta Stone That Explains Epstein’s Vast Wealth and Intelligence Ties? “Benz believes Epstein went out on his own after leaving Bear Stearns and ran all of his intelligence deals through BCCI. Those intelligence ties are believed to explain why, when Epstein was busted for his underage human trafficking sex slavery ring, then-Florida U.S. Attorney Alex Acosta is alleged to have said that he gave Epstein a sweetheart plea deal because ‘he belonged to intelligence.'”
December 23, 2025
CHRISTMAS IN A CCP JAIL: That’s the prospect for thousands of Chinese Christians, thanks to a massive wave of arrests, according to The Washington Stand’s Sam McCarthy.
MARK JUDGE: Make America Zen Again.
PRIVACY, YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG: Italy antitrust agency fines Apple $116 million over privacy feature; Apple announces appeal.
Italy’s antitrust authority fined Apple 98.6 million euros ($116 million) on Monday after determining that operating one of its privacy features restricted App Store competition. Apple said it would appeal the sanction.
Apple abused its dominant position with its App Tracking Transparency, ATT, policy, which forces apps to obtain permission before collecting data to target users with personalized ads, the antitrust authority said in a statement.
The company rolled out ATT starting in April 2021 as part of an update to the operating system powering the iPhone and iPad. While the feature was designed to tighten up privacy, it faced criticism from Big Tech rivals that it would make it harder for smaller apps to survive without charging consumers.
The authority didn’t criticize the policy per se, but the fact that the Apple system requires third-party app makers to ask users for consent twice in order to comply with Europe’s strict privacy rules.
Am I reading this correctly? Did Italy just squeeze Apple for $116 million for complying with EU privacy rules?
Creative beak-wetting is what Europe does now instead of tech innovation.
DON SURBER: When CBS silenced Andy Rooney. Twice.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, AMERICA!
my official statement to the american people is “you’re welcome” 🫡🇺🇸 https://t.co/M5Kiage1zG
— kaitlin (@thefactualprep) December 23, 2025
KRUISER’S MORNING BRIEFING: The Epstein Stuff Probably Won’t Make Bill Clinton’s Teflon Get Sticky. “Sadly, I’ve been around long enough to know that pinning anything on Bill or Hillary Clinton has about the same odds as hitting Powerball on consecutive weeks. These people are professional breakers and skirters of the law; they have been easily getting away with whatever they want for all of those same years that we have been crossing our fingers and hoping for their downfall.”
CHANGE: FCC Set to Ban New Foreign-Made Drones.
The action, expected to be announced Monday by the Federal Communications Commission at an afternoon press conference, would target new drone models and components produced overseas, sources told Newsmax Middle East correspondent Zachary Anders.
The ban would include DJI, the popular Chinese manufacturer that dominates the consumer camera-drone market.
Importantly, the policy would not be retroactive. Anders reported that the action “does not affect drones or drone components that are currently sold in the United States,” meaning existing products already on store shelves or in consumers’ hands would not be covered by the new prohibition.
Instead, the change would work through the FCC’s authorization process.
Prepare from some growing pains while supply chains adjust.
IF YOU’D PREDICTED THIS A FEW YEARS AGO, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED A BIGOTED FANTASY: Massachusetts Mayor Can’t Understand English, Needs Translator In Court: Mayor Brian DePena immigrated to the United States in the 1980s.
MY NEW YORK POST COLUMN: DEI hollowed out a generation — and sapped America’s promise.
AT AMAZON, Shop the Holiday Gift Store. #CommissionEarned
DISPATCHES FROM THE EDUCATION RENAISSANCE: Why Southern States Are Outperforming Others in Education.
Much of this success has rightly been credited to a handful of commonsense reforms: early literacy laws that require the use of phonics, the tightening of retention and promotion policies, universal literacy screeners in early grades, and rigorous curricula. But another factor may be these states’ strict disciplinary policies. The states seeing the greatest gains academically are also the ones doing the most to bring order and stability to their schools.
A teacher can use the best curriculum, and states can make schools use the best instructional methods, but if classrooms are chaotic, then students will not learn. The presence of a misbehaving peer causes other students to act out, dilutes instruction, and drives down achievement for other students.
Despite this, blue and red states frame discipline differently. Alabama’s regulatory codes, for example, open with a statement that “students be allowed to learn in a safe classroom setting where order and discipline are maintained,” and that “every child in Alabama” is entitled to “the right to learn in a non-disruptive environment.” Boundaries and order are treated as inherent goods.
Many blue states, however, view school discipline as a necessary evil, to be limited as much as possible.
Read the whole thing.
THE WALLS ARE CLOSING IN: Trump approval rating rebounds as new poll shows him hitting three-month high.
RAYMOND IBRAHIM: How the Islamic Blitzkrieg Shattered Christendom.
As I never tire of reminding people, I always learn a lot from Ray’s video podcasts.
THE 21ST CENTURY IS NOT TURNING OUT AS I HAD HOPED: Danielle Collins’ blunt ‘no feet pics’ rule on fun holiday with girl pals. Well, it’s actually a ‘no free feet pics’ rule, because it’s 2025.
THEOLOGICALLY CORRECT: DAILY ART FIX: How Asian Artists Picture Jesus’ Birth From 1240 to Today.
DRONE WAR UPDATE:
The following is evaluation is based on a number of professional discussions:
This CRPA found in a shot down jet Shaheed is reported to be Russian built. This is highly doubtful as the design and construction style looks far too professional for Russian industry.
— Trent Telenko (@TrentTelenko) December 21, 2025
Related:
This is so fucking wild. Drones vs Cavalry is something I never imagined would happen.
— AJ Jones (@IronMan198XAD) December 22, 2025
WHAT DOESN’T CAUSE DEMS TO MELT DOWN? Here’s the Question That Caused Dems on the Panel to Melt Down on CNN.
