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Donald Trump Reacts to FISA Memo Release: A Lot of People Should Be Ashamed
2018-02-02
[ "President Donald Trump said the details of the declassified Congressional FISA memo pointed to a “disgrace.”", "“I think it’s terrible, you want to know the truth, I think it’s a disgrace what’s going on in this country … a lot of people should be ashamed,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday.", "The president kept his statements vague and did not call out any specific names of people in the Justice Department or political figures.", "Trump distanced himself from the release of the memo, saying it was ultimately up to Congress to decide what to do with the document.", "“Whatever they do is fine, it was declassified, and we’ll see what happens,” he said. “A lot of people should be ashamed.”", "Trump ignored questions about whether or not he supported FBI officials mentioned in the memo.", "“When you look at that and you see that and so many other things, what’s going on, a lot of people should be ashamed of themselves,” he said." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/02/02/donald-trump-reacts-fisa-memo-release-lot-people-ashamed/
Donald Trump Reacts to FISA Memo Release: A Lot of People Should Be Ashamed President Donald Trump said the details of the declassified Congressional FISA memo pointed to a “disgrace.” “I think it’s terrible, you want to know the truth, I think it’s a disgrace what’s going on in this country … a lot of people should be ashamed,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday. The president kept his statements vague and did not call out any specific names of people in the Justice Department or political figures. Trump distanced himself from the release of the memo, saying it was ultimately up to Congress to decide what to do with the document. “Whatever they do is fine, it was declassified, and we’ll see what happens,” he said. “A lot of people should be ashamed.” Trump ignored questions about whether or not he supported FBI officials mentioned in the memo. “When you look at that and you see that and so many other things, what’s going on, a lot of people should be ashamed of themselves,” he said.
Mail-In Votes Discarded, Never Counted in Baltimore Election Due to Error
2020-06-03
[ "Mail-in votes in a local Baltimore, Maryland, election were discarded and not counted due to a ballot error, officials say.", "On Tuesday evening, voters went to the polls in Baltimore city elections — including the race in City Council District 1 where incumbent Democrat Zeke Cohen faced a challenge from Democrat Paris Bienert.", "The race, though, ended in disarray when a ballot error caused mail-in votes to be thrown out and not counted, according to the Baltimore Sun:", "Both Democrat candidates complained about the election error and suggested the state needed to be more transparent about what exactly occurred that led to the mail-in votes going uncounted.", "The error impacted the results of the City Council District 1 race and a Baltimore Circuit Court Judge race, state officials told the Baltimore Sun.", "Other states have dealt with severe election errors in their quest to expand mail-in voting. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, state officials admitted that duplicate ballots had been mailed out to registered voters ahead of their election.", "Likewise, in elections across Wisconsin, at least 30,000 mail-in votes were counted after election day and thousands of mail-in votes were thrown out due to postmark issues, missing voter signatures, and missing witness signatures.", "Federal data obtained by Breitbart News has revealed about 28.4 million mail-in ballots sent to individuals on state voter rolls have gone missing since the 2012 election.", "Recent data has not shown a compelling public health justification for mail-in voting. In Wisconsin’s recent election, only 52 of more than 400,000 people were confirmed to have contracted the virus after participating either as voters or poll workers, and none of those cases were fatal.", "Out of the 413,000 participants, that equals an infection rate below two-hundredths of one percent." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/06/03/mail-in-votes-discarded-never-counted-in-baltimore-election-due-to-error/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook
Mail-In Votes Discarded, Never Counted in Baltimore Election Due to Error Mail-in votes in a local Baltimore, Maryland, election were discarded and not counted due to a ballot error, officials say. On Tuesday evening, voters went to the polls in Baltimore city elections — including the race in City Council District 1 where incumbent Democrat Zeke Cohen faced a challenge from Democrat Paris Bienert. The race, though, ended in disarray when a ballot error caused mail-in votes to be thrown out and not counted, according to the Baltimore Sun: Both Democrat candidates complained about the election error and suggested the state needed to be more transparent about what exactly occurred that led to the mail-in votes going uncounted. The error impacted the results of the City Council District 1 race and a Baltimore Circuit Court Judge race, state officials told the Baltimore Sun. Other states have dealt with severe election errors in their quest to expand mail-in voting. In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, state officials admitted that duplicate ballots had been mailed out to registered voters ahead of their election. Likewise, in elections across Wisconsin, at least 30,000 mail-in votes were counted after election day and thousands of mail-in votes were thrown out due to postmark issues, missing voter signatures, and missing witness signatures. Federal data obtained by Breitbart News has revealed about 28.4 million mail-in ballots sent to individuals on state voter rolls have gone missing since the 2012 election. Recent data has not shown a compelling public health justification for mail-in voting. In Wisconsin’s recent election, only 52 of more than 400,000 people were confirmed to have contracted the virus after participating either as voters or poll workers, and none of those cases were fatal. Out of the 413,000 participants, that equals an infection rate below two-hundredths of one percent.
Mexico Cracks Down on Cartel Highway Robberies near Border
2017-04-21
[ "MATAMOROS, Tamaulipas — In an attempt to save the Holy Week tourist season, Mexican authorities deployed multiple operations along highways that connect this border city with the rest of the state. Businessmen are asking the government that operations become permanent.", "As Breitbart Texas reported, the highways of this state are used by cartel gunmen to carry out various robberies against motorists and passenger buses. The crimes have targeted vehicles with license plates from other Mexican states.", "The police activities began at the start of Holy Week when federal police officers started an operation called “Co-Pilot”, aimed at stopping bus hijackings. The plan calls for an officer to travel on board like a common passenger while a patrol would follow from a distance.", "Federal authorities have also increased their patrolling to keep tourism from diminishing after constant attacks from cartel members. Another program is the use of a phone app called PF-Movil, where the user can monitor the highways and includes a line to reach the nearest agent in case of emergency.", "During the operations, there were no reports of vehicular traffic being affected by organized crime. Various business leaders asked Mexican authorities to implement the various operations in a permanent fashion as a result.", "Editor’s Note: Breitbart Texas traveled to the Mexican States of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Nuevo León to recruit citizen journalists willing to risk their lives and expose the cartels silencing their communities. The writers would face certain death at the hands of the various cartels that operate in those areas including the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas if a pseudonym were not used. Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles are published in both English and in their original Spanish. This article was written by “J.A. Espinoza” from Matamoros, Tamaulipas." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/texas/2017/04/21/mexico-cracks-cartel-highway-robberies-near-border/
Mexico Cracks Down on Cartel Highway Robberies near Border MATAMOROS, Tamaulipas — In an attempt to save the Holy Week tourist season, Mexican authorities deployed multiple operations along highways that connect this border city with the rest of the state. Businessmen are asking the government that operations become permanent. As Breitbart Texas reported, the highways of this state are used by cartel gunmen to carry out various robberies against motorists and passenger buses. The crimes have targeted vehicles with license plates from other Mexican states. The police activities began at the start of Holy Week when federal police officers started an operation called “Co-Pilot”, aimed at stopping bus hijackings. The plan calls for an officer to travel on board like a common passenger while a patrol would follow from a distance. Federal authorities have also increased their patrolling to keep tourism from diminishing after constant attacks from cartel members. Another program is the use of a phone app called PF-Movil, where the user can monitor the highways and includes a line to reach the nearest agent in case of emergency. During the operations, there were no reports of vehicular traffic being affected by organized crime. Various business leaders asked Mexican authorities to implement the various operations in a permanent fashion as a result. Editor’s Note: Breitbart Texas traveled to the Mexican States of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, and Nuevo León to recruit citizen journalists willing to risk their lives and expose the cartels silencing their communities. The writers would face certain death at the hands of the various cartels that operate in those areas including the Gulf Cartel and Los Zetas if a pseudonym were not used. Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles are published in both English and in their original Spanish. This article was written by “J.A. Espinoza” from Matamoros, Tamaulipas.
WA Senate Passes Bill Keeping Trump off Ballot Until He Releases Taxes
2019-03-17
[ "The Washington state Senate passed a measure this week that would keep President Trump’s name from appearing on the 2020 presidential election ballot until he makes his tax returns available to the public.", "CBS News reported that the bill, which passed in a 28-21 vote and is headed to the state House for consideration, would require all presidential candidates who wish to appear on the ballot in the state to publicly release five years of tax returns before the state would allow them to appear on a primary or general election ballot.", "The Democrats supporting the bill argued that the measure is necessary because it forces presidential candidates to release their tax returns.", "“Although releasing tax returns has been the norm for about the last 40 years in presidential elections, unfortunately we’ve seen that norm broken,” said Sen. Patty Kuderer, the Democrat who sponsored the bill.", "Republican lawmakers, however, have warned that the state could be putting itself at risk for legal challenges for trying to enact rules “on a federal election.”", "“We’re on really risky ground when we’re trying to place conditions on a federal election,” said Republican Sen. Hans Zeiger.", "Other state legislatures have also proposed similar bills calling for candidates to release their tax returns.", "New Jersey’s state senate passed a similar measure and is currently up for consideration in the state’s general assembly.", "Democrats have been calling for Trump to release his tax returns since the 2016 election when Trump decided not to release his tax returns.", "Trump said at the time that he had been under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).", "Since congressional Democrats took back the House, they have vowed to make Trump’s tax returns a subject of scrutiny." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/03/17/washington-senate-passes-bill-keeping-trump-off-2020-ballot-until-he-releases-tax-returns/
WA Senate Passes Bill Keeping Trump off Ballot Until He Releases Taxes The Washington state Senate passed a measure this week that would keep President Trump’s name from appearing on the 2020 presidential election ballot until he makes his tax returns available to the public. CBS News reported that the bill, which passed in a 28-21 vote and is headed to the state House for consideration, would require all presidential candidates who wish to appear on the ballot in the state to publicly release five years of tax returns before the state would allow them to appear on a primary or general election ballot. The Democrats supporting the bill argued that the measure is necessary because it forces presidential candidates to release their tax returns. “Although releasing tax returns has been the norm for about the last 40 years in presidential elections, unfortunately we’ve seen that norm broken,” said Sen. Patty Kuderer, the Democrat who sponsored the bill. Republican lawmakers, however, have warned that the state could be putting itself at risk for legal challenges for trying to enact rules “on a federal election.” “We’re on really risky ground when we’re trying to place conditions on a federal election,” said Republican Sen. Hans Zeiger. Other state legislatures have also proposed similar bills calling for candidates to release their tax returns. New Jersey’s state senate passed a similar measure and is currently up for consideration in the state’s general assembly. Democrats have been calling for Trump to release his tax returns since the 2016 election when Trump decided not to release his tax returns. Trump said at the time that he had been under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Since congressional Democrats took back the House, they have vowed to make Trump’s tax returns a subject of scrutiny.
LGBT Activist Headbutts Ex-PM of Australia over Gay Marriage Views
2017-09-22
[ "Tony Abbott has been physically assaulted by a campaigner for same-sex marriage, in an attack Australia’s former prime minister said characterised the “ugliness and intolerance” present on the LGBT side of the debate.", "A prominent supporter of the campaign for traditional marriage during a poll on whether the country should redefine the institution, Mr. Abbott was attacked as he left a newspaper office in Hobart, the Tasmanian capital.", "He told Macquarie Radio he was left with a swollen lip after a man wearing a “vote yes” badge asked to shake his hand before assaulting him.", "A 38-year-old male has been charged with assault following the incident.", "Mr. Abbott said he was walking towards his hotel in the Docks area of Hobart, where he was due to attend a Young Liberals cocktail party, when he heard a man shout: “Hey, Tony!”", "“I turned around, there was a chap wearing a Vote Yes badge, he says ‘I wanna shake your hand’.", "“I went over to shake his hand and he headbutted me. He wasn’t very good at it, but he did make contact, but the only damage was a very slightly swollen lip”, to former Prime Minister said.", "“The love is love brigade aren’t showing a lot of love,” the conservative figure quipped, describing the attack as “a reminder of how ugly this debate is getting”.", "“And the ugliness is not coming from the defenders of marriage as it’s always been understood — the ugliness, the intolerance and indeed in this instance, the hint of violence, is coming from those who tell us in the name of decency and fair-mindedness and freedom, we’ve got to allow same-sex marriage,” he said.", "“I think it was pretty clear that this is was, to use the phrase, ‘politically motivated violence’,” Mr. Abbott told presenters Steve Price and Andrew Bolt.", "“If the actual debate about same-sex marriage is producing this kind of intolerance and bullying, how much worse would it get if the brave new world of same-sex marriage actually came to be?”", "Yet after the Prime Minister’s comments the man who claims to have been the assailant came forward to Australian press and said despite his wearing pro-gay marriage badges at the time of the attack, the assault had nothing to do with the issue. Instead it was motivated by pure personal hatred for Mr Abbott himself, reports News.com.au.", "Identifying himself as Astro Labe, the man said he’d tell the court that “It’s just about Tony Abbott — the f***ing worm that he is.", "“All it was is I saw Tony Abbott and I’d had half a skinful and I wanted to nut the c***.", "“I want to divorce myself [from the same-sex marriage issue] — not because I disagree with their stance — but this was nothing to do with that. That’s just my personal hatred.”", "Recent weeks have seen abuse towards people who believe marriage is between a man and a woman intensify, with police having to evacuate a post office in Canberra after the discovery of “suspicious” packages addressed to the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL)." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/22/gay-marriage-activist-headbutts-ex-pm/
LGBT Activist Headbutts Ex-PM of Australia over Gay Marriage Views Tony Abbott has been physically assaulted by a campaigner for same-sex marriage, in an attack Australia’s former prime minister said characterised the “ugliness and intolerance” present on the LGBT side of the debate. A prominent supporter of the campaign for traditional marriage during a poll on whether the country should redefine the institution, Mr. Abbott was attacked as he left a newspaper office in Hobart, the Tasmanian capital. He told Macquarie Radio he was left with a swollen lip after a man wearing a “vote yes” badge asked to shake his hand before assaulting him. A 38-year-old male has been charged with assault following the incident. Mr. Abbott said he was walking towards his hotel in the Docks area of Hobart, where he was due to attend a Young Liberals cocktail party, when he heard a man shout: “Hey, Tony!” “I turned around, there was a chap wearing a Vote Yes badge, he says ‘I wanna shake your hand’. “I went over to shake his hand and he headbutted me. He wasn’t very good at it, but he did make contact, but the only damage was a very slightly swollen lip”, to former Prime Minister said. “The love is love brigade aren’t showing a lot of love,” the conservative figure quipped, describing the attack as “a reminder of how ugly this debate is getting”. “And the ugliness is not coming from the defenders of marriage as it’s always been understood — the ugliness, the intolerance and indeed in this instance, the hint of violence, is coming from those who tell us in the name of decency and fair-mindedness and freedom, we’ve got to allow same-sex marriage,” he said. “I think it was pretty clear that this is was, to use the phrase, ‘politically motivated violence’,” Mr. Abbott told presenters Steve Price and Andrew Bolt. “If the actual debate about same-sex marriage is producing this kind of intolerance and bullying, how much worse would it get if the brave new world of same-sex marriage actually came to be?” Yet after the Prime Minister’s comments the man who claims to have been the assailant came forward to Australian press and said despite his wearing pro-gay marriage badges at the time of the attack, the assault had nothing to do with the issue. Instead it was motivated by pure personal hatred for Mr Abbott himself, reports News.com.au. Identifying himself as Astro Labe, the man said he’d tell the court that “It’s just about Tony Abbott — the f***ing worm that he is. “All it was is I saw Tony Abbott and I’d had half a skinful and I wanted to nut the c***. “I want to divorce myself [from the same-sex marriage issue] — not because I disagree with their stance — but this was nothing to do with that. That’s just my personal hatred.” Recent weeks have seen abuse towards people who believe marriage is between a man and a woman intensify, with police having to evacuate a post office in Canberra after the discovery of “suspicious” packages addressed to the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL).
FNC's Carlson Slams Cowering, Dithering American Leaders for Riot Response -- 'This Is How Nations Collapse'
2020-06-02
[ "Monday, Fox News Channel’s Tucker Carlson opened his program with a scathing critique of how the government responded to the chaos and rioting committed in the name of protesting the death of George Floyd while in the hands of Minneapolis police last week.", "The Fox News Channel host hit all levels of government — federal, state and local. He urged President Donald Trump to act despite what he was being told by his inner circle, including Jared Kushner.", "Carlson warned if Trump was unsuccessful in efforts to restore order, he could lose the 2020 presidential election.", "Partial transcript as follows:", "CARLSON: The nation went up in flames this weekend. No one in charge stood up to save America. Our leaders dithered. They cowered. They openly sided with the destroyers.", "In many cases, they egged them on. Later, they will deny all of this. They are denying it now. You know the truth. You saw it happen.", "This is how nations collapse. With no one in authority keeping order — and so many in our professional class encouraging violence — American citizens are now forced to defend themselves. They have no choice. No one else is going to defend them. They know that now. It’s possible that more people will be hurt in coming days. That would be a tragedy. But in an environment like this, more violence could very well lead to a cascade of new tragedies — to something far bigger and more destructive than anything we’ve seen so far. This isn’t over. It might simply be the beginning. We pray it is not.", "It’s hard to think clearly about any of this. The chaos, the destruction, the relentless lying from above — it’s all too much. Americans are bewildered and afraid. But most of all, they are filled with rage — angrier than they’ve ever been. The worst people in our society have taken control. They did nothing to build this country. Now they are tearing it down. They’re rushing us toward mass suicide. So, how do we respond?", "We must protect ourselves and our families. Once again, we have no choice. But we can’t allow ourselves to become like they are. We are not animals. We are Americans. In the face of such indecency, we must resolve to be decent. We believe this country has a future. We intend for our children to live and thrive here. That is what we are defending. All our leaders do all they can to set us against each other — a never-ending national cockfight for their profit and amusement. But we won’t play along. We will love our neighbors relentlessly, in spite of all of it. Not because they look like us or share our political views. But we love them because they are human beings and they are Americans. Those are the bonds our leaders seek to destroy. We can’t let them.", "We should start by being unsparingly honest about what’s happening right now. Truth is our defense and our country’s last hope. We plan to use tonight’s hour to create a record of this moment right now — to show you what’s really going on in your country. We feel an obligation to do that before the facts are spun into propaganda by the liars, or the images are pulled off the internet forever, as many of them inevitably will be.", "The point is, this a profound national emergency. You’d never know that from listening to our elected leaders. Almost all of them pretend this isn’t really happening — or if it is happening, it’s just part of America’s long tradition of vigorous political discourse. Politicians on both sides tell us this is all about the death of a man in police custody in Minneapolis last week. The people burning our country down are “protesters,” engaged in legitimate “protest.”", "OK. What exactly are these protesters’ demands? What are they asking for? If Congress agreed to enact their program tomorrow, what would it be? Not a single person even hints at the answer because there isn’t an answer. No one had bothered to poll the guys beating up old ladies on the street, or looting Gucci, but you’ve got to wonder how many of them have ever even heard of George Floyd. And if they have heard of him, what difference would it make? Violence and looting aren’t forms of political expression. If you were killed tomorrow, how many buildings would you want burned to the ground in your memory? How many old women smashed in the face on the street in your name? None, we hope. You’re not a vicious psychopath like the people you just watched.", "In fact, what we’re watching is the opposite of a political protest. This is an attack on the idea of politics. The rioters are trying to topple our political system. That system is how we resolve our differences without violence. But these people want a new system, one governed by force: Do what we say, or we’ll hurt you. You can see it all for yourself on TV. You have. But our leaders keep lying and telling us it’s not happening.", "Some Democrats have openly embraced it. Really, they don’t have much of a choice. These are their voters, cleaning out the Rolex store. These riots are effectively the largest Joe Biden for president rally on record. In gratitude, more than a dozen Biden campaign staffers donated money to the rioters in Minneapolis and then bragged about it on Twitter. No Democratic leader can directly criticize what is happening. Some have joined in. Over the weekend, the Democratic Party of Fairfax, VA, which is an important Democratic organization, released this statement on Twitter. Quote: “Riots are an integral part of this country’s march towards progress.”", "“Progress.” Burning buildings. Tear gas. Dead bodies. The screaming injured. Criminal anarchy. To the Democratic Party of Fairfax, that’s “progress.”", "Celebrity after celebrity has weighed in to agree. From his fortified compound, basketball star LeBron James has used his social media accounts to encourage more rioting. Bernie Sanders surrogate Shaun King has done the same. So has Black Lives Matter leader Deroy McKesson. Colin Kapernick openly calls for violence. Here’s a quote: “The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears,” he says approvingly.", "Imagine shouting fire in a crowded theater — a theater with 325 million people in it. That’s what they’re doing, and have been for days. When the violence began, what we needed more than anything was clarity. America needed someone, to tell the truth to the country. Instead, almost all of our so-called conservative leaders joined the left’s chorus.", "On Friday, as American cities were being destroyed by mobs, the Vice President of the United States refused to say anything specific about the riots we were watching on television. Instead, Mike Pence scolded America for its racism. Carly Fiorina, once a leading Republican presidential candidate, tweeted that quote: “it’s white America that now must see the truth, speak the truth and act on the truth.” Kay Cole James, the president of the Heritage Foundation, that’s the largest conservative think tank in the country, wrote a long screed denouncing America as an irredeemably racist nation. Quote, “How many times will protests have to occur?” Got that? “Have to” occur. Like the rest of us caused this by our sinfulness. The message from leaders on the right, as on the left, was unambiguous: Don’t complain; you deserve what’s happening to you.", "No one jumped in more forcefully, or seemed angrier at America, than former South Carolina governor, Nikki Haley. “Tonight, I turned on the news and am heartbroken,” Haley wrote. “It’s important to understand that the death of George Floyd was personal and painful for many. In order to heal, it needs to be personal and painful for everyone.”", "But wait a second, you may be wondering. “How am I quote, ‘personally’ responsible for the behavior of a Minneapolis police officer? I’ve never even been to Minneapolis you may think to yourself. And why is some politician telling me what I’m required to be upset about?”", "Those are all good questions. Nikki Haley didn’t answer them. Explaining isn’t her strong suit. That would require thinking. What Nikki Haley does best is moral blackmail. During the 2016 campaign, she compared Donald Trump to the racist mass murderer Dylan Roof. How is Donald Trump similar to a serial killer? Nikki Haley never explained. She wasn’t trying to educate anyone. Her goal was political advantage. Nikki Haley is exceptionally good at getting what she wants. She’s happy to denounce you as a racist in order to get it. She just did.", "In this case, Haley’s wish came true: the riots were indeed quote, “personal and painful for everyone.” And then the pain kept increasing. Two days later, dozens of American cities had been thoroughly trashed, some destroyed. A country already on the brink of recession suddenly faced economic collapse. An already fearful population locked down for months had been thoroughly terrorized. Mission accomplished. Let’s hope Nikki Haley is pleased. We’ve atoned.", "That tape raised a troubling question: If you can’t keep a Fox News correspondent from getting attacked directly across from your house, how can you protect my family? How are you going to protect the country? How hard are you trying? On Twitter the next morning, the president reassured America that he and his family were just fine. Their federally-funded bodyguards had kept them safe. He did not mention protecting the rest of the nation, some of which was on fire. He seemed aware only of himself.", "For people who voted for Donald Trump, who support his policies, who have defended him for years against the most absurd kinds of slander, this was a distressing moment.", "The first requirement of leadership is that you watch over the people in your care. That’s what soldiers want from their officers. It’s what families need from their fathers. It’s what voters demand from their presidents. People will put up with almost anything in exchange for it. You can regularly say embarrassing things on television. You can hire John Bolton, or Omarosa to work at the White House. All of that will be forgiven if you protect your people. But if you don’t protect them — or, worse, if you seem like you can’t be bothered to protect them — then you’re done. It’s over. People will not forgive weakness. That’s the one thing. That’s not a partisan point. It’s human nature. Nero is the one Roman emperor whose name we still remember. He abandoned his nation in a time of crisis. Two thousand years later, we still can’t forgive him.", "Donald Trump’s response to these riots, which is ongoing, is the singular test of his presidency.", "What Americans want most is an end to this chaos. They want their cities to be saved. They want this to stop immediately. If the president doesn’t stop it, he will lose in November. The left will blame him for the atrocities they encouraged. Many voters will agree. Donald Trump is the president. Presidents save countries. That’s their job. That’s why we hire them.", "Some key advisors around Trump don’t seem to understand the gravity of this. “No matter what happens,” they’ll tell you, “Our voters aren’t going anywhere. The trailer parks are rock solid. What choice do they have? They’ve got to vote for us.”", "Jared Kushner, for one, has made that point out loud. No one has more contempt for Trump’s voters than Kushner does, and no one expresses it more frequently.", "In 2016, Donald Trump ran as a law and order candidate. His views remain fundamentally unchanged today. But Trump’s famously sharp instincts, the ones that won him the presidency, have been subverted at every level by Kushner: on immigration, on foreign policy, and especially on law enforcement.", "As crime in this country rises, Kushner has led a highly aggressive effort to let more criminals out of prison and back out on to the street. This is reckless, but it’s happening. At times, the president seems aware he’s being led in the wrong direction. He often derides Kushner as a liberal. Kushner is.", "But Kushner has convinced the president that throwing open the prisons is the key to winning African-American votes in the fall — and that those votes are essential to his reelection. Several times over the past few days, the president has signaled that he’d like to crack down on rioters. If you have watched him, you believe it. Every time, he’s been talked about out of it by Jared Kushner, and by aides Kushner has hired and controls. Kushner’s assumption, apparently, is that African-Americans voters like looting. That’s wrong. Normal Americans of all colors hate looting. Obviously. Why wouldn’t they hate looting? They’re decent people.", "So what are the lessons of all we’ve seen over the past five days? America will change because of this. What can we learn from it? What should we demand?", "The first thing to know is that we can no longer accept race-baiting from our leaders. Never. That has become so common that we barely notice it. But it’s dividing and destroying the country. We should make them stop. Yesterday, for example, Mayor Jenny Durkin of Seattle tweeted this, and we’re quoting: “I want to acknowledge that much of the violence and destruction, both here in Seattle and across the country, has been instigated and perpetuated by white men,” quote. Is that factually true? Who knows? Who cares?", "The skin color of criminals is irrelevant to how we prosecute the crimes they commit. It must be. Otherwise, we’re committing the bigotry we claim to abhor. Yet everywhere on television and social media, prominent people are now talking like this. Not just a few crackpots — thousands of people. They’re amplifying race hatred at the very moment we need it least when it’s the most dangerous.", "Almost nothing hurts America more than this. If you’re worried about the rise of extremism here — and you should be — this kind of insanity is absolutely certain to cause it. And let’s be clear: When we say extremism, we’re not talking about unconventional views that get you bounced off Twitter, or scolded by the corporate HR department. We mean actual extremism, where people espouse violence against other people and come to believe their racial identity is the most important thing about them. At this moment, no matter what they claim, there isn’t a huge amount of that in this country, thank God. Most people just think of themselves as Americans. But if the left keeps talking like this, there definitely will be, and soon. You don’t want to live here when that happens. We should demand they stop.", "Enforcing the law is not white supremacy. Insisting that everyone in the country follow the same rules isn’t racism. In fact, it’s the answer to racism. It’s equality, equality under the law. It’s the one thing we must defend. If we don’t, it’s over. Things fall apart. Weakness incites aggression. That’s true in nature. It’s every bit as true in human society. Our leaders are weak. Predators know it. That’s why this is happening. If you let people spraypaint obscenities on city hall, pretty soon they are overturning cop cars. If you put up with that, they’ll come right through the front door of the police precinct and burn it down. Next thing you know, they’re beating people to death in shopping malls. And then what? What happens the next time the mob doesn’t like something? What will the mob demand next? Let’s hope we never find out because we’re close." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2020/06/01/fncs-carlson-slams-cowering-dithering-american-leaders-for-riot-response-this-is-how-nations-collapse/
FNC's Carlson Slams Cowering, Dithering American Leaders for Riot Response -- 'This Is How Nations Collapse' Monday, Fox News Channel’s Tucker Carlson opened his program with a scathing critique of how the government responded to the chaos and rioting committed in the name of protesting the death of George Floyd while in the hands of Minneapolis police last week. The Fox News Channel host hit all levels of government — federal, state and local. He urged President Donald Trump to act despite what he was being told by his inner circle, including Jared Kushner. Carlson warned if Trump was unsuccessful in efforts to restore order, he could lose the 2020 presidential election. Partial transcript as follows: CARLSON: The nation went up in flames this weekend. No one in charge stood up to save America. Our leaders dithered. They cowered. They openly sided with the destroyers. In many cases, they egged them on. Later, they will deny all of this. They are denying it now. You know the truth. You saw it happen. This is how nations collapse. With no one in authority keeping order — and so many in our professional class encouraging violence — American citizens are now forced to defend themselves. They have no choice. No one else is going to defend them. They know that now. It’s possible that more people will be hurt in coming days. That would be a tragedy. But in an environment like this, more violence could very well lead to a cascade of new tragedies — to something far bigger and more destructive than anything we’ve seen so far. This isn’t over. It might simply be the beginning. We pray it is not. It’s hard to think clearly about any of this. The chaos, the destruction, the relentless lying from above — it’s all too much. Americans are bewildered and afraid. But most of all, they are filled with rage — angrier than they’ve ever been. The worst people in our society have taken control. They did nothing to build this country. Now they are tearing it down. They’re rushing us toward mass suicide. So, how do we respond? We must protect ourselves and our families. Once again, we have no choice. But we can’t allow ourselves to become like they are. We are not animals. We are Americans. In the face of such indecency, we must resolve to be decent. We believe this country has a future. We intend for our children to live and thrive here. That is what we are defending. All our leaders do all they can to set us against each other — a never-ending national cockfight for their profit and amusement. But we won’t play along. We will love our neighbors relentlessly, in spite of all of it. Not because they look like us or share our political views. But we love them because they are human beings and they are Americans. Those are the bonds our leaders seek to destroy. We can’t let them. We should start by being unsparingly honest about what’s happening right now. Truth is our defense and our country’s last hope. We plan to use tonight’s hour to create a record of this moment right now — to show you what’s really going on in your country. We feel an obligation to do that before the facts are spun into propaganda by the liars, or the images are pulled off the internet forever, as many of them inevitably will be. The point is, this a profound national emergency. You’d never know that from listening to our elected leaders. Almost all of them pretend this isn’t really happening — or if it is happening, it’s just part of America’s long tradition of vigorous political discourse. Politicians on both sides tell us this is all about the death of a man in police custody in Minneapolis last week. The people burning our country down are “protesters,” engaged in legitimate “protest.” OK. What exactly are these protesters’ demands? What are they asking for? If Congress agreed to enact their program tomorrow, what would it be? Not a single person even hints at the answer because there isn’t an answer. No one had bothered to poll the guys beating up old ladies on the street, or looting Gucci, but you’ve got to wonder how many of them have ever even heard of George Floyd. And if they have heard of him, what difference would it make? Violence and looting aren’t forms of political expression. If you were killed tomorrow, how many buildings would you want burned to the ground in your memory? How many old women smashed in the face on the street in your name? None, we hope. You’re not a vicious psychopath like the people you just watched. In fact, what we’re watching is the opposite of a political protest. This is an attack on the idea of politics. The rioters are trying to topple our political system. That system is how we resolve our differences without violence. But these people want a new system, one governed by force: Do what we say, or we’ll hurt you. You can see it all for yourself on TV. You have. But our leaders keep lying and telling us it’s not happening. Some Democrats have openly embraced it. Really, they don’t have much of a choice. These are their voters, cleaning out the Rolex store. These riots are effectively the largest Joe Biden for president rally on record. In gratitude, more than a dozen Biden campaign staffers donated money to the rioters in Minneapolis and then bragged about it on Twitter. No Democratic leader can directly criticize what is happening. Some have joined in. Over the weekend, the Democratic Party of Fairfax, VA, which is an important Democratic organization, released this statement on Twitter. Quote: “Riots are an integral part of this country’s march towards progress.” “Progress.” Burning buildings. Tear gas. Dead bodies. The screaming injured. Criminal anarchy. To the Democratic Party of Fairfax, that’s “progress.” Celebrity after celebrity has weighed in to agree. From his fortified compound, basketball star LeBron James has used his social media accounts to encourage more rioting. Bernie Sanders surrogate Shaun King has done the same. So has Black Lives Matter leader Deroy McKesson. Colin Kapernick openly calls for violence. Here’s a quote: “The cries for peace will rain down, and when they do, they will land on deaf ears,” he says approvingly. Imagine shouting fire in a crowded theater — a theater with 325 million people in it. That’s what they’re doing, and have been for days. When the violence began, what we needed more than anything was clarity. America needed someone, to tell the truth to the country. Instead, almost all of our so-called conservative leaders joined the left’s chorus. On Friday, as American cities were being destroyed by mobs, the Vice President of the United States refused to say anything specific about the riots we were watching on television. Instead, Mike Pence scolded America for its racism. Carly Fiorina, once a leading Republican presidential candidate, tweeted that quote: “it’s white America that now must see the truth, speak the truth and act on the truth.” Kay Cole James, the president of the Heritage Foundation, that’s the largest conservative think tank in the country, wrote a long screed denouncing America as an irredeemably racist nation. Quote, “How many times will protests have to occur?” Got that? “Have to” occur. Like the rest of us caused this by our sinfulness. The message from leaders on the right, as on the left, was unambiguous: Don’t complain; you deserve what’s happening to you. No one jumped in more forcefully, or seemed angrier at America, than former South Carolina governor, Nikki Haley. “Tonight, I turned on the news and am heartbroken,” Haley wrote. “It’s important to understand that the death of George Floyd was personal and painful for many. In order to heal, it needs to be personal and painful for everyone.” But wait a second, you may be wondering. “How am I quote, ‘personally’ responsible for the behavior of a Minneapolis police officer? I’ve never even been to Minneapolis you may think to yourself. And why is some politician telling me what I’m required to be upset about?” Those are all good questions. Nikki Haley didn’t answer them. Explaining isn’t her strong suit. That would require thinking. What Nikki Haley does best is moral blackmail. During the 2016 campaign, she compared Donald Trump to the racist mass murderer Dylan Roof. How is Donald Trump similar to a serial killer? Nikki Haley never explained. She wasn’t trying to educate anyone. Her goal was political advantage. Nikki Haley is exceptionally good at getting what she wants. She’s happy to denounce you as a racist in order to get it. She just did. In this case, Haley’s wish came true: the riots were indeed quote, “personal and painful for everyone.” And then the pain kept increasing. Two days later, dozens of American cities had been thoroughly trashed, some destroyed. A country already on the brink of recession suddenly faced economic collapse. An already fearful population locked down for months had been thoroughly terrorized. Mission accomplished. Let’s hope Nikki Haley is pleased. We’ve atoned. That tape raised a troubling question: If you can’t keep a Fox News correspondent from getting attacked directly across from your house, how can you protect my family? How are you going to protect the country? How hard are you trying? On Twitter the next morning, the president reassured America that he and his family were just fine. Their federally-funded bodyguards had kept them safe. He did not mention protecting the rest of the nation, some of which was on fire. He seemed aware only of himself. For people who voted for Donald Trump, who support his policies, who have defended him for years against the most absurd kinds of slander, this was a distressing moment. The first requirement of leadership is that you watch over the people in your care. That’s what soldiers want from their officers. It’s what families need from their fathers. It’s what voters demand from their presidents. People will put up with almost anything in exchange for it. You can regularly say embarrassing things on television. You can hire John Bolton, or Omarosa to work at the White House. All of that will be forgiven if you protect your people. But if you don’t protect them — or, worse, if you seem like you can’t be bothered to protect them — then you’re done. It’s over. People will not forgive weakness. That’s the one thing. That’s not a partisan point. It’s human nature. Nero is the one Roman emperor whose name we still remember. He abandoned his nation in a time of crisis. Two thousand years later, we still can’t forgive him. Donald Trump’s response to these riots, which is ongoing, is the singular test of his presidency. What Americans want most is an end to this chaos. They want their cities to be saved. They want this to stop immediately. If the president doesn’t stop it, he will lose in November. The left will blame him for the atrocities they encouraged. Many voters will agree. Donald Trump is the president. Presidents save countries. That’s their job. That’s why we hire them. Some key advisors around Trump don’t seem to understand the gravity of this. “No matter what happens,” they’ll tell you, “Our voters aren’t going anywhere. The trailer parks are rock solid. What choice do they have? They’ve got to vote for us.” Jared Kushner, for one, has made that point out loud. No one has more contempt for Trump’s voters than Kushner does, and no one expresses it more frequently. In 2016, Donald Trump ran as a law and order candidate. His views remain fundamentally unchanged today. But Trump’s famously sharp instincts, the ones that won him the presidency, have been subverted at every level by Kushner: on immigration, on foreign policy, and especially on law enforcement. As crime in this country rises, Kushner has led a highly aggressive effort to let more criminals out of prison and back out on to the street. This is reckless, but it’s happening. At times, the president seems aware he’s being led in the wrong direction. He often derides Kushner as a liberal. Kushner is. But Kushner has convinced the president that throwing open the prisons is the key to winning African-American votes in the fall — and that those votes are essential to his reelection. Several times over the past few days, the president has signaled that he’d like to crack down on rioters. If you have watched him, you believe it. Every time, he’s been talked about out of it by Jared Kushner, and by aides Kushner has hired and controls. Kushner’s assumption, apparently, is that African-Americans voters like looting. That’s wrong. Normal Americans of all colors hate looting. Obviously. Why wouldn’t they hate looting? They’re decent people. So what are the lessons of all we’ve seen over the past five days? America will change because of this. What can we learn from it? What should we demand? The first thing to know is that we can no longer accept race-baiting from our leaders. Never. That has become so common that we barely notice it. But it’s dividing and destroying the country. We should make them stop. Yesterday, for example, Mayor Jenny Durkin of Seattle tweeted this, and we’re quoting: “I want to acknowledge that much of the violence and destruction, both here in Seattle and across the country, has been instigated and perpetuated by white men,” quote. Is that factually true? Who knows? Who cares? The skin color of criminals is irrelevant to how we prosecute the crimes they commit. It must be. Otherwise, we’re committing the bigotry we claim to abhor. Yet everywhere on television and social media, prominent people are now talking like this. Not just a few crackpots — thousands of people. They’re amplifying race hatred at the very moment we need it least when it’s the most dangerous. Almost nothing hurts America more than this. If you’re worried about the rise of extremism here — and you should be — this kind of insanity is absolutely certain to cause it. And let’s be clear: When we say extremism, we’re not talking about unconventional views that get you bounced off Twitter, or scolded by the corporate HR department. We mean actual extremism, where people espouse violence against other people and come to believe their racial identity is the most important thing about them. At this moment, no matter what they claim, there isn’t a huge amount of that in this country, thank God. Most people just think of themselves as Americans. But if the left keeps talking like this, there definitely will be, and soon. You don’t want to live here when that happens. We should demand they stop. Enforcing the law is not white supremacy. Insisting that everyone in the country follow the same rules isn’t racism. In fact, it’s the answer to racism. It’s equality, equality under the law. It’s the one thing we must defend. If we don’t, it’s over. Things fall apart. Weakness incites aggression. That’s true in nature. It’s every bit as true in human society. Our leaders are weak. Predators know it. That’s why this is happening. If you let people spraypaint obscenities on city hall, pretty soon they are overturning cop cars. If you put up with that, they’ll come right through the front door of the police precinct and burn it down. Next thing you know, they’re beating people to death in shopping malls. And then what? What happens the next time the mob doesn’t like something? What will the mob demand next? Let’s hope we never find out because we’re close.
Nolte: A Mere 8 Days Ago Joe Biden Attacked Trump's Travel Bans
2020-03-20
[ "A mere eight days ago, Joe Biden was still vocally opposing President Donald Trump’s travel bans from Europe, and even China, as racist. In other words, if Biden was the president, we can’t begin to imagine how much worse things would look in American today thanks to President Biden’s refusal to keep people out from the very same places where the Chinese coronavirus rages.", "Below is the timeline in China Joe’s own words. Afterwards, we will do some math and hear from Dr. Fauci.", "All the way back on January 31, in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak in China, President Trump announced a travel ban of “all foreign nationals who have traveled in China within the last 14 days.” That included, obviously, Chinese citizens and anyone from any country who visited China.", "Americans returning from China were put under a 14-day quarantine.", "That was 50 days ago.", "President Trump took that action 50 whole days ago.", "That same day, Joe Biden published this tweet:", "[N]ow [Trump’s] adding more countries to his list of who’s not welcome in America. It’s not who we are — and we’ll prove that when we beat Trump this November and end the ban.", "Please note that Biden promised to “end the ban” — the ban that stops people from entering our country who are coming in from a country facing a massive epidemic.", "The next day, Biden — who has always been cozy with China, and whose son Hunter set up a deal worth hundreds of millions with the Chinese government while traveling with his father (who was then vice president) — issued the following statement declaring Trump’s ban “racist” and “xenophobic.”", "Yesterday, Donald Trump further diminished the United States in the eyes of the world by expanding his travel ban, placing new restrictions on the residents of six more nations that limit who is allowed to come to the United States.", "Trump’s atrocious asylum and refugee policies — they are all designed to make it harder for black and brown people to immigrate to the United States. It’s that simple. They are racist. They are xenophobic.", "And there is no evidence that they do anything to make us safer.", "Immigrants from each of these countries and their broader diaspora communities here in the United States enrich the larger fabric of American life as our friends and neighbors and make vital contributions to our economy.", "That same day, Biden published this tweet:", "We are in the midst of a crisis with the coronavirus. We need to lead the way with science — not Donald Trump’s record of hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering. He is the worst possible person to lead our country through a global health emergency.", "Biden followed this statement up the next day with a speech in Iowa, where he again blasted Trump’s travel ban, this time as “hysterical xenophobia”:", "We have, right now, a crisis with the coronavirus. This is no time for Donald Trump’s record of hysteria and xenophobia – hysterical xenophobia – and fearmongering to lead the way instead of science.", "On February 15, Biden again attacked Trump’s immigration restrictions:", "Donald Trump’s inhumane, fear-based immigration policies are a stain on our nation. We have to get him out of the White House and ensure our laws reflect our values as a nation of immigrants.", "The following month, on March 10, Biden was still lashing out at Trump’s travel restrictions as racist:", "A wall won’t stop a virus. Racism won’t stop a virus. Do your job.", "On March 11, Trump announced a European travel ban.", "The very next day, Biden railed against the idea:", "A wall will not stop the coronavirus. Banning all travel from Europe — or any other part of the world — will not stop it. This disease could impact every nation and any person on the planet — and we need a plan to combat it.", "Incredibly, as late as March 12, a mere eight days ago, Biden opposed Trump’s travel bans.", "So, without question, we can say that if Joe Biden were president right now, he would not have closed America’s borders, not even travel from Wuhan, China — not even after the virus was raging in Wuhan, China.", "In 2018, nearly three million — million! — tourists from China visited the United States. That number rises every year, but let’s stick with that… Three million Chinese tourists a year means an average of 250,000 per month. That’s 8,300 per day.", "And that number does not include those arriving from other countries, anyone from any country who traveled to China, who were also a part of Trump’s January 31 ban.", "So, at what point would Biden have finally done the right thing and banned travel?", "Well, we know through his own statements, that Biden opposed these travel bans as late as March 12. So I think we can safely say that a President Biden would not have acted any sooner than his ideological counterparts in the European Union, who did not close their borders until March 16, a mere four days ago.", "In our hypothetical world… President Biden, in an effort to “lead the way with science” and not “hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering,” would have allowed — between January 31 and March 16 — at least 375,000 travelers from China into the U.S. — people who did not get into our country thanks to President Trump’s “racist” and “xenophobic” travel ban.", "But we do know that universally-respected expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, an immunologist with the National Institutes of Health of the United States, believes the Trump’s travel bans — the ones Biden opposed as recently as eight days go — have “gone a long way to not seeding very, very intensively the virus in our country.”", "\"Unfortunately, Italy did not do that. They had an open border.\"", "FAUCI: One of the things we did right, was very early, cut off travel from China to the United States. Outside of China where it originated, the countries in the world that have it are through travel. Either directly from China or indirectly from someone who went someplace and then came to that particular country. Our shutting off travel from China, and more recently travel from Europe, has gone a long way to not seeding very, very intensively the virus in our country. Unfortunately, Italy did not do that. They had an open border. They let people in, and until they really knew they were in trouble — the horse was out of the barn, and that was it.", "Can you imagine what that would look like?", "Can you imagine what American would look like right now had President Joe Biden allowed that to happen?", "And if that’s not a disqualifier for the presidency, then I ask you… What in God’s name is?" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/03/20/nolte-mere-8-days-ago-joe-biden-still-attacking-trumps-travel-bans/?utm_source=politipage&utm_content=trending-stories-block%22
Nolte: A Mere 8 Days Ago Joe Biden Attacked Trump's Travel Bans A mere eight days ago, Joe Biden was still vocally opposing President Donald Trump’s travel bans from Europe, and even China, as racist. In other words, if Biden was the president, we can’t begin to imagine how much worse things would look in American today thanks to President Biden’s refusal to keep people out from the very same places where the Chinese coronavirus rages. Below is the timeline in China Joe’s own words. Afterwards, we will do some math and hear from Dr. Fauci. All the way back on January 31, in reaction to the coronavirus outbreak in China, President Trump announced a travel ban of “all foreign nationals who have traveled in China within the last 14 days.” That included, obviously, Chinese citizens and anyone from any country who visited China. Americans returning from China were put under a 14-day quarantine. That was 50 days ago. President Trump took that action 50 whole days ago. That same day, Joe Biden published this tweet: [N]ow [Trump’s] adding more countries to his list of who’s not welcome in America. It’s not who we are — and we’ll prove that when we beat Trump this November and end the ban. Please note that Biden promised to “end the ban” — the ban that stops people from entering our country who are coming in from a country facing a massive epidemic. The next day, Biden — who has always been cozy with China, and whose son Hunter set up a deal worth hundreds of millions with the Chinese government while traveling with his father (who was then vice president) — issued the following statement declaring Trump’s ban “racist” and “xenophobic.” Yesterday, Donald Trump further diminished the United States in the eyes of the world by expanding his travel ban, placing new restrictions on the residents of six more nations that limit who is allowed to come to the United States. Trump’s atrocious asylum and refugee policies — they are all designed to make it harder for black and brown people to immigrate to the United States. It’s that simple. They are racist. They are xenophobic. And there is no evidence that they do anything to make us safer. Immigrants from each of these countries and their broader diaspora communities here in the United States enrich the larger fabric of American life as our friends and neighbors and make vital contributions to our economy. That same day, Biden published this tweet: We are in the midst of a crisis with the coronavirus. We need to lead the way with science — not Donald Trump’s record of hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering. He is the worst possible person to lead our country through a global health emergency. Biden followed this statement up the next day with a speech in Iowa, where he again blasted Trump’s travel ban, this time as “hysterical xenophobia”: We have, right now, a crisis with the coronavirus. This is no time for Donald Trump’s record of hysteria and xenophobia – hysterical xenophobia – and fearmongering to lead the way instead of science. On February 15, Biden again attacked Trump’s immigration restrictions: Donald Trump’s inhumane, fear-based immigration policies are a stain on our nation. We have to get him out of the White House and ensure our laws reflect our values as a nation of immigrants. The following month, on March 10, Biden was still lashing out at Trump’s travel restrictions as racist: A wall won’t stop a virus. Racism won’t stop a virus. Do your job. On March 11, Trump announced a European travel ban. The very next day, Biden railed against the idea: A wall will not stop the coronavirus. Banning all travel from Europe — or any other part of the world — will not stop it. This disease could impact every nation and any person on the planet — and we need a plan to combat it. Incredibly, as late as March 12, a mere eight days ago, Biden opposed Trump’s travel bans. So, without question, we can say that if Joe Biden were president right now, he would not have closed America’s borders, not even travel from Wuhan, China — not even after the virus was raging in Wuhan, China. In 2018, nearly three million — million! — tourists from China visited the United States. That number rises every year, but let’s stick with that… Three million Chinese tourists a year means an average of 250,000 per month. That’s 8,300 per day. And that number does not include those arriving from other countries, anyone from any country who traveled to China, who were also a part of Trump’s January 31 ban. So, at what point would Biden have finally done the right thing and banned travel? Well, we know through his own statements, that Biden opposed these travel bans as late as March 12. So I think we can safely say that a President Biden would not have acted any sooner than his ideological counterparts in the European Union, who did not close their borders until March 16, a mere four days ago. In our hypothetical world… President Biden, in an effort to “lead the way with science” and not “hysteria, xenophobia, and fear-mongering,” would have allowed — between January 31 and March 16 — at least 375,000 travelers from China into the U.S. — people who did not get into our country thanks to President Trump’s “racist” and “xenophobic” travel ban. But we do know that universally-respected expert Dr. Anthony Fauci, an immunologist with the National Institutes of Health of the United States, believes the Trump’s travel bans — the ones Biden opposed as recently as eight days go — have “gone a long way to not seeding very, very intensively the virus in our country.” "Unfortunately, Italy did not do that. They had an open border." FAUCI: One of the things we did right, was very early, cut off travel from China to the United States. Outside of China where it originated, the countries in the world that have it are through travel. Either directly from China or indirectly from someone who went someplace and then came to that particular country. Our shutting off travel from China, and more recently travel from Europe, has gone a long way to not seeding very, very intensively the virus in our country. Unfortunately, Italy did not do that. They had an open border. They let people in, and until they really knew they were in trouble — the horse was out of the barn, and that was it. Can you imagine what that would look like? Can you imagine what American would look like right now had President Joe Biden allowed that to happen? And if that’s not a disqualifier for the presidency, then I ask you… What in God’s name is?
Uber Hid Cyberattack That Stole Personal Data of 57 Million People
2017-11-22
[ "Uber reportedly concealed a cyberattack that saw the personal data of 57 million people stolen by hackers who the company paid off to keep quiet about the incident.", "Bloomberg reports Uber fell victim to a cyberattack from a group of hackers that saw the data of 57 million Uber users and drivers stolen. The company reportedly kept this attack hidden from the public for over a year, leading to the firing of chief security officer Joe Sullivan this week along with one of his deputies. The stolen data, dating back to October 2016, contains the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of 50 million Uber riders worldwide, according to a statement from the company.", "The personal details of approximately 7 million drivers were also accessed by hackers, including 600,000 U.S. drivers license numbers. Social security numbers and trip location details were not among the data stolen. Uber has now acknowledged that they had a legal obligation to report the hack to the drivers and customers affected, as well as regulators, but instead paid the hackers $100,000 to delete the stolen user information and stay quiet about the hack.", "Dara Khosrowshahi, who replaced Travis Kalanick as CEO of Uber in September, said in a statement, “None of this should have happened, and I will not make excuses for it. We are changing the way we do business.”", "Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick reportedly learned of the data breach a month after it took place in November 2016. Former chief security officer Joe Sullivan reportedly took the lead in responding to the hack, and an investigation by Uber’s board into Sullivan lead to the discovery of the hack and subsequent cover-up.", "The attack reportedly took place when hackers accessed a private GitHub website where Uber software engineers stored code. The hackers then used login details obtained from the files held on GitHub to gain access to the company’s Amazon Web Services account, where the hackers discovered archives of Uber user data. They then emailed Uber demanding money, holding the data ransom.", "“At the time of the incident, we took immediate steps to secure the data and shut down further unauthorized access by the individuals.,” Khosrowshahi said. “We also implemented security measures to restrict access to and strengthen controls on our cloud-based storage accounts.”", "This latest hack adds to Uber’s already long list of recent scandals, including alleged sexual assaults by a number of Uber drivers resulting in a lawsuit against the company. Uber has also boycotted Breitbart News, telling advertising agencies that they want “nothing to do” with the website." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2017/11/22/uber-hid-cyberattack-that-stole-personal-data-of-57-million-users/
Uber Hid Cyberattack That Stole Personal Data of 57 Million People Uber reportedly concealed a cyberattack that saw the personal data of 57 million people stolen by hackers who the company paid off to keep quiet about the incident. Bloomberg reports Uber fell victim to a cyberattack from a group of hackers that saw the data of 57 million Uber users and drivers stolen. The company reportedly kept this attack hidden from the public for over a year, leading to the firing of chief security officer Joe Sullivan this week along with one of his deputies. The stolen data, dating back to October 2016, contains the names, email addresses, and phone numbers of 50 million Uber riders worldwide, according to a statement from the company. The personal details of approximately 7 million drivers were also accessed by hackers, including 600,000 U.S. drivers license numbers. Social security numbers and trip location details were not among the data stolen. Uber has now acknowledged that they had a legal obligation to report the hack to the drivers and customers affected, as well as regulators, but instead paid the hackers $100,000 to delete the stolen user information and stay quiet about the hack. Dara Khosrowshahi, who replaced Travis Kalanick as CEO of Uber in September, said in a statement, “None of this should have happened, and I will not make excuses for it. We are changing the way we do business.” Former Uber CEO Travis Kalanick reportedly learned of the data breach a month after it took place in November 2016. Former chief security officer Joe Sullivan reportedly took the lead in responding to the hack, and an investigation by Uber’s board into Sullivan lead to the discovery of the hack and subsequent cover-up. The attack reportedly took place when hackers accessed a private GitHub website where Uber software engineers stored code. The hackers then used login details obtained from the files held on GitHub to gain access to the company’s Amazon Web Services account, where the hackers discovered archives of Uber user data. They then emailed Uber demanding money, holding the data ransom. “At the time of the incident, we took immediate steps to secure the data and shut down further unauthorized access by the individuals.,” Khosrowshahi said. “We also implemented security measures to restrict access to and strengthen controls on our cloud-based storage accounts.” This latest hack adds to Uber’s already long list of recent scandals, including alleged sexual assaults by a number of Uber drivers resulting in a lawsuit against the company. Uber has also boycotted Breitbart News, telling advertising agencies that they want “nothing to do” with the website.
Obama Celebrates Science Fair During Tough Talk On Islamic State
2016-04-14
[ "President Barack Obama has tough words for Islamic State terrorists, asserting that they are on the defensive as a result of his limited military actions.", "“We have momentum, and we intend to keep that momentum,” Obama said during a visit to the CIA Headquarters in Virginia yesterday.", "Obama cited his White House science fair as a reason why the terrorists would lose and America would win. He recalled spending time with the students earlier in the afternoon and marveled at the “hope that they want to bring and the light they want to shine to the entire world.”", "“That’s who we are,” he said. “You can’t beat that.”", "Obama argued that Islamic states terrorists were being taken off the battlefield, thanks to a series of drone strikes and air raids. That kind of power, he suggested, shook their resolve.", "“Every day ISIL leaders wake up and understand that it could be their last,” he said.", "Obama encouraged all Americans to go about their lives in spite of the ongoing threat posed by the Islamic State.", "“In the face of madmen who only know how to kill, we’re going to keep on living our lives and trying to lift people up,” he said, pointing to American’s love of sporting events.", "“We go to our stadiums. We cheer for our teams. We thrive in our cities,” he said. “We run our races, as they will next week in Boston.”" ]
http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/04/14/obama-celebrates-science-fair-tough-talk-islamic-state/
Obama Celebrates Science Fair During Tough Talk On Islamic State President Barack Obama has tough words for Islamic State terrorists, asserting that they are on the defensive as a result of his limited military actions. “We have momentum, and we intend to keep that momentum,” Obama said during a visit to the CIA Headquarters in Virginia yesterday. Obama cited his White House science fair as a reason why the terrorists would lose and America would win. He recalled spending time with the students earlier in the afternoon and marveled at the “hope that they want to bring and the light they want to shine to the entire world.” “That’s who we are,” he said. “You can’t beat that.” Obama argued that Islamic states terrorists were being taken off the battlefield, thanks to a series of drone strikes and air raids. That kind of power, he suggested, shook their resolve. “Every day ISIL leaders wake up and understand that it could be their last,” he said. Obama encouraged all Americans to go about their lives in spite of the ongoing threat posed by the Islamic State. “In the face of madmen who only know how to kill, we’re going to keep on living our lives and trying to lift people up,” he said, pointing to American’s love of sporting events. “We go to our stadiums. We cheer for our teams. We thrive in our cities,” he said. “We run our races, as they will next week in Boston.”
Erick Erickson: 'I Think the Time Has Come for Mitt Romney'-Politico
2016-05-20
[ "Not only does Erick Erickson want Mitt Romney to restart a search for a third-party candidate to challenge Donald Trump, he also wants Romney to consider being that person.", "The conservative blogger wrote for The Resurgent on Friday that he would “gladly work for a Romney Presidency given the choices between” Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton and Trump.", "Erickson, who has said he would never vote for Trump, opposed Romney during his previous presidential runs. On Wednesday, Yahoo News reported that Romney has ruled out an independent bid for president and is not trying to get any other Republicans to take up the mantle despite remaining hopeful for someone else to surface.", "“I opposed Romney in 2008 and 2012, but I think the time has come for Mitt Romney,” Erickson wrote. “I can’t believe I’m even writing this. But seriously, Mitt Romney should run for President again and transcend party for the good of the country.", "Read the rest of the story." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/05/20/erick-erickson-think-time-come-mitt-romney-politico/
Erick Erickson: 'I Think the Time Has Come for Mitt Romney'-Politico Not only does Erick Erickson want Mitt Romney to restart a search for a third-party candidate to challenge Donald Trump, he also wants Romney to consider being that person. The conservative blogger wrote for The Resurgent on Friday that he would “gladly work for a Romney Presidency given the choices between” Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton and Trump. Erickson, who has said he would never vote for Trump, opposed Romney during his previous presidential runs. On Wednesday, Yahoo News reported that Romney has ruled out an independent bid for president and is not trying to get any other Republicans to take up the mantle despite remaining hopeful for someone else to surface. “I opposed Romney in 2008 and 2012, but I think the time has come for Mitt Romney,” Erickson wrote. “I can’t believe I’m even writing this. But seriously, Mitt Romney should run for President again and transcend party for the good of the country. Read the rest of the story.
Palestinians Prepping to Burn Thousands of Tires at Israel Border
2018-04-05
[ "The Jerusalem Post reports: Palestinians plan to engulf the Gaza border with smoke and flames from thousands of burning tires on Friday as Israel holds firm to its order to shoot any protesters who come close to the security barrier.", "In the past several days, groups of young Gazans have been collecting old tires around the Strip and bringing them to the border. Palestinians intend to light the tires on fire to blur the vision of the soldiers on the Israeli side of the security fence, according to a Gaza-based source familiar with preparations for what he called “the Friday of Old Tires.", "“The hope is that the soldiers will not be able to shoot because the thick, black smoke will block their line of vision,” he said in a phone call with The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/04/05/palestinians-prepping-burn-thousands-tires-israel-border/
Palestinians Prepping to Burn Thousands of Tires at Israel Border The Jerusalem Post reports: Palestinians plan to engulf the Gaza border with smoke and flames from thousands of burning tires on Friday as Israel holds firm to its order to shoot any protesters who come close to the security barrier. In the past several days, groups of young Gazans have been collecting old tires around the Strip and bringing them to the border. Palestinians intend to light the tires on fire to blur the vision of the soldiers on the Israeli side of the security fence, according to a Gaza-based source familiar with preparations for what he called “the Friday of Old Tires. “The hope is that the soldiers will not be able to shoot because the thick, black smoke will block their line of vision,” he said in a phone call with The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.
Socialist Seattle City Council Member Kshama Sawant Faces Recall Effort After Backing CHOP, 'Defund the Police'
2021-05-04
[ "A recall effort is under way to remove Socialist Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant, who pushed for the city to “defund the police,” allowed Black Lives Matter rioters into City Hall, and backed the occupation known as CHAZ or CHOP.", "Sawant is an immigrant from India who joined the Socialist Alternative organization and advocates for radical left-wing policies within city government. She has supported other violent radical movements, including the Occupy movement.", "Though she was elected in 2019 to serve a four-year term that ends in 2024, many local residents are furious at her impact thus far. As Breitbart News reported last June, she led demonstrators into City Hall, despite coronavirus restrictions. She also defended the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” (CHAZ), later known as the “Capitol Hill Occupied Protest” (CHOP), saying the protesters had the right to use armed guards, and blaming a shooting inside the CHOP on “capitalism’s brutality.”", "Sawant also led efforts to “defund the police,” and succeeded in pressing the City Council to commit to cutting the Seattle Police Department by 50%, though only 100 officers could be cut right away. Police Chief Carmen Best resigned in protest.", "The Seattle Times reported Monday that both opponents and supporters of Sawant are gearing up for the fight (original links):", "Last week, the Recall Sawant campaign mailed petition copies and signature-gathering instructions to some voters in Sawant’s District 3, and the Kshama Solidarity campaign mailed literature to some voters arguing against a recall.", "To secure a recall election (an up-or-down vote on Sawant), Recall Sawant must submit at least 10,739 valid signatures from District 3 voters (25% of the votes cast in 2019’s general election).", "Only District 3 voters can sign, and only District 3 voters will be allowed to participate if an election is held. District 3 includes Capitol Hill, the Central District, Montlake and Madison Park.", "The recall process allows 180 days for petition signatures to be collected; the clock began on April 22, when the ballot synopsis for the potential recall was finalized, so Recall Sawant has until mid-October.", "The Recall Sawant website lays out the case against her:", "The Kshama Solidarity website sets out her defense:", "Big business and the right-wing are using the courts and their deep pockets to try to silence Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant with a recall campaign. They are furious about her consistent support for the Black Lives Matter movement and the victories she has spearheaded with her socialist council office, including the Amazon Tax, the $15 minimum wage, and landmark legislation for renters’ rights.", "Signature gathering is being conducted by mail, because of the risks of an ongoing coronavirus surge in the state." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/05/04/kshama-sawant-socialist-seattle-city-council-member-who-backed-blm-chop-faces-recall-effort-defund-the-police/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+breitbart+%28Breitbart+News%29
Socialist Seattle City Council Member Kshama Sawant Faces Recall Effort After Backing CHOP, 'Defund the Police' A recall effort is under way to remove Socialist Seattle City Council member Kshama Sawant, who pushed for the city to “defund the police,” allowed Black Lives Matter rioters into City Hall, and backed the occupation known as CHAZ or CHOP. Sawant is an immigrant from India who joined the Socialist Alternative organization and advocates for radical left-wing policies within city government. She has supported other violent radical movements, including the Occupy movement. Though she was elected in 2019 to serve a four-year term that ends in 2024, many local residents are furious at her impact thus far. As Breitbart News reported last June, she led demonstrators into City Hall, despite coronavirus restrictions. She also defended the “Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone” (CHAZ), later known as the “Capitol Hill Occupied Protest” (CHOP), saying the protesters had the right to use armed guards, and blaming a shooting inside the CHOP on “capitalism’s brutality.” Sawant also led efforts to “defund the police,” and succeeded in pressing the City Council to commit to cutting the Seattle Police Department by 50%, though only 100 officers could be cut right away. Police Chief Carmen Best resigned in protest. The Seattle Times reported Monday that both opponents and supporters of Sawant are gearing up for the fight (original links): Last week, the Recall Sawant campaign mailed petition copies and signature-gathering instructions to some voters in Sawant’s District 3, and the Kshama Solidarity campaign mailed literature to some voters arguing against a recall. To secure a recall election (an up-or-down vote on Sawant), Recall Sawant must submit at least 10,739 valid signatures from District 3 voters (25% of the votes cast in 2019’s general election). Only District 3 voters can sign, and only District 3 voters will be allowed to participate if an election is held. District 3 includes Capitol Hill, the Central District, Montlake and Madison Park. The recall process allows 180 days for petition signatures to be collected; the clock began on April 22, when the ballot synopsis for the potential recall was finalized, so Recall Sawant has until mid-October. The Recall Sawant website lays out the case against her: The Kshama Solidarity website sets out her defense: Big business and the right-wing are using the courts and their deep pockets to try to silence Seattle City Councilmember Kshama Sawant with a recall campaign. They are furious about her consistent support for the Black Lives Matter movement and the victories she has spearheaded with her socialist council office, including the Amazon Tax, the $15 minimum wage, and landmark legislation for renters’ rights. Signature gathering is being conducted by mail, because of the risks of an ongoing coronavirus surge in the state.
Gaza Jihadi Wanted by Hamas Killed in Battle with Egyptian Army
2016-06-25
[ "TEL AVIV – A Gaza jihadi was killed on Wednesday in a battle with the Egyptian army in Sinai, Breitbart Jerusalem has learned.", "Islamic State militants released a statement announcing the death of Nader Judah, 22, without disclosing details about the circumstances of his death. His family was notified.", "Judah, a resident of Radwan district in northern Gaza City, escaped the Gaza Strip and joined Waliyat Sinai, IS’ Egyptian branch, after dodging Hamas arrest.", "The Hamas government in Gaza accused Judah of launching a string of attacks against Hamas targets – mainly, limousines owned by top Hamas officials. The attacks were attributed by Hamas to a ring of Salafi militants, Judah being chief among them.", "Following the attack, several members of the ring, including Judah, fled the Strip. Another member, Muhamad Shehadeh Dalu, was killed in April while fighting for IS in Sinai.", "Dozens of Gaza jihadists, including prominent members of Hamas’ military wing, have joined IS in the last months and years, either in Sinai, Iraq or Libya.", "In April, Breitbart Jerusalem reported that a Gaza jihadi fighter was killed in Libya.", "In recent months, in an attempt to restore ties with the Egyptian government, Hamas has stepped up security measures along the Gaza-Egypt border, and clamped down on jihadi activists who maintained ties with IS in Sinai.", "Hamas was prompted to step up measures against extremists after Cairo accused it of training and collaborating with Waliyat Sinai fighters. Despite Hamas’ efforts, 12 Gaza jihadists crossed the border and joined IS in the last few weeks alone." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/06/25/gaza-jihadi-wanted-hamas-killed-battle-egyptian-army/
Gaza Jihadi Wanted by Hamas Killed in Battle with Egyptian Army TEL AVIV – A Gaza jihadi was killed on Wednesday in a battle with the Egyptian army in Sinai, Breitbart Jerusalem has learned. Islamic State militants released a statement announcing the death of Nader Judah, 22, without disclosing details about the circumstances of his death. His family was notified. Judah, a resident of Radwan district in northern Gaza City, escaped the Gaza Strip and joined Waliyat Sinai, IS’ Egyptian branch, after dodging Hamas arrest. The Hamas government in Gaza accused Judah of launching a string of attacks against Hamas targets – mainly, limousines owned by top Hamas officials. The attacks were attributed by Hamas to a ring of Salafi militants, Judah being chief among them. Following the attack, several members of the ring, including Judah, fled the Strip. Another member, Muhamad Shehadeh Dalu, was killed in April while fighting for IS in Sinai. Dozens of Gaza jihadists, including prominent members of Hamas’ military wing, have joined IS in the last months and years, either in Sinai, Iraq or Libya. In April, Breitbart Jerusalem reported that a Gaza jihadi fighter was killed in Libya. In recent months, in an attempt to restore ties with the Egyptian government, Hamas has stepped up security measures along the Gaza-Egypt border, and clamped down on jihadi activists who maintained ties with IS in Sinai. Hamas was prompted to step up measures against extremists after Cairo accused it of training and collaborating with Waliyat Sinai fighters. Despite Hamas’ efforts, 12 Gaza jihadists crossed the border and joined IS in the last few weeks alone.
Home Invasion Suspect Kicks in Door, Meets Shotgun, Dies Shortly Thereafter
2018-01-05
[ "A home invasion suspect allegedly kicked in a door in Merced, California, Wednesday night only to make a fatal encounter with a shotgun.", "The invasion occurred shortly after 10 pm.", "According to the Merced Sun-Star, a resident called police to say he had shot a suspect who kicked in the door to his apartment. The resident said the man kicked in the door then walked directly at him, at which time the resident shot the suspect with a shotgun.", "The suspect died shortly thereafter.", "ABC 30 identified the deceased suspect as Moana LogoLogo.", "Merced Police Lt. Don King said the resident did not know LogoLogo. He said, “[The resident] didn’t know who this individual was. He was fearful and has been very cooperative with individuals involved in this case.”", "King said LogoLogo parked his car “in the driveway of the home.” Police are trying to determine why LogoLogo chose that particular apartment." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/california/2018/01/05/home-invasion-suspect-kicks-in-door-meets-shotgun-dies-shortly-thereafter/
Home Invasion Suspect Kicks in Door, Meets Shotgun, Dies Shortly Thereafter A home invasion suspect allegedly kicked in a door in Merced, California, Wednesday night only to make a fatal encounter with a shotgun. The invasion occurred shortly after 10 pm. According to the Merced Sun-Star, a resident called police to say he had shot a suspect who kicked in the door to his apartment. The resident said the man kicked in the door then walked directly at him, at which time the resident shot the suspect with a shotgun. The suspect died shortly thereafter. ABC 30 identified the deceased suspect as Moana LogoLogo. Merced Police Lt. Don King said the resident did not know LogoLogo. He said, “[The resident] didn’t know who this individual was. He was fearful and has been very cooperative with individuals involved in this case.” King said LogoLogo parked his car “in the driveway of the home.” Police are trying to determine why LogoLogo chose that particular apartment.
Klukowski: Sessions Recusal an Act of Statesmanship
2017-03-03
[ "Democrats’ overcaffeinated cries over Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ statements on Russian contacts is an attempt to obfuscate the plain truth: Sessions’ pledge to recuse is an act of statesmanship, not a suggestion that he did anything wrong. It was also brilliant politics.", "Yesterday, even though President Trump publicly declared that he was not asking for it or thought it necessary, Sessions announced that he would recuse himself from any investigation involving the Trump campaign. This would include any investigation of any alleged contacts between the campaign and officials in the Russian government.", "Normally, if the attorney general is recused on a matter, then the deputy attorney general is in charge. If there is no deputy, then the associate attorney general is in charge. If there is no one in that office either, then the solicitor general is in charge. If that person is not around, then you start going through more than a half-dozen assistant attorneys general.", "But only two of those senior posts even have a nominee at this point, and none of them have yet been confirmed by the Senate. So per the executive order governing the order of succession for the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Dana Boente, is the acting attorney general for any decisions on appointing a special prosecutor, ordering an investigation, or taking any other DOJ actions. Boente was appointed by Barack Obama in 2015.", "But for now that power resides in an official appointed by a president of the opposition party, albeit an official with a long service record in administrations of both parties.", "Recusal has nothing to do with any wrongdoing, a critical fact that establishment media commentators conveniently seem to forget. For investigators (such as many people in DOJ), recusal is appropriate when a reasonable observer might question the investigator’s impartiality.", "This is critically important when it comes to courts of law and law enforcement. Federal law requires judges to recuse themselves if a family member is involved or they have any financial stake in an outcome. Beyond that, judges recuse themselves whenever there is any other objective basis to question their impartiality. When they do so, it is never considered a sign of wrongdoing; it is about giving the people every reason to have faith in the institutions of justice.", "But recusal is not a blank check to block those officials from doing their jobs. For example, federal judges with a history of pro-life affiliations before they became judges frequently will be called upon to recuse themselves on abortion cases. They rightly refuse to do so in such cases. Merely having personal views on an issue (and everyone in public life has a personal view on abortion) does not mean that a government official cannot be trusted to follow the law.", "Sessions concluded that since he was heavily involved with the Trump campaign, reasonable people might wonder if he was truly impartial if he was called upon to investigate campaign staff. There is no evidence of any partiality, favoritism, or personal improper involvement; but recusal can occur even when there is no evidence that it is necessary.", "In Sessions’ case, this means that even though no one has made any sort of evidence-supported allegation that he engaged in any improper communications, for the sake of the credibility of DOJ and the White House, he would have someone else lead the investigation.", "This is an act of pure statesmanship, rarely seen in Washington. By announcing that he would forfeit authority that he rightly holds—granted to him by the president of the United States and the U.S. Senate, filling an important office in the life of the nation—he is putting public perception ahead of political expediency. He is showing faith in the American people and trusting that the justice system will operate the way it is supposed to without him.", "“Caesar’s wife must be above reproach,” Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar. Sessions does not wish to present any stumbling blocks to Americans who are not currently supporters of the president who appointed him. If stepping aside on this issue gives them one more reason to trust President Trump and his administration, then apparently that is what the attorney general is willing to do.", "The manner in which Sessions announced his decision showcased grace, class, and humility. He had a solid press conference, fully answered the questions put to him, then went on primetime television to answer still more questions. He looked like a public servant trying to be forthright and transparent with the public.", "Sessions’ decision will also redound to Trump’s political benefit. This shuts down what would otherwise be a recurring line of attack against him. The public does not know whether DOJ is investigating anything about Russian ties to the presidential campaign because such investigations can occur in secret.", "But now the public does know that the person deciding whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant such an investigation has unquestionably clean hands. For the time being, an Obama appointee is calling the shots. While leftwing partisans may continue to cry foul, reasonable Americans will continue to have faith in equal justice under the law.", "Conservatives have long admired Jeff Sessions. Now Middle America can see why." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/03/03/klukowski-sessions-recusal-act-statesmanship/
Klukowski: Sessions Recusal an Act of Statesmanship Democrats’ overcaffeinated cries over Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ statements on Russian contacts is an attempt to obfuscate the plain truth: Sessions’ pledge to recuse is an act of statesmanship, not a suggestion that he did anything wrong. It was also brilliant politics. Yesterday, even though President Trump publicly declared that he was not asking for it or thought it necessary, Sessions announced that he would recuse himself from any investigation involving the Trump campaign. This would include any investigation of any alleged contacts between the campaign and officials in the Russian government. Normally, if the attorney general is recused on a matter, then the deputy attorney general is in charge. If there is no deputy, then the associate attorney general is in charge. If there is no one in that office either, then the solicitor general is in charge. If that person is not around, then you start going through more than a half-dozen assistant attorneys general. But only two of those senior posts even have a nominee at this point, and none of them have yet been confirmed by the Senate. So per the executive order governing the order of succession for the Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, Dana Boente, is the acting attorney general for any decisions on appointing a special prosecutor, ordering an investigation, or taking any other DOJ actions. Boente was appointed by Barack Obama in 2015. But for now that power resides in an official appointed by a president of the opposition party, albeit an official with a long service record in administrations of both parties. Recusal has nothing to do with any wrongdoing, a critical fact that establishment media commentators conveniently seem to forget. For investigators (such as many people in DOJ), recusal is appropriate when a reasonable observer might question the investigator’s impartiality. This is critically important when it comes to courts of law and law enforcement. Federal law requires judges to recuse themselves if a family member is involved or they have any financial stake in an outcome. Beyond that, judges recuse themselves whenever there is any other objective basis to question their impartiality. When they do so, it is never considered a sign of wrongdoing; it is about giving the people every reason to have faith in the institutions of justice. But recusal is not a blank check to block those officials from doing their jobs. For example, federal judges with a history of pro-life affiliations before they became judges frequently will be called upon to recuse themselves on abortion cases. They rightly refuse to do so in such cases. Merely having personal views on an issue (and everyone in public life has a personal view on abortion) does not mean that a government official cannot be trusted to follow the law. Sessions concluded that since he was heavily involved with the Trump campaign, reasonable people might wonder if he was truly impartial if he was called upon to investigate campaign staff. There is no evidence of any partiality, favoritism, or personal improper involvement; but recusal can occur even when there is no evidence that it is necessary. In Sessions’ case, this means that even though no one has made any sort of evidence-supported allegation that he engaged in any improper communications, for the sake of the credibility of DOJ and the White House, he would have someone else lead the investigation. This is an act of pure statesmanship, rarely seen in Washington. By announcing that he would forfeit authority that he rightly holds—granted to him by the president of the United States and the U.S. Senate, filling an important office in the life of the nation—he is putting public perception ahead of political expediency. He is showing faith in the American people and trusting that the justice system will operate the way it is supposed to without him. “Caesar’s wife must be above reproach,” Shakespeare wrote in Julius Caesar. Sessions does not wish to present any stumbling blocks to Americans who are not currently supporters of the president who appointed him. If stepping aside on this issue gives them one more reason to trust President Trump and his administration, then apparently that is what the attorney general is willing to do. The manner in which Sessions announced his decision showcased grace, class, and humility. He had a solid press conference, fully answered the questions put to him, then went on primetime television to answer still more questions. He looked like a public servant trying to be forthright and transparent with the public. Sessions’ decision will also redound to Trump’s political benefit. This shuts down what would otherwise be a recurring line of attack against him. The public does not know whether DOJ is investigating anything about Russian ties to the presidential campaign because such investigations can occur in secret. But now the public does know that the person deciding whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant such an investigation has unquestionably clean hands. For the time being, an Obama appointee is calling the shots. While leftwing partisans may continue to cry foul, reasonable Americans will continue to have faith in equal justice under the law. Conservatives have long admired Jeff Sessions. Now Middle America can see why.
Amazon Shortlists 20 Cities for 'HQ2' Location
2018-01-18
[ "Amazon has narrowed the future location of its second headquarters, called “HQ2,” to 20 cities. 19 cities in America and Toronto, Canada, remain in the running for the $5 billion project.", "CNN reports that only 20 cities are on the shortlist to become home to Amazon’s second headquarters. Amazon initially began deciding where to place their new HQ by examining 238 cities and regions from across all 50 states and several North American locations outside of the United States, now the 20 cities being considered include:", "- Washington D.C.", "Announced in September of 2017, the new Amazon building will be called HQ2 and will cost approximately $5 billion to develop and operate. Amazon estimates that the building could create up to 50,000 high-paying jobs in the city they choose to construct it in. Holly Sullivan of Amazon Public Policy commented on Amazon’s decision to cut down their list of 238 cities to only 20 saying, “Getting from 238 to 20 was very tough — all the proposals showed tremendous enthusiasm and creativity. Through this process, we learned about many new communities across North America that we will consider as locations for future infrastructure investment and job creation.”", "Following the announcement of Amazon’s plans to build the new HQ, cities across America began attempting to entice Amazon to develop the building in their city. Kansas City Mayor Sly James bought and reviewed as many as 1,000 Amazon products in an attempt to convince Amazon to locate there while Stonecrest, Georgia, offered to rename the city Amazon, Georgia, and give the company 345 acres of land on which to develop their new HQ for free. However, it seems that many of these locations didn’t fit Amazon’s criteria which included being close to a major airport and the city’s ability to attract talented tech workers.", "Amazon stated that they will be working closely with each of the 20 locations to “dive deeper” into their proposals over the next few months. Amazon has stated that the HQ2 building will be a “full equal” to their campus located in Seattle. The company estimates that between 2010 and 2016, the Amazon campus generated $38 billion for Seattle’s economy." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/01/18/amazon-shortlists-20-cities-for-hq2-location/
Amazon Shortlists 20 Cities for 'HQ2' Location Amazon has narrowed the future location of its second headquarters, called “HQ2,” to 20 cities. 19 cities in America and Toronto, Canada, remain in the running for the $5 billion project. CNN reports that only 20 cities are on the shortlist to become home to Amazon’s second headquarters. Amazon initially began deciding where to place their new HQ by examining 238 cities and regions from across all 50 states and several North American locations outside of the United States, now the 20 cities being considered include: - Washington D.C. Announced in September of 2017, the new Amazon building will be called HQ2 and will cost approximately $5 billion to develop and operate. Amazon estimates that the building could create up to 50,000 high-paying jobs in the city they choose to construct it in. Holly Sullivan of Amazon Public Policy commented on Amazon’s decision to cut down their list of 238 cities to only 20 saying, “Getting from 238 to 20 was very tough — all the proposals showed tremendous enthusiasm and creativity. Through this process, we learned about many new communities across North America that we will consider as locations for future infrastructure investment and job creation.” Following the announcement of Amazon’s plans to build the new HQ, cities across America began attempting to entice Amazon to develop the building in their city. Kansas City Mayor Sly James bought and reviewed as many as 1,000 Amazon products in an attempt to convince Amazon to locate there while Stonecrest, Georgia, offered to rename the city Amazon, Georgia, and give the company 345 acres of land on which to develop their new HQ for free. However, it seems that many of these locations didn’t fit Amazon’s criteria which included being close to a major airport and the city’s ability to attract talented tech workers. Amazon stated that they will be working closely with each of the 20 locations to “dive deeper” into their proposals over the next few months. Amazon has stated that the HQ2 building will be a “full equal” to their campus located in Seattle. The company estimates that between 2010 and 2016, the Amazon campus generated $38 billion for Seattle’s economy.
Al Gore Spreads Climate Fear in Davos: 'This Is Thermopylae, Dunkirk, 9/11'
2020-01-24
[ "Former Vice President and climate activist Al Gore on Wednesday hyperbolically compared global warming to the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, and the Battle of the Bulge during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.", "“The burden to act on the shoulders of the generation of the people alive today is a challenge to our moral imagination,” said Gore. “This is Thermopylae. This is Agincourt. This is Dunkirk. This is the Battle of the Bulge. This is 9/11.”", "“We have to rise to this occasion,” he concluded.", "Gore remarks came after he took to social media to gush over teen climate activist Greta Thunberg, who also attended the annual globalist gathering in Davos. “Great to see @GretaThunberg at #WEF20 today. Once again, I was struck by her potent and sobering call to action. Nobody speaks truth to power as she does,” the former vice president wrote on Twitter.", "In her remarks before the World Economic Forum, Thunberg accused world leaders of failing to protect children against climate change.", "“Unlike you, my generation will not give up without a fight. The facts are clear, but they are still too uncomfortable for you to address. You just leave it because you think it’s too depressing and people will give up. But people will not give up. You’re the ones who are giving up,” she said. “I wonder what will you tell your children was the reason to fail and leave them facing a climate chaos that you knowingly brought upon them. That it seemed so bad for the economy that we decided to resign the idea of securing future living conditions without even trying? Our house is still on fire.”", "President Donald Trump countered Thunberg in a speech of his own in Davos, condemning climate activists as “prophets of doom” and called for the rejection of “predictions of the apocalypse.”", "“These alarmists always demand the same thing – absolute power to dominate, transform, and control every aspect of our lives,” said the president. “We’re committed to conserving the majesty of God’s creation and the natural beauty of our world.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/environment/2020/01/24/al-gore-spreads-climate-fear-in-davos-this-is-thermopylae-dunkirk-9-11/
Al Gore Spreads Climate Fear in Davos: 'This Is Thermopylae, Dunkirk, 9/11' Former Vice President and climate activist Al Gore on Wednesday hyperbolically compared global warming to the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, and the Battle of the Bulge during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. “The burden to act on the shoulders of the generation of the people alive today is a challenge to our moral imagination,” said Gore. “This is Thermopylae. This is Agincourt. This is Dunkirk. This is the Battle of the Bulge. This is 9/11.” “We have to rise to this occasion,” he concluded. Gore remarks came after he took to social media to gush over teen climate activist Greta Thunberg, who also attended the annual globalist gathering in Davos. “Great to see @GretaThunberg at #WEF20 today. Once again, I was struck by her potent and sobering call to action. Nobody speaks truth to power as she does,” the former vice president wrote on Twitter. In her remarks before the World Economic Forum, Thunberg accused world leaders of failing to protect children against climate change. “Unlike you, my generation will not give up without a fight. The facts are clear, but they are still too uncomfortable for you to address. You just leave it because you think it’s too depressing and people will give up. But people will not give up. You’re the ones who are giving up,” she said. “I wonder what will you tell your children was the reason to fail and leave them facing a climate chaos that you knowingly brought upon them. That it seemed so bad for the economy that we decided to resign the idea of securing future living conditions without even trying? Our house is still on fire.” President Donald Trump countered Thunberg in a speech of his own in Davos, condemning climate activists as “prophets of doom” and called for the rejection of “predictions of the apocalypse.” “These alarmists always demand the same thing – absolute power to dominate, transform, and control every aspect of our lives,” said the president. “We’re committed to conserving the majesty of God’s creation and the natural beauty of our world.”
Steve King: Men from 'Most Violent Countries in World' Are 'Invading' U.S.
2018-10-21
[ "Rep. Steve King (R-IA) says men from the “most violent countries in the world” are “invading” the United States through illegal and legal immigration.", "In an interview with an Austrian media outlet, King discussed the death of 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbetts whose body was found in September in a cornfield in her rural hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa after she was last seen jogging on July 18.", "Christian Bahena-Rivera, an illegal alien from Mexico, has been charged with first-degree murder in Tibbetts’ death after police say he admitted to confronting and chasing down the young woman. The illegal alien lived in a region of Iowa that was surrounded by sanctuary cities, as Breitbart News noted, and an initial autopsy report revealed that Bahena-Rivera allegedly stabbed Tibbetts to death.", "King said if the U.S. had enforced federal immigration law properly, Bahena-Rivera would have not been in the country to begin with and Tibbetts would still be alive.", "King said:", "King also warned against mass immigration to the U.S. from the most dangerous regions of the world, specifically Central America and South America:", "According to police, Bahena-Rivera was the last person who saw Tibbetts jogging on the evening of July 18 in Brooklyn, Iowa, security camera footage reveals. That is the night Tibbetts went missing.", "The illegal alien told police that Tibbetts was jogging when he saw her. That is when he said he approached Tibbetts and started talking to her. After Tibbetts allegedly told Bahena-Rivera that she would call the police if he did not stop following her, the illegal alien allegedly chased her and says he “blacked out” after this.", "The following month, Tibbetts’ body was found in a cornfield, where prosecutors say Bahena-Rivera placed corn stalks over her to hide her body.", "Bahena-Rivera is being held on a $5 million cash bond. The illegal alien waived his right to have a trial heard within 90 days. His trial is set for April 2019." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/10/21/steve-king-men-violent-countries-invading-u-s/
Steve King: Men from 'Most Violent Countries in World' Are 'Invading' U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-IA) says men from the “most violent countries in the world” are “invading” the United States through illegal and legal immigration. In an interview with an Austrian media outlet, King discussed the death of 20-year-old college student Mollie Tibbetts whose body was found in September in a cornfield in her rural hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa after she was last seen jogging on July 18. Christian Bahena-Rivera, an illegal alien from Mexico, has been charged with first-degree murder in Tibbetts’ death after police say he admitted to confronting and chasing down the young woman. The illegal alien lived in a region of Iowa that was surrounded by sanctuary cities, as Breitbart News noted, and an initial autopsy report revealed that Bahena-Rivera allegedly stabbed Tibbetts to death. King said if the U.S. had enforced federal immigration law properly, Bahena-Rivera would have not been in the country to begin with and Tibbetts would still be alive. King said: King also warned against mass immigration to the U.S. from the most dangerous regions of the world, specifically Central America and South America: According to police, Bahena-Rivera was the last person who saw Tibbetts jogging on the evening of July 18 in Brooklyn, Iowa, security camera footage reveals. That is the night Tibbetts went missing. The illegal alien told police that Tibbetts was jogging when he saw her. That is when he said he approached Tibbetts and started talking to her. After Tibbetts allegedly told Bahena-Rivera that she would call the police if he did not stop following her, the illegal alien allegedly chased her and says he “blacked out” after this. The following month, Tibbetts’ body was found in a cornfield, where prosecutors say Bahena-Rivera placed corn stalks over her to hide her body. Bahena-Rivera is being held on a $5 million cash bond. The illegal alien waived his right to have a trial heard within 90 days. His trial is set for April 2019.
Final UKIP Leadership Hustings Divided Over 'Disloyalty' and 'Philosophical Difference'
2016-08-26
[ "LONDON, United Kingdom – Thursday saw the final hustings in the bitter contest to be the next leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), with candidates split on whether to confront the so-called “disloyalty” and factionalism which left the clear favourite to succeed Nigel Farage, Steven Woolfe, excluded from the competition.", "Bill Etheridge, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the West Midlands, said UKIP was like “lions lead by donkeys” and one of the “first things” he would do if he won would be to fire members of the National Executive Committee (NEC).", "The NEC is known amongst UKIP insiders to be Tory-supporting, anti-Farage, and broadly inept. They excluded Steven Woolfe – a long time Farage supporter – from the race on dubious grounds last month. Mr. Etheridge spoke of a “difference of philosophy” emerging in the party, promised to be “ruthlessly efficient” and said there would be no “jobs for the boys” unless they “pulled their weight”.", "He hailed Mr. Farage as the “greatest politician of a generation” and said he would ask him to “get back involved on a front line level”, before slamming those who have been “damn right disloyal” to the “party and leader… especially the one responsible for hijacking our 2015 manifesto.”", "Former Tory councillor Suzanne Evans, now suspended from UKIP, claims to have written the party’s manifesto which Mr. Etheridge attacked once again, as he did last week, when he labelled it “centre ground” and “disastrous”, urging the party not to fear “offending everyone” and be “radical” after the Brexit vote.", "His headline policy is “privatising the BBC” which he said peddles “left-wing propaganda” with tax payers’ money. He says he’s strong on law and order, a “flatter” rate of tax, and on “restoring the libertarian principles… UKIP was founded on”.", "Meanwhile, Lisa Duffy – a UKIP councillor and former cleaner and shop worker in high street chain TK Maxx – said the party should “go and sell that great manifesto… [and] great policies” from 2015.", "Ms. Duffy has seen the small anti-Farage vote gather behind her campaign in the contest so far – including an endorsement from Suzanne Evans. She also works as the chief of staff to MEP Patrick O’Flynn, who called Mr. Farage “snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive”.", "At the hustings, she called on the party to “build on” the 2015 manifesto by echoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in demanding “a billion pounds of new money for mental health services” and said UKIP should become “the party of the NHS”.", "The favourite to win the contest, MEP Diane James, the party’s home affairs and justice spokesperson, has been absent from all twelve of the hustings so far, including Thursday’s.", "She told BBC Radio 4 this morning that she is so keen on the 2015 manifesto she “had not put forward any policies” and would instead “refresh and review our very successful… general election manifesto.”", "Ms. James appears aware that while Ms. Evans claimed to write the manifesto, she indeed only project managed it, with the policies actually written by the party’s spokespeople for the relevant areas.", "Ms. James claimed she had remained absent from the meetings “because I have been running my own programme of events around the country” and there was “no need to debate with my rivals”.", "“What I’m doing is appealing directly to the members and the activists. I’m giving myself forward two hours at every single event that I’ve organised. They can come along and forensically question me…” she said.", "Other candidates present included UKIP councillor Phillip Broughton, a younger man who focused on reducing the national debt and crime.", "He said the NEC rules “have to apply equally to everybody”, clearly indicating he was happy with Mr. Woolfe’s exclusion and would not be confronting the NEC.", "The final candidate, solicitor Elizabeth Jones, agreed. She said she would “not [fire] anybody” if she won and claimed there was “a place in my party for everybody”." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/08/26/final-ukip-leadership-hustings-divided-over-disloyalty-nec-and-philosophical-difference/
Final UKIP Leadership Hustings Divided Over 'Disloyalty' and 'Philosophical Difference' LONDON, United Kingdom – Thursday saw the final hustings in the bitter contest to be the next leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), with candidates split on whether to confront the so-called “disloyalty” and factionalism which left the clear favourite to succeed Nigel Farage, Steven Woolfe, excluded from the competition. Bill Etheridge, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for the West Midlands, said UKIP was like “lions lead by donkeys” and one of the “first things” he would do if he won would be to fire members of the National Executive Committee (NEC). The NEC is known amongst UKIP insiders to be Tory-supporting, anti-Farage, and broadly inept. They excluded Steven Woolfe – a long time Farage supporter – from the race on dubious grounds last month. Mr. Etheridge spoke of a “difference of philosophy” emerging in the party, promised to be “ruthlessly efficient” and said there would be no “jobs for the boys” unless they “pulled their weight”. He hailed Mr. Farage as the “greatest politician of a generation” and said he would ask him to “get back involved on a front line level”, before slamming those who have been “damn right disloyal” to the “party and leader… especially the one responsible for hijacking our 2015 manifesto.” Former Tory councillor Suzanne Evans, now suspended from UKIP, claims to have written the party’s manifesto which Mr. Etheridge attacked once again, as he did last week, when he labelled it “centre ground” and “disastrous”, urging the party not to fear “offending everyone” and be “radical” after the Brexit vote. His headline policy is “privatising the BBC” which he said peddles “left-wing propaganda” with tax payers’ money. He says he’s strong on law and order, a “flatter” rate of tax, and on “restoring the libertarian principles… UKIP was founded on”. Meanwhile, Lisa Duffy – a UKIP councillor and former cleaner and shop worker in high street chain TK Maxx – said the party should “go and sell that great manifesto… [and] great policies” from 2015. Ms. Duffy has seen the small anti-Farage vote gather behind her campaign in the contest so far – including an endorsement from Suzanne Evans. She also works as the chief of staff to MEP Patrick O’Flynn, who called Mr. Farage “snarling, thin-skinned and aggressive”. At the hustings, she called on the party to “build on” the 2015 manifesto by echoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn in demanding “a billion pounds of new money for mental health services” and said UKIP should become “the party of the NHS”. The favourite to win the contest, MEP Diane James, the party’s home affairs and justice spokesperson, has been absent from all twelve of the hustings so far, including Thursday’s. She told BBC Radio 4 this morning that she is so keen on the 2015 manifesto she “had not put forward any policies” and would instead “refresh and review our very successful… general election manifesto.” Ms. James appears aware that while Ms. Evans claimed to write the manifesto, she indeed only project managed it, with the policies actually written by the party’s spokespeople for the relevant areas. Ms. James claimed she had remained absent from the meetings “because I have been running my own programme of events around the country” and there was “no need to debate with my rivals”. “What I’m doing is appealing directly to the members and the activists. I’m giving myself forward two hours at every single event that I’ve organised. They can come along and forensically question me…” she said. Other candidates present included UKIP councillor Phillip Broughton, a younger man who focused on reducing the national debt and crime. He said the NEC rules “have to apply equally to everybody”, clearly indicating he was happy with Mr. Woolfe’s exclusion and would not be confronting the NEC. The final candidate, solicitor Elizabeth Jones, agreed. She said she would “not [fire] anybody” if she won and claimed there was “a place in my party for everybody”.
Mexican President Promises Release of Governor Jailed for Laundering Cartel Money
2019-11-11
[ "Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) promised the release of a former governor who helped the Juarez Cartel move large shipments of cocaine through his state. The politician is in prison on money laundering charges and he previously served time the U.S. for drug trafficking.", "During a speech last week in Quintana Roo, Lopez Obrador promised to secure the release of Mario Villanueva Madrid, the former governor of that state, Proceso reported. The state is home to Cancun and Playa del Carmen.", "“It is my commitment that he will be freed,” Lopez Obrador is quoted saying. He claimed the matter is currently working through the courts. If the effort fails, he would try act in an executive manner. Villanueva is in a federal prison serving a 22-year sentence on money laundering and drug-related charges, Animal Politico reported.", "According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office following his sentence on drug and money laundering charges, Villanueva became a governor in 1994 and “entered into an agreement with the Juarez Cartel that would ensure its cocaine shipments traveled safely through Quintana Roo without interference from law enforcement.” In exchange for his protection, Villanueva received millions of dollars that he laundered through offshore accounts.", "In 2001, Mexican authorities arrested and convicted Villanueva on organized crime and corruption charges. In 2010, the U.S. extradited him for an eventual guilty plea in 2012 on drug and money laundering conspiracy. The Mexican government extradited Villanueva in 2017 so he could serve a 22-year prison sentence. Some of the time was served in a hospital." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/border/2019/11/11/mexican-president-promises-release-of-governor-jailed-for-laundering-cartel-money/
Mexican President Promises Release of Governor Jailed for Laundering Cartel Money Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) promised the release of a former governor who helped the Juarez Cartel move large shipments of cocaine through his state. The politician is in prison on money laundering charges and he previously served time the U.S. for drug trafficking. During a speech last week in Quintana Roo, Lopez Obrador promised to secure the release of Mario Villanueva Madrid, the former governor of that state, Proceso reported. The state is home to Cancun and Playa del Carmen. “It is my commitment that he will be freed,” Lopez Obrador is quoted saying. He claimed the matter is currently working through the courts. If the effort fails, he would try act in an executive manner. Villanueva is in a federal prison serving a 22-year sentence on money laundering and drug-related charges, Animal Politico reported. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office following his sentence on drug and money laundering charges, Villanueva became a governor in 1994 and “entered into an agreement with the Juarez Cartel that would ensure its cocaine shipments traveled safely through Quintana Roo without interference from law enforcement.” In exchange for his protection, Villanueva received millions of dollars that he laundered through offshore accounts. In 2001, Mexican authorities arrested and convicted Villanueva on organized crime and corruption charges. In 2010, the U.S. extradited him for an eventual guilty plea in 2012 on drug and money laundering conspiracy. The Mexican government extradited Villanueva in 2017 so he could serve a 22-year prison sentence. Some of the time was served in a hospital.
Migrant Family Apprehensions in 2019 Up 469 Percent over Last Year
2019-07-11
[ "Apprehensions of migrant families who illegally cross the southwestern border from Mexico in Fiscal Year 2019 increased 469 percent over the same period last year. Despite the nearly 33 percent drop of migrant family apprehensions from May to June 2019, the increase in year-to-date apprehensions illustrates the enormity of the current crisis.", "Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 390,000 migrant families who illegally crossed the border between ports of entry during the first nine months of this fiscal year. This is up from 68,541 during the same period in FY2018 — an increase of 469 percent, according to the June Southwest Border Migration Report released on Wednesday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.", "The largest numbers of apprehensions continue to occur in the Rio Grande Valley Sector (165,950) and the El Paso Sector (117,612). The El Paso Sector experienced an astounding 1,759 percent increase in the apprehension of family units when compared to the same period one year ago. Agents in the El Paso Sector are processing more than 12,300 migrant families per month over the same period last year — an increase of approximately 412 more migrant family units each day.", "Despite warnings from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials for months, Congress failed to take action to provide the resources necessary to properly house and process the migrant families. This led to circumstances of overcrowding and increased processing times in Border Patrol facilities never designed to handle these volumes of migrant families. Congress also failed to take action to close the legal loopholes being exploited by transnational criminal organizations to lure migrant families on a life-endangering journey from Central America to the U.S.", "In March, then CBP Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan met with Border Patrol officials at ground zero in the Rio Grande Valley Sector. “On Monday (March 25), we saw the highest total of apprehensions and encounters in over a decade, with 4,000 migrants either apprehended or encountered at Ports of Entry in a single day. That was Monday.”", "“Yesterday (March 26), we broke the record again with 4,117,” the commissioner stated. “We are now on pace for over 100 thousand apprehensions and encounters with migrants in March, with 90 percent of those, 90 thousand people, crossing the border illegally between Ports of Entry. March will be the highest month since 2008. The arriving flows are made up primarily of Central American families and unaccompanied children.”", "From March 1 through June 30, Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 419,000 migrants who illegally crossed the border between ports of entry — 104,975 per month. Of the total apprehensions, 290,525 were family units and unaccompanied minors — an average of 72,631 per month or 2,421 per day.", "“I’ve never seen anything like it in the 24 years that I’ve been doing this job,” U.S. Border Patrol Chief of Law Enforcement Operations Brian Hastings told reporters in a June conference call. “This is going back a period of 13 years where we haven’t seen apprehensions at this level.”", "“As we’ve discussed in the past, these numbers are so dramatically different from anything we’ve faced in the pasts because of the demographics and composition of the folks being apprehended,” he continued.", "As far back as October 2018, Border Patrol officials warned of the exploitation of legal loopholes by human smugglers to bring massive numbers of migrant families to the U.S.", "In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News’ Brandon Darby, then Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief Patrol Agent Manuel Padilla discussed the need for Congress to take action to close these loopholes.", "“If you look at our activity in this sector, 40 percent of all of the apprehensions along the southwest border, 43 percent of the marijuana seized, the interesting part of the apprehensions that we have (approximately 128,500 year-to-date), 50 percent of the total are comprised of family units and unaccompanied children,” Padilla explained. “This demographic here, there is not a law enforcement solution to that. That’s going to require immigration reform closing the loopholes that exist in our immigration system.”", "“The criminal element is always looking for loopholes in our and they have found it,” Padilla continued. “This population, this demographic is turning themselves in to us. So when we’re talking about solutions for border security, for this particular demographic, Congress is going to have to pass immigration reform at some point or another.”", "In January, then DHS Spokeswoman Katie Waldman told Breitbart News, “This humanitarian crisis is driven by court rulings and poorly written laws that incentivize the smuggling of illegal immigrants under the age of 18. Funding the border wall, amending the TVPRA, and ending the Flores Settlement Agreement will put smugglers and traffickers out of business and protect vulnerable populations.”", "“As a result, in just a few years, CBP has seen a sizeable increase in the number of UACs illegally entering the country,” DHS officials reported. “In 2010, Border Patrol apprehended 18,622 UACs. In 2018, Border Patrol apprehended 50,036 UACs—i.e. an increase of 169% in just 8 years.”", "As of June 30, that number jumped again to 63,624 — with three months to go in the current fiscal year.", "“This crisis is exacerbated by the increase in persons who are entering our custody suffering from severe respiratory illnesses or exhibit some other illness upon apprehension,” then DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in a December 2018 statement.", "On July 9, DHS Acting Secretary McAleenan continued the call to action by Congress.", "“We are still in an ongoing border security and humanitarian crisis. U.S. Border Patrol made 688,375 apprehensions through the end of June, 140 percent higher than through this time last year,” McAleenan said in a written statement. “And our June apprehension numbers are still higher than last year’s, when we were already in a crisis. We are past the breaking point and in a full-blown emergency. This situation should not be acceptable to any of us. I am proud of the men and women of DHS who are doing everything they can to achieve our humanitarian mission. However, in order for us to solve this crisis and to create lasting change at the border, we must address the vulnerabilities in our legal framework.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/border/2019/07/11/migrant-family-apprehensions-in-2019-up-469-percent-over-last-year/
Migrant Family Apprehensions in 2019 Up 469 Percent over Last Year Apprehensions of migrant families who illegally cross the southwestern border from Mexico in Fiscal Year 2019 increased 469 percent over the same period last year. Despite the nearly 33 percent drop of migrant family apprehensions from May to June 2019, the increase in year-to-date apprehensions illustrates the enormity of the current crisis. Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 390,000 migrant families who illegally crossed the border between ports of entry during the first nine months of this fiscal year. This is up from 68,541 during the same period in FY2018 — an increase of 469 percent, according to the June Southwest Border Migration Report released on Wednesday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The largest numbers of apprehensions continue to occur in the Rio Grande Valley Sector (165,950) and the El Paso Sector (117,612). The El Paso Sector experienced an astounding 1,759 percent increase in the apprehension of family units when compared to the same period one year ago. Agents in the El Paso Sector are processing more than 12,300 migrant families per month over the same period last year — an increase of approximately 412 more migrant family units each day. Despite warnings from the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials for months, Congress failed to take action to provide the resources necessary to properly house and process the migrant families. This led to circumstances of overcrowding and increased processing times in Border Patrol facilities never designed to handle these volumes of migrant families. Congress also failed to take action to close the legal loopholes being exploited by transnational criminal organizations to lure migrant families on a life-endangering journey from Central America to the U.S. In March, then CBP Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan met with Border Patrol officials at ground zero in the Rio Grande Valley Sector. “On Monday (March 25), we saw the highest total of apprehensions and encounters in over a decade, with 4,000 migrants either apprehended or encountered at Ports of Entry in a single day. That was Monday.” “Yesterday (March 26), we broke the record again with 4,117,” the commissioner stated. “We are now on pace for over 100 thousand apprehensions and encounters with migrants in March, with 90 percent of those, 90 thousand people, crossing the border illegally between Ports of Entry. March will be the highest month since 2008. The arriving flows are made up primarily of Central American families and unaccompanied children.” From March 1 through June 30, Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 419,000 migrants who illegally crossed the border between ports of entry — 104,975 per month. Of the total apprehensions, 290,525 were family units and unaccompanied minors — an average of 72,631 per month or 2,421 per day. “I’ve never seen anything like it in the 24 years that I’ve been doing this job,” U.S. Border Patrol Chief of Law Enforcement Operations Brian Hastings told reporters in a June conference call. “This is going back a period of 13 years where we haven’t seen apprehensions at this level.” “As we’ve discussed in the past, these numbers are so dramatically different from anything we’ve faced in the pasts because of the demographics and composition of the folks being apprehended,” he continued. As far back as October 2018, Border Patrol officials warned of the exploitation of legal loopholes by human smugglers to bring massive numbers of migrant families to the U.S. In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News’ Brandon Darby, then Rio Grande Valley Sector Chief Patrol Agent Manuel Padilla discussed the need for Congress to take action to close these loopholes. “If you look at our activity in this sector, 40 percent of all of the apprehensions along the southwest border, 43 percent of the marijuana seized, the interesting part of the apprehensions that we have (approximately 128,500 year-to-date), 50 percent of the total are comprised of family units and unaccompanied children,” Padilla explained. “This demographic here, there is not a law enforcement solution to that. That’s going to require immigration reform closing the loopholes that exist in our immigration system.” “The criminal element is always looking for loopholes in our and they have found it,” Padilla continued. “This population, this demographic is turning themselves in to us. So when we’re talking about solutions for border security, for this particular demographic, Congress is going to have to pass immigration reform at some point or another.” In January, then DHS Spokeswoman Katie Waldman told Breitbart News, “This humanitarian crisis is driven by court rulings and poorly written laws that incentivize the smuggling of illegal immigrants under the age of 18. Funding the border wall, amending the TVPRA, and ending the Flores Settlement Agreement will put smugglers and traffickers out of business and protect vulnerable populations.” “As a result, in just a few years, CBP has seen a sizeable increase in the number of UACs illegally entering the country,” DHS officials reported. “In 2010, Border Patrol apprehended 18,622 UACs. In 2018, Border Patrol apprehended 50,036 UACs—i.e. an increase of 169% in just 8 years.” As of June 30, that number jumped again to 63,624 — with three months to go in the current fiscal year. “This crisis is exacerbated by the increase in persons who are entering our custody suffering from severe respiratory illnesses or exhibit some other illness upon apprehension,” then DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in a December 2018 statement. On July 9, DHS Acting Secretary McAleenan continued the call to action by Congress. “We are still in an ongoing border security and humanitarian crisis. U.S. Border Patrol made 688,375 apprehensions through the end of June, 140 percent higher than through this time last year,” McAleenan said in a written statement. “And our June apprehension numbers are still higher than last year’s, when we were already in a crisis. We are past the breaking point and in a full-blown emergency. This situation should not be acceptable to any of us. I am proud of the men and women of DHS who are doing everything they can to achieve our humanitarian mission. However, in order for us to solve this crisis and to create lasting change at the border, we must address the vulnerabilities in our legal framework.”
Joe Biden Pushes 'Assault Weapons' Ban After Boulder Attack
2021-03-23
[ "President Joe Biden called for an “assault weapons” ban following Monday’s shooting attack at the Boulder, Colorado grocery store.", "Politico reported Biden urging the Senate to take action on H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446, the former of which would create universal background checks and the latter of which would expand the length of time a background check can last.", "He also called for an “assault weapons” ban.", "Biden admitted he was making his comments before information on the gunman was fully known, saying, “While we’re still waiting for more information, I don’t need to wait another minute, let alone an hour, to take common-sense steps that will save lives in the future, and to urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to act. We can ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in this country once again.”", "“I got that done when I was a senator. It passed. It was the law for the longest time. And it brought down these mass killings. We should do it again,” Biden remarked.", "Ironically, the Department of Justice’s Institute of Justice (NIJ) released a report following the 1994-2004 “assault weapons” ban and noted that no real reduction in crime could be credited to the ban. The Washington Times quoted University of Pennsylvania professor Christopher Koper, author of the NIJ report, saying, “We cannot clearly credit the ban with any of the nation’s recent drop in gun violence. And, indeed, there has been no discernible reduction in the lethality and injuriousness of gun violence.”", "Biden is also pushing the creation of universal background checks via H.R. 8. Breitbart News reported that Colorado adopted universal background checks in 2013." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/03/23/joe-biden-pushes-assault-weapons-ban-after-boulder-attack/
Joe Biden Pushes 'Assault Weapons' Ban After Boulder Attack President Joe Biden called for an “assault weapons” ban following Monday’s shooting attack at the Boulder, Colorado grocery store. Politico reported Biden urging the Senate to take action on H.R. 8 and H.R. 1446, the former of which would create universal background checks and the latter of which would expand the length of time a background check can last. He also called for an “assault weapons” ban. Biden admitted he was making his comments before information on the gunman was fully known, saying, “While we’re still waiting for more information, I don’t need to wait another minute, let alone an hour, to take common-sense steps that will save lives in the future, and to urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to act. We can ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in this country once again.” “I got that done when I was a senator. It passed. It was the law for the longest time. And it brought down these mass killings. We should do it again,” Biden remarked. Ironically, the Department of Justice’s Institute of Justice (NIJ) released a report following the 1994-2004 “assault weapons” ban and noted that no real reduction in crime could be credited to the ban. The Washington Times quoted University of Pennsylvania professor Christopher Koper, author of the NIJ report, saying, “We cannot clearly credit the ban with any of the nation’s recent drop in gun violence. And, indeed, there has been no discernible reduction in the lethality and injuriousness of gun violence.” Biden is also pushing the creation of universal background checks via H.R. 8. Breitbart News reported that Colorado adopted universal background checks in 2013.
Gun violence linked to higher rates of chronic pain, PTSD than car accidents
2020-01-16
[ "Jan. 16 (UPI) — People injured as a result of gun violence in the United States have higher rates of chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and other physical and mental health problems in the months after these incidents than those hurt in motor vehicle crashes, a new analysis has revealed.", "In findings published Thursday in the journal Annals of Surgery, researchers note that, among survivors of firearm injury, 68 percent reported daily pain, 53 percent screened positive for PTSD, 39 percent reported a new functional limitation in an activity of daily living — like walking, cooking, eating or going to the bathroom — and 59 percent had not yet returned to work.", "In all, three out of every four firearm injury survivors had at least one of these negative long-term outcomes.", "“We need to better understand the causes of these outcomes so that we can find opportunities for intervention,” study co-author Juan P. Herrera-Escobar, research director of Long-Term Outcomes in Trauma in the Center for Surgery and Public Health at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said in a statement. “This work has profound implications for trauma systems and highlights the failure to help patients receive the proper services for a successful recovery after a traumatic, firearm-related injury.”", "According to the Giffords Law Center, 36,000 Americans are killed by guns each year, while an additional 100,000 are shot and injured. In 2017, gun deaths reached their highest level in at least 40 years, with 39,773 deaths, the organization reports.", "To compare, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 3 million people nationwide are non-fatally injured in motor vehicle crashes annually. Crash-related injuries are costly, with medical care expenditures and lost productivity exceeding $75 billion in 2017.", "As part of the Functional Outcomes and Recovery after Trauma Emergencies, or FORTE, project, Herrera-Escobar and his colleagues surveyed adults who had survived traumatic injury after being treated at one of three level-I trauma centers in Boston between 2015 and 2018. FORTE is designed to measure long-term outcomes that are meaningful to patients and their families, including functional status, health-related quality of life, treatment adherence, and more.", "Of 177 eligible firearm injury survivors, the team successfully contacted 100 and, ultimately, 63 completed the survey. The 35 percent response rate was much higher than in previous studies of firearm injury survivors, the authors said.", "They analyzed outcomes for people who had survived firearm injury six to 12 months after these incidents and compared them to people who had survived similar injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes.", "Not only were rates for chronic pain and PTSD significantly higher than rates among the general population, survivors of firearm injury were significantly more likely to have daily pain or PTSD. They also had worse physical and mental health-related quality-of-life than survivors with similar injuries from motor vehicle crashes, researchers said.", "“When it comes to the public health problem posed by firearm injury, death is just one piece of the puzzle,” Herrera-Escobar said. “Mortality rates for trauma patients have been dropping significantly over the last 20 years, but this presents a new challenge: What will we do for patients whose lives we save but who continue to suffer from the repercussions of traumatic injury? Our study shows that injury, and especially firearm injury, casts a long shadow over the lives of those who survive.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/news/gun-violence-linked-to-higher-rates-of-chronic-pain-ptsd-than-car-accidents/
Gun violence linked to higher rates of chronic pain, PTSD than car accidents Jan. 16 (UPI) — People injured as a result of gun violence in the United States have higher rates of chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder and other physical and mental health problems in the months after these incidents than those hurt in motor vehicle crashes, a new analysis has revealed. In findings published Thursday in the journal Annals of Surgery, researchers note that, among survivors of firearm injury, 68 percent reported daily pain, 53 percent screened positive for PTSD, 39 percent reported a new functional limitation in an activity of daily living — like walking, cooking, eating or going to the bathroom — and 59 percent had not yet returned to work. In all, three out of every four firearm injury survivors had at least one of these negative long-term outcomes. “We need to better understand the causes of these outcomes so that we can find opportunities for intervention,” study co-author Juan P. Herrera-Escobar, research director of Long-Term Outcomes in Trauma in the Center for Surgery and Public Health at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, said in a statement. “This work has profound implications for trauma systems and highlights the failure to help patients receive the proper services for a successful recovery after a traumatic, firearm-related injury.” According to the Giffords Law Center, 36,000 Americans are killed by guns each year, while an additional 100,000 are shot and injured. In 2017, gun deaths reached their highest level in at least 40 years, with 39,773 deaths, the organization reports. To compare, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 3 million people nationwide are non-fatally injured in motor vehicle crashes annually. Crash-related injuries are costly, with medical care expenditures and lost productivity exceeding $75 billion in 2017. As part of the Functional Outcomes and Recovery after Trauma Emergencies, or FORTE, project, Herrera-Escobar and his colleagues surveyed adults who had survived traumatic injury after being treated at one of three level-I trauma centers in Boston between 2015 and 2018. FORTE is designed to measure long-term outcomes that are meaningful to patients and their families, including functional status, health-related quality of life, treatment adherence, and more. Of 177 eligible firearm injury survivors, the team successfully contacted 100 and, ultimately, 63 completed the survey. The 35 percent response rate was much higher than in previous studies of firearm injury survivors, the authors said. They analyzed outcomes for people who had survived firearm injury six to 12 months after these incidents and compared them to people who had survived similar injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes. Not only were rates for chronic pain and PTSD significantly higher than rates among the general population, survivors of firearm injury were significantly more likely to have daily pain or PTSD. They also had worse physical and mental health-related quality-of-life than survivors with similar injuries from motor vehicle crashes, researchers said. “When it comes to the public health problem posed by firearm injury, death is just one piece of the puzzle,” Herrera-Escobar said. “Mortality rates for trauma patients have been dropping significantly over the last 20 years, but this presents a new challenge: What will we do for patients whose lives we save but who continue to suffer from the repercussions of traumatic injury? Our study shows that injury, and especially firearm injury, casts a long shadow over the lives of those who survive.”
119 Migrants Pushed Across Rio Grande During Dangerous Storms
2021-05-14
[ "Human smugglers moved a large group of migrants across the Rio Grande during dangerous storms on Wednesday morning, Border Patrol officials stated. The 119 migrants from six countries consisted of family units and unaccompanied alien children.", "Weslaco Station Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector patrolling the border river came in contact with a group of 119 migrants. Human smugglers pushed the migrants across the river during dangerous storms, according to information provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.", "A large group of approximately 120 migrants were encountered this morning around 3a.m., by Weslaco agents.", "Amidst a dangerous storm callous smugglers put monetary gain ahead of the well-being of those they smuggle.", "The agents classified the migrants as 93 family units and 26 “noncitizen unaccompanied children,” officials stated. The foreign nationals came to the U.S. from Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.", "“Due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms passing through the Rio Grande Valley, agents and contractors immediately transported the migrants to shelter at the Port of Entry (POE) in Hidalgo, Texas,” Rio Grande Valles Sector officials said in the written statement. “The intake procedures usually conducted at the place of encounter, were done at the POE in order to keep the migrants, which included very young children, out of the severe weather.”", "The Rio Grande Valley Sector continues to lead the nine southwest border sectors in the apprehension of migrants, particularly families and unaccompanied minors." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/border/2021/05/14/119-migrants-pushed-across-rio-grande-during-dangerous-storms/
119 Migrants Pushed Across Rio Grande During Dangerous Storms Human smugglers moved a large group of migrants across the Rio Grande during dangerous storms on Wednesday morning, Border Patrol officials stated. The 119 migrants from six countries consisted of family units and unaccompanied alien children. Weslaco Station Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley Sector patrolling the border river came in contact with a group of 119 migrants. Human smugglers pushed the migrants across the river during dangerous storms, according to information provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials. A large group of approximately 120 migrants were encountered this morning around 3a.m., by Weslaco agents. Amidst a dangerous storm callous smugglers put monetary gain ahead of the well-being of those they smuggle. The agents classified the migrants as 93 family units and 26 “noncitizen unaccompanied children,” officials stated. The foreign nationals came to the U.S. from Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. “Due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms passing through the Rio Grande Valley, agents and contractors immediately transported the migrants to shelter at the Port of Entry (POE) in Hidalgo, Texas,” Rio Grande Valles Sector officials said in the written statement. “The intake procedures usually conducted at the place of encounter, were done at the POE in order to keep the migrants, which included very young children, out of the severe weather.” The Rio Grande Valley Sector continues to lead the nine southwest border sectors in the apprehension of migrants, particularly families and unaccompanied minors.
Human Rights Groups: Duterte's Drug War in the Philippines Has Failed
2018-03-27
[ "A prominent human rights organization in the Philippines said on Monday that President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war is leading the country into a path of “tyrannical megalomania and unparalleled self-destruction.”", "Since his election in 2016, Duterte has built a reputation as a strongman leader who has instigated a brutal crackdown on drugs traffickers that has allegedly led to thousands of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations.", "“Malacañang places the blame on human rights organizations for the Duterte administration’s failure to curb the illegal drug problem and accuses them of smearing the country’s reputation,” the Karapatan human rights group said in a statement.", "“In case [they] haven’t noticed, Duterte did that all by himself, in a path of tyrannical megalomania and unparalleled self-destruction,” they continued.", "Last week, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who himself once was a human rights lawyer, suggested that the reason human rights groups may be so vehemently opposed to Duterte’s crackdown is that they are receiving funding from drug organizations in a bid to destabilize the government.", "“The attacks against the President’s war on drugs have been vicious and nonstop,” he said. “We therefore do not discount the possibility that some human rights groups have become unwitting tools of drug lords to hinder the strides made by the administration.”", "“To continue to do and thrive in the drug business, these drug lords can easily use their drug money to fund destabilization efforts against the government,” he posited.", "Karapatan dismissed the claims as the government “cooking up a scenario that will justify a massive Tokhang-style killing of activists” or an “attempt to evade accountability from domestic and international human rights instruments.”", "Duterte has repeatedly expressed his contempt for human rights organizations and accused them of hindering his anti-drug war, where he has urged his forces to “spare no one” in their war against drug barons. Last September, he cut the country’s human rights budget to just $20 a month and has suggested that investigators should be fed to crocodiles.", "This month, Duterte announced that his intention to pull the Philippines out of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as they continue to examine evidence of human rights abuses. Duterte accused the body of orchestrating “baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks on my person.”", "Opponents are now increasingly describing Duterte as a tyrannical leader comparable to the military dictator Ferdinand Marcos, amid other fears that he also clamping down on freedom of the press. However, a recent survey found that satisfaction with Duterte’s administration is the highest of any Filipino government since the 1980s, with an approval rating of over 70 points, making him one of the most domestically popular leaders in the world." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/03/27/human-rights-dutertes-drug-war-failed/
Human Rights Groups: Duterte's Drug War in the Philippines Has Failed A prominent human rights organization in the Philippines said on Monday that President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war is leading the country into a path of “tyrannical megalomania and unparalleled self-destruction.” Since his election in 2016, Duterte has built a reputation as a strongman leader who has instigated a brutal crackdown on drugs traffickers that has allegedly led to thousands of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations. “Malacañang places the blame on human rights organizations for the Duterte administration’s failure to curb the illegal drug problem and accuses them of smearing the country’s reputation,” the Karapatan human rights group said in a statement. “In case [they] haven’t noticed, Duterte did that all by himself, in a path of tyrannical megalomania and unparalleled self-destruction,” they continued. Last week, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, who himself once was a human rights lawyer, suggested that the reason human rights groups may be so vehemently opposed to Duterte’s crackdown is that they are receiving funding from drug organizations in a bid to destabilize the government. “The attacks against the President’s war on drugs have been vicious and nonstop,” he said. “We therefore do not discount the possibility that some human rights groups have become unwitting tools of drug lords to hinder the strides made by the administration.” “To continue to do and thrive in the drug business, these drug lords can easily use their drug money to fund destabilization efforts against the government,” he posited. Karapatan dismissed the claims as the government “cooking up a scenario that will justify a massive Tokhang-style killing of activists” or an “attempt to evade accountability from domestic and international human rights instruments.” Duterte has repeatedly expressed his contempt for human rights organizations and accused them of hindering his anti-drug war, where he has urged his forces to “spare no one” in their war against drug barons. Last September, he cut the country’s human rights budget to just $20 a month and has suggested that investigators should be fed to crocodiles. This month, Duterte announced that his intention to pull the Philippines out of the International Criminal Court (ICC) as they continue to examine evidence of human rights abuses. Duterte accused the body of orchestrating “baseless, unprecedented and outrageous attacks on my person.” Opponents are now increasingly describing Duterte as a tyrannical leader comparable to the military dictator Ferdinand Marcos, amid other fears that he also clamping down on freedom of the press. However, a recent survey found that satisfaction with Duterte’s administration is the highest of any Filipino government since the 1980s, with an approval rating of over 70 points, making him one of the most domestically popular leaders in the world.
Rep. Stephen Russell: Support Religious Freedom Against LGBT Lobby
2016-05-30
[ "Congress should pass appropriations bills that don’t restrict legal rights for Americans, says the Oklahoma congressman who is now leading the fight to protect religious freedom from a coalition of liberal Republican and Democratic legislators.", "“My hope would be that we could run clean appropriations,” said Rep. Stephen Russell (R.-Okla.). “My efforts have been about protecting the 1st Amendment and the free exercise of religion” from legislators who would restrict religious rights to favor sexual minorities, he said.", "This year, Democrats — and some Republicans — are trying to raise the legal status of transgenderism in American law. Their goal is to pressure Americans to accept the idea that any man or women can choose the “gender identity” of the opposite sex. That push has sparked fights this year over bathroom privacy in North Carolina, and also in K-12 schools around the nation.", "Russell passed his own amendment April 28 to the House’s version of the Pentagon budget, effectively shielding federal contractors — who include religious corporations, religious associations, religious educational institutions, and religious societies — from Obama’s Executive Order 13672. The executive order effectively forces contractors to comply with the Employment Non-Discrimination Act or ENDA, which has been repeatedly defeated by Congress.", "The congressman said his April amendment sets federal government policy in line with the language in the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. “What the amendment does do is prevent discrimination based on religious free exercise for narrow specific groups,” said Russell, who led the 2013 search and capture of Saddam Hussein.", "Those protected would have included faith-based groups with a contract to provide social services or a part-time chaplain contracted to minister to troops.", "“Over 200 of us [legislators] felt that a serious assault is being perpetrated on the free exercise of religion, particularly since the religious liberty amendment in the defense authorization merely codified exceptions under current law and did not prevent anyone from being able to contract,” Russell said.", "But the LGBT coalition is pushing hard for its goals. When the Veterans Affairs budget came up on the House floor May 18, Rep. Sean Maloney (D.-N.Y.) filed his own amendment that would have banned federal contractors from making employment decisions based on gender lifestyle or sexual orientation.", "Maloney is one of a handful of homosexuals serving in Congress and he was joined by upwards of 35 Republicans voting for his amendment, which appeared to pass. The House Republican leadership realized what was happening, and the presiding officer Rep. Doug Collins (R.-Ga.) did not gavel the vote closed until enough Republicans changed their votes.", "Maloney was not done. The next big must-pass bill on the House floor was the $37.4 billion appropriation for water projects, green energy subsidies, and other programs, such as upgrades to security to nuclear power facilities. Maloney filed his pro-LGBT amendment again.", "This time, just before 11 p.m May 25, his amendment was added to the fund bill because 43 Republicans joined Maloney, including key allies of Speaker Paul Ryan (R.-Wis.). The supporters included powerful members of Ryan’s House Republican Steering Committee, plus Rep. Greg Walden (R.-Oregon), the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. The NRCC is the influential committee that raises campaign funds for House Republicans.", "The first time Maloney had gone after the Russell Amendment, he lost 212 to 213. But in this second attempt, he won 233 to 186—when there was no effort by the House Republican leadership to beat it back.", "So Russell and his supporters pushed back in a meeting the next morning of GOP legislators. After their show of strength, Speaker Paul Ryan (R.-Wis.) and the Republican leadership temporarily dropped the bill amid the torrent of criticism from the conservatives.", "Russell said there is a feeling inside the GOP House Conference that whenever there is a need for someone to back off, it is the conservatives who have to take the dive. “While we respect the districts of all our members, many were disappointed that accommodation seems to only be one way.”", "Russell said it is possible to save the appropriations process for fiscal year 2017. “The GOP and Democrats could make that possible if we drew a truce that neither side load up language like Mr. Maloney ran on the E&W bill,” he said. “This [funding bill] has never been about that fight,” the retired lieutenant colonel said." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/05/30/russell-will-continue-defend-religious-freedom-lgbt-lobby/
Rep. Stephen Russell: Support Religious Freedom Against LGBT Lobby Congress should pass appropriations bills that don’t restrict legal rights for Americans, says the Oklahoma congressman who is now leading the fight to protect religious freedom from a coalition of liberal Republican and Democratic legislators. “My hope would be that we could run clean appropriations,” said Rep. Stephen Russell (R.-Okla.). “My efforts have been about protecting the 1st Amendment and the free exercise of religion” from legislators who would restrict religious rights to favor sexual minorities, he said. This year, Democrats — and some Republicans — are trying to raise the legal status of transgenderism in American law. Their goal is to pressure Americans to accept the idea that any man or women can choose the “gender identity” of the opposite sex. That push has sparked fights this year over bathroom privacy in North Carolina, and also in K-12 schools around the nation. Russell passed his own amendment April 28 to the House’s version of the Pentagon budget, effectively shielding federal contractors — who include religious corporations, religious associations, religious educational institutions, and religious societies — from Obama’s Executive Order 13672. The executive order effectively forces contractors to comply with the Employment Non-Discrimination Act or ENDA, which has been repeatedly defeated by Congress. The congressman said his April amendment sets federal government policy in line with the language in the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. “What the amendment does do is prevent discrimination based on religious free exercise for narrow specific groups,” said Russell, who led the 2013 search and capture of Saddam Hussein. Those protected would have included faith-based groups with a contract to provide social services or a part-time chaplain contracted to minister to troops. “Over 200 of us [legislators] felt that a serious assault is being perpetrated on the free exercise of religion, particularly since the religious liberty amendment in the defense authorization merely codified exceptions under current law and did not prevent anyone from being able to contract,” Russell said. But the LGBT coalition is pushing hard for its goals. When the Veterans Affairs budget came up on the House floor May 18, Rep. Sean Maloney (D.-N.Y.) filed his own amendment that would have banned federal contractors from making employment decisions based on gender lifestyle or sexual orientation. Maloney is one of a handful of homosexuals serving in Congress and he was joined by upwards of 35 Republicans voting for his amendment, which appeared to pass. The House Republican leadership realized what was happening, and the presiding officer Rep. Doug Collins (R.-Ga.) did not gavel the vote closed until enough Republicans changed their votes. Maloney was not done. The next big must-pass bill on the House floor was the $37.4 billion appropriation for water projects, green energy subsidies, and other programs, such as upgrades to security to nuclear power facilities. Maloney filed his pro-LGBT amendment again. This time, just before 11 p.m May 25, his amendment was added to the fund bill because 43 Republicans joined Maloney, including key allies of Speaker Paul Ryan (R.-Wis.). The supporters included powerful members of Ryan’s House Republican Steering Committee, plus Rep. Greg Walden (R.-Oregon), the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. The NRCC is the influential committee that raises campaign funds for House Republicans. The first time Maloney had gone after the Russell Amendment, he lost 212 to 213. But in this second attempt, he won 233 to 186—when there was no effort by the House Republican leadership to beat it back. So Russell and his supporters pushed back in a meeting the next morning of GOP legislators. After their show of strength, Speaker Paul Ryan (R.-Wis.) and the Republican leadership temporarily dropped the bill amid the torrent of criticism from the conservatives. Russell said there is a feeling inside the GOP House Conference that whenever there is a need for someone to back off, it is the conservatives who have to take the dive. “While we respect the districts of all our members, many were disappointed that accommodation seems to only be one way.” Russell said it is possible to save the appropriations process for fiscal year 2017. “The GOP and Democrats could make that possible if we drew a truce that neither side load up language like Mr. Maloney ran on the E&W bill,” he said. “This [funding bill] has never been about that fight,” the retired lieutenant colonel said.
FNC's Napolitano on Dems Pursuing Obstruction: 'May Very Well Explode in Their Faces'
2019-04-18
[ "With Democrats eyeing obstruction of justice against President Donald Trump in the wake of FBI special counsel Robert Mueller’s report concluding no collusion with Russia in the 2016 presidential election, senior Fox News judicial analyst Andrew Napolitano offered up some advice.", "Napolitano said the “serious legal jeopardy” for Trump is “gone” and warned that pursuing obstruction of justice could “explode in their faces.”", "“[W]hat the Democrats want to do, this may very well explode in their faces politically, Stuart, is second-guess Bill Barr and Bob Mueller,” Napolitano told Fox Business Network’s Stuart Varney. “Now, Barr told us that there were 10 instances of alleged obstruction of justice. Whatever the bottom line is, they decided there’s not enough to prove the case. The Democrats are going to take those 10 instances and parade some lawyers out there, ex-prosecutors who’ll say there is enough to prove the case. Which is why I said this just turns the page. The serious legal jeopardy for the president is gone. The political jeopardy, he knows how to deal with.”", "He added, “To the Democrats and the Trump haters, it’s fuel for them to continue digging more deeply into this. I think they’re making a mistake doing it, but I predict they’re going to do it because that’s what they think their base wants.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2019/04/18/fncs-napolitano-on-dems-pursuing-obstruction-may-very-well-explode-in-their-faces/
FNC's Napolitano on Dems Pursuing Obstruction: 'May Very Well Explode in Their Faces' With Democrats eyeing obstruction of justice against President Donald Trump in the wake of FBI special counsel Robert Mueller’s report concluding no collusion with Russia in the 2016 presidential election, senior Fox News judicial analyst Andrew Napolitano offered up some advice. Napolitano said the “serious legal jeopardy” for Trump is “gone” and warned that pursuing obstruction of justice could “explode in their faces.” “[W]hat the Democrats want to do, this may very well explode in their faces politically, Stuart, is second-guess Bill Barr and Bob Mueller,” Napolitano told Fox Business Network’s Stuart Varney. “Now, Barr told us that there were 10 instances of alleged obstruction of justice. Whatever the bottom line is, they decided there’s not enough to prove the case. The Democrats are going to take those 10 instances and parade some lawyers out there, ex-prosecutors who’ll say there is enough to prove the case. Which is why I said this just turns the page. The serious legal jeopardy for the president is gone. The political jeopardy, he knows how to deal with.” He added, “To the Democrats and the Trump haters, it’s fuel for them to continue digging more deeply into this. I think they’re making a mistake doing it, but I predict they’re going to do it because that’s what they think their base wants.”
NYT Columnist: Ilhan Omar Is a ‘Bridge Destroyer’
2019-03-09
[ "New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman told CNN’s Smerconish on Saturday that Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) did nothing to build bridges with Jews and Muslims after her recent antisemitic comments about Israel and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).", "Friedman said that while Omar had the opportunity to “build bridges” between the Jewish and Somali-Muslims who reside in her district, she squandered that opportunity by repeatedly pushing forth antisemitic tropes.", "“Ilhan Omar represents, I believe, the biggest Jewish community in the whole upper Midwest,” Friedman told CNN in a Saturday interview. “She represents that community. She also represents a Somali immigrant community that’s come to our city since then and added their voices and their richness and their culture.”", "“She was perfectly poised to be a bridge-builder between Muslims and Jews, between Arabs and Israelis,” Friedman continued. “And rather than come to Washington and be a bridge-builder, she has come to be a bridge-destroyer.”", "Friedman’s CNN interview comes days after he penned a column in the New York Times blasting Omar for accusing pro-Israel Americans of pledging “dual loyalty” to both Israel and the U.S.", "“When I see that dual-loyalty charge coming from a congresswoman who first signaled opposition to B.D.S. and then support for it, when I see it coming from a congresswoman who has never been to Israel…it makes me suspicious of her motives,” Friedman wrote on Wednesday.", "“If she thinks the only reason that Americans support Israel is because of AIPAC and campaign contributions, she is dead wrong,” he wrote.", "Omar, who had been forced to apologize for posting an antisemitic tweet accusing AIPAC of buying the support of congressional lawmakers, has continued to make anti-Israel remarks despite receiving backlash from both Republicans and Democrats.", "The Minnesota Democrat has defied calls from Democrat colleagues urging her to apologize for her statements, and doubled down on a comment she made recently alleging that pro-Israel Americans pledge “allegiance” to foreign nations." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2019/03/09/new-york-times-columnist-thomas-friedman-ilhan-omar-is-a-bridge-destroyer/
NYT Columnist: Ilhan Omar Is a ‘Bridge Destroyer’ New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman told CNN’s Smerconish on Saturday that Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) did nothing to build bridges with Jews and Muslims after her recent antisemitic comments about Israel and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Friedman said that while Omar had the opportunity to “build bridges” between the Jewish and Somali-Muslims who reside in her district, she squandered that opportunity by repeatedly pushing forth antisemitic tropes. “Ilhan Omar represents, I believe, the biggest Jewish community in the whole upper Midwest,” Friedman told CNN in a Saturday interview. “She represents that community. She also represents a Somali immigrant community that’s come to our city since then and added their voices and their richness and their culture.” “She was perfectly poised to be a bridge-builder between Muslims and Jews, between Arabs and Israelis,” Friedman continued. “And rather than come to Washington and be a bridge-builder, she has come to be a bridge-destroyer.” Friedman’s CNN interview comes days after he penned a column in the New York Times blasting Omar for accusing pro-Israel Americans of pledging “dual loyalty” to both Israel and the U.S. “When I see that dual-loyalty charge coming from a congresswoman who first signaled opposition to B.D.S. and then support for it, when I see it coming from a congresswoman who has never been to Israel…it makes me suspicious of her motives,” Friedman wrote on Wednesday. “If she thinks the only reason that Americans support Israel is because of AIPAC and campaign contributions, she is dead wrong,” he wrote. Omar, who had been forced to apologize for posting an antisemitic tweet accusing AIPAC of buying the support of congressional lawmakers, has continued to make anti-Israel remarks despite receiving backlash from both Republicans and Democrats. The Minnesota Democrat has defied calls from Democrat colleagues urging her to apologize for her statements, and doubled down on a comment she made recently alleging that pro-Israel Americans pledge “allegiance” to foreign nations.
WSJ/NBC Poll: Nearly 6-in-10 Concerned About Easing Restrictions Too Quickly
2020-04-20
[ "Nearly six-in-10 registered voters are worried that easing restrictions too quickly during the coronavirus crisis will lead to more deaths, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released on Sunday.", "That is compared to just 32 percent who are more concerned “that the U.S. will take too long in loosening restrictions, which will harm the economy.”", "Bill McInturff, the poll’s GOP pollster, said the national poll is a “powerful signal” that the country is not ready to completely re-open on May 1.", "The poll is not an outlier.", "As I noted, a Pew Research poll released last week found that “66% of Americans say their greater concern is that state governments will lift restrictions on public activity too quickly” compared to 32% who “say they are more concerned about governments not lifting restrictions quickly enough.”", "A Gallup poll conducted last week also found that more Americans are worried about getting the coronavirus than suffering severe financial hardship.", "The poll of 900 registered voters was conducted April 13-15 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percentage points." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/04/19/wsj-nbc-poll-nearly-6-in-10-concerned-about-easing-restrictions-too-quickly/
WSJ/NBC Poll: Nearly 6-in-10 Concerned About Easing Restrictions Too Quickly Nearly six-in-10 registered voters are worried that easing restrictions too quickly during the coronavirus crisis will lead to more deaths, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll released on Sunday. That is compared to just 32 percent who are more concerned “that the U.S. will take too long in loosening restrictions, which will harm the economy.” Bill McInturff, the poll’s GOP pollster, said the national poll is a “powerful signal” that the country is not ready to completely re-open on May 1. The poll is not an outlier. As I noted, a Pew Research poll released last week found that “66% of Americans say their greater concern is that state governments will lift restrictions on public activity too quickly” compared to 32% who “say they are more concerned about governments not lifting restrictions quickly enough.” A Gallup poll conducted last week also found that more Americans are worried about getting the coronavirus than suffering severe financial hardship. The poll of 900 registered voters was conducted April 13-15 and has a margin of error of +/- 3.3 percentage points.
Dem Rep. Yarmuth: If Trump Is Removed GOP Would Nominate Nikki Haley in 2020, Not Pence
2019-12-02
[ "On Monday’s broadcast of CNN’s “At This Hour,” Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) said if President Donald Trump is removed from office as a result of impeachment, Republicans will select former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley as his replacement for 2020.", "Yarmuth said, “I do think it is the right thing to do to remove him from office. I believe he’s an imminent danger to this country and our democracy.”", "He continued, “The political consequences of that might not be good for Democrats because if we remove him from office, I will guarantee you the Republican Party would not nominate Mike Pence to succeed him. They would nominate someone like Nikki Haley, who would be much more difficult for Democrats to defeat.”", "He added, “I don’t think this is about politics, and I don’t think we should consider politics, I just think it could be bad politics.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2019/12/02/dem-rep-yarmuth-if-trump-is-removed-gop-would-nominate-nikki-haley-in-2020-not-pence/
Dem Rep. Yarmuth: If Trump Is Removed GOP Would Nominate Nikki Haley in 2020, Not Pence On Monday’s broadcast of CNN’s “At This Hour,” Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) said if President Donald Trump is removed from office as a result of impeachment, Republicans will select former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley as his replacement for 2020. Yarmuth said, “I do think it is the right thing to do to remove him from office. I believe he’s an imminent danger to this country and our democracy.” He continued, “The political consequences of that might not be good for Democrats because if we remove him from office, I will guarantee you the Republican Party would not nominate Mike Pence to succeed him. They would nominate someone like Nikki Haley, who would be much more difficult for Democrats to defeat.” He added, “I don’t think this is about politics, and I don’t think we should consider politics, I just think it could be bad politics.”
Former Director: FBI Isn't Broken, Criticizing It Threatens the Rule of Law
2019-12-16
[ "Former CIA and FBI Director William Webster declared in an op-ed Monday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is not a “broken institution” and criticizing it threatens the “rule of law,” in an attempt to quell public outcry over agents’ misconduct during the 2016 election.", "Webster’s full-throated defense of the two agencies comes amid the fallout from the Department of Justice Inspector General (IG) report, in which it was confirmed that FBI officials made 17 “significant inaccuracies and omissions” in its submissions to the FISA court to obtain warrants to surveil former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page during the 2016 presidential election.", "“The privilege of being the only American in our history to serve as the director of both the F.B.I. and the C.I.A. gives me a unique perspective and a responsibility to speak out about a dire threat to the rule of law in the country I love,” Webster wrote in the New York Times. “Order protects liberty, and liberty protects order. Today, the integrity of the institutions that protect our civil order are, tragically, under assault from too many people whose job it should be to protect them.”", "“The rule of law is the bedrock of American democracy, the principle that protects every American from the abuse of monarchs, despots and tyrants. Every American should demand that our leaders put the rule of law above politics,” he added.", "Webster then lashed out at President Donald Trump for criticizing the FBI over DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s findings, suggesting his remarks threaten the bureau’s independence. The former official expressed his full confidence in FBI Director Christopher Wray and said the notion that he could be removed from his post, akin to the bureau’s previous director, James Comey, “disturbs me greatly.”", "“The president’s thinly veiled suggestion that the director, Christopher Wray, like his banished predecessor, James Comey, could be on the chopping block, disturbs me greatly,” he wrote. “The independence of both the F.B.I. and its director are critical and should be fiercely protected by each branch of government.”", "Webster then took aim at the president for referring to anti-Trump FBI officials implicated in Horowitz’s report as “scum” and attempted to cast doubt on Attorney General William Barr’s independence, citing U.S. Attorney John Durham’s now-criminal investigation into the origins of the FBI’s Russia probe.", "“I know firsthand the professionalism of the men and women of the F.B.I. The aspersions cast upon them by the president and my longtime friend, Attorney General William P. Barr, are troubling in the extreme Calling F.B.I. professionals ‘scum,’ as the president did, is a slur against people who risk their lives to keep us safe,” he wrote. “Mr. Barr’s charges of bias within the F.B.I., made without providing any evidence and in direct dispute of the findings of the nonpartisan inspector general, risk inflicting enduring damage on this critically important institution.”", "He continued: “As a lawyer and a former federal judge, I made it clear when I headed both the F.B.I. and the C.I.A. that the rule of law would be paramount in all we did. While both agencies are staffed by imperfect human beings, the American people should understand that both agencies are composed of some of the most law-abiding, patriotic and dedicated people I have ever met. While their faces and actions are not seen by most Americans, rest assured that they are serving our country well.”", "Webster’s op-ed comes one day after Comey conceded the IG report revealed the bureau’s “sloppiness” with respect to its FISA application use against the Trump campaign.", "“He’s right. I was wrong,” Comey told Fox News Sunday when pressed on Horowitz’s findings. “I was overconfident as director in our procedures of the FBI and Justice have built over 20 years years. I thought they were robust enough. It’s incredibly hard to get a FISA. I was overconfident in those because he’s right, there was real sloppiness — 17 things that should have been in the application or at least discussed and characterized differently. It was not acceptable, so he’s right.”", "Comey’s admission prompted President Trump to once again demand the fired FBI director to apologize for surveilling his campaign and even hinted that he could face imprisonment for the deeply flawed probe.", "“So now Comey’s admitting he was wrong. Wow, but he’s only doing so because he got caught red handed. He was actually caught a long time ago. So what are the consequences for his unlawful conduct. Could it be years in jail? Where are the apologies to me and others, Jim?” the president tweeted." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/12/16/former-director-fbi-not-a-broken-institution-criticizing-it-threatens-rule-of-law/
Former Director: FBI Isn't Broken, Criticizing It Threatens the Rule of Law Former CIA and FBI Director William Webster declared in an op-ed Monday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is not a “broken institution” and criticizing it threatens the “rule of law,” in an attempt to quell public outcry over agents’ misconduct during the 2016 election. Webster’s full-throated defense of the two agencies comes amid the fallout from the Department of Justice Inspector General (IG) report, in which it was confirmed that FBI officials made 17 “significant inaccuracies and omissions” in its submissions to the FISA court to obtain warrants to surveil former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page during the 2016 presidential election. “The privilege of being the only American in our history to serve as the director of both the F.B.I. and the C.I.A. gives me a unique perspective and a responsibility to speak out about a dire threat to the rule of law in the country I love,” Webster wrote in the New York Times. “Order protects liberty, and liberty protects order. Today, the integrity of the institutions that protect our civil order are, tragically, under assault from too many people whose job it should be to protect them.” “The rule of law is the bedrock of American democracy, the principle that protects every American from the abuse of monarchs, despots and tyrants. Every American should demand that our leaders put the rule of law above politics,” he added. Webster then lashed out at President Donald Trump for criticizing the FBI over DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz’s findings, suggesting his remarks threaten the bureau’s independence. The former official expressed his full confidence in FBI Director Christopher Wray and said the notion that he could be removed from his post, akin to the bureau’s previous director, James Comey, “disturbs me greatly.” “The president’s thinly veiled suggestion that the director, Christopher Wray, like his banished predecessor, James Comey, could be on the chopping block, disturbs me greatly,” he wrote. “The independence of both the F.B.I. and its director are critical and should be fiercely protected by each branch of government.” Webster then took aim at the president for referring to anti-Trump FBI officials implicated in Horowitz’s report as “scum” and attempted to cast doubt on Attorney General William Barr’s independence, citing U.S. Attorney John Durham’s now-criminal investigation into the origins of the FBI’s Russia probe. “I know firsthand the professionalism of the men and women of the F.B.I. The aspersions cast upon them by the president and my longtime friend, Attorney General William P. Barr, are troubling in the extreme Calling F.B.I. professionals ‘scum,’ as the president did, is a slur against people who risk their lives to keep us safe,” he wrote. “Mr. Barr’s charges of bias within the F.B.I., made without providing any evidence and in direct dispute of the findings of the nonpartisan inspector general, risk inflicting enduring damage on this critically important institution.” He continued: “As a lawyer and a former federal judge, I made it clear when I headed both the F.B.I. and the C.I.A. that the rule of law would be paramount in all we did. While both agencies are staffed by imperfect human beings, the American people should understand that both agencies are composed of some of the most law-abiding, patriotic and dedicated people I have ever met. While their faces and actions are not seen by most Americans, rest assured that they are serving our country well.” Webster’s op-ed comes one day after Comey conceded the IG report revealed the bureau’s “sloppiness” with respect to its FISA application use against the Trump campaign. “He’s right. I was wrong,” Comey told Fox News Sunday when pressed on Horowitz’s findings. “I was overconfident as director in our procedures of the FBI and Justice have built over 20 years years. I thought they were robust enough. It’s incredibly hard to get a FISA. I was overconfident in those because he’s right, there was real sloppiness — 17 things that should have been in the application or at least discussed and characterized differently. It was not acceptable, so he’s right.” Comey’s admission prompted President Trump to once again demand the fired FBI director to apologize for surveilling his campaign and even hinted that he could face imprisonment for the deeply flawed probe. “So now Comey’s admitting he was wrong. Wow, but he’s only doing so because he got caught red handed. He was actually caught a long time ago. So what are the consequences for his unlawful conduct. Could it be years in jail? Where are the apologies to me and others, Jim?” the president tweeted.
Donald Trump Plays Biden 'Hairy Legs' Video at New Hampshire Rally
2020-10-25
[ "President Donald Trump continued playing videos of former Vice President Joe Biden’s worst moments of his political career at a rally in New Hampshire on Sunday.", "The latest video featured a famous resurfaced clip of the vice president talking about his days as a lifeguard.", "“I got hairy legs that turned — blonde in the sun. And the kids used to come up and reach into the pool and rub my leg down so it was straight and watch the hair come back up again,” Biden recalled during a speech in June 2017.", "The former vice president then said he “learned about kids jumping on my lap, and I loved kids jumping on my lap.”", "The video was resurfaced and widely ridiculed in 2019 and remains online as one of the oddest speeches made by the vice president.", "Trump also played a video of Biden vowing to end the Trump tax cuts and raise taxes if elected president.", "The president debuted the ability to play videos on a large screen for his supporters at rallies last week in Pennsylvania.", "The list of highlight videos includes Biden’s position on banning fracking, cutting Social Security, and defunding the police." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/25/donald-trump-plays-joe-biden-hairy-legs-video-crowd-new-hampshire-rally/?fbclid=IwAR1gbGxkbLjHDsdf7f_oue2ORjWASSfAACzmqwrRBDQh9aSf9gYfQIScr78
Donald Trump Plays Biden 'Hairy Legs' Video at New Hampshire Rally President Donald Trump continued playing videos of former Vice President Joe Biden’s worst moments of his political career at a rally in New Hampshire on Sunday. The latest video featured a famous resurfaced clip of the vice president talking about his days as a lifeguard. “I got hairy legs that turned — blonde in the sun. And the kids used to come up and reach into the pool and rub my leg down so it was straight and watch the hair come back up again,” Biden recalled during a speech in June 2017. The former vice president then said he “learned about kids jumping on my lap, and I loved kids jumping on my lap.” The video was resurfaced and widely ridiculed in 2019 and remains online as one of the oddest speeches made by the vice president. Trump also played a video of Biden vowing to end the Trump tax cuts and raise taxes if elected president. The president debuted the ability to play videos on a large screen for his supporters at rallies last week in Pennsylvania. The list of highlight videos includes Biden’s position on banning fracking, cutting Social Security, and defunding the police.
Left-Wing Author: We Need One Billion People to Fight China
2020-09-11
[ "The government should import more than 500 million migrants to inflate the nation’s geostrategic power against China, according to the left-wing author of a new book.", "“To stay on top, we probably need to grow the country threefold [from 330 million] — to one billion Americans,” says an August 31 op-ed by Matthew Yglesias, an elite-leftist progressive founder of Vox.com.", "That idea “is the most ludicrous manifestation of a pretty widespread view of immigration as a tool for America’s elite to compete with the rest of the world,” responded Mark Krikorian, director of the Center for Immigration Studies.", "Immigration policy should “serve the interests of individual Americans,” rather than the personal interests of globalist advocates, he said, adding:", "For all his flaws, [President Donald] Trump understands that government policy, including the federal immigration program, should be designed to help Americans thrive and live better lives. It is not to play some kind of geopolitical chess game.", "What should be more important for the U.S. government? The gas station attendant in Iowa or the state of geopolitics in Burundi? The gas station attendant is the one whom the American government is supposed to serve.", "Despite Trump’s election, many officials in the federal government are eager to use national immigration for their particular foreign policy goals, he said. For example, he said, the Department of State will find “people who are creating geopolitical problems [such Nepalese migrants in next-door Bhutan] and toss them over their shoulder back into America-land. Then the problem is solved because there are no more Nepali refugees in Bhutan, and everything’s great.”", "Yglesias argues that the myriad domestic problems that will be caused by his one-billion-people strategy against China can be fixed once his population policy becomes law:", "Of course, tripling the population could also cause a number of problems. Traffic jams could get worse. Rent could go up. Water access would be stretched thinner. There’d be more pollution. These are, unfortunately, real concerns. And the exact details of how best to structure family-support programs, how best to pay for them, exactly which additional immigrants to let in, and how to improve our infrastructure and increase our housing stock are good subjects to argue about. But think of how much healthier our politics would be if there were really a debate about how to accomplish great things rather than a food fight over semi-imagined offenses to “real Americans.”", "By putting quote marks around “Real Americans,” said Krikorian, Yglesias is “mocking the concerns of critics. … He’s questioning the idea that Americans have any right to defend their own interests.”", "The damage of mass migration include the dilution of political and workplace power by ordinary Americans, the civic and economic turmoil caused by chaotic diversity, and the shift of economic power and of real-estate wealth from innovative Americans to coastal corporations.", "“What he is proposing is a nation-breaking policy,” said Krikorian. “That’s not something you can just work out with better welfare policies.”", "Krikorian added, “It is almost comical to hear from the left-wing editor of Vox that we need to be engaging in a geopolitical population race with China. … It is as if [Sen.] John McCain got reincarnated.”", "Immigration shifts wealth from wages to stocks, from young to old, from central states to the coasts, from the many to the few.", "Yes, migrants get huge relative gains in pay & civic life by moving into US." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2020/09/11/left-wing-author-we-need-one-billion-people-to-fight-china/
Left-Wing Author: We Need One Billion People to Fight China The government should import more than 500 million migrants to inflate the nation’s geostrategic power against China, according to the left-wing author of a new book. “To stay on top, we probably need to grow the country threefold [from 330 million] — to one billion Americans,” says an August 31 op-ed by Matthew Yglesias, an elite-leftist progressive founder of Vox.com. That idea “is the most ludicrous manifestation of a pretty widespread view of immigration as a tool for America’s elite to compete with the rest of the world,” responded Mark Krikorian, director of the Center for Immigration Studies. Immigration policy should “serve the interests of individual Americans,” rather than the personal interests of globalist advocates, he said, adding: For all his flaws, [President Donald] Trump understands that government policy, including the federal immigration program, should be designed to help Americans thrive and live better lives. It is not to play some kind of geopolitical chess game. What should be more important for the U.S. government? The gas station attendant in Iowa or the state of geopolitics in Burundi? The gas station attendant is the one whom the American government is supposed to serve. Despite Trump’s election, many officials in the federal government are eager to use national immigration for their particular foreign policy goals, he said. For example, he said, the Department of State will find “people who are creating geopolitical problems [such Nepalese migrants in next-door Bhutan] and toss them over their shoulder back into America-land. Then the problem is solved because there are no more Nepali refugees in Bhutan, and everything’s great.” Yglesias argues that the myriad domestic problems that will be caused by his one-billion-people strategy against China can be fixed once his population policy becomes law: Of course, tripling the population could also cause a number of problems. Traffic jams could get worse. Rent could go up. Water access would be stretched thinner. There’d be more pollution. These are, unfortunately, real concerns. And the exact details of how best to structure family-support programs, how best to pay for them, exactly which additional immigrants to let in, and how to improve our infrastructure and increase our housing stock are good subjects to argue about. But think of how much healthier our politics would be if there were really a debate about how to accomplish great things rather than a food fight over semi-imagined offenses to “real Americans.” By putting quote marks around “Real Americans,” said Krikorian, Yglesias is “mocking the concerns of critics. … He’s questioning the idea that Americans have any right to defend their own interests.” The damage of mass migration include the dilution of political and workplace power by ordinary Americans, the civic and economic turmoil caused by chaotic diversity, and the shift of economic power and of real-estate wealth from innovative Americans to coastal corporations. “What he is proposing is a nation-breaking policy,” said Krikorian. “That’s not something you can just work out with better welfare policies.” Krikorian added, “It is almost comical to hear from the left-wing editor of Vox that we need to be engaging in a geopolitical population race with China. … It is as if [Sen.] John McCain got reincarnated.” Immigration shifts wealth from wages to stocks, from young to old, from central states to the coasts, from the many to the few. Yes, migrants get huge relative gains in pay & civic life by moving into US.
Club for Growth Plans Anti-Trump Ad in Wisconsin, 'To Stop Trump, Vote for Cruz'
2016-03-24
[ "The Club for Growth, which has long opposed GOP frontrunner Donald Trump and recently endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), is planning to run an anti-Trump television ad in Wisconsin ahead of the state’s primary on April 5.", "“Donald Trump is the worst candidate in the Republican field, and he can’t win in November,” said Club for Growth president David McIntosh. “It’s time for Republicans to rally around Ted Cruz, the one candidate who can lead the party to victory.”", "The 30- second ad titled “Math” states:", "IF YOU DON’T WANT DONALD TRUMP TO WIN, YOUR CHOICE COMES DOWN TO THIS: MATH.", "ONLY TED CRUZ CAN BEAT DONALD TRUMP.", "JOHN KASICH CAN’T DO IT.", "THE MATH WON’T WORK.", "A VOTE FOR KASICH ACTUALLY HELPS TRUMP, BY DIVIDING THE OPPOSITION.", "IT’S TIME TO PUT DIFFERENCES ASIDE.", "TO STOP TRUMP, VOTE FOR CRUZ.", "The $1 million ad buy will begin airing on March 26." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/03/24/club-for-growth-runs-anti-trump-ad-in-wisconsin-to-stop-trump-vote-for-cruz/
Club for Growth Plans Anti-Trump Ad in Wisconsin, 'To Stop Trump, Vote for Cruz' The Club for Growth, which has long opposed GOP frontrunner Donald Trump and recently endorsed Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), is planning to run an anti-Trump television ad in Wisconsin ahead of the state’s primary on April 5. “Donald Trump is the worst candidate in the Republican field, and he can’t win in November,” said Club for Growth president David McIntosh. “It’s time for Republicans to rally around Ted Cruz, the one candidate who can lead the party to victory.” The 30- second ad titled “Math” states: IF YOU DON’T WANT DONALD TRUMP TO WIN, YOUR CHOICE COMES DOWN TO THIS: MATH. ONLY TED CRUZ CAN BEAT DONALD TRUMP. JOHN KASICH CAN’T DO IT. THE MATH WON’T WORK. A VOTE FOR KASICH ACTUALLY HELPS TRUMP, BY DIVIDING THE OPPOSITION. IT’S TIME TO PUT DIFFERENCES ASIDE. TO STOP TRUMP, VOTE FOR CRUZ. The $1 million ad buy will begin airing on March 26.
Report: DNC to Reject Proposal for ‘Virtual Caucuses’ in Iowa, Nevada
2019-08-30
[ "The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is expected to reject a proposal to implement and embrace “virtual caucuses” in Iowa and Nevada, according to recent reports.", "The DNC will reportedly reject plans for a series of “virtual caucuses” in the states due to ongoing security concerns:", "And here it is: DNC says it's ready to grant a waver to Iowa/Nevada even if they aren't able to hold \"virtual caucuses.\"", "As the Des Moines Register reported:", "The decision was confirmed to the Des Moines Register late Thursday by two sources close to the conversations. It follows a meeting of the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee last week in San Francisco, where members voiced concerns about the security of the Iowa plan and the potential for hacking.", "The recommendation, which is expected to be formally announced Friday, must be approved by the Rules and Bylaws Committee.", "The move would have allowed registered Democrat voters to participate in the Iowa caucuses without being physically present, using a phone instead. The caucuses have long been the target of critics, who say that it is unfair to people who cannot get off work or do not have time to participate in what can be an hours-long process.", "“These changes will make the 2020 caucuses the most accessible, the most transparent, the most secure and the most successful caucuses ever,” Iowa Democrat Party Chairman Troy Price told reporters in February.", "The process would have required registered voters to apply online prior to the virtual caucus and confirm their identity via “multi-factor authentication,” according to Fox News.", "Additionally, per a National Public Radio (NPR) report:", "The plan proposed by the state party would have allowed people to participate in one of six virtual caucuses in late January or early February. The technical details had not been made public yet, but an initial plan released earlier this year said the virtual caucuses “may include a teleconference, online virtual conference or another secure method.”", "The proposal was part of an effort to abide by the DNC’s request “requiring caucus states to allow some form of absentee voting.” Given the DNC’s decision to nix the move, the state party officials will have to go back to the drawing board.", "“If Iowa can’t come up with a plan for people to participate without being physically present that differs substantially from a primary, the future of Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status could be thrown into question,” the Des Moines Register reported:", "Presidential candidate Julián Castro (D) slammed the decision, claiming that it will “disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters, and decrease turnout by up to a third” and calling it “an affront to the principles of our democracy”:" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/08/30/report-dnc-to-reject-proposal-for-virtual-caucuses-in-iowa-nevada/
Report: DNC to Reject Proposal for ‘Virtual Caucuses’ in Iowa, Nevada The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is expected to reject a proposal to implement and embrace “virtual caucuses” in Iowa and Nevada, according to recent reports. The DNC will reportedly reject plans for a series of “virtual caucuses” in the states due to ongoing security concerns: And here it is: DNC says it's ready to grant a waver to Iowa/Nevada even if they aren't able to hold "virtual caucuses." As the Des Moines Register reported: The decision was confirmed to the Des Moines Register late Thursday by two sources close to the conversations. It follows a meeting of the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee last week in San Francisco, where members voiced concerns about the security of the Iowa plan and the potential for hacking. The recommendation, which is expected to be formally announced Friday, must be approved by the Rules and Bylaws Committee. The move would have allowed registered Democrat voters to participate in the Iowa caucuses without being physically present, using a phone instead. The caucuses have long been the target of critics, who say that it is unfair to people who cannot get off work or do not have time to participate in what can be an hours-long process. “These changes will make the 2020 caucuses the most accessible, the most transparent, the most secure and the most successful caucuses ever,” Iowa Democrat Party Chairman Troy Price told reporters in February. The process would have required registered voters to apply online prior to the virtual caucus and confirm their identity via “multi-factor authentication,” according to Fox News. Additionally, per a National Public Radio (NPR) report: The plan proposed by the state party would have allowed people to participate in one of six virtual caucuses in late January or early February. The technical details had not been made public yet, but an initial plan released earlier this year said the virtual caucuses “may include a teleconference, online virtual conference or another secure method.” The proposal was part of an effort to abide by the DNC’s request “requiring caucus states to allow some form of absentee voting.” Given the DNC’s decision to nix the move, the state party officials will have to go back to the drawing board. “If Iowa can’t come up with a plan for people to participate without being physically present that differs substantially from a primary, the future of Iowa’s first-in-the-nation status could be thrown into question,” the Des Moines Register reported: Presidential candidate Julián Castro (D) slammed the decision, claiming that it will “disenfranchise tens of thousands of voters, and decrease turnout by up to a third” and calling it “an affront to the principles of our democracy”:
Rudy Giuliani: I Wouldn't Hire [Clinton] as the Dog Catcher of New York City
2016-09-02
[ "Wearing a “Make Mexico Great Again Also” hat, America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani had high praise for the Republican nominee’s historic and “courageous trip to Mexico to go meet the President of Mexico.” Speaking from the podium in front of thousands of screaming Trump supporters in Phoenix, Arizona Wednesday night, Giuliani slammed Hillary Clinton for her stance on illegal immigration.", "According to Giuliani, he would not hire Hillary Clinton to be dog catcher. “Based on her experience as Secretary of State, I wouldn’t hire her as the dog catcher of New York City.”", "“She’ll open our borders even more. Look at the situation with the Syrian refugees” Giuliani proclaimed. “We have all these refugees from Syria, all of that caused by the fact that President Obama and Hillary Clinton have totally ruined the Middle East. Hillary Clinton is running on her experience as Secretary of State.”", "As Giuliani went on with his speech, he began to remind the crowd of all the dirty dealings that Clinton has done both before she was Secretary of State, during, and even after. All of these dirty dealings would have landed any normal American in jail, but somehow Clinton has gotten away with it.", "In regard to the emails, Giuliani highlighted, “You would have been indicted and arrested now, eight months ago, 10 months ago if you did what she did. If you destroyed 33,000 e-mails, and now we find that she lied about them, they didn’t contain references to Benghazi, a lie. They contained references to Benghazi.”", "After covering the email scandal, Giuliani moved on to Clinton’s supposed “feminist” platform in relation to the Clinton Foundation dealings. “She takes millions and millions and millions of dollars and her husband takes millions of dollars in speaking fees from dictators, oppressors, for people who discriminate against women, for people who run countries where women can’t drive cars. And she has the nerve to say the Republican Party has a war on women.” Giuliani continued, “The biggest war on women are all those people she was taking money from.”", "Giuliani ended his speech by asking the crowd a series of questions that highlight what a strong candidate Donald Trump is compared to Clinton. “You want a secure border? You want more jobs? You want a — you want a President who can sit down like Donald Trump did today with the President of Mexico and have a frank and clear discussion and explain what we need for the United States?” The crowd began to loudly applaud and cheer after each question. Yells of “Trump, Trump, Trump” could be heard from the enthusiastic crowd." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/09/02/rudy-giuliani-i-wouldnt-hire-clinton-as-the-dog-catcher-of-new-york-city/
Rudy Giuliani: I Wouldn't Hire [Clinton] as the Dog Catcher of New York City Wearing a “Make Mexico Great Again Also” hat, America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani had high praise for the Republican nominee’s historic and “courageous trip to Mexico to go meet the President of Mexico.” Speaking from the podium in front of thousands of screaming Trump supporters in Phoenix, Arizona Wednesday night, Giuliani slammed Hillary Clinton for her stance on illegal immigration. According to Giuliani, he would not hire Hillary Clinton to be dog catcher. “Based on her experience as Secretary of State, I wouldn’t hire her as the dog catcher of New York City.” “She’ll open our borders even more. Look at the situation with the Syrian refugees” Giuliani proclaimed. “We have all these refugees from Syria, all of that caused by the fact that President Obama and Hillary Clinton have totally ruined the Middle East. Hillary Clinton is running on her experience as Secretary of State.” As Giuliani went on with his speech, he began to remind the crowd of all the dirty dealings that Clinton has done both before she was Secretary of State, during, and even after. All of these dirty dealings would have landed any normal American in jail, but somehow Clinton has gotten away with it. In regard to the emails, Giuliani highlighted, “You would have been indicted and arrested now, eight months ago, 10 months ago if you did what she did. If you destroyed 33,000 e-mails, and now we find that she lied about them, they didn’t contain references to Benghazi, a lie. They contained references to Benghazi.” After covering the email scandal, Giuliani moved on to Clinton’s supposed “feminist” platform in relation to the Clinton Foundation dealings. “She takes millions and millions and millions of dollars and her husband takes millions of dollars in speaking fees from dictators, oppressors, for people who discriminate against women, for people who run countries where women can’t drive cars. And she has the nerve to say the Republican Party has a war on women.” Giuliani continued, “The biggest war on women are all those people she was taking money from.” Giuliani ended his speech by asking the crowd a series of questions that highlight what a strong candidate Donald Trump is compared to Clinton. “You want a secure border? You want more jobs? You want a — you want a President who can sit down like Donald Trump did today with the President of Mexico and have a frank and clear discussion and explain what we need for the United States?” The crowd began to loudly applaud and cheer after each question. Yells of “Trump, Trump, Trump” could be heard from the enthusiastic crowd.
Report: DOJ Would Have Arrested Chauvin at Courthouse If Not Guilty
2021-04-29
[ "President Joe Biden’s Justice Department would have reportedly arrested Derek Chauvin at the courthouse if the jury found him not guilty on all counts.", "The StarTribune reported:", "Leading up to Derek Chauvin’s murder trial, Justice Department officials had spent months gathering evidence to indict the ex-Minneapolis police officer on federal police brutality charges, but they feared the publicity frenzy could disrupt the state’s case.", "So they came up with a contingency plan: If Chauvin were found not guilty on all counts or the case ended in a mistrial, they would arrest him at the courthouse, according to sources familiar with the planning discussions.", "The scenario presumably entailed the Minnesota U.S. Attorney General’s Office charging “Chauvin by criminal complaint — a quicker alternative for a federal charge that doesn’t require a grand jury,” the report says.", "The scheme was not needed. Chauvin was guilty on all three counts. But federal prosecutors purportedly still plan to indict Chauvin with civil rights violations.", "The news comes after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said Sunday there is no evidence George Floyd was a victim of a “hate crime” or racial bias from Chauvin.", "“I wouldn’t call it that because hate crimes are crimes where there’s an explicit motive and of bias,” Ellison stated. “We don’t have any evidence that Derek Chauvin factored in George Floyd’s race as he did what he did.”", "The other three officers at the scene of George Floyd’s arrest, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao, will reportedly also be indicted by a grand jury to be tried in federal court for civil rights violations." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/04/29/report-joe-bidens-doj-would-have-arrested-chauvin-courthouse-found-not-guilty-all-counts/
Report: DOJ Would Have Arrested Chauvin at Courthouse If Not Guilty President Joe Biden’s Justice Department would have reportedly arrested Derek Chauvin at the courthouse if the jury found him not guilty on all counts. The StarTribune reported: Leading up to Derek Chauvin’s murder trial, Justice Department officials had spent months gathering evidence to indict the ex-Minneapolis police officer on federal police brutality charges, but they feared the publicity frenzy could disrupt the state’s case. So they came up with a contingency plan: If Chauvin were found not guilty on all counts or the case ended in a mistrial, they would arrest him at the courthouse, according to sources familiar with the planning discussions. The scenario presumably entailed the Minnesota U.S. Attorney General’s Office charging “Chauvin by criminal complaint — a quicker alternative for a federal charge that doesn’t require a grand jury,” the report says. The scheme was not needed. Chauvin was guilty on all three counts. But federal prosecutors purportedly still plan to indict Chauvin with civil rights violations. The news comes after Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison said Sunday there is no evidence George Floyd was a victim of a “hate crime” or racial bias from Chauvin. “I wouldn’t call it that because hate crimes are crimes where there’s an explicit motive and of bias,” Ellison stated. “We don’t have any evidence that Derek Chauvin factored in George Floyd’s race as he did what he did.” The other three officers at the scene of George Floyd’s arrest, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao, will reportedly also be indicted by a grand jury to be tried in federal court for civil rights violations.
Congressman Demands Probe into CNN's Presence at Roger Stone Raid
2019-01-28
[ "Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) on Friday sent a letter to the Department of Justice asking for an investigation into whether details of political operative Roger Stone’s indictment were leaked to the media ahead of his dramatic pre-dawn arrest.", "CNN’s cameras were staked outside Stone’s Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home when over a dozen heavily armed FBI agents arrested him shortly after 6:00 a.m. EST. According to CNN crime and justice producer David Shortell, the network set up a crew outside the home after “noticing unusual grand jury activity” in connection to special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe the day prior.", "However, Biggs, a member of the Freedom Caucus and ally of the president, isn’t buying CNN’s assertion.", "“On January 25th, FBI agents executed an arrest warrant on Roger Stone pursuant to a grand jury indictment in the District of Columbia. At approximately 5:59 a.m. CNN’s morning show ‘New Day’ posted a tweet with a video showing FBI agents in full tactical gear executing the arrest of Mr. Stone,” the Arizona Republican wrote.", "“It is hard to believe that this reporter and camera crew showed up at the home of Mr. Stone, on the right day at the right time, on a hunch,” he continued. “This leads me to believe that CNN may have received advance notice of the date and time of the arrest.”", "Biggs then said that it would be “highly inappropriate” and “damaging to the credibility” of the FBI if bureau officials tipped off CNN. “An arrest like this is a serious act, not a media spectacle,” Biggs continued. “We ask that you investigate whether federal law enforcement officers leaked information about the arrest of Mr. Stone to members of the media in advance and what – if any – rules, regulations, court orders, or laws were broken in the process.”", "On Monday, Stone lamented what many are arguing was an excessive use of force by the FBI during his arrest. “I’m 66 years old, I do not own a gun, I do not have a valid passport, I have no prior criminal record, I’m charged with nonviolent process crimes,” he told reporters. “To storm my house with greater force than was used to take down bin Laden or El Chapo or Pablo Escobar, it’s unconscionable.”", "He also questioned whether CNN had a right to film his arrest when his street was blocked off to the public. “It’s a raw abuse of power in the fact that a CNN reporter was allowed to film my arrest when the street was sealed off and the fact that the CNN producer in question is a former assistant to James Comey at the FBI and formally worked for the FBI. His claim that he just had a hunch is not credible,” Stone said.", "Stone was charged with seven counts, including making false statements and witness tampering as part of Mueller’s investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election. Speaking outside the Fort Lauderdale federal courthouse after his arrest, Stone vowed to plead not guilty and predicted he would be vindicated of any wrongdoing." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/28/congressman-demands-probe-into-whether-cnn-was-tipped-off-to-roger-stone-raid/
Congressman Demands Probe into CNN's Presence at Roger Stone Raid Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) on Friday sent a letter to the Department of Justice asking for an investigation into whether details of political operative Roger Stone’s indictment were leaked to the media ahead of his dramatic pre-dawn arrest. CNN’s cameras were staked outside Stone’s Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home when over a dozen heavily armed FBI agents arrested him shortly after 6:00 a.m. EST. According to CNN crime and justice producer David Shortell, the network set up a crew outside the home after “noticing unusual grand jury activity” in connection to special counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia probe the day prior. However, Biggs, a member of the Freedom Caucus and ally of the president, isn’t buying CNN’s assertion. “On January 25th, FBI agents executed an arrest warrant on Roger Stone pursuant to a grand jury indictment in the District of Columbia. At approximately 5:59 a.m. CNN’s morning show ‘New Day’ posted a tweet with a video showing FBI agents in full tactical gear executing the arrest of Mr. Stone,” the Arizona Republican wrote. “It is hard to believe that this reporter and camera crew showed up at the home of Mr. Stone, on the right day at the right time, on a hunch,” he continued. “This leads me to believe that CNN may have received advance notice of the date and time of the arrest.” Biggs then said that it would be “highly inappropriate” and “damaging to the credibility” of the FBI if bureau officials tipped off CNN. “An arrest like this is a serious act, not a media spectacle,” Biggs continued. “We ask that you investigate whether federal law enforcement officers leaked information about the arrest of Mr. Stone to members of the media in advance and what – if any – rules, regulations, court orders, or laws were broken in the process.” On Monday, Stone lamented what many are arguing was an excessive use of force by the FBI during his arrest. “I’m 66 years old, I do not own a gun, I do not have a valid passport, I have no prior criminal record, I’m charged with nonviolent process crimes,” he told reporters. “To storm my house with greater force than was used to take down bin Laden or El Chapo or Pablo Escobar, it’s unconscionable.” He also questioned whether CNN had a right to film his arrest when his street was blocked off to the public. “It’s a raw abuse of power in the fact that a CNN reporter was allowed to film my arrest when the street was sealed off and the fact that the CNN producer in question is a former assistant to James Comey at the FBI and formally worked for the FBI. His claim that he just had a hunch is not credible,” Stone said. Stone was charged with seven counts, including making false statements and witness tampering as part of Mueller’s investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 presidential election. Speaking outside the Fort Lauderdale federal courthouse after his arrest, Stone vowed to plead not guilty and predicted he would be vindicated of any wrongdoing.
Armed St. Louis Couple to Take Part in GOP Convention
2020-08-18
[ "The armed St. Louis couple who went viral holding guns to keep protesters away from their home will take part in the upcoming Republican Convention.", "The Washington Post reports that Mark and Patricia McCloskey “will be part of the largely digital Republican National Convention next week.”", "On June 28, 2020, a video was posted to Twitter showing the McCloskeys holding firearms to protect their home:", "On June 30, 2020, Breitbart News reported an investigation had been opened against the McCloskeys and the New York Post quoted St. Louis Prosecutor Kimberly Gardner saying, “I am alarmed at the events that occurred over the weekend, where peaceful protestors were met by guns.”", "Gardner added, “We must protect the right to peacefully protest, and any attempt to chill it through intimidation or threat of deadly force will not be tolerated.”", "On July 11, 2020, Breitbart News reported the rifle in the June 28th video was seized from the McCloskey’s home as police executed a search warrant.", "Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) spoke in support of the McCloskeys in mid-July.", "The Hill reported Parson saying the McCloskeys “did what they legally should do.”", "He added, “A mob does not have the right to charge your property. They had every right to protect themselves.”", "The Post reports that the McCloskeys “will appear on behalf of the president” at the Republican Convention." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/2020-election/2020/08/17/armed-st-louis-couple-take-part-gop-convention/
Armed St. Louis Couple to Take Part in GOP Convention The armed St. Louis couple who went viral holding guns to keep protesters away from their home will take part in the upcoming Republican Convention. The Washington Post reports that Mark and Patricia McCloskey “will be part of the largely digital Republican National Convention next week.” On June 28, 2020, a video was posted to Twitter showing the McCloskeys holding firearms to protect their home: On June 30, 2020, Breitbart News reported an investigation had been opened against the McCloskeys and the New York Post quoted St. Louis Prosecutor Kimberly Gardner saying, “I am alarmed at the events that occurred over the weekend, where peaceful protestors were met by guns.” Gardner added, “We must protect the right to peacefully protest, and any attempt to chill it through intimidation or threat of deadly force will not be tolerated.” On July 11, 2020, Breitbart News reported the rifle in the June 28th video was seized from the McCloskey’s home as police executed a search warrant. Missouri Governor Mike Parson (R) spoke in support of the McCloskeys in mid-July. The Hill reported Parson saying the McCloskeys “did what they legally should do.” He added, “A mob does not have the right to charge your property. They had every right to protect themselves.” The Post reports that the McCloskeys “will appear on behalf of the president” at the Republican Convention.
EU Plots To Starve Eurosceptic Parties Of Funding
2016-07-06
[ "Senior MEPs are plotting to change the European Parliament’s rules to starve Eurosceptic parties of European Union (EU) money. Along with changing the rules so that smaller parties will no longer receive cash, they also propose funding only groups which comply with “European values”.", "A report drawn up by Secretary General of the European Parliament Klaus Welle recommends that parties should have at least 22 MEPs to be eligible for EU money. This, and other measures proposed, would ensure small parties wouldn’t receive funding from the EU, and that large parties would be allocated more.", "Mr. Welle, called the “Prince of Darkness” by some for the huge influence the never-elected politician wields, was asked to write the report after the European People’s Party (EPP) head, Manfred Weber, wrote to Mr. Welle to complain that right-wing parties who received EU funds were organising anti-EU protests.", "The EPP, said to be centre-right, is the largest grouping in the European Parliament. The UK’s Conservative party left the European Parliament group in 2009, opposing the EPP’s commitment to European federalism.", "Mr. Welle proposed parties should have a minimum of seven MEPs in order to qualify for EU cash. His report went even further, suggesting the minimum should be 22 MEPs.", "Currently, parties can receive funding if they received more than three per cent of the vote in European parliamentary elections, or if it has representatives in seven different regional and national assemblies.", "“A handful of politicians only able to contribute to forming European political awareness and to expressing the political will of citizens of the Union on an extremely limited and not representative level hardly justifies financial support from the European Union budget,” Mr. Welle wrote.", "“A strengthening of the minimum representation criteria could remedy this situation, at least for the allocation of funds.”", "A Parliament administration official said: “There is a big common funding pot for all European political parties, so the more of these that meet the entry criteria, the more the pot gets spread around.”", "Senior MEPs also recommended an “independent authority” be created to oversee funding for political parties and foundations. Such an authority, they suggested, would have to judge whether the parties comply with “European values” in order to receive EU cash.", "EPP spokesman Pedro Lopez de Pablo welcomed the report. He said: “The change of the rules is necessary to avoid the European Parliament’s money being used by populist parties against Europe.”", "The report’s plan will be passed on to the EU’s Constitutional Affairs Committee. If passed, it would be activated in 2018.", "However, a recruitment notice obtained by Politico seems to suggest the EU may already be putting one of the proposals into action. The notice advertises for a “Director of the Authority of the European political parties and European political foundations”. The position comes with a wage of €128k per annum.", "It states that whoever fills the role will be “registering, controlling and imposing of sanctions on European political parties and European political foundations”." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/07/06/eu-plots-starve-euroskeptic-funding/
EU Plots To Starve Eurosceptic Parties Of Funding Senior MEPs are plotting to change the European Parliament’s rules to starve Eurosceptic parties of European Union (EU) money. Along with changing the rules so that smaller parties will no longer receive cash, they also propose funding only groups which comply with “European values”. A report drawn up by Secretary General of the European Parliament Klaus Welle recommends that parties should have at least 22 MEPs to be eligible for EU money. This, and other measures proposed, would ensure small parties wouldn’t receive funding from the EU, and that large parties would be allocated more. Mr. Welle, called the “Prince of Darkness” by some for the huge influence the never-elected politician wields, was asked to write the report after the European People’s Party (EPP) head, Manfred Weber, wrote to Mr. Welle to complain that right-wing parties who received EU funds were organising anti-EU protests. The EPP, said to be centre-right, is the largest grouping in the European Parliament. The UK’s Conservative party left the European Parliament group in 2009, opposing the EPP’s commitment to European federalism. Mr. Welle proposed parties should have a minimum of seven MEPs in order to qualify for EU cash. His report went even further, suggesting the minimum should be 22 MEPs. Currently, parties can receive funding if they received more than three per cent of the vote in European parliamentary elections, or if it has representatives in seven different regional and national assemblies. “A handful of politicians only able to contribute to forming European political awareness and to expressing the political will of citizens of the Union on an extremely limited and not representative level hardly justifies financial support from the European Union budget,” Mr. Welle wrote. “A strengthening of the minimum representation criteria could remedy this situation, at least for the allocation of funds.” A Parliament administration official said: “There is a big common funding pot for all European political parties, so the more of these that meet the entry criteria, the more the pot gets spread around.” Senior MEPs also recommended an “independent authority” be created to oversee funding for political parties and foundations. Such an authority, they suggested, would have to judge whether the parties comply with “European values” in order to receive EU cash. EPP spokesman Pedro Lopez de Pablo welcomed the report. He said: “The change of the rules is necessary to avoid the European Parliament’s money being used by populist parties against Europe.” The report’s plan will be passed on to the EU’s Constitutional Affairs Committee. If passed, it would be activated in 2018. However, a recruitment notice obtained by Politico seems to suggest the EU may already be putting one of the proposals into action. The notice advertises for a “Director of the Authority of the European political parties and European political foundations”. The position comes with a wage of €128k per annum. It states that whoever fills the role will be “registering, controlling and imposing of sanctions on European political parties and European political foundations”.
Planned Parenthood Seeks Even 'Bolder’ Policies from Biden-Harris
2021-04-26
[ "Planned Parenthood stated Friday that, while the Biden-Harris administration is “on the right track” in making policy it considers essential, the organization is looking for even “bolder” moves in the days ahead.", "As President Joe Biden marks his first 100 days in office, Planned Parenthood, both the largest provider of abortions in the nation and now the second largest provider of transgender hormone treatments, said in a press announcement “there are increasing signs that the country is on the right track.”", "“Planned Parenthood and our supporters have been paying close attention to the Biden-Harris administration’s actions in its first 100 days, and we’re encouraged by what we’ve seen so far,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, Planned Parenthood CEO, lamenting further about the policies put in place by the pro-life Trump administration:", "The administration’s steps to undo the harm of the past four years and support sexual and reproductive health care are a promising start — but the work has only just begun. Planned Parenthood is ready to work with both the administration and Congress, and push for bolder policies every step of the way.", "In its statement, Planned Parenthood alleged that “people of color, those with low incomes, and the LGBTQ+ community” are still requiring “access to health care, sexual and reproductive care, and other basic human rights” that “remain out of reach.”", "All of those identified groups are a primary source of clients for Planned Parenthood. The organization is especially pushing the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress to assure taxpayer Medicaid funds may now be used to pay for abortions and transgender hormone treatments at its clinics.", "“Medicaid is the largest payer of reproductive health care in the country,” Jacqueline Ayers, Planned Parenthood vice president of government relations and public policy, said, according to Ms. magazine.", "“And black, Latino, LGBTQ, low-income folks are disproportionately enrolled in the program and rely on this program,” she added.", "This is part of America's long-overdue racial reckoning, while we continue to grapple with ongoing violence against Black lives, COVID's disproportionate impact on Black, Indigenous, and Latino communities, and constant barriers to health care due to systemic racism + oppression.", "Planned Parenthood lists the following as “accomplishments” of the first 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration:", "- Move to reverse the Trump administration’s Protect Life Rule that created a clear boundary between abortion and family planning.", "- Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act which, Ayers said, “does incentivize states to expand Medicaid coverage by allowing increased federal funds.”", "The legislation did not include the Hyde and Helms Amendments, which have traditionally prohibited taxpayer monies from funding abortions in the United States and overseas, respectively. Pro-life leaders consider the measure a bail-out for the abortion industry.", "- The FDA’s announcement it will be lifting restrictions on the health and safety standards applied to abortion-inducing drugs, allowing for their dispensation via telemedicine and through the mail.", "- Biden’s executive order revoking the pro-life policy known as the Mexico City Policy, which bans foreign organizations that receive U.S. financial aid from promoting or performing abortions as a method of family planning.", "Planned Parenthood referred to the Mexico City Policy as “neocolonialist.”", "- Prioritizing black maternal health care.", "- Appointing abortion “champions” such as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, assistant HHS secretary Rachel Levine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield.", "- Establishment of a Gender Policy Council.", "Planned Parenthood said it will push in the days to come for budgets that “eliminate[s] the Hyde and Helms amendments and related restrictions on abortion,” and ones that also increase “funding for sexual and reproductive health care programs at home and abroad.”", "Additionally, the abortion and transgender industry giant said it will seek an immediate end to “policies that target immigrant communities, their health care, and families,” and to bolster efforts to ensure Medicaid patients are able to obtain their services at Planned Parenthood facilities, a goal that would allow Planned Parenthood even greater access to taxpayer funding." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/04/26/planned-parenthood-seeks-even-bolder-policies-from-biden-harris/
Planned Parenthood Seeks Even 'Bolder’ Policies from Biden-Harris Planned Parenthood stated Friday that, while the Biden-Harris administration is “on the right track” in making policy it considers essential, the organization is looking for even “bolder” moves in the days ahead. As President Joe Biden marks his first 100 days in office, Planned Parenthood, both the largest provider of abortions in the nation and now the second largest provider of transgender hormone treatments, said in a press announcement “there are increasing signs that the country is on the right track.” “Planned Parenthood and our supporters have been paying close attention to the Biden-Harris administration’s actions in its first 100 days, and we’re encouraged by what we’ve seen so far,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, Planned Parenthood CEO, lamenting further about the policies put in place by the pro-life Trump administration: The administration’s steps to undo the harm of the past four years and support sexual and reproductive health care are a promising start — but the work has only just begun. Planned Parenthood is ready to work with both the administration and Congress, and push for bolder policies every step of the way. In its statement, Planned Parenthood alleged that “people of color, those with low incomes, and the LGBTQ+ community” are still requiring “access to health care, sexual and reproductive care, and other basic human rights” that “remain out of reach.” All of those identified groups are a primary source of clients for Planned Parenthood. The organization is especially pushing the Biden-Harris administration and Democrats in Congress to assure taxpayer Medicaid funds may now be used to pay for abortions and transgender hormone treatments at its clinics. “Medicaid is the largest payer of reproductive health care in the country,” Jacqueline Ayers, Planned Parenthood vice president of government relations and public policy, said, according to Ms. magazine. “And black, Latino, LGBTQ, low-income folks are disproportionately enrolled in the program and rely on this program,” she added. This is part of America's long-overdue racial reckoning, while we continue to grapple with ongoing violence against Black lives, COVID's disproportionate impact on Black, Indigenous, and Latino communities, and constant barriers to health care due to systemic racism + oppression. Planned Parenthood lists the following as “accomplishments” of the first 100 days of the Biden-Harris administration: - Move to reverse the Trump administration’s Protect Life Rule that created a clear boundary between abortion and family planning. - Passage of the American Rescue Plan Act which, Ayers said, “does incentivize states to expand Medicaid coverage by allowing increased federal funds.” The legislation did not include the Hyde and Helms Amendments, which have traditionally prohibited taxpayer monies from funding abortions in the United States and overseas, respectively. Pro-life leaders consider the measure a bail-out for the abortion industry. - The FDA’s announcement it will be lifting restrictions on the health and safety standards applied to abortion-inducing drugs, allowing for their dispensation via telemedicine and through the mail. - Biden’s executive order revoking the pro-life policy known as the Mexico City Policy, which bans foreign organizations that receive U.S. financial aid from promoting or performing abortions as a method of family planning. Planned Parenthood referred to the Mexico City Policy as “neocolonialist.” - Prioritizing black maternal health care. - Appointing abortion “champions” such as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra, assistant HHS secretary Rachel Levine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield. - Establishment of a Gender Policy Council. Planned Parenthood said it will push in the days to come for budgets that “eliminate[s] the Hyde and Helms amendments and related restrictions on abortion,” and ones that also increase “funding for sexual and reproductive health care programs at home and abroad.” Additionally, the abortion and transgender industry giant said it will seek an immediate end to “policies that target immigrant communities, their health care, and families,” and to bolster efforts to ensure Medicaid patients are able to obtain their services at Planned Parenthood facilities, a goal that would allow Planned Parenthood even greater access to taxpayer funding.
Global Warming Hysteria Comes to Texas
2016-05-23
[ "It’ll be Christmas in May this week for members of the global warming cult.", "Exxon stockholders will gather in Dallas for their annual meeting, and a large contingent of environmental groups and their not-quite-housetrained followers will be on hand to protest.", "If the flyer from 350.org advertising the event is to be believed, things could get interesting. “Exxon knew about climate change half a century ago,” the release reads. “They robbed us of a generation’s worth of time to prevent the worst impacts from hitting people across Texas and the world.”", "It goes on to accuse Exxon of dipping into Big Tobacco’s playbook by lying about the risks and “making hundreds of billions at the cost of people’s lives …” and, for good measure, of perpetrating “what could be the worst case of fraud in history.”", "Oddly, the protest will get a funding boost this year from the self-hating wing of the Rockefeller family. In fact, for the first time in the history of the company, there will be Rockefellers on the outside of the meeting looking in because they have divested from the company or are in the process of doing so.", "The Rockefeller Family Foundation announced recently it would divest its $45 million in fossil fuel investments “as quickly as possible,” following a decision last year from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund to do the same. The Rockefeller Foundation, whose endowment tops $4 billion, continues to oppose divestment, which has created friction in the family that founded the company in 1870.", "The Rockefellers don’t, as a family, eschew the filthy lucre that comes from having owned the eighth largest company in the world and the second most profitable. But they do bang on quite a bit about how unpleasant it all is.", "“We would be remiss if we failed to focus on what we believe to be the morally reprehensible conduct on the part of ExxonMobil,” said a press release from the RFF, which is controlled by Martha, John, Laurance, Nelson and David Rockefeller.", "“There is no sane rationale for companies to continue to explore for new sources of hydrocarbons.”", "They also use various media organs they fund, such as 350.org, the Sierra Club and their web newsletter InsideClimate News, to rip the company that made them wildly rich. Hmmm … energy policy media funded by the Rockefellers. Where have I heard that before?", "InsideClimate News recently “broke” a multipart series that was supposed to look like cutting-edge investigative journalism but instead read like a political flyer for a low-level state legislative race.", "“Collaborating with the Bush-Cheney White House, Exxon turned ordinary scientific uncertainties into weapons of mass confusion,” howled one story.", "“More Exxon Documents Show How Much It Knew About Climate 35 Years Ago,” blared another.", "They keep Bill McKibben, an off-the-hook climate agitator, in business. “Why Bill McKibben is so mad at Exxon,” read a recent headline on InsideClimate News. Perhaps because he is paid to be?", "There’s also Rockefeller funding of “Democracy Now,” a notoriously lefty radio news program, and DeSmog Blog, which gets its funding through a Rockefeller offshoot called the Sustainable Markets Foundation.", "The conflict among family members only adds to the problems likely to come out during the meeting. Exxon is under fire from attorneys general around the country, led by Eric Schneiderman, the AG of New York, for supposedly quashing information it developed in the 1970s and 1980s on the supposed dangers of global warming and misleadingly downplaying that threat to the public.", "The attorneys general are working to subpoena thousands of documents to try to establish that the company committed fraud by failing to warn Americans of the danger they face from global warming, which the AGs say postponed for decades work necessary to address the problem. They do this with an eye toward charging the firm and its executives under racketeering statutes intended for drug kingpins and other top criminals.", "Let’s suppose it’s true – a big supposition since Exxon actually acknowledges the risk of climate change and has done a lot more than most of these activists to develop cleaner sources of energy to meet dramatically increasing demand.", "Let’s suppose the company was talking about the dangers carbon buildup might pose to the environment years ago. And let’s suppose the company also talked about the limits of the scientific understanding when it comes to informing the policy debate. What exactly would be the crime there? And isn’t that pretty much precisely the speech the First Amendment is designed to protect?", "To activists descending on Dallas, the answers to these questions really don’t matter. What they want is a government-preferred science with criminal penalties meted out to those who disagree. Is this the kind of government, let alone scientific community, we want?", "But enough with hypotheticals. The activists descending on Dallas would do well to remember that the efforts of companies like Exxon have actually already translated into a cleaner planet. All you need to do is consider the fact that fracking has enabled countries around the world, particularly the U.S., to get decades ahead in meeting emissions reduction goals.", "But for activists and the Rockefeller faction that funds them driving hysteria is the goal, not finding genuine solutions." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/environment/2016/05/23/global-warming-hysteria-comes-texas/
Global Warming Hysteria Comes to Texas It’ll be Christmas in May this week for members of the global warming cult. Exxon stockholders will gather in Dallas for their annual meeting, and a large contingent of environmental groups and their not-quite-housetrained followers will be on hand to protest. If the flyer from 350.org advertising the event is to be believed, things could get interesting. “Exxon knew about climate change half a century ago,” the release reads. “They robbed us of a generation’s worth of time to prevent the worst impacts from hitting people across Texas and the world.” It goes on to accuse Exxon of dipping into Big Tobacco’s playbook by lying about the risks and “making hundreds of billions at the cost of people’s lives …” and, for good measure, of perpetrating “what could be the worst case of fraud in history.” Oddly, the protest will get a funding boost this year from the self-hating wing of the Rockefeller family. In fact, for the first time in the history of the company, there will be Rockefellers on the outside of the meeting looking in because they have divested from the company or are in the process of doing so. The Rockefeller Family Foundation announced recently it would divest its $45 million in fossil fuel investments “as quickly as possible,” following a decision last year from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund to do the same. The Rockefeller Foundation, whose endowment tops $4 billion, continues to oppose divestment, which has created friction in the family that founded the company in 1870. The Rockefellers don’t, as a family, eschew the filthy lucre that comes from having owned the eighth largest company in the world and the second most profitable. But they do bang on quite a bit about how unpleasant it all is. “We would be remiss if we failed to focus on what we believe to be the morally reprehensible conduct on the part of ExxonMobil,” said a press release from the RFF, which is controlled by Martha, John, Laurance, Nelson and David Rockefeller. “There is no sane rationale for companies to continue to explore for new sources of hydrocarbons.” They also use various media organs they fund, such as 350.org, the Sierra Club and their web newsletter InsideClimate News, to rip the company that made them wildly rich. Hmmm … energy policy media funded by the Rockefellers. Where have I heard that before? InsideClimate News recently “broke” a multipart series that was supposed to look like cutting-edge investigative journalism but instead read like a political flyer for a low-level state legislative race. “Collaborating with the Bush-Cheney White House, Exxon turned ordinary scientific uncertainties into weapons of mass confusion,” howled one story. “More Exxon Documents Show How Much It Knew About Climate 35 Years Ago,” blared another. They keep Bill McKibben, an off-the-hook climate agitator, in business. “Why Bill McKibben is so mad at Exxon,” read a recent headline on InsideClimate News. Perhaps because he is paid to be? There’s also Rockefeller funding of “Democracy Now,” a notoriously lefty radio news program, and DeSmog Blog, which gets its funding through a Rockefeller offshoot called the Sustainable Markets Foundation. The conflict among family members only adds to the problems likely to come out during the meeting. Exxon is under fire from attorneys general around the country, led by Eric Schneiderman, the AG of New York, for supposedly quashing information it developed in the 1970s and 1980s on the supposed dangers of global warming and misleadingly downplaying that threat to the public. The attorneys general are working to subpoena thousands of documents to try to establish that the company committed fraud by failing to warn Americans of the danger they face from global warming, which the AGs say postponed for decades work necessary to address the problem. They do this with an eye toward charging the firm and its executives under racketeering statutes intended for drug kingpins and other top criminals. Let’s suppose it’s true – a big supposition since Exxon actually acknowledges the risk of climate change and has done a lot more than most of these activists to develop cleaner sources of energy to meet dramatically increasing demand. Let’s suppose the company was talking about the dangers carbon buildup might pose to the environment years ago. And let’s suppose the company also talked about the limits of the scientific understanding when it comes to informing the policy debate. What exactly would be the crime there? And isn’t that pretty much precisely the speech the First Amendment is designed to protect? To activists descending on Dallas, the answers to these questions really don’t matter. What they want is a government-preferred science with criminal penalties meted out to those who disagree. Is this the kind of government, let alone scientific community, we want? But enough with hypotheticals. The activists descending on Dallas would do well to remember that the efforts of companies like Exxon have actually already translated into a cleaner planet. All you need to do is consider the fact that fracking has enabled countries around the world, particularly the U.S., to get decades ahead in meeting emissions reduction goals. But for activists and the Rockefeller faction that funds them driving hysteria is the goal, not finding genuine solutions.
Eject Tory Arch Remainer Heseltine for Backing Corbyn, Calling to Stop Brexit: Think Tank
2017-12-27
[ "Britain’s oldest Conservative think tank The Bow Group has called for Lord Heseltine to be expelled from the Conservatives in the House of Lords after he suggested a Corbyn lead government should take power to stop Brexit.", "“Heseltine has made clear it is his aim to prevent Brexit at all costs, including the sabotage of his own Party and nation; the Conservative Party must, therefore, withdraw the whip and end the inevitable continuation of his sniping from inside the tent,” chairman of The Bow Group Cllr Ben Harris-Quinney said Wednesday.", "In an interview with the left-wing political blog The Limehouse Podcast, the former deputy prime minister, who helped to bring down the premiership of Margaret Thatcher, claimed a Labour Party government would not be as ‘damaging’ as Brexit.", "“Well, we have survived Labour governments before,” Heseltine said. “Their damage tends to be short-term and capable of rectification. Brexit is not short-term and is not easily capable of rectification. There will be those who question whether the short-term pain justifies the avoidance of the long-term disaster.”", "The Tory grandee added that though he believes a second referendum “would be a vehicle for ending Brexit”, he would rather parliament frustrate the will of the people – particularly if either “this present parliament became hostile or because in an election the issue was rethought and a subsequent parliament did it”.", "The long-time Europhile, who has called for parliament to ignore the Brexit vote, then affirmed his “preoccupation is ending Brexit: the means, well anything to hand”.", "Fellow Tory would-be Brexit saboteur Ken Clarke told another Limehouse Podcast episode that he would “love to reverse the referendum if I thought we could”, and said Corbyn had “risen to the job of being quite a credible leader” of the opposition.", "Speaking to Breitbart London, Mr, Harris-Quinney said: “In examining Michael Heseltine’s c.v., one finds a man who was once a self-confessed confidence trickster who sold margarine as butter and somehow due to the lack of spine and mettle in Britain managed to worm his way into being a shill for a foreign government within our government, bringing down the greatest peacetime Prime Minister in history.", "“Now, in his senility, he is attempting to subvert the British people directly in trying to stop Brexit. It’s time someone stood up to this absolute dog and pulled the choke chain. I was proud to expel him from the Bow Group and if this Government has any backbone they will follow suit,” he added, describing the liberal subversive’s career as a “litany of traitorous and self-serving practices”.", "Heseltine was ejected from the board of patrons of The Bow Group, the United Kingdom’s oldest conservative think tank, in 2016 for being “a liberal infiltrator and a traitor to the conservative movement” and for his alleged involvement in the “Tatler Tory” bullying scandal.", "The Bow Group chairman added that Brexit negotiations cannot be lead by a Conservative government that “allows outright sabotage to go unaddressed within its own ranks”. Acknowledging that Tories will disagree with the government’s approach to Brexit, Mr. Harris-Quinney, however, asserted that “for a member to be invested in bringing a Corbyn lead government into power in order to ignore the democratic will of the people in voting for Brexit cannot be tolerated”.", "The Bow Group announced Wednesday afternoon that fellow Conservative Peer and former party chairman Lord Tebbit, Eurosceptic think tank the Bruges Group, and the grassroots Conservative Progress are backing calls for Lord Heseltine to be expelled from the Conservatives in the House of Lords." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/12/27/bow-group-eject-heseltine-corbyn-brexit-conservative/
Eject Tory Arch Remainer Heseltine for Backing Corbyn, Calling to Stop Brexit: Think Tank Britain’s oldest Conservative think tank The Bow Group has called for Lord Heseltine to be expelled from the Conservatives in the House of Lords after he suggested a Corbyn lead government should take power to stop Brexit. “Heseltine has made clear it is his aim to prevent Brexit at all costs, including the sabotage of his own Party and nation; the Conservative Party must, therefore, withdraw the whip and end the inevitable continuation of his sniping from inside the tent,” chairman of The Bow Group Cllr Ben Harris-Quinney said Wednesday. In an interview with the left-wing political blog The Limehouse Podcast, the former deputy prime minister, who helped to bring down the premiership of Margaret Thatcher, claimed a Labour Party government would not be as ‘damaging’ as Brexit. “Well, we have survived Labour governments before,” Heseltine said. “Their damage tends to be short-term and capable of rectification. Brexit is not short-term and is not easily capable of rectification. There will be those who question whether the short-term pain justifies the avoidance of the long-term disaster.” The Tory grandee added that though he believes a second referendum “would be a vehicle for ending Brexit”, he would rather parliament frustrate the will of the people – particularly if either “this present parliament became hostile or because in an election the issue was rethought and a subsequent parliament did it”. The long-time Europhile, who has called for parliament to ignore the Brexit vote, then affirmed his “preoccupation is ending Brexit: the means, well anything to hand”. Fellow Tory would-be Brexit saboteur Ken Clarke told another Limehouse Podcast episode that he would “love to reverse the referendum if I thought we could”, and said Corbyn had “risen to the job of being quite a credible leader” of the opposition. Speaking to Breitbart London, Mr, Harris-Quinney said: “In examining Michael Heseltine’s c.v., one finds a man who was once a self-confessed confidence trickster who sold margarine as butter and somehow due to the lack of spine and mettle in Britain managed to worm his way into being a shill for a foreign government within our government, bringing down the greatest peacetime Prime Minister in history. “Now, in his senility, he is attempting to subvert the British people directly in trying to stop Brexit. It’s time someone stood up to this absolute dog and pulled the choke chain. I was proud to expel him from the Bow Group and if this Government has any backbone they will follow suit,” he added, describing the liberal subversive’s career as a “litany of traitorous and self-serving practices”. Heseltine was ejected from the board of patrons of The Bow Group, the United Kingdom’s oldest conservative think tank, in 2016 for being “a liberal infiltrator and a traitor to the conservative movement” and for his alleged involvement in the “Tatler Tory” bullying scandal. The Bow Group chairman added that Brexit negotiations cannot be lead by a Conservative government that “allows outright sabotage to go unaddressed within its own ranks”. Acknowledging that Tories will disagree with the government’s approach to Brexit, Mr. Harris-Quinney, however, asserted that “for a member to be invested in bringing a Corbyn lead government into power in order to ignore the democratic will of the people in voting for Brexit cannot be tolerated”. The Bow Group announced Wednesday afternoon that fellow Conservative Peer and former party chairman Lord Tebbit, Eurosceptic think tank the Bruges Group, and the grassroots Conservative Progress are backing calls for Lord Heseltine to be expelled from the Conservatives in the House of Lords.
Spengler: Western Elites' Contempt for China Turns to Panic
2017-09-18
[ "David P. Goldman, who writes for Asia Times under the pen name Spengler, explains in his latest column that “[a] sense of resignation, if not outright defeatism, pervades the Trump White House where China is concerned.” Western elites who once dismissed or downplayed China’s ascendancy as the world’s dominant superpower are now suddenly confronted with its reality.", "From Asia Times:", "Not since the British garrison at Singapore surrendered to Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita in 1942 has Western opinion of an Asian power changed so fast. When China’s 2015 stock market bubble popped, prevailing Western opinion held that China’s economic boom would flame out in a debt crisis comparable to America’s subprime disaster of 2008 or the near collapse of Europe’s southern tier in 2013.", "Now that China’s tradeable stock market has risen by 43% during 2017 in US dollar terms (with the MSCI-based ETF as a benchmark), Western opinion is melting up. Bridgewater, the world’s largest hedge fund, is raising money for a China investment vehicle. Bank of America now predicts Asian stocks will double in the present bull run. “Hedge Funds Used to Love Shorting China. Now, Not So Much,” declared a Bloomberg headline Sept. 12.", "America produced every important invention in the digital age, from integrated circuits to semiconductor lasers, solar cells, flat panel displays, sensors and light-emitting diodes. Except for integrate circuits, Asia now produces virtually all the world’s output of these building-blocks of the electronics industry, and China has a crash program underway to become the world’s major producer of semiconductors.", "To my knowledge, the only senior adviser to President Trump who proposed to stop this practice was Steve Bannon, who left the White House in August. Interfering with US companies’ tech transfer to China would hurt revenues in the short- and medium-term. US companies are making a good living on the rise of China, and CEO’s worry about their stock price during the next five years, not about America’s competitive position in 10 years.", "Suddenly, from the South China Sea to the Bosporus, the United States cannot move without brushing up against Chinese influence, if not outright Chinese power. It’s not quite the same as Yamashita’s march across the Malaysian jungle. But if anything, the fecklessness, complacency and incompetence of America’s leaders exceeds the fabled stupidity of the British at Singapore." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/09/18/spengler-western-elites-contempt-for-china-turns-to-panic/
Spengler: Western Elites' Contempt for China Turns to Panic David P. Goldman, who writes for Asia Times under the pen name Spengler, explains in his latest column that “[a] sense of resignation, if not outright defeatism, pervades the Trump White House where China is concerned.” Western elites who once dismissed or downplayed China’s ascendancy as the world’s dominant superpower are now suddenly confronted with its reality. From Asia Times: Not since the British garrison at Singapore surrendered to Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita in 1942 has Western opinion of an Asian power changed so fast. When China’s 2015 stock market bubble popped, prevailing Western opinion held that China’s economic boom would flame out in a debt crisis comparable to America’s subprime disaster of 2008 or the near collapse of Europe’s southern tier in 2013. Now that China’s tradeable stock market has risen by 43% during 2017 in US dollar terms (with the MSCI-based ETF as a benchmark), Western opinion is melting up. Bridgewater, the world’s largest hedge fund, is raising money for a China investment vehicle. Bank of America now predicts Asian stocks will double in the present bull run. “Hedge Funds Used to Love Shorting China. Now, Not So Much,” declared a Bloomberg headline Sept. 12. America produced every important invention in the digital age, from integrated circuits to semiconductor lasers, solar cells, flat panel displays, sensors and light-emitting diodes. Except for integrate circuits, Asia now produces virtually all the world’s output of these building-blocks of the electronics industry, and China has a crash program underway to become the world’s major producer of semiconductors. To my knowledge, the only senior adviser to President Trump who proposed to stop this practice was Steve Bannon, who left the White House in August. Interfering with US companies’ tech transfer to China would hurt revenues in the short- and medium-term. US companies are making a good living on the rise of China, and CEO’s worry about their stock price during the next five years, not about America’s competitive position in 10 years. Suddenly, from the South China Sea to the Bosporus, the United States cannot move without brushing up against Chinese influence, if not outright Chinese power. It’s not quite the same as Yamashita’s march across the Malaysian jungle. But if anything, the fecklessness, complacency and incompetence of America’s leaders exceeds the fabled stupidity of the British at Singapore.
NEA President, Trans Advocate Push Gender Ideology on Kindergartners
2019-03-06
[ "The president of the nation’s largest teachers’ union joined a man who identifies as a woman in teaching transgender ideology to an Arlington, Virginia, kindergarten class last week.", "Lily Eskelsen García, president of the National Education Association (NEA), joined with Sarah McBride, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), in reading the books I Am Jazz and Julián Is a Mermaid to young children at Ashlawn Elementary School.", "“I have a girl brain but a boy body,” McBride read from I Am Jazz, the Washington Post reported. “This is called transgender. I was born this way.”", "“I’m like Jazz,” McBride told the children. “When I was born, the doctors and my parents, they all thought that I was a boy.”", "“Because society, people around them told them that was the case,” McBride continued. “It took me getting a little bit older to be able to say that in my heart and in my mind, I knew I was really a girl.”", "McBride asked the young children, “Can some girls have short hair? And can some boys have long hair?”", "“Anyone can be anything,” said one little girl in response to McBride.", "According to the report, McBride “came out as transgender” after ending a term as American University’s student body president. He said he wanted to advocate for tolerance on a national day of reading led by the NEA.", "“For young people, being kind and being respectful is quite simple,” McBride said. “LGBTQ young people are their classmates, their friends. They may be LGBTQ themselves. And so, this just makes sense. No one’s ever too young to learn to be nice.”", "Eskelsen García said it was necessary to advocate for LGBTQ individuals because the Trump administration was no longer granting them special protections.", "“We have seen a complete, literal rollback of the protections for students, especially transgender students,” she said. “The Trump administration has been openly hostile, whether or not you’re a transgender soldier or a transgender little boy or little girl. It is more important than ever before that we speak out.”", "In February 2017, the Trump administration discarded former President Barack Obama’s policy based on gender ideology. The policy required school administrators to validate the claims of children who say they have the “gender identity” of the opposite sex. As a result, schools were forced to allow children to share bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams with boys or girls of the opposite sex who claimed to be transgender.", "The NEA and HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools Program sponsored the reading event, which marked the start of the 2019 Read Across America campaign. NEA Today, the union’s media outlet, said the focus of the reading event is “diversity in children’s literature.”", "“NEA believes diverse literature enables students to see themselves as the heroes of the story, while also showing them that all kinds of people can be the heroes too,” said Eskelsen García in a statement. “It is important that we emphasize books that are telling children of color or of different gender identities that they belong in the world and the world belongs to them.”", "The HRC Foundation states:", "HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is the nation’s premier professional development program providing training and resources to elementary school educators to welcome diverse families, create LGBTQ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students.", "The Ashlawn kindergartners’ teacher is Jaim Foster — a gay man who lobbies for LGBTQ causes. According to the Post, he said that while the Arlington school district does not have a specific curriculum to teach young children gender ideology, he shares experiences about his own life and provides books such as Heather Has Two Mommies and My Princess Boy in his kindergarten classroom.", "“We talk about it all the time, in one way or another, of accepting families and differences,” he said." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/03/05/teachers-union-president-transgender-advocate-push-lgbtq-agenda-to-kindergartners/
NEA President, Trans Advocate Push Gender Ideology on Kindergartners The president of the nation’s largest teachers’ union joined a man who identifies as a woman in teaching transgender ideology to an Arlington, Virginia, kindergarten class last week. Lily Eskelsen García, president of the National Education Association (NEA), joined with Sarah McBride, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), in reading the books I Am Jazz and Julián Is a Mermaid to young children at Ashlawn Elementary School. “I have a girl brain but a boy body,” McBride read from I Am Jazz, the Washington Post reported. “This is called transgender. I was born this way.” “I’m like Jazz,” McBride told the children. “When I was born, the doctors and my parents, they all thought that I was a boy.” “Because society, people around them told them that was the case,” McBride continued. “It took me getting a little bit older to be able to say that in my heart and in my mind, I knew I was really a girl.” McBride asked the young children, “Can some girls have short hair? And can some boys have long hair?” “Anyone can be anything,” said one little girl in response to McBride. According to the report, McBride “came out as transgender” after ending a term as American University’s student body president. He said he wanted to advocate for tolerance on a national day of reading led by the NEA. “For young people, being kind and being respectful is quite simple,” McBride said. “LGBTQ young people are their classmates, their friends. They may be LGBTQ themselves. And so, this just makes sense. No one’s ever too young to learn to be nice.” Eskelsen García said it was necessary to advocate for LGBTQ individuals because the Trump administration was no longer granting them special protections. “We have seen a complete, literal rollback of the protections for students, especially transgender students,” she said. “The Trump administration has been openly hostile, whether or not you’re a transgender soldier or a transgender little boy or little girl. It is more important than ever before that we speak out.” In February 2017, the Trump administration discarded former President Barack Obama’s policy based on gender ideology. The policy required school administrators to validate the claims of children who say they have the “gender identity” of the opposite sex. As a result, schools were forced to allow children to share bathrooms, locker rooms, and sports teams with boys or girls of the opposite sex who claimed to be transgender. The NEA and HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools Program sponsored the reading event, which marked the start of the 2019 Read Across America campaign. NEA Today, the union’s media outlet, said the focus of the reading event is “diversity in children’s literature.” “NEA believes diverse literature enables students to see themselves as the heroes of the story, while also showing them that all kinds of people can be the heroes too,” said Eskelsen García in a statement. “It is important that we emphasize books that are telling children of color or of different gender identities that they belong in the world and the world belongs to them.” The HRC Foundation states: HRC Foundation’s Welcoming Schools is the nation’s premier professional development program providing training and resources to elementary school educators to welcome diverse families, create LGBTQ and gender inclusive schools, prevent bias-based bullying, and support transgender and non-binary students. The Ashlawn kindergartners’ teacher is Jaim Foster — a gay man who lobbies for LGBTQ causes. According to the Post, he said that while the Arlington school district does not have a specific curriculum to teach young children gender ideology, he shares experiences about his own life and provides books such as Heather Has Two Mommies and My Princess Boy in his kindergarten classroom. “We talk about it all the time, in one way or another, of accepting families and differences,” he said.
GOP Rep. Biggs: I Think Shutdown Will Last 'At Least Another Couple of Weeks'
2018-12-27
[ "On Wednesday’s broadcast of the Fox News Channel’s “Ingraham Angle,” Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said he believes the government shutdown will last at least a couple more weeks.", "Biggs said, “Well, since the president’s holding firm, and the Democrats have said they’re not willing to budge on this, I would think we’re going to go at least another couple of weeks, actually.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2018/12/26/gop-rep-biggs-i-think-shutdown-will-last-at-least-another-couple-of-weeks/
GOP Rep. Biggs: I Think Shutdown Will Last 'At Least Another Couple of Weeks' On Wednesday’s broadcast of the Fox News Channel’s “Ingraham Angle,” Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) said he believes the government shutdown will last at least a couple more weeks. Biggs said, “Well, since the president’s holding firm, and the Democrats have said they’re not willing to budge on this, I would think we’re going to go at least another couple of weeks, actually.”
Boy Scouts file for bankruptcy due to sex-abuse lawsuits
2020-02-17
[ "Barraged by hundreds of sex-abuse lawsuits, the Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday in hopes of working out a potentially mammoth victim compensation plan that will allow the hallowed, 110-year-old organization to carry on.", "The Chapter 11 filing in federal bankruptcy court in Wilmington, Delaware, sets in motion what could be one of the biggest, most complex bankruptcies ever seen. Scores of lawyers are seeking settlements on behalf of several thousand men who say they were molested as scouts by scoutmasters or other leaders decades ago but are only now eligible to sue because of recent changes in their states’ statute-of-limitations laws.", "By going to bankruptcy court, the Scouts can put those lawsuits on hold for now. But ultimately they could be forced to sell off some of their vast property holdings, including campgrounds and hiking trails, to raise money for a compensation trust fund that could surpass a billion dollars.", "The bankruptcy petition listed the Boy Scouts’ assets as between $1 billion and $10 billion, and its liabilities at $500 million to $1 billion.", "“Scouting programs will continue throughout this process and for many years to come,” the Boy Scouts said in a statement. ”Local councils are not filing for bankruptcy because they are legally separate and distinct organizations.”", "The Boy Scouts are just the latest major American institution to face a heavy price over sexual abuse. Roman Catholic dioceses across the country and schools such as Penn State and Michigan State have paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years.", "The bankruptcy represents a painful turn for an organization that has been a pillar of American civic life for generations and a training ground for future leaders. Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout has long been a proud accomplishment that politicians, business leaders, astronauts and others put on their resumes and in their official biographies.", "The Boy Scouts’ finances have been strained in recent years by declining membership and sex-abuse settlements.", "The number of youths taking part in scouting has dropped below 2 million, down from more than 4 million in peak years of the 1970s. The organization has tried to counter the decline by admitting girls, but its membership rolls took a big hit Jan. 1 when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — for decades a major sponsor of Boy Scout units — cut ties and withdrew more than 400,000 scouts in favor of programs of its own.", "The financial outlook had worsened last year after New York, Arizona, New Jersey and California passed laws making it easier for victims of long-ago abuse to file claims. Teams of lawyers across the U.S. have been signing up clients by the hundreds to sue the Boy Scouts.", "Most of the newly surfacing cases date to the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s; the organization says there were only five known abuse victims in 2018. The Boy Scouts credit the change to an array of prevention policies adopted since the mid-1980s, including mandatory criminal background checks and abuse-prevention training for all staff and volunteers, and a rule that two or more adult leaders be present during all activities.", "“We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children,” said Roger Mosby, the BSA’s president and CEO. “While we know nothing can undo the tragic abuse that victims suffered, we believe the Chapter 11 process, with the proposed trust structure, will provide equitable compensation to all victims while maintaining the BSA’s important mission.”", "In many ways, the crisis parallels the one facing the Catholic Church in the U.S. Both institutions boast of major progress over recent decades in combating abuse. whether by priests or scout leaders, but both face many lawsuits alleging negligence and cover-ups, mostly decades ago.", "“There are a lot of very angry, resentful men out there who will not allow the Boy Scouts to get away without saying what all their assets are,” said lawyer Paul Mones, who represents numerous clients suing the BSA. “They want no stone unturned.”", "Amid the crush of lawsuits, the Scouts recently mortgaged the major properties owned by the national leadership, including the headquarters in Irving, Texas, and the 140,000-acre Philmont Ranch in New Mexico, to help secure a line of credit.", "Founded in 1910, the Boy Scouts have kept confidential files since the 1920s listing staff and volunteers implicated in sexual abuse, for the avowed purpose of keeping predators away from youth. According to a court deposition, the files as of January listed 7,819 suspected abusers and 12,254 victims.", "Until last spring, the organization had insisted it never knowingly allowed a predator to work with youths. But in May, The Associated Press reported that attorneys for abuse victims had identified multiple cases in which known predators were allowed to return to leadership posts. The next day, Boy Scouts chief executive Mike Surbaugh wrote to a congressional committee, acknowledging the group’s previous claim was untrue.", "James Kretschmer of Houston, among the many men suing for alleged abuse, says he was molested by a Scout leader over several months in the mid-1970s in the Spokane, Washington, area. Regarding the bankruptcy, he said, “It is a shame because at its core and what it was supposed to be, the Boy Scouts is a beautiful organization.”", "“But you know, anything can be corrupted,” he added. “And if they’re not going to protect the people that they’ve entrusted with the children, then shut it down and move on.”", "Ahead of the Chapter 11 filing, lawyers said that because of the organization’s 50-state presence, as well as its ties to churches and civic groups that sponsor scout troops, a bankruptcy by the Boy Scouts would be unprecedented in its complexity. It would be national in scope, unlike the various Catholic Church bankruptcy cases, which have unfolded diocese by diocese.", "“A Boy Scout bankruptcy would be bigger in scale than any other child abuse bankruptcy we’ve ever seen,” said Seattle-based attorney Mike Pfau, whose firm is representing scores of men nationwide alleging they were abused as Boy Scouts.", "Illustrating the depth of its problems, the organization in 2018 sued six of its insurers for refusing to cover its sex abuse liabilities. The insurers said their obligation was void because the Scouts refused to take effective preventive measures such as warning parents that boys might be abused.", "Associated Press video journalist John Mone in Houston contributed." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/news/boy-scouts-file-for-bankruptcy-due-to-sex-abuse-lawsuits/
Boy Scouts file for bankruptcy due to sex-abuse lawsuits Barraged by hundreds of sex-abuse lawsuits, the Boy Scouts of America filed for bankruptcy protection Tuesday in hopes of working out a potentially mammoth victim compensation plan that will allow the hallowed, 110-year-old organization to carry on. The Chapter 11 filing in federal bankruptcy court in Wilmington, Delaware, sets in motion what could be one of the biggest, most complex bankruptcies ever seen. Scores of lawyers are seeking settlements on behalf of several thousand men who say they were molested as scouts by scoutmasters or other leaders decades ago but are only now eligible to sue because of recent changes in their states’ statute-of-limitations laws. By going to bankruptcy court, the Scouts can put those lawsuits on hold for now. But ultimately they could be forced to sell off some of their vast property holdings, including campgrounds and hiking trails, to raise money for a compensation trust fund that could surpass a billion dollars. The bankruptcy petition listed the Boy Scouts’ assets as between $1 billion and $10 billion, and its liabilities at $500 million to $1 billion. “Scouting programs will continue throughout this process and for many years to come,” the Boy Scouts said in a statement. ”Local councils are not filing for bankruptcy because they are legally separate and distinct organizations.” The Boy Scouts are just the latest major American institution to face a heavy price over sexual abuse. Roman Catholic dioceses across the country and schools such as Penn State and Michigan State have paid out hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years. The bankruptcy represents a painful turn for an organization that has been a pillar of American civic life for generations and a training ground for future leaders. Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout has long been a proud accomplishment that politicians, business leaders, astronauts and others put on their resumes and in their official biographies. The Boy Scouts’ finances have been strained in recent years by declining membership and sex-abuse settlements. The number of youths taking part in scouting has dropped below 2 million, down from more than 4 million in peak years of the 1970s. The organization has tried to counter the decline by admitting girls, but its membership rolls took a big hit Jan. 1 when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — for decades a major sponsor of Boy Scout units — cut ties and withdrew more than 400,000 scouts in favor of programs of its own. The financial outlook had worsened last year after New York, Arizona, New Jersey and California passed laws making it easier for victims of long-ago abuse to file claims. Teams of lawyers across the U.S. have been signing up clients by the hundreds to sue the Boy Scouts. Most of the newly surfacing cases date to the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s; the organization says there were only five known abuse victims in 2018. The Boy Scouts credit the change to an array of prevention policies adopted since the mid-1980s, including mandatory criminal background checks and abuse-prevention training for all staff and volunteers, and a rule that two or more adult leaders be present during all activities. “We are outraged that there have been times when individuals took advantage of our programs to harm innocent children,” said Roger Mosby, the BSA’s president and CEO. “While we know nothing can undo the tragic abuse that victims suffered, we believe the Chapter 11 process, with the proposed trust structure, will provide equitable compensation to all victims while maintaining the BSA’s important mission.” In many ways, the crisis parallels the one facing the Catholic Church in the U.S. Both institutions boast of major progress over recent decades in combating abuse. whether by priests or scout leaders, but both face many lawsuits alleging negligence and cover-ups, mostly decades ago. “There are a lot of very angry, resentful men out there who will not allow the Boy Scouts to get away without saying what all their assets are,” said lawyer Paul Mones, who represents numerous clients suing the BSA. “They want no stone unturned.” Amid the crush of lawsuits, the Scouts recently mortgaged the major properties owned by the national leadership, including the headquarters in Irving, Texas, and the 140,000-acre Philmont Ranch in New Mexico, to help secure a line of credit. Founded in 1910, the Boy Scouts have kept confidential files since the 1920s listing staff and volunteers implicated in sexual abuse, for the avowed purpose of keeping predators away from youth. According to a court deposition, the files as of January listed 7,819 suspected abusers and 12,254 victims. Until last spring, the organization had insisted it never knowingly allowed a predator to work with youths. But in May, The Associated Press reported that attorneys for abuse victims had identified multiple cases in which known predators were allowed to return to leadership posts. The next day, Boy Scouts chief executive Mike Surbaugh wrote to a congressional committee, acknowledging the group’s previous claim was untrue. James Kretschmer of Houston, among the many men suing for alleged abuse, says he was molested by a Scout leader over several months in the mid-1970s in the Spokane, Washington, area. Regarding the bankruptcy, he said, “It is a shame because at its core and what it was supposed to be, the Boy Scouts is a beautiful organization.” “But you know, anything can be corrupted,” he added. “And if they’re not going to protect the people that they’ve entrusted with the children, then shut it down and move on.” Ahead of the Chapter 11 filing, lawyers said that because of the organization’s 50-state presence, as well as its ties to churches and civic groups that sponsor scout troops, a bankruptcy by the Boy Scouts would be unprecedented in its complexity. It would be national in scope, unlike the various Catholic Church bankruptcy cases, which have unfolded diocese by diocese. “A Boy Scout bankruptcy would be bigger in scale than any other child abuse bankruptcy we’ve ever seen,” said Seattle-based attorney Mike Pfau, whose firm is representing scores of men nationwide alleging they were abused as Boy Scouts. Illustrating the depth of its problems, the organization in 2018 sued six of its insurers for refusing to cover its sex abuse liabilities. The insurers said their obligation was void because the Scouts refused to take effective preventive measures such as warning parents that boys might be abused. Associated Press video journalist John Mone in Houston contributed.
Migrants With Airsoft Guns Shouting "Allah Ackbar" Cause Panic On Vienna Subway
2017-01-31
[ "Young migrants caused panic on the Vienna subway by chanting “Allahu Akbar” and waving around airsoft guns until a passenger intervened.", "The incident occurred at 2pm Monday afternoon on the Vienna u-bahn, the city’s subway system. According to witnesses, the group of four young migrants began shouting “Allahu Akbar” at the Schweglerstrasse station on the U3 line. The migrants also shouted phrases in Arabic at the frightened passengers as they waved around their airsoft guns, Kronen Zeitung reports.", "One of the witnesses was terror expert Amer Albayati who told the Austrian paper the migrant teens fired their airsoft guns on the subway car. As the teens screamed in Arabic, he said most passengers fled but one man did not. Mr. Albayati said that the man tried to overpower the migrants and get them off the train.", "The migrants eventually got off the train at the Zieglergasse station two stops on the U3 line away from where the incident had begun. Several witnesses used their smartphones to photograph the teens as they got off the train. The four young people are currently being searched for by authorities and may face charges.", "Daniel Amann, a spokesman for Wiener Linien, the state-run company that runs the public transportation system in the Austrian capital, said: “We have safety precautions on the train and on the platforms for precisely those incidents where passengers are not feeling secure”.", "The incident comes only a week after the arrest of a 17-year-old who Vienna police say was plotting a terror attack in Vienna on behalf of Islamic State. Police say that the Albanian-born teen, known as Lorenz K., had travelled to the German town of Neuss where he was in contact with another Islamic State sympathiser.", "German authorities later arrested a man believed to be in contact with the 17-year-old who was also plotting a terror attack. They claim the 21-year-old had experimented with bomb making alongside Lorenz who had visited him and planned to target soldiers and police.", "In a separate case, Austrian authorities raided several properties in Graz and Vienna and took down a radical Islamist group who they say were plotting to overthrow the Austrian government and install an Islamic caliphate. Eight hundred police took part in the raids which were the culmination of an investigation that began in 2015. Fourteen radical Islamists were arrested, among them several women and several Islamic preachers." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/01/31/migrants-airsoft-guns-cause-panic-vienna-subway/
Migrants With Airsoft Guns Shouting "Allah Ackbar" Cause Panic On Vienna Subway Young migrants caused panic on the Vienna subway by chanting “Allahu Akbar” and waving around airsoft guns until a passenger intervened. The incident occurred at 2pm Monday afternoon on the Vienna u-bahn, the city’s subway system. According to witnesses, the group of four young migrants began shouting “Allahu Akbar” at the Schweglerstrasse station on the U3 line. The migrants also shouted phrases in Arabic at the frightened passengers as they waved around their airsoft guns, Kronen Zeitung reports. One of the witnesses was terror expert Amer Albayati who told the Austrian paper the migrant teens fired their airsoft guns on the subway car. As the teens screamed in Arabic, he said most passengers fled but one man did not. Mr. Albayati said that the man tried to overpower the migrants and get them off the train. The migrants eventually got off the train at the Zieglergasse station two stops on the U3 line away from where the incident had begun. Several witnesses used their smartphones to photograph the teens as they got off the train. The four young people are currently being searched for by authorities and may face charges. Daniel Amann, a spokesman for Wiener Linien, the state-run company that runs the public transportation system in the Austrian capital, said: “We have safety precautions on the train and on the platforms for precisely those incidents where passengers are not feeling secure”. The incident comes only a week after the arrest of a 17-year-old who Vienna police say was plotting a terror attack in Vienna on behalf of Islamic State. Police say that the Albanian-born teen, known as Lorenz K., had travelled to the German town of Neuss where he was in contact with another Islamic State sympathiser. German authorities later arrested a man believed to be in contact with the 17-year-old who was also plotting a terror attack. They claim the 21-year-old had experimented with bomb making alongside Lorenz who had visited him and planned to target soldiers and police. In a separate case, Austrian authorities raided several properties in Graz and Vienna and took down a radical Islamist group who they say were plotting to overthrow the Austrian government and install an Islamic caliphate. Eight hundred police took part in the raids which were the culmination of an investigation that began in 2015. Fourteen radical Islamists were arrested, among them several women and several Islamic preachers.
Former Mexican President: Won't 'Pay any Single Cent' for 'Stupid Wall'
2016-02-08
[ "Former Mexican president Felipe Calderón said Mexico won’t be paying for a wall to be built along America’s southern border as GOP frontrunner Donald Trump has vowed to build at the expense of Mexico.", "“We are not going to pay any single cent for such a stupid wall! And it’s going to be completely useless,” Calderón said.", "During an interview with CNBC’s Hadley Gamble, he said it’s “incredible” that the United States — an “admirable society” – has presidential candidates such as Trump." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/08/former-mexican-president-wont-pay-any-single-cent-for-stupid-wall-border-wall/
Former Mexican President: Won't 'Pay any Single Cent' for 'Stupid Wall' Former Mexican president Felipe Calderón said Mexico won’t be paying for a wall to be built along America’s southern border as GOP frontrunner Donald Trump has vowed to build at the expense of Mexico. “We are not going to pay any single cent for such a stupid wall! And it’s going to be completely useless,” Calderón said. During an interview with CNBC’s Hadley Gamble, he said it’s “incredible” that the United States — an “admirable society” – has presidential candidates such as Trump.
The FCC Will Vote to Repeal Net Neutrality on Thursday
2017-12-13
[ "The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote to repeal the agency’s net neutrality rule on Thursday, much to the dismay of Silicon Valley and Democrats and to the cheer of conservatives.", "The FCC will vote on Chairman Ajit Pai’s “Restoring Internet Freedom Order” on Thursday, which would repeal the FCC’s 2015 net neutrality rule, which regulated the internet as a public monopoly.", "Chairman Pai told Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Monday, “I think what net neutrality repealed would actually mean is we once again have a free and open internet. The government would not be regulating how anyone in the internet service providers, how anyone else in the internet economy manages their networks.”", "Net neutrality proponents argued that the FCC needs net neutrality to prevent ISPs from unfairly blocking, throttling, or preferring some content, while conservatives argued that net neutrality would diminish the freedom of the internet. The FCC and Breitbart News’s Allum Bokhari explained that under net neutrality, content providers such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter serve as a greater threat to internet censorship compared to ISPs.", "Democrats and Silicon Valley companies argued that content providers cannot compete on an even playing field without net neutrality.", "Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA) said on Tuesday, “All you have to do is look at what went on over the last 10 or 15 years to see how the [internet service providers] repeatedly sought to crush potential competitors and challenged the FCC’s previous net neutrality rules in court to understand why the Open Internet Order was needed — and to see what will happen if the Open Internet Order is repealed.”", "On Monday Pai and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agreed to share the responsibility to police unfair ISP practices regarding unfair or deceptive practices to block, throttle, or promote web content.", "FCC Chairman Pai said in a recent speech that repealing net neutrality would restore the internet as a free and open platform.", "“So when you get past the wild accusations, fearmongering, and hysteria, here’s the boring bottom line: the plan to restore Internet freedom would return us to the light touch, market-based approach under which the Internet thrived. And that’s why I am asking my colleagues to vote for it on December 14,” Pai concluded." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/12/13/the-fcc-will-vote-to-repeal-net-neutrality-on-thursday/
The FCC Will Vote to Repeal Net Neutrality on Thursday The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will vote to repeal the agency’s net neutrality rule on Thursday, much to the dismay of Silicon Valley and Democrats and to the cheer of conservatives. The FCC will vote on Chairman Ajit Pai’s “Restoring Internet Freedom Order” on Thursday, which would repeal the FCC’s 2015 net neutrality rule, which regulated the internet as a public monopoly. Chairman Pai told Fox News host Tucker Carlson on Monday, “I think what net neutrality repealed would actually mean is we once again have a free and open internet. The government would not be regulating how anyone in the internet service providers, how anyone else in the internet economy manages their networks.” Net neutrality proponents argued that the FCC needs net neutrality to prevent ISPs from unfairly blocking, throttling, or preferring some content, while conservatives argued that net neutrality would diminish the freedom of the internet. The FCC and Breitbart News’s Allum Bokhari explained that under net neutrality, content providers such as Facebook, Google, and Twitter serve as a greater threat to internet censorship compared to ISPs. Democrats and Silicon Valley companies argued that content providers cannot compete on an even playing field without net neutrality. Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA) said on Tuesday, “All you have to do is look at what went on over the last 10 or 15 years to see how the [internet service providers] repeatedly sought to crush potential competitors and challenged the FCC’s previous net neutrality rules in court to understand why the Open Internet Order was needed — and to see what will happen if the Open Internet Order is repealed.” On Monday Pai and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) agreed to share the responsibility to police unfair ISP practices regarding unfair or deceptive practices to block, throttle, or promote web content. FCC Chairman Pai said in a recent speech that repealing net neutrality would restore the internet as a free and open platform. “So when you get past the wild accusations, fearmongering, and hysteria, here’s the boring bottom line: the plan to restore Internet freedom would return us to the light touch, market-based approach under which the Internet thrived. And that’s why I am asking my colleagues to vote for it on December 14,” Pai concluded.
Oklahoma teachers who just got raises rally for more funding
2018-04-01
[ "OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thousands of Oklahoma teachers are expected to descend on the state Capitol Monday to demand lawmakers approve more education funding just days after the Legislature did just that.", "But some teachers are saying the legislation signed by Gov. Mary Fallin last week was not enough. The measure increases taxes on cigarettes, fuel and oil and gas production to provide teachers with raises of about $6,100, or 15 to 18 percent.", "Passage followed threats by educators to walk out of classrooms beginning Monday, following the lead of teachers in West Virginia who won a 5 percent raise after going on strike. Teachers in Arizona are now considering a strike over their demands for a 20 percent salary increase.", "Alicia Priest, president of the Oklahoma Education Association teachers union, said Monday’s rally could lead to a longer walkout as teachers from across the state press their demands that lawmakers approve more funding for state classrooms. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol estimated that as many as 30,000 people are expected at the demonstration.", "“It’s day-by-day, depending upon the Legislature fulfilling their promise,” Priest said. “We’re going to say that our Legislature started the process and they have a moral obligation to invest in our children and our children’s future. That obligation has not been met yet. Funding for our students is an issue in every schoolhouse in the state of Oklahoma.”", "The new revenue measures are expected to generate about $450 million, with the bulk going to teacher raises and about $50 million going to general education funding. The teachers union has called for an additional classroom funding of $75 million. It has also criticized House and Senate leaders for passing a measure repealing a $5-per-night hotel and motel tax that was part of the original education package. Repeal of the hotel tax reduces the total package by about $45 million.", "“It’s just one more broken promise that our educators have seen over the last 10 years,” Priest said.", "Many Oklahoma schools, including the three largest districts, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Edmond, plan to close Monday to honor the walkout. Some schools are offering free meals to students aged 18 or younger while various churches, faith organizations and charitable agencies are providing free day-care services." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/news/oklahoma-teachers-who-just-got-raises-rally-for-more-funding/
Oklahoma teachers who just got raises rally for more funding OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Thousands of Oklahoma teachers are expected to descend on the state Capitol Monday to demand lawmakers approve more education funding just days after the Legislature did just that. But some teachers are saying the legislation signed by Gov. Mary Fallin last week was not enough. The measure increases taxes on cigarettes, fuel and oil and gas production to provide teachers with raises of about $6,100, or 15 to 18 percent. Passage followed threats by educators to walk out of classrooms beginning Monday, following the lead of teachers in West Virginia who won a 5 percent raise after going on strike. Teachers in Arizona are now considering a strike over their demands for a 20 percent salary increase. Alicia Priest, president of the Oklahoma Education Association teachers union, said Monday’s rally could lead to a longer walkout as teachers from across the state press their demands that lawmakers approve more funding for state classrooms. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol estimated that as many as 30,000 people are expected at the demonstration. “It’s day-by-day, depending upon the Legislature fulfilling their promise,” Priest said. “We’re going to say that our Legislature started the process and they have a moral obligation to invest in our children and our children’s future. That obligation has not been met yet. Funding for our students is an issue in every schoolhouse in the state of Oklahoma.” The new revenue measures are expected to generate about $450 million, with the bulk going to teacher raises and about $50 million going to general education funding. The teachers union has called for an additional classroom funding of $75 million. It has also criticized House and Senate leaders for passing a measure repealing a $5-per-night hotel and motel tax that was part of the original education package. Repeal of the hotel tax reduces the total package by about $45 million. “It’s just one more broken promise that our educators have seen over the last 10 years,” Priest said. Many Oklahoma schools, including the three largest districts, Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Edmond, plan to close Monday to honor the walkout. Some schools are offering free meals to students aged 18 or younger while various churches, faith organizations and charitable agencies are providing free day-care services.
Zimbabwe Signs Currency Deal with China to Help Lift Failing Economy
2020-01-22
[ "Socialist Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime in Zimbabwe signed a currency deal with China this week in a bid to stabilize its struggling economy and improve trade links around the world.", "Under the new deal, Chinese investors will be able to pay Chinese-owned businesses in Zimbabwe looking for foreign exchange. Those businesses will then release the Zimbabwe dollar equivalent of the U.S. dollar to a local bank account of the payer in China.", "The deal was announced by Zimbabwean Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on Monday, who argued it would protect foreign investors from the country’s high rate of inflation.", "“What this means is that there are those who will be investing in Zimbabwe from China,” he said. “Those who require their proceeds to be remitted back to China can now do so.”", "Ncube added that the deal would consequently encourage Chinese investors to continue investing in Zimbabwe. “The idea is that those individuals will then swap currency so that those who are investing in Zimbabwe are able to give them a domestic currency and they use the foreign currency, which they are bringing in for investment, to pay those who are exiting,” he said.", "The arrangement is further evidence that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will look to Beijing rather than the U.S. or Europe for financial support that will ease the pressure of Zimbabwe’s economic and humanitarian crisis. Last month, a report from the United Nations concluded that the country was on the brink of “man-made starvation” as a result of rising unemployment, rampant corruption, hyperinflation, and general government mismanagement.", "Under the rule of Mnangagwa’s predecessor, the late dictator Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe pursued a policy known as “Look East” that sought to build economic and diplomatic relationships with countries such as China to avoid economic sanctions over his regime’s egregious human rights violations.", "As it has done in many parts of Africa, China has readily accepted the opportunity to invest in Zimbabwe as part of its “Belt and Road Initiative,” a global development strategy adopted by China in 2013 aimed at extending Beijing’s influence across the globe. A number of Chinese infrastructure projects are currently taking place in and around the capital of Harare, including the construction of a multi-million-dollar parliament building and the expansion of the city’s airport.", "Zimbabwe has often proved to be a place of frustration for many Chinese investors because of the government’s failure to regularly meet its debt payments as well as difficulties in repatriating profits because of constantly rising inflation. However, China generally remains more than happy to allow countries to fall into debt traps because when countries such as Zimbabwe fail to meet payments, China can sweep up the collateral, allowing the communist regime to increase its economic and potential military influence around the world." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2020/01/21/zimbabwe-signs-currency-deal-with-china-to-help-lift-failing-economy/
Zimbabwe Signs Currency Deal with China to Help Lift Failing Economy Socialist Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime in Zimbabwe signed a currency deal with China this week in a bid to stabilize its struggling economy and improve trade links around the world. Under the new deal, Chinese investors will be able to pay Chinese-owned businesses in Zimbabwe looking for foreign exchange. Those businesses will then release the Zimbabwe dollar equivalent of the U.S. dollar to a local bank account of the payer in China. The deal was announced by Zimbabwean Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on Monday, who argued it would protect foreign investors from the country’s high rate of inflation. “What this means is that there are those who will be investing in Zimbabwe from China,” he said. “Those who require their proceeds to be remitted back to China can now do so.” Ncube added that the deal would consequently encourage Chinese investors to continue investing in Zimbabwe. “The idea is that those individuals will then swap currency so that those who are investing in Zimbabwe are able to give them a domestic currency and they use the foreign currency, which they are bringing in for investment, to pay those who are exiting,” he said. The arrangement is further evidence that President Emmerson Mnangagwa will look to Beijing rather than the U.S. or Europe for financial support that will ease the pressure of Zimbabwe’s economic and humanitarian crisis. Last month, a report from the United Nations concluded that the country was on the brink of “man-made starvation” as a result of rising unemployment, rampant corruption, hyperinflation, and general government mismanagement. Under the rule of Mnangagwa’s predecessor, the late dictator Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe pursued a policy known as “Look East” that sought to build economic and diplomatic relationships with countries such as China to avoid economic sanctions over his regime’s egregious human rights violations. As it has done in many parts of Africa, China has readily accepted the opportunity to invest in Zimbabwe as part of its “Belt and Road Initiative,” a global development strategy adopted by China in 2013 aimed at extending Beijing’s influence across the globe. A number of Chinese infrastructure projects are currently taking place in and around the capital of Harare, including the construction of a multi-million-dollar parliament building and the expansion of the city’s airport. Zimbabwe has often proved to be a place of frustration for many Chinese investors because of the government’s failure to regularly meet its debt payments as well as difficulties in repatriating profits because of constantly rising inflation. However, China generally remains more than happy to allow countries to fall into debt traps because when countries such as Zimbabwe fail to meet payments, China can sweep up the collateral, allowing the communist regime to increase its economic and potential military influence around the world.
Rob Reiner: Trump will Use Mueller Report to 'Drive Stake Through the Heart of Democracy'
2019-04-17
[ "Hollywood director and left-wing activist Rob Reiner on Wednesday expressed concern over the Trump administration scheduled release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on now-debunk Trump-Russia collusion, suggesting it could spell the end for U.S. democracy.", "“Tomorrow Donald Trump, with the aid of the Attorney General of the United States, will try to drive a stake through the heart of Democracy,” tweeted Rob Reiner.", "Tomorrow Donald Trump, with the aid of the Attorney General of the United States, will try to drive a stake through the heart of Democracy.", "The All in the Family star’s hyperbolic tweet follows an announcement by the Justice Department stating Attorney General William Barr will hold a 9:30 a.m. news conference accompanied by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversaw the investigation after Mueller’s appointment in May 2017.", "It is unclear if Barr will speak before or after the report is released. The Justice Department also plans to provide a “limited number” of members of Congress and their staff access to a copy of the Mueller report with fewer redactions than the public copy, according to a court filing Wednesday.", "The nearly 400-page report is expected to reveal what Mueller uncovered about ties between the Trump campaign and Russia that fell short of criminal conduct. It will also lay out the special counsel’s conclusions about formative episodes in Trump’s presidency, including his firing of FBI Director James Comey and his efforts to undermine the Russia investigation publicly and privately.", "Rob Reiner, one of Hollywood’s most vocal Trump critics, has claimed for nearly two years that the special counsel would uncover proof of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Last month, the actor began criticizing Barr’s handling of the Mueller report, accusing the attorney general of attempting to “gas light” Americans with his summary of Mueller’s findings.", "“Autocracy 101: Continually lie and tell you not to believe what you see with your own eyes,” he wrote in a tweet. “Trump, with the protection of cult GOP, FOX, & AG Barr, is in full gas light mode. We’ve seen Collusion & Obstruction in plain sight. Reality is reality. Truth is truth. Trust Your Eyes.”", "Autocracy 101: Continually lie and tell you not to believe what you see with your own eyes. Trump, with the protection of cult GOP, FOX, & AG Barr, is in full gas light mode. We’ve seen Collusion & Obstruction in plain sight. Reality is reality. Truth is truth. Trust Your Eyes.", "Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has claimed vindication after nearly two years of unrelenting investigation, seeing “complete and total exoneration” in the Justice Department’s account of Mueller’s findings.", "“It was just announced there was no collusion with Russia,” the president said in brief remarks to reporters upon the summary’s release. “It’s a shame that our country had to go through this. To be honest it’s a shame that your president has had to go through this.”", "Overall, Mueller brought charges against 34 people — including six Trump aides and advisers — and revealed a sophisticated, wide-ranging Russian effort to influence the 2016 presidential election. Twenty-five of those charged were Russians accused either in the hacking of Democratic email accounts or of a hidden but powerful social media effort to spread disinformation online.", "Five former Trump aides or advisers pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate in Mueller’s investigation, including former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, former national security adviser Michael Flynn and his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. Stone is awaiting trial on charges including false statements and obstruction.", "The AP contributed to his report." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2019/04/17/rob-reiner-trump-will-use-mueller-report-to-drive-stake-through-the-heart-of-democracy/
Rob Reiner: Trump will Use Mueller Report to 'Drive Stake Through the Heart of Democracy' Hollywood director and left-wing activist Rob Reiner on Wednesday expressed concern over the Trump administration scheduled release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report on now-debunk Trump-Russia collusion, suggesting it could spell the end for U.S. democracy. “Tomorrow Donald Trump, with the aid of the Attorney General of the United States, will try to drive a stake through the heart of Democracy,” tweeted Rob Reiner. Tomorrow Donald Trump, with the aid of the Attorney General of the United States, will try to drive a stake through the heart of Democracy. The All in the Family star’s hyperbolic tweet follows an announcement by the Justice Department stating Attorney General William Barr will hold a 9:30 a.m. news conference accompanied by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who oversaw the investigation after Mueller’s appointment in May 2017. It is unclear if Barr will speak before or after the report is released. The Justice Department also plans to provide a “limited number” of members of Congress and their staff access to a copy of the Mueller report with fewer redactions than the public copy, according to a court filing Wednesday. The nearly 400-page report is expected to reveal what Mueller uncovered about ties between the Trump campaign and Russia that fell short of criminal conduct. It will also lay out the special counsel’s conclusions about formative episodes in Trump’s presidency, including his firing of FBI Director James Comey and his efforts to undermine the Russia investigation publicly and privately. Rob Reiner, one of Hollywood’s most vocal Trump critics, has claimed for nearly two years that the special counsel would uncover proof of collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia. Last month, the actor began criticizing Barr’s handling of the Mueller report, accusing the attorney general of attempting to “gas light” Americans with his summary of Mueller’s findings. “Autocracy 101: Continually lie and tell you not to believe what you see with your own eyes,” he wrote in a tweet. “Trump, with the protection of cult GOP, FOX, & AG Barr, is in full gas light mode. We’ve seen Collusion & Obstruction in plain sight. Reality is reality. Truth is truth. Trust Your Eyes.” Autocracy 101: Continually lie and tell you not to believe what you see with your own eyes. Trump, with the protection of cult GOP, FOX, & AG Barr, is in full gas light mode. We’ve seen Collusion & Obstruction in plain sight. Reality is reality. Truth is truth. Trust Your Eyes. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has claimed vindication after nearly two years of unrelenting investigation, seeing “complete and total exoneration” in the Justice Department’s account of Mueller’s findings. “It was just announced there was no collusion with Russia,” the president said in brief remarks to reporters upon the summary’s release. “It’s a shame that our country had to go through this. To be honest it’s a shame that your president has had to go through this.” Overall, Mueller brought charges against 34 people — including six Trump aides and advisers — and revealed a sophisticated, wide-ranging Russian effort to influence the 2016 presidential election. Twenty-five of those charged were Russians accused either in the hacking of Democratic email accounts or of a hidden but powerful social media effort to spread disinformation online. Five former Trump aides or advisers pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate in Mueller’s investigation, including former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, former national security adviser Michael Flynn and his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen. Stone is awaiting trial on charges including false statements and obstruction. The AP contributed to his report.
Michael Moore to Biden: 'Why Are You Ignoring the Black Community' in Michigan?
2020-09-20
[ "Liberal documentary filmmaker Michael Moore expressed concerns over Democratic nominee former Vice President Joe Biden’s outreach to Black voters in Michigan on Sunday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “Weekends.”", "Moore said, “I get calls every day from people in Michigan, ‘I can’t get a yard sign. I can’t get a yard sign’ Yesterday, a couple of friends of mine, we got together some art, we are just going to start printing our own yard signs for Biden. If we have to save the Democrats from themselves, that’s what we’ll do.”", "He added, “This is a very good question to ask the Biden campaign because Hillary couldn’t get the yard signs. But Charlotte Alter points out in this TIME magazine article, there are not even field houses. You can’t go anywhere. There are no real Biden people on the ground in that way, in a way you would have. And the way they tried to kind of fluff it off is say ‘Well, it’s the 21st century, we do everything digital now.’ Man, why would you take—why would you use Michigan as the experiment? After what happened in 2016? When Hillary lost Michigan by only two votes per precinct, that’s all. Why risk anything? Why are you ignoring the black community? Biden has only come to Michigan once and only met —he went to two white towns, one in Macomb County and one what we call downriver Detroit.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/09/20/michael-moore-to-biden-why-are-you-ignoring-the-black-community-in-michigan/
Michael Moore to Biden: 'Why Are You Ignoring the Black Community' in Michigan? Liberal documentary filmmaker Michael Moore expressed concerns over Democratic nominee former Vice President Joe Biden’s outreach to Black voters in Michigan on Sunday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “Weekends.” Moore said, “I get calls every day from people in Michigan, ‘I can’t get a yard sign. I can’t get a yard sign’ Yesterday, a couple of friends of mine, we got together some art, we are just going to start printing our own yard signs for Biden. If we have to save the Democrats from themselves, that’s what we’ll do.” He added, “This is a very good question to ask the Biden campaign because Hillary couldn’t get the yard signs. But Charlotte Alter points out in this TIME magazine article, there are not even field houses. You can’t go anywhere. There are no real Biden people on the ground in that way, in a way you would have. And the way they tried to kind of fluff it off is say ‘Well, it’s the 21st century, we do everything digital now.’ Man, why would you take—why would you use Michigan as the experiment? After what happened in 2016? When Hillary lost Michigan by only two votes per precinct, that’s all. Why risk anything? Why are you ignoring the black community? Biden has only come to Michigan once and only met —he went to two white towns, one in Macomb County and one what we call downriver Detroit.”
Hospital official says 4 killed in Afghan suicide bombing
2017-09-29
[ "KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a mosque in the Afghan capital on Friday, killing four people and wounding 20 others, authorities said, in the latest attack to target the country’s minority Shiites.", "Hospital program coordinator Dejan Panic confirmed the fatalities from the attack, which came as worshippers were leaving the Hussainia Mosque in central Kabul following Friday prayers. Police officer Abdul Rahman said the attacker blew himself up on the street about 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) from the mosque.", "Police official Sadiq Muradi said police confronted the attacker as he came through a checkpoint near the holy site, calling for him to stop. But that’s when he ignited his explosives, blowing himself up.", "Mir Hussain Nasiri, a member of Kabul’s Shiite clerics council, told The Associated Press the attacker was disguised as a sheepherder.", "Mohammad Ismail, police chief of Kabul’s 10th district, said a second person suspected of involvement was in custody.", "Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack in a statement, saying the “terrorists” targeted civilians and their holy place, which shows the attackers “are against humanity and anti-religion and faith.”", "No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place two days before the Muslim holy day of Ashura. But Afghanistan has faced a series of large-scale attacks in recent months targeting minority Shiites for which the Sunni-dominated Islamic State group affiliate in Afghanistan has taken responsibility.", "In July, IS attacked the Iraqi Embassy in Kabul and then warned Shiites in Afghanistan that their mosques would be targeted. Sunni extremists consider Shiites to be heretics.", "Within days of that, IS also took responsibility for a suicide attack on a Shiite mosque in western Herat province that left 32 people dead.", "Last month, militants stormed a packed Shiite mosque in Kabul during Friday prayers in an attack that lasted for hours and ended with at least 20 worshippers killed and another 50 seriously wounded, many of them children. IS claimed it was responsible.", "Also on Friday, an Afghan official said a Taliban attack on a police checkpoint left five police dead in western Farah province.", "Iqbal Baher, spokesman for the provincial chief of police, says two others were wounded when the militants launched their attack early Friday in Bala Bluk district.", "Baher said reinforcements from the Afghan national army arrived after several hours of fighting and pushed the Taliban fighters out of the district. He said the Afghan air force struck three Taliban vehicles as they tried to escape, killing at least 20 of the militants.", "There was no immediate statement from the Taliban." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/news/hospital-official-says-4-killed-in-afghan-suicide-bombing/
Hospital official says 4 killed in Afghan suicide bombing KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A suicide bomber blew himself up outside a mosque in the Afghan capital on Friday, killing four people and wounding 20 others, authorities said, in the latest attack to target the country’s minority Shiites. Hospital program coordinator Dejan Panic confirmed the fatalities from the attack, which came as worshippers were leaving the Hussainia Mosque in central Kabul following Friday prayers. Police officer Abdul Rahman said the attacker blew himself up on the street about 1,000 meters (1,094 yards) from the mosque. Police official Sadiq Muradi said police confronted the attacker as he came through a checkpoint near the holy site, calling for him to stop. But that’s when he ignited his explosives, blowing himself up. Mir Hussain Nasiri, a member of Kabul’s Shiite clerics council, told The Associated Press the attacker was disguised as a sheepherder. Mohammad Ismail, police chief of Kabul’s 10th district, said a second person suspected of involvement was in custody. Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack in a statement, saying the “terrorists” targeted civilians and their holy place, which shows the attackers “are against humanity and anti-religion and faith.” No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place two days before the Muslim holy day of Ashura. But Afghanistan has faced a series of large-scale attacks in recent months targeting minority Shiites for which the Sunni-dominated Islamic State group affiliate in Afghanistan has taken responsibility. In July, IS attacked the Iraqi Embassy in Kabul and then warned Shiites in Afghanistan that their mosques would be targeted. Sunni extremists consider Shiites to be heretics. Within days of that, IS also took responsibility for a suicide attack on a Shiite mosque in western Herat province that left 32 people dead. Last month, militants stormed a packed Shiite mosque in Kabul during Friday prayers in an attack that lasted for hours and ended with at least 20 worshippers killed and another 50 seriously wounded, many of them children. IS claimed it was responsible. Also on Friday, an Afghan official said a Taliban attack on a police checkpoint left five police dead in western Farah province. Iqbal Baher, spokesman for the provincial chief of police, says two others were wounded when the militants launched their attack early Friday in Bala Bluk district. Baher said reinforcements from the Afghan national army arrived after several hours of fighting and pushed the Taliban fighters out of the district. He said the Afghan air force struck three Taliban vehicles as they tried to escape, killing at least 20 of the militants. There was no immediate statement from the Taliban.
Study: Hiring at Top Law Schools Biased Against Conservatives
2018-08-07
[ "A new study by attorney James C. Phillips suggests that top American law schools prefer to hire liberals over conservatives.", "New research that utilizes mathematical models suggests that top American law schools discriminate against conservative and libertarian scholars in their hiring practices.", "There are comparatively few conservative and libertarian law professors on U.S. law school faculties. Why is this? One possible explanation is discrimination based on political orientation. This paper tests this using a model of discrimination based on the work of Nobel Prize-winning economists Gary Becker and Kenneth Arrow in order to measure the “rank gap”—the difference in the ranking of a hiring law school based on one’s political orientation after controlling for other predictors of that ranking (clerkships, publications, the law school one graduated from, etc.).", "The report concluded that conservative and libertarian scholars often end up at law schools ranked significantly lower than their equally credentialed liberal peers. To be specific, conservative and libertarian professors were hired at schools ranked approximately 12-13 spots lower than their equal counterpart on the left.", "The paper, using matching statistical methods, finds that upon comparing conservative/libertarian law professors hired from 2001-2010 with equally credentialed liberal law professors, conservatives/libertarians end up, on average, at a law school ranked 12-13 spots lower (i.e., less prestigious). (See pages 36-37.) This rank gap is not uniform, being more moderate with the top 75 schools, non-existent with schools 76-100, and the largest with the lowest-ranked schools. (See page 40.) The paper finds a similar “rank gap” for law professors whose political orientation was unknown or moderate compared to their liberal peers.", "Phillips ends his research by arguing that liberal faculty and students stand the most to gain from the introduction of more conservative and libertarian faculty members. “To the extent the legal academy is concerned about diversity, given the significant role politics plays in the law, few types of diversity could be more beneficial to legal education than increased political diversity among law school faculties,” he finished. “Ironically, liberal students and law professors will arguably benefit the most if the percentage of conservative and libertarian faculty members increases.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/08/07/study-hiring-at-top-law-schools-biased-against-conservatives/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+breitbart+%28Breitbart+News%29
Study: Hiring at Top Law Schools Biased Against Conservatives A new study by attorney James C. Phillips suggests that top American law schools prefer to hire liberals over conservatives. New research that utilizes mathematical models suggests that top American law schools discriminate against conservative and libertarian scholars in their hiring practices. There are comparatively few conservative and libertarian law professors on U.S. law school faculties. Why is this? One possible explanation is discrimination based on political orientation. This paper tests this using a model of discrimination based on the work of Nobel Prize-winning economists Gary Becker and Kenneth Arrow in order to measure the “rank gap”—the difference in the ranking of a hiring law school based on one’s political orientation after controlling for other predictors of that ranking (clerkships, publications, the law school one graduated from, etc.). The report concluded that conservative and libertarian scholars often end up at law schools ranked significantly lower than their equally credentialed liberal peers. To be specific, conservative and libertarian professors were hired at schools ranked approximately 12-13 spots lower than their equal counterpart on the left. The paper, using matching statistical methods, finds that upon comparing conservative/libertarian law professors hired from 2001-2010 with equally credentialed liberal law professors, conservatives/libertarians end up, on average, at a law school ranked 12-13 spots lower (i.e., less prestigious). (See pages 36-37.) This rank gap is not uniform, being more moderate with the top 75 schools, non-existent with schools 76-100, and the largest with the lowest-ranked schools. (See page 40.) The paper finds a similar “rank gap” for law professors whose political orientation was unknown or moderate compared to their liberal peers. Phillips ends his research by arguing that liberal faculty and students stand the most to gain from the introduction of more conservative and libertarian faculty members. “To the extent the legal academy is concerned about diversity, given the significant role politics plays in the law, few types of diversity could be more beneficial to legal education than increased political diversity among law school faculties,” he finished. “Ironically, liberal students and law professors will arguably benefit the most if the percentage of conservative and libertarian faculty members increases.”
Report: 'Hundreds' of Android Apps Failed to Disclose Third-Party Tracking
2018-09-06
[ "“Hundreds” of apps for Google’s Android platform failed to disclose third-party analytics and advertising services within them, which collected personal user information, according to a report.", "“An analysis by University of Toronto researchers found hundreds of Android apps that disclosed the collection of personal information for the app developer’s own purposes — but, at the same time, didn’t disclose the presence of third-party advertising or analytics services that were collecting the personal information, too,” reported the CBC on Thursday. “If you give a weather app access to your location for a more accurate forecast, for example, a third-party advertising service embedded in the app could access it, too.”", "Though it is the legal obligation for the app developer to disclose this, “hundreds” of apps did not, leaving users unaware about who was able to access their information.", "Professor Lisa Austin, who was one of the co-authors of the study, called the results “eye-opening,” and declared, “This is one of the ways in which you’re getting tracked through your use of apps.”", "“You can’t have informed consent if you don’t know that your information is being collected by these third parties,” she continued.", "A report in August disclosed that Google tracks a user’s location via its apps even if the user had turned off the location feature. Later in August, a study found that Google’s Android smartphone operating system collects 10 times more data on its users than comparable iPhones.", "In 2017, Google removed 500 “spyware” apps from the Google Play app store." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/09/06/report-hundreds-of-android-apps-failed-to-disclose-third-party-tracking/
Report: 'Hundreds' of Android Apps Failed to Disclose Third-Party Tracking “Hundreds” of apps for Google’s Android platform failed to disclose third-party analytics and advertising services within them, which collected personal user information, according to a report. “An analysis by University of Toronto researchers found hundreds of Android apps that disclosed the collection of personal information for the app developer’s own purposes — but, at the same time, didn’t disclose the presence of third-party advertising or analytics services that were collecting the personal information, too,” reported the CBC on Thursday. “If you give a weather app access to your location for a more accurate forecast, for example, a third-party advertising service embedded in the app could access it, too.” Though it is the legal obligation for the app developer to disclose this, “hundreds” of apps did not, leaving users unaware about who was able to access their information. Professor Lisa Austin, who was one of the co-authors of the study, called the results “eye-opening,” and declared, “This is one of the ways in which you’re getting tracked through your use of apps.” “You can’t have informed consent if you don’t know that your information is being collected by these third parties,” she continued. A report in August disclosed that Google tracks a user’s location via its apps even if the user had turned off the location feature. Later in August, a study found that Google’s Android smartphone operating system collects 10 times more data on its users than comparable iPhones. In 2017, Google removed 500 “spyware” apps from the Google Play app store.
Turkish Media Lights Up with Gen. Michael Flynn's Call to Extradite Gulen
2016-11-11
[ "Turkish media have picked up an opinion piece by key Trump foreign policy adviser Gen. Michael Flynn calling for the extradition of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, while at least one Turkish official has expressed eagerness to work with an incoming Trump administration to have the cleric returned to his home country.", "Both moderate outlets like Hurriyet and pro-government operations like Sabah have run the comments Flynn made in a column for The Hill this week. Flynn referred to Gulen’s Islamic school movement, Hizmet, as a “scam,” adding that the United States “should not provide him safe haven.”", "“We must begin with understanding that Turkey is vital to U.S. interests. Turkey is really our strongest ally against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria [ISIS], as well as a source of stability in the region. It provides badly needed cooperation with U.S. military operations,” Flynn argued.", "His remarks are Friday’s front-page story of the Anadolu Post, the government newspaper.", "Anadolu has also run remarks by Taha Ozhan, the head of parliament’s External Affairs Commission, who said he believes that the extradition conversation can resume in earnest as early as February, following the inauguration.", "“Talks on this issue [extradition] can be done once it’s February. At this stage this expectation has to be voiced but the U.S. government transition has to go through,” he said. “Because Trump is [now] president-elect. After Trump assumes his duties, this file [on Gulen] should certainly be sent to him.”", "“Ankara now expects the Trump administration to work closely with Turkey toward Gülen’s detention and his ultimate extradition,” a Sabah column argues, citing Flynn’s column. “Trump is expected to approach the FETÖ issue more positively for Ankara. He will collaborate more with Erdoğan on this radical group FETÖ,” the newspaper quotes Burhanettin Duran, director of the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), as claiming.", "Another Sabah column, an opinion piece by Hilal Kaplan, compares Islamist President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to President-Elect Trump. “Just as the left-wing and liberal stratum in Turkey never learned the reasons why Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been the leading political figure in Turkey for the last 15 years, treating the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) electorate as hillbillies and could not accomplish anything beyond insults, the Trump dissidents are behaving in the same way today,” she argues. Kaplan notes that Erdogan reportedly mentioned Gulen during his congratulations conversation with Trump.", "The Turkish government view Gulen as a cult leader who has spent years plotting Erdogan’s overthrow and have accused him of orchestrating the July 15 failed coup against the Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP). Despite his opposition to Erdogan, Gulen himself is an Islamic cleric, responsible for maintaining a number of charter schools in the United States. While the FBI has raided several of these schools on suspicions of fraudulent economic activity, the U.S. government has yet to find any evidence that Gulen has engaged in unsavory political activity.", "Following multiple official demands for Gulen’s extradition after July, Washington was forced to clarify that Turkey had not provided any evidence of Gulen’s involvement in the coup attempt. The Turkish government admitted that this was correct — rather than provide American investigators with evidence against Gulen, government officials and supporters compared Hizmet to the “CIA project” of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and accused a “secret NATO army” of staging the coup.", "Gulen currently lives in the Pennsylvania Pocono mountains. Erdogan has detained, arrested, or fired over 100,000 Turks accused of having ties to the Hizmet movement." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/11/11/turkish-media-gen-mike-flynn-gulen-extradition/
Turkish Media Lights Up with Gen. Michael Flynn's Call to Extradite Gulen Turkish media have picked up an opinion piece by key Trump foreign policy adviser Gen. Michael Flynn calling for the extradition of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gulen, while at least one Turkish official has expressed eagerness to work with an incoming Trump administration to have the cleric returned to his home country. Both moderate outlets like Hurriyet and pro-government operations like Sabah have run the comments Flynn made in a column for The Hill this week. Flynn referred to Gulen’s Islamic school movement, Hizmet, as a “scam,” adding that the United States “should not provide him safe haven.” “We must begin with understanding that Turkey is vital to U.S. interests. Turkey is really our strongest ally against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria [ISIS], as well as a source of stability in the region. It provides badly needed cooperation with U.S. military operations,” Flynn argued. His remarks are Friday’s front-page story of the Anadolu Post, the government newspaper. Anadolu has also run remarks by Taha Ozhan, the head of parliament’s External Affairs Commission, who said he believes that the extradition conversation can resume in earnest as early as February, following the inauguration. “Talks on this issue [extradition] can be done once it’s February. At this stage this expectation has to be voiced but the U.S. government transition has to go through,” he said. “Because Trump is [now] president-elect. After Trump assumes his duties, this file [on Gulen] should certainly be sent to him.” “Ankara now expects the Trump administration to work closely with Turkey toward Gülen’s detention and his ultimate extradition,” a Sabah column argues, citing Flynn’s column. “Trump is expected to approach the FETÖ issue more positively for Ankara. He will collaborate more with Erdoğan on this radical group FETÖ,” the newspaper quotes Burhanettin Duran, director of the Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (SETA), as claiming. Another Sabah column, an opinion piece by Hilal Kaplan, compares Islamist President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to President-Elect Trump. “Just as the left-wing and liberal stratum in Turkey never learned the reasons why Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been the leading political figure in Turkey for the last 15 years, treating the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) electorate as hillbillies and could not accomplish anything beyond insults, the Trump dissidents are behaving in the same way today,” she argues. Kaplan notes that Erdogan reportedly mentioned Gulen during his congratulations conversation with Trump. The Turkish government view Gulen as a cult leader who has spent years plotting Erdogan’s overthrow and have accused him of orchestrating the July 15 failed coup against the Islamist Justice and Development Party (AKP). Despite his opposition to Erdogan, Gulen himself is an Islamic cleric, responsible for maintaining a number of charter schools in the United States. While the FBI has raided several of these schools on suspicions of fraudulent economic activity, the U.S. government has yet to find any evidence that Gulen has engaged in unsavory political activity. Following multiple official demands for Gulen’s extradition after July, Washington was forced to clarify that Turkey had not provided any evidence of Gulen’s involvement in the coup attempt. The Turkish government admitted that this was correct — rather than provide American investigators with evidence against Gulen, government officials and supporters compared Hizmet to the “CIA project” of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) and accused a “secret NATO army” of staging the coup. Gulen currently lives in the Pennsylvania Pocono mountains. Erdogan has detained, arrested, or fired over 100,000 Turks accused of having ties to the Hizmet movement.
State Media: Xi Jinping to Bring 'Chinese Wisdom' to G20 Summit
2019-06-27
[ "Chinese state media, which regularly touts Chinese cultural supremacy, claimed Thursday Communist Party chief Xi Jinping will bring “important Chinese wisdom” to the upcoming G20 summit.", "Xi will join leaders from 20 other nations at the summit on Friday, including President Donald Trump, with whom he is expected to hold talks over the ongoing trade dispute between the two nations.", "China’s People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party, declared Thursday that, at last year’s event, Xi “offered practical and feasible solutions to cope with global challenges, contributing important Chinese wisdom to global economic growth and injecting strong confidence to the win-win cooperation among countries.”", "“His efforts fully demonstrated the spirit of cooperation and openness of China as a responsible major country,” the paper continues. “President Xi is considered as an important and distinguished guest by the Japanese who believe that his attendance indicates China’s support for the G20 Osaka Summit and Japan.”", "On the question of possible trade negotiations with the United States, the Daily warns that “differences of opinions should always be properly handled through consultations, especially in the present case when certain countries are escalating trade and economic tensions.”", "The state news outlet Xinhua is also attempting to play up Xi’s perceived wisdom and leadership by publishing a piece of “Quotable quotes of Xi at previous G20 summits.” Xinhua and other similar government outlets often print similar piece as part of China’s elaborate propaganda campaign, which aims to portray him as a wise and powerful leader whose personality can only be matched in recent Chinese history by the late dictator Mao Zedong.", "“On the eve of the upcoming G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, a review of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks at previous G20 summits will facilitate a better understanding of Chinese solutions to challenges facing the world,” reads the piece from Xinhua.", "“In mankind’s relentless quest for development and progress, the trend toward openness and integration among countries is unstoppable despite ups and downs in the global economy,” it quotes Xi as saying during last year’s summit in Buenos Aires. “In this process, countries are increasingly becoming a community with shared interests, shared responsibilities and a shared future.”", "The Global Times is also preparing for the summit by sending out a message to Canada about the supposed “futility” of attempts to support Washington’s position in trade talks. Citing Chinese “experts” and “analysts,” (another term for Communist Party officials,) the Times warns that “bilateral ties could further worsen unless Canadian officials stop their wrongful and provocative words and deeds.”", "“As tensions between China and Canada continue to spike, more signs suggest that the deteriorating relations are hindering trade activities and official and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries,” the piece reads, adding that Canada’s recent crackdown on Chinese technology firm Huawei meant Ottawa had “single-handedly jeopardized what had been a flourishing relationship just a year ago.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2019/06/27/state-media-xi-jinping-preparing-to-bring-chinese-wisdom-to-g20-summit/
State Media: Xi Jinping to Bring 'Chinese Wisdom' to G20 Summit Chinese state media, which regularly touts Chinese cultural supremacy, claimed Thursday Communist Party chief Xi Jinping will bring “important Chinese wisdom” to the upcoming G20 summit. Xi will join leaders from 20 other nations at the summit on Friday, including President Donald Trump, with whom he is expected to hold talks over the ongoing trade dispute between the two nations. China’s People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Communist Party, declared Thursday that, at last year’s event, Xi “offered practical and feasible solutions to cope with global challenges, contributing important Chinese wisdom to global economic growth and injecting strong confidence to the win-win cooperation among countries.” “His efforts fully demonstrated the spirit of cooperation and openness of China as a responsible major country,” the paper continues. “President Xi is considered as an important and distinguished guest by the Japanese who believe that his attendance indicates China’s support for the G20 Osaka Summit and Japan.” On the question of possible trade negotiations with the United States, the Daily warns that “differences of opinions should always be properly handled through consultations, especially in the present case when certain countries are escalating trade and economic tensions.” The state news outlet Xinhua is also attempting to play up Xi’s perceived wisdom and leadership by publishing a piece of “Quotable quotes of Xi at previous G20 summits.” Xinhua and other similar government outlets often print similar piece as part of China’s elaborate propaganda campaign, which aims to portray him as a wise and powerful leader whose personality can only be matched in recent Chinese history by the late dictator Mao Zedong. “On the eve of the upcoming G20 summit in Osaka, Japan, a review of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks at previous G20 summits will facilitate a better understanding of Chinese solutions to challenges facing the world,” reads the piece from Xinhua. “In mankind’s relentless quest for development and progress, the trend toward openness and integration among countries is unstoppable despite ups and downs in the global economy,” it quotes Xi as saying during last year’s summit in Buenos Aires. “In this process, countries are increasingly becoming a community with shared interests, shared responsibilities and a shared future.” The Global Times is also preparing for the summit by sending out a message to Canada about the supposed “futility” of attempts to support Washington’s position in trade talks. Citing Chinese “experts” and “analysts,” (another term for Communist Party officials,) the Times warns that “bilateral ties could further worsen unless Canadian officials stop their wrongful and provocative words and deeds.” “As tensions between China and Canada continue to spike, more signs suggest that the deteriorating relations are hindering trade activities and official and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries,” the piece reads, adding that Canada’s recent crackdown on Chinese technology firm Huawei meant Ottawa had “single-handedly jeopardized what had been a flourishing relationship just a year ago.”
Green Beret Will Not Be Expelled for Confronting Afghan Child Rapist
2016-04-29
[ "The U.S. Army has decided not to discharge a decorated Green Beret for striking a local Afghan police commander accused of repeatedly raping a 12-year-old boy, Fox News has learned.", "Sgt 1st Class Charles Martland has confirmed to Fox News the Army’s decision not to kick him out.", "“I am real thankful for being able to continue to serve,” the decorated Green Beret told the news outlet. “I appreciate everything Congressman Duncan Hunter [R-CA] and his Chief of Staff, Joe Kasper did for me.”", "In 2011, Sgt. Martland and Capt. Daniel Quinn were reprimanded after they confronted the Afghan police chief, who is also accused of beating the boy’s mother when she complained about her son being sexually abused.", "When the two U.S. soldiers approached him, the Afghan police chief allegedly laughed after admitting to chaining the boy to a bed and sexually abusing him over the course of many days.", "Quinn eventually left the Army, but Martland has been fighting to continue his career after 11 years in the service, three war deployments, and a Bronze Star for valor in combat.", "Rep. Hunter, a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has pushed back against the Army’s decision to discharge Martland.", "“The U.S. Army has not confirmed the specifics of Martland’s separation from service citing privacy reasons, but a ‘memorandum of reprimand’ from October 2011 obtained by Fox News makes clear that Martland was criticized by the brass for his intervention after the alleged rape,” notes Fox News.", "In a statement to Fox News issued on Thursday, an Army spokesman confirmed that Martland has been allowed to continue his career in the U.S. military.", "“In SFC Martland’s case, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records determination modified a portion of one of SFC Martland’s evaluation reports and removed him from the QMP list, which will allow him to remain in the Army,” reportedly said Lt. Col. Jerry Pionk.", "Quinn welcomed the Army’s decision to retain Martland, according to Fox News.", "The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) was involved in the campaign to save Martland’s Army career.", "“The decision by the Army to retain this hero is long overdue and represents a significant victory for SFC Martland,” Fox News quoted Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ, as saying. “Justice has been served. The U.S. military has a moral obligation to stop child sexual abuse and exonerate SFC Martland for defending a child from rape. The Army finally took the corrective action needed and this is not only a victory for SFC Martland, but for the American people as well.”", "“The Army did the right thing and we won — the American people, won,” Rep. Duncan told Fox News. “Martland is who we want out there.”", "In the wake of the Martland scandal, some U.S. service members told the New York Times that they were told by the U.S. command in Afghanistan to ignore the widespread rape of children by Afghan soldiers and police officers.", "The Pentagon has since denied those allegations. Sexual abuse of children in Afghanistan, a centuries-old custom known as “bacha bazi” (boy play), is rampant." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/04/29/army-decorated-green-beret-will-not-kicked-confronting-afghan-child-rapist/
Green Beret Will Not Be Expelled for Confronting Afghan Child Rapist The U.S. Army has decided not to discharge a decorated Green Beret for striking a local Afghan police commander accused of repeatedly raping a 12-year-old boy, Fox News has learned. Sgt 1st Class Charles Martland has confirmed to Fox News the Army’s decision not to kick him out. “I am real thankful for being able to continue to serve,” the decorated Green Beret told the news outlet. “I appreciate everything Congressman Duncan Hunter [R-CA] and his Chief of Staff, Joe Kasper did for me.” In 2011, Sgt. Martland and Capt. Daniel Quinn were reprimanded after they confronted the Afghan police chief, who is also accused of beating the boy’s mother when she complained about her son being sexually abused. When the two U.S. soldiers approached him, the Afghan police chief allegedly laughed after admitting to chaining the boy to a bed and sexually abusing him over the course of many days. Quinn eventually left the Army, but Martland has been fighting to continue his career after 11 years in the service, three war deployments, and a Bronze Star for valor in combat. Rep. Hunter, a Marine veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has pushed back against the Army’s decision to discharge Martland. “The U.S. Army has not confirmed the specifics of Martland’s separation from service citing privacy reasons, but a ‘memorandum of reprimand’ from October 2011 obtained by Fox News makes clear that Martland was criticized by the brass for his intervention after the alleged rape,” notes Fox News. In a statement to Fox News issued on Thursday, an Army spokesman confirmed that Martland has been allowed to continue his career in the U.S. military. “In SFC Martland’s case, the Army Board for Correction of Military Records determination modified a portion of one of SFC Martland’s evaluation reports and removed him from the QMP list, which will allow him to remain in the Army,” reportedly said Lt. Col. Jerry Pionk. Quinn welcomed the Army’s decision to retain Martland, according to Fox News. The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) was involved in the campaign to save Martland’s Army career. “The decision by the Army to retain this hero is long overdue and represents a significant victory for SFC Martland,” Fox News quoted Jay Sekulow, chief counsel of the ACLJ, as saying. “Justice has been served. The U.S. military has a moral obligation to stop child sexual abuse and exonerate SFC Martland for defending a child from rape. The Army finally took the corrective action needed and this is not only a victory for SFC Martland, but for the American people as well.” “The Army did the right thing and we won — the American people, won,” Rep. Duncan told Fox News. “Martland is who we want out there.” In the wake of the Martland scandal, some U.S. service members told the New York Times that they were told by the U.S. command in Afghanistan to ignore the widespread rape of children by Afghan soldiers and police officers. The Pentagon has since denied those allegations. Sexual abuse of children in Afghanistan, a centuries-old custom known as “bacha bazi” (boy play), is rampant.
'Woke' News Site for Young Muslims Is Actually a Secret UK Counter-Terrorism Program
2019-08-17
[ "A supposed news site geared toward young Muslims in the U.K. is actually an undercover counter-terrorism program funded by the British government, according to reports. The Facebook page, “Woke,” describes itself as a “diverse social news platform” focusing on “what it means to be Muslim today.”", "The Facebook page “Woke,” which at first glance, looks like any other millennial-focused online news platform, is actually part of an undercover counter-terror program funded by the U.K. government, according to a report by CNN. The Facebook page is specifically geared toward British Muslims, publishing short, inspirational videos about a variety of topics pertaining to Muslims.", "“Your guide to the most engaging and relevant stories — like us, stay Woke,” reads the “About” section on Woke’s Facebook page. “Stay Woke” refers to U.S. slang describing having a strong sense of social and historical awareness with left-leaning implications.", "“WOKE is a diverse social news platform keeping you in the know about issues which matter the most,” continues the Facebook page description, adding that the platform partners with a “forward looking organisation that engages in critical discussions around Muslim identity, tradition and reform to provide a positive vision of what it means to be Muslim today.”", "The platform publishes memes, content regarding “Islamophobia,” and videos on veganism, fake news, and modern dating, among other topics. In one video, entitled, “Are We All Becoming Snowflakes?” four young panelists discuss whether people in today’s society are too sensitive.", "In another video — which received over 250,000 views — Muslim women describe what it was like the first time they put on “the hijab.” A third video garnering 113,000 views shows a Muslim man who is “on a mission to meet the haters” and meets with a former EDL member, where the two are seen enjoying each other’s company while spending the day with the Muslim’s man family.", "The news site Middle East Eye, however, says that Woke was created by a communications agency as part of a U.K. counter-terror program called “Prevent,” according to CNN. The report added that Prevent seeks to “educate the public about the risks of extremism and to identify individuals who seem ‘at risk’ of becoming terrorists, through a variety of public sector work.”", "Prevent is reportedly aimed at stopping people from supporting terrorism, or becoming terrorists themselves.", "“We are committed to using all of the tools available to counter the threat from terrorism in the UK,” said a spokesperson for the British interior ministry to CNN.", "Zinc Network, which was reported to have created Woke created for the British government, told CNN that it is “enormously proud of the work we undertake for our clients — providing support to communities, brands and governments to promote positive social change and tackle some of the most complex issues in the world today is the driving force of our agency.”", "The report added that the British government’s Home Office — the ministerial department which developed Prevent — says the counter-terror program does not target any specific demographic, and deals with “all forms of terrorism, including Islamist and extreme right wing.”", "“The Prevent program continues to play a vital role in this fight against radicalization and has had a significant impact in stopping people being drawn into terrorism,” said a Home Office spokesperson after being asked about Woke." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/08/17/woke-news-site-for-young-muslims-is-actually-a-secret-uk-counter-terrorism-program/
'Woke' News Site for Young Muslims Is Actually a Secret UK Counter-Terrorism Program A supposed news site geared toward young Muslims in the U.K. is actually an undercover counter-terrorism program funded by the British government, according to reports. The Facebook page, “Woke,” describes itself as a “diverse social news platform” focusing on “what it means to be Muslim today.” The Facebook page “Woke,” which at first glance, looks like any other millennial-focused online news platform, is actually part of an undercover counter-terror program funded by the U.K. government, according to a report by CNN. The Facebook page is specifically geared toward British Muslims, publishing short, inspirational videos about a variety of topics pertaining to Muslims. “Your guide to the most engaging and relevant stories — like us, stay Woke,” reads the “About” section on Woke’s Facebook page. “Stay Woke” refers to U.S. slang describing having a strong sense of social and historical awareness with left-leaning implications. “WOKE is a diverse social news platform keeping you in the know about issues which matter the most,” continues the Facebook page description, adding that the platform partners with a “forward looking organisation that engages in critical discussions around Muslim identity, tradition and reform to provide a positive vision of what it means to be Muslim today.” The platform publishes memes, content regarding “Islamophobia,” and videos on veganism, fake news, and modern dating, among other topics. In one video, entitled, “Are We All Becoming Snowflakes?” four young panelists discuss whether people in today’s society are too sensitive. In another video — which received over 250,000 views — Muslim women describe what it was like the first time they put on “the hijab.” A third video garnering 113,000 views shows a Muslim man who is “on a mission to meet the haters” and meets with a former EDL member, where the two are seen enjoying each other’s company while spending the day with the Muslim’s man family. The news site Middle East Eye, however, says that Woke was created by a communications agency as part of a U.K. counter-terror program called “Prevent,” according to CNN. The report added that Prevent seeks to “educate the public about the risks of extremism and to identify individuals who seem ‘at risk’ of becoming terrorists, through a variety of public sector work.” Prevent is reportedly aimed at stopping people from supporting terrorism, or becoming terrorists themselves. “We are committed to using all of the tools available to counter the threat from terrorism in the UK,” said a spokesperson for the British interior ministry to CNN. Zinc Network, which was reported to have created Woke created for the British government, told CNN that it is “enormously proud of the work we undertake for our clients — providing support to communities, brands and governments to promote positive social change and tackle some of the most complex issues in the world today is the driving force of our agency.” The report added that the British government’s Home Office — the ministerial department which developed Prevent — says the counter-terror program does not target any specific demographic, and deals with “all forms of terrorism, including Islamist and extreme right wing.” “The Prevent program continues to play a vital role in this fight against radicalization and has had a significant impact in stopping people being drawn into terrorism,” said a Home Office spokesperson after being asked about Woke.
Left Calls For Germany to Fire Spymaster Chief Who Spoke Out on Right-Wing Protests
2018-09-13
[ "BERLIN (AP) – Chancellor Angela Merkel’s junior coalition partners demanded the removal of Germany’s domestic intelligence chief on Thursday following much-criticized comments about recent far-right protests in the eastern city of Chemnitz.", "Hans-Georg Maassen’s future as the head of the BfV intelligence agency has created new strains in Merkel’s six-month-old coalition. The center-left Social Democrats, the junior governing party, called for him to go after Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told parliament Maassen still has his confidence.", "Merkel, Seehofer and Social Democrat leader Andrea Nahles met at the chancellery Thursday afternoon to discuss the spat, which comes only 2½ months after a crisis over migration policy that briefly threatened the coalition. News agency dpa, citing unidentified government sources, said they agreed to talk about the issue again on Tuesday.", "The killing late last month of a German man, for which an Iraqi and a Syrian have been arrested, prompted days of anti-migrant protests in Chemnitz that at times turned violent.", "In comments to the mass-circulation Bild daily last week, Maassen questioned the authenticity of a video showing protesters chasing down and attacking a foreigner. He also said his agency had no reliable evidence that foreigners were “hunted” in the streets – a term Merkel had used.", "Maassen told Seehofer, his immediate boss, about his doubts before going public but didn’t inform the chancellery. Although they are conservative allies, Seehofer and Merkel have sparred on and off about migrant policy for three years. A dispute between the pair in June briefly threatened to bring down the government.", "On Wednesday evening, Maassen was grilled by two parliamentary committees.", "“He explained comprehensively, and from my point of view convincingly, the way he acted,” Seehofer told lawmakers. Maassen debunked “conspiracy theories” and “convincingly took a stance against right-wing radicalism,” he added.", "Merkel doesn’t appear keen to make an issue of Maassen’s remarks, telling parliament Wednesday that a discussion about semantics isn’t helpful. But the Social Democrats, who are struggling in polls, said Seehofer’s decision to keep Maassen in place couldn’t be the last word.", "Senior lawmaker Eva Hoegl told lawmakers that the security services must enjoy “our unrestricted confidence, and if there is even the slightest doubt about that, there is a problem – so we should act differently here.” She and others said Maassen had failed to restore confidence in his leadership.", "The party’s general secretary, Lars Klingbeil, later increased the pressure, writing on Twitter that “for the Social Democrats’ leadership, it is completely clear that Maassen must go. Merkel must act now.”", "The head of the Social Democrats’ youth wing, who fought unsuccessfully earlier this year to keep the party out of Merkel’s government, suggested that it should quit the coalition if Maassen is kept on.", "But Hoegl told Deutschlandfunk radio that “the Social Democrats are, of course, not going to leave the coalition over Mr. Maassen.”", "The coalition, which took office in March, so far has been remarkable mostly for squabbling.", "The three parties in it all performed badly in last year’s election, which also saw the far-right Alternative for Germany enter parliament. And Seehofer’s Christian Social Union party faces a tough test in a Bavarian state election in mid-October." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/13/left-calls-for-germany-to-fire-spymaster-chief-who-spoke-out-on-right-wing-protests/
Left Calls For Germany to Fire Spymaster Chief Who Spoke Out on Right-Wing Protests BERLIN (AP) – Chancellor Angela Merkel’s junior coalition partners demanded the removal of Germany’s domestic intelligence chief on Thursday following much-criticized comments about recent far-right protests in the eastern city of Chemnitz. Hans-Georg Maassen’s future as the head of the BfV intelligence agency has created new strains in Merkel’s six-month-old coalition. The center-left Social Democrats, the junior governing party, called for him to go after Interior Minister Horst Seehofer told parliament Maassen still has his confidence. Merkel, Seehofer and Social Democrat leader Andrea Nahles met at the chancellery Thursday afternoon to discuss the spat, which comes only 2½ months after a crisis over migration policy that briefly threatened the coalition. News agency dpa, citing unidentified government sources, said they agreed to talk about the issue again on Tuesday. The killing late last month of a German man, for which an Iraqi and a Syrian have been arrested, prompted days of anti-migrant protests in Chemnitz that at times turned violent. In comments to the mass-circulation Bild daily last week, Maassen questioned the authenticity of a video showing protesters chasing down and attacking a foreigner. He also said his agency had no reliable evidence that foreigners were “hunted” in the streets – a term Merkel had used. Maassen told Seehofer, his immediate boss, about his doubts before going public but didn’t inform the chancellery. Although they are conservative allies, Seehofer and Merkel have sparred on and off about migrant policy for three years. A dispute between the pair in June briefly threatened to bring down the government. On Wednesday evening, Maassen was grilled by two parliamentary committees. “He explained comprehensively, and from my point of view convincingly, the way he acted,” Seehofer told lawmakers. Maassen debunked “conspiracy theories” and “convincingly took a stance against right-wing radicalism,” he added. Merkel doesn’t appear keen to make an issue of Maassen’s remarks, telling parliament Wednesday that a discussion about semantics isn’t helpful. But the Social Democrats, who are struggling in polls, said Seehofer’s decision to keep Maassen in place couldn’t be the last word. Senior lawmaker Eva Hoegl told lawmakers that the security services must enjoy “our unrestricted confidence, and if there is even the slightest doubt about that, there is a problem – so we should act differently here.” She and others said Maassen had failed to restore confidence in his leadership. The party’s general secretary, Lars Klingbeil, later increased the pressure, writing on Twitter that “for the Social Democrats’ leadership, it is completely clear that Maassen must go. Merkel must act now.” The head of the Social Democrats’ youth wing, who fought unsuccessfully earlier this year to keep the party out of Merkel’s government, suggested that it should quit the coalition if Maassen is kept on. But Hoegl told Deutschlandfunk radio that “the Social Democrats are, of course, not going to leave the coalition over Mr. Maassen.” The coalition, which took office in March, so far has been remarkable mostly for squabbling. The three parties in it all performed badly in last year’s election, which also saw the far-right Alternative for Germany enter parliament. And Seehofer’s Christian Social Union party faces a tough test in a Bavarian state election in mid-October.
Fact Check: Stacey Abrams is Wrong, Dem Plan Ends Border Enforcement
2019-02-06
[ "During her Democrat response to President Trump’s State of the Union (SOTU), failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams said House and Senate Democrats were ready to secure the U.S.-Mexico border.", "“Democrats stand ready to effectively secure our ports and borders,” Abrams said.", "In a fact check by Breitbart News, Abrams’ statement is found to be incorrect, as House Democrats offered a border plan to Trump this month that phases out all immigration and border enforcement for illegal aliens trafficking children by the end of the year.", "House Democrats have attached an immigration enforcement ban — first introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and supported by every Senate Democrat — to their proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget. The Democrats’ offer demands that all immigration enforcement end for any adult crossing the border with a child by the end of Fiscal Year 2019.", "Rather than being held in detention for a period of time, those adults and the migrant children they trafficked across the U.S.-Mexico border would be released immediately into the interior of the country thanks to the Democrat plan.", "As Breitbart News reported, the House Democrat offer does not include any money to construct a wall, much less a barrier, at the U.S.-Mexico border, but it does provide about $502 million for “humanitarian concerns” – funding that illegal aliens and border crossers would have access to in the form of food, transportation, medical care, and housing." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/02/05/fact-check-stacey-abrams-is-wrong-democrat-plan-opens-border-to-all-child-traffickers/
Fact Check: Stacey Abrams is Wrong, Dem Plan Ends Border Enforcement During her Democrat response to President Trump’s State of the Union (SOTU), failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams said House and Senate Democrats were ready to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. “Democrats stand ready to effectively secure our ports and borders,” Abrams said. In a fact check by Breitbart News, Abrams’ statement is found to be incorrect, as House Democrats offered a border plan to Trump this month that phases out all immigration and border enforcement for illegal aliens trafficking children by the end of the year. House Democrats have attached an immigration enforcement ban — first introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and supported by every Senate Democrat — to their proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) budget. The Democrats’ offer demands that all immigration enforcement end for any adult crossing the border with a child by the end of Fiscal Year 2019. Rather than being held in detention for a period of time, those adults and the migrant children they trafficked across the U.S.-Mexico border would be released immediately into the interior of the country thanks to the Democrat plan. As Breitbart News reported, the House Democrat offer does not include any money to construct a wall, much less a barrier, at the U.S.-Mexico border, but it does provide about $502 million for “humanitarian concerns” – funding that illegal aliens and border crossers would have access to in the form of food, transportation, medical care, and housing.
Obama Defends TPP: ‘Right Now, I'm President, and I'm for It’
2016-08-03
[ "President Barack Obama defended his signature trade effort with Asia, explaining that he would continue to fight to pass the legislation, even though his party’s nominee, Hillary Clinton, changed her mind to oppose it.", "“Right now, I’m President, and I’m for it,” Obama told reporters who asked him about the languishing proposal that has drawn criticism from both Republicans and Democrats running for office.", "Obama held a press conference Tuesday with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, a key interest in moving the proposal forward.", "The president appeared disappointed that both parties were campaigning on an anti-trade agenda, alluding to Hillary Clinton’s flipped position for political reasons.", "“Hopefully, after the election is over and the dust settled, there will be more attention to the actual facts behind the deal, and it won’t just be a political symbol or a political football,” he said.", "But Obama asserted that globalization would not be reversed, despite a growing populist political movement against his trade agenda.", "“[T]he answer cannot be to back away from trade in the global economy,” Obama said. “It is here to stay. It’s not possible to cut ourselves off, given how integrated our economies are, and trying to pull up a drawbridge on trade would only hurt us and hurt our workers.”", "He admitted that workers in the United States had “fears and anxieties” that they would be left behind in a global economy.", "“These anxieties are legitimate. They can’t be ignored; they have to be taken seriously,” he said before ultimately dismissing them." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/08/03/obama-defends-tpp-right-now-im-president-and-im-for-it/
Obama Defends TPP: ‘Right Now, I'm President, and I'm for It’ President Barack Obama defended his signature trade effort with Asia, explaining that he would continue to fight to pass the legislation, even though his party’s nominee, Hillary Clinton, changed her mind to oppose it. “Right now, I’m President, and I’m for it,” Obama told reporters who asked him about the languishing proposal that has drawn criticism from both Republicans and Democrats running for office. Obama held a press conference Tuesday with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, a key interest in moving the proposal forward. The president appeared disappointed that both parties were campaigning on an anti-trade agenda, alluding to Hillary Clinton’s flipped position for political reasons. “Hopefully, after the election is over and the dust settled, there will be more attention to the actual facts behind the deal, and it won’t just be a political symbol or a political football,” he said. But Obama asserted that globalization would not be reversed, despite a growing populist political movement against his trade agenda. “[T]he answer cannot be to back away from trade in the global economy,” Obama said. “It is here to stay. It’s not possible to cut ourselves off, given how integrated our economies are, and trying to pull up a drawbridge on trade would only hurt us and hurt our workers.” He admitted that workers in the United States had “fears and anxieties” that they would be left behind in a global economy. “These anxieties are legitimate. They can’t be ignored; they have to be taken seriously,” he said before ultimately dismissing them.
China Releases Military Video Warning Hong Kong Protesters
2019-08-01
[ "The Chinese military released a video on Thursday warning of “consequences” for the people of Hong Kong if they continue to protest against Beijing’s encroachment on their freedoms.", "The release of the propaganda video came as the head of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) garrison in Hong Kong made his first public statement on the protests that have rocked the city over the past four months.", "“Recently, Hong Kong saw a series of violent radical incidents, which seriously disrupted Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, seriously challenged Hong Kong’s rule of law and social order, seriously threatened the life and property of Hong Kong citizens, and seriously violated the bottom line of One Country, Two Systems,” said commander Chen Daoxiang. “This cannot be tolerated and we express strong condemnation.”", "“One Country, Two Systems” is the governing principle that states China has sovereignty over Hong Kong but cannot impose communism there.", "Chen, addressing an event commemorating the 92nd anniversary of the establishment of the PLA, went on to argue that the Hong Kong garrison had become a “heroic force” that continues to act as “linchpin for Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.”", "The event was also an opportunity for the PLA to showcase a promotional video of troops carrying out combative operations. One of these operations was an anti-riot drill, where troops are seen pushing back protesters while displaying a red warning flag with the words “stop charging or we use force.” At one point in the video, a soldier shouts the following warning in Cantonese: “All consequences are at your own risk.”", "The video is broken up into “chapters” showcasing different military skillsets. In one chapter, “Maintaining Order,” soldiers wearing riot gear attack demonstrators with water cannons and tear gas, detaining people en masse. In a later chapter titled “Anti-Terrorism,” troops are seen storming buildings, driving tanks, and shooting targets from long range.", "The video concludes with Chinese people praising the PLA and discussing their patriotic feelings. One man describes how the “PLA and people of Hong Kong are integrated,” while another girl simply says: “I love my country.”", "Some of the attendees at Wednesday’s event included current pro-China Chief Executive Carrie Lam, her predecessor, Tung Chee-hwa, the director of the China Liaison Office Wang Zhimin, and Hong Kong Police Chief Stephen Lo. In his remarks, Tung blamed the United States and Taiwan without evidence of being behind the recent civil unrest that has left over 160 people injured and more than 200 arrested, while five people have committed suicide in protest.", "“This political storm escalated quickly and is massive in scale. Its organization appears loose but is intricate and hidden, and is clearly different from past movements,” said Tung. “There is reason to believe that there are masterminds behind the storm, and may be related to the involvement of foreign forces, with signs pointing to Taiwan and the United States.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/08/01/china-releases-military-video-warning-hong-kong-protesters-consequences/
China Releases Military Video Warning Hong Kong Protesters The Chinese military released a video on Thursday warning of “consequences” for the people of Hong Kong if they continue to protest against Beijing’s encroachment on their freedoms. The release of the propaganda video came as the head of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) garrison in Hong Kong made his first public statement on the protests that have rocked the city over the past four months. “Recently, Hong Kong saw a series of violent radical incidents, which seriously disrupted Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability, seriously challenged Hong Kong’s rule of law and social order, seriously threatened the life and property of Hong Kong citizens, and seriously violated the bottom line of One Country, Two Systems,” said commander Chen Daoxiang. “This cannot be tolerated and we express strong condemnation.” “One Country, Two Systems” is the governing principle that states China has sovereignty over Hong Kong but cannot impose communism there. Chen, addressing an event commemorating the 92nd anniversary of the establishment of the PLA, went on to argue that the Hong Kong garrison had become a “heroic force” that continues to act as “linchpin for Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability.” The event was also an opportunity for the PLA to showcase a promotional video of troops carrying out combative operations. One of these operations was an anti-riot drill, where troops are seen pushing back protesters while displaying a red warning flag with the words “stop charging or we use force.” At one point in the video, a soldier shouts the following warning in Cantonese: “All consequences are at your own risk.” The video is broken up into “chapters” showcasing different military skillsets. In one chapter, “Maintaining Order,” soldiers wearing riot gear attack demonstrators with water cannons and tear gas, detaining people en masse. In a later chapter titled “Anti-Terrorism,” troops are seen storming buildings, driving tanks, and shooting targets from long range. The video concludes with Chinese people praising the PLA and discussing their patriotic feelings. One man describes how the “PLA and people of Hong Kong are integrated,” while another girl simply says: “I love my country.” Some of the attendees at Wednesday’s event included current pro-China Chief Executive Carrie Lam, her predecessor, Tung Chee-hwa, the director of the China Liaison Office Wang Zhimin, and Hong Kong Police Chief Stephen Lo. In his remarks, Tung blamed the United States and Taiwan without evidence of being behind the recent civil unrest that has left over 160 people injured and more than 200 arrested, while five people have committed suicide in protest. “This political storm escalated quickly and is massive in scale. Its organization appears loose but is intricate and hidden, and is clearly different from past movements,” said Tung. “There is reason to believe that there are masterminds behind the storm, and may be related to the involvement of foreign forces, with signs pointing to Taiwan and the United States.”
DeSantis Blasts Woke Corporations: 'Grow a Spine and Actually Stand Up'
2021-04-20
[ "WINTER HAVEN, Florida — Leaders of “woke” corporations must “grow a spine” and “stop being sucked into genuflecting to the left,” Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) told Breitbart News in an exclusive interview Monday.", "DeSantis spoke to Breitbart News following his signing of Florida’s anti-riot bill, which enhances criminal penalties for rioters and takes a stand against defunding the police in the Sunshine State. On the emergence of “woke” corporations caving to the radical left, particularly in relation to state efforts to implement basic election integrity measures such as voter ID — like in Georgia — DeSantis said it is the height of hypocrisy given the fact that many of these entities continue to do business with bad actors, like the Chinese Communist Party.", "“What I’ve said is, look. If you stick your beak into things that don’t concern you, then I’m going to start asking questions. I mean for example, if you say having a — we’ve [Florida] had voter ID for a long time — but if you’re upset at Georgia for having voter ID but you do business with the Castro regime in Cuba or with the Communist Party of China, that’s something that we’re going to want to make sure that that’s known and vetted because it’s just hypocrisy,” the Republican governor said, further explaining that it is “hypocrisy rooted in cowardice.”", "“But it’s really hypocrisy rooted in cowardice. These are executives who are scared to death of the left and the corporate media and so they always want to take the path of least resistance, and they think the path of least resistance is just to cave and to kind of give them what they want,” he continued.", "Bowing to the radical left, he said, is not the right move from a business perspective alone, because the radical left will only demand more.", "“The minute you cave, they’re going to come back at you for something else. It’s never going to stop,” he said, explaining the virtue-signaling will not come “cost-free.”", "“This is something we think is very damaging. It’s not the way— you don’t want an economy to be politicized in every aspect [and] have every economic actor take positions on all these things. And I know are they out there protesting H.R. 1 in the Congress which is outrageous and unconstitutional? No. I don’t hear that,” he said.", "“Are they protesting the Democrats who want to pack the Supreme Court? I haven’t seen any of these corporations speak out against that. And so it’s basically rooted in them being bullied by the left, and a lot of these executives not having backbone to be able to stand up,” he continued before offering his own advice.", "“So I would just tell them: ‘grow a spine and actually stand up and stop being sucked into genuflecting to the left,'” he added." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/04/20/exclusive-desantis-blasts-woke-corporations-grow-spine-actually-stand-up/
DeSantis Blasts Woke Corporations: 'Grow a Spine and Actually Stand Up' WINTER HAVEN, Florida — Leaders of “woke” corporations must “grow a spine” and “stop being sucked into genuflecting to the left,” Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) told Breitbart News in an exclusive interview Monday. DeSantis spoke to Breitbart News following his signing of Florida’s anti-riot bill, which enhances criminal penalties for rioters and takes a stand against defunding the police in the Sunshine State. On the emergence of “woke” corporations caving to the radical left, particularly in relation to state efforts to implement basic election integrity measures such as voter ID — like in Georgia — DeSantis said it is the height of hypocrisy given the fact that many of these entities continue to do business with bad actors, like the Chinese Communist Party. “What I’ve said is, look. If you stick your beak into things that don’t concern you, then I’m going to start asking questions. I mean for example, if you say having a — we’ve [Florida] had voter ID for a long time — but if you’re upset at Georgia for having voter ID but you do business with the Castro regime in Cuba or with the Communist Party of China, that’s something that we’re going to want to make sure that that’s known and vetted because it’s just hypocrisy,” the Republican governor said, further explaining that it is “hypocrisy rooted in cowardice.” “But it’s really hypocrisy rooted in cowardice. These are executives who are scared to death of the left and the corporate media and so they always want to take the path of least resistance, and they think the path of least resistance is just to cave and to kind of give them what they want,” he continued. Bowing to the radical left, he said, is not the right move from a business perspective alone, because the radical left will only demand more. “The minute you cave, they’re going to come back at you for something else. It’s never going to stop,” he said, explaining the virtue-signaling will not come “cost-free.” “This is something we think is very damaging. It’s not the way— you don’t want an economy to be politicized in every aspect [and] have every economic actor take positions on all these things. And I know are they out there protesting H.R. 1 in the Congress which is outrageous and unconstitutional? No. I don’t hear that,” he said. “Are they protesting the Democrats who want to pack the Supreme Court? I haven’t seen any of these corporations speak out against that. And so it’s basically rooted in them being bullied by the left, and a lot of these executives not having backbone to be able to stand up,” he continued before offering his own advice. “So I would just tell them: ‘grow a spine and actually stand up and stop being sucked into genuflecting to the left,'” he added.
IRS Denies Christian Non-Profit Tax-Exempt Status
2021-06-20
[ "A Christian non-profit is challenging the Internal Revenue Service after the agency denied them tax-exempt status saying “the Bible’s teachings are typically affiliated with the Republican Party and candidates.”", "Christians Engaged describes itself as educational, Christian, and non-partisan, and operates out of Garland, Texas. Its three main goals, as described by the non-profit, include:", "To awaken, motivate, and empower ordinary believers in Jesus Christ to: pray for our nation and our elected officials regularly, vote in every election to impact our culture, and engage our hearts in some forms of political education or activism for the furtherance of our nation.", "The non-profit works to show Christians how to “civically engage as part of their religious practice” but does not promote specific parties or candidates or earn money for political causes, according to the organization’s appeal letter to the IRS.", "The non-profit first applied to become a 501 (c)(3) in late 2019. They received a rejection letter on May 18, 2021, from Exempt Organizations Director Stephen A. Martin saying the group “engage[s] in prohibited political campaign intervention” and “operate[s] for a substantial non-exempt private purpose and for the private interests of the [Republican] party.”", "Martin alleged in his letter that the group does not meet requirements for tax exemption because biblical causes tend to favor the Republican Party:", "Specifically, you educate Christians on what the Bible says in areas where they can be instrumental including the areas of sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, biblical justice, freedom of speech, defense, and borders and immigration, U.S. and Israel relations. The Bible teachings are typically affiliated with the [Republican Party] and candidates. This disqualifies you from exemption under IRC Section 501(c)(3).", "The First Liberty Institute, which is representing Christians Engaged, sent an appeal letter to the IRS on June 16, saying Martin’s decision mischaracterizes the nature of the non-profit and infringes on first amendment liberties.", "“From its religious perspective, Christians Engaged provides nonpartisan religious and civic education, focusing on encouraging and educating Christians to be civically engaged as a part of their religious practice,” according to the appeal letter.", "Lea Patterson, who is representing Christians Engaged and serves as counsel with First Liberty Institute, said the decision from the IRS is strange and not in line with their past practices. Patterson said the IRS is discriminating based on religion.", "“If the IRS going forward thinks that Bible teaching is Republican-affiliated, then that could endanger the tax-exempt status of many religious organizations — including potentially churches, which obviously teach the Bible with some frequency,” Patterson told Breitbart News on Saturday.", "In the denial letter, the IRS pointed out that the leadership of the organization is or has been heavily involved in other Republican organizations in the past. However, these affiliations are separate and do not intersect with Christians Engaged. President Bunni Pounds is a former congressional candidate, 15-year political consultant, and a motivational speaker. Vice President Trayce Bradford is the former president of Texas Eagle Forum – a statewide pro-family advocacy group, former prayer leader, and an organizer for Promise Keepers.", "“We just want to encourage more people to vote and participate in the political process. How can anyone be against that?” Pounds said in a release.", "In the appeal letter, Patterson pointed out that the IRS has approved 501(c)(3) status for several other organizations that behave almost identically to Christians Engaged. Most notably, the letter mentioned a non-profit Michelle Obama started called Civic Nation, whose “When We All Vote” initiative says its mission is:", "[T]o change the culture around voting and to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap. Created by Michelle Obama, When We All Vote brings together individuals, institutions, brands, and organizations to register new voters across the country and advance civic education for the entire family and voters of every age to build an informed and engaged electorate for today and generations to come. We empower our supporters and volunteers to take action through voting, advocating for their rights, and holding their elected officials accountable.", "“Denying tax-exempt status for Christians Engaged while recognizing the exempt status of other organizations who encourage civic engagement from different viewpoints demonstrates the IRS’s impermissible viewpoint discrimination,” Patterson said in the appeal letter.", "Patterson also noted that Martin is not following protocol when he assumes that Christian values belong to one political party.", "“The IRS states in an official letter that Biblical values are exclusively Republican. That might be news to President Biden, who is often described as basing his political ideology on his religious beliefs,” Patterson said.", "Going forward, Christians Engaged must wait while the IRS goes through its official internal administrative appeal process over the next few months. If they are denied again, the IRS and Christians Engaged could end up in federal court, Patterson said.", "“Our client’s hope is that they get approved and recognized as a 501(c)(3),” she said." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2021/06/19/denies-christian-profit-tax-exempt-status-bibles-teachings-affiliated-republican-party/
IRS Denies Christian Non-Profit Tax-Exempt Status A Christian non-profit is challenging the Internal Revenue Service after the agency denied them tax-exempt status saying “the Bible’s teachings are typically affiliated with the Republican Party and candidates.” Christians Engaged describes itself as educational, Christian, and non-partisan, and operates out of Garland, Texas. Its three main goals, as described by the non-profit, include: To awaken, motivate, and empower ordinary believers in Jesus Christ to: pray for our nation and our elected officials regularly, vote in every election to impact our culture, and engage our hearts in some forms of political education or activism for the furtherance of our nation. The non-profit works to show Christians how to “civically engage as part of their religious practice” but does not promote specific parties or candidates or earn money for political causes, according to the organization’s appeal letter to the IRS. The non-profit first applied to become a 501 (c)(3) in late 2019. They received a rejection letter on May 18, 2021, from Exempt Organizations Director Stephen A. Martin saying the group “engage[s] in prohibited political campaign intervention” and “operate[s] for a substantial non-exempt private purpose and for the private interests of the [Republican] party.” Martin alleged in his letter that the group does not meet requirements for tax exemption because biblical causes tend to favor the Republican Party: Specifically, you educate Christians on what the Bible says in areas where they can be instrumental including the areas of sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, biblical justice, freedom of speech, defense, and borders and immigration, U.S. and Israel relations. The Bible teachings are typically affiliated with the [Republican Party] and candidates. This disqualifies you from exemption under IRC Section 501(c)(3). The First Liberty Institute, which is representing Christians Engaged, sent an appeal letter to the IRS on June 16, saying Martin’s decision mischaracterizes the nature of the non-profit and infringes on first amendment liberties. “From its religious perspective, Christians Engaged provides nonpartisan religious and civic education, focusing on encouraging and educating Christians to be civically engaged as a part of their religious practice,” according to the appeal letter. Lea Patterson, who is representing Christians Engaged and serves as counsel with First Liberty Institute, said the decision from the IRS is strange and not in line with their past practices. Patterson said the IRS is discriminating based on religion. “If the IRS going forward thinks that Bible teaching is Republican-affiliated, then that could endanger the tax-exempt status of many religious organizations — including potentially churches, which obviously teach the Bible with some frequency,” Patterson told Breitbart News on Saturday. In the denial letter, the IRS pointed out that the leadership of the organization is or has been heavily involved in other Republican organizations in the past. However, these affiliations are separate and do not intersect with Christians Engaged. President Bunni Pounds is a former congressional candidate, 15-year political consultant, and a motivational speaker. Vice President Trayce Bradford is the former president of Texas Eagle Forum – a statewide pro-family advocacy group, former prayer leader, and an organizer for Promise Keepers. “We just want to encourage more people to vote and participate in the political process. How can anyone be against that?” Pounds said in a release. In the appeal letter, Patterson pointed out that the IRS has approved 501(c)(3) status for several other organizations that behave almost identically to Christians Engaged. Most notably, the letter mentioned a non-profit Michelle Obama started called Civic Nation, whose “When We All Vote” initiative says its mission is: [T]o change the culture around voting and to increase participation in each and every election by helping to close the race and age gap. Created by Michelle Obama, When We All Vote brings together individuals, institutions, brands, and organizations to register new voters across the country and advance civic education for the entire family and voters of every age to build an informed and engaged electorate for today and generations to come. We empower our supporters and volunteers to take action through voting, advocating for their rights, and holding their elected officials accountable. “Denying tax-exempt status for Christians Engaged while recognizing the exempt status of other organizations who encourage civic engagement from different viewpoints demonstrates the IRS’s impermissible viewpoint discrimination,” Patterson said in the appeal letter. Patterson also noted that Martin is not following protocol when he assumes that Christian values belong to one political party. “The IRS states in an official letter that Biblical values are exclusively Republican. That might be news to President Biden, who is often described as basing his political ideology on his religious beliefs,” Patterson said. Going forward, Christians Engaged must wait while the IRS goes through its official internal administrative appeal process over the next few months. If they are denied again, the IRS and Christians Engaged could end up in federal court, Patterson said. “Our client’s hope is that they get approved and recognized as a 501(c)(3),” she said.
Delaney: Warren, Sanders 'Extreme Left', Support 'Fairy-tale Economics'
2019-07-31
[ "On Wednesday’s “Fox & Friends,” former Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) discussed his sparring with Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) during the Democratic presidential debate the night before.", "Delaney described both Sanders and Warren as “extreme left” of the Democratic Party, adding they support “fairy-tale economics” and “impossible promises” that he said would never happen.", "“[T]he things [Warren is] proposing are either impossible promises or fairy-tale economics, she says, ‘Oh, you’re not being ambitious enough,'” Delaney pointed out.", "The former congressman went on to defend himself after taking shots from Sanders and Warren, which were met with applause, on Tuesday’s debate stage.", "Delaney told “Fox & Friends,” “That’s the response when someone really can’t defend their plans.”", "“I think it’s just kind of lazy and a dishonest response to people who don’t feel comfortable defending these kinds of crazy proposals that they have,” he added, lamenting that he could not respond to Warren during the debate." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2019/07/31/delaney-warren-sanders-extreme-left-support-fairy-tale-economics/
Delaney: Warren, Sanders 'Extreme Left', Support 'Fairy-tale Economics' On Wednesday’s “Fox & Friends,” former Rep. John Delaney (D-MD) discussed his sparring with Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) during the Democratic presidential debate the night before. Delaney described both Sanders and Warren as “extreme left” of the Democratic Party, adding they support “fairy-tale economics” and “impossible promises” that he said would never happen. “[T]he things [Warren is] proposing are either impossible promises or fairy-tale economics, she says, ‘Oh, you’re not being ambitious enough,'” Delaney pointed out. The former congressman went on to defend himself after taking shots from Sanders and Warren, which were met with applause, on Tuesday’s debate stage. Delaney told “Fox & Friends,” “That’s the response when someone really can’t defend their plans.” “I think it’s just kind of lazy and a dishonest response to people who don’t feel comfortable defending these kinds of crazy proposals that they have,” he added, lamenting that he could not respond to Warren during the debate.
North Korea Says Trump Offered Virus Cooperation in Letter to Kim
2020-03-23
[ "North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, confirmed in an official statement Sunday that President Donald Trump sent a letter to her brother formally offering help to the nation in its fight against the Chinese coronavirus.", "North Korea continues to insist it has documented zero cases of the virus, a claim met with skepticism by many experts.", "In a statement shared by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the state propaganda outlet, Kim’s sister Kim Yo-jong, called the letter “a good example showing the special and firm personal relations” between the two leaders. The statement did not say when the letter was received.", "Kim said Trump’s letter “expressed his intent to render cooperation in the anti-epidemic work, saying that he was impressed by the efforts made by the Chairman [Kim Jong-un] to defend his people from the serious threat of the epidemic.”", "According to the statement, the letter said that despite good personal relations between the leaders, “if impartiality and balance are not provided and unilateral and greedy intention is not taken away, the bilateral relations will continue to aggravate.”", "A senior Trump administration official confirmed President Trump sent the letter, saying it was “consistent with his efforts to engage global leaders during the ongoing pandemic.” The official added that President Trump looks forward to continued communications with Kim.", "A day before at a White House press briefing, Trump said Washington would be open to helping North Korea fight the Chinese coronavirus.", "“On North Korea … and others, we are open for helping other countries. It is a very serious time. North Korea’s going through something … I have put the – it’s really a glad hand, to North Korea … and to many other countries,” said President Trump at the White House press conference Saturday.", "Despite this recent statement from North Korea regarding the letter from President Trump, South Korea claims North Korea has not reached out for assistance in its fight against the Chinese coronavirus. As reported Monday, a senior ranking South Korean foreign ministry official called the lack of action “regrettable,” considering the availability of help from both the United States and South Korea.", "North Korea has attempted a series of missile launches amid the pandemic, including the launch of two apparent short-range missiles into the sea within the past few days, according to South Korean military officials. North Korea says it has zero Chinese coronavirus cases, a claim disputed by international authorities.", "Originating in Wuhan, China, at the end of last year, the Chinese coronavirus has infected 8,961 and killed 111 in South Korea at press time Monday." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2020/03/23/north-korea-says-trump-offered-virus-cooperation-letter-kim/
North Korea Says Trump Offered Virus Cooperation in Letter to Kim North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, confirmed in an official statement Sunday that President Donald Trump sent a letter to her brother formally offering help to the nation in its fight against the Chinese coronavirus. North Korea continues to insist it has documented zero cases of the virus, a claim met with skepticism by many experts. In a statement shared by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the state propaganda outlet, Kim’s sister Kim Yo-jong, called the letter “a good example showing the special and firm personal relations” between the two leaders. The statement did not say when the letter was received. Kim said Trump’s letter “expressed his intent to render cooperation in the anti-epidemic work, saying that he was impressed by the efforts made by the Chairman [Kim Jong-un] to defend his people from the serious threat of the epidemic.” According to the statement, the letter said that despite good personal relations between the leaders, “if impartiality and balance are not provided and unilateral and greedy intention is not taken away, the bilateral relations will continue to aggravate.” A senior Trump administration official confirmed President Trump sent the letter, saying it was “consistent with his efforts to engage global leaders during the ongoing pandemic.” The official added that President Trump looks forward to continued communications with Kim. A day before at a White House press briefing, Trump said Washington would be open to helping North Korea fight the Chinese coronavirus. “On North Korea … and others, we are open for helping other countries. It is a very serious time. North Korea’s going through something … I have put the – it’s really a glad hand, to North Korea … and to many other countries,” said President Trump at the White House press conference Saturday. Despite this recent statement from North Korea regarding the letter from President Trump, South Korea claims North Korea has not reached out for assistance in its fight against the Chinese coronavirus. As reported Monday, a senior ranking South Korean foreign ministry official called the lack of action “regrettable,” considering the availability of help from both the United States and South Korea. North Korea has attempted a series of missile launches amid the pandemic, including the launch of two apparent short-range missiles into the sea within the past few days, according to South Korean military officials. North Korea says it has zero Chinese coronavirus cases, a claim disputed by international authorities. Originating in Wuhan, China, at the end of last year, the Chinese coronavirus has infected 8,961 and killed 111 in South Korea at press time Monday.
At least 15 arrested in MS-13 gang killings in New York
2017-07-19
[ "CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — At least 15 members of the MS-13 street gang have been arrested on murder and other charges following a spate of bloodshed that included the massacre of four young men in a Long Island park and the killing of a suspected gang rival inside a deli, police said Wednesday.", "Six of those charged are juveniles who participated in the deadly acts, said Timothy Sini, Suffolk County’s police commissioner.", "The majority of the arrests happened in the past week, though Sini noted his department has been waging an aggressive campaign against the gang following the deaths of 11 people in the Brentwood and Central Islip communities since last September. Some of those killed have included high school students.", "Sini spoke to reporters after federal authorities announced a superseding indictment charging a wide-ranging series of crimes including murder, assault, weapons and drug charges.", "Three suspected MS-13 gang members rounded up in the Suffolk County police sweep are among those named in the indictment on murder and other charges stemming from the killings in April. A fourth gang member named in the indictment in the park murders isn’t in custody, according to court documents.", "“We’re going to keep the pressure on MS-13,” Sini told reporters outside a federal courthouse on Long Island, located in the same town where the park massacre occurred. “We have to make sure it is uncomfortable as possible for MS-13.”", "MS-13, also called Mara Salvatrucha, is a major international criminal enterprise, with tens of thousands of members in several Central American countries and many U.S. states. It is believed to have been founded as a neighborhood street gang in Los Angeles in the mid-1980s by immigrants fleeing a civil war in El Salvador.", "The killings of the four young men found slaughtered in the park in April punctuated a spate of violence in Central Islip and neighboring Brentwood, east of New York City.", "Last September, two teenage girls who were walking in their Brentwood neighborhood were attacked with machetes and baseball bats. Four people were charged in March in their deaths and could face the death penalty if convicted.", "The violence has led to congressional hearings, tweets from the White House and a visit to Long Island from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.", "“As I said when I visited Long Island after these murders took place in April, MS-13’s motto may be ‘kill, rape and control’, but the Department of Justice’s motto is justice for victims and consequences for criminals,” Sessions said in a press release issued Wednesday. “We are committed to bringing violent criminals to justice, and this indictment is the next step in our mission of finding, prosecuting and eradicating the MS-13 threat.”", "The Suffolk County Police Department has arrested more than 160 suspected gang members in the county since September, including many on multiple occasions, as part of a crackdown on the violence, Sini said.", "According to a recent court filing, the four young men were lured to a park by two female associates of the MS-13 street gang, which was hunting for rivals and perceived enemies. Once there, the youths — some still in high school — were surrounded and attacked with machetes, knives and wooden clubs “in a horrific frenzy of violence,” according to the court papers. A fifth young man who had accompanied the victims to the park escaped.", "Federal prosecutors said the four victims, plus the person who escaped, “were marked for death merely because they were suspected of disrespecting the MS-13 and being rival gang members.”", "The four killed in the attack were Justin Llivicura, 16, of East Patchogue; Jorge Tigre, 18, of Bellport; Michael Lopez Banegas, 20, of Brentwood; and Jefferson Villalobos, 18, of Pompano Beach, Florida, who was on Long Island visiting his cousin Banegas at the time. Their families have denied that any of the men were in a gang.", "This story has been corrected to reflect that not all of the defendants are charged in connection with the park killings and that four people, not two, were charged in the killings of the teenage girls." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/news/at-least-15-arrested-in-ms-13-gang-killings-in-new-york/
At least 15 arrested in MS-13 gang killings in New York CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — At least 15 members of the MS-13 street gang have been arrested on murder and other charges following a spate of bloodshed that included the massacre of four young men in a Long Island park and the killing of a suspected gang rival inside a deli, police said Wednesday. Six of those charged are juveniles who participated in the deadly acts, said Timothy Sini, Suffolk County’s police commissioner. The majority of the arrests happened in the past week, though Sini noted his department has been waging an aggressive campaign against the gang following the deaths of 11 people in the Brentwood and Central Islip communities since last September. Some of those killed have included high school students. Sini spoke to reporters after federal authorities announced a superseding indictment charging a wide-ranging series of crimes including murder, assault, weapons and drug charges. Three suspected MS-13 gang members rounded up in the Suffolk County police sweep are among those named in the indictment on murder and other charges stemming from the killings in April. A fourth gang member named in the indictment in the park murders isn’t in custody, according to court documents. “We’re going to keep the pressure on MS-13,” Sini told reporters outside a federal courthouse on Long Island, located in the same town where the park massacre occurred. “We have to make sure it is uncomfortable as possible for MS-13.” MS-13, also called Mara Salvatrucha, is a major international criminal enterprise, with tens of thousands of members in several Central American countries and many U.S. states. It is believed to have been founded as a neighborhood street gang in Los Angeles in the mid-1980s by immigrants fleeing a civil war in El Salvador. The killings of the four young men found slaughtered in the park in April punctuated a spate of violence in Central Islip and neighboring Brentwood, east of New York City. Last September, two teenage girls who were walking in their Brentwood neighborhood were attacked with machetes and baseball bats. Four people were charged in March in their deaths and could face the death penalty if convicted. The violence has led to congressional hearings, tweets from the White House and a visit to Long Island from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “As I said when I visited Long Island after these murders took place in April, MS-13’s motto may be ‘kill, rape and control’, but the Department of Justice’s motto is justice for victims and consequences for criminals,” Sessions said in a press release issued Wednesday. “We are committed to bringing violent criminals to justice, and this indictment is the next step in our mission of finding, prosecuting and eradicating the MS-13 threat.” The Suffolk County Police Department has arrested more than 160 suspected gang members in the county since September, including many on multiple occasions, as part of a crackdown on the violence, Sini said. According to a recent court filing, the four young men were lured to a park by two female associates of the MS-13 street gang, which was hunting for rivals and perceived enemies. Once there, the youths — some still in high school — were surrounded and attacked with machetes, knives and wooden clubs “in a horrific frenzy of violence,” according to the court papers. A fifth young man who had accompanied the victims to the park escaped. Federal prosecutors said the four victims, plus the person who escaped, “were marked for death merely because they were suspected of disrespecting the MS-13 and being rival gang members.” The four killed in the attack were Justin Llivicura, 16, of East Patchogue; Jorge Tigre, 18, of Bellport; Michael Lopez Banegas, 20, of Brentwood; and Jefferson Villalobos, 18, of Pompano Beach, Florida, who was on Long Island visiting his cousin Banegas at the time. Their families have denied that any of the men were in a gang. This story has been corrected to reflect that not all of the defendants are charged in connection with the park killings and that four people, not two, were charged in the killings of the teenage girls.
House Passes Gold Medal For WWII OSS Operators As Secret Agency Veterans Watched from Gallery
2016-12-01
[ "The House of Representatives passed on a voice vote the bill authorizing a Congressional Gold Medal to be designed and struck in honor of the veterans of World War II’s Office of Strategic Services as two dozen veterans and their supporters watched from the gallery.", "Charles Pinck, president of The OSS Society, said: “General Donovan said OSS personnel performed ‘some of the bravest acts of the war.’ We are very grateful to Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the bills’ sponsors in the House and Senate, and the 393 cosponsors from both bodies for recognizing their bravery with a Congressional Gold Medal.”", "Pinck, the son of Dan Pinck, who was an OSS operator behind Japanese lines in China, said, “We look forward to the presentation of this medal next year to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the OSS’ founding.”", "The sponsor of the House bill Rep. Robert E. Latta (R.-Ohio) said, “Honoring veterans of the OSS with a Congressional Gold Medal will ensure that their heroic actions during one of our country’s most trying times will not be forgotten.”", "Latta said, “The clandestine nature of the OSS often meant members had to operate behind enemy lines in situations calling for unquestionable bravery and unparalleled skill. Their actions played an important role in winning the war and saved countless American lives in the process.”", "The bill passed the Senate in February and now goes to the desk of President Barack Obama for signature. In the regular practice of the Congressional Gold Medals, they were meant to be awarded to individuals. In the last decade, Congress used the medals recognize groups and organizations with the medals themselves put on display at the Smithsonian Institute. In this session of Congress, there is a House rule prohibiting group awards, so as to return the medals to their original purpose.", "In this session of Congress, a gold medal was authorized to honor Civil Rights Workers, which required a waiver, which was also thought to be the last waiver. The supporters of the OSS veterans were out of luck until Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R.-Calif.) intervened to persuade members of the House Republican Conference to go along with a waiver for the OSS gold medal, in addition to waivers for two other WWII gold medals recognizing Filipino veterans of World War II and the veterans of the war’s Merchant Marine.", "Gen. William Donovan, a Medal of Honor recipient in the First World War, established the agency at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The OSS and its operatives under “Wild Bill” operated in every theater of the Second World War , often behind enemy lines. Donovan’s agency grew to more than 13,000 personnel, known as PhD’s who could win a bar, but now there are roughly 200 living veterans.", "The OSS was stood down after WWII ended, but virtually every special operations or clandestine federal agency has its roots in the OSS and members of the service included: Hollywood actor Sterling Hayden, television’s “French Chef” Julia Child and major league baseball player and Medal of Freedom recipient Moe Berg. Four CIA directors began their careers in the OSS: William Casey, William Colby, Allen Dulles and Richard Helms, as well as Arthur Schlesinger Jr., the historian and aide to President John F. Kennedy.", "One of the OSS family members in the gallery, Dana Hudson, the daughter of Capt. James W. Hudson, Sr., said it meant a lot to her family that OSS veterans were recognized because so many of their exploits were kept secret or credited to other branches.", "“My father and his OSS colleagues put their lives on the line, often alone, in enemy territory for one purpose: to preserve the freedom of our nation and the world. I only wish he were here to receive this honor himself,” she said." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/01/house-passes-gold-medal-wwii-oss-operators-secret-agency-veterans-watched-gallery/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+breitbart+%28Breitbart+News%29
House Passes Gold Medal For WWII OSS Operators As Secret Agency Veterans Watched from Gallery The House of Representatives passed on a voice vote the bill authorizing a Congressional Gold Medal to be designed and struck in honor of the veterans of World War II’s Office of Strategic Services as two dozen veterans and their supporters watched from the gallery. Charles Pinck, president of The OSS Society, said: “General Donovan said OSS personnel performed ‘some of the bravest acts of the war.’ We are very grateful to Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, the bills’ sponsors in the House and Senate, and the 393 cosponsors from both bodies for recognizing their bravery with a Congressional Gold Medal.” Pinck, the son of Dan Pinck, who was an OSS operator behind Japanese lines in China, said, “We look forward to the presentation of this medal next year to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the OSS’ founding.” The sponsor of the House bill Rep. Robert E. Latta (R.-Ohio) said, “Honoring veterans of the OSS with a Congressional Gold Medal will ensure that their heroic actions during one of our country’s most trying times will not be forgotten.” Latta said, “The clandestine nature of the OSS often meant members had to operate behind enemy lines in situations calling for unquestionable bravery and unparalleled skill. Their actions played an important role in winning the war and saved countless American lives in the process.” The bill passed the Senate in February and now goes to the desk of President Barack Obama for signature. In the regular practice of the Congressional Gold Medals, they were meant to be awarded to individuals. In the last decade, Congress used the medals recognize groups and organizations with the medals themselves put on display at the Smithsonian Institute. In this session of Congress, there is a House rule prohibiting group awards, so as to return the medals to their original purpose. In this session of Congress, a gold medal was authorized to honor Civil Rights Workers, which required a waiver, which was also thought to be the last waiver. The supporters of the OSS veterans were out of luck until Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R.-Calif.) intervened to persuade members of the House Republican Conference to go along with a waiver for the OSS gold medal, in addition to waivers for two other WWII gold medals recognizing Filipino veterans of World War II and the veterans of the war’s Merchant Marine. Gen. William Donovan, a Medal of Honor recipient in the First World War, established the agency at the request of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The OSS and its operatives under “Wild Bill” operated in every theater of the Second World War , often behind enemy lines. Donovan’s agency grew to more than 13,000 personnel, known as PhD’s who could win a bar, but now there are roughly 200 living veterans. The OSS was stood down after WWII ended, but virtually every special operations or clandestine federal agency has its roots in the OSS and members of the service included: Hollywood actor Sterling Hayden, television’s “French Chef” Julia Child and major league baseball player and Medal of Freedom recipient Moe Berg. Four CIA directors began their careers in the OSS: William Casey, William Colby, Allen Dulles and Richard Helms, as well as Arthur Schlesinger Jr., the historian and aide to President John F. Kennedy. One of the OSS family members in the gallery, Dana Hudson, the daughter of Capt. James W. Hudson, Sr., said it meant a lot to her family that OSS veterans were recognized because so many of their exploits were kept secret or credited to other branches. “My father and his OSS colleagues put their lives on the line, often alone, in enemy territory for one purpose: to preserve the freedom of our nation and the world. I only wish he were here to receive this honor himself,” she said.
Politico: Path Clears for Trump Declaring National Emergency
2019-01-31
[ "Politico’s White House reporter, Nancy Cook, came out with a curious article on Thursday, laying out how, with Congress unlikely to approve any funding for President Donald Trump’s planned border wall, he should instead go the route of a national emergency declaration, and that it is Breitbart News that has been leading the way in framing the argument for such a declaration.", "The White House is finalizing details of a potential national emergency declaration to secure President Donald Trump’s border wall, even as lawmakers are trying to broker an immigration deal that could avert another shutdown in just over two weeks. Trump met with his budget chief, acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, Jared Kushner and other top officials, including White House lawyers, on Tuesday to walk through the logistics of such a move. And White House aides have been quietly meeting with outside conservative political groups to build support for the president to take such an action. Those talking points, which emphasize Trump’s legal authority, have begun to show up in such conservative media outlets as Breitbart News.", "Breitbart News has certainly been ahead of the curve with the rest of the media on this particular matter. A week ago, on Jan. 24, Breitbart News legal editor Ken Klukowski explained how President Trump has the legal authority–already delegated to him from Congress–to build the wall on the border.", "Klukowski explains:", "Congress has passed 136 statutory provisions pertaining to presidential emergency powers over the years, delegating significant authority to the president when he declares an emergency. Congress’s research arm notes that in certain types of emergencies, these powers include restricting travel, seizing commodities or property, and regulating businesses.", "Not only that, but Congress specifically amended the Posse Comitatus Act – the law that prevents U.S. military troops from operating on U.S. soil, found at 18 U.S.C. § 1385 – in the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act to allow U.S. troops to function domestically under certain circumstances. One of those circumstances is to enforce federal law. Another is that the defense secretary can deploy troops to stop illegal aliens from crossing the U.S. border if the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requests military assistance.", "Klukowski cites federal law, specifically 33 U.S.C. § 2293(a), in which, once the president declares an emergency, the Secretary of Defense:", "…without regard to any other provision of law, may … apply the resources of the Department of the Army’s civil works program, including funds, personnel, and equipment, to construct or assist in the construction, operation, maintenance, and repair of authorized civil works, military construction, and civil defense projects that are essential to the national defense.", "Klukowski adds in the next paragraphs:", "The next subsection of that law adds that this authority continues until the president declares the emergency has ended, plus an additional 180 days.", "Congress passed the Secure Fence Act in 2006, which explicitly authorizes building physical barriers on the U.S.-Mexican border. But even if Congress had not passed that law, the separate law quoted above gives President Trump all the authority he needs to act without further approval from Capitol Hill.", "Once President Trump declares an emergency on the border, he can direct Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan to order the Army Corps of Engineers to begin constructing the wall. Congress has already appropriated $13.9 billion in emergency funds that the Corps can use, much more funding than the president’s $5.7 billion plan calls for.", "Additionally, if DHS requests military support, the Pentagon can then also send however many additional troops the president needs to protect the workers and secure the border during construction.", "Lawsuits are likely, but it is possible that only Congress itself has standing to sue. The only other injury that any other plaintiff could claim is that they have a legal right to illegally enter the United States. Even the most liberal judicial activist might look askance at such a lawsuit.", "It’s hardly just that Klukowski piece that Cook is talking about. On Thursday, Breitbart News’s Michael Patrick Leahy reported on how the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) has determined that President Trump can build the wall legally without further congressional authorization. From Leahy’s report on the CRS report:", "“The circumstances in which the Section 2808 authority [of Title 10 of the U.S. Code that codifies the National Emergencies Act] could be used to deploy fencing along the border appears to be a question of first impression, and one that is likely to be vigorously litigated,” the CRS report noted.", "The report cited two sections of Title 10 of the U.S. Code: Section 2803 and Section 284, which are are separate and distinct from Section 2808, the section of Title 10 that grants presidential authority under the National Emergencies Act.", "Section 2803, “provides that the Secretary of Defense ‘may carry out a military construction project not otherwise authorized by law’ upon determining that (1) ‘the project is vital to the national security or to the protection of health, safety, or the quality of the environment,’ and (2) ‘the requirement for the project is so urgent that’ deferring the project ‘would be inconsistent with national security or the protection of health, safety, or environmental quality.’ ”", "Section 284, “provides that the Secretary of Defense ‘may provide support for the counterdrug activities or activities to counter transnational organized crime’ of any law enforcement agency, including through the ‘[c]onstruction of roads and fences and installation of lighting to block drug smuggling corridors across international boundaries of the United States.’", "The caveat related to Section 284 is that the Department of Defense’s “authority to construct fences appears to extend only to ‘drug smuggling corridors,’ a condition that may limit where DOD could deploy fencing.”", "Also this week, Breitbart News’s Sean Moran interviewed Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL)–a leading authority on immigration policy on Capitol Hill–about a national emergency declaration.", "Brooks told Breitbart News:", "We have a national emergency at the border, the President of the United States ought to declare a national emergency to save roughly 50 American lives per day, or, over 15,000 American lives per year. I encourage the President to use the United States Code 10 Section 284, which empowers the President of the United States to order America’s military to the border, to assist law enforcement agents in the fight against drugs and transnational crime. Interestingly, 10 U.S.C. 284 which has already been approved by Congress, which has already been signed by a president, empowers the Pentagon to deploy both active military and national guard troops to transport personnel, supplies and equipment, establish and operate bases of operation, detect and monitor surface traffic in Mexico. And, within 25 miles of the border in the United States, to construct roads, fences, lighting, to block drugs and smuggling corridors in the aerial and ground reconnaissance.", "Breitbart News has published a number of other pieces about this in recent weeks, including video of a Department of Defense official explaining the rationale for such a declaration, polling data showing Trump’s base would gladly support him on such a decision, news on Trump’s comments about his authority to make such a declaration, and congressional leaders discussing the possibility.", "As the negotiations have continued between the White House and congressional leaders on this issue–in the leadup, during, and after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history which ended last week–Breitbart News’s Neil Munro and John Binder have also had cutting edge news reporting from inside the negotiating room about the thus-far-failed talks.", "That’s not all. The Cartel Chronicles team for Breitbart News on the U.S. border with Mexico, led by editor Brandon Darby, also broke a big story that provides justification for the idea that there is a national emergency on the border: A cartel operating along the Laredo Sector of Texas’s border with Mexico has now been taken over by an actual terrorist, someone convicted of bombing a U.S. consulate.", "Darby and Idelfonso Ortiz reported exclusively for Breitbart News:", "A verified and convicted terrorist who attacked a U.S. Consulate with a grenade and automatic rifle fire has taken over the ruthless Los Zetas cartel, a group headquartered at the Texas border in the Nuevo Laredo-Laredo metropolitan border area. Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, sits immediately across the border from Laredo, Texas, and is the only urban location along the entire U.S.-Mexico Border that does not have any fencing or constructed security barrier of any kind. The convicted terrorist, Hector Raul Luna Luna, is known as “El Tory” and was convicted in the 2008 terror attack on the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, Mexico. He was released from prison due to bribes paid by Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) and has now taken over the dominant faction of Los Zetas, Cartel Del Noreste (CDN), to open up the lucrative and unsecured border corridor into Texas.", "It remains to be seen what will happen next. The federal government is only open until Feb. 15 and Democrats on Capitol Hill have flatly refused to negotiate with Trump for the wall, despite some indicating openness to building a wall. Trump will give his State of the Union address on Tuesday evening in the House, with exactly ten days to go before government funding lapses again. If Congress fails yet again to get a deal, though, as Breitbart News has repeatedly shown, Trump still has a path to build the wall. The only looming question then is whether he will do it." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/31/politico-with-wall-deal-elusive-in-congress-path-clears-for-trump-framing-national-emergency-declaration-on-border/
Politico: Path Clears for Trump Declaring National Emergency Politico’s White House reporter, Nancy Cook, came out with a curious article on Thursday, laying out how, with Congress unlikely to approve any funding for President Donald Trump’s planned border wall, he should instead go the route of a national emergency declaration, and that it is Breitbart News that has been leading the way in framing the argument for such a declaration. The White House is finalizing details of a potential national emergency declaration to secure President Donald Trump’s border wall, even as lawmakers are trying to broker an immigration deal that could avert another shutdown in just over two weeks. Trump met with his budget chief, acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, Jared Kushner and other top officials, including White House lawyers, on Tuesday to walk through the logistics of such a move. And White House aides have been quietly meeting with outside conservative political groups to build support for the president to take such an action. Those talking points, which emphasize Trump’s legal authority, have begun to show up in such conservative media outlets as Breitbart News. Breitbart News has certainly been ahead of the curve with the rest of the media on this particular matter. A week ago, on Jan. 24, Breitbart News legal editor Ken Klukowski explained how President Trump has the legal authority–already delegated to him from Congress–to build the wall on the border. Klukowski explains: Congress has passed 136 statutory provisions pertaining to presidential emergency powers over the years, delegating significant authority to the president when he declares an emergency. Congress’s research arm notes that in certain types of emergencies, these powers include restricting travel, seizing commodities or property, and regulating businesses. Not only that, but Congress specifically amended the Posse Comitatus Act – the law that prevents U.S. military troops from operating on U.S. soil, found at 18 U.S.C. § 1385 – in the 2007 National Defense Authorization Act to allow U.S. troops to function domestically under certain circumstances. One of those circumstances is to enforce federal law. Another is that the defense secretary can deploy troops to stop illegal aliens from crossing the U.S. border if the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requests military assistance. Klukowski cites federal law, specifically 33 U.S.C. § 2293(a), in which, once the president declares an emergency, the Secretary of Defense: …without regard to any other provision of law, may … apply the resources of the Department of the Army’s civil works program, including funds, personnel, and equipment, to construct or assist in the construction, operation, maintenance, and repair of authorized civil works, military construction, and civil defense projects that are essential to the national defense. Klukowski adds in the next paragraphs: The next subsection of that law adds that this authority continues until the president declares the emergency has ended, plus an additional 180 days. Congress passed the Secure Fence Act in 2006, which explicitly authorizes building physical barriers on the U.S.-Mexican border. But even if Congress had not passed that law, the separate law quoted above gives President Trump all the authority he needs to act without further approval from Capitol Hill. Once President Trump declares an emergency on the border, he can direct Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan to order the Army Corps of Engineers to begin constructing the wall. Congress has already appropriated $13.9 billion in emergency funds that the Corps can use, much more funding than the president’s $5.7 billion plan calls for. Additionally, if DHS requests military support, the Pentagon can then also send however many additional troops the president needs to protect the workers and secure the border during construction. Lawsuits are likely, but it is possible that only Congress itself has standing to sue. The only other injury that any other plaintiff could claim is that they have a legal right to illegally enter the United States. Even the most liberal judicial activist might look askance at such a lawsuit. It’s hardly just that Klukowski piece that Cook is talking about. On Thursday, Breitbart News’s Michael Patrick Leahy reported on how the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (CRS) has determined that President Trump can build the wall legally without further congressional authorization. From Leahy’s report on the CRS report: “The circumstances in which the Section 2808 authority [of Title 10 of the U.S. Code that codifies the National Emergencies Act] could be used to deploy fencing along the border appears to be a question of first impression, and one that is likely to be vigorously litigated,” the CRS report noted. The report cited two sections of Title 10 of the U.S. Code: Section 2803 and Section 284, which are are separate and distinct from Section 2808, the section of Title 10 that grants presidential authority under the National Emergencies Act. Section 2803, “provides that the Secretary of Defense ‘may carry out a military construction project not otherwise authorized by law’ upon determining that (1) ‘the project is vital to the national security or to the protection of health, safety, or the quality of the environment,’ and (2) ‘the requirement for the project is so urgent that’ deferring the project ‘would be inconsistent with national security or the protection of health, safety, or environmental quality.’ ” Section 284, “provides that the Secretary of Defense ‘may provide support for the counterdrug activities or activities to counter transnational organized crime’ of any law enforcement agency, including through the ‘[c]onstruction of roads and fences and installation of lighting to block drug smuggling corridors across international boundaries of the United States.’ The caveat related to Section 284 is that the Department of Defense’s “authority to construct fences appears to extend only to ‘drug smuggling corridors,’ a condition that may limit where DOD could deploy fencing.” Also this week, Breitbart News’s Sean Moran interviewed Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL)–a leading authority on immigration policy on Capitol Hill–about a national emergency declaration. Brooks told Breitbart News: We have a national emergency at the border, the President of the United States ought to declare a national emergency to save roughly 50 American lives per day, or, over 15,000 American lives per year. I encourage the President to use the United States Code 10 Section 284, which empowers the President of the United States to order America’s military to the border, to assist law enforcement agents in the fight against drugs and transnational crime. Interestingly, 10 U.S.C. 284 which has already been approved by Congress, which has already been signed by a president, empowers the Pentagon to deploy both active military and national guard troops to transport personnel, supplies and equipment, establish and operate bases of operation, detect and monitor surface traffic in Mexico. And, within 25 miles of the border in the United States, to construct roads, fences, lighting, to block drugs and smuggling corridors in the aerial and ground reconnaissance. Breitbart News has published a number of other pieces about this in recent weeks, including video of a Department of Defense official explaining the rationale for such a declaration, polling data showing Trump’s base would gladly support him on such a decision, news on Trump’s comments about his authority to make such a declaration, and congressional leaders discussing the possibility. As the negotiations have continued between the White House and congressional leaders on this issue–in the leadup, during, and after the longest government shutdown in U.S. history which ended last week–Breitbart News’s Neil Munro and John Binder have also had cutting edge news reporting from inside the negotiating room about the thus-far-failed talks. That’s not all. The Cartel Chronicles team for Breitbart News on the U.S. border with Mexico, led by editor Brandon Darby, also broke a big story that provides justification for the idea that there is a national emergency on the border: A cartel operating along the Laredo Sector of Texas’s border with Mexico has now been taken over by an actual terrorist, someone convicted of bombing a U.S. consulate. Darby and Idelfonso Ortiz reported exclusively for Breitbart News: A verified and convicted terrorist who attacked a U.S. Consulate with a grenade and automatic rifle fire has taken over the ruthless Los Zetas cartel, a group headquartered at the Texas border in the Nuevo Laredo-Laredo metropolitan border area. Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, sits immediately across the border from Laredo, Texas, and is the only urban location along the entire U.S.-Mexico Border that does not have any fencing or constructed security barrier of any kind. The convicted terrorist, Hector Raul Luna Luna, is known as “El Tory” and was convicted in the 2008 terror attack on the U.S. Consulate in Monterrey, Mexico. He was released from prison due to bribes paid by Cartel Jalisco New Generation (CJNG) and has now taken over the dominant faction of Los Zetas, Cartel Del Noreste (CDN), to open up the lucrative and unsecured border corridor into Texas. It remains to be seen what will happen next. The federal government is only open until Feb. 15 and Democrats on Capitol Hill have flatly refused to negotiate with Trump for the wall, despite some indicating openness to building a wall. Trump will give his State of the Union address on Tuesday evening in the House, with exactly ten days to go before government funding lapses again. If Congress fails yet again to get a deal, though, as Breitbart News has repeatedly shown, Trump still has a path to build the wall. The only looming question then is whether he will do it.
GOP Senate Homeland Security Chair Johnson: 'We Have a Completely Unsecured Border'
2019-04-17
[ "On Wednesday’s broadcast of CNN’s “Inside Politics,” Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) stated that “We have a completely unsecured border.”", "Johnson discussed unaccompanied children and members of family units, and stated, “I was just down at the border in El Paso, I was talking to ICE ERO, asking, have we kept track? Do we know where any of these people are? And the basic answer is no, we really don’t know where they are. So, this is a crisis. We have a completely unsecured border. We are basically being used by the human traffickers in their multi — their $100 million enterprise here, and we’re helping them out.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2019/04/17/gop-senate-homeland-security-chair-johnson-we-have-a-completely-unsecured-border/
GOP Senate Homeland Security Chair Johnson: 'We Have a Completely Unsecured Border' On Wednesday’s broadcast of CNN’s “Inside Politics,” Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) stated that “We have a completely unsecured border.” Johnson discussed unaccompanied children and members of family units, and stated, “I was just down at the border in El Paso, I was talking to ICE ERO, asking, have we kept track? Do we know where any of these people are? And the basic answer is no, we really don’t know where they are. So, this is a crisis. We have a completely unsecured border. We are basically being used by the human traffickers in their multi — their $100 million enterprise here, and we’re helping them out.”
Democrats Honor Gabby Giffords with Gun Control That Wouldn't Prevent Attack She Endured
2019-01-06
[ "House Democrats plan to honor Gabby Giffords on Tuesday by introducing gun controls that would not have prevented the attack she endured on January 8, 2011.", "Giffords was shot during a rally with constituents and the man who shot her passed a background check to acquire the handgun that was used in the attack. Nevertheless, Democrats will seek to criminalize private gun sales as a way of honoring Giffords.", "Again–Giffords attacker did not acquire his handgun via a private sale but via a background check.", "Breitbart News reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) plan to introduce the legislation jointly, and Giffords will be in attendance.", "CNN published a statement in which Giffords praised the upcoming gun control push:", "Thanks to the relentless efforts of advocates, courageous gun violence survivors, and the American voters who elected new leaders to Congress, I am thrilled that for the first time in decades, the United States House of Representatives will no longer sit silent as our nation reels from the growing gun violence epidemic.", "If private sales had been criminalizing in 2011 it would have done nothing to hinder the attack on Giffords because her assailant did not get a gun via private sales. However, the gun control would criminalize a grandmother for giving a gun to her granddaughter, a grandfather passing a shotgun on his to his grandson, and a life-long friend selling a gun to someone he has known for 50 years." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/06/democrats-honor-gabby-giffords-with-gun-control-that-wouldnt-prevent-attack-she-endured/
Democrats Honor Gabby Giffords with Gun Control That Wouldn't Prevent Attack She Endured House Democrats plan to honor Gabby Giffords on Tuesday by introducing gun controls that would not have prevented the attack she endured on January 8, 2011. Giffords was shot during a rally with constituents and the man who shot her passed a background check to acquire the handgun that was used in the attack. Nevertheless, Democrats will seek to criminalize private gun sales as a way of honoring Giffords. Again–Giffords attacker did not acquire his handgun via a private sale but via a background check. Breitbart News reported that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) plan to introduce the legislation jointly, and Giffords will be in attendance. CNN published a statement in which Giffords praised the upcoming gun control push: Thanks to the relentless efforts of advocates, courageous gun violence survivors, and the American voters who elected new leaders to Congress, I am thrilled that for the first time in decades, the United States House of Representatives will no longer sit silent as our nation reels from the growing gun violence epidemic. If private sales had been criminalizing in 2011 it would have done nothing to hinder the attack on Giffords because her assailant did not get a gun via private sales. However, the gun control would criminalize a grandmother for giving a gun to her granddaughter, a grandfather passing a shotgun on his to his grandson, and a life-long friend selling a gun to someone he has known for 50 years.
The Latest: Monitoring group ID's Paris suspect in IS video
2018-05-13
[ "PARIS (AP) — The Latest on the Paris stabbing attack (all times local):", "7:50 p.m.", "The Islamic State’s Amaq news agency has released a video that a jihadist monitoring group says appears to show the suspect in Saturday night’s knife attack in Paris pledging allegiance to the group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.", "It is not clear if the man in the 2 ½-minute-long video released posthumously was indeed the attacker. His nose and mouth are covered, and he doesn’t identify himself by name.", "Speaking in French, he calls on European Muslims to attack in their home countries if they are unable to emigrate to the caliphate. The video is undated, but a steady rain falls behind the man, as it did on Saturday in Paris.", "The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi online postings, said the Paris attacker is the person in the video Amaq released Sunday. IS claimed the attack suspect as one of its “soldiers” early Sunday.", "French officials have said the suspect in the Paris attack is a 20-year-old French citizen who was born in the Russian republic of Chechnya. Police fatally shot him at the scene of the knifings that killed one person and wounded four.", "Chechnya’s president identified him on Sunday as Khamzat Azimov.", "4:30 p.m.", "A judicial official says a friend of the young man who rampaged through a central Paris neighborhood knifing passers-by has been detained in the eastern French city of Strasbourg.", "The friend is the third person French police have taken in for questioning since the suspect in the Saturday night attack — a 20-year-old French citizen born in the Russian republic of Chechnya — killed one person and wounded four others.", "The parents of the alleged attacker were picked up in the northern 18th district of Paris after their son was fatally shot by police.", "The president of Chechnya identified the assailant as Khamzat Azimov.", "The judicial official said the man detained Sunday was a friend of Azimov’s who also was born in 1997. The official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and asked that he not be named.", "— by Elaine Ganley in Paris.", "4:00 p.m.", "A French judicial official says the young man who stabbed people in a lively Paris neighborhood didn’t have an arrest record but was on a watch list for potential radicalism.", "The official said the parents of the alleged attacker, a 20-year-old French citizen who was born in the Russian republic of Chechnya, were still being questioned on Sunday.", "They were detained at their residence in Paris’ northern 18th district after police shot and killed the suspect in Saturday night’s attack.", "The judicial official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and asked not to be named.", "One person was killed and four others wounded in the knifing rampage near the Paris Garnier Opera house. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility.", "Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov initially identified the suspect as Khasan Azimov. He updated the man’s first name, identifying him as Khamzat Azimov.", "— by Elaine Ganley in Paris.", "3:15 p.m.", "The head of the Russian republic of Chechnya says France bears responsibility for the fatal knife attack by a Chechnya-born man in Paris.", "Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov said Sunday that he has been informed the dead attacker had received French citizenship and held a Russian passport until he was 14.", "A French judicial official not authorized to speak publicly says the suspect was born in November 1997, which made him 20 now.", "Kadyrov identified the suspect, whom police fatally shot, as Khasan Azimov.", "Russian news agencies quoted the Chechen leader saying: “I consider it necessary to state that all responsibility for the fact that Khasan Azimov went on the road of crime lies completely with the authorities of France. He was only born in Chechnya, and his growing up, the formation of his personality, his views and persuasions occurred in French society.”", "12:15 p.m.", "A man from Luxembourg was among four people wounded in a stabbing attack in the heart of Paris.", "The foreign ministry of the small country north of France said in a statement Sunday that the man was given emergency treatment and he’s no longer in danger. The statement didn’t say whether he was in Paris as a tourist or resident or provide other details.", "A 29-year-old man was killed in the attack and four people were wounded. Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said one of the injured underwent emergency surgery, and two friends were hospitalized with less serious injuries, but all are out of life-threatening danger.", "The attacker was killed by police after the stabbing near the Opera Garnier on a busy Saturday night.", "10:40 a.m.", "A French official says the Chechen man behind a deadly stabbing in central Paris had been on police radar for radicalism.", "The judicial official told The Associated Press that while the alleged assailant had no record of arrests or convictions, he had been on a nationwide database of thousands of people suspected of links to radicalism. The official wasn’t authorized to be publicly named speaking about an ongoing investigation.", "The assailant was killed by police after fatally stabbing one man and injuring four other people. The attacker’s parents are under questioning. Counterterrorism investigators are leading the probe into Saturday’s attack near the Paris opera house, which was claimed by the Islamic State group.", "Authorities say the attacker was born in the majority Muslim Russian republic of Chechnya, which has long grappled with extremism. The Russian Embassy in France wouldn’t comment Sunday.", "–By Angela Charlton in Paris.", "9:50 a.m.", "French officials say the Russian-born man who attacked five people in central Paris with a knife had no police record and didn’t know his victims.", "Interior Ministry spokesman Frederic de Lanouvelle told The Associated Press on Sunday that the man was born in the Russian republic of Chechnya in 1997 and did not have any previous convictions or arrests. He said the attacker had no link to his victims.", "It wasn’t clear whether the assailant had been flagged for radicalism in the past. The Islamic State group claimed he was one of their fighters.", "A police official said the assailant didn’t have identity documents with him during Saturday’s attack but was identified thanks to DNA. His parents were under questioning Sunday.", "The assailant was killed after stabbing a 29-year-old man to death and injuring two women and two men. Their lives were out of danger Sunday.", "8:20 a.m.", "A French judicial official says the man behind a deadly knife attack in central Paris was born in Chechnya in 1997, and his parents have been detained.", "The official said Sunday the assailant had French nationality but was born in the Russian republic. The official, who wasn’t authorized to be publicly named, provided no other information on the attacker’s identity.", "The French interior minister is holding a special security meeting Sunday to address the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State group.", "The attacker was killed by police after killing a 29-year-old man and injuring four others in a lively neighborhood near the Opera Garnier on Saturday night." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/news/the-latest-monitoring-group-ids-paris-suspect-in-is-video/
The Latest: Monitoring group ID's Paris suspect in IS video PARIS (AP) — The Latest on the Paris stabbing attack (all times local): 7:50 p.m. The Islamic State’s Amaq news agency has released a video that a jihadist monitoring group says appears to show the suspect in Saturday night’s knife attack in Paris pledging allegiance to the group’s leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. It is not clear if the man in the 2 ½-minute-long video released posthumously was indeed the attacker. His nose and mouth are covered, and he doesn’t identify himself by name. Speaking in French, he calls on European Muslims to attack in their home countries if they are unable to emigrate to the caliphate. The video is undated, but a steady rain falls behind the man, as it did on Saturday in Paris. The SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi online postings, said the Paris attacker is the person in the video Amaq released Sunday. IS claimed the attack suspect as one of its “soldiers” early Sunday. French officials have said the suspect in the Paris attack is a 20-year-old French citizen who was born in the Russian republic of Chechnya. Police fatally shot him at the scene of the knifings that killed one person and wounded four. Chechnya’s president identified him on Sunday as Khamzat Azimov. 4:30 p.m. A judicial official says a friend of the young man who rampaged through a central Paris neighborhood knifing passers-by has been detained in the eastern French city of Strasbourg. The friend is the third person French police have taken in for questioning since the suspect in the Saturday night attack — a 20-year-old French citizen born in the Russian republic of Chechnya — killed one person and wounded four others. The parents of the alleged attacker were picked up in the northern 18th district of Paris after their son was fatally shot by police. The president of Chechnya identified the assailant as Khamzat Azimov. The judicial official said the man detained Sunday was a friend of Azimov’s who also was born in 1997. The official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and asked that he not be named. — by Elaine Ganley in Paris. 4:00 p.m. A French judicial official says the young man who stabbed people in a lively Paris neighborhood didn’t have an arrest record but was on a watch list for potential radicalism. The official said the parents of the alleged attacker, a 20-year-old French citizen who was born in the Russian republic of Chechnya, were still being questioned on Sunday. They were detained at their residence in Paris’ northern 18th district after police shot and killed the suspect in Saturday night’s attack. The judicial official wasn’t authorized to speak publicly and asked not to be named. One person was killed and four others wounded in the knifing rampage near the Paris Garnier Opera house. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility. Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov initially identified the suspect as Khasan Azimov. He updated the man’s first name, identifying him as Khamzat Azimov. — by Elaine Ganley in Paris. 3:15 p.m. The head of the Russian republic of Chechnya says France bears responsibility for the fatal knife attack by a Chechnya-born man in Paris. Chechen President Ramzan Kadyrov said Sunday that he has been informed the dead attacker had received French citizenship and held a Russian passport until he was 14. A French judicial official not authorized to speak publicly says the suspect was born in November 1997, which made him 20 now. Kadyrov identified the suspect, whom police fatally shot, as Khasan Azimov. Russian news agencies quoted the Chechen leader saying: “I consider it necessary to state that all responsibility for the fact that Khasan Azimov went on the road of crime lies completely with the authorities of France. He was only born in Chechnya, and his growing up, the formation of his personality, his views and persuasions occurred in French society.” 12:15 p.m. A man from Luxembourg was among four people wounded in a stabbing attack in the heart of Paris. The foreign ministry of the small country north of France said in a statement Sunday that the man was given emergency treatment and he’s no longer in danger. The statement didn’t say whether he was in Paris as a tourist or resident or provide other details. A 29-year-old man was killed in the attack and four people were wounded. Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said one of the injured underwent emergency surgery, and two friends were hospitalized with less serious injuries, but all are out of life-threatening danger. The attacker was killed by police after the stabbing near the Opera Garnier on a busy Saturday night. 10:40 a.m. A French official says the Chechen man behind a deadly stabbing in central Paris had been on police radar for radicalism. The judicial official told The Associated Press that while the alleged assailant had no record of arrests or convictions, he had been on a nationwide database of thousands of people suspected of links to radicalism. The official wasn’t authorized to be publicly named speaking about an ongoing investigation. The assailant was killed by police after fatally stabbing one man and injuring four other people. The attacker’s parents are under questioning. Counterterrorism investigators are leading the probe into Saturday’s attack near the Paris opera house, which was claimed by the Islamic State group. Authorities say the attacker was born in the majority Muslim Russian republic of Chechnya, which has long grappled with extremism. The Russian Embassy in France wouldn’t comment Sunday. –By Angela Charlton in Paris. 9:50 a.m. French officials say the Russian-born man who attacked five people in central Paris with a knife had no police record and didn’t know his victims. Interior Ministry spokesman Frederic de Lanouvelle told The Associated Press on Sunday that the man was born in the Russian republic of Chechnya in 1997 and did not have any previous convictions or arrests. He said the attacker had no link to his victims. It wasn’t clear whether the assailant had been flagged for radicalism in the past. The Islamic State group claimed he was one of their fighters. A police official said the assailant didn’t have identity documents with him during Saturday’s attack but was identified thanks to DNA. His parents were under questioning Sunday. The assailant was killed after stabbing a 29-year-old man to death and injuring two women and two men. Their lives were out of danger Sunday. 8:20 a.m. A French judicial official says the man behind a deadly knife attack in central Paris was born in Chechnya in 1997, and his parents have been detained. The official said Sunday the assailant had French nationality but was born in the Russian republic. The official, who wasn’t authorized to be publicly named, provided no other information on the attacker’s identity. The French interior minister is holding a special security meeting Sunday to address the attack, which was claimed by the Islamic State group. The attacker was killed by police after killing a 29-year-old man and injuring four others in a lively neighborhood near the Opera Garnier on Saturday night.
Hungary: Mass Migration And Terrorism Go Hand In Hand
2016-07-19
[ "Mass migration is responsible for terror attacks in Europe including the slaughter in Nice that killed 84, say Senior Hungarian politicians including Viktor Orbán’s Cabinet Office chief.", "Talking on Hungarian radio yesterday Cabinet Office chief Antal Rogán pointed to recent terror attacks in Europe and said “illegal immigration and terrorism go hand in hand”, and that it was “quite clear” that the “terrorist perpetrators” of recent attacks including those in Paris were “illegal immigrants”, reports the ORIGO news service.", "Reinforcing the Hungarian government’s line towards the continental power bloc, Mr. Rogán expressed his opinion that it was time for the European Union (EU) to enact a radical change on refugee policy and to stop mass migration. He said the present system incentivises immigration, exacerbating the crisis — and Western European states had failed to integrate immigrants, reports Daily News Hungary.", "Mr. Rogán said migration to Europe should now be halted, and that the people of Europe shared this view — however “Brussels does not want to hear the voice of the people”. In contrast to the EU, he said Hungary was ready to listen to the views of the people and so the nation is to hold a referendum on migrant policies in October — a vote that is expected to overwhelmingly back closing borders.", "The Cabinet Office minister’s comments came just hours after remarks by the leader of the ruling Fidesz’s parliamentary leader Lajos Kósa, who slammed European leaders after the Nice attacks. Remarking on Europe’s propensity to light candles and create Twitter hashtags after terror attacks, the parliamentarian said: “Expressing condolences is no longer sufficient. Europe has changed once and for all. Brussels should give up its position focusing on removing barriers to immigrants.”", "Clearly exasperated at the repeated terror attacks that have so far failed to elicit any meaningful response from Western European governments, he asked: “What else must happen for the European Union leaders in Brussels to recognise that their migration policy is untenable?” Mr. Kósa said all recent terror attacks in Europe were linked to migrants and “radical Islam”, reports Hungary Today.", "Hungary is one of a small group of Central and Eastern European conservative, Christian states, known as the Visegrad Four, that also includes Slovakia, Poland, and Czechia. The comparatively low-population, low-GDP nations have been in the vanguard of resistance against the prevailing migration policies of the dominant Western European nations like France and Germany, who have used the devices of the EU to threaten Hungary and others with significant fines if they don’t agree to accept forced mass migration.", "Breitbart London reported the comments of Interior minister Mariusz Blaszczak of fellow Visegrad nation Poland, who like his Hungarian colleagues said that in the wake of the Nice attack that multiculturalism, political correctness and mass migration are responsible for Europe’s terrorism problem.", "Mr. Blaszczak said: “Authority should uphold the right and the freedom and security of citizens”, and remarked that had Poland not enjoyed a change of government from a centre-left to a traditionalist conservative one in a landslide election last year, their country would have been flooded with migrants, too. He said: “Already we would have thousands of immigrants from the Middle East and Africa… newcomers from Africa and the Middle East simply do not integrate.”" ]
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/07/19/hungary-mass-migration-terrorism-go-hand-hand/
Hungary: Mass Migration And Terrorism Go Hand In Hand Mass migration is responsible for terror attacks in Europe including the slaughter in Nice that killed 84, say Senior Hungarian politicians including Viktor Orbán’s Cabinet Office chief. Talking on Hungarian radio yesterday Cabinet Office chief Antal Rogán pointed to recent terror attacks in Europe and said “illegal immigration and terrorism go hand in hand”, and that it was “quite clear” that the “terrorist perpetrators” of recent attacks including those in Paris were “illegal immigrants”, reports the ORIGO news service. Reinforcing the Hungarian government’s line towards the continental power bloc, Mr. Rogán expressed his opinion that it was time for the European Union (EU) to enact a radical change on refugee policy and to stop mass migration. He said the present system incentivises immigration, exacerbating the crisis — and Western European states had failed to integrate immigrants, reports Daily News Hungary. Mr. Rogán said migration to Europe should now be halted, and that the people of Europe shared this view — however “Brussels does not want to hear the voice of the people”. In contrast to the EU, he said Hungary was ready to listen to the views of the people and so the nation is to hold a referendum on migrant policies in October — a vote that is expected to overwhelmingly back closing borders. The Cabinet Office minister’s comments came just hours after remarks by the leader of the ruling Fidesz’s parliamentary leader Lajos Kósa, who slammed European leaders after the Nice attacks. Remarking on Europe’s propensity to light candles and create Twitter hashtags after terror attacks, the parliamentarian said: “Expressing condolences is no longer sufficient. Europe has changed once and for all. Brussels should give up its position focusing on removing barriers to immigrants.” Clearly exasperated at the repeated terror attacks that have so far failed to elicit any meaningful response from Western European governments, he asked: “What else must happen for the European Union leaders in Brussels to recognise that their migration policy is untenable?” Mr. Kósa said all recent terror attacks in Europe were linked to migrants and “radical Islam”, reports Hungary Today. Hungary is one of a small group of Central and Eastern European conservative, Christian states, known as the Visegrad Four, that also includes Slovakia, Poland, and Czechia. The comparatively low-population, low-GDP nations have been in the vanguard of resistance against the prevailing migration policies of the dominant Western European nations like France and Germany, who have used the devices of the EU to threaten Hungary and others with significant fines if they don’t agree to accept forced mass migration. Breitbart London reported the comments of Interior minister Mariusz Blaszczak of fellow Visegrad nation Poland, who like his Hungarian colleagues said that in the wake of the Nice attack that multiculturalism, political correctness and mass migration are responsible for Europe’s terrorism problem. Mr. Blaszczak said: “Authority should uphold the right and the freedom and security of citizens”, and remarked that had Poland not enjoyed a change of government from a centre-left to a traditionalist conservative one in a landslide election last year, their country would have been flooded with migrants, too. He said: “Already we would have thousands of immigrants from the Middle East and Africa… newcomers from Africa and the Middle East simply do not integrate.”
Jodie Foster at Anti-Trump Rally: 'This Is Our Time to Resist'
2017-02-25
[ "Actress Jodie Foster condemned President Donald Trump’s policies Friday during United Talent Agency’s star-studded “United Voices” rally outside the company’s Beverly Hills headquarters.", "Foster, famous for avoiding the spotlight and politics, took the stage in front of hundreds of pro-refugee protesters and delivered a blistering critique of Trump’s immigration and national security agenda.", "“We know that the first attack on democracy is an assault on free expression, civil liberties, and this relentless war on the truth, ” Foster said. “And sadly, it’s too familiar because history repeats itself.”", "“So you’re going to remember where you were today and what you did,” the Oscar-winner aded. “It doesn’t matter where you were born, who you voted for. All the colors in the identity rainbow — this is our time to resist. It is the time to show up and demand answers. It’s all of us trying to tell our elected officials to do their job.”", "“We will not tolerate chaos, ineptitude, and warmongering,” Foster told the crowd. “This is our time to resist”:", "United Talent Agency canceled its usual pre-Oscars bash and organized the anti-Trump rally after the president signed an executive order that temporarily halted the admission into the United States of refugees from seven terror-prone countries.", "Actor Michael J. Fox also addressed the crowd, calling Trump’s immigration and national security policies an “assault on human dignity.”" ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-hollywood/2017/02/25/jodie-foster-anti-trump-rally-time-resist/
Jodie Foster at Anti-Trump Rally: 'This Is Our Time to Resist' Actress Jodie Foster condemned President Donald Trump’s policies Friday during United Talent Agency’s star-studded “United Voices” rally outside the company’s Beverly Hills headquarters. Foster, famous for avoiding the spotlight and politics, took the stage in front of hundreds of pro-refugee protesters and delivered a blistering critique of Trump’s immigration and national security agenda. “We know that the first attack on democracy is an assault on free expression, civil liberties, and this relentless war on the truth, ” Foster said. “And sadly, it’s too familiar because history repeats itself.” “So you’re going to remember where you were today and what you did,” the Oscar-winner aded. “It doesn’t matter where you were born, who you voted for. All the colors in the identity rainbow — this is our time to resist. It is the time to show up and demand answers. It’s all of us trying to tell our elected officials to do their job.” “We will not tolerate chaos, ineptitude, and warmongering,” Foster told the crowd. “This is our time to resist”: United Talent Agency canceled its usual pre-Oscars bash and organized the anti-Trump rally after the president signed an executive order that temporarily halted the admission into the United States of refugees from seven terror-prone countries. Actor Michael J. Fox also addressed the crowd, calling Trump’s immigration and national security policies an “assault on human dignity.”
Town Temporarily Removes Crosses Honoring Fallen Service Members After Complaints
2016-05-26
[ "Complaints from what has been described as a “vocal minority” prompted local government officials in a Georgia town to temporarily remove a Memorial Day display from public property that featured handmade crosses honoring service members killed in America’s wars.", "The controversial decision to take down the crosses last Friday drew a sharp rebuke from Hiram, Georgia, residents, according to local news outlet WSB-TV Channel 2.", "Initially, it appeared the Memorial Day exhibition was removed after only one complaint by an unnamed resident who reportedly “questioned whether the soldiers were all Christian” and “whether the cross is an appropriate symbol for the memorial.”", "The local Channel 2 station now reports that “a few complained the crosses — on a piece of city property at a busy intersection — formed an inappropriate religious display,” adding, “It was — most say — just a vocal minority that were complaining.”", "“Just a handful always there, always the ones talking loudest, I guess. It’s time we all start standing together, taking a stand and stand up for what is right,” resident Eugene McCallie told WSB-TV.", "Unanimously voting on Tuesday night to put the crosses back up, Hiram’s City Council sided with residents and Mayor Teresa Philyaw who believe the cross display was more of a “rest in peace symbol,” rather than a religious one.", "“The sun had barely risen following a City Council meeting the night before when dozens from Hiram and Paulding Counties assembled to re-assemble the Memorial Day display,” reports WSB-TV, adding, “The folks here are happy it is back up before the Memorial Day weekend because most want it here.”", "None of the families linked to the service members being honored actually called to complain about the display, Hiram Mayor Teresa Philyaw, who planned and approved the exhibition, told Fox News.", "Citing town officials, Fox News explains, “The 79 white, handmade crosses posted on public property along state Highway 92 in Hiram, Ga., were meant to represent the 79 Paulding County residents who died in America’s wars” from World War I to Afghanistan.", "City Manager Barry Atkinson, who received a call from one of the complainants, indicated he approved of the decision to take down the crosses, reports WSB-TV.", "The phone call “opened our eyes that we missed something here,” he told the station, adding, “We immediately took corrective action.”", "Mayor Philyaw and city manager Atkinson did not respond to Breitbart News’s requests for comment.", "Ken Klukowski, legal editor at Breitbart News, declared it would have been a mistake to permanently remove the cross display.", "“I’m glad the town of Hiram came to realize that removing these memorial crosses would not be ‘corrective action,’ and instead would be wrong,” said Klukowski, senior counsel and director of strategic affairs at the First Liberty Institute law firm, which is dedicated to protecting religious freedom in America.", "“Thousands of crosses adorn Arlington National Cemetery,” he added. “It’s encouraging that the town’s leaders are not making common cause with those who are willing to sandblast our nation’s premiere military cemetery.”", "On Tuesday, Hiram Mayor Philyaw told Fox News she was “devastated” when the cross display was removed, adding that it was never intended to be “about religion.”", "“It was just to honor them,” she added.", "“We wanted to make sure that they weren’t forgotten. We also wanted their families to know that our hearts still bleed for them. At the time, it never, ever crossed my mind about the religious factor in it,” continued the mayor, adding, “The cross is a ‘rest in peace’ symbol to me.”", "In Hiram, with a population of 2,332, not everyone shared Philyaw’s sentiment, including the city manager.", "“If there is one of those 79 that they know to be of a different religious belief, we will gladly put up,” noted Philyaw.", "The Memorial Day display “ignited fierce debate on social media — with many people saying its removal is political correctness run amok, while others argued all faiths should be represented,” reports Fox News." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/05/26/complaints-prompt-georgia-town-temporarily-remove-memorial-day-crosses/
Town Temporarily Removes Crosses Honoring Fallen Service Members After Complaints Complaints from what has been described as a “vocal minority” prompted local government officials in a Georgia town to temporarily remove a Memorial Day display from public property that featured handmade crosses honoring service members killed in America’s wars. The controversial decision to take down the crosses last Friday drew a sharp rebuke from Hiram, Georgia, residents, according to local news outlet WSB-TV Channel 2. Initially, it appeared the Memorial Day exhibition was removed after only one complaint by an unnamed resident who reportedly “questioned whether the soldiers were all Christian” and “whether the cross is an appropriate symbol for the memorial.” The local Channel 2 station now reports that “a few complained the crosses — on a piece of city property at a busy intersection — formed an inappropriate religious display,” adding, “It was — most say — just a vocal minority that were complaining.” “Just a handful always there, always the ones talking loudest, I guess. It’s time we all start standing together, taking a stand and stand up for what is right,” resident Eugene McCallie told WSB-TV. Unanimously voting on Tuesday night to put the crosses back up, Hiram’s City Council sided with residents and Mayor Teresa Philyaw who believe the cross display was more of a “rest in peace symbol,” rather than a religious one. “The sun had barely risen following a City Council meeting the night before when dozens from Hiram and Paulding Counties assembled to re-assemble the Memorial Day display,” reports WSB-TV, adding, “The folks here are happy it is back up before the Memorial Day weekend because most want it here.” None of the families linked to the service members being honored actually called to complain about the display, Hiram Mayor Teresa Philyaw, who planned and approved the exhibition, told Fox News. Citing town officials, Fox News explains, “The 79 white, handmade crosses posted on public property along state Highway 92 in Hiram, Ga., were meant to represent the 79 Paulding County residents who died in America’s wars” from World War I to Afghanistan. City Manager Barry Atkinson, who received a call from one of the complainants, indicated he approved of the decision to take down the crosses, reports WSB-TV. The phone call “opened our eyes that we missed something here,” he told the station, adding, “We immediately took corrective action.” Mayor Philyaw and city manager Atkinson did not respond to Breitbart News’s requests for comment. Ken Klukowski, legal editor at Breitbart News, declared it would have been a mistake to permanently remove the cross display. “I’m glad the town of Hiram came to realize that removing these memorial crosses would not be ‘corrective action,’ and instead would be wrong,” said Klukowski, senior counsel and director of strategic affairs at the First Liberty Institute law firm, which is dedicated to protecting religious freedom in America. “Thousands of crosses adorn Arlington National Cemetery,” he added. “It’s encouraging that the town’s leaders are not making common cause with those who are willing to sandblast our nation’s premiere military cemetery.” On Tuesday, Hiram Mayor Philyaw told Fox News she was “devastated” when the cross display was removed, adding that it was never intended to be “about religion.” “It was just to honor them,” she added. “We wanted to make sure that they weren’t forgotten. We also wanted their families to know that our hearts still bleed for them. At the time, it never, ever crossed my mind about the religious factor in it,” continued the mayor, adding, “The cross is a ‘rest in peace’ symbol to me.” In Hiram, with a population of 2,332, not everyone shared Philyaw’s sentiment, including the city manager. “If there is one of those 79 that they know to be of a different religious belief, we will gladly put up,” noted Philyaw. The Memorial Day display “ignited fierce debate on social media — with many people saying its removal is political correctness run amok, while others argued all faiths should be represented,” reports Fox News.
Appeals court upholds new trial for subject of 'Serial'
2018-03-29
[ "ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland appeals court on Thursday upheld a ruling granting a new trial to a man whose conviction in the murder of his high school sweetheart became the subject of the popular podcast “Serial.”", "Adnan Syed was convicted in 2000 of killing Hae Min Lee and burying her body in a shallow grave in a Baltimore park. Syed’s story was widely publicized in the 2014 “Serial” podcast, which cast doubt on his guilt. The show attracted millions of listeners and shattered podcast records.", "Syed’s lawyer, C. Justin Brown, said he is pleased by the ruling.", "“If the state is so confident in their case, and if they’re so confident that Syed is guilty, they should just try the case. We’re ready to try the case,” Brown said.", "A lower court judge vacated Syed’s conviction in 2016, citing his attorney’s failure to cross-examine a key witness. Prosecutors appealed to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, the state’s intermediate appeals court.", "In a 2-1 ruling, the three-judge appeals court panel agreed with Syed’s current lawyer that his trial lawyer was ineffective for failing to investigate a potential alibi witness who said she saw Syed at a public library at the time the state claimed Syed killed Hae.", "The panel said in its written decision that if testimony from Asia McClain had been presented to the jury, it would have “directly contradicted the State’s theory of when Syed had the opportunity and did murder Hae” and could have created reasonable doubt in at least one juror’s mind and led to a different outcome.", "It was not immediately clear if prosecutors plan to appeal the ruling to the state’s highest court." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/news/appeals-court-upholds-new-trial-for-subject-of-serial/
Appeals court upholds new trial for subject of 'Serial' ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — A Maryland appeals court on Thursday upheld a ruling granting a new trial to a man whose conviction in the murder of his high school sweetheart became the subject of the popular podcast “Serial.” Adnan Syed was convicted in 2000 of killing Hae Min Lee and burying her body in a shallow grave in a Baltimore park. Syed’s story was widely publicized in the 2014 “Serial” podcast, which cast doubt on his guilt. The show attracted millions of listeners and shattered podcast records. Syed’s lawyer, C. Justin Brown, said he is pleased by the ruling. “If the state is so confident in their case, and if they’re so confident that Syed is guilty, they should just try the case. We’re ready to try the case,” Brown said. A lower court judge vacated Syed’s conviction in 2016, citing his attorney’s failure to cross-examine a key witness. Prosecutors appealed to the Maryland Court of Special Appeals, the state’s intermediate appeals court. In a 2-1 ruling, the three-judge appeals court panel agreed with Syed’s current lawyer that his trial lawyer was ineffective for failing to investigate a potential alibi witness who said she saw Syed at a public library at the time the state claimed Syed killed Hae. The panel said in its written decision that if testimony from Asia McClain had been presented to the jury, it would have “directly contradicted the State’s theory of when Syed had the opportunity and did murder Hae” and could have created reasonable doubt in at least one juror’s mind and led to a different outcome. It was not immediately clear if prosecutors plan to appeal the ruling to the state’s highest court.
Swedish Journalist Shot in No-Go Zone
2017-09-21
[ "A former journalist who worked for the Swedish publicly funded broadcaster SVT has been shot in the Stockholm suburb of Tensta, known as one of the country’s most notorious no-go zones.", "The 29-year-old was shot just before 9 pm on Sunday evening in the heavily migrant populated suburb in the Swedish capital. He was found on the ground outside and quickly rushed to a hospital where it was discovered he had been shot in the leg but did not suffer from life-threatening injuries, Sveriges Radio reports.", "According to the broadcaster, the man was well known in the area and had worked on diversity and democracy projects. SVT editor Geronimo Åkerlund said that the victim had worked as a researcher for the broadcaster from 2016 up until the spring of 2017 in Rinkeby, another notorious no-go area.", "“He is not just a former employee, but a friend as well,” Åkerlund said. When asked if he thought the shooting might have anything to do with the work the 29-year-old was doing or had done for the broadcaster he said: “We do not see any connection at this time.”", "Local Social Democratic politician Mohamed Nuur said he was concerned with the growing amount of violence in the area. “This shows that this has escalated to a higher level. in the past, it was just in criminal circles,” Nuur said.", "“Yesterday a man who has done so much for the area has been targeted. It could happen to anyone. This is evidence that it has gone to hell, forgive my language,” he added.", "Tensta has become one of the most violent no-go zones in Sweden in recent years. Footage secretly taken by Swedish police showed how little control authorities have over the area after police were attacked and told by locals: “You are not in charge here.”", "No-go zones are also plagued with rioting and burning cars. Earlier this year in Rinkeby, youths torched cars and looted shops after the arrest of a local man near the metro station. The incident garnered worldwide attention after U.S. President Donald Trump had commented on the effect of mass migration in Sweden." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/21/former-swedish-state-broadcaster-journalist-shot-no-go-zone/
Swedish Journalist Shot in No-Go Zone A former journalist who worked for the Swedish publicly funded broadcaster SVT has been shot in the Stockholm suburb of Tensta, known as one of the country’s most notorious no-go zones. The 29-year-old was shot just before 9 pm on Sunday evening in the heavily migrant populated suburb in the Swedish capital. He was found on the ground outside and quickly rushed to a hospital where it was discovered he had been shot in the leg but did not suffer from life-threatening injuries, Sveriges Radio reports. According to the broadcaster, the man was well known in the area and had worked on diversity and democracy projects. SVT editor Geronimo Åkerlund said that the victim had worked as a researcher for the broadcaster from 2016 up until the spring of 2017 in Rinkeby, another notorious no-go area. “He is not just a former employee, but a friend as well,” Åkerlund said. When asked if he thought the shooting might have anything to do with the work the 29-year-old was doing or had done for the broadcaster he said: “We do not see any connection at this time.” Local Social Democratic politician Mohamed Nuur said he was concerned with the growing amount of violence in the area. “This shows that this has escalated to a higher level. in the past, it was just in criminal circles,” Nuur said. “Yesterday a man who has done so much for the area has been targeted. It could happen to anyone. This is evidence that it has gone to hell, forgive my language,” he added. Tensta has become one of the most violent no-go zones in Sweden in recent years. Footage secretly taken by Swedish police showed how little control authorities have over the area after police were attacked and told by locals: “You are not in charge here.” No-go zones are also plagued with rioting and burning cars. Earlier this year in Rinkeby, youths torched cars and looted shops after the arrest of a local man near the metro station. The incident garnered worldwide attention after U.S. President Donald Trump had commented on the effect of mass migration in Sweden.
ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP: EU Leaders Plan Punishment If Britain Leaves
2016-05-27
[ "From the Independent:", "Senior EU leaders are preparing the ground for a possible Brexit vote with high-level meetings aimed at a “plan B” future of the bloc without the UK, including closer co-operation on security and defence matters.", "The leaders of Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and other core members are likely to “double down” on closer union, the Financial Times reported, amid concern that Brexit could encourage separatist sentiments in other EU states.", "Officials expect a punitive approach to Britain, with an official meeting of 27 leaders – excluding David Cameron – expected shortly after a potential Brexit vote.", "anti-EU sentiment as a key reason why, despite the reassurances of Leave campaigners, the bloc will be unlikely to offer Britain a favourable trade deal in the event of Brexit. One senior civil servant said Berlin, Paris and Brussels would see the post-Brexit landscape as an “existential battle” to save the European project.", "Officials in Paris have taken a hard line, with one senior figure telling the FT: “Playing down or minimising the consequences of [of leaving the EU] would put Europe at risk…the principle of consequences is important.”", "German Chancellor Angela Merkel is said to favour a softer approach. German officials, however, told the FT, that they expected the market realities for the post-Brexit economy could prove punitive enough.", "Speaking at the G7 summit in Japan, where leaders agreed a short statement warning of the “potential shock” of Brexit and its “serious risk for growth”, David Cameron said it was right to listen to allies, but appeared to dial down his recent warnings of the consequences of a Leave vote. “Britain is an amazing country,” he said. “We can find our way whatever the British people choose.”", "Closer integration in a post-Brexit EU is likely to take the form of tighter security and defence collaboration, against the backdrop of aggression from Russia in the East, and the threat of Islamist terrorism enhanced by the war in Syria and instability in neighbouring Turkey." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/05/27/abusive-relationship-eu-leaders-plan-punishment-britain-brexit/
ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP: EU Leaders Plan Punishment If Britain Leaves From the Independent: Senior EU leaders are preparing the ground for a possible Brexit vote with high-level meetings aimed at a “plan B” future of the bloc without the UK, including closer co-operation on security and defence matters. The leaders of Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and other core members are likely to “double down” on closer union, the Financial Times reported, amid concern that Brexit could encourage separatist sentiments in other EU states. Officials expect a punitive approach to Britain, with an official meeting of 27 leaders – excluding David Cameron – expected shortly after a potential Brexit vote. anti-EU sentiment as a key reason why, despite the reassurances of Leave campaigners, the bloc will be unlikely to offer Britain a favourable trade deal in the event of Brexit. One senior civil servant said Berlin, Paris and Brussels would see the post-Brexit landscape as an “existential battle” to save the European project. Officials in Paris have taken a hard line, with one senior figure telling the FT: “Playing down or minimising the consequences of [of leaving the EU] would put Europe at risk…the principle of consequences is important.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel is said to favour a softer approach. German officials, however, told the FT, that they expected the market realities for the post-Brexit economy could prove punitive enough. Speaking at the G7 summit in Japan, where leaders agreed a short statement warning of the “potential shock” of Brexit and its “serious risk for growth”, David Cameron said it was right to listen to allies, but appeared to dial down his recent warnings of the consequences of a Leave vote. “Britain is an amazing country,” he said. “We can find our way whatever the British people choose.” Closer integration in a post-Brexit EU is likely to take the form of tighter security and defence collaboration, against the backdrop of aggression from Russia in the East, and the threat of Islamist terrorism enhanced by the war in Syria and instability in neighbouring Turkey.
Uranium One Informant Attorney: Clintons Can Attack All They Want, But My Client Has the Truth
2018-02-08
[ "During a Thursday appearance on “America’s Newsroom,” Victoria Toensing, attorney for FBI informant Douglas Campbell, fired back at Hillary Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill for saying her client was participating in a “charade” by informing the FBI that Russia paid a lobbying group $3 million to “provide in-kind support for the Clintons’ Global Initiative.”", "Toensing argued that $3 million is “a lot of money for a year of lobbying” and defended her client’s credibility.", "“[Campbell] came out because he thought he was dying from cancer and he wanted his story to be told,” Toensing explained. “They can go attack all they want to. He’s got the truth, he’s got briefings, the FBI has all kinds of videotapes.”", "Toensing added that the Russians thought they had “died and gone to heaven” when Clinton became secretary of state in 2009 and said that is when they began planning out the Uranium One purchase.", "The 2010 controversial deal transferred 20 percent of all U.S. uranium to Russia via the sale of the Uranium One company, a Canadian mining company, just as nine foreign investors in the deal gave $145 million to the Clinton charity. Given the stake in the U.S. uranium reserves, the deal required approval U.S. government." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2018/02/08/uranium-one-informant-attorney-clintons-can-attack-want-client-truth/
Uranium One Informant Attorney: Clintons Can Attack All They Want, But My Client Has the Truth During a Thursday appearance on “America’s Newsroom,” Victoria Toensing, attorney for FBI informant Douglas Campbell, fired back at Hillary Clinton spokesman Nick Merrill for saying her client was participating in a “charade” by informing the FBI that Russia paid a lobbying group $3 million to “provide in-kind support for the Clintons’ Global Initiative.” Toensing argued that $3 million is “a lot of money for a year of lobbying” and defended her client’s credibility. “[Campbell] came out because he thought he was dying from cancer and he wanted his story to be told,” Toensing explained. “They can go attack all they want to. He’s got the truth, he’s got briefings, the FBI has all kinds of videotapes.” Toensing added that the Russians thought they had “died and gone to heaven” when Clinton became secretary of state in 2009 and said that is when they began planning out the Uranium One purchase. The 2010 controversial deal transferred 20 percent of all U.S. uranium to Russia via the sale of the Uranium One company, a Canadian mining company, just as nine foreign investors in the deal gave $145 million to the Clinton charity. Given the stake in the U.S. uranium reserves, the deal required approval U.S. government.
Google & Twitter Insider: Algorithms Could Censor Entire Trump Movement Simultaneously
2020-09-06
[ "An upcoming bombshell book from Breitbart News investigative reporter Allum Bokhari interviews a source that has worked at both Google and Twitter, who exposes how the AI algorithms used by Big Tech platforms are being trained to target conservatives.", "The book, #DELETED: Big Tech’s Battle to Erase the Trump Movement and Steal the Election, will be published by Center Street on September 22, and is currently available for preorder. Sources close to Google and other tech giants say the book will “shake the foundations of Silicon Valley.”", "One former Twitter and Google employee, who spent over a decade working in Big Tech companies, spoke to Bokhari about the “quality ranking” that major tech companies assign their users.", "This secret score, which has eerie similarities to China’s “social credit” system, is used by tech platforms to determine whether their users are a source of value for the company, or whether they are “abusive,” and a detriment to other users.", "The source reveals how the term “abusive,” which previously only applied to non-political behaviors like spamming and the posting of obscene content, has been turned into a tool to train AI algorithms to censor the right.", "These algorithms are being taught, by Big Tech’s most anti-Trump employees, that “abusive” behavior includes things like “hate speech,” “misinformation,” the posting of “conspiracy theories,” and other behaviors subject to highly political definitions.", "The source also alleges that an account’s “quality” score can be lowered simply by following or sharing material from other accounts considered “abusive,” allowing algorithms to censor entire networks of people at the same time.", "The insider goes on to explain how these algorithms are being rolled out across multiple tech platforms, and will result in the wholesale suppression of the Trump movement — just in time for the election.", "#DELETED: Big Tech’s Battle to Erase the Trump Movement and Steal the Election hits bookshelves on September 22 and is currently available for preorder at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/09/06/google-twitter-insider-algorithms-could-censor-entire-trump-movement-simultaneously/
Google & Twitter Insider: Algorithms Could Censor Entire Trump Movement Simultaneously An upcoming bombshell book from Breitbart News investigative reporter Allum Bokhari interviews a source that has worked at both Google and Twitter, who exposes how the AI algorithms used by Big Tech platforms are being trained to target conservatives. The book, #DELETED: Big Tech’s Battle to Erase the Trump Movement and Steal the Election, will be published by Center Street on September 22, and is currently available for preorder. Sources close to Google and other tech giants say the book will “shake the foundations of Silicon Valley.” One former Twitter and Google employee, who spent over a decade working in Big Tech companies, spoke to Bokhari about the “quality ranking” that major tech companies assign their users. This secret score, which has eerie similarities to China’s “social credit” system, is used by tech platforms to determine whether their users are a source of value for the company, or whether they are “abusive,” and a detriment to other users. The source reveals how the term “abusive,” which previously only applied to non-political behaviors like spamming and the posting of obscene content, has been turned into a tool to train AI algorithms to censor the right. These algorithms are being taught, by Big Tech’s most anti-Trump employees, that “abusive” behavior includes things like “hate speech,” “misinformation,” the posting of “conspiracy theories,” and other behaviors subject to highly political definitions. The source also alleges that an account’s “quality” score can be lowered simply by following or sharing material from other accounts considered “abusive,” allowing algorithms to censor entire networks of people at the same time. The insider goes on to explain how these algorithms are being rolled out across multiple tech platforms, and will result in the wholesale suppression of the Trump movement — just in time for the election. #DELETED: Big Tech’s Battle to Erase the Trump Movement and Steal the Election hits bookshelves on September 22 and is currently available for preorder at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers.
George Will on Why He Really Supports Hillary Clinton: 'I'm a Conservative'
2016-06-26
[ "On this weekend’s broadcast of “Fox News Sunday,” Washington Post columnist George Will explained why he left the Republican Party over presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.", "Will said, “I left it for the same reason I joined it in 1964 when I voted for Barry Goldwater, because I was a conservative. I leave for the same reason, I’m a conservative. To give you a time line, shortly after Trump became the presumptive nominee he had a summit meeting with Paul Ryan where they stressed their vast shared ground, which is more important than their differences. I thought that was puzzling because Paul Ryan still didn’t endorse him. After Trump went after the Mexican judge, then Paul Ryan endorsed him. I decided that, in fact, this is not my party anymore. I changed my registration to unaffiliated 23 days ago. I hardly made an announcement. I mentioned this in a meeting with the Federalist Society. The long and the short of it is, as Ronald Reagan said when he changed his registration, I did not leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.”", "Responding to Trump’s tweet about his party departure Will added, “He has an advantage on me. He can say everything he knows about any subject in 140 characters and I can’t.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2016/06/26/george-will-i-left-the-gop-because-im-a-conservative/
George Will on Why He Really Supports Hillary Clinton: 'I'm a Conservative' On this weekend’s broadcast of “Fox News Sunday,” Washington Post columnist George Will explained why he left the Republican Party over presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Will said, “I left it for the same reason I joined it in 1964 when I voted for Barry Goldwater, because I was a conservative. I leave for the same reason, I’m a conservative. To give you a time line, shortly after Trump became the presumptive nominee he had a summit meeting with Paul Ryan where they stressed their vast shared ground, which is more important than their differences. I thought that was puzzling because Paul Ryan still didn’t endorse him. After Trump went after the Mexican judge, then Paul Ryan endorsed him. I decided that, in fact, this is not my party anymore. I changed my registration to unaffiliated 23 days ago. I hardly made an announcement. I mentioned this in a meeting with the Federalist Society. The long and the short of it is, as Ronald Reagan said when he changed his registration, I did not leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.” Responding to Trump’s tweet about his party departure Will added, “He has an advantage on me. He can say everything he knows about any subject in 140 characters and I can’t.”
Google CEO Sundar Pichai Praises Company's 'Strong Ethical Foundation'
2019-09-30
[ "Google CEO Sundar Pichai gave an interview to the Daily Telegraph in which he revived the company’s infamous motto, “don’t be evil,” which was removed from the preface to Google’s code of conduct in 2018.", "Praising Google’s “strong ethical foundation,” Pichai said the phrase was still in wide use at the company today, despite revelations that the tech giant is in bed with serial human rights violators like China, and sees itself as a near-omnipotent “good censor” watching over the world’s information.", "Via the Daily Telegraph:", "But Pichai says he remains proud of Google’s “strong ethical foundation”. “We still use ‘don’t be evil’,” he says.", "“It was always an unofficial expression that we used internally at Google and we still use it today. And we always approach our work with a set of ethical standards. Given the scale at which technology works I don’t see any other way.”", "The Telegraph seems to have blindly accepted Pichai’s opinion on the Masters of the Universe, writing that “more than any other company [Google] has maintained a reputation for high ethical standards and liberal ideals.”", "Google’s “liberal ideals” are indeed strong. So strong that members of the company’s leadership team publicly broke down in tears after the election of Donald Trump.", "The Telegraph also heaps praise on Pichai himself for his allegedly humble lifestyle.", "“A strict vegetarian with a fondness for tea and long walks, he maintains a spartan office and lives with his wife and two kids in what has been described as a ‘shockingly modest’ home in nearby Los Altos.”", "“With his thoughtful manner and low-key style, Pichai is in some ways the antithesis of the flashy Silicon Valley tech tycoon.”", "Pichai was paid $199.7 million in 2016, his third straight year of receiving a nine-figure salary.", "On censorship, Pichai told the Telgraph “The toughest problem is not everyone agrees sometimes what is problematic content – and that’s hard.”", "Under Pichai’s watch, Google has worked with the discredited Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on content moderation, has blacklisted conservative news websites, and has adjusted search results on YouTube to downrank content critical of abortion, David Hogg, Maxine Waters, and the Federal Reserve.", "Are you a source at YouTube, Google, Facebook, Amazon, or any other corporation who wants to confidentially share information about wrongdoing or political bias at your company? Reach out to Breitbart Senior Technology correspondent Allum Bokhari at allumbokhari@protonmail.com. Use a free Protonmail to ensure your message is encrypted." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/09/30/google-ceo-sundar-pichai-praises-companys-strong-ethical-foundation/
Google CEO Sundar Pichai Praises Company's 'Strong Ethical Foundation' Google CEO Sundar Pichai gave an interview to the Daily Telegraph in which he revived the company’s infamous motto, “don’t be evil,” which was removed from the preface to Google’s code of conduct in 2018. Praising Google’s “strong ethical foundation,” Pichai said the phrase was still in wide use at the company today, despite revelations that the tech giant is in bed with serial human rights violators like China, and sees itself as a near-omnipotent “good censor” watching over the world’s information. Via the Daily Telegraph: But Pichai says he remains proud of Google’s “strong ethical foundation”. “We still use ‘don’t be evil’,” he says. “It was always an unofficial expression that we used internally at Google and we still use it today. And we always approach our work with a set of ethical standards. Given the scale at which technology works I don’t see any other way.” The Telegraph seems to have blindly accepted Pichai’s opinion on the Masters of the Universe, writing that “more than any other company [Google] has maintained a reputation for high ethical standards and liberal ideals.” Google’s “liberal ideals” are indeed strong. So strong that members of the company’s leadership team publicly broke down in tears after the election of Donald Trump. The Telegraph also heaps praise on Pichai himself for his allegedly humble lifestyle. “A strict vegetarian with a fondness for tea and long walks, he maintains a spartan office and lives with his wife and two kids in what has been described as a ‘shockingly modest’ home in nearby Los Altos.” “With his thoughtful manner and low-key style, Pichai is in some ways the antithesis of the flashy Silicon Valley tech tycoon.” Pichai was paid $199.7 million in 2016, his third straight year of receiving a nine-figure salary. On censorship, Pichai told the Telgraph “The toughest problem is not everyone agrees sometimes what is problematic content – and that’s hard.” Under Pichai’s watch, Google has worked with the discredited Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) on content moderation, has blacklisted conservative news websites, and has adjusted search results on YouTube to downrank content critical of abortion, David Hogg, Maxine Waters, and the Federal Reserve. Are you a source at YouTube, Google, Facebook, Amazon, or any other corporation who wants to confidentially share information about wrongdoing or political bias at your company? Reach out to Breitbart Senior Technology correspondent Allum Bokhari at allumbokhari@protonmail.com. Use a free Protonmail to ensure your message is encrypted.
Poll: Less than a Quarter of Voters Trust Media's Reporting on Crime
2021-06-16
[ "Less than a quarter of voters trust the media to accurately report on crime, a Rasmussen Reports survey released Tuesday found.", "Rasmussen Reports conducted the survey June 8-9, 2021, among 915 likely U.S. voters and asked, “Do most of the news media report fairly and accurately about the problem of crime in America?”", "Less than a quarter, 24 percent, said “yes,” while a solid majority, 60 percent,” said “no.” Even a plurality of Democrats, 44 percent, expressed the belief that the news media do not accurately report on crime. Seventy-one percent of Republicans and 70 percent of independents agreed.", "Additionally, 59 percent of black voters do not believe the media reports crime fairly or accurately, nor do 65 percent of other non-white voters.", "The survey also asked respondents if they believe the media “tend to exaggerate the amount of violent crime in America, do they tend to underplay the amount of violent crime, or is the media’s coverage of violent crime about right?”", "One-third of voters said the media tend to exaggerate the amount of violent crime, but a plurality, 38 percent, said they believe the media underplay the amount of violent crime. Twenty percent said the media’s coverage is “about right”:", "President Joe Biden’s strongest supporters are more likely to trust the media’s crime reporting. Among voters who Strongly Approve of Biden’s job performance as president, 44% believe most of the news media report fairly and accurately about the problem of crime in America. By contrast, among voters who Strongly Disapprove of Biden’s performance, only seven percent (7%) think the media report fairly and accurately about crime.", "The survey’s margin of error is +/- 3 percent.", "During a Monday appearance on CNBC’s The News with Shepard Smith, former New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton warned of a potential crime surge in the United States this Summer.", "“The sudden rise in crime caught a lot of the government agencies and the public off-guard. The focus has been on the COVID virus [Chinese coronavirus],” he said.", "“Unlike the last crime epidemic that took decades to build up in the early 90s, this one has literally occurred overnight. It’s like a virus, literally out of nowhere. Solutions are not immediately apparent,” Bratton continued.", "“We’re in for a long, very dangerous summer,” he added. “That’s the reality.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/the-media/2021/06/16/poll-less-than-quarter-voters-trust-medias-reporting-crime/
Poll: Less than a Quarter of Voters Trust Media's Reporting on Crime Less than a quarter of voters trust the media to accurately report on crime, a Rasmussen Reports survey released Tuesday found. Rasmussen Reports conducted the survey June 8-9, 2021, among 915 likely U.S. voters and asked, “Do most of the news media report fairly and accurately about the problem of crime in America?” Less than a quarter, 24 percent, said “yes,” while a solid majority, 60 percent,” said “no.” Even a plurality of Democrats, 44 percent, expressed the belief that the news media do not accurately report on crime. Seventy-one percent of Republicans and 70 percent of independents agreed. Additionally, 59 percent of black voters do not believe the media reports crime fairly or accurately, nor do 65 percent of other non-white voters. The survey also asked respondents if they believe the media “tend to exaggerate the amount of violent crime in America, do they tend to underplay the amount of violent crime, or is the media’s coverage of violent crime about right?” One-third of voters said the media tend to exaggerate the amount of violent crime, but a plurality, 38 percent, said they believe the media underplay the amount of violent crime. Twenty percent said the media’s coverage is “about right”: President Joe Biden’s strongest supporters are more likely to trust the media’s crime reporting. Among voters who Strongly Approve of Biden’s job performance as president, 44% believe most of the news media report fairly and accurately about the problem of crime in America. By contrast, among voters who Strongly Disapprove of Biden’s performance, only seven percent (7%) think the media report fairly and accurately about crime. The survey’s margin of error is +/- 3 percent. During a Monday appearance on CNBC’s The News with Shepard Smith, former New York City Police Commissioner Bill Bratton warned of a potential crime surge in the United States this Summer. “The sudden rise in crime caught a lot of the government agencies and the public off-guard. The focus has been on the COVID virus [Chinese coronavirus],” he said. “Unlike the last crime epidemic that took decades to build up in the early 90s, this one has literally occurred overnight. It’s like a virus, literally out of nowhere. Solutions are not immediately apparent,” Bratton continued. “We’re in for a long, very dangerous summer,” he added. “That’s the reality.”
Twin Kabul suicide blasts kill at least 21, including journalists
2018-04-29
[ "Kabul (AFP) – At least 21 people were killed, including Agence France-Presse chief photographer Shah Marai and three other journalists, when two suicide blasts ripped through Kabul on Monday, the health ministry and AFP have confirmed.", "Ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh told Afghanistan’s largest private TV channel Tolo news that at least 27 people were wounded and rushed to hospital, warning that some were in critical condition and the toll could yet rise.", "The second explosion came minutes after the first at targeted reporters at the scene, police spokesman Kabul Hashmat Stanikzai told AFP.", "“The bomber disguised himself as a journalist and detonated himself among the crowd,” he said.", "A security source also confirmed both were suicide blasts.", "The first bomb was detonated by an assailant on a motorcycle and left at least four dead and five injured, according to the interior ministry.", "Stanikzai confirmed that journalists had been killed, but said he did not know how many. AFP confirmed that, along with Marai, two journalists from 1TV and one from Tolo news were among the dead.", "Marai joined AFP as a driver in 1996, the year the Taliban seized power, and began taking pictures on the side, covering stories including the US invasion in 2001.", "In 2002 he became a full-time photo stringer, rising through the ranks to become chief photographer in the bureau.", "He leaves behind six children, including a newborn daughter.", "No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred shortly before 8:00am (0330 GMT) near the headquarters of the Afghan intelligence services, the interior ministry said.", "It comes days after the Taliban kicked off their spring offensive in an apparent rejection of calls for the militants to take up the Afghan government’s offer of peace talks.", "During the announcement the group vowed to target US forces and “their intelligence agents” as well as their “internal supporters”.", "The blasts follow several bloody attacks across the country including a bombing that targeted a voter registration centre in Kabul that killed at least 57 people last week.", "The Taliban said the offensive was partly a response to US President Donald Trump’s new strategy for Afghanistan announced last August, which gave US forces more leeway to go after insurgents.", "President Ashraf Ghani’s government is under pressure on multiple fronts this year as it prepares to hold October’s long-delayed elections while its security forces struggle to get the upper hand on the battlefield and prevent civilian casualties.", "Officials have acknowledged that security is a major concern because the Taliban and other militant groups control or contest large swathes of the country.", "A series of attacks on voter registration centres across the war-torn has deterred many Afghans from signing up to participate in the October 20 ballot.", "Some Western and Afghan officials expect 2018 to be a particularly bloody year.", "General John Nicholson, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, told Tolo TV last month that he expected the Taliban to carry out more suicide attacks this fighting season." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/news/twin-kabul-suicide-blasts-kill-at-least-21-including-journalists/
Twin Kabul suicide blasts kill at least 21, including journalists Kabul (AFP) – At least 21 people were killed, including Agence France-Presse chief photographer Shah Marai and three other journalists, when two suicide blasts ripped through Kabul on Monday, the health ministry and AFP have confirmed. Ministry spokesman Wahid Majroh told Afghanistan’s largest private TV channel Tolo news that at least 27 people were wounded and rushed to hospital, warning that some were in critical condition and the toll could yet rise. The second explosion came minutes after the first at targeted reporters at the scene, police spokesman Kabul Hashmat Stanikzai told AFP. “The bomber disguised himself as a journalist and detonated himself among the crowd,” he said. A security source also confirmed both were suicide blasts. The first bomb was detonated by an assailant on a motorcycle and left at least four dead and five injured, according to the interior ministry. Stanikzai confirmed that journalists had been killed, but said he did not know how many. AFP confirmed that, along with Marai, two journalists from 1TV and one from Tolo news were among the dead. Marai joined AFP as a driver in 1996, the year the Taliban seized power, and began taking pictures on the side, covering stories including the US invasion in 2001. In 2002 he became a full-time photo stringer, rising through the ranks to become chief photographer in the bureau. He leaves behind six children, including a newborn daughter. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred shortly before 8:00am (0330 GMT) near the headquarters of the Afghan intelligence services, the interior ministry said. It comes days after the Taliban kicked off their spring offensive in an apparent rejection of calls for the militants to take up the Afghan government’s offer of peace talks. During the announcement the group vowed to target US forces and “their intelligence agents” as well as their “internal supporters”. The blasts follow several bloody attacks across the country including a bombing that targeted a voter registration centre in Kabul that killed at least 57 people last week. The Taliban said the offensive was partly a response to US President Donald Trump’s new strategy for Afghanistan announced last August, which gave US forces more leeway to go after insurgents. President Ashraf Ghani’s government is under pressure on multiple fronts this year as it prepares to hold October’s long-delayed elections while its security forces struggle to get the upper hand on the battlefield and prevent civilian casualties. Officials have acknowledged that security is a major concern because the Taliban and other militant groups control or contest large swathes of the country. A series of attacks on voter registration centres across the war-torn has deterred many Afghans from signing up to participate in the October 20 ballot. Some Western and Afghan officials expect 2018 to be a particularly bloody year. General John Nicholson, the top US and NATO commander in Afghanistan, told Tolo TV last month that he expected the Taliban to carry out more suicide attacks this fighting season.
Florida's GOP-Led Senate Passes Gun Control for Gun Show Sales
2020-01-21
[ "Florida’s Republican-led Senate passed gun control for firearm sales at gun shows in the Sunshine State.", "The Senate President is Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton). On January 17, Breitbart News reported that Galvano received two donations from the Michael Bloomberg-funded Everytown for Gun Safety. One of the donations was in the amount of $200,000 and the other in the amount of $300.000.", "The Tampa Bay Times reports that Galvano would not apologize for taking money from the gun control groups. Rather, he said he was “grateful for the support.”", "The Florida Senate has now passed a new gun control requirement, part of an effort they describe as closing the so-called gun show loophole.", "WFLA reports that the new requirement means that individuals selling personal firearms at gun shows must check the ID of the person buying the gun “and a form would need to be filled out and notarized in front of a witness.”", "Selling a firearm at a gun show without filling out the form will be “a second-degree misdemeanor with a punishment of up to 60 days in jail.”", "The NRA’s Marion Hammer commented on the gun control, saying, “It appears to be an actual attempt to ban private sales through red tape and fear. Asking average citizens to create what amounts to a government form and get it notarized is ridiculous.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/01/21/floridas-gop-led-senate-passes-gun-control-gun-show-sales/
Florida's GOP-Led Senate Passes Gun Control for Gun Show Sales Florida’s Republican-led Senate passed gun control for firearm sales at gun shows in the Sunshine State. The Senate President is Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton). On January 17, Breitbart News reported that Galvano received two donations from the Michael Bloomberg-funded Everytown for Gun Safety. One of the donations was in the amount of $200,000 and the other in the amount of $300.000. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Galvano would not apologize for taking money from the gun control groups. Rather, he said he was “grateful for the support.” The Florida Senate has now passed a new gun control requirement, part of an effort they describe as closing the so-called gun show loophole. WFLA reports that the new requirement means that individuals selling personal firearms at gun shows must check the ID of the person buying the gun “and a form would need to be filled out and notarized in front of a witness.” Selling a firearm at a gun show without filling out the form will be “a second-degree misdemeanor with a punishment of up to 60 days in jail.” The NRA’s Marion Hammer commented on the gun control, saying, “It appears to be an actual attempt to ban private sales through red tape and fear. Asking average citizens to create what amounts to a government form and get it notarized is ridiculous.”
Australia Joins U.S.-Led Shipping Protection Mission in Strait of Hormuz
2019-08-21
[ "Australia will join the United States and the UK in an international maritime coalition protecting oil tankers and cargo ships from threats posed by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday.", "A series of attacks on merchant vessels in the past few months has disrupted shipping through the area, which the United States has blamed on Iran. Tehran has denied the accusations.", "Australia’s effort will aid the U.S.-launched the campaign, dubbed Operation Sentinel, which seeks to ensure ships can exercise freedom of navigation through the strategic strait without restraint by hostile forces, a point touched on by Mr. Morrison.", "“This destabilising behaviour is a threat to Australia’s interests in the region,” he told a news conference in the national capital Canberra.", "“The government has decided that it is in Australia’s national interest to work with our international partners to contribute. Our contribution will be limited in scope and it will be time-bound,” he said.", "Mr. Morrison said Australia will send a RAAF P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane to the Middle East for one month before the end of 2019. It will be followed by an Australian patrol frigate will be deployed in January 2020 for six months.", "Tension in the region increased when the UK seized an Iranian oil tanker off Gibraltar last month, prompting Iran to retaliate by seizing a British tanker in the Persian Gulf.", "“Fifteen to 16 per cent of crude oil and 25 to 30 per cent of refined oil destined for Australia transits through the Strait of Hormuz,” Mr. Morrison said.", "“So it is a potential threat to our economy.”", "Mr. Morrison spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo early on Wednesday to inform them of Australia’s involvement.", "There will be about 200 Australians involved in the operation, with 177 Defence personnel on the warship and 10 on the surveillance aircraft.", "Meanwhile, AP reports the former head of Dutch defense forces said he believes the Netherlands should not take part in the mission if the aim is to pile more pressure on Iran.", "The comments of former defense chief Dick Berlijn came in an interview published in Tuesday’s edition of Dutch daily De Volkskrant.", "“I don’t think we should take part in an American operation in which we absolutely do not know what is going to happen,” he said.", "Germany has already said it will not be involved." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2019/08/21/australia-joins-u-s-led-shipping-protection-mission-in-strait-of-hormuz/
Australia Joins U.S.-Led Shipping Protection Mission in Strait of Hormuz Australia will join the United States and the UK in an international maritime coalition protecting oil tankers and cargo ships from threats posed by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday. A series of attacks on merchant vessels in the past few months has disrupted shipping through the area, which the United States has blamed on Iran. Tehran has denied the accusations. Australia’s effort will aid the U.S.-launched the campaign, dubbed Operation Sentinel, which seeks to ensure ships can exercise freedom of navigation through the strategic strait without restraint by hostile forces, a point touched on by Mr. Morrison. “This destabilising behaviour is a threat to Australia’s interests in the region,” he told a news conference in the national capital Canberra. “The government has decided that it is in Australia’s national interest to work with our international partners to contribute. Our contribution will be limited in scope and it will be time-bound,” he said. Mr. Morrison said Australia will send a RAAF P-8A Poseidon surveillance plane to the Middle East for one month before the end of 2019. It will be followed by an Australian patrol frigate will be deployed in January 2020 for six months. Tension in the region increased when the UK seized an Iranian oil tanker off Gibraltar last month, prompting Iran to retaliate by seizing a British tanker in the Persian Gulf. “Fifteen to 16 per cent of crude oil and 25 to 30 per cent of refined oil destined for Australia transits through the Strait of Hormuz,” Mr. Morrison said. “So it is a potential threat to our economy.” Mr. Morrison spoke with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo early on Wednesday to inform them of Australia’s involvement. There will be about 200 Australians involved in the operation, with 177 Defence personnel on the warship and 10 on the surveillance aircraft. Meanwhile, AP reports the former head of Dutch defense forces said he believes the Netherlands should not take part in the mission if the aim is to pile more pressure on Iran. The comments of former defense chief Dick Berlijn came in an interview published in Tuesday’s edition of Dutch daily De Volkskrant. “I don’t think we should take part in an American operation in which we absolutely do not know what is going to happen,” he said. Germany has already said it will not be involved.
McDonald's Worker Allegedly Served up 'Happy Meals' with a Side of Cocaine
2017-10-05
[ "A McDonald’s worker in the Bronx allegedly served up more than a side of fries with his Happy Meals.", "Authorities took Frank Guerrero, 26, a night shift manager at the fast food restaurant, into custody for alleged narcotics trafficking as part of a three-month undercover investigation, the New York Post reported.", "Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said the operation was dubbed “Operation Off the Menu.”", "“The conduct was so blatant it would be comical if he weren’t committing a serious narcotics crime,” Brennan said. “Ordering coke took on an entirely different meaning on the night shift at this McDonald’s.”", "Officials say Guerrero allegedly sold undercover investigators $10,900 worth of cocaine in eight different transactions at the fast food franchise located in the Bronx’s Soundview section.", "Guerrero also permitted his drug customers to walk through the main entrance late at night when the restaurant only allowed late-night orders to be taken through the drive-thru window, officials said.", "Authorities say that Guerrero allegedly sold a concealed bag of cocaine to an undercover officer after he placed the drug in a cookie bag, and then hid it in a larger order containing two cheeseburgers, a side of fries, and a soda.", "In a separate instance, Guerrero allegedly sold $6,250 worth of cocaine to an undercover officer inside the fast food joint’s public restroom while on a break from his shift.", "Officials say he allegedly stored the drugs inside the soap dispenser earlier in the day.", "Surveillance footage obtained by police showed that Guerrero conducted the drug transactions regularly during his shift.", "After executing a search warrant on his home, authorities allegedly seized $5,300 in cash and 200 grams of cocaine.", "Police arrested Guerrero and his girlfriend, Leidy Cabral Castillo, at 5 a.m. Wednesday morning before he finished his shift.", "Guerrero and Cabral Castillo face multiple charges of of criminal possession of a controlled substance and dealing with a child unlawfully. Guerrero also faces several counts of illegally selling a controlled substance.", "Tony Rodriguez, the owner of the McDonald’s, told WABC in a statement that his former employee’s actions are “unacceptable” and that he is cooperating with authorities.", "CBS New York reports that the McDonald’s is closed indefinitely while authorities carry out the investigation.", "Some McDonald’s locations have been hotbeds of criminal activity in recent months. Three teens allegedly threatened McDonald’s employees at gunpoint at a Northern Virginia location in September, and a Marine was shot and killed at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Indiana in April." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2017/10/05/mcdonalds-worker-allegedly-served-happy-meals-side-cocaine/
McDonald's Worker Allegedly Served up 'Happy Meals' with a Side of Cocaine A McDonald’s worker in the Bronx allegedly served up more than a side of fries with his Happy Meals. Authorities took Frank Guerrero, 26, a night shift manager at the fast food restaurant, into custody for alleged narcotics trafficking as part of a three-month undercover investigation, the New York Post reported. Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget G. Brennan said the operation was dubbed “Operation Off the Menu.” “The conduct was so blatant it would be comical if he weren’t committing a serious narcotics crime,” Brennan said. “Ordering coke took on an entirely different meaning on the night shift at this McDonald’s.” Officials say Guerrero allegedly sold undercover investigators $10,900 worth of cocaine in eight different transactions at the fast food franchise located in the Bronx’s Soundview section. Guerrero also permitted his drug customers to walk through the main entrance late at night when the restaurant only allowed late-night orders to be taken through the drive-thru window, officials said. Authorities say that Guerrero allegedly sold a concealed bag of cocaine to an undercover officer after he placed the drug in a cookie bag, and then hid it in a larger order containing two cheeseburgers, a side of fries, and a soda. In a separate instance, Guerrero allegedly sold $6,250 worth of cocaine to an undercover officer inside the fast food joint’s public restroom while on a break from his shift. Officials say he allegedly stored the drugs inside the soap dispenser earlier in the day. Surveillance footage obtained by police showed that Guerrero conducted the drug transactions regularly during his shift. After executing a search warrant on his home, authorities allegedly seized $5,300 in cash and 200 grams of cocaine. Police arrested Guerrero and his girlfriend, Leidy Cabral Castillo, at 5 a.m. Wednesday morning before he finished his shift. Guerrero and Cabral Castillo face multiple charges of of criminal possession of a controlled substance and dealing with a child unlawfully. Guerrero also faces several counts of illegally selling a controlled substance. Tony Rodriguez, the owner of the McDonald’s, told WABC in a statement that his former employee’s actions are “unacceptable” and that he is cooperating with authorities. CBS New York reports that the McDonald’s is closed indefinitely while authorities carry out the investigation. Some McDonald’s locations have been hotbeds of criminal activity in recent months. Three teens allegedly threatened McDonald’s employees at gunpoint at a Northern Virginia location in September, and a Marine was shot and killed at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Indiana in April.
Soaring American Oil Production Will Push U.S. Close to Energy Independence
2018-03-05
[ "American oil production will soar over the next five years, supplying much of the world’s growing demand for oil, the International Energy Agency said on Monday.", "U.S. production of crude oil, condensates, and natural gas liquids will rise to 17 million barrels a day by 2023, up from 13.2 million in 2017, according to IAE’s forecast. As a result, U.S. production will supply around 80 percent of the increased global supply of oil, which the IAE sees rising 6.4 million barrels per day to 107 million barrels a day.", "Demand for oil will rise by 6.9 million barrels a day to 1.04.7 million, the IEA forecast.", "The rising U.S. production means the U.S. will become close to being energy self-sufficient, a huge shift from the era not so long ago when the U.S. was the world’s largest oil importer.", "“The United States is set to put its stamp on global oil markets for the next five years,” Fatih Birol, the IEA’s executive director, said in a statement.", "The projections come from Oil 2018, the IEA’s five-year market analysis and forecast. The chart below shows where the IEA sees future oil production coming from. NGLs is short for Natural Gas Liquids, which is a family hydrocarbons that includes ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, and pentane. LTO, the largest growing segment, is short for Light Tight Oil, industry jargon for shale oil.", "“Over the next three years, gains from the United States alone will cover 80% of the world’s demand growth, with Canada, Brazil and Norway – all IEA family members – able to cover the rest,” the IAE said.", "The report notes that despite falling costs, additional investment will be needed to spur supply growth after 2020. That may be aided by recent tax cuts in the U.S., which dramatically lower the rates for corporations and allow for faster deductions for capital expenses." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/03/05/soaring-american-oil-production-will-push-u-s-close-to-energy-independence/
Soaring American Oil Production Will Push U.S. Close to Energy Independence American oil production will soar over the next five years, supplying much of the world’s growing demand for oil, the International Energy Agency said on Monday. U.S. production of crude oil, condensates, and natural gas liquids will rise to 17 million barrels a day by 2023, up from 13.2 million in 2017, according to IAE’s forecast. As a result, U.S. production will supply around 80 percent of the increased global supply of oil, which the IAE sees rising 6.4 million barrels per day to 107 million barrels a day. Demand for oil will rise by 6.9 million barrels a day to 1.04.7 million, the IEA forecast. The rising U.S. production means the U.S. will become close to being energy self-sufficient, a huge shift from the era not so long ago when the U.S. was the world’s largest oil importer. “The United States is set to put its stamp on global oil markets for the next five years,” Fatih Birol, the IEA’s executive director, said in a statement. The projections come from Oil 2018, the IEA’s five-year market analysis and forecast. The chart below shows where the IEA sees future oil production coming from. NGLs is short for Natural Gas Liquids, which is a family hydrocarbons that includes ethane, propane, butane, isobutane, and pentane. LTO, the largest growing segment, is short for Light Tight Oil, industry jargon for shale oil. “Over the next three years, gains from the United States alone will cover 80% of the world’s demand growth, with Canada, Brazil and Norway – all IEA family members – able to cover the rest,” the IAE said. The report notes that despite falling costs, additional investment will be needed to spur supply growth after 2020. That may be aided by recent tax cuts in the U.S., which dramatically lower the rates for corporations and allow for faster deductions for capital expenses.
Google Revenue up 20%, Profit up 25%, Employment up 10,000
2016-10-31
[ "Despite growing Silicon Valley tech layoffs, and disappointing third quarter performance from Apple and Twitter, Google’s parent, Alphabet, reported an annual 20 percent revenue surge, 25 percent earnings spike, and 10,000 additional employees.", "Following the announcement that the company hit $22.1 billion in revenue and $5.1 billion in profit, Alphabet’s chief financial officer, Ruth Porat, commented, “Mobile search and video are powering our core advertising business.”", "Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) substantially exceeded Wall Street’s $8.63 quarterly per-share earnings estimate, with a $9.06 gain.", "Google’s business model has been criticized recently, because the value of search-based advertisements on mobile was once not as high as on desktop computers. Google’s per-click-cost charged to advertisers has fallen by 11 percent, year-over-year.", "But with more of the search business migrating to mobile, the aggregate number of Google paid clicks actually increased 33 percent year-over-year.", "Breitbart News has been reporting that Silicon Valley tech firms have hemorrhaged jobs in 2016. According to global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., which tracks employment terminations at large organizations, major Silicon Valley tech firms through July 2016 had cut 62,917 positions — up 71 percent over the 36,881 during the same seven months in 2015.", "Challenger reported that the computer industry continued to slash jobs in September, with 4,152 terminations. That brought “the annual job-cut total for the sector to 59,719, which is second only to the energy sector, which has announced 98,733 job cuts.” But if Challenger had not designated the 8,000 job losses due to the closure of ITT Technical Institute as education cuts, computer job losses would have been much higher.", "Mizuho Securities tech analyst Neil Doshi told SiliconValley.com that he was impressed that as long as Alphabet continues “to innovate on the ads front on the mobile front” and “mobile queries continue to grow,” he expects the company to see continued strength.", "With eMarketer Pro estimating Google will control 57 percent of all worldwide search-ad enquiries in 2017, Doshi believes Google’s cloud business could be a “nicely competitive moat they will have built.”", "Alphabet’s stock spiked on the earnings announcement by almost $30 per-share, to a new all-time high on October 27 of $826.90 in after-hours trading. But with Google’s investment thesis undermined by the huge spending in the company’s “Other Bets,” Alphabet’s stock fell back to $795.37 by the close of trading the next day.", "Wall Street analysts usually refer to “Other Bets” as a grab bag of futuristic businesses that includes smart gadget maker Nest, life sciences research organization Verily, and the Fiber ultra-high-speed Internet provider. Although Other Bets’ quarterly revenue grew by over 50 percent, to $197 million, they still had a quarterly operating loss of $865 million.", "But unlike many Silicon Valley tech leaders that have been cutting jobs in 2015 and 2016, Alphabet increased its head count by 16 percent, or 10,000 new employees. That did not stop Alphabet — with $7.3 billion in free cash flow for the quarter, and $83 billion of cash on the balance sheet — from announcing it will buy back another $7 billion in stock." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/california/2016/10/31/google-revenue-20-profit-25-employment-10000/
Google Revenue up 20%, Profit up 25%, Employment up 10,000 Despite growing Silicon Valley tech layoffs, and disappointing third quarter performance from Apple and Twitter, Google’s parent, Alphabet, reported an annual 20 percent revenue surge, 25 percent earnings spike, and 10,000 additional employees. Following the announcement that the company hit $22.1 billion in revenue and $5.1 billion in profit, Alphabet’s chief financial officer, Ruth Porat, commented, “Mobile search and video are powering our core advertising business.” Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOG) substantially exceeded Wall Street’s $8.63 quarterly per-share earnings estimate, with a $9.06 gain. Google’s business model has been criticized recently, because the value of search-based advertisements on mobile was once not as high as on desktop computers. Google’s per-click-cost charged to advertisers has fallen by 11 percent, year-over-year. But with more of the search business migrating to mobile, the aggregate number of Google paid clicks actually increased 33 percent year-over-year. Breitbart News has been reporting that Silicon Valley tech firms have hemorrhaged jobs in 2016. According to global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc., which tracks employment terminations at large organizations, major Silicon Valley tech firms through July 2016 had cut 62,917 positions — up 71 percent over the 36,881 during the same seven months in 2015. Challenger reported that the computer industry continued to slash jobs in September, with 4,152 terminations. That brought “the annual job-cut total for the sector to 59,719, which is second only to the energy sector, which has announced 98,733 job cuts.” But if Challenger had not designated the 8,000 job losses due to the closure of ITT Technical Institute as education cuts, computer job losses would have been much higher. Mizuho Securities tech analyst Neil Doshi told SiliconValley.com that he was impressed that as long as Alphabet continues “to innovate on the ads front on the mobile front” and “mobile queries continue to grow,” he expects the company to see continued strength. With eMarketer Pro estimating Google will control 57 percent of all worldwide search-ad enquiries in 2017, Doshi believes Google’s cloud business could be a “nicely competitive moat they will have built.” Alphabet’s stock spiked on the earnings announcement by almost $30 per-share, to a new all-time high on October 27 of $826.90 in after-hours trading. But with Google’s investment thesis undermined by the huge spending in the company’s “Other Bets,” Alphabet’s stock fell back to $795.37 by the close of trading the next day. Wall Street analysts usually refer to “Other Bets” as a grab bag of futuristic businesses that includes smart gadget maker Nest, life sciences research organization Verily, and the Fiber ultra-high-speed Internet provider. Although Other Bets’ quarterly revenue grew by over 50 percent, to $197 million, they still had a quarterly operating loss of $865 million. But unlike many Silicon Valley tech leaders that have been cutting jobs in 2015 and 2016, Alphabet increased its head count by 16 percent, or 10,000 new employees. That did not stop Alphabet — with $7.3 billion in free cash flow for the quarter, and $83 billion of cash on the balance sheet — from announcing it will buy back another $7 billion in stock.
Poll: Plurality Call Coronavirus Most Important U.S. Problem
2020-08-06
[ "A plurality of Americans considers the Chinese coronavirus the most important problem facing the country, while climate change — an issue central to the Democrat Party’s agenda — remains among the lowest in importance, garnering just one percent, a Gallup survey released this week found.", "The Gallup poll, taken July 1-23, among U.S. 1,007 adults, asked respondents, “What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?”", "A plurality, or 30 percent, chose “coronavirus/diseases” as the most important problem, followed by “the government/poor leadership” (23 percent), race relations/racism (16 percent), “unifying the country” (six percent), and “crime/violence” (five percent).", "Nine percent of respondents chose economic problems, which included the economy “in general,” unemployment, and the wealth gap.", "Notably, “climate change/environment/pollution” — green issues central to the progressive agenda and embraced by Joe Biden — came at the very bottom of the list, garnering just one percent support.", "Elections/election reform, poverty/hunger/homelessness, national security, education, and immigration also garnered just one percent support each.", "While a plurality consider the novel virus as the most important problem facing the nation, it represents a 15-point drop from the 45 percent who identified it as the central issue in April. However, just 20 percent of those surveyed May 28-Jun 4 identified the coronavirus as the nation’s main issue, with concerns over the government and poor leadership edging the virus out by one percentage point. Race relations/racism followed closely behind, garnering 19 percent.", "Coronavirus cases are beginning to fall nationwide, as Breitbart News has extensively documented. The U.S. has reported the lowest single-day number of infections this week following high levels last month. Even Dr. Anthony Fauci has expressed a dose of positivity, telling CNN’s New Day that “we could be way down in November” if Americans “pay attention to the fundamental tenets of infection control and diminution of transmission”:", "The U.S. has reported 4,797,959 cumulative cases of the virus and 150,232 related fatalities, according to the COVID Tracking Project." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/08/06/poll-plurality-of-americans-call-coronavirus-most-important-u-s-problem-climate-change-among-least/
Poll: Plurality Call Coronavirus Most Important U.S. Problem A plurality of Americans considers the Chinese coronavirus the most important problem facing the country, while climate change — an issue central to the Democrat Party’s agenda — remains among the lowest in importance, garnering just one percent, a Gallup survey released this week found. The Gallup poll, taken July 1-23, among U.S. 1,007 adults, asked respondents, “What do you think is the most important problem facing this country today?” A plurality, or 30 percent, chose “coronavirus/diseases” as the most important problem, followed by “the government/poor leadership” (23 percent), race relations/racism (16 percent), “unifying the country” (six percent), and “crime/violence” (five percent). Nine percent of respondents chose economic problems, which included the economy “in general,” unemployment, and the wealth gap. Notably, “climate change/environment/pollution” — green issues central to the progressive agenda and embraced by Joe Biden — came at the very bottom of the list, garnering just one percent support. Elections/election reform, poverty/hunger/homelessness, national security, education, and immigration also garnered just one percent support each. While a plurality consider the novel virus as the most important problem facing the nation, it represents a 15-point drop from the 45 percent who identified it as the central issue in April. However, just 20 percent of those surveyed May 28-Jun 4 identified the coronavirus as the nation’s main issue, with concerns over the government and poor leadership edging the virus out by one percentage point. Race relations/racism followed closely behind, garnering 19 percent. Coronavirus cases are beginning to fall nationwide, as Breitbart News has extensively documented. The U.S. has reported the lowest single-day number of infections this week following high levels last month. Even Dr. Anthony Fauci has expressed a dose of positivity, telling CNN’s New Day that “we could be way down in November” if Americans “pay attention to the fundamental tenets of infection control and diminution of transmission”: The U.S. has reported 4,797,959 cumulative cases of the virus and 150,232 related fatalities, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
Democrats Warn Trump Congress Will 'Begin Impeachment Proceedings' If He Fires Mueller, Rosenstein
2017-06-17
[ "Several Democrats in Congress warned President Trump on Friday that he will face consequences if he fires special counsel Robert Mueller and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein.", "“All Americans, regardless of party, agree on the fundamental principle that no one is above the law,” Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) told MSNBC Friday. “And if President Trump were to fire Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein, and then [get] special counsel Mueller fired, I believe Congress would begin impeachment proceedings.”", "Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) echoed Lieu’s sentiments, saying that Congress would come together to make sure they overrule Trump’s authority on the matter.", "“Congress will not allow the president to so egregiously overstep his authority,” Schiff said in a statement.", "“If President Trump were to try to replicate [former President Richard] Nixon’s Saturday Night Massacre by firing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in addition to Mueller, Congress must unite to stop him–without respect to party, and for the sake of the nation,” he added.", "Trump claimed on Twitter that he was “being investigated” for his decision to fire former FBI Director James Comey, insinuating that “the man who told [him] to fire the FBI Director” is also the one investigating him, referencing the deputy attorney general. He concluded the tweet by saying that the investigation is a “witch hunt” against him:", "In his Tuesday testimony before the Senate, Rosenstein said he would only fire Mueller under “lawful and appropriate orders” to prove Mueller’s firing is for a “good cause.”", "Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) saw Trump’s tweet as evidence that the president would fire the deputy attorney general.", "“The message the president is sending through his tweets is that he believes the rule of law doesn’t apply to him and that anyone who thinks otherwise will be fired. That’s undemocratic on its face and a blatant violation of the president’s oath of office,” Feinstein said in a statement." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/06/17/democrats-warn-trump-congress-will-begin-impeachment-proceedings-fires-mueller-rosenstein/
Democrats Warn Trump Congress Will 'Begin Impeachment Proceedings' If He Fires Mueller, Rosenstein Several Democrats in Congress warned President Trump on Friday that he will face consequences if he fires special counsel Robert Mueller and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein. “All Americans, regardless of party, agree on the fundamental principle that no one is above the law,” Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) told MSNBC Friday. “And if President Trump were to fire Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein, and then [get] special counsel Mueller fired, I believe Congress would begin impeachment proceedings.” Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) echoed Lieu’s sentiments, saying that Congress would come together to make sure they overrule Trump’s authority on the matter. “Congress will not allow the president to so egregiously overstep his authority,” Schiff said in a statement. “If President Trump were to try to replicate [former President Richard] Nixon’s Saturday Night Massacre by firing Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein in addition to Mueller, Congress must unite to stop him–without respect to party, and for the sake of the nation,” he added. Trump claimed on Twitter that he was “being investigated” for his decision to fire former FBI Director James Comey, insinuating that “the man who told [him] to fire the FBI Director” is also the one investigating him, referencing the deputy attorney general. He concluded the tweet by saying that the investigation is a “witch hunt” against him: In his Tuesday testimony before the Senate, Rosenstein said he would only fire Mueller under “lawful and appropriate orders” to prove Mueller’s firing is for a “good cause.” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) saw Trump’s tweet as evidence that the president would fire the deputy attorney general. “The message the president is sending through his tweets is that he believes the rule of law doesn’t apply to him and that anyone who thinks otherwise will be fired. That’s undemocratic on its face and a blatant violation of the president’s oath of office,” Feinstein said in a statement.
Donald Trump Calls Out DOJ on Rigged Clinton Email Investigation
2016-11-02
[ "Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump used a packed rally in Miami, Florida, to publicize and criticize the close ties between Democratic political operatives and officials in the Department of Justice.", "The hidden ties are being revealed by the Wikileaks website, which is posting emails sent between Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta, and Peter Kadzik, who is an Assistant Attorney General at the Department of Justice.", "Trump said:", "One of the top Department of Justice officials involved in the email investigation, Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik, is a close associate of John Podesta. The two met for dinner after Clinton testified about Benghazi, and Podesta, who by the way said Hillary Clinton has terrible instincts on Wikileaks, describes him [Kadzik] as the man who kept him [Podesta] out of jail.", "Kadzik is also the one who helped lead the effort to confirm Attorney General Loretta Lynch.", "Now today, in a newly released email, through Wikileaks again, we learn that Kadzik was feeding information about the investigation into the Clinton campaign, and that Kadzik said, “it will be a while before the State Department posts the emails.” Remember they were waiting for the emails. Podesta forwarded the emails to Clinton’s top staff and said “additional chances for mischief.”", "These are the people that want to run our country, folks.", "The spread of political agendas into the Justice Department … is one of the saddest things that has happened to our country, but with your votes, you can beat the system — the rigged system.", "There are signs of rancor between the Department of Justice and the FBI after the bombshell announcement by FBI director James Comey that the bureau was reopening its investigations into the Clinton email scandal.", "Comey reopened the investigation after authorities found some suspicious emails on a computer used by top Clinton aide Huma Abedin and her estranged husband, Anthony Weiner. The emails were discovered during an investigation into Weiner’s alleged practice of sending explicit photos and videos to a 15-year-old girl.", "Former FBI officials and others have castigated Lynch and Comey for what they say has been a botched investigation amid political interference." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/11/02/trump-slams-corrupt-government/
Donald Trump Calls Out DOJ on Rigged Clinton Email Investigation Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump used a packed rally in Miami, Florida, to publicize and criticize the close ties between Democratic political operatives and officials in the Department of Justice. The hidden ties are being revealed by the Wikileaks website, which is posting emails sent between Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman, John Podesta, and Peter Kadzik, who is an Assistant Attorney General at the Department of Justice. Trump said: One of the top Department of Justice officials involved in the email investigation, Assistant Attorney General Peter Kadzik, is a close associate of John Podesta. The two met for dinner after Clinton testified about Benghazi, and Podesta, who by the way said Hillary Clinton has terrible instincts on Wikileaks, describes him [Kadzik] as the man who kept him [Podesta] out of jail. Kadzik is also the one who helped lead the effort to confirm Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Now today, in a newly released email, through Wikileaks again, we learn that Kadzik was feeding information about the investigation into the Clinton campaign, and that Kadzik said, “it will be a while before the State Department posts the emails.” Remember they were waiting for the emails. Podesta forwarded the emails to Clinton’s top staff and said “additional chances for mischief.” These are the people that want to run our country, folks. The spread of political agendas into the Justice Department … is one of the saddest things that has happened to our country, but with your votes, you can beat the system — the rigged system. There are signs of rancor between the Department of Justice and the FBI after the bombshell announcement by FBI director James Comey that the bureau was reopening its investigations into the Clinton email scandal. Comey reopened the investigation after authorities found some suspicious emails on a computer used by top Clinton aide Huma Abedin and her estranged husband, Anthony Weiner. The emails were discovered during an investigation into Weiner’s alleged practice of sending explicit photos and videos to a 15-year-old girl. Former FBI officials and others have castigated Lynch and Comey for what they say has been a botched investigation amid political interference.
5 Best and 5 Worst Moments of Trump's First 100 Days
2017-04-28
[ "As President Donald Trump’s first 100 days draw to a close, Americans are deeply divided about his job performance, though a slim majority agree that he is keeping his promises (even if they do not like those promises).", "By historical standards, Trump has led a very active presidency thus far, stunning his opponents with a battery of executive actions, but facing stiff “resistance” from the opposition and the courts.", "Here are the five best moments — and the five worst.", "Best:", "1. Speech to Congress. Trump shocked his critics with a stirring address to a special joint session of Congress on Feb. 28 that was optimistic, inclusive, and precise, yet emotional. A CNN poll suggested that four out of five Americans viewed the speech positively. Key quote: “I am asking all citizens to embrace this Renewal of the American Spirit. I am asking all members of Congress to join me in dreaming big, and bold and daring things for our country.”", "2. Syrian air strike. Trump said he would respond to the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons against civilians, and promptly did so. The U.S. Navy launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the air base from which the chemical attack had been launched. In so doing, Trump enforced the “red line” that President Barack Obama had failed to patrol. The attacks also sent a message to China — whose president was eating dessert with Trump at the moment of the attack.", "3. Neil Gorsuch confirmation. Trump fulfilled a core campaign promise by appointing a constitutional conservative, Judge Neil Gorsuch, to the Supreme Court seat formerly held by the late Antonin Scalia. Gorsuch did extremely well in his confirmation hearings. When Democrats carried out a threat to filibuster, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell found enough Republican votes to change the rules, meaning that future Trump nominees would have an easier path.", "4. Congressional Review Act. Trump used a 20-year-old law, passed by President Bill Clinton but rarely used since, that allows Congress to repeal regulations within a 60-day window. Because many of the Obama administration’s regulations had not been reported to Congress, the 60-day window had not begun for them, and so Congress could repeal them. Trump signed repeal bills for 13 regulations issued under Obama, rolling back the administrative state.", "5. Immigration enforcement. Even without the proposed border wall in place (or funded), Trump’s new Cabinet — especially Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions — ramped up law enforcement, deporting criminal illegal aliens and sending a clear signal to potential illegal immigrants that they ought not try their luck. Illegal border crossings were down by nearly two-thirds over the same period the year before.", "Worst:", "5. Crowd size fight. The Trump administration pushed back against the mainstream media’s efforts to talk down the size of the crowd at President Trump’s inauguration — but pushed too far, offering “alternative facts” about attendance that were later proven to be incorrect. That set the stage for a testy relationship with the press, provided material to Saturday Night Live satirists, and hurt the credibility of the new administration with the public, at least at the outset.", "4. Michael Flynn departure. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned after allegedly providing incorrect information to Vice President Mike Pence about the content of his conversation with the Russian ambassador during the transition period. The departure added fuel to Democrats’ theories of a Russian conspiracy to elect Trump — and showed that there are limits to how far the Trump administration is prepared to go in defying the mainstream media.", "3. Leaks. For an administration with a famously cold approach to the mainstream media, the Trump White House seemed to leak — from all sides — to mainstream media outlets. Journalists used scraps of information to create internal rivalries in the West Wing — which may, or may not, have been real, but which reinforced a public image of instability. The leaks, and the supposed rivalries, seemed to settle toward the end of the first 100 days, amidst staff reshuffles.", "2. Immigration executive order rollout. When Trump signed an executive order suspending travel from seven terror-prone countries, he knew it would face opposition, but probably underestimated the strength of the pushback. Protests broke out at airports nationwide, and became a rallying point for anti-Trump activists building a broader “resistance” movement. Liberal judges blocked the order — and the amended version that followed, freezing the president’s policy.", "1. American Health Care Act. The White House tried to push conservative Republicans to vote for the House leadership’s legislation to replace Obamacare. But neither Speaker of the House Paul Ryan nor the president himself could sway enough votes to save the bill — which Senate Republicans had already declared dead on arrival. A second attempt to pass an amended bill in late April also foundered — this time because of a lack of support from moderates." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/04/28/first-100-days-5-best-5-worst-moments-trump/
5 Best and 5 Worst Moments of Trump's First 100 Days As President Donald Trump’s first 100 days draw to a close, Americans are deeply divided about his job performance, though a slim majority agree that he is keeping his promises (even if they do not like those promises). By historical standards, Trump has led a very active presidency thus far, stunning his opponents with a battery of executive actions, but facing stiff “resistance” from the opposition and the courts. Here are the five best moments — and the five worst. Best: 1. Speech to Congress. Trump shocked his critics with a stirring address to a special joint session of Congress on Feb. 28 that was optimistic, inclusive, and precise, yet emotional. A CNN poll suggested that four out of five Americans viewed the speech positively. Key quote: “I am asking all citizens to embrace this Renewal of the American Spirit. I am asking all members of Congress to join me in dreaming big, and bold and daring things for our country.” 2. Syrian air strike. Trump said he would respond to the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons against civilians, and promptly did so. The U.S. Navy launched 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles at the air base from which the chemical attack had been launched. In so doing, Trump enforced the “red line” that President Barack Obama had failed to patrol. The attacks also sent a message to China — whose president was eating dessert with Trump at the moment of the attack. 3. Neil Gorsuch confirmation. Trump fulfilled a core campaign promise by appointing a constitutional conservative, Judge Neil Gorsuch, to the Supreme Court seat formerly held by the late Antonin Scalia. Gorsuch did extremely well in his confirmation hearings. When Democrats carried out a threat to filibuster, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell found enough Republican votes to change the rules, meaning that future Trump nominees would have an easier path. 4. Congressional Review Act. Trump used a 20-year-old law, passed by President Bill Clinton but rarely used since, that allows Congress to repeal regulations within a 60-day window. Because many of the Obama administration’s regulations had not been reported to Congress, the 60-day window had not begun for them, and so Congress could repeal them. Trump signed repeal bills for 13 regulations issued under Obama, rolling back the administrative state. 5. Immigration enforcement. Even without the proposed border wall in place (or funded), Trump’s new Cabinet — especially Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions — ramped up law enforcement, deporting criminal illegal aliens and sending a clear signal to potential illegal immigrants that they ought not try their luck. Illegal border crossings were down by nearly two-thirds over the same period the year before. Worst: 5. Crowd size fight. The Trump administration pushed back against the mainstream media’s efforts to talk down the size of the crowd at President Trump’s inauguration — but pushed too far, offering “alternative facts” about attendance that were later proven to be incorrect. That set the stage for a testy relationship with the press, provided material to Saturday Night Live satirists, and hurt the credibility of the new administration with the public, at least at the outset. 4. Michael Flynn departure. National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned after allegedly providing incorrect information to Vice President Mike Pence about the content of his conversation with the Russian ambassador during the transition period. The departure added fuel to Democrats’ theories of a Russian conspiracy to elect Trump — and showed that there are limits to how far the Trump administration is prepared to go in defying the mainstream media. 3. Leaks. For an administration with a famously cold approach to the mainstream media, the Trump White House seemed to leak — from all sides — to mainstream media outlets. Journalists used scraps of information to create internal rivalries in the West Wing — which may, or may not, have been real, but which reinforced a public image of instability. The leaks, and the supposed rivalries, seemed to settle toward the end of the first 100 days, amidst staff reshuffles. 2. Immigration executive order rollout. When Trump signed an executive order suspending travel from seven terror-prone countries, he knew it would face opposition, but probably underestimated the strength of the pushback. Protests broke out at airports nationwide, and became a rallying point for anti-Trump activists building a broader “resistance” movement. Liberal judges blocked the order — and the amended version that followed, freezing the president’s policy. 1. American Health Care Act. The White House tried to push conservative Republicans to vote for the House leadership’s legislation to replace Obamacare. But neither Speaker of the House Paul Ryan nor the president himself could sway enough votes to save the bill — which Senate Republicans had already declared dead on arrival. A second attempt to pass an amended bill in late April also foundered — this time because of a lack of support from moderates.
Feds Seize Cargo Ship Owned by JP Morgan After $1.3 Billion Cocaine Seizure
2019-07-10
[ "Federal authorities seized a large cargo ship in Philadelphia in a failed 20-ton cocaine smuggling attempt valued at more than $1.3 billion. The Liberian flagged vessel is reportedly owned by JP Morgan Asset Management.", "The seizure took place this week when the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced that U.S. Customs and Border Protection formally seized the MSC Gayane, after prosecutors filed a series of court documents. The ship is owned by JP Morgan Asset Management and chartered to the container ship operator MSC, The Wall Street Journal reported.", "“A seizure of a vessel this massive is complicated and unprecedented – but it is appropriate because the circumstances here are also unprecedented. We found nearly 20 tons of cocaine hidden on this ship,” said U.S. Attorney William McSwain. “When a vessel brings such an outrageous amount of deadly drugs into Philadelphia waters, my Office and our agency partners will pursue the most severe consequences possible against all involved parties in order to protect our district – and our country.”", "The seizure comes weeks after a June 17 raid on board the ship when federal state and local authorities found 19.76 tons of cocaine, Breitbart News reported. The ship is the largest of its kind ever seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the agency’s history, the amount of seized drugs is also considered record-setting.", "The ship initially sailed from Chile and had stopped at Peru, Panama, and the Bahamas before sailing to Philadelphia. Authorities arrested and charged eight of the crew members with drug trafficking conspiracy, while the investigation is ongoing. The men are described as Serbian and Samoan." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/border/2019/07/10/ship-busted-with-20-tons-of-cocaine-owned-by-jp-morgan/
Feds Seize Cargo Ship Owned by JP Morgan After $1.3 Billion Cocaine Seizure Federal authorities seized a large cargo ship in Philadelphia in a failed 20-ton cocaine smuggling attempt valued at more than $1.3 billion. The Liberian flagged vessel is reportedly owned by JP Morgan Asset Management. The seizure took place this week when the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced that U.S. Customs and Border Protection formally seized the MSC Gayane, after prosecutors filed a series of court documents. The ship is owned by JP Morgan Asset Management and chartered to the container ship operator MSC, The Wall Street Journal reported. “A seizure of a vessel this massive is complicated and unprecedented – but it is appropriate because the circumstances here are also unprecedented. We found nearly 20 tons of cocaine hidden on this ship,” said U.S. Attorney William McSwain. “When a vessel brings such an outrageous amount of deadly drugs into Philadelphia waters, my Office and our agency partners will pursue the most severe consequences possible against all involved parties in order to protect our district – and our country.” The seizure comes weeks after a June 17 raid on board the ship when federal state and local authorities found 19.76 tons of cocaine, Breitbart News reported. The ship is the largest of its kind ever seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the agency’s history, the amount of seized drugs is also considered record-setting. The ship initially sailed from Chile and had stopped at Peru, Panama, and the Bahamas before sailing to Philadelphia. Authorities arrested and charged eight of the crew members with drug trafficking conspiracy, while the investigation is ongoing. The men are described as Serbian and Samoan.
WH Spokesperson: FBI Said Stories on Trump-Russia Contact Is 'BS'
2017-02-26
[ "Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” while discussing investigations into Russia’s hacking during last year’s presidential election and disputed contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia, White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “the FBI has already said this story is BS.”", "Huckabee Sanders said, “I think the real easy answer here is that the FBI has already said this story is B.S. Those are their words. So I apologize to my mom. Literally, those are the words of the FBI. That the story was B.S. They came to us. They approached us. We’re putting that story out there. I think the American people deserve to know the truth. And that is exactly what it is. That there’s nothing here. Just because reporters say something over and over and over again doesn’t start to make true.”", "“At some point, we get to a place where we have got to move on and start focusing on the things that the American people care about,” she continued. “I don’t think this is it. We talked about it time and time and time again. Asked and answered. Let’s move forward. Let’s start talking about the economy. Let’s talk about education. Let’s talk about border security. Let’s talk about national security. That’s what’s keeping most Americans up at night. That’s what they want us focused on. That’s what this administration is doing day in and day out.”" ]
https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2017/02/26/wh-spokesperson-fbi-said-stories-on-trump-russia-contact-is-bs/
WH Spokesperson: FBI Said Stories on Trump-Russia Contact Is 'BS' Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” while discussing investigations into Russia’s hacking during last year’s presidential election and disputed contacts between the Trump campaign and Russia, White House deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “the FBI has already said this story is BS.” Huckabee Sanders said, “I think the real easy answer here is that the FBI has already said this story is B.S. Those are their words. So I apologize to my mom. Literally, those are the words of the FBI. That the story was B.S. They came to us. They approached us. We’re putting that story out there. I think the American people deserve to know the truth. And that is exactly what it is. That there’s nothing here. Just because reporters say something over and over and over again doesn’t start to make true.” “At some point, we get to a place where we have got to move on and start focusing on the things that the American people care about,” she continued. “I don’t think this is it. We talked about it time and time and time again. Asked and answered. Let’s move forward. Let’s start talking about the economy. Let’s talk about education. Let’s talk about border security. Let’s talk about national security. That’s what’s keeping most Americans up at night. That’s what they want us focused on. That’s what this administration is doing day in and day out.”
Rubio: GOP Future a 'Working Class Coalition' Skeptical of Free Trade
2020-11-11
[ "Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) says the Republican Party’s future is “based on a multiethnic, multiracial working class coalition” that is skeptical about free trade, big business, and elites throughout the nation’s institutions — the base that President Trump coalesced for his 2016 and 2020 economic nationalist campaigns.", "In an interview with Axios, Rubio said the GOP base — comprised of a majority of working and lower middle class Americans — must drive the party’s agenda and should remain suspicious of concentrated corporate power, free trade, and the ruling class.", "Rubio chided the Republican Party’s donor wing, noting their fundamentalism toward supporting the outcomes of the free market regardless of whom it hurts. Rubio said many in the donor wing and GOP think tanks “accuse anyone who’s not a market fundamentalist of being a socialist to some degree.”", "“If the takeaway from all of them is now is the time to go back to sort of the traditional party of unfettered free trade, I think we’re gonna lose the [Trump] base as quickly as we got it … we can’t just go back to being that,” Rubio said.", "Trump’s building out of the GOP base to a large coalition centers on the defense of America’s working and lower middle class that have been decimated by decades of corporate consolidation, free trade, and China’s entering the World Trade Organization.", "That opposition to globalization of the American economy has been coupled with a sense of wariness of the nation’s mass importation of illegal aliens, foreign visa workers, and a record number of legal immigrants. The overwhelming majority immediately enter the labor market and begin competing for jobs against working and lower middle class Americans, driving down wages in the process.", "Trump’s approach, across the board, has been to reduce foreign competition against Americans through tariffs on foreign imports and a tightening of the labor market via a reduction of immigration.", "Despite the party establishment’s wanting to return to a business-friendly, donor class driven agenda, Republican voters have repeatedly said they are the most skeptical of free trade and globalization. Likewise, weekly polling has shown for years that GOP voters want less immigrati0n to the United States.", "On key economic nationalist policy prescriptions, a huge majority of Americans want more tariffs on foreign imports, mandatory country-of-origin labeling, and a requirement that goods be made in the U.S." ]
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/11/11/marco-rubio-gop-future-a-working-class-coalition-skeptical-on-free-trade-big-business-elites/
Rubio: GOP Future a 'Working Class Coalition' Skeptical of Free Trade Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) says the Republican Party’s future is “based on a multiethnic, multiracial working class coalition” that is skeptical about free trade, big business, and elites throughout the nation’s institutions — the base that President Trump coalesced for his 2016 and 2020 economic nationalist campaigns. In an interview with Axios, Rubio said the GOP base — comprised of a majority of working and lower middle class Americans — must drive the party’s agenda and should remain suspicious of concentrated corporate power, free trade, and the ruling class. Rubio chided the Republican Party’s donor wing, noting their fundamentalism toward supporting the outcomes of the free market regardless of whom it hurts. Rubio said many in the donor wing and GOP think tanks “accuse anyone who’s not a market fundamentalist of being a socialist to some degree.” “If the takeaway from all of them is now is the time to go back to sort of the traditional party of unfettered free trade, I think we’re gonna lose the [Trump] base as quickly as we got it … we can’t just go back to being that,” Rubio said. Trump’s building out of the GOP base to a large coalition centers on the defense of America’s working and lower middle class that have been decimated by decades of corporate consolidation, free trade, and China’s entering the World Trade Organization. That opposition to globalization of the American economy has been coupled with a sense of wariness of the nation’s mass importation of illegal aliens, foreign visa workers, and a record number of legal immigrants. The overwhelming majority immediately enter the labor market and begin competing for jobs against working and lower middle class Americans, driving down wages in the process. Trump’s approach, across the board, has been to reduce foreign competition against Americans through tariffs on foreign imports and a tightening of the labor market via a reduction of immigration. Despite the party establishment’s wanting to return to a business-friendly, donor class driven agenda, Republican voters have repeatedly said they are the most skeptical of free trade and globalization. Likewise, weekly polling has shown for years that GOP voters want less immigrati0n to the United States. On key economic nationalist policy prescriptions, a huge majority of Americans want more tariffs on foreign imports, mandatory country-of-origin labeling, and a requirement that goods be made in the U.S.
‘I Take Classified Information Seriously,’ Boasts Hillary Clinton, Despite Evidence
2016-02-01
[ "“I take classified information seriously,” Hillary Clinton declared on CNN. “People are selectively leaking and making comments that have no basis in anything I’m aware of.”", "Doubling down on this is shrewd politics, because Clinton’s guilt has been laid bare by the latest round of email revelations.", "Her hope now is for pure political immunity, making herself too big to prosecute by sewing up the Democratic presidential nomination. Her highest priority is to reassure nervous Democrat voters and power brokers that she’ll survive the email scandal.", "There is no real question that she violated security protocols, repeatedly, and a strong case to be made that she put lives in danger by doing so.", "Former NSA analyst John Schindler makes that case forcefully at The Observer, noting that Clinton did exactly what caused the involvement of a special prosecutor in the 2003 Valerie Plame case… except that with Clinton, multiple real field operations were put in jeopardy, not a fame-hungry desk jockey looking to cash in on liberal media’s Bush Derangement Syndrome:", "Discussions with Intelligence Community officials have revealed that Ms. Clinton’s “unclassified” emails included Holy Grail items of American espionage such as the true names of Central Intelligence Agency intelligence officers serving overseas under cover. Worse, some of those exposed are serving under non-official cover. NOCs (see this for an explanation of their important role in espionage) are the pointy end of the CIA spear and they are always at risk of exposure – which is what Ms. Clinton’s emails have done.", "Not only have these spies had their lives put in serious risk by this, it’s a clear violation of Federal law. The Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982, enacted due to the murder of the CIA’s station chief in Athens after his cover was blown by the left-wing media, makes it a Federal crime to divulge the true identity of any covert operative serving U.S. intelligence if that person has not previously been publicly acknowledged to be working for our spy agencies.", "People really go to jail for breaking this law. John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer, recently emerged from two years in prison for unauthorized disclosure of classified information, including exposing the identity of an Agency colleague who was serving under cover.", "Furthermore, Schindler cites intelligence officials who say Clinton’s emails include the names of foreigners working for the CIA. “It’s a death sentence,” a senior intel official said about the very high probability that foreign operatives hacked Clinton’s unsecured server. “If we’re lucky, only agents, not our officers, will get killed because of this.”", "Schindler portrays the intelligence community as being in “panic mode right now, trying to determine which of our intelligence officers and agents have been compromised by EmailGate.”", "This is the very opposite of taking national security seriously, especially since Clinton’s stated reason for unleashing this chaos was a trifling matter of her own personal convenience – she thought it would be confusing to carry two cell phones around, one for her personal mail and one for the State system she was supposed to be using.", "No one seriously believes that story, especially not red-faced Clinton defenders screaming that it’s all a big nothingburger. They know Clinton’s real purpose was to keep her private correspondence secret from the hellish Republicans and their damnable investigative subcommittees. They’re quite happy to grant Her Majesty such a royal indulgence, but no one else should be.", "Clinton loyalists willing to swallow her Vast Right Wing Conspiracy fairy tales one more time won’t think any more deeply about her excuses, but everyone else should understand that nothing she has ever said about the email scandal is logically consistent. In these latest revelations, we have her claims to take national security seriously juxtaposed against clear evidence that she did not. She had other priorities more important than keeping classified material secure.", "Clinton and her campaign claim this is all just a silly inter-agency food fight about “over-classification”… but the Secretary of State has no authority to declassify material. The purpose of having strict protocols for classified material, especially in this high-speed digital age, is to develop unthinking, reflexive respect for secret information among those who handle it.", "Our intelligence system cannot survive if people start thinking their personal opinion about whether documents are “over-classified” transcends the judgment of the intelligence community, or such protocols as the “born classified” status given to some of the information Clinton jeopardized.", "Allowing high-powered politicians to trash those protocols at their own convenience guarantees more dangerous leaks in the future, and not just from arrogant Cabinet officials with good Party credentials. There is already mounting evidence that Clinton’s mere aides thought themselves empowered to strip classified markings as they saw fit.", "Also, playing fast and loose with security doctrine makes it more difficult to get foreign contacts to trust the United States – not just field assets, but even prominent national leaders who begin questioning the wisdom of discussing sensitive material with American officials.", "Clinton claims she is a towering genius who understands how to handle sensitive data better than anyone else in government… but her defense also relies on presenting herself as a befuddled grandma who doesn’t know much about computers, an impression bolstered by recently revealed comments from State officials that she didn’t even understand how email worked. She can’t pose as both a master of 21st-century espionage and a computer neophyte at the same time.", "Clinton and her flacks are trying to save her with lawyerly evasions that her emails weren’t “marked classified,” or that she didn’t “originate” the offending documents. Neither of those claims holds water under the relevant laws, including the non-disclosure agreement Clinton signed.", "One of the vital provisions of that agreement is that Clinton would spot violations perpetrated by others, such as her aides, and report them promptly. The NDA also makes it clear that information is considered classified whether “marked” as such, or not. Clinton is playing word games in an effort to obscure a very sensible requirement. The only way to keep classified intel from leaking is to make everyone who handles it feel responsible for its security.", "Clinton is now resorting to absurd political theater, such as claiming she wants all of her Top Secret documents released for the public to judge. If she knows the first thing about classified information, and takes it as seriously as she claims, she would know that anyone who complied with her request would be promptly jailed on felony charges. She’s playing the voters for fools by making a demand she knows the government cannot legally comply with. That’s not taking national security “seriously” – it’s turning national security into a political instrument.", "The question really isn’t whether Hillary Clinton takes national security seriously. The question is whether the American people do." ]
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/02/01/i-take-classified-information-seriously-boasts-clinton-as-evidence-to-the-contrary-mounts/
‘I Take Classified Information Seriously,’ Boasts Hillary Clinton, Despite Evidence “I take classified information seriously,” Hillary Clinton declared on CNN. “People are selectively leaking and making comments that have no basis in anything I’m aware of.” Doubling down on this is shrewd politics, because Clinton’s guilt has been laid bare by the latest round of email revelations. Her hope now is for pure political immunity, making herself too big to prosecute by sewing up the Democratic presidential nomination. Her highest priority is to reassure nervous Democrat voters and power brokers that she’ll survive the email scandal. There is no real question that she violated security protocols, repeatedly, and a strong case to be made that she put lives in danger by doing so. Former NSA analyst John Schindler makes that case forcefully at The Observer, noting that Clinton did exactly what caused the involvement of a special prosecutor in the 2003 Valerie Plame case… except that with Clinton, multiple real field operations were put in jeopardy, not a fame-hungry desk jockey looking to cash in on liberal media’s Bush Derangement Syndrome: Discussions with Intelligence Community officials have revealed that Ms. Clinton’s “unclassified” emails included Holy Grail items of American espionage such as the true names of Central Intelligence Agency intelligence officers serving overseas under cover. Worse, some of those exposed are serving under non-official cover. NOCs (see this for an explanation of their important role in espionage) are the pointy end of the CIA spear and they are always at risk of exposure – which is what Ms. Clinton’s emails have done. Not only have these spies had their lives put in serious risk by this, it’s a clear violation of Federal law. The Intelligence Identities Protection Act of 1982, enacted due to the murder of the CIA’s station chief in Athens after his cover was blown by the left-wing media, makes it a Federal crime to divulge the true identity of any covert operative serving U.S. intelligence if that person has not previously been publicly acknowledged to be working for our spy agencies. People really go to jail for breaking this law. John Kiriakou, a former CIA officer, recently emerged from two years in prison for unauthorized disclosure of classified information, including exposing the identity of an Agency colleague who was serving under cover. Furthermore, Schindler cites intelligence officials who say Clinton’s emails include the names of foreigners working for the CIA. “It’s a death sentence,” a senior intel official said about the very high probability that foreign operatives hacked Clinton’s unsecured server. “If we’re lucky, only agents, not our officers, will get killed because of this.” Schindler portrays the intelligence community as being in “panic mode right now, trying to determine which of our intelligence officers and agents have been compromised by EmailGate.” This is the very opposite of taking national security seriously, especially since Clinton’s stated reason for unleashing this chaos was a trifling matter of her own personal convenience – she thought it would be confusing to carry two cell phones around, one for her personal mail and one for the State system she was supposed to be using. No one seriously believes that story, especially not red-faced Clinton defenders screaming that it’s all a big nothingburger. They know Clinton’s real purpose was to keep her private correspondence secret from the hellish Republicans and their damnable investigative subcommittees. They’re quite happy to grant Her Majesty such a royal indulgence, but no one else should be. Clinton loyalists willing to swallow her Vast Right Wing Conspiracy fairy tales one more time won’t think any more deeply about her excuses, but everyone else should understand that nothing she has ever said about the email scandal is logically consistent. In these latest revelations, we have her claims to take national security seriously juxtaposed against clear evidence that she did not. She had other priorities more important than keeping classified material secure. Clinton and her campaign claim this is all just a silly inter-agency food fight about “over-classification”… but the Secretary of State has no authority to declassify material. The purpose of having strict protocols for classified material, especially in this high-speed digital age, is to develop unthinking, reflexive respect for secret information among those who handle it. Our intelligence system cannot survive if people start thinking their personal opinion about whether documents are “over-classified” transcends the judgment of the intelligence community, or such protocols as the “born classified” status given to some of the information Clinton jeopardized. Allowing high-powered politicians to trash those protocols at their own convenience guarantees more dangerous leaks in the future, and not just from arrogant Cabinet officials with good Party credentials. There is already mounting evidence that Clinton’s mere aides thought themselves empowered to strip classified markings as they saw fit. Also, playing fast and loose with security doctrine makes it more difficult to get foreign contacts to trust the United States – not just field assets, but even prominent national leaders who begin questioning the wisdom of discussing sensitive material with American officials. Clinton claims she is a towering genius who understands how to handle sensitive data better than anyone else in government… but her defense also relies on presenting herself as a befuddled grandma who doesn’t know much about computers, an impression bolstered by recently revealed comments from State officials that she didn’t even understand how email worked. She can’t pose as both a master of 21st-century espionage and a computer neophyte at the same time. Clinton and her flacks are trying to save her with lawyerly evasions that her emails weren’t “marked classified,” or that she didn’t “originate” the offending documents. Neither of those claims holds water under the relevant laws, including the non-disclosure agreement Clinton signed. One of the vital provisions of that agreement is that Clinton would spot violations perpetrated by others, such as her aides, and report them promptly. The NDA also makes it clear that information is considered classified whether “marked” as such, or not. Clinton is playing word games in an effort to obscure a very sensible requirement. The only way to keep classified intel from leaking is to make everyone who handles it feel responsible for its security. Clinton is now resorting to absurd political theater, such as claiming she wants all of her Top Secret documents released for the public to judge. If she knows the first thing about classified information, and takes it as seriously as she claims, she would know that anyone who complied with her request would be promptly jailed on felony charges. She’s playing the voters for fools by making a demand she knows the government cannot legally comply with. That’s not taking national security “seriously” – it’s turning national security into a political instrument. The question really isn’t whether Hillary Clinton takes national security seriously. The question is whether the American people do.