The tree is up and so are the decorations. Ron and Carol Paul invite the Liberty Report into their home to talk about what makes Christmas special to the ever-growing Paul family that will soon join them for the holiday…

GOP Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has lit up what would otherwise have been mind-numbingly boring Republican presidential debates by hitting the candidates HARD on their support for the warfare-welfare state. Is Vivek the future of the GOP?

The US House this morning joined the Senate in approving the massive, trillion dollar National Defense Authorization Act where Congressional leadership snuck in authorization for the government to continue to illegally spy on US citizens not suspected or accused of any crime! In the House, Speaker Johnson only passed the bill with the assistance of Democrats – a move that cost his predecessor his job. Will Johnson suffer a backlash for betraying his promises?

In a surprise move, “first son” Hunter Biden took to the media on the day he was supposed to appear before Congress. Hunter assured the American people that his dad, President Biden, had nothing at all to do with Hunter’s extremely shady business successes while his dad was VP. Will America believe him? Also today: US Intel claims Russia lost 90 percent of its military. So…why was Zelensky in town begging for more aid?

On another desperation begging trip to the US, Ukraine president Zelensky tears into Senate Republicans hesitant to send over another $60 billion to what is widely accepted to be a lost cause. Such Republicans are “inspiring Putin” barked Zelensky. Also today who’s greenlighting Gaza mayhem? And finally: ‘Woke’ Canada cancels Christmas.

Universities have been in the news over the past week with the grilling of Ivy League university presidents over an alleged outbreak of “hate speech” about Israel. Is the new move against “hate speech” a continuation of wokeism or a return to free speech?

Despite what you may hear in the mainstream media, poll after poll demonstrate clearly that the American people have very little interest in being involved in Israel’s war on Gaza. The latest poll, released this week, shows that a majority of ALL American voters want a permanent ceasefire. Meanwhile, US Congress keeps stoking the flames of war and the President keeps delivering weapons. Also today…even Germany’s Die Welt admits that Ukraine war likely lost.

The White House is becoming desperate to continue funding for its “Plan Ukraine,” claiming that the money will run out in just three weeks’ time. Zelensky himself has been summoned by Senate Majority Leader Schumer to make the case for more funding in a behind-the-doors classified briefing to Senators. Republicans are trying to tie funding to US border security. Aldo today: The Pentagon can’t account for 61 percent of four trillion in assets. By design?

Speaking at the Reagan Library over the weekend, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (a former executive in the military-industrial complex) blamed chaos, bloodshed, and terrorism worldwide on Americans who oppose the US global military empire. Non-interventionists are the real enemy, said Austin. Also today: Shipping woes in the Middle East may lead to war explosion. Finally: They lost the J6 deposition tapes? Incompetence or something more sinister?

As the US House is scheduled for a third – and likely successful – vote to expel Rep. George Santos (R-NY), the Congressman held an extraordinary press conference where he took no prisoners calling out the liars den on Capitol Hill. There are little lies…and there are the big lies. Also today: Man or monster? Kissinger dead at 100. Finally: Sen. Paul to force vote on Syria withdrawal.

With a majority of Americans opposing further US involvement in the Israel/Gaza conflict, President Biden is finding that within his own Democratic Party support for his approach is even softer. Younger voters are solidly opposed to further US support for Israel’s continued assault on Gaza. That is why while Biden’s initial reaction tracked more closely with his neocon views, he is furiously backpedaling under pressure from his own party. Also today: Rep. Massie is the lone “no” vote on another anti-free speech House Resolution.

Throughout history, authoritarians have been playing a futile game of whack-a-mole against the truth. Since authoritarians gain and maintain their power by propaganda and lies, it follows that free speech and the truth are their great enemy. No matter what “systems” the authoritarians try to erect to stop people from speaking freely, the truth always prevails. It ends up being spoken from the most unplanned, unexpected, and unpredictable places. Nevertheless, we must forever remain vigilant and defend our ability to speak freely.