thedailycaller--2020-01-28--‘It Is Theft’: Ilhan Omar Responds To Trump-Israel Peace Proposal

Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar ripped a peace deal that was proposed Tuesday at the White House by President Donald Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu .
“ This is not a peace plan , ” Omar wrote in a tweet .
“ It is theft .
It is erasure.
” The congressman also ripped Trump and Netanyahu for not including the Palestinians in the peace deal , but neglected to point out that Trump attempted to call Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas , who declined the deal before it was introduced , and referred to the U.S. president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Benjamin Netanyahu Wants To Name Town In Israel After President Trump ) “ They could have guaranteed justice , and brought everyone into this peace deal , ” Omar said in response to a tweet from anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour .
“ Instead these two embattled heads of state , impeached and indicted , have a ‘ just us ’ peace deal .
It ’ s shameful and disingenuous !
” The peace deal proposed by Trump and Netanyahu would give the Palestinians their own state , which would include parts of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsed by Netanyahu ’ s challenger , ormer Israeli Defense Forces General Benny Gantz .

Democratic Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar ripped a peace deal that was proposed Tuesday at the White House by President Donald Trump and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“This is not a peace plan,” Omar wrote in a tweet. “It is theft. It is erasure.”
This is not a peace plan. It is theft. It is erasure. https://t.co/N2rduGVnze — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 28, 2020
The congressman also ripped Trump and Netanyahu for not including the Palestinians in the peace deal, but neglected to point out that Trump attempted to call Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who declined the deal before it was introduced, and referred to the U.S. president as a “dog.” (RELATED: Benjamin Netanyahu Wants To Name Town In Israel After President Trump)
“They could have guaranteed justice, and brought everyone into this peace deal,” Omar said in response to a tweet from anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour. “Instead these two embattled heads of state, impeached and indicted, have a ‘just us’ peace deal. It’s shameful and disingenuous!”
They could have guaranteed justice, and brought everyone into this peace deal. Instead these two embattled heads of state, impeached and indicted, have a “ just us” peace deal. It’s shameful and disingenuous! https://t.co/THIniOEv8B — Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 28, 2020
The peace deal proposed by Trump and Netanyahu would give the Palestinians their own state, which would include parts of East Jerusalem. The plan was also endorsed by Netanyahu’s challenger, ormer Israeli Defense Forces General Benny Gantz.


thedailycaller--2020-01-28--Internet Cancels Mike Bloomberg After He Gives ‘Wag The Dog’ A Whole New Meaning

2020 presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg met a dog on the campaign trail Monday and shook its mouth during the introduction , prompting mass confusion online .
The former New York City mayor met the fluffy animal in Burlington , Vermont , according to CBS News campaign reporter Nicole Sganga .
Before petting the dog ’ s head , Bloomberg grabbed its snout and began to shake the animal ’ s face .
Needless to say , the internet lost its mind .
“ Why is Michael Bloomberg shaking this dog ’ s face ?
” former editor-in-chief of Breitbart News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Huffpost deputy enterprise editor announced that she couldn ’ t stop watching the encounter .
Commentary editor to Business Insider Bob Bryan used the video to note that Bloomberg has a past with these four-legged animals .
Bloomberg previously “ pretty much said ‘ no thanks ' ” when girlfriend Diana Taylor tried to give him two dogs , Bryan wrote .
“ Michael Bloomberg… just greeted a dog… by giving it a handshake… on its face , ” former managing editor for Occupy Democrats Brian Tyler Cohen tweeted .
Many others wondered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actually met a dog before .
The dog continued wagging its tail as Bloomberg shook its face .
( RELATED : ‘ I ’ m Crushing On You ’ : 2020 Democrats Reveal Their Celebrity Crushes )

2020 presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg met a dog on the campaign trail Monday and shook its mouth during the introduction, prompting mass confusion online.
The former New York City mayor met the fluffy animal in Burlington, Vermont, according to CBS News campaign reporter Nicole Sganga. Before petting the dog’s head, Bloomberg grabbed its snout and began to shake the animal’s face.
Needless to say, the internet lost its mind.
WATCH:
I regret to inform you that Mike Bloomberg attempted to shake a dog’s mouth. pic.twitter.com/hKsagJ4xAf — Christopher J. Hale (@chrisjollyhale) January 28, 2020
“Why is Michael Bloomberg shaking this dog’s face?” former editor-in-chief of Breitbart News London Raheem Kassam wondered. Meanwhile, Huffpost deputy enterprise editor announced that she couldn’t stop watching the encounter.
Help, I can’t stop watching the video of Bloomberg and the dog — Elise Foley (@elisefoley) January 28, 2020
Commentary editor to Business Insider Bob Bryan used the video to note that Bloomberg has a past with these four-legged animals. Bloomberg previously “pretty much said ‘no thanks'” when girlfriend Diana Taylor tried to give him two dogs, Bryan wrote.
Just in case you were wondering, a few years ago Mike Bloomberg’s girlfriend tried to give him two dogs and he pretty much said “no thanks.” https://t.co/dnzyF9LSkd pic.twitter.com/a3fxPrp1Wk — Bob Bryan (@RobertBryan4) January 28, 2020
“Michael Bloomberg… just greeted a dog… by giving it a handshake… on its face,” former managing editor for Occupy Democrats Brian Tyler Cohen tweeted. Many others wondered if the 2020 presidential candidate had ever actually met a dog before.
The dog continued wagging its tail as Bloomberg shook its face. (RELATED: ‘I’m Crushing On You’: 2020 Democrats Reveal Their Celebrity Crushes)


thedailycaller--2020-01-28--FACT CHECK: Did ‘Thousands’ Of ‘Far-Right Extremists’ Attend The Richmond Pro-Gun Rally?

HuffPost published an article with a headline claiming “ thousands ” of “ far-right extremists ” attended a Jan. 20 gun-rights rally in Richmond , Virginia .
“ Thousands Of Pro-Gun Activists And Far-Right Extremists Swarm Richmond , Virginia , ” reads the headline .
While some nationalist groups did attend the Richmond gun-rights rally , there ’ s no evidence “ thousands ” of “ far-right extremists ” were there .
Experts and journalists gave the Daily Caller News Foundation lower estimates .
The Virginia Division of Capitol Police estimated 22,000 people attended the Jan. 20 gun-rights rally in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposals .
Some officials feared violence might occur at the rally , particularly after the FBI announced days before that it had arrested three alleged members of white supremacist group The Base .
But , despite these concerns , the rally remained peaceful , with only one reported arrest , according to The Washington Post .
“ Thousands Of Pro-Gun Activists And Far-Right Extremists Swarm Richmond , Virginia , ” read HuffPost ’ s headline for a Jan. 20 article on the rally .
( RELATED : Article Claims Trump Will Sign An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) To support the claim , the HuffPost author pointed to the presence of groups such as the Proud Boys , Oath Keepers and American Guard , as well as other unnamed “ far-right militants , conspiracy theorists.
” Pictures and videos from the rally confirm that members of those groups were , in fact , in attendance .
The Southern Poverty Law Center ( SPLC ) , a legal advocacy group , has designated the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys as “ extremists ” and the American Guard as a “ hate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( ADL ) , a Jewish nonprofit organization , characterizes all three groups as “ extremists.
” Experts agreed some far-right extremists likely did attend the Richmond gun-rights rally but disputed HuffPost ’ s “ thousands ” number .
“ It ’ s reasonable to assume that some far right extremists attended the event insofar as gun ownership rights loom large in their worldview , ” explained George Michael , a professor of criminal justice at Westfield State University and author of “ Confronting Right Wing Extremism and Terrorism in the USA , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ However , I didn ’ t see evidence of far-right involvement on an organizational level.
” “ I ’ ve seen nothing to suggest that there were thousands of far-right extremists in attendance , ” said Darren Mulloy , a Wilfrid Laurier University history professor and author of “ Enemies of the State : The Radical Right in American from FDR to Trump , ” in an email to the DCNF .
Laird Wilcox , co-author of “ American Extremists Militias , Supremacists , Klansmen , Communists & Others , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see evidence that “ thousands ” of “ far right extremists ” attended the rally .
“ It was mostly single-issue people concerned about the Second Amendment .
Most of those people were middle to moderate-right conservatives , ” he said .
“ They were not ‘ far-right extremists . '
” Only one journalist that the DCNF talked to speculated the number could be high , but he took pains to make clear his number was an estimate .
“ I would say less than , but somewhere hovering around 20 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met this qualification , ” said Robert Evans , a Bellingcat investigative reporter present at the gun-rights rally .
“ I ’ d say I personally saw somewhere around a dozen [ Right Wing Death Squad ] patches , in addition to ‘ helicopter ’ shirts and imagery ( references to how the Pinochet regime executed left-wing dissidents ) .
I also saw hundreds and hundreds of references to the ‘ boogaloo , ’ the idea of an inevitable coming second civil war.
” Townhall reporter Julio Rosas told the DCNF that “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups were there , while New2Share editor-in-chief Ford Fischer estimated “ in the hundreds.
” But individuals wearing such imagery aren ’ t necessarily “ far-right extremists.
” On its website , the ADL notes that “ gamers and history buffs ” make references to “ boogaloo.
” Some individuals “ still use the phrase as a joke , ” according to the ADL .
Even if all such people were considered far-right extremists , there is no definitive way to determine the exact ratio of far-right extremists to gun advocates and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only turned up anecdotal instances of such imagery .
Neither the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism nor the Counter Extremism Project , organizations that extensively study and track U.S. extremism , had information about who or what groups attended the rally .
“ This was different from [ Charlottesville , Virginia ] in many ways in that there hardened bigots and violent extremists were key to the organizing of the event , ” Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism Director Brian Levin told the DCNF @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s had been going on for years and was not organized by bigots .
That being said , outside extremists made a very big deal about the Richmond event online.
” No other policy organizations could corroborate HuffPost ’ s claim , and the DCNF found no evidence that “ thousands ” of “ far-right extremists ” attended the rally .
We rate this headline false .
Trevor Schakohl and Elias Atienza contributed to this report .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ] .

HuffPost published an article with a headline claiming “thousands” of “far-right extremists” attended a Jan. 20 gun-rights rally in Richmond, Virginia.
“Thousands Of Pro-Gun Activists And Far-Right Extremists Swarm Richmond, Virginia,” reads the headline.
Verdict: False
While some nationalist groups did attend the Richmond gun-rights rally, there’s no evidence “thousands” of “far-right extremists” were there. Experts and journalists gave the Daily Caller News Foundation lower estimates.
Fact Check:
The Virginia Division of Capitol Police estimated 22,000 people attended the Jan. 20 gun-rights rally in Richmond to protest various recent gun control proposals. Some officials feared violence might occur at the rally, particularly after the FBI announced days before that it had arrested three alleged members of white supremacist group The Base. But, despite these concerns, the rally remained peaceful, with only one reported arrest, according to The Washington Post.
“Thousands Of Pro-Gun Activists And Far-Right Extremists Swarm Richmond, Virginia,” read HuffPost’s headline for a Jan. 20 article on the rally. (RELATED: Article Claims Trump Will Sign An Executive Order Creating Term Limits For Congress)
To support the claim, the HuffPost author pointed to the presence of groups such as the Proud Boys, Oath Keepers and American Guard, as well as other unnamed “far-right militants, conspiracy theorists.” Pictures and videos from the rally confirm that members of those groups were, in fact, in attendance.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a legal advocacy group, has designated the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys as “extremists” and the American Guard as a “hate group,” while the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a Jewish nonprofit organization, characterizes all three groups as “extremists.”
Experts agreed some far-right extremists likely did attend the Richmond gun-rights rally but disputed HuffPost’s “thousands” number.
“It’s reasonable to assume that some far right extremists attended the event insofar as gun ownership rights loom large in their worldview,” explained George Michael, a professor of criminal justice at Westfield State University and author of “Confronting Right Wing Extremism and Terrorism in the USA,” in an email to the DCNF. “However, I didn’t see evidence of far-right involvement on an organizational level.”
“I’ve seen nothing to suggest that there were thousands of far-right extremists in attendance,” said Darren Mulloy, a Wilfrid Laurier University history professor and author of “Enemies of the State: The Radical Right in American from FDR to Trump,” in an email to the DCNF.
Laird Wilcox, co-author of “American Extremists Militias, Supremacists, Klansmen, Communists & Others,” also told the DCNF he did not see evidence that “thousands” of “far right extremists” attended the rally.
“It was mostly single-issue people concerned about the Second Amendment. Most of those people were middle to moderate-right conservatives,” he said. “They were not ‘far-right extremists.'”
Only one journalist that the DCNF talked to speculated the number could be high, but he took pains to make clear his number was an estimate.
“I would say less than, but somewhere hovering around 20% of the folks at the rally likely met this qualification,” said Robert Evans, a Bellingcat investigative reporter present at the gun-rights rally. “I’d say I personally saw somewhere around a dozen [Right Wing Death Squad] patches, in addition to ‘helicopter’ shirts and imagery (references to how the Pinochet regime executed left-wing dissidents). I also saw hundreds and hundreds of references to the ‘boogaloo,’ the idea of an inevitable coming second civil war.”
Townhall reporter Julio Rosas told the DCNF that “very few” members of the aforementioned groups were there, while New2Share editor-in-chief Ford Fischer estimated “in the hundreds.”
But individuals wearing such imagery aren’t necessarily “far-right extremists.” On its website, the ADL notes that “gamers and history buffs” make references to “boogaloo.” Some individuals “still use the phrase as a joke,” according to the ADL.
Even if all such people were considered far-right extremists, there is no definitive way to determine the exact ratio of far-right extremists to gun advocates and other attendees at the rally. Social media only turned up anecdotal instances of such imagery.
Neither the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism nor the Counter Extremism Project, organizations that extensively study and track U.S. extremism, had information about who or what groups attended the rally.
“This was different from [Charlottesville, Virginia] in many ways in that there hardened bigots and violent extremists were key to the organizing of the event,” Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism Director Brian Levin told the DCNF in an email. “Richmond’s had been going on for years and was not organized by bigots. That being said, outside extremists made a very big deal about the Richmond event online.”
No other policy organizations could corroborate HuffPost’s claim, and the DCNF found no evidence that “thousands” of “far-right extremists” attended the rally. We rate this headline false.
Trevor Schakohl and Elias Atienza contributed to this report.
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 [email protected].


thedailycaller--2020-01-28--George Papadopoulos Apologizes To His Wife For His Mom’s Behavior

Quote of the Day : “ All I can say is if administration officials are going to start giving journalists impromptu geography tests most of us are screwed.
” — Megyn Kelly , host of the occasional Megyn Kelly Presents , former anchor , Fox News , former talk show host , NBC ’ s “ TODAY ” Show , referring to Sec .
of State Mike Pompeo asking an NPR reporter to point to Ukraine on a map .
MOOD : “ To the weirdos who keep DMing me just to say ‘ hi ’ and nothing else : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responding to that shit .
Get to the point or get the fuck on .
— Monique Judge , news editor , The Root .
“ Legitimately concerned for Congressman Adam Schiff ’ s safety after Trump essentially tweeted that he needs to be punished for helping lead the impeachment inquiry .
This is a direct threat to a Member of Congress.
” — Charlotte Clymer , publicist , Human Rights Campaign , transgender activist .
Reporter says she didn ’ t say N-word while reporting Kobe ’ s death “ Earlier today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Kobe Bryant ’ s passing , I unfortunately stuttered on air , combining the names of the Knicks and the Lakers to say ‘ Nakers.
’ Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term .
I apologize for the confusion this caused.
” — Alison Morris , host , MSNBC .
( RELATED : NYT Reporter Deletes N-Word Tweet ) “ ‘ I spilled chicken water all over this desk , ’ @ byrdinator tells me right now as I wonder what chicken water is.
” – Clare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Go to the bathroom for a couple minutes .
Left my wireless headphones on top of my laptop while they charged .
Come back and Franklin chewed them .
And now they ’ re not working .
Needless to say… I ’ m pissed.
” — Beth Baumann , associate editor , Townhall .
Cillizza turns Kobe ’ s death into moment with his daughter “ My 7 year old told me that at least Kobe and his daughter , Gianna , weren ’ t alone at the end — that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that made me cry .
What a beautiful sentiment.
” — Chris Cilizza , CNN .
Nate Silver self-deprecates on his ability to consume news “ As someone who has sort of unintentionally become a low-to-medium information news consumer on impeachment because I ’ ve been 100 % focused on the D primary , the Bolton news seems like a fairly big deal to me.
” — Nate Silver , founder , 538 .
“ Keep a thought for the 19 year old woman Kobe Bryant allegedly raped , who was tormented , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doxxed after making her allegation.
” — Moira Donegan , Guardian .
He apparently forget to tell her that watching and shitting on Fox News was about the extent of his work life .
“ My wedding vows with @ AlyssaRosenberg included a clause for ‘ in sickness and in health ’ but not one for ‘ even if he makes you watch Justice with Judge Jeanine , ’ and folks , I ’ m getting nervous.
” — Matthew Gertz , Media Matters , arm of the Democratic Party .
Alyssa Rosenberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peanut butter sandwich cookies while this was going on because I am a SAINT .
( Also that show is maybe the wildest thing I have ever watched and I am a professional critic . )
” “ I have not threatened a baby .
I have never threatened any babies .
I don ’ t have alts , I don ’ t make secret death threats , I ’ m not involved in any conspiracies to threaten or harass anyone .
I have had Sady Doyle blocked for years and just wish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Elizabeth Bruenig , opinion writer , NYT .
“ How people behave when their flight is delayed is who they truly are.
” — Eden Dranger , LA-based comedian and writer .
“ Need to apologize to my wife for the disgusting public allegations of my mother @ KPapadopouloss .
Also to @ TomArnold for having been accused of such vulgarities .
Despicable and shameful.
” — George Papadopoulos , former aide , then-Donald Trump presidential campaign .
Simona Mangiante replied to her husband , “ Thanks .
Hope @ Kpapadopouloss will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I feel for you my dear husband @ GeorgePapa19 .
that she embarrassed your name .
God bless her.
” ( Simona posted a screenshot of her mother-in-law ’ s tweet . )
In 2017 , Papadopoulos pleaded guilty for lying to the FBI .
He spent 12 days in federal prison .
You can read about some of the family squabbling here .
But to get a sense , no one from Papadopoulos ’ s family atttended the couple ’ s wedding in 2018 , least of all , Kiki Papadopoulos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
GQ ‘ s Julia Ioffe : “ The bigness of Pompeo ’ s smallness knows no bounds.
” Number of bathrooms in the Kalorama home : 25 .
John Stanton , writer , New Orleans , former D.C. Bureau Chief , BuzzFeed : “ Rep .
Don Young once called me a mother fucker , a cock sucker , and a son of a bitch for writing a column in Congress Daily making fun of his abject failure as a committee chairman.
” Matt Laslo , VICE , Playboy WIRED , The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , @ RepLizCheney gently grabbed my arm and said , ‘ You ’ re mean when you write for @ thedailybeast.
’ When I responded by asking if there was anything inaccurate in the piece , neither her or her chief of staff could point to an error.
” Read his story here .
Micheline Maynard , Forbes : “ The CFO of  @ GM once screamed in my face at a black tie event over a story , and then stomped off .
It made me wonder what his staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve been thinking a lot about what happens to journalists behind closed doors .
The bullying from people like politicians ( and others ) who want us to do what they want .
There is usually silence around these interactions .
I ’ m glad people are getting a glimpse.
” About that WaPo reporter who was suspended during Kobe coverage “ I deleted a tweet about the WaPo suspending their reporter over Kobe Bryant tweets , I call foul and imply WaPo ’ s social media policy is bad .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ was suspended for sharing a screenshot of her work inbox revealing the names of emailers.
” — Dusty Giebel .
( RELATED : WaPo Suspends Reporter After Series Of Tweets On Kobe Bryant ’ s Death ) Donald Trump Jr. : “ You @ washingtonpost reporters really can ’ t help yourselves , can you ?
” Hayes Brown , BuzzFeed : “ I ’ m sorry but I fail to see how placing @ feliciasonmez on administrative leave for posting a reported news article about the 2003 accusations against Kobe is in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet with a link to the article with the headline of that article as the only text .
No opinion about the accusations and the resulting settlement which really happened .
So I ’ m curious to see how that “ displayed poor judgment that undermined the work of her colleagues.
” David Martosko , Daily Mail : “ Posting this right now is beyond gross.
” Mark Dice , pro-Trump YouTube personality : “ ‘ Hate clicks ’ are the business model of the mainstream media today.
” David Klion , news @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Nation : “ This is especially troubling considering that a few months ago , Sonmez bravely went public with the details of her own sexual assault at the hands of a fellow journalist in China , and was smeared by the usual gang of unaccountable reactionary pundits for doing so.
” David French , The Dispatch : “ Whenever people grieve , vile trolls emerge to tweet hateful things .
Resist the urge to highlight them with a quote tweet .
Let them spew their hatred into the void.
” One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ LeBron James… .
Here .
“ I tried to be smart and thoughtful about Kobe Bryant , a man who dominated my life in sports .
But it devolved into me crying onto my keyboard , and I have no idea if teardrops can type.
” —Bill Oram , The Athletic .
Here .
Things Better Kept To Yourself “ ‘ Mom , what ’ s going on with your penis ? '
” “ Cash , age 3 , during what may be our last shower together : ) ” And it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was going to be cracked up to be .
“ Went to an In N Out for the first time and like… what are you guys talking about ?
It was acceptable and that ’ s basically it .
It was better than Five Guys or Shake Shack but if I never go again , I won ’ t miss it .
# CaseDismissed .
# CaseDmissed ” — Eddie Scarry , commentary writer , Washington Examiner .
AWWWKARD : Living and working in the D.C. bubble “ Living in DC is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you know from the internet but don ’ t immediately recognize leading to awkwardness .
That happened to me twice last night.
” — Greg Price , social media , The Daily Caller .
“ After ~ 17 years – nearly my entire adult life as a  @ GEICO_Service customer , I ’ m sad to say I ’ m cancelling all my  @ GEICO policies at the end of the month .
Turns out I can get better coverage for less money elsewhere and not get treated like a criminal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jonathan Franks , flack , Montel Williams .
Note to readers : I take issue with Frank ’ s use of the word ‘ adult.
’ He hardly ever acts like an adult on social media .
I also wonder why we should care about his issues with Geico .

AFTERNOON MIRROR
Quote of the Day:
“All I can say is if administration officials are going to start giving journalists impromptu geography tests most of us are screwed.”
— Megyn Kelly, host of the occasional Megyn Kelly Presents, former anchor, Fox News, former talk show host, NBC’s “TODAY” Show, referring to Sec. of State Mike Pompeo asking an NPR reporter to point to Ukraine on a map.
MOOD: “To the weirdos who keep DMing me just to say ‘hi’ and nothing else: Please stop. I’m not responding to that shit. Get to the point or get the fuck on. — Monique Judge, news editor, The Root.
D.C. publicist is concerned for Adam Schiff
“Legitimately concerned for Congressman Adam Schiff’s safety after Trump essentially tweeted that he needs to be punished for helping lead the impeachment inquiry. This is a direct threat to a Member of Congress.” — Charlotte Clymer, publicist, Human Rights Campaign, transgender activist.
Reporter says she didn’t say N-word while reporting Kobe’s death
“Earlier today, while reporting on the tragic news of Kobe Bryant’s passing, I unfortunately stuttered on air, combining the names of the Knicks and the Lakers to say ‘Nakers.’ Please know I did not & would NEVER use a racist term. I apologize for the confusion this caused.” — Alison Morris, host, MSNBC. (RELATED: NYT Reporter Deletes N-Word Tweet)
CNN reporter spills ‘chicken water’ on desk
“‘I spilled chicken water all over this desk,’ @byrdinator tells me right now as I wonder what chicken water is.” – Clare Foran, reporter, CNN politics.
Pam Bondi’s sparkly impeachment attire…
Journo’s dog chews up her headphones
“Go to the bathroom for a couple minutes. Left my wireless headphones on top of my laptop while they charged. Come back and Franklin chewed them. And now they’re not working. Needless to say… I’m pissed.” — Beth Baumann, associate editor, Townhall.
Cillizza turns Kobe’s death into moment with his daughter
“My 7 year old told me that at least Kobe and his daughter, Gianna, weren’t alone at the end — that they had each other. And yeah, that made me cry. What a beautiful sentiment.” — Chris Cilizza, CNN.
Nate Silver self-deprecates on his ability to consume news
“As someone who has sort of unintentionally become a low-to-medium information news consumer on impeachment because I’ve been 100% focused on the D primary, the Bolton news seems like a fairly big deal to me.” — Nate Silver, founder, 538.
‘Shitty Media Men’ list founder puts in plug for Kobe’s accuser
“Keep a thought for the 19 year old woman Kobe Bryant allegedly raped, who was tormented, humiliated, threatened, harassed, and doxxed after making her allegation.” — Moira Donegan, Guardian.
Wife makes husband peanut butter cookies to watch ‘Judge Jeanine’
He apparently forget to tell her that watching and shitting on Fox News was about the extent of his work life.
“My wedding vows with @AlyssaRosenberg included a clause for ‘in sickness and in health’ but not one for ‘even if he makes you watch Justice with Judge Jeanine,’ and folks, I’m getting nervous.” — Matthew Gertz, Media Matters, arm of the Democratic Party.
Alyssa Rosenberg, WaPo: “I baked him peanut butter sandwich cookies while this was going on because I am a SAINT. (Also that show is maybe the wildest thing I have ever watched and I am a professional critic.)”
Confessional.
“I have not threatened a baby. I have never threatened any babies. I don’t have alts, I don’t make secret death threats, I’m not involved in any conspiracies to threaten or harass anyone. I have had Sady Doyle blocked for years and just wish she would leave me alone.” — Elizabeth Bruenig, opinion writer, NYT.
Travel Bitches
“How people behave when their flight is delayed is who they truly are.” — Eden Dranger, LA-based comedian and writer.
Gossip Roundup
Papa apologizes to wife for mom’s behavior
“Need to apologize to my wife for the disgusting public allegations of my mother @KPapadopouloss. Also to @TomArnold for having been accused of such vulgarities. Despicable and shameful.” — George Papadopoulos, former aide, then-Donald Trump presidential campaign.
Papadopoulos’s wife is Simona Manigiante. (RELATED: Simona Mangiante Shares Story About Russia Investigation)
Simona Mangiante replied to her husband, “Thanks. Hope @Kpapadopouloss will have the decency to cease her public defamation. I feel for you my dear husband @GeorgePapa19. that she embarrassed your name. God bless her.” (Simona posted a screenshot of her mother-in-law’s tweet.)
In 2017, Papadopoulos pleaded guilty for lying to the FBI. He spent 12 days in federal prison.
You can read about some of the family squabbling here. But to get a sense, no one from Papadopoulos’s family atttended the couple’s wedding in 2018, least of all, Kiki Papadopoulos‘s, George’s mother.
Pompeo is hilariously afraid of NPR reporters
Robbie Gramer is a reporter for Foreign Policy.
Update: The State Department has removed @NPR correspondent @michelekelemen from Secretary Pompeo’s plane for his upcoming trip to Europe and Central Asia following Pompeo’s criticism of his NPR interview. Statement from the State Department Correspondents’ Association: pic.twitter.com/PW1Ykcu30r — Robbie Gramer (@RobbieGramer) January 27, 2020
GQ‘s Julia Ioffe: “The bigness of Pompeo’s smallness knows no bounds.”
Jeff Bezos throws party at his $23 million D.C. abode
Guest list caught on camera: Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Ben Stiller, Kellyanne Conway, Bill Gates, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) and wife, Ann.
Also there: Bezo’s girlfriend Lauren Sanchez.
Number of bathrooms in the Kalorama home: 25.
Lawmakers Behaving Badly Toward Journalists
John Stanton, writer, New Orleans, former D.C. Bureau Chief, BuzzFeed: “Rep. Don Young once called me a mother fucker, a cock sucker, and a son of a bitch for writing a column in Congress Daily making fun of his abject failure as a committee chairman.”
Matt Laslo, VICE, Playboy WIRED, The Daily Beast, NPR: “Last year, @RepLizCheney gently grabbed my arm and said, ‘You’re mean when you write for @thedailybeast.’ When I responded by asking if there was anything inaccurate in the piece, neither her or her chief of staff could point to an error.” Read his story here.
Micheline Maynard, Forbes: “The CFO of @GM once screamed in my face at a black tie event over a story, and then stomped off. It made me wonder what his staff went through.”
Lulu Garcia-Navarro: “I’ve been thinking a lot about what happens to journalists behind closed doors. The bullying from people like politicians (and others) who want us to do what they want. There is usually silence around these interactions. I’m glad people are getting a glimpse.”
About that WaPo reporter who was suspended during Kobe coverage
“I deleted a tweet about the WaPo suspending their reporter over Kobe Bryant tweets, I call foul and imply WaPo’s social media policy is bad. I was wrong. Ends up she was suspended for sharing a screenshot of her work inbox revealing the names of emailers.” — Dusty Giebel. (RELATED: WaPo Suspends Reporter After Series Of Tweets On Kobe Bryant’s Death)
WaPo reporter gets Daily Mail treatment… Here.
Other reactions on WaPo‘s Felicia Sonmez…
Donald Trump Jr.: “You @washingtonpost reporters really can’t help yourselves, can you?”
Hayes Brown, BuzzFeed: “I’m sorry but I fail to see how placing @feliciasonmez on administrative leave for posting a reported news article about the 2003 accusations against Kobe is in any way fair. …It was a tweet with a link to the article with the headline of that article as the only text. No opinion about the accusations and the resulting settlement which really happened. So I’m curious to see how that “displayed poor judgment that undermined the work of her colleagues.”
David Martosko, Daily Mail: “Posting this right now is beyond gross.”
Mark Dice, pro-Trump YouTube personality: “‘Hate clicks’ are the business model of the mainstream media today.”
David Klion, news editor, Jewish Currents, writer, The Nation: “This is especially troubling considering that a few months ago, Sonmez bravely went public with the details of her own sexual assault at the hands of a fellow journalist in China, and was smeared by the usual gang of unaccountable reactionary pundits for doing so.”
David French, The Dispatch: “Whenever people grieve, vile trolls emerge to tweet hateful things. Resist the urge to highlight them with a quote tweet. Let them spew their hatred into the void.”
One of Gigi Bryant‘s favorite players was LeBron James…. Here.
Writer covers Kobe through tears
“I tried to be smart and thoughtful about Kobe Bryant, a man who dominated my life in sports. But it devolved into me crying onto my keyboard, and I have no idea if teardrops can type.” —Bill Oram, The Athletic. Here.
Things Better Kept To Yourself
“‘Mom, what’s going on with your penis?'”
“Cash, age 3, during what may be our last shower together :)”
— Rachel Fine, HuffPost writer.
Journo has virgin In-N-Out Burger experience
And it wasn’t everything he thought it was going to be cracked up to be.
“Went to an In N Out for the first time and like… what are you guys talking about? It was acceptable and that’s basically it. It was better than Five Guys or Shake Shack but if I never go again, I won’t miss it. #CaseDismissed. #CaseDmissed” — Eddie Scarry, commentary writer, Washington Examiner.
AWWWKARD: Living and working in the D.C. bubble
“Living in DC is a constant game of seeing people places that you know from the internet but don’t immediately recognize leading to awkwardness. That happened to me twice last night.” — Greg Price, social media, The Daily Caller.
Montel’s flack has issue with Geico
“After ~ 17 years – nearly my entire adult life as a @GEICO_Service customer, I’m sad to say I’m cancelling all my @GEICO policies at the end of the month. Turns out I can get better coverage for less money elsewhere and not get treated like a criminal over a 12k claim?” — Jonathan Franks, flack, Montel Williams.
Note to readers: I take issue with Frank’s use of the word ‘adult.’ He hardly ever acts like an adult on social media. I also wonder why we should care about his issues with Geico.


thedailycaller--2020-01-28--Chris Wallace Wonders If Jerry Nadler Would Pay To Have 1998 Clinton Impeachment Video ‘Expunged Fro

Chris Wallace Wonders If Jerry Nadler Would Pay To Have 1998 Clinton Impeachment Video ‘Expunged From The Earth’

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace asked Tuesday how much House Impeachment Manager Jerry Nadler might pay to have a Clinton-era throwback video “ expunged from the earth.
” Wallace weighed in on the proceedings as President Donald Trump ’ s defense team concluded opening statements .
The team ’ s presentation included a number of videos showing Democrats — many of whom are still serving in Congress — taking a very different view of impeachment in 1998-1999 when the accused was Democratic President Bill Clinton .
Martha McCallum opened the segment with a comment on White House attorney Pat Cipollone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cipollone making his closing argument there , saying why not trust the American people with this decision , why tear up ballots , the importance of the Constitution , ” she said .
“ With that , I want to bring in Chris Wallace for your thoughts , Chris for your thoughts as the president ’ s side essentially rests their case.
” “ They made a good case today , ” Wallace began .
“ I think that Cipollone was smart .
We have said everything , we are at our high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of here.
” ( RELATED : Bill Hemmer Has To Ask Impeachment Manager Three Times Why The House Didn ’ t Subpoena John Bolton ) “ I would love to have been in the room when they were going over those tapes of what the Democrats , I think at that point they were all members of Congress , not Senators , during 1998-1999 , during the Clinton impeachment , ” Wallace added .
“ Getting these sound bites from House Managers , also some just Senators like Zoe Lofgren , Jerry Nadler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought to myself , I wonder how much Jerry Nadler would pay to have that videotape of him from 1998 expunged from the Earth so that nobody could ever see it again , ” Wallace concluded with a laugh .
( RELATED : ‘ We Just Saw The Pictures ’ : Chris Wallace Challenges Hakeem Jeffries ’ Claim That Souvenir Pen Ceremony Was ‘ Solemn ’ ) The video Wallace was referencing showed Nadler lambasting one-sided impeachment “ supported by one political party and opposed by the other .
”

Fox News anchor Chris Wallace asked Tuesday how much House Impeachment Manager Jerry Nadler might pay to have a Clinton-era throwback video “expunged from the earth.”
Wallace weighed in on the proceedings as President Donald Trump’s defense team concluded opening statements. The team’s presentation included a number of videos showing Democrats — many of whom are still serving in Congress — taking a very different view of impeachment in 1998-1999 when the accused was Democratic President Bill Clinton.
WATCH:
Martha McCallum opened the segment with a comment on White House attorney Pat Cipollone ‘s final remarks. “Pat Cipollone making his closing argument there, saying why not trust the American people with this decision, why tear up ballots, the importance of the Constitution,” she said. “With that, I want to bring in Chris Wallace for your thoughts, Chris for your thoughts as the president’s side essentially rests their case.”
“They made a good case today,” Wallace began. “I think that Cipollone was smart. We have said everything, we are at our high point, let’s get out of here.” (RELATED: Bill Hemmer Has To Ask Impeachment Manager Three Times Why The House Didn’t Subpoena John Bolton)
“I would love to have been in the room when they were going over those tapes of what the Democrats, I think at that point they were all members of Congress, not Senators, during 1998-1999, during the Clinton impeachment,” Wallace added. “Getting these sound bites from House Managers, also some just Senators like Zoe Lofgren, Jerry Nadler, Chuck Schumer.”
“I also thought to myself, I wonder how much Jerry Nadler would pay to have that videotape of him from 1998 expunged from the Earth so that nobody could ever see it again,” Wallace concluded with a laugh. (RELATED: ‘We Just Saw The Pictures’: Chris Wallace Challenges Hakeem Jeffries’ Claim That Souvenir Pen Ceremony Was ‘Solemn’)
The video Wallace was referencing showed Nadler lambasting one-sided impeachment “supported by one political party and opposed by the other.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-28--Justin Bieber Reveals Why He Almost Didn’t Ask Hailey Bieber To Marry Him: ‘Am I Going To Make This

Justin Bieber Reveals Why He Almost Didn’t Ask Hailey Bieber To Marry Him: ‘Am I Going To Make This Commitment?’

Justin Bieber admitted that he almost didn ’ t propose to his supermodel wife Hailey Bieber because he feared he wasn ’ t ready “ to make this commitment.
” “ I was extremely nervous , ” the 25-year-old pop singer shared about asking Hailey to marry him , during his appearance Tuesday on “ The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
” The video was noted by E !
News in a piece published Tuesday .
( RELATED : Report : Selena Gomez Takes Break From Spotlight Following Justin Bieber Breakup ) “ I felt , like , in the past , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me asking the question and it felt like she would say yes , ” he added .
“ So , I wasn ’ t really nervous about the saying yes , but the thing is just , like , I think I was more nervous about , ‘ Am I going to make this commitment ?
Am I able to make this commitment as a man and be able to honor , you know , what I say ? '
” ( RELATED : Report : Justin Bieber , Hailey Baldwin Tied Knot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Because , you know , that ’ s a serious commitment when you say you ’ re going to love someone for better , for worse and , like , be faithful .
That ’ s a huge.
” The “ Baby ” hitmaker then explained how he asked himself if he was going to be able to “ do that ?
” And how that was what was he was really “ battling with.
” “ But I finally was like , ‘ I ’ m gon na make the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a husband and , you know , this is what I ’ ve always wanted , ” Justin admitted .
“ I ’ m gon na choose this woman and just do it . '
” And do that is exactly what the “ Yummy ” hitmaker did when he proposed to the supermodel in 2018 and secretly tied the knot at a New York City courthouse several months later .
In October , the couple made headlines with news that they had finally held a lavish ceremony to say their “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year later , but this time surrounded by family and friends .
Later in the segment , Justin dropped the news that his next album titled “ Changes ” was coming out very soon , in fact February 14th to be exact .

Justin Bieber admitted that he almost didn’t propose to his supermodel wife Hailey Bieber because he feared he wasn’t ready “to make this commitment.”
“I was extremely nervous,” the 25-year-old pop singer shared about asking Hailey to marry him, during his appearance Tuesday on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” The video was noted by E! News in a piece published Tuesday. (RELATED: Report: Selena Gomez Takes Break From Spotlight Following Justin Bieber Breakup)
WATCH:
“I felt, like, in the past, we talked about, you know, me asking the question and it felt like she would say yes,” he added. “So, I wasn’t really nervous about the saying yes, but the thing is just, like, I think I was more nervous about, ‘Am I going to make this commitment? Am I able to make this commitment as a man and be able to honor, you know, what I say?'” (RELATED: Report: Justin Bieber, Hailey Baldwin Tied Knot After 2-Month Engagement)
Bieber continued, “Because, you know, that’s a serious commitment when you say you’re going to love someone for better, for worse and, like, be faithful. That’s a huge.”
The “Baby” hitmaker then explained how he asked himself if he was going to be able to “do that?” And how that was what was he was really “battling with.”
“But I finally was like, ‘I’m gonna make the decision and follow through with it and be a husband and, you know, this is what I’ve always wanted,” Justin admitted. “I’m gonna choose this woman and just do it.'”
And do that is exactly what the “Yummy” hitmaker did when he proposed to the supermodel in 2018 and secretly tied the knot at a New York City courthouse several months later.
In October, the couple made headlines with news that they had finally held a lavish ceremony to say their “I Do’s” once again a year later, but this time surrounded by family and friends.
Later in the segment, Justin dropped the news that his next album titled “Changes” was coming out very soon, in fact February 14th to be exact.


thedailycaller--2020-01-28--Trump Administration Publishes Historic Rulemaking To Modernize America’s Firearm Exports

On Jan. 23 , the Trump administration published rules that will be a boon to the United States firearms industry and all who utilize its products .
The new regulations will become effective March 9 , 2020 .
The rules update America ’ s regulatory regime for the export of firearms , as well as related parts , components , and accessories .
They are the result of an intensive , years-long interagency review process , as well as consideration of thousands of public comments .
The changes move firearm-related commerce from an antiquated Cold War paradigm into the modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to information .
No more will small , non-exporting businesses – including gunsmiths – be caught up in an expansive regulatory scheme for manufacturers of “ munitions ” and their parts that requires a $ 2,250 annual registration fee with U.S. State Department .
Americans will again be free to publish most technical information about firearms and ammunition – including on the publicly-accessible Internet – without fear of accidentally running afoul of State Department restrictions that could land them in federal prison .
And Americans temporarily traveling overseas with their own guns and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them in a government database or deal with the complexities of completing lengthy forms in commercial exporting software .
Meanwhile , commercial exporters of non-military grade firearms and ammunition will have fewer fees to pay and will benefit from a more flexible , business-oriented regulatory environment .
This will enhance their competitiveness in global markets and bring business and jobs that might have gone to unscrupulous foreign companies back to America , which will continue to have unrivaled oversight of its domestic and international arms trade .
To be clear , actual exports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorization by the federal government , including through licenses issued after interagency review to ensure the materiel will not fall into the wrong hands when it leaves the country .
End users of the guns in the countries of destination will also remain subject to U.S. monitoring .
But guns and ammunition that can be readily obtained at big box retailers in the U.S. will no longer be treated for export purposes as if they were in the same “ inherently military ” category as missiles , warheads , howitzers , or other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will additionally ensure that more resources are available to monitor transfers and movement of truly sensitive and consequential military equipment and technology .
The result is an overall win for American business , freedom , and the security of the Free World .
Needless to say , however , those who would ban firearms completely are already seeking to undermine the changes .
Attorneys general from a number of anti-gun states have filed suit in a federal district court in Seattle , Wash. , falsely alleging the rule changes would allow for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Numerous media outlets have uncritically parroted these baseless claims .
In truth , the final versions of the rules specifically address this concern and will treat any computer code allowing for the automatic printing or milling of a firearm as a regulated item requiring prior authorization before being published on the Internet or released to any foreign national .
This latest action is just one more example of how President Trump continues to move forward with his positive agenda to protect the right to keep and bear arms and the businesses that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American manufacturing , as well as lawful firearm ownership at home and abroad stand to make big gains under the president ’ s export reform initiative .
Established in 1975 , the Institute for Legislative Action ( ILA ) is the “ lobbying ” arm of the National Rifle Association of America .
ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative , political , and legal arenas , to purchase , possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Facebook .

On Jan. 23, the Trump administration published rules that will be a boon to the United States firearms industry and all who utilize its products. The new regulations will become effective March 9, 2020.
The rules update America’s regulatory regime for the export of firearms, as well as related parts, components, and accessories. They are the result of an intensive, years-long interagency review process, as well as consideration of thousands of public comments.
The changes move firearm-related commerce from an antiquated Cold War paradigm into the modern era of broader international trade and access to information.
No more will small, non-exporting businesses – including gunsmiths – be caught up in an expansive regulatory scheme for manufacturers of “munitions” and their parts that requires a $2,250 annual registration fee with U.S. State Department.
Americans will again be free to publish most technical information about firearms and ammunition – including on the publicly-accessible Internet – without fear of accidentally running afoul of State Department restrictions that could land them in federal prison.
And Americans temporarily traveling overseas with their own guns and ammunition won’t have to register them in a government database or deal with the complexities of completing lengthy forms in commercial exporting software.
Meanwhile, commercial exporters of non-military grade firearms and ammunition will have fewer fees to pay and will benefit from a more flexible, business-oriented regulatory environment. This will enhance their competitiveness in global markets and bring business and jobs that might have gone to unscrupulous foreign companies back to America, which will continue to have unrivaled oversight of its domestic and international arms trade.
To be clear, actual exports of firearms and ammunition will still require authorization by the federal government, including through licenses issued after interagency review to ensure the materiel will not fall into the wrong hands when it leaves the country. End users of the guns in the countries of destination will also remain subject to U.S. monitoring.
But guns and ammunition that can be readily obtained at big box retailers in the U.S. will no longer be treated for export purposes as if they were in the same “inherently military” category as missiles, warheads, howitzers, or other true weapons of war.
This change will additionally ensure that more resources are available to monitor transfers and movement of truly sensitive and consequential military equipment and technology.
The result is an overall win for American business, freedom, and the security of the Free World.
Needless to say, however, those who would ban firearms completely are already seeking to undermine the changes. Attorneys general from a number of anti-gun states have filed suit in a federal district court in Seattle, Wash., falsely alleging the rule changes would allow for the unregulated proliferation of so-called “3D-printed weapons.” Numerous media outlets have uncritically parroted these baseless claims.
In truth, the final versions of the rules specifically address this concern and will treat any computer code allowing for the automatic printing or milling of a firearm as a regulated item requiring prior authorization before being published on the Internet or released to any foreign national.
This latest action is just one more example of how President Trump continues to move forward with his positive agenda to protect the right to keep and bear arms and the businesses that comprise America’s firearms industry. American manufacturing, as well as lawful firearm ownership at home and abroad stand to make big gains under the president’s export reform initiative.
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Click here to follow NRA-ILA on Facebook.


thedailycaller--2020-01-28--‘Weakest Case In Our Nation’s History’: Trump’s Impeachment Defense Team Share Their Thoughts On Tri

‘Weakest Case In Our Nation’s History’: Trump’s Impeachment Defense Team Share Their Thoughts On Trial

The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is in its second week , and several members of Congress serving on the president ’ s impeachment defense team told the Daily Caller that they are confident the case against the president remains thin .
“ The only thing that has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt is that there is no impeachable conduct here , ” Republican Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana told the Caller .
“ That ’ s very clear .
It has been from the very beginning .
The impeachment defense team put on an iron-clad case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will understands.
” Republican Reps. Elise Stefanik and Lee Zeldin of New York both agreed , telling the Caller that the facts of the case have not changed .
( RELATED : Does The Whistleblower Protection Act Really Guarantee The Whistleblower Anonymity ? )
“ It is very clear that Adam Schiff has presented the weakest case in our nation ’ s history when it comes to impeachment , ” Stefanik told the Caller .
“ We heard part of the story from Adam Schiff , who took testimony out of context , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facts .
What you heard from the president ’ s defense team were those facts.
” “ Despite the fact that we are 70 plus days into this , the facts have remained the same , ” Stefanik added .
“ The Senate chamber has been hijacked , ” Zeldin said .
“ If you ask our constituents ‘ what do you want us to be doing to fight for you down in Washington ’ …They ’ re gon na talk about the cost of prescription drug prices .
They ’ re gon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to pay your bills , lowering energy costs .
They care about healthcare.
” “ This is not the priority of my constituents , ” Zeldin added .
“ It ’ s the priority of people who have been trying to take down the president since he was elected .
”

The Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is in its second week, and several members of Congress serving on the president’s impeachment defense team told the Daily Caller that they are confident the case against the president remains thin.
“The only thing that has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt is that there is no impeachable conduct here,” Republican Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana told the Caller. “That’s very clear. It has been from the very beginning. The impeachment defense team put on an iron-clad case that anybody who looks at this objectively will understands.”
Republican Reps. Elise Stefanik and Lee Zeldin of New York both agreed, telling the Caller that the facts of the case have not changed. (RELATED: Does The Whistleblower Protection Act Really Guarantee The Whistleblower Anonymity?)
“It is very clear that Adam Schiff has presented the weakest case in our nation’s history when it comes to impeachment,” Stefanik told the Caller. “We heard part of the story from Adam Schiff, who took testimony out of context, and didn’t provide the fulsome facts. What you heard from the president’s defense team were those facts.”
“Despite the fact that we are 70 plus days into this, the facts have remained the same,” Stefanik added.
“The Senate chamber has been hijacked,” Zeldin said. “If you ask our constituents ‘what do you want us to be doing to fight for you down in Washington’…They’re gonna talk about the cost of prescription drug prices. They’re gonna talk about finding a job to be able to pay your bills, lowering energy costs. They care about healthcare.”
“This is not the priority of my constituents,” Zeldin added. “It’s the priority of people who have been trying to take down the president since he was elected.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-28--Rep. Lesko Tears Into Democrats For Focusing On Impeachment While Holding Up Fentanyl Ban

Rep. Debbie Lesko reminded members of the press Tuesday that a temporary ban on certain types of fentanyl is set to expire next week while House Democrats are making their case for impeachment .
“ The scheduling of fentanyl substances is going to expire next week — next week — and the Democrats have done nothing about this , ” the Arizona Republican told reporters .
“ We ’ re dealing with this impeachment stuff ” instead of acting quickly to reinstitute a fentanyl ban , she added .
“ People ’ s lives are hanging in the balance .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on behalf of the American people , ” Lesko wrote in a tweet Tuesday with a video of her comments .
( RELATED : GOP Leaders Hit Nadler For Holding Up A Ban On Fentanyl During Impeachment Trial ) The Drug Enforcement Administration ( DEA ) invoked a ban on all fentanyl analogues in February 2018 , but the ban expires Feb. 6 .
The Justice Department is pressuring Congress to enact a law allowing the DEA to ban the substances indefinitely , The Washington Post ’ s editorial board noted in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of senators passed the “ Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act ” on Jan. 16 .
The House of Representatives voted a day before that , on Jan. 15 , to send articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate .
Other House Republicans have criticized Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York for supposedly holding up the legislation .
“ Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee ’ s partisan obsession with impeachment is preventing us from taking common-sense action to extend a critical tool @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fentanyl-related substances , ” Greg Walden told the Daily Caller News Foundation in a Jan. 24 statement .
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy lashed out at Nadler as well .
“ While Chairman Nadler wastes taxpayer time on a partisan impeachment sham , he is failing to do his actual job on the Judiciary Committee , ” McCarthy wrote in a Jan. 21 tweet .
“ The Senate has unanimously ( ! )
passed a ban on fentanyl .
The same legislation languishes on Nadler ’ s desk.
” Nadler spokesman Daniel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Nadler is aware of the legislation .
“ I believe we are having a hearing on it early next week ( Tuesday morning ) , which is needed before we can vote on anything , ” Schwarz said at the time .
“ Not sure what the complaint is.
” He has not responded to further questions Fentanyl was involved in more than 50 % of 5,000 opioid overdose deaths in 10 states in 2016 , federal data show .
A dose of 2 milligrams of fentanyl can kill a unexposed people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drug is pouring into the country through China and parts of South America .
Trump is reportedly considering an executive order to halt shipments of fentanyl , a move designed to apply pressure to China as the U.S. continues fighting the opioid crisis .
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 .

Rep. Debbie Lesko reminded members of the press Tuesday that a temporary ban on certain types of fentanyl is set to expire next week while House Democrats are making their case for impeachment.
“The scheduling of fentanyl substances is going to expire next week — next week — and the Democrats have done nothing about this,” the Arizona Republican told reporters. “We’re dealing with this impeachment stuff” instead of acting quickly to reinstitute a fentanyl ban, she added.
“People’s lives are hanging in the balance. Let’s get back to work on behalf of the American people,” Lesko wrote in a tweet Tuesday with a video of her comments. (RELATED: GOP Leaders Hit Nadler For Holding Up A Ban On Fentanyl During Impeachment Trial)
WATCH:
9 more days until the ban on fentanyl expires. Democrats are more focused on impeaching President @RealDonaldTrump than they are getting fentanyl off our streets. People’s lives are hanging in the balance. Let’s get back to work on behalf of the American people. pic.twitter.com/gdadWSTE41 — Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (@RepDLesko) January 28, 2020
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) invoked a ban on all fentanyl analogues in February 2018, but the ban expires Feb. 6. The Justice Department is pressuring Congress to enact a law allowing the DEA to ban the substances indefinitely, The Washington Post’s editorial board noted in a Jan. 5 op-ed.
A bipartisan group of senators passed the “Temporary Reauthorization and Study of the Emergency Scheduling of Fentanyl Analogues Act” on Jan. 16. The House of Representatives voted a day before that, on Jan. 15, to send articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate.
Other House Republicans have criticized Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler of New York for supposedly holding up the legislation.
“Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee’s partisan obsession with impeachment is preventing us from taking common-sense action to extend a critical tool for law enforcement to combat the trafficking of fentanyl-related substances,” Greg Walden told the Daily Caller News Foundation in a Jan. 24 statement.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy lashed out at Nadler as well.
“While Chairman Nadler wastes taxpayer time on a partisan impeachment sham, he is failing to do his actual job on the Judiciary Committee,” McCarthy wrote in a Jan. 21 tweet. “The Senate has unanimously (!) passed a ban on fentanyl. The same legislation languishes on Nadler’s desk.”
Nadler spokesman Daniel Schwarz told the DCNF on Jan. 24 that Nadler is aware of the legislation.
“I believe we are having a hearing on it early next week (Tuesday morning), which is needed before we can vote on anything,” Schwarz said at the time. “Not sure what the complaint is.”
He has not responded to further questions
The House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on fentanyl analogues Tuesday morning.
Fentanyl was involved in more than 50% of 5,000 opioid overdose deaths in 10 states in 2016, federal data show. A dose of 2 milligrams of fentanyl can kill a unexposed people.
U.S. officials say the bulk of the drug is pouring into the country through China and parts of South America. Trump is reportedly considering an executive order to halt shipments of fentanyl, a move designed to apply pressure to China as the U.S. continues fighting the opioid crisis.
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--2020-01-29--Biden: VP Choice Must Be Capable Of Running Country ‘Because I’m An Old Guy’

Democratic 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden said Tuesday that his choice for vice president will have to be “ immediately ” capable of taking over as commander-in-chief because “ I ’ m an old guy , ” he told an audience in Iowa , The remark highlights what is widely considered the former vice president ’ s biggest political liability .
If elected in November , he will be 78-years-old by Inauguration Day , making him the oldest president ever sworn into office by eight years .
Biden was initially asked if he would select California Sen. Kamala Harris as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidential candidate , saying that “ she has the capacity to do just about anything.
” But he said that his first requirement for vice president is that the person is capable of taking over as president .
( RELATED : Biden : ‘ Don ’ t Vote For Me ’ If You ’ re Worried About My Age ) “ For me , it has to be demonstrated that whomever I pick , there ’ s two things : One , he ’ s capable of immediately being a president because I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden said .
He immediately qualified his candid remarks , saying that he is “ in great health ” because he works out every morning .
Biden has insisted throughout the campaign that his age should improve his electability .
“ Look , one of the reasons I ’ m running is because of my age and my experience , ” Biden said during a debate on Oct. 15 .
“ With it comes wisdom , ” he continued .
“ We need someone to take office this time around who on day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , command the respect of world leaders from Putin to our allies , and know exactly what has to be done to get this country back on track.
” Biden has been dogged by concerns about his age throughout the campaign .
His chief critics have pointed to his repeated gaffes on the campaign trail , and several speeches where he misidentified cities and states , or mixed up decades when certain events occurred .
Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez questioned whether Biden ’ s age had anything to do with his poor debate performances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden ’ s ] performance on the stage kind of raised some questions with respect to [ his age ] , ” the New York Democrat said in an interview in July .
Earlier on Tuesday , Biden snapped at an Iowa voter who questioned his position on gas pipelines .
“ Go vote for someone else , ” Biden told the man .
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 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Democratic 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden said Tuesday that his choice for vice president will have to be “immediately” capable of taking over as commander-in-chief because “I’m an old guy,” he told an audience in Iowa.
The remark highlights what is widely considered the former vice president’s biggest political liability. If elected in November, he will be 78-years-old by Inauguration Day, making him the oldest president ever sworn into office by eight years.
Biden was initially asked if he would select California Sen. Kamala Harris as his second-in-command. Biden praised the former presidential candidate, saying that “she has the capacity to do just about anything.”
But he said that his first requirement for vice president is that the person is capable of taking over as president. (RELATED: Biden: ‘Don’t Vote For Me’ If You’re Worried About My Age)
“For me, it has to be demonstrated that whomever I pick, there’s two things: One, he’s capable of immediately being a president because I’m an old guy,” Biden said.
He immediately qualified his candid remarks, saying that he is “in great health” because he works out every morning.
Biden talks about @KamalaHarris as VP. Says most important criteria is knowing whether the woman or man can do the job ‘ because I’m an old guy.’ pic.twitter.com/Zycm4Z4ywh — Cleve R. Wootson Jr. (@CleveWootson) January 29, 2020
Biden has insisted throughout the campaign that his age should improve his electability.
“Look, one of the reasons I’m running is because of my age and my experience,” Biden said during a debate on Oct. 15.
“With it comes wisdom,” he continued. “We need someone to take office this time around who on day one can stand on the world stage, command the respect of world leaders from Putin to our allies, and know exactly what has to be done to get this country back on track.”
Biden has been dogged by concerns about his age throughout the campaign. His chief critics have pointed to his repeated gaffes on the campaign trail, and several speeches where he misidentified cities and states, or mixed up decades when certain events occurred.
Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez questioned whether Biden’s age had anything to do with his poor debate performances over the summer.
“His [Biden’s] performance on the stage kind of raised some questions with respect to [his age],” the New York Democrat said in an interview in July.
Earlier on Tuesday, Biden snapped at an Iowa voter who questioned his position on gas pipelines.
“Go vote for someone else,” Biden told the man.
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--2020-01-29--Is Impeachment Limping To A Merciful End?

On today ’ s show we discuss what comes next in the impeachment trial and get into the prospects of this whole disaster coming to an end by Friday .
Also , Senator Dianne Feinstein is forced to “ correct ” something she ’ s said for a second time in a month , Elizabeth Warren promises to act like a Third World dictator , and Don Lemon denies he did something everyone saw him do .
Opening statements are done in the Senate impeachment trial , now comes the questions from Senators .
Will they matter ?
Will there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the questions are done ?
One story has Republicans not having enough votes to do that , another story has some Democrats considering voting to acquit the President .
Are they both true ?
We get into all of it and what to expect today .
California Senator Dianne Feinstein is walking back comments she made that contradict the Democratic Party ’ s official position on impeachment , for the second time in a month .
Is the 86-year-old losing touch with reality ?
We discuss .
While Democrats are calling President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to act like one if she wins .
We have the details .
And Don Lemon insists he wasn ’ t mocking Trump supporters as morons as he laughed while his guests mocked Trump supporters as morons .
We have the audio of his non-apology lie .
Today ’ s podcast is sponsored by Life Change Tea , check out their website to gain more energy and improve your life !
And don ’ t forget to enter promo code “ Derek ” at check out to receive a special discount on your @ @

On today’s show we discuss what comes next in the impeachment trial and get into the prospects of this whole disaster coming to an end by Friday. Also, Senator Dianne Feinstein is forced to “correct” something she’s said for a second time in a month, Elizabeth Warren promises to act like a Third World dictator, and Don Lemon denies he did something everyone saw him do.
Listen to the show:
Opening statements are done in the Senate impeachment trial, now comes the questions from Senators. Will they matter? Will there be enough votes to end this charade when the questions are done? One story has Republicans not having enough votes to do that, another story has some Democrats considering voting to acquit the President. Are they both true? We get into all of it and what to expect today.
California Senator Dianne Feinstein is walking back comments she made that contradict the Democratic Party’s official position on impeachment, for the second time in a month. Is the 86-year-old losing touch with reality? We discuss.
While Democrats are calling President Trump a dictator, Elizabeth Warren is pledging to act like one if she wins. We have the details. And Don Lemon insists he wasn’t mocking Trump supporters as morons as he laughed while his guests mocked Trump supporters as morons. We have the audio of his non-apology lie.
Today’s podcast is sponsored by Life Change Tea, check out their website to gain more energy and improve your life! And don’t forget to enter promo code “Derek” at check out to receive a special discount on your order.


thedailycaller--2020-01-29--Mark Steyn: Don Lemon Believes ‘Tens Of Millions’ Of Trump Supporters ‘Are Stupid’

Conservative author Mark Steyn said Tuesday on Fox News ’ “ Tucker Carson Tonight ” that Don Lemon and others on CNN believe “ tens of millions of Americans are stupid.
” Steyn and Tucker Carlson were commenting on a CNN segment from Saturday in which host Don Lemon and his panel lampooned supporters of President Donald Trump as ignorant rubes with little knowledge of geography and who speak with exaggerated Southern accents .
( RELATED : CNN ’ s Don Lemon : ‘ The Biggest Terror Threat In This Country Is White Men ’ ) Carlson noted that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are a lot of lessons you can take from that tape which is all over the internet and should play it again and again because … the things they are accusing you of , not generally but specifically , are exactly the things they are guilty of themselves .
They are projecting , they are externalizing their own internal problems and neuroses and laying them at your feet .
You ’ re a racist , say people who attack you for your skin color .
You ’ re an idiot , says Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beard.
” Carson recalled that it was Lemon who once wondered “ whether a missing airliner might have flown into a black hole … Don Lemon , the man who sincerely believes that the fruit-based cold desert is pronounced ‘ sor-bet ’ is calling you stupid.
” Steyn quipped , “ That ’ s CNN flying the Democrats into the black hole , ” adding that “ This is how you get more Trump .
They might as well re-label the panel the Trump re-election committee .
That ’ s what they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishment condescension summed up completely .
Sixty-three million people are credulous rubes according to these guys.
” ( RELATED : Mark Steyn Ridicules ‘ Totalitarian ’ Green New Deal With Tucker Carlson ) Steyn suggested that Lemon and his panel were being hypocritical when they suggested Trump voters will believe anything .
“ By the way , the black hole theory , things like that come by every day on CNN and MSNBC .
Just the other day , [ MSNBC host ] Lawrence O ’ Donnell suggested that Trump killed General [ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ former National Security Advisor ] John Bolton so Bolton would agree not to testify in the Senate impeachment … If Bolton doesn ’ t go for that , Trump might have to drone Justin Trudeau.
” “ It ’ s not just a public policy difference anymore .
It ’ s just that they ’ re stupid .
It used to be just that Republican presidents were stupid , ” Steyn added .
“ Now , they ’ re saying that tens of millions of Americans are stupid , and in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to help the people who advance that theory.
” The president responded to the video on Tuesday , calling Lemon “ the dumbest man on television ” in a tweet , adding that the CNN host as “ terrible ratings.
” Lemon has compared Trump to Adolf Hitler .

Conservative author Mark Steyn said Tuesday on Fox News’ “Tucker Carson Tonight” that Don Lemon and others on CNN believe “tens of millions of Americans are stupid.”
Steyn and Tucker Carlson were commenting on a CNN segment from Saturday in which host Don Lemon and his panel lampooned supporters of President Donald Trump as ignorant rubes with little knowledge of geography and who speak with exaggerated Southern accents. (RELATED: CNN’s Don Lemon: ‘The Biggest Terror Threat In This Country Is White Men’)
Carlson noted that the video speaks for itself. “There are a lot of lessons you can take from that tape which is all over the internet and should play it again and again because … the things they are accusing you of, not generally but specifically, are exactly the things they are guilty of themselves. They are projecting, they are externalizing their own internal problems and neuroses and laying them at your feet. You’re a racist, say people who attack you for your skin color. You’re an idiot, says Don Lemon and that other guy with the beard.”
Carson recalled that it was Lemon who once wondered “whether a missing airliner might have flown into a black hole … Don Lemon, the man who sincerely believes that the fruit-based cold desert is pronounced ‘sor-bet’ is calling you stupid.”
Steyn quipped, “That’s CNN flying the Democrats into the black hole,” adding that “This is how you get more Trump. They might as well re-label the panel the Trump re-election committee. That’s what they are doing. This is actually the bipartisan establishment condescension summed up completely. Sixty-three million people are credulous rubes according to these guys.”(RELATED: Mark Steyn Ridicules ‘Totalitarian’ Green New Deal With Tucker Carlson)
Steyn suggested that Lemon and his panel were being hypocritical when they suggested Trump voters will believe anything. “By the way, the black hole theory, things like that come by every day on CNN and MSNBC. Just the other day, [MSNBC host] Lawrence O’Donnell suggested that Trump killed General [Qasem] Soleimani as a favor to [former National Security Advisor] John Bolton so Bolton would agree not to testify in the Senate impeachment … If Bolton doesn’t go for that, Trump might have to drone Justin Trudeau.”
“It’s not just a public policy difference anymore. It’s just that they’re stupid. It used to be just that Republican presidents were stupid,” Steyn added. “Now, they’re saying that tens of millions of Americans are stupid, and in a democratic age that’s actually not going to help the people who advance that theory.”
The president responded to the video on Tuesday, calling Lemon “the dumbest man on television” in a tweet, adding that the CNN host as “terrible ratings.” Lemon has compared Trump to Adolf Hitler.


thedailycaller--2020-01-29--Sen. Blumenthal To Chris Cuomo: Republicans ‘Don’t Want’ Bidens As Witnesses

Democratic Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal told CNN host Chris Cuomo that Republican senators “ don ’ t want ” former Vice President Joe Biden or his son , Hunter , as witnesses in the Senate impeachment trial .
Appearing on Tuesday night ’ s edition of “ Cuomo Prime Time ” to make his case for calling former National Security Adviser John Bolton as a witness , Blumenthal was asked whether or not he would accept a trade .
“ Let ’ s say you get the witnesses , ” Cuomo said .
“ And they say , ‘ fine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want Joe Biden . '
” “ Well , Joe Biden or Hunter Biden , who is more likely to be requested , they ’ re saying is part of a quid pro quo , ” Blumenthal responded .
“ I don ’ t think that we can do a quid pro quo trade on witnesses in an impeachment trial involving an alleged corrupt quid pro quo , more to the point.
” “ But you don ’ t have the votes , senator , ” said Cuomo .
( RELATED : ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Tucker Carlson Rips John Bolton After Times Manuscript Report ) “ Well , they can call Hunter Biden or Joe Biden , ” said the Connecticut senator .
“ At any point , they have the majority.
” “ You know the reason that they haven ’ t called them .
They don ’ t want them as witnesses , ” Blumenthal added .
Before calling again for Bolton to testify , Blumenthal insisted that the reason Republicans haven ’ t called the Bidens is because “ they don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t want necessarily to turn it into a circus , ” yet they want to “ continue the smear .
”

Democratic Connecticut Sen. Richard Blumenthal told CNN host Chris Cuomo that Republican senators “don’t want” former Vice President Joe Biden or his son, Hunter, as witnesses in the Senate impeachment trial.
Appearing on Tuesday night’s edition of “Cuomo Prime Time” to make his case for calling former National Security Adviser John Bolton as a witness, Blumenthal was asked whether or not he would accept a trade.
“Let’s say you get the witnesses,” Cuomo said. “And they say, ‘fine, you can have Bolton, we want Joe Biden.'”
“Well, Joe Biden or Hunter Biden, who is more likely to be requested, they’re saying is part of a quid pro quo,” Blumenthal responded. “I don’t think that we can do a quid pro quo trade on witnesses in an impeachment trial involving an alleged corrupt quid pro quo, more to the point.”
“But you don’t have the votes, senator,” said Cuomo. (RELATED: ‘Because I’m A Snake’: Tucker Carlson Rips John Bolton After Times Manuscript Report)
“Well, they can call Hunter Biden or Joe Biden,” said the Connecticut senator. “At any point, they have the majority.”
“You know the reason that they haven’t called them. They don’t want them as witnesses,” Blumenthal added.
Before calling again for Bolton to testify, Blumenthal insisted that the reason Republicans haven’t called the Bidens is because “they don’t want to prolong the trial and they don’t want necessarily to turn it into a circus,” yet they want to “continue the smear.”


thedailycaller--2020-01-29--Impeachment’s Biggest Absurdity: Our Toxic Fixation On Useless And Corrupting Ukraine Aid

The campaign to convict and remove President Donald Trump in the Senate hinges on delays in disbursing U.S. aid to Ukraine .
Ukraine was supposedly on the verge of great progress until Trump pulled the rug out from under the heroic salvation effort by U.S. government bureaucrats .
Unfortunately , Congress has devoted a hundred times more attention to the timing of aid to Ukraine than to its effectiveness .
And most of the media coverage has ignored the biggest absurdity of the impeachment fight .
The temporary postponement of the Ukrainian aid was practically irrelevant considering that U.S. assistance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promised to eradicate – especially kleptocracy , or government by thieves .
A 2002 American Economic Review analysis concluded that “ increases in [ foreign ] aid are associated with contemporaneous increases in corruption ” and that “ corruption is positively correlated with aid received from the United States.
” Then-President George W. Bush promised to reform foreign aid that year , declaring , “ I think it makes no sense to give aid money to countries that are corrupt.
” Regardless , the Bush administration continued delivering billions of dollars in handouts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most corrupt regimes .
( RELATED : Sending Military Aid To Ukraine In The First Place Was A Mistake , And Congress Should Discontinue It ) Then-President Barack Obama , recognizing the failure of past U.S. aid efforts , proclaimed at the United Nations in 2010 that the U.S. government is “ leading a global effort to combat corruption.
” The following year , congressional Republicans sought to restrict foreign aid to fraud-ridden foreign regimes .
Then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wailed that restricting handouts to nations that fail anti-corruption tests “ has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of needy aid recipients.
” The Obama administration continued pouring tens of billions of U.S. tax dollars into sinkholes such as Afghanistan , which even its president , Ashraf Ghani , admitted in 2016 was “ one of the most corrupt countries on earth.
” John Sopko , the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction ( SIGAR ) , declared that “ U.S .
policies and practices unintentionally aided and abetted corruption ” in Afghanistan .
Since the end of the Soviet Union , the U.S. has provided more than $ 6 billion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House impeachment hearings , a key anti-Trump witness was acting U.S. ambassador to the Ukraine , William B. Taylor Jr .
The Washington Post hailed Taylor as someone who “ spent much of the 1990s telling Ukrainian politicians that nothing was more critical to their long-term prosperity than rooting out corruption and bolstering the rule of law , in his role as the head of U.S. development assistance for post-Soviet countries.
” A New York Times editorial lauded Taylor and State Department deputy assistant secretary George Kent as witnesses who “ came across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conspirators , but as men who have devoted their lives to serving their country.
” After their testimony spurred criticism , a Washington Post headline captured the capital city ’ s reaction : “ The diplomatic corps has been wounded .
The State Department needs to heal.
” But not nearly as much as the foreigners supposedly rescued by U.S. bureaucrats .
The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 31 that the International Monetary Fund , which has provided more than $ 20 billion in loans to Ukraine , “ remains skeptical after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Ukraine govt ] .
Kiev hasn ’ t successfully completed any of a series of IMF bailout packages over the past two decades , with systemic corruption at the heart of much of that failure.
” The IMF concluded that Ukraine continued to be vexed by “ shortcomings in the legal framework , pervasive corruption , and large parts of the economy dominated by inefficient state-owned enterprises or by oligarchs.
” That last item is damning for the U.S. benevolent pretensions .
If a former Soviet republic can not even terminate its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the U.S. government bankrolling them ?
( RELATED : Did Withholding Military Aid To Ukraine Really Hurt Their Ability To Fight Russia ?
Evidence Suggests Not ) Transparency International , which publishes an annual Corruption Perceptions Index , shows that corruption surged in Ukraine in the late 1990s ( after the U.S. decided to rescue them ) and remains at abysmal levels .
Ukraine is now ranked as the 120th most corrupt nation in the world — a lower ranking than received by Egypt and Pakistan , two other major U.S. aid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the best gauge of Ukrainian corruption is the near-total collapse of its citizens ’ trust in government or in their own future .
Since 1991 , the nation has lost almost 20 % of its population as citizens flee abroad like passengers leaping off a sinking ship .
And yet , the House impeachment hearings and much of the media gushed over career U.S. government officials despite their strikeouts .
It was akin to a congressional committee resurrecting Col. George S. Custer in 1877 and fawning as he offered personal insights in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while carefully avoiding awkward questions about the previous year at the Little Big Horn ) .
Foreign aid is virtue signaling with other people ’ s money .
As long the aid spawns press releases and photo opportunities for presidents and members of Congress and campaign donations from corporate and other beneficiaries , little else matters .
Congress almost never conducts thorough investigations into the failure of aid programs despite their legendary pratfalls .
The Agency for International Development ludicrously evaluated its programs in Afghanistan based on their “ burn rate ” – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible , almost regardless of the results .
SIGAR ’ s John Sopko “ found a USAID lessons-learned report from 1980s on Afghan reconstruction but nobody at AID had read it.
” ( RELATED : Fiona Hill Wrote 2015 Op-Ed Opposing U.S. Aid To Ukraine ) After driving around the world , investment guru Jim Rogers declared : “ Most foreign aid winds up with outside consultants , the local military , corrupt bureaucrats , the new NGO [ nongovernmental organizations ] administrators , and Mercedes dealers.
” After the Obama administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Hunter Biden jumped on the gravy train – as did legions of well-connected Washingtonians and other hustlers around the nation .
Similar largesse assures that there will never be a shortage of overpaid individuals and hired think tanks ready to write op-eds or letters to the editor of the Washington Post whooping up the moral greatness of foreign aid or some such hokum .
When it comes to the failure of U.S. aid to Ukraine , almost all of Trump ’ s congressional critics are like the “ dog that didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ story .
The real outrage is that Trump and prior presidents , with Congress cheering all the way , delivered so many U.S. tax dollars to Kiev that any reasonable person knew would be wasted .
If Washington truly wants to curtail foreign corruption , ending U.S. foreign aid is the best first step .
James Bovard is the author of “ Attention Deficit Democracy , ” “ The Bush Betrayal , ” “ Terrorism and Tyranny , ” and other books .
Bovard is on the USA Today Board of Contributors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His website is at www.jimbovard.com The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller .
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 .

The campaign to convict and remove President Donald Trump in the Senate hinges on delays in disbursing U.S. aid to Ukraine. Ukraine was supposedly on the verge of great progress until Trump pulled the rug out from under the heroic salvation effort by U.S. government bureaucrats. Unfortunately, Congress has devoted a hundred times more attention to the timing of aid to Ukraine than to its effectiveness. And most of the media coverage has ignored the biggest absurdity of the impeachment fight.
The temporary postponement of the Ukrainian aid was practically irrelevant considering that U.S. assistance efforts have long fueled the poxes they promised to eradicate – especially kleptocracy, or government by thieves. A 2002 American Economic Review analysis concluded that “increases in [foreign] aid are associated with contemporaneous increases in corruption” and that “corruption is positively correlated with aid received from the United States.”
Then-President George W. Bush promised to reform foreign aid that year, declaring, “I think it makes no sense to give aid money to countries that are corrupt.” Regardless, the Bush administration continued delivering billions of dollars in handouts to many of the world’s most corrupt regimes. (RELATED: Sending Military Aid To Ukraine In The First Place Was A Mistake, And Congress Should Discontinue It)
Then-President Barack Obama, recognizing the failure of past U.S. aid efforts, proclaimed at the United Nations in 2010 that the U.S. government is “leading a global effort to combat corruption.” The following year, congressional Republicans sought to restrict foreign aid to fraud-ridden foreign regimes. Then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wailed that restricting handouts to nations that fail anti-corruption tests “has the potential to affect a staggering number of needy aid recipients.”
The Obama administration continued pouring tens of billions of U.S. tax dollars into sinkholes such as Afghanistan, which even its president, Ashraf Ghani, admitted in 2016 was “one of the most corrupt countries on earth.” John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghan Reconstruction (SIGAR), declared that “U.S. policies and practices unintentionally aided and abetted corruption” in Afghanistan.
Since the end of the Soviet Union, the U.S. has provided more than $6 billion in aid to Ukraine. At the House impeachment hearings, a key anti-Trump witness was acting U.S. ambassador to the Ukraine, William B. Taylor Jr. The Washington Post hailed Taylor as someone who “spent much of the 1990s telling Ukrainian politicians that nothing was more critical to their long-term prosperity than rooting out corruption and bolstering the rule of law, in his role as the head of U.S. development assistance for post-Soviet countries.” A New York Times editorial lauded Taylor and State Department deputy assistant secretary George Kent as witnesses who “came across not as angry Democrats or Deep State conspirators, but as men who have devoted their lives to serving their country.”
After their testimony spurred criticism, a Washington Post headline captured the capital city’s reaction: “The diplomatic corps has been wounded. The State Department needs to heal.” But not nearly as much as the foreigners supposedly rescued by U.S. bureaucrats.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Oct. 31 that the International Monetary Fund, which has provided more than $20 billion in loans to Ukraine, “remains skeptical after a history of broken promises [from the Ukraine govt]. Kiev hasn’t successfully completed any of a series of IMF bailout packages over the past two decades, with systemic corruption at the heart of much of that failure.”
The IMF concluded that Ukraine continued to be vexed by “shortcomings in the legal framework, pervasive corruption, and large parts of the economy dominated by inefficient state-owned enterprises or by oligarchs.” That last item is damning for the U.S. benevolent pretensions. If a former Soviet republic cannot even terminate its government-owned boondoggles, then why in hell was the U.S. government bankrolling them? (RELATED: Did Withholding Military Aid To Ukraine Really Hurt Their Ability To Fight Russia? Evidence Suggests Not)
Transparency International, which publishes an annual Corruption Perceptions Index, shows that corruption surged in Ukraine in the late 1990s (after the U.S. decided to rescue them) and remains at abysmal levels. Ukraine is now ranked as the 120th most corrupt nation in the world — a lower ranking than received by Egypt and Pakistan, two other major U.S. aid recipients also notorious for corruption.
Actually, the best gauge of Ukrainian corruption is the near-total collapse of its citizens’ trust in government or in their own future. Since 1991, the nation has lost almost 20% of its population as citizens flee abroad like passengers leaping off a sinking ship.
And yet, the House impeachment hearings and much of the media gushed over career U.S. government officials despite their strikeouts. It was akin to a congressional committee resurrecting Col. George S. Custer in 1877 and fawning as he offered personal insights in dealing with uprisings by Sioux Indians (while carefully avoiding awkward questions about the previous year at the Little Big Horn).
Foreign aid is virtue signaling with other people’s money. As long the aid spawns press releases and photo opportunities for presidents and members of Congress and campaign donations from corporate and other beneficiaries, little else matters. Congress almost never conducts thorough investigations into the failure of aid programs despite their legendary pratfalls. The Agency for International Development ludicrously evaluated its programs in Afghanistan based on their “burn rate” – whether they were spending money as quickly as possible, almost regardless of the results. SIGAR’s John Sopko “found a USAID lessons-learned report from 1980s on Afghan reconstruction but nobody at AID had read it.” (RELATED: Fiona Hill Wrote 2015 Op-Ed Opposing U.S. Aid To Ukraine)
After driving around the world, investment guru Jim Rogers declared: “Most foreign aid winds up with outside consultants, the local military, corrupt bureaucrats, the new NGO [nongovernmental organizations] administrators, and Mercedes dealers.” After the Obama administration promised massive aid to Ukraine in 2014, Hunter Biden jumped on the gravy train – as did legions of well-connected Washingtonians and other hustlers around the nation. Similar largesse assures that there will never be a shortage of overpaid individuals and hired think tanks ready to write op-eds or letters to the editor of the Washington Post whooping up the moral greatness of foreign aid or some such hokum.
When it comes to the failure of U.S. aid to Ukraine, almost all of Trump’s congressional critics are like the “dog that didn’t bark” in the Sherlock Holmes story. The real outrage is that Trump and prior presidents, with Congress cheering all the way, delivered so many U.S. tax dollars to Kiev that any reasonable person knew would be wasted. If Washington truly wants to curtail foreign corruption, ending U.S. foreign aid is the best first step.
James Bovard is the author of “Attention Deficit Democracy,” “The Bush Betrayal,” “Terrorism and Tyranny,” and other books. Bovard is on the USA Today Board of Contributors. He is on Twitter at @jimbovard. His website is at www.jimbovard.com
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller.
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.