thedailycaller--2020-04-29--Democrats Begin Pressuring Biden To Break His Silence On Sexual Assault Allegation

• As 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden remains silent on allegations of sexual assault leveled at him by a former senate staffer , Democratic strategists and activists have begun to press Biden to address the allegations .
• “ It can ’ t appear that she is being ignored , ” said Democratic Vermont Sen. Bernie Sander ’ s former national campaign co-chair Nina Turner .
• “ Vice President Biden has the opportunity , right now , to model how to take serious allegations seriously , ” says a draft letter from women ’ s groups to Biden .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ silent on allegations of sexual assault leveled at him by a former senate staffer , Democratic strategists and activists have begun to press Biden to address the allegations .
Five people have corroborated details of Reade ’ s account against the former vice president , a Daily Caller News Foundation review of public statements found : her mother , her brother , her close friend , her former neighbor , and her former coworker .
And as pressure mounts for Biden to respond to the allegations , so do Democratic anxieties for Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked as a Senate staffer for Biden in 1993 and has accused the then-senator of kissing her , touching her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent .
The Biden campaign has denied the assault and said it “ absolutely did not happen.
” Chief executive of Democracy for America Yvette Simpson told the Times that Biden needs to “ respond directly.
” “ While it is absolutely essential that we defeat Donald Trump in November , trying to manage the response through women surrogates and emailed talking points doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if Democrats want to continue to be the party that values , supports , elevates , hears and believes women , ” Simpson said .
Several women ’ s groups have come forward with the draft of a letter that will urge Biden to discuss Reade ’ s allegations while still praising him for his work as an “ outspoken champion for survivors of sexual violence.
” Notable groups like Planned Parenthood , the Women ’ s March , and the American Civil Liberties Union have remained silent and ignore requests for comment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden Accuser Tells Us New Video Evidence Proves Her Allegations Are True ) “ Vice President Biden has the opportunity , right now , to model how to take serious allegations seriously , ” the draft letter said , according to the Times .
“ The weight of our expectations matches the magnitude of the office he seeks.
” The groups decided to wait to release the letter as they pressured Biden to address the allegations before the end of April .
But it has been almost two weeks later , the Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the women ’ s groups have not released their letter .
“ It ’ s difficult for survivors to see that a woman who has more corroborating sources than most survivors have in similar situations is being tossed aside and actively being weaponized by cynical political actors , ” women ’ s rights advocacy group UltraViolet founder Shaunna Thomas told the Times .
UltraViolet is one of the groups involved in pressuring Biden .
“ It would be an incredible moment of leadership for Joe Biden to show up.
” The Biden campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s allegations early in April , BuzzFeed reported , messaging insisting that Reade ’ s allegations have already been investigated and found false , relying heavily on an early April investigation performed by The New York Times .
But the Times pushed back against these talking points in a Wednesday statement , noting that the Biden campaign ’ s claim that the Times investigation found Reade ’ s allegations to be false is incorrect .
“ Buzzfeed reported on the existence of talking points being circulated by the Biden campaign that incorrectly suggest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tara Reade ’ s allegation ‘ did not happen , ’ ” a Times spokesperson said , according to the Hill reporter Jonathan Easley .
“ Our investigation made no conclusion either way.
” The Biden campaign , which has not responded to many requests for comment from the DCNF , has denied the assault and said it “ absolutely did not happen.
” An analysis by the Free Beacon found Wednesday that Biden has faced 19 interviews spanning almost 4 hours since Reade came forward .
During these interviews , he has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Reade .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

As 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden remains silent on allegations of sexual assault leveled at him by a former senate staffer, Democratic strategists and activists have begun to press Biden to address the allegations.
“It can’t appear that she is being ignored,” said Democratic Vermont Sen. Bernie Sander’s former national campaign co-chair Nina Turner.
“Vice President Biden has the opportunity, right now, to model how to take serious allegations seriously,” says a draft letter from women’s groups to Biden.
As 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden remains silent on allegations of sexual assault leveled at him by a former senate staffer, Democratic strategists and activists have begun to press Biden to address the allegations.
Five people have corroborated details of Reade’s account against the former vice president, a Daily Caller News Foundation review of public statements found: her mother, her brother, her close friend, her former neighbor, and her former coworker. And as pressure mounts for Biden to respond to the allegations, so do Democratic anxieties for Biden to address her allegations.
“It can’t appear that she is being ignored,” Nina Turner, a former national campaign co-chair for former Biden rival, Democratic Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, told the New York Times. “If we want to keep our credibility as a party, then we will have to agree that this allegation and any allegation should be vetted in the public.”
Tara Reade worked as a Senate staffer for Biden in 1993 and has accused the then-senator of kissing her, touching her and penetrating her with his fingers without her consent. The Biden campaign has denied the assault and said it “absolutely did not happen.”
Chief executive of Democracy for America Yvette Simpson told the Times that Biden needs to “respond directly.” “While it is absolutely essential that we defeat Donald Trump in November, trying to manage the response through women surrogates and emailed talking points doesn’t cut it in 2020 — especially if Democrats want to continue to be the party that values, supports, elevates, hears and believes women,” Simpson said.
Several women’s groups have come forward with the draft of a letter that will urge Biden to discuss Reade’s allegations while still praising him for his work as an “outspoken champion for survivors of sexual violence.”
Notable groups like Planned Parenthood, the Women’s March, and the American Civil Liberties Union have remained silent and ignore requests for comment from the DCNF. (RELATED: Biden Accuser Tells Us New Video Evidence Proves Her Allegations Are True)
“Vice President Biden has the opportunity, right now, to model how to take serious allegations seriously,” the draft letter said, according to the Times. “The weight of our expectations matches the magnitude of the office he seeks.”
The groups decided to wait to release the letter as they pressured Biden to address the allegations before the end of April. But it has been almost two weeks later, the Times reports, and Biden remains silent while the women’s groups have not released their letter.
“It’s difficult for survivors to see that a woman who has more corroborating sources than most survivors have in similar situations is being tossed aside and actively being weaponized by cynical political actors,” women’s rights advocacy group UltraViolet founder Shaunna Thomas told the Times. UltraViolet is one of the groups involved in pressuring Biden. “It would be an incredible moment of leadership for Joe Biden to show up.” The Biden campaign began circulating talking points regarding Reade’s allegations early in April, BuzzFeed reported, messaging insisting that Reade’s allegations have already been investigated and found false, relying heavily on an early April investigation performed by The New York Times. But the Times pushed back against these talking points in a Wednesday statement, noting that the Biden campaign’s claim that the Times investigation found Reade’s allegations to be false is incorrect. “Buzzfeed reported on the existence of talking points being circulated by the Biden campaign that incorrectly suggest a New York Times investigation found that Tara Reade’s allegation ‘did not happen,’” a Times spokesperson said, according to the Hill reporter Jonathan Easley. “Our investigation made no conclusion either way.” The Biden campaign, which has not responded to many requests for comment from the DCNF, has denied the assault and said it “absolutely did not happen.” An analysis by the Free Beacon found Wednesday that Biden has faced 19 interviews spanning almost 4 hours since Reade came forward. During these interviews, he has faced 142 questions without being asked about Reade.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--Former Jaguars’ Linebacker Telvin Smith Arrested, Charged With ‘Unlawful Sexual Activity With Certai

Former Jaguars’ Linebacker Telvin Smith Arrested, Charged With ‘Unlawful Sexual Activity With Certain Minors’

Former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith has been allegedly been arrested and charged with unlawful sexual activity with minors .
ESPN ’ s Michael DiRocco , tweeted out Wednesday the former star LB had been arrested in Florida on charges of “ unlawful sexual activity with certain minors , per the Duval County Jail website .
” The post was noted by Sports Naut.com .
( RELATED : David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football ) According to another post by a reporter with News4JAX , WJXT4 , the SWAT team served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former NFL player .
“ DEVELOPING : Jacksonville police serve search warrant at home of former Jaguars star Telvin Smith , ” the reporter ’ s tweet read .
“ Sources tell me it ’ s related to ongoing case which began in November .
I ’ ll have exclusive details at 5pm on @ wjxt4.
” According the the report , the former Florida star was taken into custody and faces a $ 50,000 bond .
Last summer , Smith shocked everyone when he announced his retirement from football at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , I must take time away from this game [ and ] get my world in order , ” the former Jaguars LB announced in a post on Instagram at the time , sharing , in part , “ I must give this time back to myself , my family [ and ] my health .
”

Former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Telvin Smith has been allegedly been arrested and charged with unlawful sexual activity with minors.
ESPN’s Michael DiRocco, tweeted out Wednesday the former star LB had been arrested in Florida on charges of “unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, per the Duval County Jail website. ” The post was noted by Sports Naut.com. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
Former Jaguars LB Telvin Smith has been arrested in Jacksonville and charged with unlawful sexual activity with certain minors, per the Duval County Jail website. — Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) April 29, 2020
According to another post by a reporter with News4JAX, WJXT4, the SWAT team served a search warrant at the home of the former NFL player.
DEVELOPING: Jacksonville police serve search warrant at home of former Jaguars star Telvin Smith. Sources tell me it’s related to ongoing case which began in November. I’ll have exclusive details at 5pm on @wjxt4. pic.twitter.com/tXWg51iySl — Vic Micolucci WJXT (@WJXTvic) April 29, 2020
“DEVELOPING: Jacksonville police serve search warrant at home of former Jaguars star Telvin Smith,” the reporter’s tweet read. “Sources tell me it’s related to ongoing case which began in November. I’ll have exclusive details at 5pm on @wjxt4.”
According the the report, the former Florida star was taken into custody and faces a $50,000 bond.
Last summer, Smith shocked everyone when he announced his retirement from football at the age of 28.
“At this time, I must take time away from this game [and] get my world in order,” the former Jaguars LB announced in a post on Instagram at the time, sharing, in part, “I must give this time back to myself, my family [and] my health.”
Story developing…


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--Meghan Markle Offers Job Advice To Interviewee Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Meghan Markle offered some job advice to a Smart Works client ahead of the her upcoming job interview during the coronavirus outbreak .
The former Duchess of Sussex reached out to the client from her home in Los Angeles and the two discussed , via video , the woman taking that next step in her life .
Markle called the interviewee , “ incredibly confident and prepared , ” per Fox News in a piece published Wednesday .
( RELATED : Pearl Jam Postpones North American Tour Over Growing Coronavirus Concerns ) “ I know everyone here is so excited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actress shared .
“ So when I was reading about what your interests are , and especially you have a big focus in mental health as well , right ?
Psychology ?
I think that ’ s excellent.
” ( RELATED : Report : Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Plan To Have At Least One More Child ) The woman responded , “ Thank you so much .
That means so much to me.
” And Markle wished her “ the best of luck ” and said her “ fingers are crossed.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on in the world right now and to be such a beacon of hope and focusing on getting through it , and all the positivity that we just want to send your way , and to make sure you can get on the other side of this too , and have such a great opportunity there , ” the former member of the royal family went on .
As previously reported , Markle , along with the help of some of her pals , launched a capsule collection designed to benefit the organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that helps unemployed and vulnerable women get back into the workplace .
Markle , who has been a patron of the charity since January 2019 , said it was a “ pleasure ” to support the organization because you see “ how many people they help and that ’ s what it ’ s all about.
” “ I ’ ve been really proud to be able to be their patron , but it ’ s an easy yes when you have such incredible women helping you , ” she added .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one is donated to charity , ” Markle wrote in the guest-edited September issue of U.K. Vogue , per royal journalist Omid Scobie .
“ Not only does this allow us to be part of each other ’ s story , it reminds us we are in it together .
”

Meghan Markle offered some job advice to a Smart Works client ahead of the her upcoming job interview during the coronavirus outbreak.
The former Duchess of Sussex reached out to the client from her home in Los Angeles and the two discussed, via video, the woman taking that next step in her life. Markle called the interviewee, “incredibly confident and prepared,” per Fox News in a piece published Wednesday. (RELATED: Pearl Jam Postpones North American Tour Over Growing Coronavirus Concerns)
WATCH:
“It’s been such an honour to meet and learn from so many talented women in the Smart Works network over the years, and recently to see the amazing work they’re doing to adapt their programs to the reality of this pandemic. pic.twitter.com/5PegGOg7AB — Smart Works Charity (@SmartWorksHQ) April 29, 2020
“I know everyone here is so excited,” the former “Suits” actress shared. “So when I was reading about what your interests are, and especially you have a big focus in mental health as well, right? Psychology? I think that’s excellent.” (RELATED: Report: Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Plan To Have At Least One More Child)
The woman responded, “Thank you so much. That means so much to me.” And Markle wished her “the best of luck” and said her “fingers are crossed.”
“There’s so much going on in the world right now and to be such a beacon of hope and focusing on getting through it, and all the positivity that we just want to send your way, and to make sure you can get on the other side of this too, and have such a great opportunity there,” the former member of the royal family went on.
As previously reported, Markle, along with the help of some of her pals, launched a capsule collection designed to benefit the organization. Smart Works is a nonprofit organization that helps unemployed and vulnerable women get back into the workplace.
Markle, who has been a patron of the charity since January 2019, said it was a “pleasure” to support the organization because you see “how many people they help and that’s what it’s all about.”
“I’ve been really proud to be able to be their patron, but it’s an easy yes when you have such incredible women helping you,” she added.
“For each item purchased by a customer, one is donated to charity,” Markle wrote in the guest-edited September issue of U.K. Vogue, per royal journalist Omid Scobie. “Not only does this allow us to be part of each other’s story, it reminds us we are in it together.”


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--‘On The Basis Of Biology’: International Coalition Of Women’s Groups Sign Petition Pushing Olympic C

‘On The Basis Of Biology’: International Coalition Of Women’s Groups Sign Petition Pushing Olympic Committee To Bar Biological Males From Competing As Females

A coalition of international women ’ s groups have signed a petition urging the International Olympic Committee to suspend their guidelines allowing transgender athletes from competing in women ’ s sports .
Save Women ’ s Sports spearheaded the petition Monday , pushing the IOC to re-evaluate their transgender participation guidelines , which permit biological males who identify as female to participate in women ’ s sports .
Due to the coronavirus pandemic , the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were postponed until July 2021 .
The IOC announced that it would wait until after the Olympics to publish new guidelines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Sports is urging the IOC to use the delay as an opportunity to re-examine the policies allowing transgendered people to compete in women ’ s sports , which the group says has “ potentially devastating effects ” and discriminates against women on the basis of sex .
“ I looked at the IOC standards in 2015 thinking it would be the gold standard , ” Linda Blade , a co-founder of Save Womens Sports told the Daily Caller .
“ And out of the blue they decided a man can self-identify as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and decrease testosterone a little bit , which is still more than what females are allowed to have , and just go into Olympic sports.
” Guidelines established in 2015 allow some biologically male athletes to compete in female events if those athletes maintain testosterone levels below 10 nanomoles per liter ( nmol/L ) for no less than 12 months .
Athletes who transition from male to female can compete in the women ’ s category without requiring surgery to remove their testes .
“ This level is still an order of magnitude @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most females .
Most women ’ s testosterone is in the range of 0.0-3.0 nmol/L , ” Save Women ’ s Sports said .
Men ’ s testosterone levels are typically between 7.7 and 29.4 nmol/L .
“ There just won ’ t be female sports anymore if there ’ s also male bodies , ” Blade said .
Blade , who has been involved in athletics for most of her life and competed in track at the University of Maryland in the 80s , fears for the future of women ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compete alongside women .
Beth Stelzer , an amateur powerlifter and the founder of Save Women ’ s Sports , warns that “ if we continue to allow males to compete as females in the Olympics , There will be men ’ s Olympics , there will be co-ed Olympics , but there will no longer be women ’ s Olympics.
” The two women are not alone .
Since launching the petition , they ’ ve garnered signatures from people of 28 countries , and formed a coalition of women ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is the head of a Canadian athletic organization based in Alberta , describes how the Olympic Committee doesn ’ t represent the views of the majority of people she knows — athletes and parents who are concerned about the future of fair sports for women .
“ This is temporary virtue signaling where executives can pretend like they ’ re being ‘ woke ’ and do all the virtuous stuff with the latest ideology , but we are delivering sport on the ground , ” she said .
Biology has taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very small minority , she explains .
“ Sport is beautiful because it doesn ’ t matter if you ’ re Christian or Muslim , or Republican or Democrat .
You leave your ideology at home and everybody goes on the track and competes on the basis of biology.
” “ We don ’ t pick a sport category on basis of religion or politics or any other ideology , and gender ideology is just that , an ideology.
” How in the world could we pick a sport category on the basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America , a legislative action committee based in Washington , D.C. , also supported the effort to change the IOC guidelines allowing transgender athletes to compete in women ’ s Olympics sports .
Doreen Denny told the Caller that they ’ re standing with women and girl athletes around the world who ’ ve been sidelined by political activism .
“ Female athletes are being forced to compete on an unfair playing field when males identifying as women are allowed to compete against them in women ’ s sports , ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inherent advantages of male physiology and refutes scientific research proving that the distinction of sex matters in sports.
” The topic of transgender athletes competing as the gender they identify has not only faced backlash at the Olympic level , but also at the high school level .
Last month , Attorney General William Barr signed a statement of interest arguing against a policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in Connecticut high school sports s the gender they identify .
The move to involve the Justice Department comes after the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to compete as the gender they identify in accordance with state law .
Multiple female track stars files a lawsuit against the CIAC and several other local boards of education , alleging that two transgender athletes in particular have taken away titles from biological females .
( RELATED : Attorney General Barr Gets Involved In Connecticut Transgender Athletes Case ) Denny says female athletes are “ confused , defeated , and increasingly angry ” in response to the policies .
“ Girls are saying ‘ what ’ s the point if this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
’ Many are too scared to speak up .
Female athletes know their opportunities are on the line .
They are being silenced by a cancel culture that is denying women the dignity , status , and equal opportunity that our laws and policies should affirm and protect.
” “ Women fought long and hard to achieve the right to vote 100 years ago .
Today we find ourselves having to fight over the meaning of sex and our status as women , ” she added .
Blade and Stelzer said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups from all sides of the political spectrum , including left-leaning feminists and those who lean conservative .
“ This an incredible experience seeing these people from all backgrounds and beliefs come together to protect the definition of woman , ” Stelzer told the Caller .
“ Fairness for women in the Olympics relies upon separation on the basis of the two sexes .
Transgender women are male and it is not fair , by any means , for them to compete against women.
” Blade says this cause is a “ hill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” and that while the minority of vocal transgender activists are a decade ahead , the silent majority of people are catching up .
“ We need to start getting back to a biological reality here .
Traditional sports categories worked for a long time , and always will .
”

A coalition of international women’s groups have signed a petition urging the International Olympic Committee to suspend their guidelines allowing transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
Save Women’s Sports spearheaded the petition Monday, pushing the IOC to re-evaluate their transgender participation guidelines, which permit biological males who identify as female to participate in women’s sports.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were postponed until July 2021. The IOC announced that it would wait until after the Olympics to publish new guidelines on transgender athletes.
Save Women’s Sports is urging the IOC to use the delay as an opportunity to re-examine the policies allowing transgendered people to compete in women’s sports, which the group says has “potentially devastating effects” and discriminates against women on the basis of sex.
“I looked at the IOC standards in 2015 thinking it would be the gold standard,” Linda Blade, a co-founder of Save Womens Sports told the Daily Caller. “And out of the blue they decided a man can self-identify as a woman and live like a woman and decrease testosterone a little bit, which is still more than what females are allowed to have, and just go into Olympic sports.”
Guidelines established in 2015 allow some biologically male athletes to compete in female events if those athletes maintain testosterone levels below 10 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L) for no less than 12 months. Athletes who transition from male to female can compete in the women’s category without requiring surgery to remove their testes.
“This level is still an order of magnitude higher than the average testosterone level in most females. Most women’s testosterone is in the range of 0.0-3.0 nmol/L,” Save Women’s Sports said.
Men’s testosterone levels are typically between 7.7 and 29.4 nmol/L.
“There just won’t be female sports anymore if there’s also male bodies,” Blade said.
Blade, who has been involved in athletics for most of her life and competed in track at the University of Maryland in the 80s, fears for the future of women’s sports if biological males are allowed to compete alongside women.
Beth Stelzer, an amateur powerlifter and the founder of Save Women’s Sports, warns that “if we continue to allow males to compete as females in the Olympics, There will be men’s Olympics, there will be co-ed Olympics, but there will no longer be women’s Olympics.”
The two women are not alone. Since launching the petition, they’ve garnered signatures from people of 28 countries, and formed a coalition of women’s organizations who back the effort.
Blade, who is the head of a Canadian athletic organization based in Alberta, describes how the Olympic Committee doesn’t represent the views of the majority of people she knows — athletes and parents who are concerned about the future of fair sports for women.
“This is temporary virtue signaling where executives can pretend like they’re being ‘woke’ and do all the virtuous stuff with the latest ideology, but we are delivering sport on the ground,” she said.
Biology has taken a backseat to the ideology of a very small minority, she explains.
“Sport is beautiful because it doesn’t matter if you’re Christian or Muslim, or Republican or Democrat. You leave your ideology at home and everybody goes on the track and competes on the basis of biology.”
“We don’t pick a sport category on basis of religion or politics or any other ideology, and gender ideology is just that, an ideology.” How in the world could we pick a sport category on the basis of ideology?”
Concerned Women for America, a legislative action committee based in Washington, D.C., also supported the effort to change the IOC guidelines allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s Olympics sports. Doreen Denny told the Caller that they’re standing with women and girl athletes around the world who’ve been sidelined by political activism.
“Female athletes are being forced to compete on an unfair playing field when males identifying as women are allowed to compete against them in women’s sports,” she said. “The IOC policy denies the inherent advantages of male physiology and refutes scientific research proving that the distinction of sex matters in sports.”
The topic of transgender athletes competing as the gender they identify has not only faced backlash at the Olympic level, but also at the high school level. Last month, Attorney General William Barr signed a statement of interest arguing against a policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in Connecticut high school sports s the gender they identify.
The move to involve the Justice Department comes after the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference argued that athletes can be allowed to compete as the gender they identify in accordance with state law.
Multiple female track stars files a lawsuit against the CIAC and several other local boards of education, alleging that two transgender athletes in particular have taken away titles from biological females. (RELATED: Attorney General Barr Gets Involved In Connecticut Transgender Athletes Case)
Denny says female athletes are “confused, defeated, and increasingly angry” in response to the policies.
“Girls are saying ‘what’s the point if this is how it’s going to be?’ Many are too scared to speak up. Female athletes know their opportunities are on the line. They are being silenced by a cancel culture that is denying women the dignity, status, and equal opportunity that our laws and policies should affirm and protect.”
“Women fought long and hard to achieve the right to vote 100 years ago. Today we find ourselves having to fight over the meaning of sex and our status as women,” she added.
Blade and Stelzer said the petition has amassed support from individuals and groups from all sides of the political spectrum, including left-leaning feminists and those who lean conservative.
“This an incredible experience seeing these people from all backgrounds and beliefs come together to protect the definition of woman,” Stelzer told the Caller. “Fairness for women in the Olympics relies upon separation on the basis of the two sexes. Transgender women are male and it is not fair, by any means, for them to compete against women.”
Blade says this cause is a “hill she’s willing to die on,” and that while the minority of vocal transgender activists are a decade ahead, the silent majority of people are catching up.
“We need to start getting back to a biological reality here. Traditional sports categories worked for a long time, and always will.”


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--NY Post Reportedly Laying Off, Furloughing Staffers Amid Coronavirus

The New York Post is laying off and furloughing staffers as of Wednesday evening , former NY Post media business @ @ @ @ @ Numerous media publications have been hit hard by the novel coronavirus , with outlets such @ @ @ @ @ York Magazine announcing furloughs and pay cuts earlier in April .
“ Good luck to @ @ @ @ @ this , ” Atkinson , currently an NBC News senior editor , tweeted Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ to the Daily Caller .
Gannett , one of America ’ s largest media companies @ @ @ @ @ company-wide pay cuts and furloughs because of decreased advertising amid the novel coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ To Forgo Salary , Top Disney Executives Take Pay Cuts Amid Coronavirus Crisis ) Other @ @ @ @ @ and furloughs include Disney , whose top CEOs are taking large pay cuts .
The @ @ @ @ @ of its employees without pay .
The NY Post did not immediately respond to a @ @ @ @ @ Daily Caller .

The New York Post is laying off and furloughing staffers as of Wednesday evening, former NY Post media business reporter Claire Atkinson tweeted.
Numerous media publications have been hit hard by the novel coronavirus, with outlets such as Vox Media and New York Magazine announcing furloughs and pay cuts earlier in April.
“Good luck to those former colleagues affected by this,” Atkinson, currently an NBC News senior editor, tweeted Wednesday.
Multiple sources confirming layoffs and furloughs at The New York Post tonight. Good luck to those former colleagues affected by this. — Claire Atkinson (@claireatki) April 29, 2020
Sources confirmed the staffing changes to the Daily Caller.
Gannett, one of America’s largest media companies, has also made big company-wide pay cuts and furloughs because of decreased advertising amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. (REPORT: Bob Iger To Forgo Salary, Top Disney Executives Take Pay Cuts Amid Coronavirus Crisis)
Other companies to announce staffing changes and furloughs include Disney, whose top CEOs are taking large pay cuts. The company has also furloughed many of its employees without pay.
The NY Post did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Caller.


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--Congress Reportedly Wants A Liz Warren Ally With Past Ties To A China-Owned Bank In Charge Of Polici

Congress Reportedly Wants A Liz Warren Ally With Past Ties To A China-Owned Bank In Charge Of Policing COVID-19 Bailout Funds

• A former financial regulator who backed Sen. Elizabeth Warren ’ s presidential candidacy and was a board member on a China-owned bank is reportedly the top candidate for a job policing coronavirus bailout funds .
• The top candidate — businesswoman Sheila Bair — has in the past said the United States should “ learn from China ” on how to craft regulations .
• Bair ’ s reported candidacy as chair for the Congressional Oversight Commission watchdog group responsible for regulating the $ 2.2 trillion stimulus comes as Americans become more critical of China amid the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Warren ’ s presidential bid and sat on the board of a China-owned commercial bank in 2017 is the top candidate to head up the watchdog group set to police the coronavirus stimulus funds , Vice reported Wednesday .
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are homing in on businesswoman Sheila Bair to chair the Congressional Oversight Commission watchdog group created in March as congress hammered out the basics of the $ 2.2 trillion stimulus package , sources familiar with congressional talks told VICE .
Bair ’ s past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is catapulting her to the top of the heap of potential candidates for the position , the report notes .
However , her past position as an independent non executive director on the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China ’ s board could complicate things if Bair is ultimately selected for the top spot .
She was appointed to the ICBC in 2017 .
The watchdog chair has two responsibilities : they would act as a tie-breaker for the commission ’ s toughest decisions .
Pelosi , McConnell , Senate Minority Leader Chuck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chose the other commissioners .
Choosing a bipartisan tie-breaker is important given the partisan makeup of the other four commissioners .
The commission is made up of two Republican senators — Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Rep. French Hill of Arkansas — as well as Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala of Florida .
They joined Bharat Ramamurti , a former Democratic Senate aide and Warren staffer .
Even so , Bair ’ s past favorable sentiments regarding China ’ s regulatory regime could create a barrier .
“ Some of our rules are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China , ” Bair , a former chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ( FDIC ) , told world leaders in June 2019 at the plenary session of the 11th Lujiazui Forum , a platform formed to help government officials , world financial leaders and academics discuss ways to open the market to China .
Neither , Pelosi nor McConell responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation ’ s request for comment .
The DCNF reached out to Bair through the Volcker Alliance , a nonprofit that seeks to advances “ effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matter to citizens , ” according to the website .
Bair no longer holds a position on ICBC ’ s board , a spokeswoman for VA said without mentioning when she bowed out .
Meanwhile , the U.S. public is turning on China .
Roughly 66 % of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of China amid a pandemic that began in China before it bounced around the world , killing more than 100,000 people in the process , a Pew Research Center poll found .
The virus has killed nearly 60,000 people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials are deploying a misinformation campaign designed to make the communist nation appear as though it responded quickly and transparently to the virus .
( RELATED : EXCLUSIVE : Obtained House Oversight Memo Details Trump ’ s Response To Coronavirus ) Lijian Zhao , deputy director of China ’ s Foreign Ministry Information Department , falsely said in a March tweet that the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was arrested amid the Trump administration ’ s handling of the virus .
Twitter has reiterated to the DCNF that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company ’ s policies against COVID-19 misinformation .
The Trump administration is reportedly taking steps giving President Donald Trump options to hold China “ accountable ” for supposedly allowing coronavirus , or COVID-19 , to spread around the globe .
“ He has asked the team to look into , very carefully what happened , how this got here , ” senior adviser to the president Jared Kushner said Wednesday on Fox News Kushner added : “ He will take whatever actions are necessary to make sure that the people who caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” EDITOR ’ S NOTE : A previous version of this article stated that Bair is currently holding a position on the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China ’ s board .
One of the groups that Bair leads told The DCNF that she no longer holds a position at ICBC .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A former financial regulator who backed Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential candidacy and was a board member on a China-owned bank is reportedly the top candidate for a job policing coronavirus bailout funds.
The top candidate — businesswoman Sheila Bair — has in the past said the United States should “learn from China” on how to craft regulations.
Bair’s reported candidacy as chair for the Congressional Oversight Commission watchdog group responsible for regulating the $2.2 trillion stimulus comes as Americans become more critical of China amid the pandemic.
A lifelong Republican who backed Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential bid and sat on the board of a China-owned commercial bank in 2017 is the top candidate to head up the watchdog group set to police the coronavirus stimulus funds, Vice reported Wednesday.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell are homing in on businesswoman Sheila Bair to chair the Congressional Oversight Commission watchdog group created in March as Congress hammered out the basics of the $2.2 trillion stimulus package, sources familiar with congressional talks told VICE.
Bair’s past as a Republican and support for Warren is catapulting her to the top of the heap of potential candidates for the position, the report notes.
However, her past position as an independent non executive director on the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’s board could complicate things if Bair is ultimately selected for the top spot. She was appointed to the ICBC in 2017.
The watchdog chair has two responsibilities: they would act as a tie-breaker for the commission’s toughest decisions. Pelosi, McConnell, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy chose the other commissioners.
Choosing a bipartisan tie-breaker is important given the partisan makeup of the other four commissioners.
The commission is made up of two Republican senators — Sen. Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Rep. French Hill of Arkansas — as well as Democratic Rep. Donna Shalala of Florida.
They joined Bharat Ramamurti, a former Democratic Senate aide and Warren staffer. Even so, Bair’s past favorable sentiments regarding China’s regulatory regime could create a barrier.
“Some of our rules are too complicated. We should learn from China,” Bair, a former chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), told world leaders in June 2019 at the plenary session of the 11th Lujiazui Forum, a platform formed to help government officials, world financial leaders and academics discuss ways to open the market to China.
Neither, Pelosi nor McConell responded to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment. The DCNF reached out to Bair through the Volcker Alliance, a nonprofit that seeks to advances “effective management of government to achieve results that matter to citizens,” according to the website. Bair no longer holds a position on ICBC’s board, a spokeswoman for VA said without mentioning when she bowed out.
Meanwhile, the U.S. public is turning on China. Roughly 66% of Americans now hold an unfavorable view of China amid a pandemic that began in China before it bounced around the world, killing more than 100,000 people in the process, a Pew Research Center poll found. The virus has killed nearly 60,000 people in the U.S.
Reports also suggest China officials are deploying a misinformation campaign designed to make the communist nation appear as though it responded quickly and transparently to the virus. (RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: Obtained House Oversight Memo Details Trump’s Response To Coronavirus)
Lijian Zhao, deputy director of China’s Foreign Ministry Information Department, falsely said in a March tweet that the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was arrested amid the Trump administration’s handling of the virus.
Twitter has reiterated to the DCNF that Zhao’s tweet does not violate the company’s policies against COVID-19 misinformation.
The Trump administration is reportedly taking steps giving President Donald Trump options to hold China “accountable” for supposedly allowing coronavirus, or COVID-19, to spread around the globe.
“He has asked the team to look into, very carefully what happened, how this got here,” senior adviser to the president Jared Kushner said Wednesday on Fox News
Kushner added: “He will take whatever actions are necessary to make sure that the people who caused the problems are held accountable for it.”
EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this article stated that Bair is currently holding a position on the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’s board. One of the groups that Bair leads told The DCNF that she no longer holds a position at ICBC.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--FACT CHECK: Does This Video Show Defective Medical Gowns Made In China?

Public Assistance – Hospitals of Marseille , which operates the hospital where the video was filmed , has said the gowns were damaged in storage and were not made in China .
The footage shows French-speaking health care workers trying on medical gowns meant to protect them from the new coronavirus .
The gowns appear to fall apart as the health care workers handle them .
Timone Hospital staff in Marseille , France , filmed themselves attempting to put on the gowns , and the video subsequently leaked on social media , according to The Daily Mail .
Multiple Facebook @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that China manufactured and sent the defective protective gowns to France , where over 24,100 people have died from coronavirus as of press time .
Public Assistance – Hospitals of Marseille , which controls hospitals in the region , put out a press release addressing the video on April 6 .
The gowns sustained damage in humid storage conditions before the coronavirus pandemic , according to a rough translation of the press release .
( RELATED : Is The British Government Sending People Fines Via Text For Violating Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Rules ? )
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the hospital operator also explained that “ this batch of 20,400 over-blouses , 300 of which were defective because they were badly stored had been produced in France and not in China .
”

A video shared on Facebook purportedly shows French health care workers putting on defective Chinese-made protective gowns.
Verdict: False
Public Assistance – Hospitals of Marseille, which operates the hospital where the video was filmed, has said the gowns were damaged in storage and were not made in China.
Fact Check:
The footage shows French-speaking health care workers trying on medical gowns meant to protect them from the new coronavirus. The gowns appear to fall apart as the health care workers handle them.
Timone Hospital staff in Marseille, France, filmed themselves attempting to put on the gowns, and the video subsequently leaked on social media, according to The Daily Mail. Multiple Facebook users shared the video along with claims that China manufactured and sent the defective protective gowns to France, where over 24,100 people have died from coronavirus as of press time.
Public Assistance – Hospitals of Marseille, which controls hospitals in the region, put out a press release addressing the video on April 6. The gowns sustained damage in humid storage conditions before the coronavirus pandemic, according to a rough translation of the press release. (RELATED: Is The British Government Sending People Fines Via Text For Violating Coronavirus Stay-At-Home Rules?)
In an email to AFP Fact Check, the hospital operator also explained that “this batch of 20,400 over-blouses, 300 of which were defective because they were badly stored had been produced in France and not in China.”


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--Corey Lewandowski Has An EXCLUSIVE Message For Daily Caller Patriots

Corey Lewandowski , President Donald Trump ’ s 2016 campaign manager and a senior adviser on his 2020 reelection campaign , sat down for an exclusive interview with Daily Caller ’ s chief video columnist Stephanie Hamill .
During the interview , Lewandowski delivered an exclusive message for the Patriots and he thanked the Daily Caller for all the great work we ’ ve done over the past several years .
( RELATED : Corey Lewandowski Says There ’ s A Big Problem With Obama ’ s Biden Endorsement ) In his full , public interview , Lewandowski lent his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vice President Joe Biden ’ s campaign .
“ When there are no candidates left to endorse you pick the only guy left standing , by the way he also happened to stand as your vice president for 8 years , you didn ’ t endorse him when he needed you the most and now all of sudden you think your endorsement is going to matter , ” he told Hamill of former President Barack Obama ’ s very late endorsement .
You can watch the full interview here : Make sure to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Patriots Only videos on YouTube , and — if you haven ’ t already — go subscribe to our channel .
In the meantime , let us know in the comments what YOU want to hear discussed in our upcoming videos .
Take advantage of your subscription .
This is your chance to become part of the conversation and help us shape all of our future coverage .
Also make sure you go and follow us on all of our social media pages : And don ’ t forget to subscribe to @ @ @ @

Corey Lewandowski, President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign manager and a senior adviser on his 2020 reelection campaign, sat down for an exclusive interview with Daily Caller’s chief video columnist Stephanie Hamill.


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--‘Tara Reade Deserves To Be Heard’: WaPo Editorial Board Calls On Biden To Directly Address Sexual As

‘Tara Reade Deserves To Be Heard’: WaPo Editorial Board Calls On Biden To Directly Address Sexual Assault Allegation

The Washington Post ’ s editorial board called on former Vice President Joe Biden to directly address Tara Reade ’ s accusation of sexual assault against him Wednesday .
Reade , a former Senate staffer , publicly accused Biden of sexual assault last month back when he was a Delaware senator in the early 1990s .
Biden has not directly addressed the allegation , despite recent evidence coming to light that could corroborate parts of Reade ’ s story .
WaPo ’ s editorial board called Biden out Wednesday for his failure to address the accusation .
The board wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims like this from women seriously , Biden must address them head-on .
“ TARA READE deserves to be heard , and voters deserve to hear her , ” the editorial board wrote .
“ They deserve to hear from Joe Biden , too.
” “ Mr .
Biden may have little to say besides what his campaign has already said — that he did not do this , and that this is not something he ever would do .
Yet the way to signal he takes Ms. Reade ’ s case seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her seriously , is to go before the media and the public ready to listen and to reply.
” The editorial board noted that there are “ inconsistencies ” in Reade ’ s “ retelling ” of the incident .
It added that despite this , there is “ no excuse for not searching ” – although there are currently “ no clear conclusions.
” The editorial board continued to discuss possible angles that would shed light on the situation , such as the records from Biden ’ s time as a senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ University of Delaware .
The article called on him to release these records .
“ These could contain confirmation of any complaint Ms. Reade made , either through official congressional channels or to the three other employees she claims she informed not specifically of the alleged assault but more generally of harassment , ” WaPo ’ s editorial board wrote .
“ They could also contain nothing of the sort .
Insisting on an inventory doesn ’ t mean one believes Ms. Reade or doesn ’ t believe her .
It signals only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all that ’ s able to be known , which ought to be in everyone ’ s interest.
” Biden has only denied the allegations through a spokesperson .
The campaign has also reportedly sent talking points to top Democrats regarding the allegation , informing them to say that it “ did not happen , ” Buzzfeed reported .
The New York Times pushed back on the talking points Wednesday , which reportedly included a comment claiming the NYT ’ s April 12 investigation found that Reade ’ s claim “ did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tells Us New Video Evidence Proves Her Allegations Are True ) “ Buzzfeed reported on the existence of talking points being circulated by the Biden campaign that incorrectly suggest a New York Times investigation found that Tara Reade ’ s allegation ‘ did not happen , ’ ” A NYT spokesperson said .
“ Our investigation made no conclusion either way .
”

The Washington Post’s editorial board called on former Vice President Joe Biden to directly address Tara Reade’s accusation of sexual assault against him Wednesday.
Reade, a former Senate staffer, publicly accused Biden of sexual assault last month back when he was a Delaware senator in the early 1990s. Biden has not directly addressed the allegation, despite recent evidence coming to light that could corroborate parts of Reade’s story.
WaPo’s editorial board called Biden out Wednesday for his failure to address the accusation. The board wrote that in order to show he takes claims like this from women seriously, Biden must address them head-on.
“TARA READE deserves to be heard, and voters deserve to hear her,” the editorial board wrote. “They deserve to hear from Joe Biden, too.”
“Mr. Biden may have little to say besides what his campaign has already said — that he did not do this, and that this is not something he ever would do. Yet the way to signal he takes Ms. Reade’s case seriously, and the cases of women like her seriously, is to go before the media and the public ready to listen and to reply.”
The editorial board noted that there are “inconsistencies” in Reade’s “retelling” of the incident. It added that despite this, there is “no excuse for not searching” – although there are currently “no clear conclusions.”
New: The Washington Post’s editorial board calls on @JoeBiden to address the Tara Reade allegation directly. “TARA READE deserves to be heard, and voters deserve to hear her. They deserve to hear from Joe Biden, too,” it starts https://t.co/M1968B5q7z — Hanna Trudo (@HCTrudo) April 29, 2020
The editorial board continued to discuss possible angles that would shed light on the situation, such as the records from Biden’s time as a senator currently under lock and key at the University of Delaware. The article called on him to release these records.
“These could contain confirmation of any complaint Ms. Reade made, either through official congressional channels or to the three other employees she claims she informed not specifically of the alleged assault but more generally of harassment,” WaPo’s editorial board wrote.
“They could also contain nothing of the sort. Insisting on an inventory doesn’t mean one believes Ms. Reade or doesn’t believe her. It signals only a desire for the public to know all that’s able to be known, which ought to be in everyone’s interest.”
Biden has only denied the allegations through a spokesperson. The campaign has also reportedly sent talking points to top Democrats regarding the allegation, informing them to say that it “did not happen,” Buzzfeed reported.
The New York Times pushed back on the talking points Wednesday, which reportedly included a comment claiming the NYT’s April 12 investigation found that Reade’s claim “did not happen.” (RELATED: Biden Accuser Tells Us New Video Evidence Proves Her Allegations Are True)
“Buzzfeed reported on the existence of talking points being circulated by the Biden campaign that incorrectly suggest a New York Times investigation found that Tara Reade’s allegation ‘did not happen,’” A NYT spokesperson said. “Our investigation made no conclusion either way.”


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--ICE Deports Former Liberian Security Forces Commander Living In The US

Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) on Tuesday repatriated a member of a rebel forces group involved in human rights violations back to his native country .
Escorted by ICE ’ s Enforcement and Removal Operations officers , 56-year-old Alexander Mentol Zinnah boarded an ICE deportation flight and was handed over to Liberian law enforcement authorities , according to a press release from the agency .
The removal marked the latest significant deportation by ICE , even in the face of a worldwide pandemic that has scaled back most air travel .
Before arriving in the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ official under former Liberian President Charles Taylor , who is serving a 50-year prison sentence for human rights abuses .
A probe by ICE ’ s Homeland Security Investigation ( HSI ) unit first revealed that he was a member of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia , a rebel organization led by Taylor that committed a number of human rights abuses — including massacres , kidnappings and torture .
Zinnah had also been a member of the Liberian National Police and even served as a commander during Taylor ’ s time in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for immigration violations and for violating his parole into the country .
The Liberian national had attempted to fight the deportation order .
A U.S. immigration court slapped Zinnah with a final order of removal in May 2019 .
He lodged an appeal of the decision , but that request was shot down by the Board of Immigration appeals in January , and his request to be released from custody was also dismissed in February .
ICE touted its success in removing hardened criminals from the United States .
“ Since 2003 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for human rights-related violations of the law under various criminal and/or immigration statutes , ” read a statement from the agency .
“ During that same period , ICE obtained deportation orders and/order physically removed from the United States more than 1,050 known or suspected human rights violators.
” ( RELATED : Ilhan Omar Repeats Demand For A Ban On Deportations ) The statement continued : “ Additionally , ICE has facilitated the departure of an additional 167 such individuals from the United States.
” ICE ’ s investigation into Zinnah was aided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Violators and War Crime Centers , which assists ICE ’ s ability to “ identify , track and prosecute ” human rights violators by utilizing a group of attorneys , agents , research specialists and others .
While the coronavirus pandemic has forced most airline companies to restrict flights , the Trump administration has not allowed the crisis to deter its deportation processes .
President Donald Trump threatened visa sanctions earlier in April on any country that refuses to allow deported citizens from the United States .
The president issued a memo ordering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the State Department of any government that refuses to accept deportees .
The visa sanctions would make it nearly impossible for any country ’ s citizens to obtain a U.S. visa .
The deportation flights have also proved paramount in the State Department ’ s efforts to rescue stranded Americans abroad .
These ICE Air Operations , on their return flights , have brought more than 1,000 U.S. citizens and permanent residents back home .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Tuesday repatriated a member of a rebel forces group involved in human rights violations back to his native country.
Escorted by ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations officers, 56-year-old Alexander Mentol Zinnah boarded an ICE deportation flight and was handed over to Liberian law enforcement authorities, according to a press release from the agency. The removal marked the latest significant deportation by ICE, even in the face of a worldwide pandemic that has scaled back most air travel.
Before arriving in the United States, Zinnah was a military and law enforcement official under former Liberian President Charles Taylor, who is serving a 50-year prison sentence for human rights abuses.
A probe by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) unit first revealed that he was a member of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia, a rebel organization led by Taylor that committed a number of human rights abuses — including massacres, kidnappings and torture. Zinnah had also been a member of the Liberian National Police and even served as a commander during Taylor’s time in office.
HSI arrested Zinnah in 2017 for immigration violations and for violating his parole into the country. The Liberian national had attempted to fight the deportation order.
A U.S. immigration court slapped Zinnah with a final order of removal in May 2019. He lodged an appeal of the decision, but that request was shot down by the Board of Immigration appeals in January, and his request to be released from custody was also dismissed in February.
ICE touted its success in removing hardened criminals from the United States.
“Since 2003, ICE has arrested more than 450 individuals for human rights-related violations of the law under various criminal and/or immigration statutes,” read a statement from the agency. “During that same period, ICE obtained deportation orders and/order physically removed from the United States more than 1,050 known or suspected human rights violators.” (RELATED: Ilhan Omar Repeats Demand For A Ban On Deportations)
The statement continued: “Additionally, ICE has facilitated the departure of an additional 167 such individuals from the United States.”
ICE’s investigation into Zinnah was aided by the agency’s Human Rights Violators and War Crime Centers, which assists ICE’s ability to “identify, track and prosecute” human rights violators by utilizing a group of attorneys, agents, research specialists and others.
While the coronavirus pandemic has forced most airline companies to restrict flights, the Trump administration has not allowed the crisis to deter its deportation processes. President Donald Trump threatened visa sanctions earlier in April on any country that refuses to allow deported citizens from the United States.
The president issued a memo ordering the chief of Homeland Security to notify the State Department of any government that refuses to accept deportees. The visa sanctions would make it nearly impossible for any country’s citizens to obtain a U.S. visa.
The deportation flights have also proved paramount in the State Department’s efforts to rescue stranded Americans abroad. These ICE Air Operations, on their return flights, have brought more than 1,000 U.S. citizens and permanent residents back home.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--FACT CHECK: No, A Harvard Professor Was Not Arrested For Manufacturing And Selling The Coronavirus T

FACT CHECK: No, A Harvard Professor Was Not Arrested For Manufacturing And Selling The Coronavirus To China

The caption of a video shared on Facebook claims Harvard professor Charles Lieber was arrested for manufacturing and selling the new coronavirus to China .
Professor Charles Lieber was arrested for making false statements to federal authorities and concealing his connections to China , not for creating the coronavirus .
The new coronavirus is not man-made or a biological weapon .
The post includes the Boston ABC affiliate WCVB ’ s news report about Leiber ’ s arrest in late January .
The video caption claims the former chair of Harvard University ’ s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sold ” the new coronavirus to China .
The FBI arrested Lieber on Jan. 28 on charges of making false statements to federal authorities about his affiliation with the Wuhan University of Technology and his participation in China ’ s Thousand Talents Plan , according to the Department of Justice ( DOJ ) .
The Thousand Talents Plan aims to attract Chinese ex-pats and foreign scientists to China .
There is , however , no link between Lieber ’ s arrest and the new coronavirus that first emerged in the Chinese city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not arrested for creating and selling the virus to China , and a DOJ spokesperson told FactCheck.org the agency had “ made no such allegation.
” The DOJ also announced that two non-Harvard Chinese researchers had been charged in unrelated cases on the same day : Yanqing Yi , who was charged “ with one count each of visa fraud , making false statements , acting as an agent of a foreign government and conspiracy , ” and Zaosong Zheng , who was charged with “ one count of smuggling goods from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making false , fictitious or fraudulent statements , ” according to a DOJ press release .
Their arrests were also unrelated to the new coronavirus .
The exact origin of the new coronavirus remains unknown , but experts believe it likely came from bats , CNN reported .
Its genetic sequence shares similarities with the coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS ) , which spread from bats to civet cats to humans , according to Nature .
( RELATED : Does A Bill Gates-Funded Research Institute Own The Patent For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absolutely nothing in the genome sequence of this virus that indicates the virus was engineered , ” Richard Ebright , a professor of chemical biology at Rutgers , told The Washington Post in February .
“ The possibility this was a deliberately released bioweapon can be firmly excluded .
”

The caption of a video shared on Facebook claims Harvard professor Charles Lieber was arrested for manufacturing and selling the new coronavirus to China.
Verdict: False
Professor Charles Lieber was arrested for making false statements to federal authorities and concealing his connections to China, not for creating the coronavirus. The new coronavirus is not man-made or a biological weapon.
Fact Check:
The post includes the Boston ABC affiliate WCVB’s news report about Leiber’s arrest in late January. The video caption claims the former chair of Harvard University’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, got arrested because he “manufactured and sold” the new coronavirus to China.
The FBI arrested Lieber on Jan. 28 on charges of making false statements to federal authorities about his affiliation with the Wuhan University of Technology and his participation in China’s Thousand Talents Plan, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The Thousand Talents Plan aims to attract Chinese ex-pats and foreign scientists to China.
There is, however, no link between Lieber’s arrest and the new coronavirus that first emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. He was not arrested for creating and selling the virus to China, and a DOJ spokesperson told FactCheck.org the agency had “made no such allegation.”
The DOJ also announced that two non-Harvard Chinese researchers had been charged in unrelated cases on the same day: Yanqing Yi, who was charged “with one count each of visa fraud, making false statements, acting as an agent of a foreign government and conspiracy,” and Zaosong Zheng, who was charged with “one count of smuggling goods from the United States and one count of making false, fictitious or fraudulent statements,” according to a DOJ press release. Their arrests were also unrelated to the new coronavirus.
The exact origin of the new coronavirus remains unknown, but experts believe it likely came from bats, CNN reported. Its genetic sequence shares similarities with the coronavirus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), which spread from bats to civet cats to humans, according to Nature. (RELATED: Does A Bill Gates-Funded Research Institute Own The Patent For Coronavirus?)
“There’s absolutely nothing in the genome sequence of this virus that indicates the virus was engineered,” Richard Ebright, a professor of chemical biology at Rutgers, told The Washington Post in February. “The possibility this was a deliberately released bioweapon can be firmly excluded.”


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--Billy Bush Claims He’s A ‘Much Nicer Person’ Since Experience With Donald Trump’s ‘Access Hollywood’

Billy Bush Claims He’s A ‘Much Nicer Person’ Since Experience With Donald Trump’s ‘Access Hollywood’ Tape

Television personality Billy Bush said he is a changed person following the Access Hollywood scandal involving now President Donald Trump .
Bush opened up about life after the video containing the infamous moment where Trump said “ grab ’ em by the p*ssy ” leaked during Tuesday ’ s episode of Dennis Quaid ’ s new podcast “ The Dennissance , ” Page Six reported .
Bush was fired from his role on the “ Today ” show in 2016 after the Access Hollywood video from 2005 leaked during Trump ’ s presidential campaign .
“ I ’ m a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Quaid .
“ I ’ m much more curious about other people ’ s experiences .
I only take the good out of it at this point.
” “ It ’ s such an ugly moment , ” Bush said .
“ Yeah you want to delete it , of course you want to delete it but you can ’ t and it ’ s out there for the world to consume.
” ( RELATED : Billy Bush Returns To TV , Says The Access Hollywood Tape Was ‘ Weaponized ’ ) “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s embarrassing , it ’ s sh*tty , ” he added .
“ There ’ s no denying the moment is a terrible moment.
” Despite the moment being “ terrible , ” Bush claimed he doesn ’ t even remember Trump saying the line .
“ I don ’ t even remember that ending part , ” Bush claimed .
“ That famous line , never recalled it .
When I heard it , I heard it for the first time because I don ’ t think it ever landed on me @ @

Television personality Billy Bush said he is a changed person following the Access Hollywood scandal involving now President Donald Trump.
Bush opened up about life after the video containing the infamous moment where Trump said “grab ’em by the p*ssy” leaked during Tuesday’s episode of Dennis Quaid’s new podcast “The Dennissance,” Page Six reported.
Billy Bush says ‘Access Hollywood’ scandal has made him ‘a much nicer person’ https://t.co/sYaRda9ebA pic.twitter.com/1SHoD0tHkB — Page Six (@PageSix) April 29, 2020
Bush was fired from his role on the “Today” show in 2016 after the Access Hollywood video from 2005 leaked during Trump’s presidential campaign.
“I’m a much nicer person,” Bush told Quaid. “I’m much more curious about other people’s experiences. I only take the good out of it at this point.”
Bush called the moment “ugly” and “humiliating.”
“It’s such an ugly moment,” Bush said. “Yeah you want to delete it, of course you want to delete it but you can’t and it’s out there for the world to consume.” (RELATED: Billy Bush Returns To TV, Says The Access Hollywood Tape Was ‘Weaponized’)
“It’s humiliating, it’s embarrassing, it’s sh*tty,” he added. “There’s no denying the moment is a terrible moment.”
Despite the moment being “terrible,” Bush claimed he doesn’t even remember Trump saying the line.
“I don’t even remember that ending part,” Bush claimed. “That famous line, never recalled it. When I heard it, I heard it for the first time because I don’t think it ever landed on me.”


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--Chinese Company Supplying Masks To California Sues VICE News Over ‘Forced Uighur Labor’ Claim

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD , which is producing medical masks for California , is suing VICE News over an article that alleged the company used “ forced Uighur labor ” in its supply chains .
The complaint , filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York , claims that VICE “ published at least two grossly defamatory statements of and concerning BYD that have caused substantial harm.
” BYD , which is backed by American billionaire Warren Buffett , received a $ 1 billion contract from California Gov .
Gavin Newsom to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over two and a half months .
The company ’ s press release on the lawsuit noted its deal with California .
BYD attorney Charles Harder argued in the complaint that the VICE article falsely linked BYD to the use of forced labor in China and falsely claimed that BYD had been “ blacklisted ” by the Trump administration .
VICE relied on a March 1 report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute that listed BYD among 83 companies “ directly or indirectly benefiting from the use of Uyghur workers outside Xinjiang through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as 2019.
” “ The ASPI Report does not even state that BYD ‘ us [ ed ] forced Uyghur labor in its supply chain ’ , as the Article claims .
Rather , the ASPI Report merely says that BYD did business with a company which owned a subsidiary that ( allegedly ) had used Uyghur forced labor , ” BYD ’ s lawsuit stated .
“ Yet here , the only scandal is VICE Media ’ s knowingly false reporting , which has misled its readers and the public worldwide , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” The complaint attacks ASPI ’ s credibility , though the Australian nonprofit ’ s report was cited by major media outlets including The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times .
The company wasn ’ t “ blacklisted ” by President Donald Trump , as the VICE article claimed , according to the complaint .
( RELATED : Check Out All These Mayors Who Broke The Same Social Distancing Rules They Demanded Others Obey ) Legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump did bar the use of federal funds to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BYD was one of two Chinese companies whose U.S. subsidiaries were affected by the legislation , The Wall Street Journal reported in December 2019 .
BYD ’ s complaint argued that the “ blacklist ” label is inaccurate because the “ federal legislation did not single out any companies , but rather applied to the entire Chinese transit car manufacturing industry.
” The complaint alleges that VICE “ made these statements for the purpose of causing tremendous reputational and economic harm to BYD , and to financially enrich VICE Media by driving traffic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alleged scandal.
” BYD is seeking damages in excess of $ 75,000 , additional punitive damages and “ permanent injunctive relief enjoining VICE Media from continuing to publish or republish the statements adjudicated to be defamatory.
” Vice didn ’ t return a request for comment on the lawsuit .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, which is producing medical masks for California, is suing VICE News over an article that alleged the company used “forced Uighur labor” in its supply chains.
The complaint, filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, claims that VICE “published at least two grossly defamatory statements of and concerning BYD that have caused substantial harm.”
BYD, which is backed by American billionaire Warren Buffett, received a $1 billion contract from California Gov. Gavin Newsom to provide 500 million medical masks to the state over two and a half months. The company’s press release on the lawsuit noted its deal with California.
BYD attorney Charles Harder argued in the complaint that the VICE article falsely linked BYD to the use of forced labor in China and falsely claimed that BYD had been “blacklisted” by the Trump administration.
VICE relied on a March 1 report from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute that listed BYD among 83 companies “directly or indirectly benefiting from the use of Uyghur workers outside Xinjiang through potentially abusive labour transfer programs as recently as 2019.”
“The ASPI Report does not even state that BYD ‘us[ed] forced Uyghur labor in its supply chain’, as the Article claims. Rather, the ASPI Report merely says that BYD did business with a company which owned a subsidiary that (allegedly) had used Uyghur forced labor,” BYD’s lawsuit stated.
“Yet here, the only scandal is VICE Media’s knowingly false reporting, which has misled its readers and the public worldwide, and caused tremendous foreseeable harm to BYD.”
The complaint attacks ASPI’s credibility, though the Australian nonprofit’s report was cited by major media outlets including The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times.
The company wasn’t “blacklisted” by President Donald Trump, as the VICE article claimed, according to the complaint. (RELATED: Check Out All These Mayors Who Broke The Same Social Distancing Rules They Demanded Others Obey)
Legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump did bar the use of federal funds to purchase Chinese buses and railcars, and BYD was one of two Chinese companies whose U.S. subsidiaries were affected by the legislation, The Wall Street Journal reported in December 2019.
BYD’s complaint argued that the “blacklist” label is inaccurate because the “federal legislation did not single out any companies, but rather applied to the entire Chinese transit car manufacturing industry.”
The complaint alleges that VICE “made these statements for the purpose of causing tremendous reputational and economic harm to BYD, and to financially enrich VICE Media by driving traffic to its website through its reporting of an alleged scandal.”
BYD is seeking damages in excess of $75,000, additional punitive damages and “permanent injunctive relief enjoining VICE Media from continuing to publish or republish the statements adjudicated to be defamatory.”
Vice didn’t return a request for comment on the lawsuit.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


thedailycaller--2020-04-29--SHRIVASTAV And SPRECHER: We Need A Government-Sponsored Venture Capital Fund To Restart Main Street

Many countries have gigantic sovereign wealth funds that effectively compete against privately funded investment firms .
From Saudi Arabia to Singapore , their government-owned investment firms invest in companies and funds globally .
This provides them access to stakes in foreign firms and effective control of those companies .
For example , companies like Uber and WeWork — or almost any company backed by Softbank group — are controlled by a foreign nations or firms .
Those foreign funds are driven to finance companies worldwide , exert influence and generate profits for their countries .
In the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms that are tiny compared to foreign sovereign wealth funds .
The coronavirus pandemic is forcing us to think whether America can do more to foster an economic recovery .
We are living in an unprecedented and challenging time which requires American entrepreneurs to get extra but modest support that will produce exponential returns and will benefit America in the long run .
According to Goldman Sachs and the Federal Reserve , we could see 15 % to 32 % unemployment due to the pandemic .
Depending on the recovery time , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for several years .
In order to avoid becoming permanently dependent on government assistance , a significant number of people will attempt to create new enterprises .
Unfortunately , without the support I propose below , they will face almost insurmountable barriers to launching their new enterprises .
On March 27 , President Trump signed a historic $ 2 trillion economic stimulus bill .
Of that , small businesses would get $ 377 billion , or 19 % of the total .
Another stimulus of $ 450 billion was subsequently signed .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and relief to small businesses through the Small Business Administration ( SBA ) .
While the SBA loans will help many small businesses that have already achieved some scale and some success , a large portion of small one- or two-person startup businesses – which are often the most innovative – will be left out .
However , private investment firms or angel investors alone can not provide the type or amount of investment capital needed to get “ Main Street ” businesses started and get them employing people to reverse the decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course of operations , the United States does not have institutions that are able to offer support for most of the potential entrepreneurs who want to venture into the business world but lack the startup capital .
These entrepreneurs are often looked down upon because they do not have friends and family who are willing or even able to provide the startup capital needed to finance the first stage of investment , popularly known as the “ friends and family ” round .
Often , entrepreneurs raise a few thousand dollars from their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ small sum of money to test their ideas by developing products or solutions .
Then they reach out to angel investors or venture capital firms .
Unfortunately , most startup entrepreneurs do not get any angel or venture capital to get started .
The resulting shortage of capital eliminates many potential entrepreneurs from having a chance to achieve their dreams .
Most never get an opportunity to launch their business .
Many excitedly register their business and attempt to start running it , but soon realize they will not be able to obtain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , becoming another statistic on the list of failed companies .
That excludes a lot of talented and capable people from contributing to our economy .
New institutions are needed to meet the need for capital for the emerging entrepreneurs .
“ Main Street ” entrepreneurs that each employ a handful of people yet , when aggregated , provide a solid foundation for our economy .
Most of these “ Main Street ” entrepreneurs are local , and most of them will not be scalable .
Their value to society is not that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ companies that employ tens of thousands of people .
Their value is that tens of thousands of them can generate some jobs with low six figure salaries and many jobs with decent five figure salaries .
Obviously , society needs some way other than angel investors and venture capital to underwrite the capital needs of these businesses .
The United States government does provide some support to various agencies tasked with helping small businesses launch and ultimately thrive .
For example , SBA provides funds to small business investment companies ( SBICs ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unfortunately , the SBICs do not have the amount of capital needed to help the “ garage entrepreneurs ” who comprise the majority of startup companies .
Rather , the SBICs mostly operate as growth equity or debt capital providers for businesses that are well past the seed stage .
Now is the right time for America to support its most overlooked potential entrepreneurs .
With all the businesses shuttered and employees laid off due to the “ Corona Crisis , ” America has never had so great a need to stimulate exponential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new program to fund as yet unknown American entrepreneurs through the first stage of development of their businesses .
These first stage investments would be very small , with dollar amounts comparable to what angel investors and “ pre-seed ” venture capital firms provide , typically ranging from $ 25K to $ 250K .
These small checks would help a lot of entrepreneurs get started quickly and help each of them employ a few people right away .
In light of the many small businesses that are shuttering at a tragic rate , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Main Street Capital Fund.
” The program could be organized as a completely independent fund directly under the Executive Branch .
Like a typical private fund management business , it would have professional investment managers and operate independently .
Operating independently is crucial .
The investments that America needs now need to be made quickly and with a less cumbersome process than the process most private investors and professional venture capital firms have to use when considering an investment .
A major difference between the fund and a private venture capital fund would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ venture capital firm typically seeks over a 1,000 percent return , the Main Street Capital Fund could seek a more reasonable and consistently achievable return .
In order to do this , the Fund would adopt certain investment criteria that differ from the criteria used by most angel and venture capital investors .
First , the Fund would be nondiscriminatory in choosing the entrepreneur characteristics , and could aggressively endeavor to replace the family background and educational characteristics generally favored by most current investors with characteristics that are merit-based and more likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Fund would invest in a much higher percentage of companies than the venture capital industry standard of 2 % .
Third , to minimize the delays inherent in large government agencies attempting to review hundreds of thousands of applications , the investment committees could be convened by professionals appointed by the president , who would then invite successful local entrepreneurs and representative citizens from diverse backgrounds to serve on the committees .
The program would have no shortage of volunteers , and this local control would provide a wonderful counter example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 billion of committed capital , the Fund can provide early financing of $ 25,000 each to 40,000 companies .
That is a lot of companies .
$ 1 billion is equivalent to mere 0.05 % of the $ 2 trillion stimulus .
Applying typical venture capital return assumptions , if 10 % of these companies achieve a 1,000 % return , $ 1 billion would generate $ 100 billion of gains which could be redeployed in subsequent funds to finance tens of thousands of new entrepreneurs .
If the United States government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airlines to help the airline industry , the government can certainly take equity stakes in seed stage startups as well .
By providing the first round of financing to startups or “ garage entrepreneurs , ” America can help these entrepreneurs create businesses and employ people .
The economic gain from starting a seed funding program will be exponentially higher than the cost of starting or managing the program .
To avoid deterring entrepreneurs who are reluctant to take on debt in a time of great uncertainty , these investments should be structured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deterring entrepreneurs who would be reluctant to give up control of their businesses and to avoid the risk of government getting involved in the management of a large number of private businesses , these investments should be structured as nonvoting stock , or stock with voting rights limited to exceptional decisions , such as adding private investors or selling the business .
In sum , while the government may not be able to create entrepreneurs , it can create the conditions for potential entrepreneurs to have a chance to get started and thrive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ash Shrivastav is an investor at a San Francisco based investment firm where he invests in growth stage companies .
Drexel Sprecher contributed to this article .
He is a transpartisan political theorist , leadership educator , and strategic advisor to mission driven businesses and projects .

Many countries have gigantic sovereign wealth funds that effectively compete against privately funded investment firms. From Saudi Arabia to Singapore, their government-owned investment firms invest in companies and funds globally. This provides them access to stakes in foreign firms and effective control of those companies. For example, companies like Uber and WeWork — or almost any company backed by Softbank group — are controlled by a foreign nations or firms. Those foreign funds are driven to finance companies worldwide, exert influence and generate profits for their countries. In the United States, nearly all capital is provided by investment firms that are tiny compared to foreign sovereign wealth funds. The coronavirus pandemic is forcing us to think whether America can do more to foster an economic recovery.
We are living in an unprecedented and challenging time which requires American entrepreneurs to get extra but modest support that will produce exponential returns and will benefit America in the long run.
According to Goldman Sachs and the Federal Reserve, we could see 15% to 32% unemployment due to the pandemic. Depending on the recovery time, a higher than usual unemployment rate could last for several years. In order to avoid becoming permanently dependent on government assistance, a significant number of people will attempt to create new enterprises.
Unfortunately, without the support I propose below, they will face almost insurmountable barriers to launching their new enterprises.
On March 27, President Trump signed a historic $2 trillion economic stimulus bill. Of that, small businesses would get $377 billion, or 19% of the total. Another stimulus of $450 billion was subsequently signed. This amount would primarily be provided as loans and relief to small businesses through the Small Business Administration (SBA). While the SBA loans will help many small businesses that have already achieved some scale and some success, a large portion of small one- or two-person startup businesses – which are often the most innovative – will be left out.
However, private investment firms or angel investors alone cannot provide the type or amount of investment capital needed to get “Main Street” businesses started and get them employing people to reverse the decline in employment.
Even during the normal course of operations, the United States does not have institutions that are able to offer support for most of the potential entrepreneurs who want to venture into the business world but lack the startup capital. These entrepreneurs are often looked down upon because they do not have friends and family who are willing or even able to provide the startup capital needed to finance the first stage of investment, popularly known as the “friends and family” round.
Often, entrepreneurs raise a few thousand dollars from their closest family and friends and use that small sum of money to test their ideas by developing products or solutions. Then they reach out to angel investors or venture capital firms. Unfortunately, most startup entrepreneurs do not get any angel or venture capital to get started. The resulting shortage of capital eliminates many potential entrepreneurs from having a chance to achieve their dreams. Most never get an opportunity to launch their business. Many excitedly register their business and attempt to start running it, but soon realize they will not be able to obtain financing. Most of them shut down, becoming another statistic on the list of failed companies.
That excludes a lot of talented and capable people from contributing to our economy. New institutions are needed to meet the need for capital for the emerging entrepreneurs. “Main Street” entrepreneurs that each employ a handful of people yet, when aggregated, provide a solid foundation for our economy. Most of these “Main Street” entrepreneurs are local, and most of them will not be scalable. Their value to society is not that they might become very large nationally recognized companies that employ tens of thousands of people. Their value is that tens of thousands of them can generate some jobs with low six figure salaries and many jobs with decent five figure salaries. Obviously, society needs some way other than angel investors and venture capital to underwrite the capital needs of these businesses.
The United States government does provide some support to various agencies tasked with helping small businesses launch and ultimately thrive. For example, SBA provides funds to small business investment companies (SBICs) that make investments in small businesses.
Unfortunately, the SBICs do not have the amount of capital needed to help the “garage entrepreneurs” who comprise the majority of startup companies. Rather, the SBICs mostly operate as growth equity or debt capital providers for businesses that are well past the seed stage.
Now is the right time for America to support its most overlooked potential entrepreneurs. With all the businesses shuttered and employees laid off due to the “Corona Crisis,” America has never had so great a need to stimulate exponential growth.
What is needed is a new program to fund as yet unknown American entrepreneurs through the first stage of development of their businesses. These first stage investments would be very small, with dollar amounts comparable to what angel investors and “pre-seed” venture capital firms provide, typically ranging from $25K to $250K.
These small checks would help a lot of entrepreneurs get started quickly and help each of them employ a few people right away. In light of the many small businesses that are shuttering at a tragic rate, this program could be titled the “Main Street Capital Fund.” The program could be organized as a completely independent fund directly under the Executive Branch. Like a typical private fund management business, it would have professional investment managers and operate independently.
Operating independently is crucial. The investments that America needs now need to be made quickly and with a less cumbersome process than the process most private investors and professional venture capital firms have to use when considering an investment.
A major difference between the fund and a private venture capital fund would be the expected return. While a venture capital firm typically seeks over a 1,000 percent return, the Main Street Capital Fund could seek a more reasonable and consistently achievable return. In order to do this, the Fund would adopt certain investment criteria that differ from the criteria used by most angel and venture capital investors.
First, the Fund would be nondiscriminatory in choosing the entrepreneur characteristics, and could aggressively endeavor to replace the family background and educational characteristics generally favored by most current investors with characteristics that are merit-based and more likely to correlate with small business success.
Second, the Fund would invest in a much higher percentage of companies than the venture capital industry standard of 2%.
Third, to minimize the delays inherent in large government agencies attempting to review hundreds of thousands of applications, the investment committees could be convened by professionals appointed by the president, who would then invite successful local entrepreneurs and representative citizens from diverse backgrounds to serve on the committees. The program would have no shortage of volunteers, and this local control would provide a wonderful counter example to centralized administrative control.
With $1 billion of committed capital, the Fund can provide early financing of $25,000 each to 40,000 companies. That is a lot of companies.
$1 billion is equivalent to mere 0.05% of the $2 trillion stimulus. Applying typical venture capital return assumptions, if 10% of these companies achieve a 1,000% return, $1 billion would generate $100 billion of gains which could be redeployed in subsequent funds to finance tens of thousands of new entrepreneurs.
If the United States government is willing to take equity stakes in airlines to help the airline industry, the government can certainly take equity stakes in seed stage startups as well. By providing the first round of financing to startups or “garage entrepreneurs,” America can help these entrepreneurs create businesses and employ people. The economic gain from starting a seed funding program will be exponentially higher than the cost of starting or managing the program.
To avoid deterring entrepreneurs who are reluctant to take on debt in a time of great uncertainty, these investments should be structured as equity. Also, to avoid deterring entrepreneurs who would be reluctant to give up control of their businesses and to avoid the risk of government getting involved in the management of a large number of private businesses, these investments should be structured as nonvoting stock, or stock with voting rights limited to exceptional decisions, such as adding private investors or selling the business.
In sum, while the government may not be able to create entrepreneurs, it can create the conditions for potential entrepreneurs to have a chance to get started and thrive.
If it really wants to.
Ash Shrivastav is an investor at a San Francisco based investment firm where he invests in growth stage
companies.
Drexel Sprecher contributed to this article. He is a transpartisan political theorist, leadership educator,
and strategic advisor to mission driven businesses and projects.


thedailycaller--2020-04-30--Wisconsin Is A 2 Seed In ESPN’s Latest March Madness Bracketology Projections

The Wisconsin Badgers had more praise poured on them in the latest March Madness projections from ESPN .
Joe Lunardi posted his latest projections for the 2021 tournament , and he has the Badgers slated as a two seed .
( RELATED : David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football ) Yes , the mighty Wisconsin Badgers are sitting nice and solid at a two seed .
I ’ ve said it many times before , and I ’ ll say it again .
All the critics and haters better get used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the Badgers .
We ’ re not going anywhere heading into next season .
In fact , it ’ s the exact opposite .
We ’ re only going to keep cranking things up .
We don ’ t need the praise .
You best believe that .
Wisconsin doesn ’ t need praise at all .
We ’ ll just get to work no matter what , but it ’ s going to be impossible to avoid going into this upcoming season .
The whole basketball world seems intent on shining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let it give us a big head ?
No .
That ’ s not what being a Wisconsin man is all about .
Being a Wisconsin man is about just getting to work , getting the job done and reminding the world we ’ re still here .
Props to ESPN and Lunardi for the love .
Just wait to see what ’ s coming next because I promise it ’ s big .

The Wisconsin Badgers had more praise poured on them in the latest March Madness projections from ESPN.
Joe Lunardi posted his latest projections for the 2021 tournament, and he has the Badgers slated as a two seed. (RELATED: David Hookstead Is The True King In The North When It Comes To College Football)
Yes, the mighty Wisconsin Badgers are sitting nice and solid at a two seed.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wisconsin Basketball (@badgermbb) on Apr 28, 2020 at 10:04am PDT
I’ve said it many times before, and I’ll say it again. All the critics and haters better get used to this kind of love getting shown to the Badgers.
We’re not going anywhere heading into next season. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. We’re only going to keep cranking things up.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wisconsin Basketball (@badgermbb) on Apr 24, 2020 at 10:28am PDT
We don’t need the praise. You best believe that. Wisconsin doesn’t need praise at all. We’ll just get to work no matter what, but it’s going to be impossible to avoid going into this upcoming season.
The whole basketball world seems intent on shining a light on us. Will we let it give us a big head? No. That’s not what being a Wisconsin man is all about.
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wisconsin Basketball (@badgermbb) on Apr 22, 2020 at 4:52pm PDT
Being a Wisconsin man is about just getting to work, getting the job done and reminding the world we’re still here.
Props to ESPN and Lunardi for the love. Just wait to see what’s coming next because I promise it’s big.