newspunch--2020-07-16--National Association of Police Endorses Trump for President

“ Our endorsement recognizes your steadfast and very public support for our men and woman on the front lines , especially during this time of unfair and inaccurate opprobrium being directed at our members by so many.
” The decision to side with Mr. Trump this year delivered a blow to presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden , who prides himself on being a “ union man ” and longtime ally of police .
The NAPO endorsement revealed the depth of the cracks in Mr. Biden ’ s police support since he sided with racial justice protesters and fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with accusations of racism and brutality .
Officials from other police unions told The Times that they felt abandoned when Mr. Biden refused to condemn attacks on police following the death of Mr. Floyd , a Black man who died under the knee of a White police officer in Minneapolis .
“ Biden seems to have abandoned the police and his support for the police because it is not popular to support the police at this time , ” said Paul DiGiacomo , president of the Detectives ’ Endowment Association , the second-largest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department officers .
“ It ’ s disappointing , but most politicians are doing that , ” he continued .
“ I feel that if you support us , stand your ground .
We don ’ t deserve not to be supported.
” In recent weeks , Mr. Biden has tried to appeal to both police and protesters .
He called for concrete changes to law enforcement but stopped short of embracing extreme leftist proposals to defund and dismantle police departments .
Mr. Biden says he does not support the defund-the-police movement but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” redirected from police to social programs .
Last month , the Biden campaign unveiled a criminal justice plan that proposes an additional $ 300 million for community policing to improve relationships with officers and residents .
He also pledged to create a national police review board within his first 100 days in office .
Mr. Biden has called for an end of the transfer of military weapons to local police departments , a ban on chokeholds and a national “ use of force standard.
” The police union officials who praised Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1990s and considered him a stalwart defender of the men and women in blue , say his current rhetoric is surprising .
“ I think police officers and associations look at Joe Biden today , and it ’ s hard not to contrast the candidate today with the senator of 15 or 20 years ago , ” said Bill Johnson , executive director of NAPO .
“ Mr .
Biden , like a lot of candidates , moved to the left party during the primaries , but once it was clear that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he didn ’ t stop.
” Mr. Biden ’ s new police overhaul plan would roll back parts of the 1994 crime legislation that he championed .
The get-tough 1994 bill was viewed as a liability for him with Black voters this year .
Tom Scotto , who previously served as president of NAPO , worked closely with Mr. Biden on anti-crime legislation and considers him a friend .
He wished the Democratic candidate would more forcefully condemn the attacks on police but said he still considers Mr. Biden to be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I find it impossible to believe that Joe ’ s support for law enforcement has wavered unless he tells me it to my face , ” he said .
“ There is nobody , but nobody , but nobody in the entire Congress of the United States that has done more for law enforcement than Joe Biden .
He ’ s done more than 20 members of Congress today put together.
” Mr. DiGiacomo said he believes Mr. Biden ’ s failure to distance himself from the “ defund the police ” movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unions .
“ Right now , I can ’ t see any police or law enforcement group backing him after what he said dancing around the subject of policing in America , ” he said .
While Mr. Biden walks a fine line between police and protesters , Mr. Trump stood firmly on a law-and-order platform .
The contrast could not be sharper .
On Monday , Mr. Trump held a White House event honoring law enforcement where he said Democrats ’ “ anti-cop crusade ” is causing the violent crime plaguing major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far-left cities where they have no understanding of what has to be done , ” Mr. Trump said of recent spikes in crime .
“ If that ’ s what you want for a country , you probably have to vote for ‘ Sleepy ’ Joe Biden , because he doesn ’ t know what ’ s happening .
But you ’ re not going to have it with me.
” Mr. Trump also signaled that his administration will take more aggressive action against violent crime .
Last week , the Justice Department @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to combat rising violence in Kansas City .
Mr. Johnson said law enforcement officers have noticed the difference between the two candidates .
“ It is very fair to say that officers are concerned by what they ’ ve seen and not seen , ” he said .
“ It would be so welcome to receive even just a word of encouragement and , on the other side , condemn the violence and deadly attacks that are ongoing against the police .

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The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) has officially endorsed Donald Trump for president.
NAPO President Michael McHale’s letter read:
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“Our endorsement recognizes your steadfast and very public support for our men and woman on the front lines, especially during this time of unfair and inaccurate opprobrium being directed at our members by so many.”
NAPO has endorsed President Trump in his reelection campaign. Here is our endorsement letter which was issued following today's meeting. pic.twitter.com/mf6ZUTf10l — NAPO (@NAPOpolice) July 15, 2020
Washingtontimes.com reports: The group, which represents more than 1,000 police unions and 241,000 sworn officers, did not endorse a candidate in the 2016 presidential election. It endorsed the Obama-Biden ticket in 2008 and 2012.
The decision to side with Mr. Trump this year delivered a blow to presumed Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden, who prides himself on being a “union man” and longtime ally of police.
The NAPO endorsement revealed the depth of the cracks in Mr. Biden’s police support since he sided with racial justice protesters and fellow Democrats who have been hammering police departments with accusations of racism and brutality.
Officials from other police unions told The Times that they felt abandoned when Mr. Biden refused to condemn attacks on police following the death of Mr. Floyd, a Black man who died under the knee of a White police officer in Minneapolis.
“Biden seems to have abandoned the police and his support for the police because it is not popular to support the police at this time,” said Paul DiGiacomo, president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association, the second-largest labor union representing New York City Police Department officers.
“It’s disappointing, but most politicians are doing that,” he continued. “I feel that if you support us, stand your ground. We don’t deserve not to be supported.”
In recent weeks, Mr. Biden has tried to appeal to both police and protesters. He called for concrete changes to law enforcement but stopped short of embracing extreme leftist proposals to defund and dismantle police departments.
Mr. Biden says he does not support the defund-the-police movement but said some funding should be “absolutely” redirected from police to social programs.
Last month, the Biden campaign unveiled a criminal justice plan that proposes an additional $300 million for community policing to improve relationships with officers and residents. He also pledged to create a national police review board within his first 100 days in office.
Mr. Biden has called for an end of the transfer of military weapons to local police departments, a ban on chokeholds and a national “use of force standard.”
The police union officials who praised Mr. Biden’s landmark anti-crime legislation in the 1990s and considered him a stalwart defender of the men and women in blue, say his current rhetoric is surprising.
“I think police officers and associations look at Joe Biden today, and it’s hard not to contrast the candidate today with the senator of 15 or 20 years ago,” said Bill Johnson, executive director of NAPO. “Mr. Biden, like a lot of candidates, moved to the left party during the primaries, but once it was clear that he was going to be the nominee, he didn’t stop.”
Mr. Biden’s new police overhaul plan would roll back parts of the 1994 crime legislation that he championed. The get-tough 1994 bill was viewed as a liability for him with Black voters this year.
Tom Scotto, who previously served as president of NAPO, worked closely with Mr. Biden on anti-crime legislation and considers him a friend. He wished the Democratic candidate would more forcefully condemn the attacks on police but said he still considers Mr. Biden to be a steadfast supporter of law enforcement.
“I find it impossible to believe that Joe’s support for law enforcement has wavered unless he tells me it to my face,” he said. “There is nobody, but nobody, but nobody in the entire Congress of the United States that has done more for law enforcement than Joe Biden. He’s done more than 20 members of Congress today put together.”
Others are skeptical.
Mr. DiGiacomo said he believes Mr. Biden’s failure to distance himself from the “defund the police” movement may have cost him other endorsements from unions.
“Right now, I can’t see any police or law enforcement group backing him after what he said dancing around the subject of policing in America,” he said.
While Mr. Biden walks a fine line between police and protesters, Mr. Trump stood firmly on a law-and-order platform.
The contrast could not be sharper.
On Monday, Mr. Trump held a White House event honoring law enforcement where he said Democrats’ “anti-cop crusade” is causing the violent crime plaguing major cities.
“It’s all far-left cities where they have no understanding of what has to be done,” Mr. Trump said of recent spikes in crime. “If that’s what you want for a country, you probably have to vote for ‘Sleepy’ Joe Biden, because he doesn’t know what’s happening. But you’re not going to have it with me.”
Mr. Trump also signaled that his administration will take more aggressive action against violent crime. Last week, the Justice Department ramped up the number of federal agents to combat rising violence in Kansas City.
Mr. Johnson said law enforcement officers have noticed the difference between the two candidates.
“It is very fair to say that officers are concerned by what they’ve seen and not seen,” he said. “It would be so welcome to receive even just a word of encouragement and, on the other side, condemn the violence and deadly attacks that are ongoing against the police.


newspunch--2020-07-16--Alyssa Milano Demands Nationwide Economic Shut Down: F*ck This – Just Print Cash

Hollywood actress Alyssa Milano has demanded that the USA gets shut down completely in order to stop the spread of the Chinese coronavirus .
The anti-Trump far-left actress demanded the national shutdown in a recent tweet in which she demanded the federal government print cash and create a universal basic income .
She also slammed politicians who want children to return to school in the fall .
“ Fuck this.We are losing this battle .
And all these assholes are talking about our kids going back to school ?
!
NOPE , ” Milano tweeted .
“ We need a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Give people UBI until we get this pandemic under control.
” Breitbart.com reports : California Gov .
Gavin Newsom ( D ) ordered this week the indefinite closure of gyms , indoor restaurants , salons , and all bars as the state continues to see a surge in cases of the Chinese coronavirus .
Many of these businesses had only recently re-opened following months of forced closure .
Los Angeles has been especially hard hit , with COVID-19 cases spiking to record levels .
Mayor Eric Garcetti ( D ) said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than all of Canada .
The mayor has conceded that the recent Black Lives Matter protests and riots that saw tens of thousands of people crowded together in the streets contributed to the rise in cases .
Alyssa Milano also tweeted out a Wikipedia link to “ quantitative easing ” — an economic policy whereby the Federal Reserve infuses cash into the economy by buying bonds .
She also tweeted out articles by the economic guru and alternative energy proponent Chris Martenson .
President Donald Trump addressed the coronavirus during his Rose Garden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increase in testing has contributed to the rise in the number of reported cases .

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Hollywood actress Alyssa Milano has demanded that the USA gets shut down completely in order to stop the spread of the Chinese coronavirus.
The anti-Trump far-left actress demanded the national shutdown in a recent tweet in which she demanded the federal government print cash and create a universal basic income. She also slammed politicians who want children to return to school in the fall.
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“Fuck this.We are losing this battle. And all these assholes are talking about our kids going back to school?! NOPE,” Milano tweeted.
“We need a NATIONAL shut down NOW. Print cash. Give people UBI until we get this pandemic under control.”
Fuck this.
We are losing this battle.
And all these assholes are talking about our kids going back to school?! NOPE.
We need a NATIONAL shut down NOW. Print cash. Give people UBI until we get this pandemic under control. https://t.co/8f2MVFeRKg — Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) July 13, 2020
Breitbart.com reports: California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) ordered this week the indefinite closure of gyms, indoor restaurants, salons, and all bars as the state continues to see a surge in cases of the Chinese coronavirus. Many of these businesses had only recently re-opened following months of forced closure.
Los Angeles has been especially hard hit, with COVID-19 cases spiking to record levels. Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) said that L.A. County now has more coronavirus cases than all of Canada. The mayor has conceded that the recent Black Lives Matter protests and riots that saw tens of thousands of people crowded together in the streets contributed to the rise in cases.
Alyssa Milano also tweeted out a Wikipedia link to “quantitative easing” — an economic policy whereby the Federal Reserve infuses cash into the economy by buying bonds.
She also tweeted out articles by the economic guru and alternative energy proponent Chris Martenson.
President Donald Trump addressed the coronavirus during his Rose Garden address on Tuesday, saying that an increase in testing has contributed to the rise in the number of reported cases.


newspunch--2020-07-16--POTUS to Help St. Louis McCloskey Couple as Gun Charges Loom

President Trump is planning to intervene in the case against the McCloskey couple , who brandished firearms to defend their home when Black Lives Matter activists descended on their St. Louis home last month .
POTUS is looking into the case against them and will be “ taking action ” to help them , Missouri Gov .
Mike Parson revealed Tuesday .
The governor felt strongly enough to discuss the matter with President Trump during a phone call Tuesday afternoon .
It ’ s unclear what either Trump or Barr could do , but Parson said he expects that both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at it.
” Gardner ’ s spokeswoman , Allison Hawk , said she was unaware of Parson ’ s comments and declined immediate comment .
Gardner became St. Louis ‘ first-ever black circuit attorney when she took office after winning election in 2016 .
Her 3 ½ years in office have drawn strong support from the Black community , especially for reform efforts aimed at reducing incarceration and stopping the prosecution of low-level crimes such as marijuana possession .
But she ’ s also drawn scorn from others , accusing her of being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The president said he would do everything he could within his powers to help with this situation , that he would be taking action to do that .
I ’ m thankful that he ’ s getting involved in the situation , I ’ m thankful that he ’ s going to stand up for people on their legal rights and we ’ re going to move forward in this state , ” Parson said .

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President Trump is planning to intervene in the case against the McCloskey couple, who brandished firearms to defend their home when Black Lives Matter activists descended on their St. Louis home last month.
POTUS is looking into the case against them and will be “taking action” to help them, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson revealed Tuesday.
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Gov. Parson defended the the McCloskey’s, saying the couple had “every right to protect their property.” JOIN THE FIGHT: BECOME A CITIZEN JOURNALIST TODAY!
The governor felt strongly enough to discuss the matter with President Trump during a phone call Tuesday afternoon.
Washingtontimes.com reports: “I think the president didn’t like what he was seeing, and the way people are being treated,” Parson said. “I think you’ll see some sort of actions.”
It’s unclear what either Trump or Barr could do, but Parson said he expects that both “are going to take a look at it.”
Gardner’s spokeswoman, Allison Hawk, said she was unaware of Parson’s comments and declined immediate comment.
Gardner became St. Louis‘ first-ever black circuit attorney when she took office after winning election in 2016. Her 3 ½ years in office have drawn strong support from the Black community, especially for reform efforts aimed at reducing incarceration and stopping the prosecution of low-level crimes such as marijuana possession.
But she’s also drawn scorn from others, accusing her of being weak on crime and motivated by politics.
In 2018, Gardner charged then-Gov. Eric Greitens with felony invasion of privacy for allegedly taking a compromising photo of a woman during an extra-marital affair. Greitens, a Republican, denied the allegation and the charge was eventually dropped, but he resigned in June that year.
St. Louis annually ranks among the nation’s deadliest cities, and 2020 is on pace for one of its deadliest years ever. Parson is planning a special session to address violent crime in St. Louis and Kansas City, and he said Gardner should be focused on crime, too, not the McCloskeys.
“That couple had every right to protect their property,” Parson said.
Trump “understands the situation in Missouri, he understands the situation in St. Louis, and how out of control it is for a prosecutor to let violent criminals off and not do their job and try to attack law-abiding citizens,” Parson said.


newspunch--2020-07-17--Schumer Proposes $350 Billion Covid Aid Package for Non-Whites Only

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( D-NY ) has proposed a segregated coronavirus relief package that will reward “ minority Americans ” with hundreds of billions of dollars and exclude white Americans impacted by the economic downturn .
Fox News reported Sen. Schumer wants to appropriate $ 350 billion in funds for minority Americans to address “ systemic racism , ” however critics say the House Democrats proposed legislation will result in a form of segregation and further divide America by race .
The Economic Justice Act unveiled Thursday by Senate Democrats will “ address systemic racism and historic underinvestment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Schumer .
The proposed legislation says it will offer relief to non-white Americans through “ immediate and long-term investments in communities of color.
” WesternJournal report : Those investments include child care programs , assistance for small businesses , tax credits for renters and Medicaid expansion for minorities .
“ Long before the pandemic , long before this recession , long before this year ’ s protests , structural inequalities have persisted in health care and housing , the economy and education , ” the New York Democrat said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has only magnified these injustices and we must confront them with lasting , meaningful solutions , ” he added .
On Twitter , Schumer called the bill “ a needed step to address systematic racism and historic underinvestment in communities of color.
” Schumer ’ s Economic Justice Act , if passed , would use $ 200 billion in unused funds from the $ 2 trillion CARES Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in March .
The bill would immediately spend $ 50 billion on daycare programs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ initiatives , $ 25 billion for vocational and at-risk youth programs and $ 20 billion on support for small businesses .
Over five years , Schumer ’ s bill would allocate $ 115 billion to infrastructure , and another $ 100 billion on assistance to renters and home buyers , Medicaid expansion and assistance to expectant mothers .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not yet commented on Schumer ’ s proposal .
Lawmakers are expected to take up another round of economic stimulus legislation in the coming week , however , it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bill would look like .
Forbes reported McConnell is expected to unveil draft stimulus legislation from Republicans and the White House next week when Congress reconvenes .
Forbes further reported that both Republicans and Democrats are in favor of sending out another round of direct payments to Americans affected by economic downturn amid the pandemic .
Any legislation would need bipartisan support to pass .
House Democrats drafted a $ 3 trillion bill titled the HEROES Act in May , but the bill was full of Democrat wishlist items , and McConnell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in the Senate .
The act was heavily focused on protecting the jobs of illegal immigrants and offered incentives to businesses that would hire them .
The bill also would have automatically extended foreign worker visas , as millions of Americans have lost their jobs , and would have released most illegal immigrants currently detained by immigration officials .

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has proposed a segregated coronavirus relief package that will reward “minority Americans” with hundreds of billions of dollars and exclude white Americans impacted by the economic downturn.
Fox News reported Sen. Schumer wants to appropriate $350 billion in funds for minority Americans to address “systemic racism,” however critics say the House Democrats proposed legislation will result in a form of segregation and further divide America by race.
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The Economic Justice Act unveiled Thursday by Senate Democrats will “address systemic racism and historic underinvestment in communities of color,” according to Schumer.
The proposed legislation says it will offer relief to non-white Americans through “immediate and long-term investments in communities of color.”
WesternJournal report: Those investments include child care programs, assistance for small businesses, tax credits for renters and Medicaid expansion for minorities.
“Long before the pandemic, long before this recession, long before this year’s protests, structural inequalities have persisted in health care and housing, the economy and education,” the New York Democrat said in a statement, according to Politico.
“Covid-19 has only magnified these injustices and we must confront them with lasting, meaningful solutions,” he added.
On Twitter, Schumer called the bill “a needed step to address systematic racism and historic underinvestment in communities of color.”
BREAKING: The Senate Democrats are announcing the Economic Justice Act, a major new proposal to invest $350 billion in communities of color.
This is a needed step to address systematic racism and historic underinvestment in communities of color. pic.twitter.com/lipzpaSYBD — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 16, 2020
Schumer’s Economic Justice Act, if passed, would use $200 billion in unused funds from the $2 trillion CARES Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump in March.
The bill would immediately spend $50 billion on daycare programs, $40 billion on health care initiatives, $25 billion for vocational and at-risk youth programs and $20 billion on support for small businesses.
Over five years, Schumer’s bill would allocate $115 billion to infrastructure, and another $100 billion on assistance to renters and home buyers, Medicaid expansion and assistance to expectant mothers.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not yet commented on Schumer’s proposal.
Lawmakers are expected to take up another round of economic stimulus legislation in the coming week, however, it is unclear at the moment what such a bill would look like.
Forbes reported McConnell is expected to unveil draft stimulus legislation from Republicans and the White House next week when Congress reconvenes.
Forbes further reported that both Republicans and Democrats are in favor of sending out another round of direct payments to Americans affected by economic downturn amid the pandemic.
Any legislation would need bipartisan support to pass.
House Democrats drafted a $3 trillion bill titled the HEROES Act in May, but the bill was full of Democrat wishlist items, and McConnell stated the bill would not be taken up in the Senate.
The act was heavily focused on protecting the jobs of illegal immigrants and offered incentives to businesses that would hire them.
The bill also would have automatically extended foreign worker visas, as millions of Americans have lost their jobs, and would have released most illegal immigrants currently detained by immigration officials.


newspunch--2020-07-17--Connecticut Church Defaced With Satanic Symbols & Statue of Jesus Beheaded In Florida Church

Churches throughout the U.S. continue to be targeted by vandals .
A Catholic church in Connecticut has reported being vandalized with satanic symbols sometime late on Wednesday night hours after a Jesus statue was found decapitated inside a Florida church .
Both churches appear to the latest casualties in a US culture war that has Masses and other services were canceled at St. Joseph ’ s Church in New Haven as parish leaders assessed the damage .
In a Facebook post the Rev .
John Paul Walker said there appeared to be satanic and anarchist symbols painted on the building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident is the latest in a series of attacks on Catholic churches across the US , including the decapitation of a Jesus statue on Wednesday in a Miami suburb .
The statue was found headless in the courtyard of a Catholic church in Kendale Lakes , Florida , after allegedly being vandalized .
The Miami Archdiocese says it expects police to pursue the incident as a hate crime .
RT reports : Church leaders see the attacks as part of a campaign of terror that has come amid anti-racism protests across the nation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ figures ranging from Confederate General Robert E. Lee to abolitionist Frederick Douglass .
“ The underlying motive of these sacrilegious attacks is clear : to intimidate and instill fear in the hearts of those who worship Christ , ” the Archdiocese of Hartford said Thursday .
“ However , our cherished Catholic faith has survived for 2,000 years in the faces of many different oppressors , and it is not about to yield now.
” Some of the church figures targeted for destruction or removal had plausible points of criticism for the anti-racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Franciscan priest who was accused of enslaving Native Americans as he spread the Catholic faith in California .
His statue on the grounds of the California Capitol in San Francisco was toppled by a group of activists on July 4 .
But some in the Black Lives Matter movement have come against Christian symbols more broadly .
Racial activist Shaun King said on June 22 that all murals , statues and other depictions of Jesus as a white European should “ come down.
” “ They are a form of white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Always have been .
In the Bible , when the family of Jesus wanted to hide and blend in , guess where they went – Egypt , not Denmark .
Tear them down .
”

Churches throughout the U.S. continue to be targeted by vandals.
A Catholic church in Connecticut has reported being vandalized with satanic symbols sometime late on Wednesday night hours after a Jesus statue was found decapitated inside a Florida church.
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Jesus statue found vandalized at a church in Kendall. The Archdiocese of Miami wants it investigated as a hate crime @WPLGLocal10 pic.twitter.com/8Xvf0Yhmvk — Christian De La Rosa (@delarosaWPLG) July 16, 2020
Both churches appear to the latest casualties in a US culture war that has
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Add title Connecticut Church Defaced With Satanic Symbols & Statue of Jesus Beheaded In Florida Church Churches throughout the U.S. continue to be targeted by vandals. JOIN THE FIGHT: BECOME A CITIZEN JOURNALIST TODAY! A Catholic church in Connecticut has reported being vandalized with satanic symbols sometime late on Wednesday night hours after a Jesus statue was found decapitated inside a Florida church.
increasingly targeted Christian figures in recent days.
Masses and other services were canceled at St. Joseph’s Church in New Haven as parish leaders assessed the damage.
In a Facebook post the Rev. John Paul Walker said there appeared to be satanic and anarchist symbols painted on the building’s doors.
The New Haven incident is the latest in a series of attacks on Catholic churches across the US, including the decapitation of a Jesus statue on Wednesday in a Miami suburb. The statue was found headless in the courtyard of a Catholic church in Kendale Lakes, Florida, after allegedly being vandalized. The Miami Archdiocese says it expects police to pursue the incident as a hate crime.
RT reports: Church leaders see the attacks as part of a campaign of terror that has come amid anti-racism protests across the nation. Vandals previously targeted statues of historic figures ranging from Confederate General Robert E. Lee to abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
“The underlying motive of these sacrilegious attacks is clear: to intimidate and instill fear in the hearts of those who worship Christ,” the Archdiocese of Hartford said Thursday. “However, our cherished Catholic faith has survived for 2,000 years in the faces of many different oppressors, and it is not about to yield now.”
Some of the church figures targeted for destruction or removal had plausible points of criticism for the anti-racism protesters, such as St. Junipero Serra, a Franciscan priest who was accused of enslaving Native Americans as he spread the Catholic faith in California. His statue on the grounds of the California Capitol in San Francisco was toppled by a group of activists on July 4.
But some in the Black Lives Matter movement have come against Christian symbols more broadly. Racial activist Shaun King said on June 22 that all murals, statues and other depictions of Jesus as a white European should “come down.”
“They are a form of white supremacy,” King said. “Always have been. In the Bible, when the family of Jesus wanted to hide and blend in, guess where they went – Egypt, not Denmark. Tear them down.”


newspunch--2020-07-17--Health Minister Orders Urgent Review After Scientists Expose ‘Over-Exaggeration’ Of Coronavirus Deat

Health Minister Orders Urgent Review After Scientists Expose ‘Over-Exaggeration’ Of Coronavirus Deaths In England

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has ordered an urgent review into how the daily coronavirus death figures are calculated .
It comes after two UK-based scientists highlighted the serious flaw in PHE ’ s statistics .
They claim that the current method does not take into account the fact that some people may have recovered from coronavirus and died of a different cause .
RT reports : Hancock called for an investigation on Friday after confirmation that Covid-19 fatality figures for England include people who tested positive for the deadly virus months before they died .
However , in other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland , they only include deaths in their daily count if someone died within 28 days of testing positive for the disease .
The critical difference in how deaths are recorded may explain why England ’ s death toll has remained higher than its neighboring nations .
It follows an astonishing article published on Thursday by University of East Anglia professor Yoon K Loke and Carl Heneghan , a professor of evidence-based medicine at Oxford University .
The analysis conducted by the two scientific statisticians showed that PHE has been recording the deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the disease as a coronavirus death – no matter if they had fully recovered from the virus before they died .
“ A patient who has tested positive , but successfully treated and discharged from hospital , will still be counted as a Covid death even if they had a heart attack or were run over by a bus three months later.
“ In their damning assessment , the pair insisted that it was “ time to fix this statistical flaw that leads to an over-exaggeration of COVID-associated deaths.
” These Covid-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died in a hospital setting .
It ’ s not yet clear how many deaths in the community may have been recorded this way .

UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock has ordered an urgent review into how the daily coronavirus death figures are calculated.
It comes after two UK-based scientists highlighted the serious flaw in PHE’s statistics. They claim that the current method does not take into account the fact that some people may have recovered from coronavirus and died of a different cause.
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RT reports:Hancock called for an investigation on Friday after confirmation that Covid-19 fatality figures for England include people who tested positive for the deadly virus months before they died. However, in other UK nations such as Scotland and Northern Ireland, they only include deaths in their daily count if someone died within 28 days of testing positive for the disease.
The critical difference in how deaths are recorded may explain why England’s death toll has remained higher than its neighboring nations.
It follows an astonishing article published on Thursday by University of East Anglia professor Yoon K Loke and Carl Heneghan, a professor of evidence-based medicine at Oxford University.
The analysis conducted by the two scientific statisticians showed that PHE has been recording the deaths of people who have previously tested positive for the disease as a coronavirus death – no matter if they had fully recovered from the virus before they died.
“A patient who has tested positive, but successfully treated and discharged from hospital, will still be counted as a Covid death even if they had a heart attack or were run over by a bus three months later.“
In their damning assessment, the pair insisted that it was “time to fix this statistical flaw that leads to an over-exaggeration of COVID-associated deaths.”
These Covid-19 fatalities refer specifically to people that have died in a hospital setting. It’s not yet clear how many deaths in the community may have been recorded this way.


newspunch--2020-07-17--Dianne Feinstein Vows to Withhold Coronavirus Relief for States Without Mask Mandates

Sen. Dianne Feinstein has vowed to withhold aid to states that do not have a mask mandate .
In a statement released on Thursday , the Democratic Senator said that she will propose an amendment to the next coronavirus aid legislation that will punish states for failing to force their residents to wear masks .
In the last two weeks , 41 states saw an increase in coronavirus cases , with a total of 3.5 million infected nationwide .
California , Florida and New York each topped 300,000 cases , and Texas will soon follow .
We ’ ve seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last six days .
We ’ re failing to control this virus and it ’ s time for serious action .
Research shows that masks reduce transmission of the coronavirus .
CDC Director Redfield said this surge in COVID-19 cases could end within two months if we adopt ‘ universal masking.
’ Businesses like Walmart , Kohl ’ s and Kroger now require masks .
And countries that are successfully controlling this virus require masks .
So why doesn ’ t the United States have a national mask mandate ?
Wearing masks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leader McConnell said the Senate will take up the next coronavirus economic relief bill later this month .
At that time , I intend to offer an amendment to prohibit sending funds to states that haven ’ t adopted a statewide mask requirement .
The situation is getting worse daily .
Several states including California , Alabama and Montana already require masks in public .
This should be universal .
My hope has been that other governors would show the leadership to institute their own mask mandates , but so far that hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time for Congress to step in .
Breitbart.com reports : Feinstein ’ s announcement follows as Republican governors such as South Dakota Gov .
Kristi Noem and Georgia Gov .
Brian Kemp have resisted calls to issue statewide mask mandates .
“ This is a matter of life or death , and partisan politics shouldn ’ t play a role , ” she added .

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Sen. Dianne Feinstein has vowed to withhold aid to states that do not have a mask mandate.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Democratic Senator said that she will propose an amendment to the next coronavirus aid legislation that will punish states for failing to force their residents to wear masks.
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Feinstein said:
In the last two weeks, 41 states saw an increase in coronavirus cases, with a total of 3.5 million infected nationwide. California, Florida and New York each topped 300,000 cases, and Texas will soon follow. We’ve seen 60,000 new cases in five of the last six days. We’re failing to control this virus and it’s time for serious action. Research shows that masks reduce transmission of the coronavirus. CDC Director Redfield said this surge in COVID-19 cases could end within two months if we adopt ‘universal masking.’ Businesses like Walmart, Kohl’s and Kroger now require masks. And countries that are successfully controlling this virus require masks. So why doesn’t the United States have a national mask mandate? Wearing masks in public should be mandatory. Period. Leader McConnell said the Senate will take up the next coronavirus economic relief bill later this month. At that time, I intend to offer an amendment to prohibit sending funds to states that haven’t adopted a statewide mask requirement. The situation is getting worse daily. Several states including California, Alabama and Montana already require masks in public. This should be universal. My hope has been that other governors would show the leadership to institute their own mask mandates, but so far that hasn’t happened. It’s time for Congress to step in.
Breitbart.com reports: Feinstein’s announcement follows as Republican governors such as South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem and Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp have resisted calls to issue statewide mask mandates.
“This is a matter of life or death, and partisan politics shouldn’t play a role,” she added.


newspunch--2020-07-17--British PM Boris Johnson Unveils New Draconian Lockdown Rules

British prime minister Boris Johnson has unveiled new draconian lockdown rules which include ‘ stay at home ’ orders and powers to shut down transport .
During a press conference today Boris Johnson unveiled the toughest coronavirus lockdown powers so far , allowing ministers to seal off communities and order people to “ stay at home ” .
The Guardian reports : Mr Johnson acknowledged the draconian measures will be “ hard going ” for people caught up in them .
From August , employers will be able to discuss with staff proposals for them to return to offices and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 .
The Government is asking employers to behave in a socially responsible manner and listen to the concerns of staff who have problems accessing public transport , have special health worries , or are constrained by looking after children .
The guidance will give employers more discretion to decide whether employees should come into work or stay at home .
“ We are not prescribing what businesses should do , ” said a government source .
Meanwhile , new powers to deal with Leicester-style local outbreaks of Covid-19 will be available to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most extreme powers will be set out in draft to Parliament next week .
• Local stay-at-home orders that will bar people from entering or leaving defined areas without permission .
• Powers to shut down or restrict transport systems , effectively cutting off a town or area where there is an outbreak .
• Special measures to cancel events or shut down individual businesses and venues .
• Means to limit gatherings more severely than national rules .
The measures go beyond the extended lockdown being experienced by Leicester , which was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the city ’ s crowded centre .
They will be subject to appeal routes and oversight to guard against misuse , but Mr Johnson was clear that they are necessary .
The Prime Minister said : “ I know that it will be hard going for people affected by these local measures .
It isn ’ t easy , and for some it may seem unjust that people just a short distance away can live their lives closer to normal .
“ But it has to be right that we take local action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no point shutting down Newcastle to contain an outbreak in Bristol.
” A huge increase in testing for the disease will be rolled out , with up to half a million tests a day being considered .
Squads of health officials and tracers will be at readiness to swoop if a town or borough shows signs of getting out of control .
Downing Street says there is no new example of a Leicester-style outbreak at the moment .
The powers are being taken now in preparation for the future , especially this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be a long-lasting problem

British prime minister Boris Johnson has unveiled new draconian lockdown rules which include ‘stay at home’ orders and powers to shut down transport.
During a press conference today Boris Johnson unveiled the toughest coronavirus lockdown powers so far, allowing ministers to seal off communities and order people to “stay at home”.
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The Guardian reports: Mr Johnson acknowledged the draconian measures will be “hard going” for people caught up in them.
From August, employers will be able to discuss with staff proposals for them to return to offices and workplaces that have been made safe against Covid-19.
The Government is asking employers to behave in a socially responsible manner and listen to the concerns of staff who have problems accessing public transport, have special health worries, or are constrained by looking after children.
The guidance will give employers more discretion to decide whether employees should come into work or stay at home. “We are not prescribing what businesses should do,” said a government source.
Meanwhile, new powers to deal with Leicester-style local outbreaks of Covid-19 will be available to local authorities from tomorrow, while the most extreme powers will be set out in draft to Parliament next week.
They include:
Local stay-at-home orders that will bar people from entering or leaving defined areas without permission.
Powers to shut down or restrict transport systems, effectively cutting off a town or area where there is an outbreak.
Special measures to cancel events or shut down individual businesses and venues.
Means to limit gatherings more severely than national rules.
The measures go beyond the extended lockdown being experienced by Leicester, which was imposed after a wave of cases in the city’s crowded centre. They will be subject to appeal routes and oversight to guard against misuse, but Mr Johnson was clear that they are necessary.
The Prime Minister said: “I know that it will be hard going for people affected by these local measures. It isn’t easy, and for some it may seem unjust that people just a short distance away can live their lives closer to normal.
“But it has to be right that we take local action in response to local outbreaks — there is no point shutting down Newcastle to contain an outbreak in Bristol.”
A huge increase in testing for the disease will be rolled out, with up to half a million tests a day being considered. Squads of health officials and tracers will be at readiness to swoop if a town or borough shows signs of getting out of control.
Downing Street says there is no new example of a Leicester-style outbreak at the moment. The powers are being taken now in preparation for the future, especially this winter, amid rising concerns that coronavirus will be a long-lasting problem


newspunch--2020-07-17--Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Demands ‘More Gun Control’

Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has called for more gun control amid rising gun violence in her city .
The mayor slammed President Trump , insisting there are “ easy things ” that could be done to stop the violence .
Lightfoot ’ s comments came in reaction to President Trump ’ s suggestion that the federal government may step in to take back control of the city .
“ If the president was really committed to helping us deal with our violence , he would do some easy things , ” Lightfoot tweeted .
“ What he would push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would push for an assault weapons ban , he would push to make sure that people who are banned from getting on airplanes can ’ t get guns.
” Breitbart.com reports : She did not mention the Chicago-area already has an “ assault weapons ” ban , thanks to a Cook County prohibition .
Moreover , Chicago and the entire state of Illinois already have a licensing process for would-be gun owners that includes a background check .
This is a defacto universal background check system wholly separate from the vetting process one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obtain a concealed carry permit .
The “ assault weapons ” ban and background check requirements do not impact criminals because criminals acquire their guns from dark sources rather than retail stores , gun shows , the Internet , etc .
On August 30 , 2015 , Breitbart News reported a University of Chicago Crime Lab study showing criminals in the Cook County jail largely spoke of having acquired guns in undetectable ways on the street .
Another ramification of criminals ’ means of acquiring guns is that Lightfoot ’ s n0-fly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law would have no impact on Chicago gun violence because it presupposes criminals are buying their guns from a retail store instead the street .

Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has called for more gun control amid rising gun violence in her city.
The mayor slammed President Trump, insisting there are “easy things” that could be done to stop the violence.
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Lightfoot’s comments came in reaction to President Trump’s suggestion that the federal government may step in to take back control of the city.
“If the president was really committed to helping us deal with our violence, he would do some easy things,” Lightfoot tweeted.
“What he would push for is universal background checks, he would push for an assault weapons ban, he would push to make sure that people who are banned from getting on airplanes can’t get guns.”
Chicago’s mayor blames Trump for her city’s soaring murder rate:
“If the president was really committed to helping us deal with our violence, he would do some easy things … He would push to make sure that people who were banned from getting on airplanes can’t get guns." pic.twitter.com/2S0idD0yQd — Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) July 14, 2020
Breitbart.com reports: She did not mention the Chicago-area already has an “assault weapons” ban, thanks to a Cook County prohibition. Moreover, Chicago and the entire state of Illinois already have a licensing process for would-be gun owners that includes a background check.
This is a defacto universal background check system wholly separate from the vetting process one goes through to purchase a gun or obtain a concealed carry permit.
The “assault weapons” ban and background check requirements do not impact criminals because criminals acquire their guns from dark sources rather than retail stores, gun shows, the Internet, etc.
On August 30, 2015, Breitbart News reported a University of Chicago Crime Lab study showing criminals in the Cook County jail largely spoke of having acquired guns in undetectable ways on the street.
Another ramification of criminals’ means of acquiring guns is that Lightfoot’s n0-fly, no-buy suggestion is moot. Such a law would have no impact on Chicago gun violence because it presupposes criminals are buying their guns from a retail store instead the street.


newspunch--2020-07-17--Georgia’s Republican Governor Suspends All Mask Mandates: They’re “Unenforceable”

Georgia ’ s Republican Governor Brian Kemp has suspended all local mask mandates in an executive order signed on Wednesday .
Kemp overruled all local governments that issued their unconstitutional mandatory mask law .
“ State , county , or municipal law , order , ordinance , rule , or regulation that requires persons to wear face coverings , masks , face shields , or any other Personal Protective Equipment while in places of public accommodation or on public property are suspended to the extent that they are more restrictive than this Executive Order.
” Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter militants last month .
“ Like all of the local mask mandates , Mayor Bottoms ’ order is unenforceable .
We continue to encourage Georgians to do the right thing and wear a mask voluntarily .
If the Mayor wants to flatten the curve in Atlanta , she should start enforcing the current provisions of the Governor ’ s orders , ” the statement read .
Governor Brian Kemp is the latest Republican to come out and publicly call mask mandates “ unenforceable.
” Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry ( R ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Democrat governor ’ s mask mandate is “ likely unconstitutional and unenforceable.
” Landry also said the new mandate can not be enforced with financial or criminal penalties .
“ Although the mask mandate and the 50-person limit may be good recommendations for personal safety , they may not be enforced with financial or criminal penalties , ” Landry wrote .
“ Both businesses acting under color of law as mask police and actual police acting as mask police could face liability if individual civil rights are violated due to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violates due process , separation of powers , the delegation clause , state public accommodation anti-discrimination laws and it is unenforceable , ” Landry wrote .
Mask mandates are unconstitutional and more Republican lawmakers and leaders need to come out and stand up for our Constitutional rights .

Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp has suspended all local mask mandates in an executive order signed on Wednesday.
Kemp overruled all local governments that issued their unconstitutional mandatory mask law.
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“State, county, or municipal law, order, ordinance, rule, or regulation that requires persons to wear face coverings, masks, face shields, or any other Personal Protective Equipment while in places of public accommodation or on public property are suspended to the extent that they are more restrictive than this Executive Order.”
Thegatewaypundit.com reports: Last week Kemp blasted Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms’ executive order mandating face masks in public.
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is a Marxist and marched with Black Lives Matter militants last month.
“Like all of the local mask mandates, Mayor Bottoms’ order is unenforceable. We continue to encourage Georgians to do the right thing and wear a mask voluntarily. If the Mayor wants to flatten the curve in Atlanta, she should start enforcing the current provisions of the Governor’s orders,” the statement read.
Governor Brian Kemp is the latest Republican to come out and publicly call mask mandates “unenforceable.”
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry (R) said Wednesday in a 9-page legal opinion that the Democrat governor’s mask mandate is “likely unconstitutional and unenforceable.”
Landry also said the new mandate cannot be enforced with financial or criminal penalties.
“Although the mask mandate and the 50-person limit may be good recommendations for personal safety, they may not be enforced with financial or criminal penalties,” Landry wrote. “Both businesses acting under color of law as mask police and actual police acting as mask police could face liability if individual civil rights are violated due to the proclamation.”
“The mask mandate flatly violates due process, separation of powers, the delegation clause, state public accommodation anti-discrimination laws and it is unenforceable,” Landry wrote.
Mask mandates are unconstitutional and more Republican lawmakers and leaders need to come out and stand up for our Constitutional rights.


newspunch--2020-07-17--Joe Biden Pressured to Defund the Military, End Space Force

They have laid out a radical wish list that includes cutting the Pentagon ’ s budget by a whopping $ 200 billion per year , ending the refurbishment of the nation ’ s nuclear arsenal and getting rid of the Space Force – at a time when U.S. adversaries are developing in those areas .
Breitbart.com reports : More than 50 progressive groups made the demands in a letter sent to Biden in May .
It is not clear how receptive Biden is to their demands , but he has already indicated he is open to cutting the defense budget @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defense and protect our safety and security for less , ” he told the Washington Post .
Trump blasted calls to defund the military during a press conference in the Rose Garden on Tuesday .
“ Now the Democrat Party is calling for defunding of our military .
Think of that : defunding .
They want to defund our military when China is building a massive military .
They ’ re building a massive military , and Biden wants to defund our military .
And the world needs American strength right now more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got it , ” Trump said .
Calls to cut the military budget have the support of progressive politicians such as Sen. Bernie Sanders ( I-VT ) and members of the “ Squad ” : Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) , Ilhan Omar ( D-MN ) , Rashida Tlaib ( D-MI ) , and Ayanna Pressley ( D-MA ) .
They received a huge boost from establishment Democrats last week when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer ( NY ) came out in support of a Sanders amendment to cut military funding and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ receive a vote on July 20 .
Schumer said in a statement : “ Proud I fought alongside Sen. Sanders to ensure we vote in July on his amendment to cut $ 740 billion defense budget by 10 % and put [ money ] into priorities like health care , housing , childcare in communities with 25 % + poverty —including many communities of color.
” “ This amendment will begin to change our national priorities , ” Sanders tweeted .
His amendment is backed by more than 60 progressive groups fighting for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and peace , Sanders ’ s office said .
Those groups were not identified , but it is likely the same groups pressuring Biden .
Those same groups sent a letter on Monday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) to call on her to appoint a House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman who supports their causes .
“ We ask that the next HFAC Chair be publicly committed to fully repealing the Trump Administration ’ s Muslim , African , refugee , and asylum bans , restore access to asylum , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at minimum returning to the historic average goal of 95,000 per year , ” the letter said .
On Wednesday , Sanders told MSNBC ’ s Ali Velshi that he and Biden are collaborating on a number of issues .
“ We put together a number of task forces with the Biden campaign .
One of them is on health care .
He , in fact , moved a whole lot in many areas , ” he said .
Steve Guest , Rapid Response Director for the Republican National Committee , said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ isn ’ t plagiarizing from Bernie , Biden has become nearly indistinguishable from Crazy Bernie.
” He added : On energy , Biden has embraced Bernie ’ s and AOC ’ s Green New Deal agenda of anti-fracking and anti-fossil fuel .
Their plan to eliminate oil , gas , and coal from the power grid would burden Americans with $ 4.5 TRILLION in expenses .
Biden is also in agreement with Bernie to stop deportations of illegal immigrants .
On taxes , Biden and Bernie are also in agreement that hard working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bernie endorsed middle class tax hikes and Biden ’ s tax plan would level tax increases on 82 % of middle-income Americans .
Biden , like Bernie wants to give government funded health care to illegal immigrants .
Furthermore , Biden and Bernie both want to abolish the death penalty .
Bottom Line : While Joe Biden might be the physical nominee for the Democrat Party , the agenda of Bernie Sanders and AOC is Biden ’ s platform .
According to a Foreign Policy report in April , Biden ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s foreign policy advisers to discuss a unified platform .
Jim Townsend , a former deputy secretary of defense for Europe under the Obama administration , told Foreign Policy that a new Biden administration is going to have to think “ anew ” because of Sanders and his supporters .
“ A new Biden administration is not only going to have to think anew because of what we ’ ve learned , but because of Bernie and how his core supporters were looking at foreign policy and the U.S. role in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It will not be rejected out of hand .
I just feel as certain as I ’ m sitting here , that if the Biden administration is elected , progressive ideas are going to be there on the table .
”

Far-left groups are pressuring 2020 Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden to slash the military budget by hundreds of billions and shift his foreign policy to the extreme left.
They have laid out a radical wish list that includes cutting the Pentagon’s budget by a whopping $200 billion per year, ending the refurbishment of the nation’s nuclear arsenal and getting rid of the Space Force – at a time when U.S. adversaries are developing in those areas.
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Breitbart.com reports: More than 50 progressive groups made the demands in a letter sent to Biden in May. It is not clear how receptive Biden is to their demands, but he has already indicated he is open to cutting the defense budget.
“We can maintain a strong defense and protect our safety and security for less,” he told the Washington Post.
Trump blasted calls to defund the military during a press conference in the Rose Garden on Tuesday.
“Now the Democrat Party is calling for defunding of our military. Think of that: defunding. They want to defund our military when China is building a massive military. They’re building a massive military, and Biden wants to defund our military. And the world needs American strength right now more than ever, and we’ve got it,” Trump said.
Calls to cut the military budget have the support of progressive politicians such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and members of the “Squad”: Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA).
They received a huge boost from establishment Democrats last week when Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) came out in support of a Sanders amendment to cut military funding and invest in progressive priorities, which will receive a vote on July 20.
Schumer said in a statement: “Proud I fought alongside Sen. Sanders to ensure we vote in July on his amendment to cut $740 billion defense budget by 10% and put [money] into priorities like health care, housing, childcare in communities with 25%+ poverty —including many communities of color.”
“This amendment will begin to change our national priorities,” Sanders tweeted. His amendment is backed by more than 60 progressive groups fighting for economic, environmental, racial justice, and peace, Sanders’s office said. Those groups were not identified, but it is likely the same groups pressuring Biden.
Those same groups sent a letter on Monday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to call on her to appoint a House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman who supports their causes.
“We ask that the next HFAC Chair be publicly committed to fully repealing the Trump Administration’s Muslim, African, refugee, and asylum bans, restore access to asylum, and support a robust refugee resettlement program, at minimum returning to the historic average goal of 95,000 per year,” the letter said.
On Wednesday, Sanders told MSNBC’s Ali Velshi that he and Biden are collaborating on a number of issues.
“We put together a number of task forces with the Biden campaign. One of them is on health care. He, in fact, moved a whole lot in many areas,” he said.
Steve Guest, Rapid Response Director for the Republican National Committee, said in a press release: “When Biden isn’t plagiarizing from Bernie, Biden has become nearly indistinguishable from Crazy Bernie.” He added:
On energy, Biden has embraced Bernie’s and AOC’s Green New Deal agenda of anti-fracking and anti-fossil fuel. Their plan to eliminate oil, gas, and coal from the power grid would burden Americans with $4.5 TRILLION in expenses. Biden is also in agreement with Bernie to stop deportations of illegal immigrants. On taxes, Biden and Bernie are also in agreement that hard working Americans need to pay more in taxes. Bernie endorsed middle class tax hikes and Biden’s tax plan would level tax increases on 82% of middle-income Americans. Biden, like Bernie wants to give government funded health care to illegal immigrants. Furthermore, Biden and Bernie both want to abolish the death penalty. Bottom Line: While Joe Biden might be the physical nominee for the Democrat Party, the agenda of Bernie Sanders and AOC is Biden’s platform.
According to a Foreign Policy report in April, Biden’s campaign advisers were in touch with Sanders’s foreign policy advisers to discuss a unified platform.
Jim Townsend, a former deputy secretary of defense for Europe under the Obama administration, told Foreign Policy that a new Biden administration is going to have to think “anew” because of Sanders and his supporters.
“A new Biden administration is not only going to have to think anew because of what we’ve learned, but because of Bernie and how his core supporters were looking at foreign policy and the U.S. role in the world,” he said.
“It will not be rejected out of hand. I just feel as certain as I’m sitting here, that if the Biden administration is elected, progressive ideas are going to be there on the table.”


newspunch--2020-07-17--BLM ‘Defund the Police’ Protest Leader Arrested on Sickening Child Porn Charges

A prominent Black Lives Matter activist responsible for organizing recent protests calling to “ defund the police ” has been arrested by police on a sickening array of child pornography charges .
37-year-old far-left protest organizer Christopher Devries of Jackson , New Hampshire was arrested Friday on charges of possession of child sexual abuse images and drugs , police said .
Devries was also charged with falsifying physical evidence after desperately attempting to destroy his smartphone during his arrest .
Devries has become the latest Black Lives Matter and Antifa leader to be exposed as a pedophile .
Antifa militant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felony assault at a protest in Portland last week , pled guilty to the second-degree rape of a child in 2017 .
Antifa and Black Lives Matter leader , Micah Rhodes , who was found guilty of the statutory rapes of an underage girl and boy in 2018 , recently complained in a lawsuit that he is at risk of catching Covid-19 in prison .
Conway Daily Sun reports : Devries ’ home was raided by the Jackson Police Department and several other law enforcement agencies after executing a search warrant following a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activity , JPD said in a news release .
Far-left activist Devries was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Carroll County Jail , the release said .
He is charged with six counts of possession of child sexual abuse images , one count of possession of drugs and one count of falsifying physical evidence .
Jackson police also found psilocybin mushrooms during the search , according to the news release .
Each count of possession of child sexual abuse images , which is a Class A felony , is punishable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prison and a $ 4,000 fine .
Possession of psilocybin mushrooms , a Class B felony , is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $ 4,000 fine .
The child abuse images reportedly showed underage girls in “ lewd exhibition ” of private parts or taking part in sexual activity .
Devries is being held without bail pending arraignment in Carroll County Superior Court in Ossipee on Monday , according to the news release .
Devries is a leader of a recent Black Lives Matter/Defund the Police protest he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He also worked at the Municipal Budget Committee for the town of Conway , New Hamshire .
The “ Skate Away the Hate ” protest involved protesters riding bikes and skateboards down Route 16 in New Hampshire .
From a loudspeaker , Devries yelled demands he claims were conveyed to him by local Black Lives Matter chapters .
“ If we divest funds from police and prison systems we all benefit , ” said DeVries .
“ Those funds can go to local communities and social services .
“ I feel like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can do as a father on Father ’ s Day… “ I want to live in a world where racism is not accepted or tolerated , and I don ’ t want to live in a community or know there are communities in this country where people are afraid of their local police , ” Devries shouted during the protest .
Jackson Police Chief Chris Perley warned that those calling to “ defund the police ” may have ulterior motives .
“ I can ’ t comment on this case specifically or Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defendant pending adjudication and presumed innocent until proven guilty , ” Chief Perley said .
“ But I can say that generally speaking , people should be very cautious about listening to voices suggesting defunding of the police because their motives are not always in the best interest of society .
”

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A prominent Black Lives Matter activist responsible for organizing recent protests calling to “defund the police” has been arrested by police on a sickening array of child pornography charges.
37-year-old far-left protest organizer Christopher Devries of Jackson, New Hampshire was arrested Friday on charges of possession of child sexual abuse images and drugs, police said.
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Devries was also charged with falsifying physical evidence after desperately attempting to destroy his smartphone during his arrest.
Devries has become the latest Black Lives Matter and Antifa leader to be exposed as a pedophile. Antifa militant Shaelyn Reed, who was arrested for felony assault at a protest in Portland last week, pled guilty to the second-degree rape of a child in 2017.
Antifa and Black Lives Matter leader, Micah Rhodes, who was found guilty of the statutory rapes of an underage girl and boy in 2018, recently complained in a lawsuit that he is at risk of catching Covid-19 in prison.
Christopher Devries of Jackson, New Hampshire, a prominent local far-left activist, was arrested Friday on child pornography and drugs charges.
Conway Daily Sun reports: Devries’ home was raided by the Jackson Police Department and several other law enforcement agencies after executing a search warrant following a lengthy investigation into suspected child sex abuse activity, JPD said in a news release.
Far-left activist Devries was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Carroll County Jail, the release said.
He is charged with six counts of possession of child sexual abuse images, one count of possession of drugs and one count of falsifying physical evidence.
Christopher Devries at a Black Lives Matter protest earlier this month.
Jackson police also found psilocybin mushrooms during the search, according to the news release.
Each count of possession of child sexual abuse images, which is a Class A felony, is punishable by up to 15 years in state prison and a $4,000 fine.
Possession of psilocybin mushrooms, a Class B felony, is punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $4,000 fine.
The child abuse images reportedly showed underage girls in “lewd exhibition” of private parts or taking part in sexual activity.
Devries is being held without bail pending arraignment in Carroll County Superior Court in Ossipee on Monday, according to the news release.
Devries is a leader of a recent Black Lives Matter/Defund the Police protest he called “Skate Away the Hate.”
He also worked at the Municipal Budget Committee for the town of Conway, New Hamshire.
The “Skate Away the Hate” protest involved protesters riding bikes and skateboards down Route 16 in New Hampshire.
From a loudspeaker, Devries yelled demands he claims were conveyed to him by local Black Lives Matter chapters.
“If we divest funds from police and prison systems we all benefit,” said DeVries.
“Those funds can go to local communities and social services.
“I feel like this is one of the best things I can do as a father on Father’s Day…
“I want to live in a world where racism is not accepted or tolerated, and I don’t want to live in a community or know there are communities in this country where people are afraid of their local police,” Devries shouted during the protest.
Jackson Police Chief Chris Perley warned that those calling to “defund the police” may have ulterior motives.
“I can’t comment on this case specifically or Mr. Devries as he is a charged criminal defendant pending adjudication and presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Chief Perley said.
“But I can say that generally speaking, people should be very cautious about listening to voices suggesting defunding of the police because their motives are not always in the best interest of society.”


newspunch--2020-07-17--Nuclear Family, Christianity and Hard Work are Negative Forms of ‘Whiteness’, Says National Museum o

Nuclear Family, Christianity and Hard Work are Negative Forms of ‘Whiteness’, Says National Museum of African American History and Culture

The National Museum of African American History and Culture ( NMAAHC ) has published a guide which claims that hard work , being on time , the nuclear family and Christianity are negative forms of “ whiteness ” that should be reconsidered because they are “ oppressive ” .
The ( NMAAHC ) is a Smithsonian Institution museum located on the National Mall in Washington , D.C .
The museum ’ s guide to “ whiteness & white culture ” lists examples of “ white dominant culture ” that have become “ normalized ” in America and are used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power .
– Rugged individualism – Self-reliance – The nuclear family , with a mother and a father and 2.3 children – Objective , rational , linear thinking – Hard work – Delayed gratification – Respect for authority – Following time schedules – Christianity as the norm – Planning for the future – English common law justice – Property rights – Being polite Summit report : That list is by no means exhaustive either .
They detail a number of other perfectly healthy examples of what builds a strong society , suggesting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some way and are linked to white nationalism and white supremacy .
Perhaps someone should inform the museum that 40-45 % of people in Africa are Christians , the vast majority of whom are black .
Would they agree that Christianity and the nuclear family are malevolent forms of “ whiteness ” that need to be abolished ?
This is yet another clear sign that the entire Black Lives Matter movement , which is stridently supported by virtually every major cultural , media and corporate institution in America , is based on completely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first place .
Donald Trump Jnr .
responded to the guide by tweeting , “ These aren ’ t “ white ” values .
They ’ re American values that built the world ’ s greatest civilization .
They help you succeed here , no matter your color .
So make no mistake , Biden ’ s radicals aren ’ t coming for “ whites , ” they ’ re coming for the entire American way of life .
”

The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) has published a guide which claims that hard work, being on time, the nuclear family and Christianity are negative forms of “whiteness” that should be reconsidered because they are “oppressive”.
Yes, really.
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The (NMAAHC) is a Smithsonian Institution museum located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The museum’s guide to “whiteness & white culture” lists examples of “white dominant culture” that have become “normalized” in America and are used to prevent people of color from gaining institutional power.
These examples include;
– Rugged individualism
– Self-reliance
– The nuclear family, with a mother and a father and 2.3 children
– Objective, rational, linear thinking
– Hard work
– Delayed gratification
– Respect for authority
– Following time schedules
– Christianity as the norm
– Planning for the future
– English common law justice
– Property rights
– Being polite
Summit report: That list is by no means exhaustive either. They detail a number of other perfectly healthy examples of what builds a strong society, suggesting that all of these things are oppressive in some way and are linked to white nationalism and white supremacy.
Perhaps someone should inform the museum that 40-45% of people in Africa are Christians, the vast majority of whom are black. Would they agree that Christianity and the nuclear family are malevolent forms of “whiteness” that need to be abolished?
This is yet another clear sign that the entire Black Lives Matter movement, which is stridently supported by virtually every major cultural, media and corporate institution in America, is based on completely demolishing everything that made America great in the first place.
Donald Trump Jnr. responded to the guide by tweeting, “These aren’t “white” values. They’re American values that built the world’s greatest civilization. They help you succeed here, no matter your color. So make no mistake, Biden’s radicals aren’t coming for “whites,” they’re coming for the entire American way of life.”


newspunch--2020-07-17--New York Times Opinion Editor Quits; Admits NYT Now Controlled By ‘Woke’ Twitter Mob

New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss has resigned and penned a scorching resignation letter denouncing the Times as nothing more than an echo chamber for ‘ woke ’ activists and leftists masquerading as journalists who do not believe in core American values including free speech .
As a refresher , the Times newsroom erupted in chaos following the decision to publish an Op-Ed by Sen. Tom Cotton ( R-AK ) , in which he suggested that the Trump administration should deploy the military to quell violent race-riots gripping the country following the death of a black suspect while in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schism formed within the Times , with younger ‘ woke ’ staffers insisting that such ‘ wrongthink ’ has no place on the platform , while others defended the decision to publish Cotton ’ s divergent opinion .
In the end , the woke mob won ; the Times added an editor ’ s note conveying regret for publishing it – which was accompanied by the resignation of editorial page editor James Bennett ( who Weiss writes ‘ led the effort ’ to reform the paper after the 2016 election ) .
Which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who came under intense fire by her NYT colleagues after she laid out what was going on in the newsroom in a Twitter thread , which ultimately defended the decision to publish Cotton ’ s op-ed .
In her Tuesday resignation letter , Weiss excoriated the Times .
Weiss described the Times as a hostile work environment , and slammed the paper for allowing “ this kind of behavior to go on inside your company in full view of the paper ’ s entire staff and the public.
” “ Showing up for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ newspaper should not require bravery , ” Weiss writes , adding “ But the truth is that intellectual curiosity—let alone risk-taking—is now a liability at The Times.
” Published in its entirety below : It is with sadness that I write to tell you that I am resigning from The New York Times .
I joined the paper with gratitude and optimism three years ago .
I was hired with the goal of bringing in voices that would not otherwise appear in your pages : first-time writers , centrists , conservatives and others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Times as their home .
The reason for this effort was clear : The paper ’ s failure to anticipate the outcome of the 2016 election meant that it didn ’ t have a firm grasp of the country it covers .
Dean Baquet and others have admitted as much on various occasions .
The priority in Opinion was to help redress that critical shortcoming .
I was honored to be part of that effort , led by James Bennet .
I am proud of my work as a writer and as an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our pages : the Venezuelan dissident Wuilly Arteaga ; the Iranian chess champion Dorsa Derakhshani ; and the Hong Kong Christian democrat Derek Lam .
Also : Ayaan Hirsi Ali , Masih Alinejad , Zaina Arafat , Elna Baker , Rachael Denhollander , Matti Friedman , Nick Gillespie , Heather Heying , Randall Kennedy , Julius Krein , Monica Lewinsky , Glenn Loury , Jesse Singal , Ali Soufan , Chloe Valdary , Thomas Chatterton Williams , Wesley Yang , and many others .
But the lessons that ought to have followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other Americans , the necessity of resisting tribalism , and the centrality of the free exchange of ideas to a democratic society—have not been learned .
Instead , a new consensus has emerged in the press , but perhaps especially at this paper : that truth isn ’ t a process of collective discovery , but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else .
Twitter is not on the masthead of The New York Times .
But Twitter has become its ultimate editor .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have become those of the paper , the paper itself has increasingly become a kind of performance space .
Stories are chosen and told in a way to satisfy the narrowest of audiences , rather than to allow a curious public to read about the world and then draw their own conclusions.I was always taught that journalists were charged with writing the first rough draft of history .
Now , history itself is one more ephemeral thing molded to fit the needs of a predetermined narrative .
My own forays into Wrongthink have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by colleagues who disagree with my views .
They have called me a Nazi and a racist ; I have learned to brush off comments about how I ’ m “ writing about the Jews again.
” Several colleagues perceived to be friendly with me were badgered by coworkers .
My work and my character are openly demeaned on company-wide Slack channels where masthead editors regularly weigh in .
There , some coworkers insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly “ inclusive ” one , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my name .
Still other New York Times employees publicly smear me as a liar and a bigot on Twitter with no fear that harassing me will be met with appropriate action .
They never are .
There are terms for all of this : unlawful discrimination , hostile work environment , and constructive discharge .
I ’ m no legal expert .
But I know that this is wrong .
I do not understand how you have allowed this kind of behavior to go on inside your company in full view of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the public .
And I certainly can ’ t square how you and other Times leaders have stood by while simultaneously praising me in private for my courage .
Showing up for work as a centrist at an American newspaper should not require bravery .
Part of me wishes I could say that my experience was unique .
But the truth is that intellectual curiosity—let alone risk-taking—is now a liability at The Times .
Why edit something challenging to our readers , or write something bold only to go through the numbing process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can assure ourselves of job security ( and clicks ) by publishing our 4000th op-ed arguing that Donald Trump is a unique danger to the country and the world ?
And so self-censorship has become the norm .
What rules that remain at The Times are applied with extreme selectivity .
If a person ’ s ideology is in keeping with the new orthodoxy , they and their work remain unscrutinized .
Everyone else lives in fear of the digital thunderdome .
Online venom is excused so long as it is directed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have easily been published just two years ago would now get an editor or a writer in serious trouble , if not fired .
If a piece is perceived as likely to inspire backlash internally or on social media , the editor or writer avoids pitching it .
If she feels strongly enough to suggest it , she is quickly steered to safer ground .
And if , every now and then , she succeeds in getting a piece published that does not explicitly promote progressive causes , it happens only after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and caveated .
It took the paper two days and two jobs to say that the Tom Cotton op-ed “ fell short of our standards.
” We attached an editor ’ s note on a travel story about Jaffa shortly after it was published because it “ failed to touch on important aspects of Jaffa ’ s makeup and its history.
” But there is still none appended to Cheryl Strayed ’ s fawning interview with the writer Alice Walker , a proud anti-Semite who believes in lizard Illuminati .
The paper of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the record of those living in a distant galaxy , one whose concerns are profoundly removed from the lives of most people .
This is a galaxy in which , to choose just a few recent examples , the Soviet space program is lauded for its “ diversity ” ; the doxxing of teenagers in the name of justice is condoned ; and the worst caste systems in human history includes the United States alongside Nazi Germany .
Even now , I am confident that most people at The Times do not hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by those who do .
Why ?
Perhaps because they believe the ultimate goal is righteous .
Perhaps because they believe that they will be granted protection if they nod along as the coin of our realm—language—is degraded in service to an ever-shifting laundry list of right causes .
Perhaps because there are millions of unemployed people in this country and they feel lucky to have a job in a contracting industry .
Or perhaps it is because they know that , nowadays , standing up for principle at the paper does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on your back .
Too wise to post on Slack , they write to me privately about the “ new McCarthyism ” that has taken root at the paper of record .
All this bodes ill , especially for independent-minded young writers and editors paying close attention to what they ’ ll have to do to advance in their careers .
Rule One : Speak your mind at your own peril .
Rule Two : Never risk commissioning a story that goes against the narrative .
Rule Three : Never believe an editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the grain .
Eventually , the publisher will cave to the mob , the editor will get fired or reassigned , and you ’ ll be hung out to dry .
For these young writers and editors , there is one consolation .
As places like The Times and other once-great journalistic institutions betray their standards and lose sight of their principles , Americans still hunger for news that is accurate , opinions that are vital , and debate that is sincere .
I hear from these people every day .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ideal or a progressive ideal or a democratic ideal .
It ’ s an American ideal , ” you said a few years ago .
I couldn ’ t agree more .
America is a great country that deserves a great newspaper .
None of this means that some of the most talented journalists in the world don ’ t still labor for this newspaper .
They do , which is what makes the illiberal environment especially heartbreaking .
I will be , as ever , a dedicated reader of their work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ work that you brought me here to do—the work that Adolph Ochs described in that famous 1896 statement : “ to make of the columns of The New York Times a forum for the consideration of all questions of public importance , and to that end to invite intelligent discussion from all shades of opinion.
” Ochs ’ s idea is one of the best I ’ ve encountered .
And I ’ ve always comforted myself with the notion that the best ideas win out .
But ideas can not win on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They need a hearing .
Above all , they must be backed by people willing to live by them .

New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss has resigned and penned a scorching resignation letter denouncing the Times as nothing more than an echo chamber for ‘woke’ activists and leftists masquerading as journalists who do not believe in core American values including free speech.
But the lessons that ought to have followed the election—lessons about the importance of understanding other Americans, the necessity of resisting tribalism, and the centrality of the free exchange of ideas to a democratic society—have not been learned. Instead, a new consensus has emerged in the press, but perhaps especially at this paper: that truth isn’t a process of collective discovery, but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else. –Bari Weiss
As a refresher, the Times newsroom erupted in chaos following the decision to publish an Op-Ed by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK), in which he suggested that the Trump administration should deploy the military to quell violent race-riots gripping the country following the death of a black suspect while in custody of Minneapolis police.
BYPASS THE CENSORS Sign up to get unfiltered news delivered straight to your inbox. Email *
Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Δ
An internal schism formed within the Times, with younger ‘woke’ staffers insisting that such ‘wrongthink’ has no place on the platform, while others defended the decision to publish Cotton’s divergent opinion.
In the end, the woke mob won; the Times added an editor’s note conveying regret for publishing it – which was accompanied by the resignation of editorial page editor James Bennett (who Weiss writes ‘led the effort’ to reform the paper after the 2016 election).
Which brings us back to Bari Weiss, who came under intense fire by her NYT colleagues after she laid out what was going on in the newsroom in a Twitter thread, which ultimately defended the decision to publish Cotton’s op-ed.
The New Guard has a different worldview, one articulated best by @JonHaidt and @glukianoff. They call it "safetyism," in which the right of people to feel emotionally and psychologically safe trumps what were previously considered core liberal values, like free speech. — Bari Weiss (@bariweiss) June 4, 2020
In her Tuesday resignation letter, Weiss excoriated the Times.
“My own forays into Wrongthink have made me the subject of constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views. They have called me a Nazi and a racist; I have learned to brush off comments about how I’m “writing about the Jews again.” Several colleagues perceived to be friendly with me were badgered by coworkers. My work and my character are openly demeaned on company-wide Slack channels where masthead editors regularly weigh in. There, some coworkers insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly “inclusive” one, while others post ax emojis next to my name. Still other New York Times employees publicly smear me as a liar and a bigot on Twitter with no fear that harassing me will be met with appropriate action. They never are.” -Bari Weiss
Weiss described the Times as a hostile work environment, and slammed the paper for allowing “this kind of behavior to go on inside your company in full view of the paper’s entire staff and the public.”
“Showing up for work as a centrist at an American newspaper should not require bravery,” Weiss writes, adding “But the truth is that intellectual curiosity—let alone risk-taking—is now a liability at The Times.”
“Why edit something challenging to our readers, or write something bold only to go through the numbing process of making it ideologically kosher, when we can assure ourselves of job security (and clicks) by publishing our 4000th op-ed arguing that Donald Trump is a unique danger to the country and the world? And so self-censorship has become the norm. What rules that remain at The Times are applied with extreme selectivity. If a person’s ideology is in keeping with the new orthodoxy, they and their work remain unscrutinized. Everyone else lives in fear of the digital thunderdome. Online venom is excused so long as it is directed at the proper targets.”
Published in its entirety below:
* * *
Dear A.G.,
It is with sadness that I write to tell you that I am resigning from The New York Times.
I joined the paper with gratitude and optimism three years ago. I was hired with the goal of bringing in voices that would not otherwise appear in your pages: first-time writers, centrists, conservatives and others who would not naturally think of The Times as their home. The reason for this effort was clear: The paper’s failure to anticipate the outcome of the 2016 election meant that it didn’t have a firm grasp of the country it covers. Dean Baquet and others have admitted as much on various occasions. The priority in Opinion was to help redress that critical shortcoming.
I was honored to be part of that effort, led by James Bennet. I am proud of my work as a writer and as an editor. Among those I helped bring to our pages: the Venezuelan dissident Wuilly Arteaga; the Iranian chess champion Dorsa Derakhshani; and the Hong Kong Christian democrat Derek Lam. Also: Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Masih Alinejad, Zaina Arafat, Elna Baker, Rachael Denhollander, Matti Friedman, Nick Gillespie, Heather Heying, Randall Kennedy, Julius Krein, Monica Lewinsky, Glenn Loury, Jesse Singal, Ali Soufan, Chloe Valdary, Thomas Chatterton Williams, Wesley Yang, and many others.
But the lessons that ought to have followed the election—lessons about the importance of understanding other Americans, the necessity of resisting tribalism, and the centrality of the free exchange of ideas to a democratic society—have not been learned. Instead, a new consensus has emerged in the press, but perhaps especially at this paper: that truth isn’t a process of collective discovery, but an orthodoxy already known to an enlightened few whose job is to inform everyone else.
Twitter is not on the masthead of The New York Times. But Twitter has become its ultimate editor. As the ethics and mores of that platform have become those of the paper, the paper itself has increasingly become a kind of performance space. Stories are chosen and told in a way to satisfy the narrowest of audiences, rather than to allow a curious public to read about the world and then draw their own conclusions.I was always taught that journalists were charged with writing the first rough draft of history. Now, history itself is one more ephemeral thing molded to fit the needs of a predetermined narrative.
My own forays into Wrongthink have made me the subject of constant bullying by colleagues who disagree with my views. They have called me a Nazi and a racist; I have learned to brush off comments about how I’m “writing about the Jews again.” Several colleagues perceived to be friendly with me were badgered by coworkers. My work and my character are openly demeaned on company-wide Slack channels where masthead editors regularly weigh in. There, some coworkers insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly “inclusive” one, while others post ax emojis next to my name. Still other New York Times employees publicly smear me as a liar and a bigot on Twitter with no fear that harassing me will be met with appropriate action. They never are.
There are terms for all of this: unlawful discrimination, hostile work environment, and constructive discharge. I’m no legal expert. But I know that this is wrong.
I do not understand how you have allowed this kind of behavior to go on inside your company in full view of the paper’s entire staff and the public. And I certainly can’t square how you and other Times leaders have stood by while simultaneously praising me in private for my courage. Showing up for work as a centrist at an American newspaper should not require bravery.
Part of me wishes I could say that my experience was unique. But the truth is that intellectual curiosity—let alone risk-taking—is now a liability at The Times. Why edit something challenging to our readers, or write something bold only to go through the numbing process of making it ideologically kosher, when we can assure ourselves of job security (and clicks) by publishing our 4000th op-ed arguing that Donald Trump is a unique danger to the country and the world? And so self-censorship has become the norm.
What rules that remain at The Times are applied with extreme selectivity. If a person’s ideology is in keeping with the new orthodoxy, they and their work remain unscrutinized. Everyone else lives in fear of the digital thunderdome. Online venom is excused so long as it is directed at the proper targets.
Op-eds that would have easily been published just two years ago would now get an editor or a writer in serious trouble, if not fired. If a piece is perceived as likely to inspire backlash internally or on social media, the editor or writer avoids pitching it. If she feels strongly enough to suggest it, she is quickly steered to safer ground. And if, every now and then, she succeeds in getting a piece published that does not explicitly promote progressive causes, it happens only after every line is carefully massaged, negotiated and caveated.
It took the paper two days and two jobs to say that the Tom Cotton op-ed “fell short of our standards.” We attached an editor’s note on a travel story about Jaffa shortly after it was published because it “failed to touch on important aspects of Jaffa’s makeup and its history.” But there is still none appended to Cheryl Strayed’s fawning interview with the writer Alice Walker, a proud anti-Semite who believes in lizard Illuminati.
The paper of record is, more and more, the record of those living in a distant galaxy, one whose concerns are profoundly removed from the lives of most people. This is a galaxy in which, to choose just a few recent examples, the Soviet space program is lauded for its “diversity”; the doxxing of teenagers in the name of justice is condoned; and the worst caste systems in human history includes the United States alongside Nazi Germany.
Even now, I am confident that most people at The Times do not hold these views. Yet they are cowed by those who do. Why? Perhaps because they believe the ultimate goal is righteous. Perhaps because they believe that they will be granted protection if they nod along as the coin of our realm—language—is degraded in service to an ever-shifting laundry list of right causes. Perhaps because there are millions of unemployed people in this country and they feel lucky to have a job in a contracting industry.
Or perhaps it is because they know that, nowadays, standing up for principle at the paper does not win plaudits. It puts a target on your back. Too wise to post on Slack, they write to me privately about the “new McCarthyism” that has taken root at the paper of record.
All this bodes ill, especially for independent-minded young writers and editors paying close attention to what they’ll have to do to advance in their careers. Rule One: Speak your mind at your own peril. Rule Two: Never risk commissioning a story that goes against the narrative. Rule Three: Never believe an editor or publisher who urges you to go against the grain. Eventually, the publisher will cave to the mob, the editor will get fired or reassigned, and you’ll be hung out to dry.
For these young writers and editors, there is one consolation. As places like The Times and other once-great journalistic institutions betray their standards and lose sight of their principles, Americans still hunger for news that is accurate, opinions that are vital, and debate that is sincere. I hear from these people every day. “An independent press is not a liberal ideal or a progressive ideal or a democratic ideal. It’s an American ideal,” you said a few years ago. I couldn’t agree more. America is a great country that deserves a great newspaper.
None of this means that some of the most talented journalists in the world don’t still labor for this newspaper. They do, which is what makes the illiberal environment especially heartbreaking. I will be, as ever, a dedicated reader of their work. But I can no longer do the work that you brought me here to do—the work that Adolph Ochs described in that famous 1896 statement: “to make of the columns of The New York Times a forum for the consideration of all questions of public importance, and to that end to invite intelligent discussion from all shades of opinion.”
Ochs’s idea is one of the best I’ve encountered. And I’ve always comforted myself with the notion that the best ideas win out. But ideas cannot win on their own. They need a voice. They need a hearing. Above all, they must be backed by people willing to live by them.
Sincerely,
Bari