newswars--2020-07-28--When It Comes to Masks, There Is No “Settled Science”

As the “ fifteen days to slow the spread ” continues to extend indefinitely , the issue of mask mandates has become increasingly contentious .
The debate has been exacerbated by the inconsistency of the recommendations of authorities ( political , scientific , and imaginary ) .
Early in the pandemic , both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) and the World Health Organization ( WHO ) advised against the use of masks , except by those who are particularly vulnerable ( the elderly and immunocompromised ) and their caretakers .
Many of us with some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outset of the debate , not necessarily because of any epidemiological expertise .
When you understand the principle of scarcity , policies mandating that healthy teenagers vie for medical products with their more vulnerable grandparents is a formula for exacerbating the most severe outcome of any viral infection .
In fairness , many medical experts raised exactly these concerns , even if they did not enjoy the media attention of their more demagogic counterparts .
Regardless of whether or not you agree with the masks-for-all policy , it is heartening to see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ demand , making masks cheaply available in various designs , sizes , and materials , solving the problem of fear-driven people trying to steal masks from emergency rooms .
Of course , the dazzling speed of the market response obscures the fact that the adaptation to new conditions and an ostensible emergency would have been even more immediate had private businesses not been forced to wait on Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) approval to sell masks to healthcare workers .
Of course , profit-motivated entrepreneurs in market societies seek to fulfill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ based on rational science , delusional belief , or anything in between .
The refrain I ’ ve heard many times is that “ the science has proven ” the effectiveness of masks .
Of course , the claim that science has “ proven ” anything is a red flag for what F.A .
Hayek called “ Scientism ” —the “ slavish imitation of the method and language of Science.
” While scientists never “ prove ” any theory , conventionally understood , there is abundant literature on the efficacy of face masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mask mandate .
A number of the leading researchers on respiratory protection and infectious disease published editorials early in the pandemic denying the efficacy of masks-for-all policies , arguing that they may lead to more harm than good ( see also this editorial , though it is worth noting that some of the concern was that such policies would make people more comfortable with easing lockdown restrictions , a separate issue beyond the focus of this article ) .
One editorial took a different approach , actually defending universal masking despite the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that “ masks serve symbolic roles ” in helping to “ increase health care workers ’ perceived sense of safety , well-being , and trust in their hospitals.
” In other words , masks are beneficial as long as we believe they are , even if they ’ re actually pointless .
The literature on masks broadly looks at the efficacy of different types of masks and their efficacy at preventing particle penetration ( controlled studies ) and the likelihood of infectious spread ( case studies of healthcare workers ) .
Other studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ particularly with prolonged use .
Cloth masks , which have become the norm for public use , have been shown to have penetration rates as high as 97 % according to a BMJ study ( which used to stand for the British Medical Journal , but is now titled by its acronym ) .
A study of the use of cloth masks during the far more serious 1918 influenza pandemic showed no beneficial results , and another study demonstrates that cloth masks are particularly ineffective compared with medical masks .
Surgical and cotton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with discouraging results overall ( see here , here , here , here , and here ) .
As masks-for-all advocates are quick to point out , N95 respirators do show beneficial results in containing viral infections , but these are virtually unworn by the public ( and they have only recently become available to those outside of the healthcare profession ) .
However , their effectiveness appears to be dependent upon whether they are properly fitted , which suggests that even the widespread public use of N95 masks would have a marginal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another study that looked at the layperson ’ s ability to properly secure N95 respirators .
The potential harm of mask wearing is especially relevant , as the logic of many people is that wearing a mask can do no harm even if it is ineffective .
These studies are revealing as well .
A number of studies show that mask wearers actually have an increased likelihood of viral infection ( an increase that corresponds to the length of use ) .
These studies point to several potential contributing factors for these results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on masks themselves , suggesting that even if short-term masking ( such as visiting an immunocompromised patient in the hospital ) may be beneficial , prolonged use may compromise the usefulness of the mask ( see here , here , here , here , and here ) .
Other theories explaining why masks sometimes appear to produce increased rates of infection point to the compromised immune function caused by oxygen deprivation , which can also produce harmful effects , particularly for pregnant and asthmatic wearers ( see here , here , here , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The point here is not to say that masks are entirely useless in all circumstances .
The literature , rather , strongly suggests that the usefulness of masks depends on a significant number of factors—type , fit , length of use , purpose , and circumstances—which are effectively impossible to account for in public universal-masking policies .
The science , contrary to the ignorant platitudes we are bombarded with , has not proven that universal masking is effective in viral containment , and has instead provided substantial grounds for skepticism of such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noting that even when looking at the literature , presentation can be misleading .
One study demonstrating the efficacy of surgical masks on the public , in contradiction to similar studies , concludes that they can prevent viral spread .
However , the explanation of method ( a section academic readers typically skip unless they are conducting similar research ) states that , “ To mimic the real-life situation , under the observation by the study staff participants were asked to attach the surgical mask themselves , but instruction on how to wear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ participant wore the mask incorrectly ” ( emphasis added ) .
These problems may be innocent , but research motivations are not irrelevant .
While a number of studies call into question the benefits of surgical masks during procedures , a 2015 study from the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine admitted a revealing motivation behind the research .
“ In light of NHS budget constraints and cost-cutting strategy , ” the article explains , referencing Britain ’ s socialized healthcare system , “ we examined the evidence base behind the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ there is a lack of substantial evidence to support claims that facemasks protect either patient or surgeon from infectious contamination.
” In fairness to the researchers , other studies corroborate their findings , but the fact that it took a broke socialized healthcare system to open the question is not unimportant .
It not only demonstrates the relationship between motivations and research assumptions , but also reminds us of the problems of letting a central planner allocate healthcare resources in the first place ( Who would have thought surgical masks would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) .
They have also long been pointing out detrimental and counterproductive effects of mask wearing , again varying according to the particular situation , which brings up the most important question of mask mandates .
Most objections are not to the masks themselves , but to the mandate , and well-documented consequences such as oxygen deprivation should give anybody pause when considering a legal requirement of wearing masks in public .
We already see that most people ( not just Democrats ) wear masks in public regardless of mandates ( some , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them alone ) , but it is entirely irresponsible and unethical to impose such a practice on anybody .

As the “fifteen days to slow the spread” continues to extend indefinitely, the issue of mask mandates has become increasingly contentious.
The debate has been exacerbated by the inconsistency of the recommendations of authorities (political, scientific, and imaginary). Early in the pandemic, both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) advised against the use of masks, except by those who are particularly vulnerable (the elderly and immunocompromised) and their caretakers.
Many of us with some understanding of economics made such arguments at the outset of the debate, not necessarily because of any epidemiological expertise. When you understand the principle of scarcity, policies mandating that healthy teenagers vie for medical products with their more vulnerable grandparents is a formula for exacerbating the most severe outcome of any viral infection. In fairness, many medical experts raised exactly these concerns, even if they did not enjoy the media attention of their more demagogic counterparts.
Regardless of whether or not you agree with the masks-for-all policy, it is heartening to see how well entrepreneurs adapted to the spiked demand, making masks cheaply available in various designs, sizes, and materials, solving the problem of fear-driven people trying to steal masks from emergency rooms. Of course, the dazzling speed of the market response obscures the fact that the adaptation to new conditions and an ostensible emergency would have been even more immediate had private businesses not been forced to wait on Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to sell masks to healthcare workers.
Of course, profit-motivated entrepreneurs in market societies seek to fulfill demand irrespective of whether said demand is based on rational science, delusional belief, or anything in between. The refrain I’ve heard many times is that “the science has proven” the effectiveness of masks. Of course, the claim that science has “proven” anything is a red flag for what F.A. Hayek called “Scientism”—the “slavish imitation of the method and language of Science.”
While scientists never “prove” any theory, conventionally understood, there is abundant literature on the efficacy of face masks, and it certainly supports skepticism of the mask mandate. A number of the leading researchers on respiratory protection and infectious disease published editorials early in the pandemic denying the efficacy of masks-for-all policies, arguing that they may lead to more harm than good (see also this editorial, though it is worth noting that some of the concern was that such policies would make people more comfortable with easing lockdown restrictions, a separate issue beyond the focus of this article). One editorial took a different approach, actually defending universal masking despite the evident ineffectiveness of the policy, arguing that “masks serve symbolic roles” in helping to “increase health care workers’ perceived sense of safety, well-being, and trust in their hospitals.” In other words, masks are beneficial as long as we believe they are, even if they’re actually pointless.
The literature on masks broadly looks at the efficacy of different types of masks and their efficacy at preventing particle penetration (controlled studies) and the likelihood of infectious spread (case studies of healthcare workers). Other studies question the detrimental effects of masks, particularly with prolonged use. Cloth masks, which have become the norm for public use, have been shown to have penetration rates as high as 97% according to a BMJ study (which used to stand for the British Medical Journal, but is now titled by its acronym). A study of the use of cloth masks during the far more serious 1918 influenza pandemic showed no beneficial results, and another study demonstrates that cloth masks are particularly ineffective compared with medical masks. Surgical and cotton medical masks fared better, but still with discouraging results overall (see here, here, here, here, and here).
As masks-for-all advocates are quick to point out, N95 respirators do show beneficial results in containing viral infections, but these are virtually unworn by the public (and they have only recently become available to those outside of the healthcare profession). However, their effectiveness appears to be dependent upon whether they are properly fitted, which suggests that even the widespread public use of N95 masks would have a marginal to nonexistent effect, as evident from another study that looked at the layperson’s ability to properly secure N95 respirators.
The potential harm of mask wearing is especially relevant, as the logic of many people is that wearing a mask can do no harm even if it is ineffective. These studies are revealing as well. A number of studies show that mask wearers actually have an increased likelihood of viral infection (an increase that corresponds to the length of use). These studies point to several potential contributing factors for these results. Several studies measured the bacteria found on masks themselves, suggesting that even if short-term masking (such as visiting an immunocompromised patient in the hospital) may be beneficial, prolonged use may compromise the usefulness of the mask (see here, here, here, here, and here). Other theories explaining why masks sometimes appear to produce increased rates of infection point to the compromised immune function caused by oxygen deprivation, which can also produce harmful effects, particularly for pregnant and asthmatic wearers (see here, here, here, here, here, and here).
The point here is not to say that masks are entirely useless in all circumstances. The literature, rather, strongly suggests that the usefulness of masks depends on a significant number of factors—type, fit, length of use, purpose, and circumstances—which are effectively impossible to account for in public universal-masking policies. The science, contrary to the ignorant platitudes we are bombarded with, has not proven that universal masking is effective in viral containment, and has instead provided substantial grounds for skepticism of such a policy.
It is also worth noting that even when looking at the literature, presentation can be misleading. One study demonstrating the efficacy of surgical masks on the public, in contradiction to similar studies, concludes that they can prevent viral spread. However, the explanation of method (a section academic readers typically skip unless they are conducting similar research) states that, “To mimic the real-life situation, under the observation by the study staff participants were asked to attach the surgical mask themselves, but instruction on how to wear the mask properly was given when the participant wore the mask incorrectly” (emphasis added).
These problems may be innocent, but research motivations are not irrelevant. While a number of studies call into question the benefits of surgical masks during procedures, a 2015 study from the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine admitted a revealing motivation behind the research. “In light of NHS budget constraints and cost-cutting strategy,” the article explains, referencing Britain’s socialized healthcare system, “we examined the evidence base behind the use of surgical facemasks,” concluding that “there is a lack of substantial evidence to support claims that facemasks protect either patient or surgeon from infectious contamination.”
In fairness to the researchers, other studies corroborate their findings, but the fact that it took a broke socialized healthcare system to open the question is not unimportant. It not only demonstrates the relationship between motivations and research assumptions, but also reminds us of the problems of letting a central planner allocate healthcare resources in the first place (Who would have thought surgical masks would be included in debates over healthcare budgeting?).
They have also long been pointing out detrimental and counterproductive effects of mask wearing, again varying according to the particular situation, which brings up the most important question of mask mandates. Most objections are not to the masks themselves, but to the mandate, and well-documented consequences such as oxygen deprivation should give anybody pause when considering a legal requirement of wearing masks in public. We already see that most people (not just Democrats) wear masks in public regardless of mandates (some, undoubtedly, only so mask warriors leave them alone), but it is entirely irresponsible and unethical to impose such a practice on anybody.


newswars--2020-07-28--Railroad Police End Cooperation With ICE

Union Pacific Railroad has terminated its relationship with Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) in response to demands from open borders activists and the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU ) .
The ACLU announced the Union Pacific Police Department ( UPPD ) has ended its “ shadowy collaboration ” with ICE , adding that the federal agency settled a lawsuit filed on behalf of a “ coalition of civil liberties and immigrant rights groups.
” The groups had previously sent a letter calling for changes to UPPD enforcement tactics , specifically as they pertain to immigration-related issues , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rooted in racial profiling in violation of constitutional rights ” for decades .
New UPPD guidelines were announced in March .
“ Personnel who encounter a non-employee on Union Pacific property shall not ( a ) use suspected immigration status as a factor in determining whether to confront , detain , or arrest the person ; ( b ) ask the person to disclose his or her immigration status ; ( c ) order the person to produce immigration documents ; or ( d ) initiate contact with a federal immigration agency to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a police operations policy update on March 12 .
Additionally , UPPD no longer honors ICE detainers not signed by a federal judge .
“ UP ’ s collaboration with ICE threatened immigrant families and was inconsistent with the California Values Act , ” said Jessica Bansal , a senior ACLU staff attorney .
“ We are pleased the new policy cuts ties with ICE and will be monitoring closely to ensure the troubling practices revealed by the FOIA litigation do not return.
” Rep. Matt Gaetz has filed a criminal complaint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Congress under oath when he claimed there was no political bias at the social media network .

Union Pacific Railroad has terminated its relationship with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in response to demands from open borders activists and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
The ACLU announced the Union Pacific Police Department (UPPD) has ended its “shadowy collaboration” with ICE, adding that the federal agency settled a lawsuit filed on behalf of a “coalition of civil liberties and immigrant rights groups.”
#BREAKING: Union Pacific Railroad Police has agreed to end their collaboration with ICE. Union Pacific‘s new policy makes clear that railroad police are not to use immigration status as a factor in stopping, detaining or arresting people. https://t.co/y7cDQtnqtw — ACLU SoCal (@ACLU_SoCal) July 27, 2020
The groups had previously sent a letter calling for changes to UPPD enforcement tactics, specifically as they pertain to immigration-related issues, claiming officers had engaged in actions “rooted in racial profiling in violation of constitutional rights” for decades.
New UPPD guidelines were announced in March.
“Personnel who encounter a non-employee on Union Pacific property shall not (a) use suspected immigration status as a factor in determining whether to confront, detain, or arrest the person; (b) ask the person to disclose his or her immigration status; (c) order the person to produce immigration documents; or (d) initiate contact with a federal immigration agency to report the person,” UPPD wrote in a police operations policy update on March 12.
Additionally, UPPD no longer honors ICE detainers not signed by a federal judge.
“UP’s collaboration with ICE threatened immigrant families and was inconsistent with the California Values Act,” said Jessica Bansal, a senior ACLU staff attorney.
“We are pleased the new policy cuts ties with ICE and will be monitoring closely to ensure the troubling practices revealed by the FOIA litigation do not return.”
Union Pacific Railroad operates 32,000 route miles in 23 states.
Rep. Matt Gaetz has filed a criminal complaint against Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for lying to Congress under oath when he claimed there was no political bias at the social media network.
Dan Lyman: Follow @CitizenAnalyst


newswars--2020-07-28--There Are No Winners in the US-China “Tech War”

After unleashing a disruptive trade conflict with China , the Trump administration has also escalated the lingering “ cold tech war ” between the two rival powers .
Over the last two years , the US has passed new rules limiting China ’ s investments in the US , restricting bilateral information and communications technology ( ICT ) trade and controlling exports of sensitive and emerging technology to China .
The US has also restricted research access and university exchanges with China and is aggressively lobbying international allies to lock the Chinese ICT leader Huawei out of US markets , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The radicalization of the US stance against China invites two questions : Has China become such a real threat to the West ’ s technological superiority ?
And who stands to win or lose from the heating up of the US-China “ tech war ” ?
Shortly after the Soviet Union launched its Sputnik satellite in 1957 and seemed to lead the US in the race to be first in space , Murray Rothbard questioned the alleged superiority of Soviet centrally planned science .
He claimed that science and technology advance best in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allocate resources efficiently in any activity , including research .
He also emphasized that the outcome of centrally planned science in the Soviet Union was to replace scientific goals and criteria with political agendas , further reducing innovation efficiency .
Rothbard concludes by advocating for a more free market stance in science and technology in the US rather than emulating the Soviet Union ’ s gargantuan state-supported scientific effort .
Three decades later , the Soviet Union collapsed and history proved Rothbard right .
China is the West ’ s new technological challenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the former Soviet Union as it began the transition to a partial market economy four decades ago .
The communist leadership still keeps a tight grip on the economy via state-owned enterprises ( SOEs ) , which play a key role in strategic sectors , four major public banks directing credit in the economy ; exclusive land ownership by the state ; and massive regulatory discretion of both central and powerful local governments .
Yet , unlike in the Soviet Union , a buoyant private sector has emerged that accounts for about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , contributes nearly two-thirds of the country ’ s growth , and accounts for about nine-tenths of exports and new jobs .
In addition , the stock of foreign direct investment ( skyrocketing from $ 186 billion in 1999 to $ 1.77 trillion in 2019 [ United Nations Conference on Trade and Development ( UNCTAD ) , 2020 ] ) has been instrumental in moving China up the global value chains .
Since China joined the World Trade Organization ( WTO ) in 2001 , its share of global exports has risen about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has surged from below 10 percent in 2004 to above 28 percent in 2018 ( graph 1 ) .
More important , China ’ s share of higher-value exports , such as machinery and electrical equipment , accounts for almost one-third of total global trade today ( graph 2 ) .
And yet the Chinese leadership was not satisfied with the rapid pace of the market-driven innovation progress and pushed for more government intervention to accelerate it .
In 2015 it launched the “ Made in China 2025 ” strategy , aiming at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economies in innovative sectors such as robotics , aerospace , and energy-saving vehicles .
The plan builds on earlier government policies to spur “ indigenous innovation ” and relies on heavy government support for public and private investments in research and innovation and targets for local manufacturing content .
It is not surprising that the large government funding brought R & D ( research and development ) spending above 2.2 percent of GDP in 2018 , which is still less than in the US .
China climbed in international innovation rankings , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 ) , and has also become the world leader for the number of patent applications filed , academic papers , and STEM graduates .
However , most of China ’ s success indicators capture primarily the input effort , while the efficiency and quality of China ’ s innovation output remain questionable .
China may have gone up the value chain relatively quickly , but , in many cases , the high-tech products it exports are only assembled in China by foreign multinationals like Apple , Intel , Foxconn , Cisco , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Huawei , Alibaba , Baidu , and Tencent are not technologically independent either .
They must rely on key international inputs , such as higher performance chips .
In addition , Chinese SOEs remain notoriously inefficient , heavily indebted , and a drag on the economy ’ s overall productivity .
The World Economic Forum reports that SOEs hold about 40 percent of company assets in China but generate only about 20 percent of profits and are twice more indebted relative to their equity compared to private companies .
It is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push for technological autonomy and world supremacy has fallen short of expectations .
First , “ Made in China 2025 ” exaggerates the importance of innovation in moving up the value chain .
According to Rothbard , production may be limited by technological knowledge , but it is even more limited by capital accumulation .
The proof is the large pile of scientific ideas that remain idle because there are not enough factors of production to help them materialize .
Second , subsidizing and championing key industries and companies distorts the market allocation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accumulation , and wastes valuable resources .
Advanced economies are based on highly complex and interlinked production processes in which the whole structure of production must be capital intensive , not just a few chosen activities .
Third , China ’ s autarchic industrial policy has reduced imports of equipment and technology , which has weakened the overall capital intensity of the economy , undermining its own efforts .
Ultimately , China ’ s geostrategic ambitions and uncompromising political stance backfired and the country is facing an international boycott on sensitive technologies today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reduced its tech gap with the West it nevertheless remains far behind .
Despite the high number of Chinese patent applications , only a small portion are filed abroad due to higher cost , suggesting that the applicants themselves doubt the need to protect their rights in other countries ( graph 4 ) .
With only 2.4 researchers per thousand employed , China has about four times fewer researchers than the US , and of these , 20 percent work for the government compared to only 5 percent in the US ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ OECD ] 2018 ) .
As a result , China remains a major importer of intellectual property .
In 2018 , China paid about $ 36 billion in royalties and licensing fees , recording a net deficit of around $ 30 billion compared to the US , which had a surplus of $ 73 billion .
Only about 16 percent of the semiconductors used in China—a key component of electronic products—are produced domestically .
Moreover , only half of those are manufactured by Chinese firms , which technologically are at least a decade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US , and Korea .
Commercial aircraft is another sector where China has failed to deliver , given both the technical complexity of engines and avionics and the fact that an SOE was put in charge of leading the production breakthrough .
At the same time , the heavily subsidized and regulated electric car sector , which is by far the world ’ s largest , with 1.2 million cars produced by over four hundred manufacturers in 2019 , suffers from overcapacity ( Kennedy 2020 ) .
Finally , China ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still only about 15 percent of the US level in 2019 , reflecting much lower capital endowment and technological knowledge .
If China is much less of a technological threat than it seems , then what explains the drastic reaction from the US government ?
The US anti-China campaign is not guided by market principles , but by fighting mercantilism with mercantilism and reluctance to recognize the reality of a multipolar world .
Unfortunately , this is not to the benefit of innovative US businesses .
The latter make dozens of billions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every year and government restrictions would reduce their revenues and incentives to innovate .
The US Semiconductor Industry Association has already spoken against the possibility of losing access to manufacturing in China by arguing that this would reduce the US international competitive edge at the high-value end of the supply chain ( Hammer 2020 ) .
A survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing showed that for hundreds of US companies in China the issues of forced technology transfers and weak protection of intellectual property—alleged reasons for the “ tech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation has notably improved .
In general , very few US companies plan to relocate out of China .
As a final point , Danni Rodrik noted that economists complaining about China ’ s damaging industrial policy are not very consistent when they either claim that market intervention does not usually work or argue in favor of emulating China ’ s approach .
After all , trade and tech protectionism are convenient instruments to mask the bad effects of labor regulations and inefficient welfare states in the Western economies .
“ Experience teaches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and productive than isolated action of self-sufficient individuals.
” This is how Mises introduces the concept of division of labor in his magnum opus , Human Action .
Labor division and specialization ( both within country borders and internationally ) are more beneficial than autarchic production for all individuals .
This is not limited to the production of goods , but applies also to the production of scientific ideas and innovation .
Government interference with international specialization in innovation and trade can only reduce capital accumulation , productivity and living standards in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US-China “ tech war ” can have no winners , but many losers .

After unleashing a disruptive trade conflict with China, the Trump administration has also escalated the lingering “cold tech war” between the two rival powers.
Over the last two years, the US has passed new rules limiting China’s investments in the US, restricting bilateral information and communications technology (ICT) trade and controlling exports of sensitive and emerging technology to China. The US has also restricted research access and university exchanges with China and is aggressively lobbying international allies to lock the Chinese ICT leader Huawei out of US markets, suppliers, and global 5G networks. The radicalization of the US stance against China invites two questions: Has China become such a real threat to the West’s technological superiority? And who stands to win or lose from the heating up of the US-China “tech war”?
Shortly after the Soviet Union launched its Sputnik satellite in 1957 and seemed to lead the US in the race to be first in space, Murray Rothbard questioned the alleged superiority of Soviet centrally planned science. He claimed that science and technology advance best in a free market because governments cannot allocate resources efficiently in any activity, including research. He also emphasized that the outcome of centrally planned science in the Soviet Union was to replace scientific goals and criteria with political agendas, further reducing innovation efficiency. Rothbard concludes by advocating for a more free market stance in science and technology in the US rather than emulating the Soviet Union’s gargantuan state-supported scientific effort. Three decades later, the Soviet Union collapsed and history proved Rothbard right.
China is the West’s new technological challenger. However, China stands in contrast to the former Soviet Union as it began the transition to a partial market economy four decades ago. The communist leadership still keeps a tight grip on the economy via state-owned enterprises (SOEs), which play a key role in strategic sectors, four major public banks directing credit in the economy; exclusive land ownership by the state; and massive regulatory discretion of both central and powerful local governments. Yet, unlike in the Soviet Union, a buoyant private sector has emerged that accounts for about 60 to 80 percent of total output, contributes nearly two-thirds of the country’s growth, and accounts for about nine-tenths of exports and new jobs. In addition, the stock of foreign direct investment (skyrocketing from $186 billion in 1999 to $1.77 trillion in 2019 [United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2020]) has been instrumental in moving China up the global value chains. Since China joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, its share of global exports has risen about thre-fold and its share of global manufacturing has surged from below 10 percent in 2004 to above 28 percent in 2018 (graph 1). More important, China’s share of higher-value exports, such as machinery and electrical equipment, accounts for almost one-third of total global trade today (graph 2).
And yet the Chinese leadership was not satisfied with the rapid pace of the market-driven innovation progress and pushed for more government intervention to accelerate it. In 2015 it launched the “Made in China 2025” strategy, aiming at bringing China to the top of world economies in innovative sectors such as robotics, aerospace, and energy-saving vehicles. The plan builds on earlier government policies to spur “indigenous innovation” and relies on heavy government support for public and private investments in research and innovation and targets for local manufacturing content. It is not surprising that the large government funding brought R&D (research and development) spending above 2.2 percent of GDP in 2018, which is still less than in the US. China climbed in international innovation rankings, such as the Global Innovation Index (graph 3), and has also become the world leader for the number of patent applications filed, academic papers, and STEM graduates. However, most of China’s success indicators capture primarily the input effort, while the efficiency and quality of China’s innovation output remain questionable. China may have gone up the value chain relatively quickly, but, in many cases, the high-tech products it exports are only assembled in China by foreign multinationals like Apple, Intel, Foxconn, Cisco, and Samsung. Chinese leading ICT companies such as Huawei, Alibaba, Baidu, and Tencent are not technologically independent either. They must rely on key international inputs, such as higher performance chips. In addition, Chinese SOEs remain notoriously inefficient, heavily indebted, and a drag on the economy’s overall productivity. The World Economic Forum reports that SOEs hold about 40 percent of company assets in China but generate only about 20 percent of profits and are twice more indebted relative to their equity compared to private companies.
It is pretty clear why China’s interventionist push for technological autonomy and world supremacy has fallen short of expectations. First, “Made in China 2025” exaggerates the importance of innovation in moving up the value chain. According to Rothbard, production may be limited by technological knowledge, but it is even more limited by capital accumulation. The proof is the large pile of scientific ideas that remain idle because there are not enough factors of production to help them materialize. Second, subsidizing and championing key industries and companies distorts the market allocation of factors of production, hampers capital accumulation, and wastes valuable resources. Advanced economies are based on highly complex and interlinked production processes in which the whole structure of production must be capital intensive, not just a few chosen activities. Third, China’s autarchic industrial policy has reduced imports of equipment and technology, which has weakened the overall capital intensity of the economy, undermining its own efforts. Ultimately, China’s geostrategic ambitions and uncompromising political stance backfired and the country is facing an international boycott on sensitive technologies today.
Several arguments suggest that although China has reduced its tech gap with the West it nevertheless remains far behind. Despite the high number of Chinese patent applications, only a small portion are filed abroad due to higher cost, suggesting that the applicants themselves doubt the need to protect their rights in other countries (graph 4 ). With only 2.4 researchers per thousand employed, China has about four times fewer researchers than the US, and of these, 20 percent work for the government compared to only 5 percent in the US (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD] 2018). As a result, China remains a major importer of intellectual property. In 2018, China paid about $36 billion in royalties and licensing fees, recording a net deficit of around $30 billion compared to the US, which had a surplus of $73 billion. Only about 16 percent of the semiconductors used in China—a key component of electronic products—are produced domestically. Moreover, only half of those are manufactured by Chinese firms, which technologically are at least a decade behind their main competitors from Taiwan, the US, and Korea. Commercial aircraft is another sector where China has failed to deliver, given both the technical complexity of engines and avionics and the fact that an SOE was put in charge of leading the production breakthrough. At the same time, the heavily subsidized and regulated electric car sector, which is by far the world’s largest, with 1.2 million cars produced by over four hundred manufacturers in 2019, suffers from overcapacity (Kennedy 2020). Finally, China’s GDP per capita and associated productivity was still only about 15 percent of the US level in 2019, reflecting much lower capital endowment and technological knowledge.
If China is much less of a technological threat than it seems, then what explains the drastic reaction from the US government? The US anti-China campaign is not guided by market principles, but by fighting mercantilism with mercantilism and reluctance to recognize the reality of a multipolar world. Unfortunately, this is not to the benefit of innovative US businesses. The latter make dozens of billions of dollars by selling technology and licences abroad every year and government restrictions would reduce their revenues and incentives to innovate. The US Semiconductor Industry Association has already spoken against the possibility of losing access to manufacturing in China by arguing that this would reduce the US international competitive edge at the high-value end of the supply chain (Hammer 2020). A survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Beijing showed that for hundreds of US companies in China the issues of forced technology transfers and weak protection of intellectual property—alleged reasons for the “tech war”—are relatively negligible and the situation has notably improved. In general, very few US companies plan to relocate out of China. As a final point, Danni Rodrik noted that economists complaining about China’s damaging industrial policy are not very consistent when they either claim that market intervention does not usually work or argue in favor of emulating China’s approach. After all, trade and tech protectionism are convenient instruments to mask the bad effects of labor regulations and inefficient welfare states in the Western economies.
“Experience teaches man that cooperative action is more efficient and productive than isolated action of self-sufficient individuals.” This is how Mises introduces the concept of division of labor in his magnum opus, Human Action. Labor division and specialization (both within country borders and internationally) are more beneficial than autarchic production for all individuals. This is not limited to the production of goods, but applies also to the production of scientific ideas and innovation. Government interference with international specialization in innovation and trade can only reduce capital accumulation, productivity and living standards in the long run. That is why the US-China “tech war” can have no winners, but many losers.


newswars--2020-07-28--Expert Raises Alarm Over Imminent Eviction Wave

The eviction moratorium expired last Friday nearly four months after the US economy effectively shutdown due to the covid pandemic , and more than 12 million renters – all behind on rent payments because of the virus-induced recession – are now at imminent risk of getting booted to the curb .
This Friday , some 25 million Americans will no longer receive their weekly $ 600 federal unemployment checks , and the next round of government handouts , currently discussed by Republicans and Democrats , could see benefits slashed from $ 600 to $ 200 ( or be nothing at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress ) .
This would crush household finances across middle-class America , resulting in an even higher number of households unable to pay their rent bill in the months ahead .
That said , Trump ’ s top economic advisor Larry Kudlow , who has religiously pumped stocks with meaningless headlines any time the S & P is even barely in the red , recently said an extension for the eviction moratorium program could be seen .
But what if there isn ’ t one ?
In late July , more than 31 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ form .
The economic recovery reversed in late June , as the next crisis among households looms .
“ It ’ s like nothing we ’ ve ever seen , ” said John Pollock , coordinator of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel .
In 2016 , there were 2.3 million evictions , Pollock said .
“ There could be that many evictions in August , ” he said .
On Sunday , food bank lines reemerged as people ’ s benefits ran out .
The number of jobless Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggesting no labor market recovery this year or next .
With a fiscal cliff unfolding , benefits set to run out , and a rebound in the economy reversing , Household Pulse Data from mid-July outlines an even gloomier rent crisis unfolding .
The analysis is based on Household Pulse Data from mid-July and it found that some states will be hit harder than others .
For example , West Virginia is estimated to have the highest share of renter households facing eviction at close to 60 % .
Tennessee , Minnesota , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among the states set to be worst impacted with shares at 50 % or higher .
Elsewhere , Vermont is the state where renters will be at the lowest risk of eviction , though 22 % of them will potentially lose their homes over the course of the crisis .
– Forbes Shown [ here ] ( charted by Statista ) , here are the states where renters will be pressured the most .
The Trump administration doesn ’ t have the tools to solve the crisis – fiscal and monetary policy can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crash until after the elections .
Meanwhile chaos and disagreement on Capitol Hill means that there is still no deal on a rent moratorium extension , which means that the coming weeks could see the largest ever US rent crisis , one which would make 2008 look like child ’ s play .
The Highwire host Del BigTree meets with Valuetainment to discuss the numerous COVID-19 vaccines already in production .

The eviction moratorium expired last Friday nearly four months after the US economy effectively shutdown due to the covid pandemic, and more than 12 million renters – all behind on rent payments because of the virus-induced recession – are now at imminent risk of getting booted to the curb.
This Friday, some 25 million Americans will no longer receive their weekly $600 federal unemployment checks, and the next round of government handouts, currently discussed by Republicans and Democrats, could see benefits slashed from $600 to $200 (or be nothing at all if no deal is reached in Congress). This would crush household finances across middle-class America, resulting in an even higher number of households unable to pay their rent bill in the months ahead.
That said, Trump’s top economic advisor Larry Kudlow, who has religiously pumped stocks with meaningless headlines any time the S&P is even barely in the red, recently said an extension for the eviction moratorium program could be seen. But what if there isn’t one?
In late July, more than 31 million Americans collected unemployment benefits of some form. The economic recovery reversed in late June, as the next crisis among households looms.
“It’s like nothing we’ve ever seen,” said John Pollock, coordinator of the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel.
In 2016, there were 2.3 million evictions, Pollock said.
“There could be that many evictions in August,” he said.
On Sunday, food bank lines reemerged as people’s benefits ran out. The number of jobless Americans is staggering and downright, depressionary, suggesting no labor market recovery this year or next.
With a fiscal cliff unfolding, benefits set to run out, and a rebound in the economy reversing, Household Pulse Data from mid-July outlines an even gloomier rent crisis unfolding.
The analysis is based on Household Pulse Data from mid-July and it found that some states will be hit harder than others. For example, West Virginia is estimated to have the highest share of renter households facing eviction at close to 60%. Tennessee, Minnesota, Mississippi, Florida and Louisiana are all among the states set to be worst impacted with shares at 50% or higher. Elsewhere, Vermont is the state where renters will be at the lowest risk of eviction, though 22% of them will potentially lose their homes over the course of the crisis. – Forbes
Shown [here] (charted by Statista), here are the states where renters will be pressured the most.
The Trump administration doesn’t have the tools to solve the crisis – fiscal and monetary policy can only delay round two of the economic crash until after the elections. Meanwhile chaos and disagreement on Capitol Hill means that there is still no deal on a rent moratorium extension, which means that the coming weeks could see the largest ever US rent crisis, one which would make 2008 look like child’s play.
The Highwire host Del BigTree meets with Valuetainment to discuss the numerous COVID-19 vaccines already in production.


newswars--2020-07-28--Tuesday Live: Bill Bar Decimates Democrat Lies On Capitol Hill

TUESDAY LIVE : BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE PLAN TO MICROCHIP EVERYONE ON EARTH Tune in as world-renowned expert @ @ @ @ @ law , Joel Skousen of World Affairs Brief , joins us LIVE IN STUDIO to @ @ @ @ @ and your family in these difficult times : On this Tuesday transmission of The David @ @ @ @ @ ll look into the globalist plan to vaccinate everyone for COVID and eventually insert ink @ @ @ @ @ vaccination records .

Harrison Smith hosts this LIVE edition of War Room, weekdays 3-6 p.m. CT.
TUESDAY LIVE: BILL & MELINDA GATES FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE PLAN TO MICROCHIP EVERYONE ON EARTH
Tune in as world-renowned expert in home security and constitutional law, Joel Skousen of World Affairs Brief, joins us LIVE IN STUDIO to discuss how to protect yourself and your family in these difficult times:
Follow Alex Jones on Telegram:
David Knight Show: Vaccine Tracking Tattoos Pushed In UK
On this Tuesday transmission of The David Knight Show, we’ll look into the globalist plan to vaccinate everyone for COVID and eventually insert ink into people that stores their vaccination records.


newswars--2020-07-28--Shock Video: Crazy Lady Tells Children ‘I Hope You All Die’ For Not Wearing Masks in Supermarket

An unhinged woman berated a mother and her young children for not wearing masks in a supermarket before shouting at the children that she hopes they die from the virus .
The incident , captured by a bystander in an unidentified supermarket , shows a masked older woman scold the mother about her kids not wearing masks .
“ They ’ re not supposed to wear them , ” the mother told the lady .
“ That ’ s not true !
” the lady said .
“ Even the schools requires children under the age of ten not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ So why would I make them wear them ?
” After stammering indistinguishably , the lady then tells the mother and kids , “ I hope you all die !
” before storming off .
“ You take care of yourself !
Bye !
” the mother yelled .
“ I hope you all die !
” the lady shouted again .
“ I hope you all die because you ’ re going to kill me and my family !
” This is just the latest example of how the mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ divided Americans .
As we ’ ve reported , the medical establishment , including Dr. Anthony Fauci and the Surgeon General , have said that masks do not effectively prevent the spread of the coronavirus before reversing course after America began to open back up in May .
The masked mob is going from crazy to violent — precisely what Dr. Gates & Dr. Fauci ordered .

An unhinged woman berated a mother and her young children for not wearing masks in a supermarket before shouting at the children that she hopes they die from the virus.
The incident, captured by a bystander in an unidentified supermarket, shows a masked older woman scold the mother about her kids not wearing masks.
This woman literally looks into these children’s eyes and says, “I hope you all die.” I’m at a loss for words.🥺 pic.twitter.com/gOw1bbSX1Z — sally (@sallyKP) July 28, 2020
“They’re not supposed to wear them,” the mother told the lady.
“That’s not true!” the lady said.
“Even the schools requires children under the age of ten not to wear them!” the mother retorts. “So why would I make them wear them?”
After stammering indistinguishably, the lady then tells the mother and kids, “I hope you all die!” before storming off.
“You take care of yourself! Bye!” the mother yelled.
“I hope you all die!” the lady shouted again. “I hope you all die because you’re going to kill me and my family!”
This is just the latest example of how the mask debate – by design – has further divided Americans.
As we’ve reported, the medical establishment, including Dr. Anthony Fauci and the Surgeon General, have said that masks do not effectively prevent the spread of the coronavirus before reversing course after America began to open back up in May.
The masked mob is going from crazy to violent — precisely what Dr. Gates & Dr. Fauci ordered.


newswars--2020-07-28--Rep. Says Barr’s Opening Statement Reads Like it Was Written By Alex Jones, Roger Stone – Barr Agree

Rep. Says Barr’s Opening Statement Reads Like it Was Written By Alex Jones, Roger Stone – Barr Agrees!

Attorney General William Barr agreed that his opening statement read “ like it was written by Alex Jones or Roger Stone ” during his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee .
Rep. Hank Johnson ’ s ( D-Ga. ) opened his line of questioning towards Barr with the accusation , followed by the question “ Do you stand by that statement ?
” Barr had lamented that the protests for George Floyd became ‘ hijacked ’ by bad actors and escalated to the point where the rioting was now an assault on the federal government , according to the transcript @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In the wake of George Floyd ’ s death , violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests to wreak senseless havoc and destruction on innocent victims , ” said Barr .
“ What unfolds nightly around the [ Federal courthouse in Portland ] can not reasonably be called a protest ; it is , by any objective measure , an assault on the Government of the United States.
” “ In recent nights , rioters have barricaded the front door of the courthouse , pried plywood off the windows with crowbars , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an apparent attempt to burn it down with federal personnel inside.
” The Highwire host Del BigTree meets with Valuetainment to discuss the numerous COVID-19 vaccines already in production .

Attorney General William Barr agreed that his opening statement read “like it was written by Alex Jones or Roger Stone” during his testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.
Rep. Hank Johnson’s (D-Ga.) opened his line of questioning towards Barr with the accusation, followed by the question “Do you stand by that statement?”
“Yes,” said Barr.
Barr had lamented that the protests for George Floyd became ‘hijacked’ by bad actors and escalated to the point where the rioting was now an assault on the federal government, according to the transcript of his prepared opening statement.
“In the wake of George Floyd’s death, violent rioters and anarchists have hijacked legitimate protests to wreak senseless havoc and destruction on innocent victims,” said Barr. “What unfolds nightly around the [Federal courthouse in Portland] cannot reasonably be called a protest; it is, by any objective measure, an assault on the Government of the United States.”
“In recent nights, rioters have barricaded the front door of the courthouse, pried plywood off the windows with crowbars, and thrown commercial-grade fireworks into the building in an apparent attempt to burn it down with federal personnel inside.”
The Highwire host Del BigTree meets with Valuetainment to discuss the numerous COVID-19 vaccines already in production.


newswars--2020-07-28--Steelers Player Refuses To Kneel – “Screw Anybody” Who Doesn’t Like It

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt publicly declared on Monday that he does not plan on kneeling during the National Anthem in the 2020 season .
“ Also I ’ m not kneeling for the flag and screw anybody who have a problem with that , ” Tuitt wrote on Twitter .
“ My grandmother was a immigrant from the Carribean and … worked her ass off to bring 20 people over the right way .
She had no money and educated herself to be a nurse .
She living good now.
” Also I ’ m not kneeling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a problem with that .
My grandmother was a immigrant from the Carribean and age worked her ass off to bring 20 people over the right way .
She had no money and educated herself to be a nurse .
She living good now .
Visit the Infowars Store now before our sale ends !
With the NFL joining other major league sports in backing the BLM movement , the 2020 season will undoubtedly be more politicized than any previous year .
How will NFL analysts and Tuitt ’ s fellow players react @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will join him in standing up for what they believe in ?

Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Stephon Tuitt publicly declared on Monday that he does not plan on kneeling during the National Anthem in the 2020 season.
“Also I’m not kneeling for the flag and screw anybody who have a problem with that,” Tuitt wrote on Twitter. “My grandmother was a immigrant from the Carribean and … worked her ass off to bring 20 people over the right way. She had no money and educated herself to be a nurse. She living good now.”
Also I’m not kneeling for the flag and screw anybody who have a problem with that. My grandmother was a immigrant from the Carribean and age worked her ass off to bring 20 people over the right way. She had no money and educated herself to be a nurse. She living good now. — stephon tuitt (@DOCnation_7) July 27, 2020 Now that you're intellectually ahead, stay physically ahead by visiting our store.
With the NFL joining other major league sports in backing the BLM movement, the 2020 season will undoubtedly be more politicized than any previous year.
How will NFL analysts and Tuitt’s fellow players react to his decision and how many others will join him in standing up for what they believe in?


newswars--2020-07-28--Google Translate Lists ‘Police Officer’ as the Primary Definition of ‘Demon’

Google Translate , the tech giant ’ s translation app , listed “ a police officer ” as the primary @ @ @ @ @ The secondary definition of demon , according to the Masters of the Universe in Silicon @ @ @ @ @ evil spirit or devil.
” The web giant removed the definitions altogether after Breitbart News @ @ @ @ @ ’ s strange definition .
Users on reddit ’ s /r/Conspiracy subreddit were the first @ @ @ @ @ the term “ demon ” was typed into Google ’ s Translate system , the @ @ @ @ @ returns is “ a police officer.
” Although the Internet giant removed the definitions after @ @ @ @ @ comment , a screenshot of the definition can be seen below :

Google Translate, the tech giant’s translation app, listed “a police officer” as the primary definition of “demon.”
The secondary definition of demon, according to the Masters of the Universe in Silicon Valley, is “an evil spirit or devil.”
The web giant removed the definitions altogether after Breitbart News requested comment on the company’s strange definition.
Users on reddit’s /r/Conspiracy subreddit were the first to recently notice that when the term “demon” was typed into Google’s Translate system, the first definition that the site returns is “a police officer.” Although the Internet giant removed the definitions after a Breitbart News request for comment, a screenshot of the definition can be seen below:
Read More


newswars--2020-07-28--Austin City Council Officially Calls for Blowing Up Police Station As Symbol of Ending Police Hate

A radical new budget proposal by the Austin , Texas , City Council calls for a controlled demolition of the police department ’ s current headquarters in a symbolic gesture towards Black Lives Matter and defund police protesters .
“ We should expedite the demolition of the APD Headquarters by directing the City Manager to move all remaining APD staff out of the existing headquarters building and into other underutilized city facilities , ” reads the proposal submitted Monday by Council Member Jimmy Flannigan .
The existing APD property , prime real estate situated in the heart of Austin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ inequity and support the black community , the proposal states .
“ That property… should be dedicated to addressing historic economic inequities in the black community and supporting future black community economic success , ” states Flannigan ’ s proposal .
“ A community-led effort should be initiated to determine the specifics on how such a valuable property could be leveraged , and possibly serve as a gateway to East Austin.
” According to the proposal , the demolition would be accompanied by a restructuring which would turn over control of patrol and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mayor and city council .
“ This could shift more than $ 90 million from under the control of sworn leadership to civilian leadership and allow for each department to have separate metrics and oversight , thereby creating a way to shift organizational culture and drive outcomes , ” reads Flannigan ’ s proposal essentially defunding the police .
One issue being highlighted by Austin residents is that the new proposal would also turn the Austin bomb squad , which was instrumental in taking down a serial bomber in 2018 , into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election of a new Travis County District Attorney whose campaign was largely funded by the Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC , a political action committee that was funneled over $ 650,000 by billionaire globalist George Soros .
This also follows a pattern by the left to dismantle police nationwide , as exemplified in other leftist cities such as Minneapolis and Seattle where city councils have caved to Black Lives Matter and “ defund the police ” protests .
Owen and Frank Cavanaugh talk about the recent news about American police walking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what is coming next for American cities .

A radical new budget proposal by the Austin, Texas, City Council calls for a controlled demolition of the police department’s current headquarters in a symbolic gesture towards Black Lives Matter and defund police protesters.
“We should expedite the demolition of the APD Headquarters by directing the City Manager to move all remaining APD staff out of the existing headquarters building and into other underutilized city facilities,” reads the proposal submitted Monday by Council Member Jimmy Flannigan.
The existing APD property, prime real estate situated in the heart of Austin, would then be used to highlight black inequity and support the black community, the proposal states.
“That property… should be dedicated to addressing historic economic inequities in the black community and supporting future black community economic success,” states Flannigan’s proposal. “A community-led effort should be initiated to determine the specifics on how such a valuable property could be leveraged, and possibly serve as a gateway to East Austin.”
According to the proposal, the demolition would be accompanied by a restructuring which would turn over control of patrol and all other divisions to civilians chosen by the mayor and city council.
“This could shift more than $90 million from under the control of sworn leadership to civilian leadership and allow for each department to have separate metrics and oversight, thereby creating a way to shift organizational culture and drive outcomes,” reads Flannigan’s proposal essentially defunding the police.
One issue being highlighted by Austin residents is that the new proposal would also turn the Austin bomb squad, which was instrumental in taking down a serial bomber in 2018, into a citizen-run department.
It was not that long ago…Austin’s Bomb Squad was out to the test with the “Austin Bomber”. If the council gets its way …citizens will need respond to those calls on their own. As noted below… @LesliePoolATX @JimmyFlannigan @MayorAdler @GregCasar pic.twitter.com/hHNcGrM8Ys — Todd Jeffries (@ToddJeffries) July 28, 2020
Question for @LesliePoolATX, if the @Austin_Police team that responds to 911 calls regarding explosives and suspicious devices found throughout the city and surrounding areas is cut, who would Austinites call to deal with those?#APDbudgetthoughts pic.twitter.com/sJI2hyGKs8 — Austin Police Association (@ATXPOA) July 28, 2020
The proposal follows the election of a new Travis County District Attorney whose campaign was largely funded by the Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC, a political action committee that was funneled over $650,000 by billionaire globalist George Soros.
This also follows a pattern by the left to dismantle police nationwide, as exemplified in other leftist cities such as Minneapolis and Seattle where city councils have caved to Black Lives Matter and “defund the police” protests.
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Owen and Frank Cavanaugh talk about the recent news about American police walking out of the job and go over what is coming next for American cities.


newswars--2020-07-28--Frontline Doctors Speak Out ON COVID Cures and Misinformation

After the White Coat Summit received 15M views and was shared by President Trump , Facebook , Twitter and Youtube @ @ @ @ @ of the event .
The video will never be taken off Banned.video , so be @ @ @ @ @ link !

After the White Coat Summit received 15M views and was shared by President Trump, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube began censoring and deleting footage of the event.
The video will never be taken off Banned.video, so be sure to share the censored link!


newswars--2020-07-28--Forced Inocculation & Microchipping Pushed By UK State-Run Media

State-run BBC News is claiming that vaccine passports via Bill Gates-funded digital tattoos will be a necessary part of travel in the post-COVID world .
In the article , Will Travel Be Safer By 2022 ?
, the BBC explains how COVID-19 will permanently alter the way people travel , namely , that they will need to present their vaccination record via a “ digital tattoo ” backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation .
“ Travellers would present the customs officers with an entrance visa and a vaccination record .
That could be a paper card – or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invisible to the naked eye but readable by an infrared scanner , ” the BBC reported last week .
“ This technology already exists and has been tried on live animals and human cadaver skin , said researcher Ana Jaklenec at Massachusetts Institute of Technology .
Their method uses micro-needle patches that can deliver both the vaccine and a squirt of an invisible ink under the person ’ s skin , storing the vaccination record.
” The researcher claimed the “ subdermal record ” tattoo would be readable by a scanner or phone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave scars and are less invasive than the regular needles – it ’ s like putting on a Band-Aid , ” Jaklenec said .
That subdermal record is readable by a simple scanner , she added .
“ It can even be done with a modified phone.
” “ Supported by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation , the technology was aimed to help in the developing world where paper or electronic records aren ’ t always reliable .
The goal is to try it on humans with a measles vaccine soon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other proofs of immunisations – for example at the immigration point.
” The article goes on to describe the many pain-staking procedures travelers will have to endure , including infrared temperature-check surveillance , “ UV baths ” for phones , and disinfectant chemicals for their luggage and clothing .
“ With all the compulsory steps passed , your holiday can now start .
Travelling may be more cumbersome in 2022 , but it will likely be cleaner and safer than ever , ” the BBC concluded .
Since Infowars first reported on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ media has gone to great pains to downplay or outright lie about Gates ’ Mark of the Beast plan , saying he doesn ’ t want to “ microchip ” the population , just imbed a permanent vaccine health record tattoo into their skin — no big deal .

State-run BBC News is claiming that vaccine passports via Bill Gates-funded digital tattoos will be a necessary part of travel in the post-COVID world.
In the article, Will Travel Be Safer By 2022?, the BBC explains how COVID-19 will permanently alter the way people travel, namely, that they will need to present their vaccination record via a “digital tattoo” backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
“Travellers would present the customs officers with an entrance visa and a vaccination record. That could be a paper card – or a tiny tattoo on their arm, invisible to the naked eye but readable by an infrared scanner,” the BBC reported last week.
“This technology already exists and has been tried on live animals and human cadaver skin, said researcher Ana Jaklenec at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Their method uses micro-needle patches that can deliver both the vaccine and a squirt of an invisible ink under the person’s skin, storing the vaccination record.”
The researcher claimed the “subdermal record” tattoo would be readable by a scanner or phone.
“The macro-needles don’t leave scars and are less invasive than the regular needles – it’s like putting on a Band-Aid,” Jaklenec said. That subdermal record is readable by a simple scanner, she added. “It can even be done with a modified phone.”
“Supported by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the technology was aimed to help in the developing world where paper or electronic records aren’t always reliable. The goal is to try it on humans with a measles vaccine soon, but the tech may come handy for other proofs of immunisations – for example at the immigration point.”
The article goes on to describe the many pain-staking procedures travelers will have to endure, including infrared temperature-check surveillance, “UV baths” for phones, and disinfectant chemicals for their luggage and clothing.
“With all the compulsory steps passed, your holiday can now start. Travelling may be more cumbersome in 2022, but it will likely be cleaner and safer than ever,” the BBC concluded.
Since Infowars first reported on the Gates-backed tattoos in March, the mainstream media has gone to great pains to downplay or outright lie about Gates’ Mark of the Beast plan, saying he doesn’t want to “microchip” the population, just imbed a permanent vaccine health record tattoo into their skin — no big deal.


newswars--2020-07-28--Fed Extends Emergency Lending Programs Through End Of Year

US stock prices are at record highs and credit spreads near record lows amid hopes and prayers for the v-shaped recovery which has already sent US macro surprise data soaring .
But , it appears The Fed is not buying the bounce and feels like the “ economy ” needs help a “ little ” longer , extended most of its emergency lending programs by three months , through the remainder of 2020 .
The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday announced an extension through December 31 of its lending facilities that were scheduled to expire on or around September 30 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by potential facility participants and provide certainty that the facilities will continue to be available to help the economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic .
The Board ’ s lending facilities have provided a critical backstop , stabilizing and substantially improving market functioning and enhancing the flow of credit to households , businesses , and state and local governments .
Each facility was created under section 13 ( 3 ) of the Federal Reserve Act with the approval of the Treasury Secretary .
The extensions apply to the Primary Dealer Credit Facility , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility , the Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility , the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility , the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility , and the Main Street Lending Program .
The Municipal Liquidity Facility is already set to expire on December 31 , with the Commercial Paper Funding Facility set to expire on March 17 , 2021 .
Further details on each can be found here .
And since these programs are as permanent as death and taxes , no matter the claims from Powell and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more “ 3 month extensions ” from now until the day the USD loses its reserve status .
The Highwire host Del BigTree meets with Valuetainment to discuss the numerous COVID-19 vaccines already in production .

US stock prices are at record highs and credit spreads near record lows amid hopes and prayers for the v-shaped recovery which has already sent US macro surprise data soaring.
But, it appears The Fed is not buying the bounce and feels like the “economy” needs help a “little” longer, extended most of its emergency lending programs by three months, through the remainder of 2020.
Full Fed Statement:
The Federal Reserve Board on Tuesday announced an extension through December 31 of its lending facilities that were scheduled to expire on or around September 30. The three-month extension will facilitate planning by potential facility participants and provide certainty that the facilities will continue to be available to help the economy recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Board’s lending facilities have provided a critical backstop, stabilizing and substantially improving market functioning and enhancing the flow of credit to households, businesses, and state and local governments. Each facility was created under section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act with the approval of the Treasury Secretary.
The extensions apply to the Primary Dealer Credit Facility, the Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility, the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility, the Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility, the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility, the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility, and the Main Street Lending Program. The Municipal Liquidity Facility is already set to expire on December 31, with the Commercial Paper Funding Facility set to expire on March 17, 2021.
Further details on each can be found here.
And since these programs are as permanent as death and taxes, no matter the claims from Powell and the Fed to the contrary, expect many more “3 month extensions” from now until the day the USD loses its reserve status.
The Highwire host Del BigTree meets with Valuetainment to discuss the numerous COVID-19 vaccines already in production.


newswars--2020-07-28--Police: Incendiary Projectile Thrown at Portland Courthouse

Civil rights protesters in the city of Portland , Oregon , have thrown an incendiary projectile at a courthouse that exploded into a fireball during the latest night of demonstrations and stand-offs with law enforcement officers , Portland Police said in a statement on Tuesday .
“ At about 12:12 a.m. , July 28 , 2020 [ 07:12 GMT ] , a person threw a Molotov cocktail , or similar destructive device , against the front door of the courthouse which burst into a fireball when it struck the building causing a report to be heard and felt more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued as before , ” law enforcement officials said in a statement .
The protesters began to disperse from the area roughly one hour after the projectile was thrown , law enforcement officials said , adding that one juvenile was arrested after hearing that individuals were attacking private vehicles .
On Monday , The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration has deployed 100 more federal agents to Portland , adding that the president may send a further 50 to the northwestern city .
Federal agents were first deployed in Portland in mid-July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Russia ’ s Channel One broadcaster , who were reporting on the protests , sustained injuries and had their equipment destroyed by federal agents during the protests .
A US court on Friday issued an order prohibiting federal law enforcement agents from using physical force against journalists .
Rep. Matt Gaetz has filed a criminal complaint against Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for lying to Congress under oath when he claimed there was no political bias at the social media network .

Civil rights protesters in the city of Portland, Oregon, have thrown an incendiary projectile at a courthouse that exploded into a fireball during the latest night of demonstrations and stand-offs with law enforcement officers, Portland Police said in a statement on Tuesday.
“At about 12:12 a.m., July 28, 2020 [07:12 GMT], a person threw a Molotov cocktail, or similar destructive device, against the front door of the courthouse which burst into a fireball when it struck the building causing a report to be heard and felt more than a block away. The crowd activity continued as before,” law enforcement officials said in a statement.
The protesters began to disperse from the area roughly one hour after the projectile was thrown, law enforcement officials said, adding that one juvenile was arrested after hearing that individuals were attacking private vehicles.
On Monday, The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration has deployed 100 more federal agents to Portland, adding that the president may send a further 50 to the northwestern city.
Federal agents were first deployed in Portland in mid-July to protect a federal courthouse. Journalists from Russia’s Channel One broadcaster, who were reporting on the protests, sustained injuries and had their equipment destroyed by federal agents during the protests.
A US court on Friday issued an order prohibiting federal law enforcement agents from using physical force against journalists.
Rep. Matt Gaetz has filed a criminal complaint against Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for lying to Congress under oath when he claimed there was no political bias at the social media network.


newswars--2020-07-28--W.H.O. Claims Coronavirus Won’t Go Away as Seasons Change

The World Health Organization ( WHO ) has quashed hopes that the coronavirus might simply disappear over the summer .
It urged the world to instead brace itself for “ one big wave ” of infections .
WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told reporters via conference call that , contrary to some expectations , the coronavirus will not wane during warmer seasons like the flu would .
“ People are still thinking about seasons .
What we all need to get our heads around is this is a new virus and… this one is behaving differently.
” Harris warned that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus infections that will “ go up and down a bit , ” instead of several distinct waves one after another .
“ The best thing is to flatten it and turn it into just something lapping at your feet , ” she said .
Many European countries have been gradually lifting or relaxing their quarantine restrictions since May .
Because there is still no vaccine , the governments are calibrating their Covid-19 response while bracing for a potential second wave of the infection .
Asian countries , like China and South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ states were forced to re-impose some of the lockdown measures after infection rates went up again and new coronavirus hotspots were discovered .
Harris reiterated the call to slow the spread of the virus by avoiding mass gatherings .
This has proven to be challenging in recent months due to recurring large-scale anti-racism and police brutality protests in a number of Western countries .
At some rallies , protesters have worn masks and attempted to stay apart from each other .
But in many cases people openly flouted quarantine rules and even attended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health experts to stay home .
Almost 14.5 million have been infected with the coronavirus globally since the start of the outbreak , and more than 654,000 people have died , according to Johns Hopkins University .
Rep. Matt Gaetz has filed a criminal complaint against Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for lying to Congress under oath when he claimed there was no political bias at the social media network .

The World Health Organization (WHO) has quashed hopes that the coronavirus might simply disappear over the summer.
It urged the world to instead brace itself for “one big wave” of infections.
WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told reporters via conference call that, contrary to some expectations, the coronavirus will not wane during warmer seasons like the flu would.
“People are still thinking about seasons. What we all need to get our heads around is this is a new virus and… this one is behaving differently.”
Harris warned that there will be “one big wave” of coronavirus infections that will “go up and down a bit,” instead of several distinct waves one after another. “The best thing is to flatten it and turn it into just something lapping at your feet,” she said.
Many European countries have been gradually lifting or relaxing their quarantine restrictions since May. Because there is still no vaccine, the governments are calibrating their Covid-19 response while bracing for a potential second wave of the infection.
Asian countries, like China and South Korea, as well as several US states were forced to re-impose some of the lockdown measures after infection rates went up again and new coronavirus hotspots were discovered.
Harris reiterated the call to slow the spread of the virus by avoiding mass gatherings. This has proven to be challenging in recent months due to recurring large-scale anti-racism and police brutality protests in a number of Western countries.
At some rallies, protesters have worn masks and attempted to stay apart from each other. But in many cases people openly flouted quarantine rules and even attended the protests despite calls from politicians and health experts to stay home.
Almost 14.5 million have been infected with the coronavirus globally since the start of the outbreak, and more than 654,000 people have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Rep. Matt Gaetz has filed a criminal complaint against Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for lying to Congress under oath when he claimed there was no political bias at the social media network.


newswars--2020-07-28--Australian Police Arrest Black Lives Matter Organizer

Police in Sydney arrested the leader of an anti-racism protest and five others before the event even got started Tuesday .
The gathering was deemed illegal by courts due to the threat of spreading the coronavirus .
Organizer Paddy Gibson was among six people arrested in a park known as The Domain before the rally was supposed to begin at noon local time .
New South Wales state Assistant Police Commissioner Mick Willing said Gibson and the other protesters were issued with fines of 1,000 Australian dollars ( $ 710 , €605 ) for breaking pandemic crowd restrictions .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told protesters to disperse to avoid arrest .
The area was cleared just before the rally was scheduled to begin .
Reports indicate police heavily outnumbered protesters on Tuesday in Australia ’ s largest city .
Some estimates said there were 50 protesters compared to 400 police officers , far fewer than were initially expected to attend .
Outdoor gatherings were limited to 20 people in the state .
Willing said shutting down the protest was an issue of public safety .
“ We are not anti-the-right-to-protest .
This is about public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We understand that the issues that are in question here are significant and are sensitive to a lot of people .
However , we must do what we can to ensure that the public in general are safe at this time.
” Australia reported its highest ever increase in new coronavirus cases on Monday following a spike of cases in the neighboring state of Victoria .
Gibson told Australian broadcaster Nine Network before the rally that “ we all must be COVID-safe , but we need to stand together to…say that Black lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called to highlight the deaths of Aboriginal people in custody , building off of the momentum of the Black Lives Matter protests taking place around the world following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota two months ago .
There have been several protests against police brutality and Indigenous people ’ s deaths in Australia since May .
But New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned that Sydney was at a tipping point in the pandemic , where there have been several infection clusters .
“ We ’ re appealing to people ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says you shouldn ’ t be out there…please think of a different way to express your views , ” said Berejiklian before the rally was supposed to begin .
According to John ’ s Hopkins University , there have been 15,304 confirmed coronavirus cases and 167 deaths in Australia .
There have been more than 7,000 new cases since July began .
The country on Monday reported its highest ever daily increase in cases after a flare-up of infections in Victoria .
New South Wales , of which Sydney is the capital , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clusters .
Rep. Matt Gaetz has filed a criminal complaint against Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for lying to Congress under oath when he claimed there was no political bias at the social media network .

Police in Sydney arrested the leader of an anti-racism protest and five others before the event even got started Tuesday.
The gathering was deemed illegal by courts due to the threat of spreading the coronavirus. Organizer Paddy Gibson was among six people arrested in a park known as The Domain before the rally was supposed to begin at noon local time.
New South Wales state Assistant Police Commissioner Mick Willing said Gibson and the other protesters were issued with fines of 1,000 Australian dollars ($710, €605) for breaking pandemic crowd restrictions. As Gibson was taken away by police, he told protesters to disperse to avoid arrest. The area was cleared just before the rally was scheduled to begin.
Down to public safety
Reports indicate police heavily outnumbered protesters on Tuesday in Australia’s largest city. Some estimates said there were 50 protesters compared to 400 police officers, far fewer than were initially expected to attend. Outdoor gatherings were limited to 20 people in the state. Willing said shutting down the protest was an issue of public safety.
“We are not anti-the-right-to-protest. This is about public safety,” said Willing. “We understand that the issues that are in question here are significant and are sensitive to a lot of people. However, we must do what we can to ensure that the public in general are safe at this time.”
Australia reported its highest ever increase in new coronavirus cases on Monday following a spike of cases in the neighboring state of Victoria.
Gibson told Australian broadcaster Nine Network before the rally that “we all must be COVID-safe, but we need to stand together to…say that Black lives matter in Australia.”
Building momentum
The march was called to highlight the deaths of Aboriginal people in custody, building off of the momentum of the Black Lives Matter protests taking place around the world following the death of George Floyd in Minnesota two months ago. There have been several protests against police brutality and Indigenous people’s deaths in Australia since May.
But New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian warned that Sydney was at a tipping point in the pandemic, where there have been several infection clusters.
“We’re appealing to people’s consciences to say now the law says you shouldn’t be out there…please think of a different way to express your views,” said Berejiklian before the rally was supposed to begin.
According to John’s Hopkins University, there have been 15,304 confirmed coronavirus cases and 167 deaths in Australia. There have been more than 7,000 new cases since July began.
The country on Monday reported its highest ever daily increase in cases after a flare-up of infections in Victoria. New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital, is also battling to contain several virus clusters.
Rep. Matt Gaetz has filed a criminal complaint against Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for lying to Congress under oath when he claimed there was no political bias at the social media network.


newswars--2020-07-28--NIH.gov: 5G Coronavirus Link via DNA

NIH.gov: 5G Coronavirus Link via DNA

Scientific paper by researchers in Rome , Michigan , & Moscow explain how the short wavelengths of 5G facilitates coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ Trump has become the biggest promoter of 5G and the world ’ s biggest pusher @ @ @ @ @ competing with Gates now to kill the most people ?

Scientific paper by researchers in Rome, Michigan, & Moscow explain how the short wavelengths of 5G facilitates coronavirus, specifically COVID-19.
As Trump has become the biggest promoter of 5G and the world’s biggest pusher of vaccines, is he competing with Gates now to kill the most people?