MassResistance: Happy Independence Day - America’s 250th Birthday!

 

Keep up on REAL pro-family activism!    "The simple step of a courageous individual is not to take part in the lie." - Alexandr Solzhenitsyn

July 4, 2026 Happy Independence Day - America’s 250th Birthday! Celebrating something that the Founders taught us that we must never forget … One thing that virtually all of America’s Founding Fathers understood is that a republic offers the most liberty of the various forms of government - but it is also the most vulnerable to subversion and destruction, particularly from forces within. The natural order of things is for those in power to become tyrannical, to crave power over protecting citizens’ liberties, to buy votes with the public’s money. And organized groups of people work to take from the public treasury and subvert other people’s liberties. It’s simply the way God made mankind. The founders attempted to mitigate that through checks and balances in the Constitution, but they knew that was insufficient, and only a starting point. Thus, their message to the generations to come was that the American Revolution wasn’t enough. There must be a constant revolution by the citizens against those inevitable forces. Benjamin Franklin said the United States is “A republic, if you can keep it.” John Adams warned about judges becoming despotic. Thomas Jefferson put it more colorfully: “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants” and “Rebellion to tyranny is obedience to God.” It’s not an exaggeration to say that America today is close to being overwhelmed by evil forces from within. Those forces are well organized and well-funded. It’s not just the culture war, but out entire political system and social fabric. More than ever, it’s necessary for regular people not to simply know about it or write about what’s happening. In this 250th year of America, regular people must remember what the Founders said and do something about it. The focus of MassResistance is to organize people to confront and stop the evil forces that seem so overwhelming to the average citizen. It’s not easy. But we hope to do our part to live up to the Founders’ expectations. Happy Independence Day!    Donate to MassResistance

US General Curtis LeMay on the Death of Children in Military Combat

In today's political climate, there's a growing effort to denounce all military engagement with enemy combatants because of the inevitable death of children.

Should that be a pretext for not fighting back against a terrorist or an enemy nation that has violated your sovereignty and killed your civilians?

Consider General Curtis LeMay's controversial remarks on the subject:

General Curtis LeMay's most prominent and widely documented comment regarding civilian casualties—including women and children—was: "There are no innocent civilians. It is their government and you are fighting a people, you are not trying to fight an armed force anymore. So it doesn't bother me so much to be killing the so-called innocent bystanders." [1, 2]

This quote, along with several of his other historically significant (and highly controversial) remarks, outlines his approach to total war:

• Innocent Civilians: LeMay repeatedly argued during World War II and the Korean War that entire populations were deeply intertwined with their nations' military and war efforts. He made these points about populations in both Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. [1, 2, 3]
• The Korean War Toll: In an interview regarding the massive destruction in Korea, LeMay notoriously defended his scorched-earth strategies. He recalled how his early proposals to use incendiaries were rejected for having "too many civilian casualties," but ultimately stated: "...we killed off – what – twenty percent of the population of Korea as direct casualties of war, or from starvation and exposure." [1]
• Prior to Tokyo: Before the devastating firebombing of Tokyo, which caused more than 100,000 casualties, he reportedly told his officers: “If we lose, we'll be tried as war criminals.” [1]

Mistakes on Ted Tanouye Memorial at Torrance High School

 

I have known about this memorial for many years. I've had a chance to visit from time to time, and finally, I had a chance to address a more pertinent issue. 3 years ago, I asked one of the Torrance city council members to fix a spelling error on the memorial. 3 years later, nothing has happened. Instead, there was a lot of drama and discussion about renaming a park or expanding the current memorial in front of Torrance High School. Before expanding on the memory of our hometown hero, Medal of Honor winner, we need to ensure that the current memorial properly represents him. I think it's pretty embarrassing that there's a spelling error, "seperate", on the bottom line of the first plaque. Also, I researched the statistic on the first panel, which states that 110,000 Japanese Americans were interned. The more accurate number is 125,000. If the Ted Tanouye Memorial Foundation, which helped create the plaque and the memorial, was holding off on repair because of the extensive time and cost, over one mistake, then also correcting the proper numbers of interned Americans should all the more justify redoing the plaque in its entirety.

For the record, I have submitted the following statement and request to the Torrance City Council:

Torrance City Council and Go For Broke Foundation:

I am grateful for the ongoing discussion in the city of Torrance regarding proper commemoration for our Hometown Medal of Honor recipient Ted "Tak" Tanouye.

However, I am displeased with the drama regarding whether we should rename a park or refurbish and expand the current memorial in front of Torrance High School.

Instead of expanding, how about improving the current memorial?

There are two errors on the Ted Tanouye Memorial in front of Torrance High School, which should be addressed as soon as possible.

1. The word "separate" is spelled wrong (seperate) in the last line of the first plaque (see attached photo)
2. The plaque reads that 110,000 Japanese Americans were interned during WWII. More accurate estimates have concluded that 125,000 Japanese Americans were interned.

Here's data regarding more accurate figures:

https://densho.org/catalyst/how-many-japanese-americans-were-incarcerated-during-wwii/

https://www.archives.gov/research/aapi/ww2/incarceration

https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/names-of-japanese-americans-forcibly-imprisoned/

Because of the fixed nature of memorials, I understand that the memorialists may have hoped to delay repair. It would be inartful to chisel out one word and correct it.

However, with the more accurate information about the number of victims of Executive Order 9066, a full restoration of the plaques could be justified, since TWO mistakes would be corrected.

I do stress that the spelling error should be fixed, above all. It's embarrassing, considering that the site is right across from a high school!

What steps will the city take to repair the spelling error, at the very least?

I must add another disappointment, because I shared my concern about the spelling error with Councilman Kaji three years ago, and nothing has been done. All the discussion about renaming sites should have been delayed until the errors had been fixed on the current memorial outside of Torrance High School.

Please respond.

CORRECTION:

Gail Morgan, a Torrance resident and very committed community leader, has provided me with the following information when I asked for the key party responsible for the Ted Tanouye Memorial:

TED TANOUYE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION Do not bother Go For Broke.

Here's further reporting to affirm the proper authorities on the memorial.

I have still asked the city to offer assistance. If the Foundation rejects that offer, that is their choice to make.

MassResistance Exposes the Los Angeles "Pride" Parades

 

LA Pride Parade reveals rot in government, unions, politicians, and corporations

Showing how they are enemies of a normal, healthy society

Government should enforce obscenity laws and refuse special exemptions for the LGBT agenda

How MassResistance is fighting to turn this around

July 1, 2026

 At left, "Mr. LA Pride" waves to onlookers. The Los Angeles Electricians Union supports this and participates. [All photos by MassResistance.]

“Gay pride” month is finally over.

It’s disturbing and a bit frightening that so many “legitimate” entities still publicly participate in “gay pride” parades. MassResistance went to Los Angeles to see this firsthand. Numerous government agencies, politicians, unions, and American corporations took part in the event.

“Gay pride” month – and particularly its gross and offensive parades in cities across the country – is clearly losing acceptance (if it ever really had it) among average Americans. This year, numerous gay pride events have been cancelled for lack of financial support, though they still manage to thrive in big cities where there is more support available.

The Los Angeles Gay Pride event on June 14 was like those in Boston, New York, Chicago, and other big cities. It included a parade through the city and a “festival” with booths.

Here’s some of what we saw that day:

Public displays of people’s perversion and dysfunction

“Gay” has always been a front for a range of weird sexual behaviors and dysfunction. The propaganda machine in the media and elsewhere hides this very well. But at “gay pride” parades, the true nature of “LGBT” comes out from the shadows.

 What would a "gay pride" parade be without a contingent of BDSM (bondage, dominance, sadism, and masochism) marchers along with their BDSM flag?

 There were lots of "transgender" marchers, even men with beards dressed as women.

 This contingent included a giant penis. These seem to show up a lot at "gay pride" parades.

 An advertisement for naked gay massage on one of the floats.

 Promoting the "rights" of children to be given puberty blockers.

 This float advertised "LA's Best Transgender Events."

 Virtually every "gay pride" event has several booths like this to help attendees avoid sexually transmitted diseases.

Here’s who supported this

In a healthy society, one would expect these groups and individuals to be promoting wholesome community values and opposing unhealthy, destructive, and morally loathsome behaviors.

 The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power had a float with this banner. Who would have thought even they would be in this?

 The Police Department painted its cars for "gay pride."

 The Los Angeles Fire Department supported the parade.

 The Teamsters Union float.

 The Los Angeles Teachers Union float. Note the "trans rights - labor rights" and "protect LGBT workers" messages. These messages are obviously being taught in the Los Angeles public schools..

 The SEIU (Service Employees International Union) float.

 The L.A. Public Defenders have a "gay pride" parade float. This obvious bias should disqualify them in any normal setting. Imagine if an outspoken conservative needed a public defender in Los Angeles!

 Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.

 Though they're closing hundreds of their stores, Starbucks seems to always have extra money to support "gay pride."

 The Delta Air Lines booth.

 The CocaCola booth was more extravagant than most.

 The local ABC-TV affiliate doesn't bother to hide its bias.

 Mayor Karen Bass running for re-election. Note the "F*ck Trump" person accompanying her car.

 Hilda Solis is running for re-election to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

 David Vela is running for re-election to the L.A. County School Board (known as the"Board of Trustees").

 Two candidates for the State Assembly - different districts - advertising in the L.A. "gay pride" parade.

Final thoughts: How MassResistance is fighting back

The massive private foundation funding for the radical LGBT agenda gives it a huge advantage. Support by big corporations helps push it into the workplace and the public sphere. The mainstream media and entertainment industry collude, forcing it into everyone’s faces.

But the truth is that without the force of government, the LGBT presence would be a fraction of what it is. Vicious and oppressive non-discrimination laws covering homosexual and transgender behavior have forced acceptance into everybody’s lives. Following that have come laws mandating teaching LGBT “rights” and sexuality in the schools, inclusion in teachers’ certification, and state regulations for adoption and children’s services departments.

MassResistance has been working with state legislators and city councils across the country to repeal these venomous non-discrimination laws. And we are making progress. (We’ve already reported on our success getting gay flags effectively banned from government buildings, which is related to this.)

We’ve also been helping individuals do great things to fight back in their communities. One person can complain to the police about participating in “gay pride.” One person can make the local library stop its “pride” displays. One person can derail a “pride proclamation” in his town.

Action taken by individuals can make a big difference. And the trickle-down effect will mean fewer governments supporting any part of the LGBT agenda. Let’s all help make this happen!

   

Please help us continue to do our uncompromising work!

Our successes depend on people like you.

Donate to MassResistance

Your support will make the difference!

Four Things Our Founders Believed That Still Need Defenders Today

 

While most Floridians are firing up the grill this weekend, our team is already deep in preparation for this fall's elections. We’re marking 250 years of freedom because a group of men signed their names to a document that changed the world. Self-government is one of the rarest privileges in human history. Our founders and a whole lot of men and women since have bled for it. The least we can do is vote... boldly and faithfully, and equipping believers to vote according to their faith and convictions is a large part of our work.  We thought you might enjoy knowing what we have been doing at Florida Family Voice in preparation for the primary and general elections this fall:

We have sent non-partisan biblical worldview questionnaires to 189 U.S. House candidates and 290 state legislative candidates running for office and have already received a record number of responses.  We are vetting 37 judicial races involving 96 candidates because the courts matter just as much as the legislature.   We are conducting in-depth interviews in dozens of target state and federal races so that when a Florida believer walks into the booth this fall, they are holding an FFV voter guide built on a biblical worldview rather than a party label.

All of this is being done so that we can create Florida’s only statewide, non-partisan, faith-based voter guide that shows where candidates stand on the biblical worldview issues that we defend. If you would like to be among the first to receive a digital copy of our voter guide for the upcoming primary election, click here.

Our founders saw America as a beacon of freedom, one nation under God. Certain truths are self-evident, they said. Rights endowed by God himself. The walls of life, marriage, family, and religious liberty weren't accompaniments to that vision. They were the foundation of it. Those truths still need defenders today.

As we celebrate 250 years together, we pray we can defend and rebuild the walls of virtue so that, Lord willing, this land would flourish for another 250. That is the work. And it only happens because people like you decide it is worth doing and stand with us.

Happy Independence Day. May we be worthy of what was entrusted to us.

Serving together,

Erik Dellenback President & CEO Florida Family Voice

Whatcott Exposes the Failures of Conservative Canadian Media

Dear Brian, Arthur, and Amy,

I think this video will be quite helpful for you to better understand Canada's conservative media and Canadian conservative activist groups and their incongruence when it comes to LGBT issues. Note how the hosts are unambiguous in supporting homosexual rights in general, but are disgusted with the more grotesque displays at Toronto's Sodom Parade. Unfortunately, when you confront these spokespeople with the reality that the grotesque is really inseparable from the acceptance of homosexuality itself, these folks will  tend to cancel you.

              

God Bless,

Bill

Book Review: Torched, by Jonathan Vigliotti

 

Flames, firestorms, and abject failure are the clear and present themes throughout CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti’s latest book, Torched.

Not just burned-out buildings and streets, not just charred lives and legacies, but burned credibility, flamed-out political careers, and the fake veneer of competence—which the Los Angeles City and County governments were supposed to provide Pacific Palisades—are on full, necessary display in his work.

For the worst mass fire in Los Angeles history, Vigliotti documents the before, during, and after that led to it all.

I was burned in mind and spirit after reading his excellent report, which starts with the rich history of the Pacific Palisades, from its early religious founding. Then he weaves together resonant stories of community and continuity, all the more deepening the justified outrage with the massive incompetence and unaccountability that ignited the historic conflagration of the Palisades.

At the outset, Vigliotti writes about local weather managers and surveyors, as well as meteorologists who repeatedly warned any city leaders who would listen. The city should have announced Red Flag warnings by New Year's Eve 2024, going into New Year's week 2025. Their warnings abounded as they plotted the rising Santa Ana winds, the low humidity, and the dry factors that would unleash unprecedented fiery carnage on Los Angeles.

Yet no one listened. How was this possible?

How could January 7^th, 2025, have happened? After reading the book, the reader is left asking: “How could this NOT have happened?!”

Vigliotti was in the eye of the storm, reporting on the horrific fires that engulfed the once-unassailable Pacific Palisades.

His accurate and emotional reporting explores the wreckage of the recent past, including in painstaking detail (literally and figuratively) the failures, fallouts, and follies of the politicians tasked with keeping Los Angeles safe.

Reading this book, I got the eyewitness view of this massive, tragic conflagration inside and out, when most of Los Angeles was uninformed of the dangers then, and the full scope of failure up to now.

Through Torched, Vigliotti features the endearing stories of many survivors, like Raymond and Mandy Church, who took over the plumbing business from Hercules (Herk) and Annette Rossilli. This couple maintained their friendship with widow Annette Rossilini until the very end. When the flames began ravaging the Palisades,  Annette wouldn’t leave her home. Vigliotti reports that many elders resist emergency evacuation orders in the face of firestorms. They have already lost family, and the remains of their life are enshrined in their homes. They leave that, and the home goes up in flames. What else do they have? With all of this in the background, Vigliotti reflects on Annette’s decision to stay behind and protect her pets, since she was banking on the (ultimately dashed) hope that the Palisades flames would not destroy her home.

She would not survive.

In another moving account, Vigliotti retells the final heroism of 32-year-old Rory Sykes, a former child star and motivational speaker born blind with cerebral palsy. This young man and his mother were caught off guard by the fire—again, due to multiple failures from the poorly manned and poorly planned Los Angeles emergency response. The son could not get into his wheelchair in time as the fires began destroying their home. He told his mother, “You can’t save me. Save yourself.” To the very end, Rory put the needs of others first. Throughout Torched, Vigliotti restores new life and attention to Rory and other heroes in the Palisades fire, all too easily forgotten in the midst of anger and demands for accountability. Even the writer rescued three pets from another home. Not grandstanding, Vigliotti simply relates that there were many small moments of successful heroism despite the epic failures of the city leader during the ferocious blaze that engulfed the Palisades.

In the midst of the whole fiasco-inferno, Vigliotti justifiably indicates former LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. Even before reading the book, I recognized that Crowley had encountered system failures: no water, not enough crew support, not enough funding, terrible communication networks, an absent mayor, and an unaware interim mayor. Yet in the face of such monstrous obstacles, Crowley and crew did their best to stop the fire and save lives. To his credit, Vigliotti also informs readers about her efforts and heroism to save lives and homes during the 2018 Woolsey fire. Then and now, Crowley displayed calm under fire (figuratively and literally).

In contrast to well-deserved vindication, Vigliotti targets Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass with the greatest condemnation. Without providing proper notice or notes to her team or executive departments, Bass traveled to the West African nation of Ghana for the celebrated inauguration of the country’s new president. She failed to appoint key emergency managers in her absence. The Deputy Mayor, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, didn’t inform LA leaders that he was acting mayor until late in the crisis. He didn’t even know Bass’ whereabouts!

Vigliotti traces in minute detail Bass’s out-of-touch fumbling, from incoherent social media to her distracting itinerary in Ghana, including attendance at official functions, and her perfunctory connection with city leaders when the Palisades fires erupted.

 

Despite his great reporting, there are two criticisms I must report. Vigliotti wants to spread the blame to all parties, including incoming President-elect Trump, as well as Governor Newsom and Mayor Bass. Included in his involved timeline of the fire’s escalation and destruction, he faults President(-elect) Trump with wanting to expedite recovery in the region. Such a reaction seems understandable for an incoming Commander-in-Chief. Trump has no role in the Palisades fires. And what about Biden? Vigliotti points out that President Biden and Governor Newsom cancelled a ceremony in the Palm Springs area before announcing the creation of two new monuments. Why? Inclement weather. Why didn’t Biden take more direct action, regardless of the local response? Bass deferred requesting support because she didn’t know the extent of what was happening.

As he accurately reports, Mayor Bass deserves the bulk of the blame for the Palisades disaster. Vigliotti details how she failed as chief executive, neglecting her crucial role of signaling, directing, and supervising all emergency resources to secure and safeguard the city. There’s no need or reason to implicate Trump.

Part of his title includes “the Rush to rebuild Olympic L.A.” Vigliotti stresses the danger of political haste from LA and California leaders to rebuild. That contentious subject diverts from the fire itself. Vigliotti should have expounded on the Olympics angle—with all of its political machinations—in another book. His reporting on the causes and outcomes of the worst fire in Los Angeles’ history was subject matter enough, and a wide-ranging account that will engage any reader.

On a different note, I appreciate his contrast between the massive failures of the public fire systems and the effective, efficient, and successful private firefighters employed by Rick Caruso. Whether intended or not, Vigliotti shows how free enterprise provides more effective relief in difficult times.

Vigliotti’s Torched provides on-the-ground and overarching reporting, giving the reader a broad array of viewpoints to understand what happened, why, and how the powers that be have not learned from Los Angeles’s latest failure, with hope that the next disaster doesn’t engulf more homes and lives.