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Why Our Administration Ceased Gain-of-Function Research: A Comprehensive Overview

The decision to cease Gain-of-Function (GoF) research in the United States was not abrupt, nor was it purely political—it was the result of a long and troubling accumulation of scientific, ethical, and procedural concerns. The tipping point came in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, with mounting evidence suggesting the need for caution, accountability, and re-evaluation of high-risk biological experimentation. Two crucial sources—an unilaterally attended Congressional hearing in September 2022 and a long-classified MK-ULTRA document released in December 2024—reveal the context and catalysts that led to the policy shift. What is Gain-of-Function Research? Gain-of-Function research involves manipulating pathogens to enhance their properties, such as transmissibility, virulence, or host range. Though potentially useful for understanding disease progression and preparing vaccines, such work also carries grave biosafety risks, particularly when…
8 min read 0

Navigating the Mental Health System: An Interview with Jason Page on Chicago Writes

In a compelling episode of Chicago Writes, a program hosted by the Chicago Writers Association, W.C. Turck sat down with Jason Page, the author of the Mental Hospital Survival Guide: How to Protect Yourself and Others from Abuse, now in its fourth edition. Page, a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic, has transformed his personal experiences into a vital resource for those navigating the often daunting landscape of mental health hospitalization. This interview delves into the nuances of his guide, the systemic challenges within mental health institutions, and the critical importance of self-advocacy and empathy in mental health care. A Guide Written in the Language of the Schizophrenic Page’s Mental Hospital Survival Guide is not a typical self-help book. As Turck notes, it is written in the “language of the schizophrenic,”…
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Rebuttal for Freedom of Choice Against HR 867

HR 867, as characterized by its critics, represents a profound overreach of government authority, undermining the fundamental principle of individual autonomy. Freedom of choice is the bedrock of a free society, allowing individuals to make decisions aligned with their values, beliefs, and interests. This bill, by compelling citizens to purchase products or support entities against their will, erodes personal liberty and sets a dangerous precedent for state control over individual agency. The essence of freedom is the right to say “no” — to opt out of systems, products, or affiliations that conflict with one’s principles. Forcing individuals to financially or otherwise support specific nations or industries, as HR 867 purportedly does, strips away this right, reducing citizens to mere instruments of state policy. Such coercion mirrors the dynamics…
6 min read 0

Reimagining Farm-to-School: Aligning Local Food Systems with Make America Healthy Again

The recent decision by the Trump administration to defund the USDA’s Patrick Leahy Farm to School program, alongside cuts to other local food initiatives, has sparked debate about its alignment with the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative. Critics argue that dismantling these programs, which connect schools with fresh, local produce, undermines efforts to improve child nutrition and community resilience. However, a closer look reveals that the defunding stems from a shift in priorities—fiscal restraint, skepticism of ideologically driven programs, and a focus on broader agricultural goals. While the Farm to School program has merits, it faces challenges like scalability and administrative complexity. This article explores why the program was defunded, its potential weaknesses, and long-term prospects to ensure healthy food access in schools while aligning with MAHA’s…
7 min read 0

Uncovering the Shadows: New Revelations on U.S. Covert Involvement in COVID-19 Origins

Introduction The origins of the COVID-19 pandemic have been shrouded in controversy, with competing narratives fueling global distrust. Recent revelations, coupled with long-standing accusations from China and Russia, have intensified scrutiny on the United States’ potential role in the virus’s creation. China has openly blamed the U.S., pointing to ignored appeals by Russia to the United Nations for investigations into alleged U.S. biological malfeasance. These claims, bolstered by declassified documents and whistleblower testimonies, suggest a complex web of covert operations involving U.S. agencies like the CIA and USAID, potentially in collusion with global entities like the World Economic Forum (WEF). This article explores these allegations, supported by emerging evidence, and speculates on the motives behind such actions, including the possibility of a regime-change operation targeting the Trump administration…
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Breaking the Chains of Co-Dependence: China’s Threats and America’s Path to Sovereignty

The narrative around U.S. tariffs on China often casts America as the instigator, with some—particularly on the right—labeling China’s retaliatory measures as near acts of war. This view misses the core issue: our reliance on China is a self-inflicted wound, a toxic co-dependence that has eroded America’s sovereignty. Beyond trade, China’s aggressive acquisition of U.S. farmland, its growing influence through BRICS, and its systemic theft of intellectual property (IP) and personal information threaten our national security and independence. Rather than leaning on global orders to counter these threats, the U.S. must resolve its dependence through self-reliance, prioritizing principles over associations to avoid entanglement in a flawed global system. China’s strategy has never been about mutual benefit. Drawing from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War, it seeks to weaken…
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X’s Progress in Countering Fake Accounts and Astroturfing: Addressing an Inherited Challenge

Introduction The social media platform X, formerly Twitter, has long grappled with the pervasive issues of fake accounts and astroturfing—coordinated efforts to manipulate public opinion by mimicking grassroots support. These challenges, deeply rooted in Twitter’s pre-2022 era, have drawn scrutiny for undermining authentic discourse. Since Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform in October 2022, X has implemented measures to address these problems, with mixed results. This article explores the progress X has made in countering fake accounts and astroturfing as of April 2025, provides background on the inherited issues from Twitter, and examines allegations of collusion involving Twitter’s former staff and owners. Background: The Inherited Problem of Fake Accounts and Astroturfing When Twitter operated under its original ownership, fake accounts and astroturfing were significant concerns, driven by the…
6 min read 0

What to Do If You’re a U.S. Citizen and Receive a Deportation Letter in Error

Receiving a deportation letter as a U.S. citizen is not only alarming but also a serious administrative error, as citizens are not subject to deportation under any circumstances. Such mistakes, like the erroneous parole termination emails sent by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in April 2025, can cause significant distress. If you find yourself in this situation, swift action is essential to correct the error and protect your rights. This article outlines the steps you can take to address and prevent adverse consequences from a mistaken deportation notice. Understanding the Issue Deportation notices are typically issued to non-citizens by agencies like U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, errors can occur due to: Administrative Mistakes:…
2 min read 0

My Linux Conversion Story

In my teens, I witnessed the tech industry’s shift from DOS to Windows 3.x, which many viewed as a mere shell over DOS. Windows NT was touted as the solution, but my experience with OS/2 Warp after DOS left me unimpressed with Windows. I found Windows lacking in resource management, stability, and practical features like a true object-oriented desktop, which OS/2 offered. As Windows became the dominant platform, I grew disillusioned, seeing it as a symptom of a “drunken marketplace” driven by problem-creation solutions. Much like the medical or military industries, the IT market seemed to thrive on perpetuating issues to sustain demand, at the expense of users’ sanity and systems’ health. This normalization of malfunction left me feeling trapped and depressed. Desperate for an alternative, I watched…
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Yellowstone Volcano: Venting Stability and Catastrophic Potential

Introduction Yellowstone National Park, a geologic wonder, sits atop one of Earth’s most powerful supervolcanoes, sparking both scientific scrutiny and public fascination. Recent research by Schmandt and Duan (2025) from Rice University has provided critical insights into Yellowstone’s magma system, revealing a stable structure sustained by natural venting processes. As highlighted by SciTechDaily (2025), this venting reduces the likelihood of an imminent eruption. However, the potential consequences of a supereruption remain a topic of intense interest. This article summarizes the research, evaluates the hypothetical impacts of a Yellowstone supereruption on the United States and the world, and explores the drivers of public intrigue, grounded in the latest scientific evidence. Research Findings: A Venting Magma System Schmandt and Duan’s (2025) study, published in Nature and covered by SciTechDaily (2025),…