bonginoreport--2020-12-26--Rep. Gabbard Calls for Halt on U.K. Flights to U.S.

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , D-Hawaii , called Saturday for a halt on all flights from the United Kingdom into the U.S. amid increasing concern about a new , more infectious strain of COVID-19 .
`` The U.S. needs to temporarily halt all flights from the U.K. into the U.S. to stop more infectious mutation of COVID from entering the U.S .
This should have been done days ago , '' tweeted Gabbard , a former presidential hopeful .
AFRICA CDC : NEW VIRUS VARIANT APPEARS TO EMERGE IN NIGERIA Gabbard was reacting to new rules from the Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.K. to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test before their flight -- a move she said did not go far enough .
`` Negative tests from passengers is not sufficient , '' she tweeted .
`` It 's too little , too late . ''
The new rules about U.K. travel go into effect Monday .
That is in addition to President Trump ’ s proclamation in March that barred the entry of foreign nationals who had visited the U.K. in the last 14 days from coming into the U.S. -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel from the U.K. to the U.S. by about 90 % .
Other Democrats had welcomed the news , with New York Gov Andrew Cuomo calling it a `` Christmas wish answered . ''
He previously announced that three airlines had agreed to require testing of passengers prior to boarding .
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced restrictions of his own -- with travelers from the U.K. to receive a quarantine order and a visit from a sheriff ’ s deputy ensuring they were complying .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imposed travel restrictions on the U.K , where the new strain of virus has been documented .
Britain briefly saw chaos at the Dover port in southeast England this week after France temporarily restricted travel to the European mainland , but later listed that restriction .
The Associated Press contributed to this report .

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, called Saturday for a halt on all flights from the United Kingdom into the U.S. amid increasing concern about a new, more infectious strain of COVID-19.
"The U.S. needs to temporarily halt all flights from the U.K. into the U.S. to stop more infectious mutation of COVID from entering the U.S. This should have been done days ago," tweeted Gabbard, a former presidential hopeful.
AFRICA CDC: NEW VIRUS VARIANT APPEARS TO EMERGE IN NIGERIA
Gabbard was reacting to new rules from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that require passengers from the U.K. to have proof of a negative COVID-19 test before their flight -- a move she said did not go far enough.
"Negative tests from passengers is not sufficient," she tweeted. "It's too little, too late."
The new rules about U.K. travel go into effect Monday. That is in addition to President Trump’s proclamation in March that barred the entry of foreign nationals who had visited the U.K. in the last 14 days from coming into the U.S. -- a move that the CDC said reduced travel from the U.K. to the U.S. by about 90%.
Other Democrats had welcomed the news, with New York Gov Andrew Cuomo calling it a "Christmas wish answered." He previously announced that three airlines had agreed to require testing of passengers prior to boarding.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced restrictions of his own -- with travelers from the U.K. to receive a quarantine order and a visit from a sheriff’s deputy ensuring they were complying.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Some 40 countries have imposed travel restrictions on the U.K, where the new strain of virus has been documented. Britain briefly saw chaos at the Dover port in southeast England this week after France temporarily restricted travel to the European mainland, but later listed that restriction.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.


bonginoreport--2020-12-26--Pence Announces Elite Group of NASA Astronauts to Train for Moon Landing

NASA has named the 18 astronauts who will train for its Artemis moon landing program .
The first woman and next man on the moon will come from this elite group .
Vice President Mike Pence introduced the astronauts on Dec. 9 at the close of a meeting of the National Space Council .
The announcement was made at Florida ’ s Kennedy Space Center , beneath one of only three remaining Saturn V moon rockets from the 1960s and ’ 70s Apollo program .
The last of the 12 men to walk on the moon was the late Apollo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lunar footsteps were on Dec. 14 , 1972 .
“ He spent the rest of his natural life advocating for America to go back to the moon , and we are going to honor Gene Cernan ’ s memory , ” Pence told the small crowd .
Five of the astronauts were in attendance at the meeting .
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said there would be more astronauts joining the group .
NASA has 47 active astronauts .
The space agency is aiming for a moon landing by 2024 .
Half of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are at the International Space Station right now : Kate Rubins and Victor Glover .
It ’ s a fairly young group , with most in their 30s or 40s .
The oldest is 55 , the youngest 32 .
Only two — Joe Acaba and Stephanie Wilson — flew on NASA ’ s old space shuttles .
“ The history is awesome , but we ’ re here to look toward the future , ” Acaba told reporters after the announcement .
The other experienced members on the list include Kjell Lindgren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all former space station residents .
RELATED : China Threatens To Take Lead in 21st Century Space Race , Launching Independent Orbital Station : Report “ We are dreamers , but even more so , we ’ re doers , ” McClain said .
Among those yet to rocket into space : Kayla Barron , Raja Chari , Matthew Dominick , Woody Hoburg , Jonny Kim , Nicole Mann , Jasmin Moghbeli , Frank Rubio and Jessica Watkins .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read @ @ @ @

NASA has named the 18 astronauts who will train for its Artemis moon landing program.
The first woman and next man on the moon will come from this elite group.
Vice President Mike Pence introduced the astronauts on Dec. 9 at the close of a meeting of the National Space Council.
The announcement was made at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, beneath one of only three remaining Saturn V moon rockets from the 1960s and ’70s Apollo program.
The last of the 12 men to walk on the moon was the late Apollo 17 commander Gene Cernan, whose final lunar footsteps were on Dec. 14, 1972.
“He spent the rest of his natural life advocating for America to go back to the moon, and we are going to honor Gene Cernan’s memory,” Pence told the small crowd.
Five of the astronauts were in attendance at the meeting.
NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said there would be more astronauts joining the group. NASA has 47 active astronauts.
The space agency is aiming for a moon landing by 2024.
Do you think NASA will put people on the moon by 2024? Yes No
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Half of the NASA astronauts have spaceflight experience. Two are at the International Space Station right now: Kate Rubins and Victor Glover.
It’s a fairly young group, with most in their 30s or 40s. The oldest is 55, the youngest 32.
Only two — Joe Acaba and Stephanie Wilson — flew on NASA’s old space shuttles.
“The history is awesome, but we’re here to look toward the future,” Acaba told reporters after the announcement.
The other experienced members on the list include Kjell Lindgren, Anne McClain and Scott Tingle, all former space station residents.
“We are dreamers, but even more so, we’re doers,” McClain said.
Among those yet to rocket into space: Kayla Barron, Raja Chari, Matthew Dominick, Woody Hoburg, Jonny Kim, Nicole Mann, Jasmin Moghbeli, Frank Rubio and Jessica Watkins.
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bonginoreport--2020-12-26--Nashville Names Hero Officers Who Cleared Area Before Bombing

Six police officers in Nashville are now being called heroes for risking their lives and running into danger to evacuate people before a massive explosion in the downtown area .
Officers and crews from the fire department arrived at the scene on Second Avenue in the heart of downtown Nashville on Christmas morning to find an RV parked outside a large building belonging to AT & T just before 6am .
A loud audio warning was emanating from the RV telling people to evacuate now and that a bomb was in the vehicle .
The message kept repeating itself without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bomb squad was called in , but did n't make it to the scene on time before the explosion , around 6:30am .
`` Those officers saved lives today , '' said Nashville Police Chief John Drake proudly .
`` They immediately began knocking on doors , not knowing if the bomb was going to go off immediately .
They did n't care about themselves , they did n't think about that , they cared about the citizens of Nashville . ''
• Officer Brenna Hosey , who was also famous for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year ago • Officer Michael Sipos , who has less than two years on the force , and • Officer James Wells , also with a little less than two years experience .
US Attorney Donald Cochran also took to Twitter to uphold the six officers who acted courageously in evacuating people : Three people were injured due to the blast , but are in stable condition and are expected to make full recoveries .
There are also human remains which have been located in the blast radius .

Six police officers in Nashville are now being called heroes for risking their lives and running into danger to evacuate people before a massive explosion in the downtown area.
Six police officers called 'heroes' for saving lives before Nashville explosion on Christmas morning https://t.co/Y9RIWD2JAs — Tennessean (@Tennessean) December 26, 2020
Officers and crews from the fire department arrived at the scene on Second Avenue in the heart of downtown Nashville on Christmas morning to find an RV parked outside a large building belonging to AT&T just before 6am.
A loud audio warning was emanating from the RV telling people to evacuate now and that a bomb was in the vehicle. The message kept repeating itself without pause.
According to the Tennessean, the bomb squad was called in, but didn't make it to the scene on time before the explosion, around 6:30am.
"Those officers saved lives today," said Nashville Police Chief John Drake proudly. "They immediately began knocking on doors, not knowing if the bomb was going to go off immediately. They didn't care about themselves, they didn't think about that, they cared about the citizens of Nashville."
The officers are:
Sergeant Timothy Miller
Officer Brenna Hosey, who was also famous for rescuing a coyote from downtown Nashville a year ago
Officer James Luellen, a 3-year veteran;
Officer Amanda Topping, a 21-month veteran;
Officer Michael Sipos, who has less than two years on the force, and
Officer James Wells, also with a little less than two years experience.
US Attorney Donald Cochran also took to Twitter to uphold the six officers who acted courageously in evacuating people:
U.S. Attorney Donald Cochran: "On Christmas morning, @MNPDNashville officers...didn't run away from danger. Literally ran to danger. Vehicle announcing it was going to blow up and metro Nashville police officers, instead of heading in the other direction, headed towards that." pic.twitter.com/FCE3QIYtS8 — CBS News (@CBSNews) December 26, 2020
Three people were injured due to the blast, but are in stable condition and are expected to make full recoveries. There are also human remains which have been located in the blast radius.


bonginoreport--2020-12-26--CNN, MSNBC Let Gov Cuomo Slam Trump Over Coronavirus, Completely Skip Over Sex Harrassment Charge

On Monday afternoon , as New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo made appearances on both MSNBC and CNN to promote his call for restrictions on air travel to and from the United Kingdom .
Neither network did much to push back against his claims , or to press him on any other of his personal scandals .
They also did little to correct misinformation or to point out his sudden flip flop in being dismissive of the advice of scientists after previously claiming that he is `` a slave to science . ''
The recent accusations of sexual harassment against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or his mishandling of the pandemic , were not brought up by either network .
MSNBC let him boast about his efforts in New York at the screen announced his state has 37,350 deaths from the coronavirus .
That 's the highest death toll in the United States , more than 11 percent of all deaths in the pandemic .
At 2:24 p.m. , as Alicia Menendez was fill in host for Katy Tur 's block of MSNBC Live , she began by asking : `` Governor , other countries have shut down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it reprehensible that the U.S. has not done the same , What do you believe needs to be done ? ''
In part of his response , Governor Cuomo asserted : Menendez did n't bother to correct his claim that the new strain of COVID-19 discovered in Britain is `` 70 times '' more contagious when it is , in fact , 70 percent more contagious .
That 's a huge mathematical error .
He made the same claim multiple times on CNN , and was only softly corrected by host Wolf Blitzer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC , when he was asked if the more infectious strain was already in New York , Cuomo went on to complain about scientists if they disagree with him , using a metaphor to suggest they lack common sense : A few hours later , as Blitzer interviewed Cuomo on The Situation Room at 6:30 p.m. , the New York Democrat again made his incorrect claim that the new strain is `` 70 times '' more contagious .
As Blitzer followed up by noting that Dr. Anthony Fauci has advised against `` overreacting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CNN host gently corrected Cuomo by re-stating the actual number : In his next response , Cuomo again repeated his incorrect claim that the new strain is `` 70 times '' more contagious , and also made similarly dismissive comments about scientists that he made on MSNBC .
This , after Cuomo told Fauci that the two of them were like the Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino of the COVID battle .
But then he put Fauci in that scientists-don't-protect-us line : Blitzer gave no additional challenge or question as he suggested to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agrees with him .
He also was n't asked about his suddenly dismissive attitude toward the advice of scientists after he has repeatedly tried to portray himself as a follower of or even a `` slave to '' science on multiple occasions to put down Republicans who argued it was not feasible to keep the economy closed for a year to prevent every possible infection .
Also , neither anchor brought up the eye-opening study Governor Cuomo presented recently which undermines liberals who have pushed to pound on the restaurant industry during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with sponsored in part by Fidelity .
and the episode of CNN 's Wolf Blitzer Reports was sponsored by Shutterstock .
Their contact information is linked .
ALICIA MENENDEZ : We 're following some breaking news this hour .
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo is calling for new restrictions on travel between the United Kingdom and the United States , following the discovery of that potentially dangerous new mutation of the virus that causes COVID-19 .
Governor Cuomo joins me right now .
Governor , other countries have shut down travel with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. has not done the same , What do you believe needs to be done ?
GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO ( D-NY ) : ...
The UK shut down essentially after the prime minister said that he would n't shut down .
He found out about this virus -- he said it transmits 70 times as fast as the normal COVID virus -- 120 countries have banned travel from the UK -- EU countries -- or mandated health tests before the people get on the flight and come to their country .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we went through , watching 120 other countries , why you would not take action and require people who fly to this country be tested first is beyond me .
I mean , how many times do you have to make the same mistake in life ?
It really is an act of just negligence by government not to say , `` Before somebody gets on the plane and flies to the United States , they test negative for the virus or for a variant of the virus . ''
MENENDEZ : Well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that negligence , there has been little federal guidance from this outgoing administration .
Are you confident that they are able to act now ?
Governor , I just want to make sure I understand because , as I came on air , I know that British Airways had agreed to that .
Are you saying now that Delta and Virgin have agreed to that as well ?
I mean , I 'm wondering : Are you concerned that this new variant of the virus could already be in New York ?
CUOMO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am .
They say that there 's no evidence that there is , but , you know , I 've been dealing with all of the global health experts over the past year .
You know , a scientist will tell you what they know as a fact when they know it .
They wo n't say , `` There 's smoke -- pour water on the smoke . ''
They wait to see the fire -- the smoke is n't enough .
Once you see the fire , it 's often @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the practical matter , when I see smoke , I start to pour the water .
And when 120 countries ban the UK -- when the UK closes down and cancels Christmas , in essence , by its own prime minister who did n't want to do it and says this virus is deadly , it is a gross negligence for this federal government not to act .
MENENDEZ : All right , Governor Andrew Cuomo , thank you .
WOLF BLITZER : Tonight , the New York governor , Andrew Cuomo , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , taking new action as a new COVID-19 variant is spreading potentially very dangerously in the United Kingdom .
We 're joined now by Governor Cuomo .
He 's also the author of the new book , American Crisis , Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic .
Governor , thank you so much for joining us .
I know these are difficult times for everyone .
I know you 've reached an agreement with , what , British Airways and Delta to test all passengers there for coronavirus before they enter New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airport there .
Have you made any progress convincing other airlines that fly from the UK to the United States to sign on as well ?
GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO ( D-NY ) : Short answer is , Wolf , first , good to be with you .
Short answer is yes .
We have an agreement now with the three airlines that fly from the UK to the New York airports -- Virgin , Delta , and British airways .
But the point is bigger than just New York , right ?
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the virus .
That 's what everybody has been worried about .
The quote , unquote `` second wave '' was a mutated virus which was creating a second , more diabolical viral infection .
You have the UK saying or announcing the new variant transmits at 70 times the rate of COVID .
You have countries in the EU that have banned travel from the UK .
You have 120 countries that have required that no one comes from the UK unless they test negative prior to getting on the plane from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has done nothing .
Now , I acted proactively , frankly , for New York , and I have the airlines that are flying into New York from the UK that have all agreed that they will test people before they get on the flight in the UK en route to New York .
But we 've learned this lesson before , and that 's what 's frustrating , Wolf .
You know , when the way we got COVID in the spring was the federal government thought that the coronavirus was still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Europe , and it came here from Europe .
And this is almost redux .
And yes , the people who now fly into New York will be negative .
But we 'll have flights into Chicago , we 'll have flights into other parts of the country , and those people can get onto flights and come back to New York or infect other states .
And this whole notion that any one state can protect itself was foolish from the beginning , right ?
CUOMO : New York has one of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States .
But that does n't stop the virus from coming in from other states .
BLITZER : Yeah , the British prime minister , Boris Johnson , says that this new variant is 70 percent stronger in terms of transmitting the virus , and that 's obviously very disturbing -- 70 percent stronger .
As you know , Dr. Anthony Fauci -- he 's advising against additional restrictions on UK travel .
He says everyone should be careful , but advising against additional formal restrictions .
I take it you disagree with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CUOMO : Look , I have great respect for Dr. Fauci , and he 's a friend , and he 's been very helpful to me personally in New York all through this .
From a science point of view , Wolf , you know , scientists can only tell you facts that they know .
They do n't predict .
And I went through this in the spring .
The scientists want to see a flame before they tell you there 's a fire .
From my point of view , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to douse water on that spot .
The scientists will say , `` We 're not sure if it 's 70 times -- 70 times more transmittible -- we 're not sure that the vaccine wo n't solve this COVID virus also . ''
Their working assumption is it will , but , you know , these are all hypotheticals .
You have 120 countries that have banned the travel from the UK .
You have Boris Johnson who closed down the UK one week after he said he would never close down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a total 180 , Wolf , in one week , and he closed for Christmas .
Why would Boris Johnson do that unless he was really worried ?
Why would the EU countries ban the UK ?
And why run the risk ?
If 120 countries are requiring a test before somebody gets on a plane , I called up the airlines , and I said , `` Look , you have 120 countries .
Can you make it 120 countries and the state of New York ? ''
You know .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll do that for New York , they 'll do it for the United States of America .
BLITZER : Yeah , I think everybody agrees .
In a situation like this , more than 300,000 -- I 'm looking right now -- more than 319,000 Americans have died from the virus since February .
You 've got to err on the side of caution .
Governor , while I have you , the second coronavirus vaccine , Moderna , is now rolling out today .
They 've got millions of doses ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on vaccine distribution in New York state ?
Do you have enough doses to cover the essential frontline health care workers who are every day putting their lives on the line ?
So , so critical .
These are life-saving moments in our nation 's history .
Governor Cuomo , thank you so much for joining us .
Thanks for everything you 're doing .
I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year .

On Monday afternoon, as New York Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo made appearances on both MSNBC and CNN to promote his call for restrictions on air travel to and from the United Kingdom. Neither network did much to push back against his claims, or to press him on any other of his personal scandals. They also did little to correct misinformation or to point out his sudden flip flop in being dismissive of the advice of scientists after previously claiming that he is "a slave to science."
The recent accusations of sexual harassment against Governor Cuomo by a former staffer, or his mishandling of the pandemic, were not brought up by either network. MSNBC let him boast about his efforts in New York at the screen announced his state has 37,350 deaths from the coronavirus. That's the highest death toll in the United States, more than 11 percent of all deaths in the pandemic.
At 2:24 p.m., as Alicia Menendez was fill in host for Katy Tur's block of MSNBC Live, she began by asking: "Governor, other countries have shut down travel with the UK. You called it reprehensible that the U.S. has not done the same, What do you believe needs to be done?"
In part of his response, Governor Cuomo asserted:
CUOMO: The UK shut down essentially after the prime minister said that he wouldn't shut down. He found out about this virus -- he said it transmits 70 times as fast as the normal COVID virus -- 120 countries have banned travel from the UK -- EU countries -- or mandated health tests before the people get on the flight and come to their country.
Menendez didn't bother to correct his claim that the new strain of COVID-19 discovered in Britain is "70 times" more contagious when it is, in fact, 70 percent more contagious. That's a huge mathematical error. He made the same claim multiple times on CNN, and was only softly corrected by host Wolf Blitzer after the first time.
Still on MSNBC, when he was asked if the more infectious strain was already in New York, Cuomo went on to complain about scientists if they disagree with him, using a metaphor to suggest they lack common sense:
CUOMO: They say there is no evidence that there is, but I've been dealing with all of the global health experts in the past year. You know, a scientist will tell you what they know as a fact when they know it. They won't say, "There's smoke -- pour water on the smoke." They wait to see the fire -- the smoke isn't enough. Once you see the fire, it's often too late. For me, in the practical matter, when I see smoke, I start to pour the water.
A few hours later, as Blitzer interviewed Cuomo on The Situation Room at 6:30 p.m., the New York Democrat again made his incorrect claim that the new strain is "70 times" more contagious. As Blitzer followed up by noting that Dr. Anthony Fauci has advised against "overreacting' to the new strain, the CNN host gently corrected Cuomo by re-stating the actual number:
BLITZER: Yeah, the British prime minister, Boris Johnson, says that this new variant is 70 percent stronger in terms of transmitting the virus, and that's obviously very disturbing -- 70 percent stronger. As you know, Dr. Anthony Fauci -- he's advising against additional restrictions on UK travel. He says everyone should be careful, but advising against additional formal restrictions. I take it you disagree with Dr. Fauci -- is that right?
In his next response, Cuomo again repeated his incorrect claim that the new strain is "70 times" more contagious, and also made similarly dismissive comments about scientists that he made on MSNBC. This, after Cuomo told Fauci that the two of them were like the Robert DeNiro and Al Pacino of the COVID battle. But then he put Fauci in that scientists-don't-protect-us line:
From a science point of view, Wolf, you know, scientists can only tell you facts that they know. They don't predict. And I went through this in the spring. The scientists want to see a flame before they tell you there's a fire. From my point of view, if I see smoke, I'm going to douse water on that spot. The scientists will say, "We're not sure if it's 70 times -- 70 times more transmittable -- we're not sure that the vaccine won't solve this COVID virus also."
Blitzer gave no additional challenge or question as he suggested to the Democratic governor that "everybody" agrees with him.
He also wasn't asked about his suddenly dismissive attitude toward the advice of scientists after he has repeatedly tried to portray himself as a follower of or even a "slave to" science on multiple occasions to put down Republicans who argued it was not feasible to keep the economy closed for a year to prevent every possible infection.
Also, neither anchor brought up the eye-opening study Governor Cuomo presented recently which undermines liberals who have pushed to pound on the restaurant industry during the pandemic.
The episode of MSNBC Live with sponsored in part by Fidelity. and the episode of CNN's Wolf Blitzer Reports was sponsored by Shutterstock. Their contact information is linked.
Transcripts follow:


bonginoreport--2020-12-26--President Trump Doubles Down on Demand for $2,000 Stimulus Checks

President Trump doubled down on his demand Friday for increased coronavirus-related stimulus checks to working-class Americans .
Trump again tweeted his demand for $ 2,000 checks rather than the $ 600 proposed in the mammoth spending bill approved by Congress earlier this week .
`` Made many calls and had meetings at Trump International in Palm Beach , Florida .
Why would politicians not want to give people $ 2000 , rather than only $ 600 ?
It wasn ’ t their fault , it was China , '' the president wrote on Twitter .
`` Give our people the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the bill have deemed the bill 5,500 pages of pork-barrel spending rather than an earnest attempt to help struggling Americans beset by gubernatorial economic lockdowns and the overall drop in commerce ushered in by the pandemic .
`` It ’ s called the Covid relief bill but it has almost nothing to do with Covid , '' the president said Thursday , going on to point to a provision in the bill that would triple the $ 600 check for family members of illegal aliens -- to $ 1,800 : `` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given , '' he said .
Libertarians and progressives have also found unusual common ground in their opposition to the legislation .
The progressive `` Squad '' of progressive representatives called for an amendment that provides the $ 2,000 payments .
Rep. Ayanna Pressley , D-Mass.
, a member of `` The Squad '' from Boston , expressed such sentiment in a tweet appearing to praise Trump for taking a `` hard line in support of what Progressives have been fighting for . ''
But she called the president the `` Occupant of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of trying to `` spite Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell .
Trump has been upset with McConnell because of the Kentuckian 's reticence to support challenges to the 2020 election tallies .
`` Honestly , whatever gets my constituents survival checks , '' Pressley remarked .
On the other side of the aisle , one of the president 's frequent defenders , retiring GOP Rep. Peter King of New York wrote a lengthy Facebook post explaining that the line items in the bill objected to by the president were `` specifically requested by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got that -- every item , '' King wrote .
`` That includes aid to Egypt , Pakistan , Burma , Sudan and Central America , and funding for the Smithsonian . ''
`` Additionally it was totally deceptive for the president to say that Congress failed to provide assistance to restaurants .
The truth is that [ Queens Democratic ] Congresswoman Grace Meng and I co-sponsored legislation to give direct grants to restaurants but the Trump Administration adamantly refused to assist restaurants . ''
King and Meng 's state of New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New Jersey , and California among others .
has been hit hard by economic `` shutdowns '' imposed by the state governments , which have in turn crippled the restaurant and entertainment industries .
In his post , King made it clear that he was not intentionally critiquing Trump with his remarks , applauding his fellow New Yorker 's record , especially on law and order .
`` Believe me I don ’ t take any satisfaction in pointing out how wrong the President is .
I have strongly supported the President and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
`` I am particularly indebted to him for his outstanding leadership in stopping MS-13 ’ s killing rampage on Long Island , crushing the ISIS caliphate in the Middle East and standing with the police . ''
King said he felt the need to `` set the record straight '' after watching Republicans who supported the bill getting attacked by `` rabid , uninformed comments . ''
On Wednesday , Sen. Patrick Toomey , R-Pa. , urged Trump to go ahead and sign the $ 908 billion relief package , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was indeed closely involved in negotiations with Congress .
`` We negotiated the bill , and the president ’ s people were intimately involved every step of the way , '' the Allentown , Pa. , lawmaker told Fox News ' `` The Daily Briefing . ''
Treasury `` Secretary Steve Mnuchin was arguably one of the most involved people in this whole negotiation . ''
Toomey , a noted fiscal hawk , added that he too has many issues with some of the bill 's expenditures .
`` There are a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Toomey said .
`` There are provisions that the Democrats don ’ t like .
This is what we were able to get to , and my suggestion would be let ’ s pass this and get this signed , let 's get this into law , and we can have an ongoing discussion about whether there should be additional direct payments or not . ''
In addition , conservative Rep. Thomas Massie , R-Ky. , succinctly summed up what he saw as the overarching issue with the legislation causing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t vote for the bill but I respect the people who did vote for it , '' he tweeted .
`` We were given two bad choices .
( 1 ) Fund everything or ( 2 ) Fund nothing .
I hope my colleagues will be forthright and admit that this is legislative malpractice .
One bill should cover one topic , not 1,000 . ''
Fox News ' Joshua Nelson and Dom Calicchio contributed to this report .

President Trump doubled down on his demand Friday for increased coronavirus-related stimulus checks to working-class Americans.
Trump again tweeted his demand for $2,000 checks rather than the $600 proposed in the mammoth spending bill approved by Congress earlier this week.
"Made many calls and had meetings at Trump International in Palm Beach, Florida. Why would politicians not want to give people $2000, rather than only $600? It wasn’t their fault, it was China," the president wrote on Twitter. "Give our people the money!"
Trump and other critics of the bill have deemed the bill 5,500 pages of pork-barrel spending rather than an earnest attempt to help struggling Americans beset by gubernatorial economic lockdowns and the overall drop in commerce ushered in by the pandemic.
CORONAVIRUS RELIEF LEGISLATION INCLUDES $10M FOR 'GENDER PROGRAMS' IN PAKISTAN
"It’s called the Covid relief bill but it has almost nothing to do with Covid," the president said Thursday, going on to point to a provision in the bill that would triple the $600 check for family members of illegal aliens -- to $1,800: "This is far more than the Americans are given," he said.
Libertarians and progressives have also found unusual common ground in their opposition to the legislation. The progressive "Squad" of progressive representatives called for an amendment that provides the $2,000 payments.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., a member of "The Squad" from Boston, expressed such sentiment in a tweet appearing to praise Trump for taking a "hard line in support of what Progressives have been fighting for." But she called the president the "Occupant of the White House" and accused him of trying to "spite Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Trump has been upset with McConnell because of the Kentuckian's reticence to support challenges to the 2020 election tallies.
"Honestly, whatever gets my constituents survival checks," Pressley remarked.
On the other side of the aisle, one of the president's frequent defenders, retiring GOP Rep. Peter King of New York wrote a lengthy Facebook post explaining that the line items in the bill objected to by the president were "specifically requested by the Trump administration."
"You got that -- every item," King wrote. "That includes aid to Egypt, Pakistan, Burma, Sudan and Central America, and funding for the Smithsonian."
"Additionally it was totally deceptive for the president to say that Congress failed to provide assistance to restaurants. The truth is that [Queens Democratic] Congresswoman Grace Meng and I co-sponsored legislation to give direct grants to restaurants but the Trump Administration adamantly refused to assist restaurants."
King and Meng's state of New York, along with Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, and California among others. has been hit hard by economic "shutdowns" imposed by the state governments, which have in turn crippled the restaurant and entertainment industries.
In his post, King made it clear that he was not intentionally critiquing Trump with his remarks, applauding his fellow New Yorker's record, especially on law and order.
"Believe me I don’t take any satisfaction in pointing out how wrong the President is. I have strongly supported the President and worked hard for his re-election," he said. "I am particularly indebted to him for his outstanding leadership in stopping MS-13’s killing rampage on Long Island, crushing the ISIS caliphate in the Middle East and standing with the police."
King said he felt the need to "set the record straight" after watching Republicans who supported the bill getting attacked by "rabid, uninformed comments."
On Wednesday, Sen. Patrick Toomey, R-Pa., urged Trump to go ahead and sign the $908 billion relief package, echoing King's sentiment that the administration was indeed closely involved in negotiations with Congress.
"We negotiated the bill, and the president’s people were intimately involved every step of the way," the Allentown, Pa., lawmaker told Fox News' "The Daily Briefing." Treasury "Secretary Steve Mnuchin was arguably one of the most involved people in this whole negotiation."
Toomey, a noted fiscal hawk, added that he too has many issues with some of the bill's expenditures.
"There are a lot of provisions I don’t like," Toomey said. "There are provisions that the Democrats don’t like. This is what we were able to get to, and my suggestion would be let’s pass this and get this signed, let's get this into law, and we can have an ongoing discussion about whether there should be additional direct payments or not."
In addition, conservative Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., succinctly summed up what he saw as the overarching issue with the legislation causing the sudden political turmoil:
"I didn’t vote for the bill but I respect the people who did vote for it," he tweeted. "We were given two bad choices. (1) Fund everything or (2) Fund nothing. I hope my colleagues will be forthright and admit that this is legislative malpractice. One bill should cover one topic, not 1,000."
Fox News' Joshua Nelson and Dom Calicchio contributed to this report.


bonginoreport--2020-12-26--Charles Koch is Back To Oppose Trump’s GOP Influence

The billionaire financier Charles Koch abandoned the Republican Party in the age of President Donald Trump , but he has returned on a white horse following the disputed election to preach the globalist cosmopolitan doctrines that previously had turned the GOP into a national laughingstock .
Koch penned an op-ed for CNN last week in which he urged Republicans to support amnesty for illegal aliens .
He framed it as if allowing illegal immigrants to break the law is the “ one thing we should all agree on ” across the political spectrum .
“ Welcoming those who come to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and contribute to society remains a quintessentially American characteristic , ” Koch wrote .
“ While media headlines focused on the extremes of the immigration debate , people of all backgrounds and organizations of all kinds have been taking steps to celebrate immigration and show society that despite differences on other issues , this is an area where people can come together , ” he added .
Montgomery County , Maryland has had plenty of diversity to celebrate since becoming a sanctuary county last year , a policy supported by Koch ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Koch Network helped facilitate the rape of 11-year-old girls by Salvadoran and Honduran illegal immigrants .
These are the types of individuals who are lionized through Koch ’ s Stand Together initiative , and it is not just Central American migrants who are getting in on the enrichment .
Oluwakayode Adebusuyi , a 26-year-old illegal immigrant from Nigeria , was charged with raping a minor during the summer of 2019 .
He had been charged previously in Montgomery County with second-degree assault , a fourth-degree sex offense , and false imprisonment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities—the D.A .
didn ’ t want to seem racist , apparently—and he remained a ride-share driver , gaining access to countless vulnerable victims , right up until his next rape charge .
Under an executive order issued in summer 2019 , Montgomery County proudly releases illegal immigrant sex criminals from custody and does not report them to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials .
When widespread anger built over the rape spree that took place immediately after sanctuary policies were put into place , county officials dug in their heels by calling enraged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is how every county would be governed if Charles Koch had his way .
In his secluded Kansas mansion , the 85-year-old plutocrat plots while being protected by a private army of security personnel .
Koch and his team of lobbyists , economists , accountants , lawyers and other well-paid operatives carefully devise rationales to justify their preferred policies .
The destroyed souls of little girls raped by foreigners are a small price to pay to secure Koch Industries ’ profit margins next quarter .
Justifying whatever is best for the bottom line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s libertarian philosophy .
Whatever gets in the way of the Koch ’ s business interests must be snuffed out on the American Right , such as the Tea Party movement .
The Tea Party began as a nationalist movement and was staunchly opposed to the Republican establishment .
Eventually , however , it drifted toward the mainstream .
This is because of fronts like Americans for Prosperity ( AFP ) , which trapped well-intentioned conservative activists in a labyrinth of pointless cocktail parties , fruitless tasks , and lame rallies until the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ movement .
With President Donald Trump ’ s “ America First ” movement gaining momentum and dominating GOP politics , Koch is no longer able to subvert as effectively as he once did .
He has disavowed his network ’ s placating of the Tea Party movement , arguing that AFP ’ s work did too much to embolden conservatives .
He will never make that mistake again , as he no longer maintains the guise of caring about Republicans .
Koch is more forthright these days about lording over the party to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its constituents .
AFP offered no support to President Trump ’ s reelection campaign , opting instead to support pro-amnesty Democrats during the crucial election .
They also betray their supposed principles by supporting big-government privileges for companies that punish conservative speech .
The Charles Koch Institute collaborates with Big Tech entities to stifle digital freedom of expression while other aspects of the Koch network lobby to protect Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act ( a.k.a .
the conjured “ right ” of Silicon Valley to devastate the First Amendment ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on election fraud right now will be happy to allow the Koch Network back in to retake control .
It is the principal job of an America First activist to make the GOP as inhospitable an atmosphere as possible for these amoral , profit-obsessed vultures .
The Koch effort will be bolstered by organizations like the compromised Heritage Foundation , the moribund Chamber of Commerce , and the cancerous American Enterprise Institute in an attempt to turn the dial back to Bush-era Republicanism .
We can not let these oligarchs compel our national @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We are a nation , we are a people , and we must give no quarter to the enemy within ,

The billionaire financier Charles Koch abandoned the Republican Party in the age of President Donald Trump, but he has returned on a white horse following the disputed election to preach the globalist cosmopolitan doctrines that previously had turned the GOP into a national laughingstock.
Koch penned an op-ed for CNN last week in which he urged Republicans to support amnesty for illegal aliens. He framed it as if allowing illegal immigrants to break the law is the “one thing we should all agree on” across the political spectrum.
“Welcoming those who come to the U.S. to make a new life and contribute to society remains a quintessentially American characteristic,” Koch wrote.
“While media headlines focused on the extremes of the immigration debate, people of all backgrounds and organizations of all kinds have been taking steps to celebrate immigration and show society that despite differences on other issues, this is an area where people can come together,” he added.
Montgomery County, Maryland has had plenty of diversity to celebrate since becoming a sanctuary county last year, a policy supported by Koch’s many astroturf organizing fronts. Policies advocated by the Koch Network helped facilitate the rape of 11-year-old girls by Salvadoran and Honduran illegal immigrants. These are the types of individuals who are lionized through Koch’s Stand Together initiative, and it is not just Central American migrants who are getting in on the enrichment.
Oluwakayode Adebusuyi, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant from Nigeria, was charged with raping a minor during the summer of 2019. He had been charged previously in Montgomery County with second-degree assault, a fourth-degree sex offense, and false imprisonment. Those charges were mysteriously dropped by authorities—the D.A. didn’t want to seem racist, apparently—and he remained a ride-share driver, gaining access to countless vulnerable victims, right up until his next rape charge.
Under an executive order issued in summer 2019, Montgomery County proudly releases illegal immigrant sex criminals from custody and does not report them to Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. When widespread anger built over the rape spree that took place immediately after sanctuary policies were put into place, county officials dug in their heels by calling enraged concerned citizens “neo-Nazi sympathizers.”
This is how every county would be governed if Charles Koch had his way.
In his secluded Kansas mansion, the 85-year-old plutocrat plots while being protected by a private army of security personnel. Koch and his team of lobbyists, economists, accountants, lawyers and other well-paid operatives carefully devise rationales to justify their preferred policies. The destroyed souls of little girls raped by foreigners are a small price to pay to secure Koch Industries’ profit margins next quarter. Justifying whatever is best for the bottom line is at the crux of Koch’s libertarian philosophy.
Whatever gets in the way of the Koch’s business interests must be snuffed out on the American Right, such as the Tea Party movement. The Tea Party began as a nationalist movement and was staunchly opposed to the Republican establishment. Eventually, however, it drifted toward the mainstream. This is because of fronts like Americans for Prosperity (AFP), which trapped well-intentioned conservative activists in a labyrinth of pointless cocktail parties, fruitless tasks, and lame rallies until the Big Money could reclaim control over the movement.
With President Donald Trump’s “America First” movement gaining momentum and dominating GOP politics, Koch is no longer able to subvert as effectively as he once did. He has disavowed his network’s placating of the Tea Party movement, arguing that AFP’s work did too much to embolden conservatives. He will never make that mistake again, as he no longer maintains the guise of caring about Republicans. Koch is more forthright these days about lording over the party to invert the apparatus against the will of its constituents.
AFP offered no support to President Trump’s reelection campaign, opting instead to support pro-amnesty Democrats during the crucial election. They also betray their supposed principles by supporting big-government privileges for companies that punish conservative speech. The Charles Koch Institute collaborates with Big Tech entities to stifle digital freedom of expression while other aspects of the Koch network lobby to protect Section 230 of the Communication Decency Act (a.k.a. the conjured “right” of Silicon Valley to devastate the First Amendment).
The same Republicans who are rolling over on election fraud right now will be happy to allow the Koch Network back in to retake control. It is the principal job of an America First activist to make the GOP as inhospitable an atmosphere as possible for these amoral, profit-obsessed vultures. The Koch effort will be bolstered by organizations like the compromised Heritage Foundation, the moribund Chamber of Commerce, and the cancerous American Enterprise Institute in an attempt to turn the dial back to Bush-era Republicanism. We cannot let these oligarchs compel our national suicide to boost the gross domestic product. We are a nation, we are a people, and we must give no quarter to the enemy within.


bonginoreport--2020-12-26--Two Federal Unemployment Assistance Programs Expire Today

“ We are all very committed at the Department of Employment and Workforce to help South Carolinians through what we @ @ @ @ @ time , ” SCDEW officials said in a statement .
“ In terms of deciding @ @ @ @ @ , that ’ s simply out of our hands .
As administrators of federal programs @ @ @ @ @ follow the law that is passed down by the federal government .
We are watching @ @ @ @ @ like everyone else , and will work to implement these programs as quickly as possible @ @ @ @ @ and the mandatory guidance is received by the US Department of Labor .
”

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - Two federal programs that have been helping workers who lost their jobs because of the pandemic are set to expire Saturday night.
It’s still unclear if the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program or the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program will be renewed or expanded as Congress continues to debate the latest COVID relief package.
What is certain is that both federal programs will end this weekend, and officials with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce say there will be an unknown period of time between their expiration and when any new programs or benefits will be available to unemployed workers.
The programs have been providing some much-needed extra cash to workers who have lost their jobs during the pandemic.
“We are all very committed at the Department of Employment and Workforce to help South Carolinians through what we know is a very challenging time,” SCDEW officials said in a statement. “In terms of deciding when these federal programs stop, that’s simply out of our hands. As administrators of federal programs, we are required to follow the law that is passed down by the federal government. We are watching what happens next, just like everyone else, and will work to implement these programs as quickly as possible once this legislation becomes law and the mandatory guidance is received by the US Department of Labor.”
Since mid-March when the pandemic began, the PUA and PEUC have provided more than $635 million to unemployed workers.
On Dec. 21, Congress passed legislation to extend the unemployment benefit programs created under the CARES Act, but it’s still awaiting the President’s signature to become law.
However, even if the President signs off on the legislation before the programs expire Saturday night, SCDEW officials said it could take 4 to 6 weeks before claimants would receive payments from the new federal programs. will still be a lapse in coverage for unemployed workers who are struggling to make ends meet, depending on USDOL guidance and the complexity of the programs.
As it stands right now, the federal extensions included in the current COVID relief package would provide an additional $300 per week for all claimants receiving unemployment benefits through March 13, 2021, according to an overview provided by SCDEW.
The overview also explained the number of weeks for an individual on the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program has increased from a previous total of 39 weeks to 50 weeks, and the number of weeks for an individual on the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program has increased from a total of 13 weeks to 24 weeks.
SCDEW officials said individuals should also be aware claimants on regular state UI, who are not impacted by this federal legislation, will continue to receive benefits for the weeks they are found eligible, which is a maximum of 20 weeks. Also, if claimants certify next week and are found eligible for claim week of December 20-26, the last week they will receive benefits from the federal programs (until the new programs are implemented) is during the claim week of December 27 – January 2, 2021.
“Despite the uncertainty right now, we want people to know that we are also here to help those who are looking for employment opportunities. Our SC Works Center partners offer a wealth of free resources that anyone can take advantage of. Plus, the SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) database is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to explore the 79,000 plus jobs that are posted there right now,” SCDEW officials said.
Copyright 2020 WCSC. All rights reserved.


bonginoreport--2020-12-27--Adios to “The Squad”?

Adios to “The Squad”?

“ The Squad ” may be no more .
Despite a new class of progressives coming to Congress next term , the band of leading liberal firebrands — led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota — is likely to dissolve , insiders say .
“ I think the idea of ‘ The Squad ’ is going to go away , and I think that it is going to be fascinating to see how [ AOC ] shares the spotlight of progressivism , ” one senior Hill staffer told The Post .
Ocasio-Cortez , 31 , and her crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Massachusetts ’ s Ayanna Pressley , have been chummy power players since 2019 , when they frequently sat together for joint appearances and interviews .
But with the pending departure of their most vocal critic , President Trump , and newly elected reps with their own agendas , there will be less to tie the group together , the source offered .
Newcomers like Ritchie Torres , a pro-Israel backer , has said he wouldn ’ t sign up for “ Squad ” duty .
Two other leftists — Jamaal Bowman , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another name , ” and Mondaire Jones , who , along with Torres , is the first openly gay black member of Congress — could look to seize the spotlight for themselves .
“ The idea of ‘ The Squad ’ — as ‘ The Squad ’ — may really shift and change and you might see cleavages there because the pressures and interests wont be as unified as they were under Trump , ” the source said .
Omar raised eyebrows when she appeared to take a shot at AOC for getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ frontline workers .
Ocasio-Cortez was vaccinated live in an Instagram story to her 8.2 million followers Dec. 18 .
Two days later , Omar took to Twitter to slam Congressmembers who were vaccinated ahead of frontline workers or the elderly .
“ It ’ s now clear that we don ’ t have enough vaccines for everyone and there is shortage of supply , we have to prioritize those who need it most , ” Omar wrote Dec. 20 .
“ That ’ s why it ’ s disturbing to see members be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , elderly and infirm in our districts , wait.
” The next day , Ocasio-Cortez spoke out about her decision to get the vaccine , after Kentucky Senator Rand Paul cited her as someone who shouldn ’ t have been among the first wave of inoculations .
“ Gee , maybe if the GOP hadn ’ t spent so much time undermining public faith in science , masks , & COVID itself , I wouldn ’ t have to weigh the potential misinfo consequences of what wld happen if leaders urged ppl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t taking ourselves !
[ sic ] , ” she tweeted .
Another former “ Squad ” source said Omar wasn ’ t calling AOC out , and even claimed Omar probably didn ’ t know her colleague was getting the vaccine when she made her remarks .
“ The broader message that this carries is this fantasy that there is some sort of orchestrated squad that is doing anything at all resembling strategic things for anybody other than themselves , ” the source claimed .

“The Squad” may be no more.
Despite a new class of progressives coming to Congress next term, the band of leading liberal firebrands — led by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota — is likely to dissolve, insiders say.
“I think the idea of ‘The Squad’ is going to go away, and I think that it is going to be fascinating to see how [AOC] shares the spotlight of progressivism,” one senior Hill staffer told The Post.
Ocasio-Cortez, 31, and her crew, including Michigan’s Rashida Tlaib and Massachusetts’ Ayanna Pressley, have been chummy power players since 2019, when they frequently sat together for joint appearances and interviews.
But with the pending departure of their most vocal critic, President Trump, and newly elected reps with their own agendas, there will be less to tie the group together, the source offered.
Newcomers like Ritchie Torres, an Israel backer, has said he wouldn’t sign up for “Squad” duty.
Two other leftists — Jamaal Bowman, who recently called capitalism “slavery by another name,” and Mondaire Jones, who, along with Torres, is the first openly gay black member of Congress — could look to seize the spotlight for themselves.
“The idea of ‘The Squad’ — as ‘The Squad’ — may really shift and change and you might see cleavages there because the pressures and interests won’t be as unified as they were under Trump,” the source said.
Omar raised eyebrows when she appeared to take a shot at AOC for getting the coronavirus vaccine before the elderly and front-line workers.
Ocasio-Cortez was vaccinated live in an Instagram story to her 8.2 million followers Dec. 18.
AOC/Instagram
Two days later, Omar took to Twitter to slam Congress members who were vaccinated ahead of front-line workers or the elderly.
“It’s now clear that we don’t have enough vaccines for everyone and there is shortage of supply, we have to prioritize those who need it most,” Omar wrote Dec. 20. “That’s why it’s disturbing to see members be 1st to get vaccine while most frontline workers, elderly and infirm in our districts, wait.”
Omar’s father died of coronavirus complications in June.
The next day, Ocasio-Cortez spoke out about her decision to get the vaccine, after Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) cited her as someone who shouldn’t have been among the first wave of inoculations.
“Gee, maybe if the GOP hadn’t spent so much time undermining public faith in science, masks,& COVID itself, I wouldn’t have to weigh the potential misinfo consequences of what wld happen if leaders urged ppl to take a new vaccine that we weren’t taking ourselves! [sic],” she tweeted.
Another former “Squad” source said Omar wasn’t calling AOC out, and even claimed Omar probably didn’t know her colleague was getting the vaccine when she made her remarks.
“The broader message that this carries is this fantasy that there is some sort of orchestrated squad that is doing anything at all resembling strategic things for anybody other than themselves,” the source claimed.


bonginoreport--2020-12-27--Lindsey Graham Backs Calls for $2,000 Checks

A top Senate Republican is backing President Trump ’ s call for Congress to fatten Americans ’ coronavirus stimulus checks , calling it a “ reasonable demand.
” “ I hope Congress is listening , ” Sen. Lindsey Graham ( R-South Carolina ) tweeted Friday night , after spending part of Christmas with the president at Trump ’ s West Palm Beach , Fla. , golf club .
“ I am convinced he is more determined than ever to increase stimulus payments to $ 2000 per person , ” Graham added .
Trump has been lobbying Republicans this week in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the $ 900 billion aid package Congress passed Monday after months of delay .
His sharp criticism of the $ 600 relief checks that Americans would receive under the plan threw legislators into an uproar as he left the measure , included with a $ 1.4 trillion government appropriation bill , unsigned .
The House is set to vote on stand-alone legislation that will boost the stimulus checks to $ 2,000 — but several Senate Republicans have signaled resistance to that idea .
“ It took us a long time to get to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Blunt ( R-Mo . )
said Thursday .
“ I think reopening that bill would be a mistake.
” But Trump has continued to push , again slamming “ the measly $ 600 that is now in the bill ” in a Saturday tweet .
Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler — who is locked in a tight Jan. 5 runoff race — said Wednesday that she too would consider Trump ’ s demand for a bigger stimulus “ if it repurposes wasteful spending .
”

A top Senate Republican is backing President Trump’s call for Congress to fatten Americans’ coronavirus stimulus checks, calling it a “reasonable demand.”
“I hope Congress is listening,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) tweeted Friday night, after spending part of Christmas with the president at Trump’s West Palm Beach, Fla., golf club.
“I am convinced he is more determined than ever to increase stimulus payments to $2000 per person,” Graham added.
Trump has been lobbying Republicans this week in the wake of his last-minute rejection of the $900 billion aid package Congress passed Monday after months of delay.
His sharp criticism of the $600 relief checks that Americans would receive under the plan threw legislators into an uproar as he left the measure, included with a $1.4 trillion government appropriation bill, unsigned.
The House is set to vote on stand-alone legislation that will boost the stimulus checks to $2,000 — but several Senate Republicans have signaled resistance to that idea.
“It took us a long time to get to where we are,” Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) said Thursday. “I think reopening that bill would be a mistake.”
But Trump has continued to push, again slamming “the measly $600 that is now in the bill” in a Saturday tweet.
Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler — who is locked in a tight Jan. 5 runoff race — said Wednesday that she too would consider Trump’s demand for a bigger stimulus “if it repurposes wasteful spending.”


bonginoreport--2020-12-27--Is Jon Ossoff a Security Risk?

Is Jon Ossoff a Security Risk?

Concerns are mounting after Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff failed to disclose ties to a Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) backed media company .
Now a senator-elect , previously an ambassador to Japan and someone with extensive experience in East Asia affairs , is warning that Ossoff may pose a security risk to the United States .
In a statement to Breitbart News , Sen.-elect Bill Hagerty ( R-TN ) said Ossoff `` may be a security risk '' and is `` certainly not an acceptable choice for Senator . ''
Ossoff is running against Incumbent Republican Sen. David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 .
Georgia GOP officials filed a complaint earlier this month accusing Ossoff of knowingly failing to disclose payments from a pro-CCP media company , PCCW Media Limited , on his May 2020 campaign financial disclosure .
Ossoff had since amended the filing , in July , to reflect receiving the payments from the CCP-connected company .
The failure to disclose the payments has received extra scrutiny following revelations that Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell ( CA ) , a member of the House Intelligence Committee , had been romantically involved with an alleged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fang .
In Hagerty ’ s statement to Breitbart News , the senator-elect disapproved of the transaction and the handling of it and likened the issue to the recent report of Rep. Eric Swalwell ’ s ( D-CA ) relationship with suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang .
“ China has proven that it will brazenly leverage any relationship they can to gain influence in our country — and Jon Ossoff is a perfect target for them , ” Hagerty said .
“ Eric Swalwell ’ s relationship with a suspected Communist spy shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Chinese influence.
” Hagerty said of his own concern with the Georgia Democrat , “ Ossoff has already worked for a Chinese communist government-backed company as a private citizen and taken payments from them .
Payments that he hid from the public.
” Hagerty asked , “ What ’ s to stop China from using him if he ’ s elected ?
” The spy at the center of the Swalwell scandal reportedly worked for China by targeting up-and-coming politicians expected to make it big on the national stage , and Jon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mold .
Conservative writer Erick Erickson has written about Ossoff and how the candidate 's background makes him a prime target for China 's espionage activities .
`` Jon Ossoff rose to fame as an 'up-and-coming local politician ' who ran in a special election in Georgia , '' Erickson recalls .
`` He claimed he had an intelligence clearance and was in the know , having worked for members of Congress .
Hollywood money flowed in and he became a media darling .
Though Ossoff lost , he had so much money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constantly talked about his future . ''
But then Erickson notes a funny thing happened : `` Ossoff started receiving money from an anti-democracy media company in China .
The money flowed through Ossoff ’ s 'documentary film ' company that supposedly made documentaries about government corruption . ''
The anti-democracy media company based in Hong Kong was stridently opposed to Hong Kong 's freedom movement and turned out to have strong ties to the CCP .
`` In fact , earlier this year , Ossoff refused to even disclose his financial ties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only after Republican Senator David Perdue kept raising the issue did Ossoff amend his financial filings , '' notes Erickson .
But in light of the CCP 's infiltration of Eric Swalwell 's inner circle , Republicans say Ossoff 's previous work for a pro-CCP company and Ossoff 's own dismissive attitude toward such transparency makes him a prime target for China 's spy efforts .
`` This is how it starts , '' said National Republican Senatorial Committee Deputy Press Secretary Paige Lindgren .
`` Ossoff ’ s and his team ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to work with foreign governments demonstrates a stunning degree of naivete .
We know Ossoff lacks the experience to understand the threat of foreign actors trying to gain influence over elected officials , and clearly it has trickled down to top members of his campaign team . ''

Concerns are mounting after Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff failed to disclose ties to a Chinese Communist Party (CCP) backed media company. Now a senator-elect, previously an ambassador to Japan and someone with extensive experience in East Asia affairs, is warning that Ossoff may pose a security risk to the United States.
In a statement to Breitbart News, Sen.-elect Bill Hagerty (R-TN) said Ossoff "may be a security risk" and is "certainly not an acceptable choice for Senator." Ossoff is running against Incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue in the Georgia runoffs on Jan 5.
Georgia GOP officials filed a complaint earlier this month accusing Ossoff of knowingly failing to disclose payments from a pro-CCP media company, PCCW Media Limited, on his May 2020 campaign financial disclosure. Ossoff had since amended the filing, in July, to reflect receiving the payments from the CCP-connected company. The failure to disclose the payments has received extra scrutiny following revelations that Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, had been romantically involved with an alleged Chinese spy and Democratic fundraiser named Fang Fang.
(Via Breitbart)
In Hagerty’s statement to Breitbart News, the senator-elect disapproved of the transaction and the handling of it and likened the issue to the recent report of Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-CA) relationship with suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang. “China has proven that it will brazenly leverage any relationship they can to gain influence in our country — and Jon Ossoff is a perfect target for them,” Hagerty said. “Eric Swalwell’s relationship with a suspected Communist spy shows just how vulnerable some congressional Democrats are to Chinese influence.” ... Hagerty said of his own concern with the Georgia Democrat, “Ossoff has already worked for a Chinese communist government-backed company as a private citizen and taken payments from them. Payments that he hid from the public.” Hagerty asked, “What’s to stop China from using him if he’s elected?”
The spy at the center of the Swalwell scandal reportedly worked for China by targeting up-and-coming politicians expected to make it big on the national stage, and Jon Ossoff is certainly somebody who fits that mold.
Conservative writer Erick Erickson has written about Ossoff and how the candidate's background makes him a prime target for China's espionage activities.
"Jon Ossoff rose to fame as an 'up-and-coming local politician' who ran in a special election in Georgia," Erickson recalls. "He claimed he had an intelligence clearance and was in the know, having worked for members of Congress. Hollywood money flowed in and he became a media darling. Though Ossoff lost, he had so much money still in his coffers, the media constantly talked about his future."
But then Erickson notes a funny thing happened: "Ossoff started receiving money from an anti-democracy media company in China. The money flowed through Ossoff’s 'documentary film' company that supposedly made documentaries about government corruption."
The anti-democracy media company based in Hong Kong was stridently opposed to Hong Kong's freedom movement and turned out to have strong ties to the CCP.
"In fact, earlier this year, Ossoff refused to even disclose his financial ties to the Chinese Communist Party, and only after Republican Senator David Perdue kept raising the issue did Ossoff amend his financial filings," notes Erickson.
But in light of the CCP's infiltration of Eric Swalwell's inner circle, Republicans say Ossoff's previous work for a pro-CCP company and Ossoff's own dismissive attitude toward such transparency makes him a prime target for China's spy efforts.
"This is how it starts," said National Republican Senatorial Committee Deputy Press Secretary Paige Lindgren. "Ossoff’s and his team’s dismissive nature toward transparency when it comes to work with foreign governments demonstrates a stunning degree of naivete. We know Ossoff lacks the experience to understand the threat of foreign actors trying to gain influence over elected officials, and clearly it has trickled down to top members of his campaign team."


bonginoreport--2020-12-27--Here We Go Again: Georgia Runoffs Could Take Weeks to Decide

Election officials in Georgia are gearing up for the possibility that next month ’ s Senate runoff elections may spend @ @ @ @ @ final winner is determined .
The state has become closely divided in recent years and @ @ @ @ @ the results to be razor-thin .
President Trump lost the state in the 2020 presidential @ @ @ @ @ .
The president has refused to concede , saying he was the victim of widespread @ @ @ @ @ officials in the state say are baseless .
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS @ @ @ @ @ president has demanded — and received — both hand and machine recounts of Georgia vote @ @ @ @ @ loss in the state .
Click for more from The New York Post .

Election officials in Georgia are gearing up for the possibility that next month’s Senate runoff elections may spend weeks in litigation before a final winner is determined.
The state has become closely divided in recent years and both Democrats and Republicans expect the results to be razor-thin.
TURNOUT IN GEORGIA SENATE RUNOFF ELECTIONS SURGES PAST 2M VOTES
President Trump lost the state in the 2020 presidential election by around 12,000 votes. The president has refused to concede, saying he was the victim of widespread voter fraud — allegations GOP officials in the state say are baseless.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Since that time the president has demanded — and received — both hand and machine recounts of Georgia vote which continued to affirm his loss in the state.
Click for more from The New York Post.


bonginoreport--2020-12-27--Will Coronavirus Cost Pelosi Her Job?

Will Coronavirus Cost Pelosi Her Job?

Congressional Democrats are sweating about the possibility that the coronavirus may cost Nancy Pelosi her job .
The party is facing a far narrower majority next year and some members fear a coronavirus outbreak that disproportionately hit Dems could upend her expected reelection as Speaker of the House .
“ Let ’ s say , just theoretically , we had six or eight people out with COVID and the Republicans have none .
They probably could elect [ Kevin ] McCarthy , ” Rep. John Yarmuth ( D-Ky. ) , told The Hill , speaking of the current Republican House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up is also only half the battle .
During her last campaign for speaker two years ago , she triumphed despite 15 members of her own party voting against her .
She won ’ t have that margin of error this time around .
At least three Democrats , Pennsylvania ’ s Conor Lamb , Maine ’ s Jared Golden and Michigan ’ s Elissa Slotkin have all said they intend to oppose Pelosi ’ s reelection to the speaker ’ s chair .
Washington , DC , has not been spared as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
This week alone , five new members of the House tested positive for the deadly virus — bringing the total lawmakers with confirmed infections to 35 .
“ There ’ s the usual suspects who make it part of their brand to vote against her , ” Connecticut Democrat Jim Himes added to the paper .
“ But I think there ’ s an awareness — and there ’ s certainly a message coming from within the caucus — that this may not be a year for the usual branding .
@

Congressional Democrats are sweating about the possibility that the coronavirus may cost Nancy Pelosi her job.
The party is facing a far narrower majority next year and some members fear a coronavirus outbreak that disproportionately hit Dems could upend her expected reelection as Speaker of the House.
“Let’s say, just theoretically, we had six or eight people out with COVID and the Republicans have none. They probably could elect [Kevin] McCarthy,” Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Ky.), told The Hill, speaking of the current Republican House leader.
Making sure her caucus shows up is also only half the battle. During her last campaign for speaker two years ago, she triumphed despite 15 members of her own party voting against her. She won’t have that margin of error this time around.
At least three Democrats, Pennsylvania’s Conor Lamb, Maine’s Jared Golden and Michigan’s Elissa Slotkin have all said they intend to oppose Pelosi’s reelection to the speaker’s chair.
Washington, DC, has not been spared as the coronavirus continues to spread across the country. This week alone, five new members of the House tested positive for the deadly virus — bringing the total lawmakers with confirmed infections to 35.
“There’s the usual suspects who make it part of their brand to vote against her,” Connecticut Democrat Jim Himes added to the paper. “But I think there’s an awareness — and there’s certainly a message coming from within the caucus — that this may not be a year for the usual branding.”


bonginoreport--2020-12-28--ICE Deports 185k Illegal Aliens in 2020

ICE Deports 185k Illegal Aliens in 2020

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE ) agency deported more than 185,000 illegal aliens in Fiscal Year 2020 including more than 4,200 gang members , despite operational disruption caused by the Chinese coronavirus crisis .
Between October 1 , 2019 and September 30 , 2020 , ICE agents deported 185,884 illegal aliens from the United States .
About 64 percent of those deported , 118,949 illegal aliens , had criminal convictions or pending criminal charges against them .
Nearly 14,500 illegal aliens deported were family units while a little more than 4,000 were Unaccompanied Alien Children ( UACs ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of illegal aliens deported from the interior of the U.S. had criminal convictions or pending criminal charges against them at the time of their deportation .
As suspected due to the coronavirus , deportations this year dropped by more than 30 percent compared to Fiscal Year 2019 deportations and more than 27 percent compared to Fiscal Year 2018 deportations .
Of the illegal aliens deported this year , 4,276 were known or suspected gang members and 31 were known or suspected terrorists .
This year , ICE ’ s air travel deportation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-risk countries including Jordan , Albania , Bulgaria , Turkey , Romania , Mongolia .
There was a 160 percent increase in total deportations via ICE ’ s high-risk air travel deportations compared to last year .
Likewise , ICE agents deported more than 350 high-profile illegal aliens including Bosnian national Saudin Agani , convicted of aiding a terrorist organization .
Agani is a relative of Bosnian illegal alien Dzenan Camovic , who was indicted this year for ambushing two New York City Police Department ( NYPD ) officers in June while shouting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Department officials have said that Camovic is a supporter of the Islamic State ( ISIS ) .
As President Trump has surged immigration enforcement , President-Elect Joe Biden has promised to halt deportations of illegal aliens — including convicted criminals — and wind down various interior enforcement measures .
Deportations for illegal aliens is a huge cost-savings for American taxpayers , research has found .
The taxpayer cost of the roughly 11 million to 22 million illegal aliens living across the U.S. totals nearly $ 750 billion over the course of a lifetime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This indicates that taxpayers would save about $ 622 billion over a lifetime if every illegal alien was deported .
John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News .
Follow him on Twitter at @ JxhnBinder .

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency deported more than 185,000 illegal aliens in Fiscal Year 2020 including more than 4,200 gang members, despite operational disruption caused by the Chinese coronavirus crisis.
Between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020, ICE agents deported 185,884 illegal aliens from the United States. About 64 percent of those deported, 118,949 illegal aliens, had criminal convictions or pending criminal charges against them. Nearly 14,500 illegal aliens deported were family units while a little more than 4,000 were Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs).
The overwhelming majority, 92 percent, of illegal aliens deported from the interior of the U.S. had criminal convictions or pending criminal charges against them at the time of their deportation.
As suspected due to the coronavirus, deportations this year dropped by more than 30 percent compared to Fiscal Year 2019 deportations and more than 27 percent compared to Fiscal Year 2018 deportations.
Of the illegal aliens deported this year, 4,276 were known or suspected gang members and 31 were known or suspected terrorists. This year, ICE’s air travel deportation operation coordinated a record 76 charters to high-risk countries including Jordan, Albania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Romania, Mongolia.
There was a 160 percent increase in total deportations via ICE’s high-risk air travel deportations compared to last year. Likewise, ICE agents deported more than 350 high-profile illegal aliens including Bosnian national Saudin Agani, convicted of aiding a terrorist organization.
Agani is a relative of Bosnian illegal alien Dzenan Camovic, who was indicted this year for ambushing two New York City Police Department (NYPD) officers in June while shouting the phrase “Allahu Akbar.” Justice Department officials have said that Camovic is a supporter of the Islamic State (ISIS).
As President Trump has surged immigration enforcement, President-Elect Joe Biden has promised to halt deportations of illegal aliens — including convicted criminals — and wind down various interior enforcement measures.
Deportations for illegal aliens is a huge cost-savings for American taxpayers, research has found. The taxpayer cost of the roughly 11 million to 22 million illegal aliens living across the U.S. totals nearly $750 billion over the course of a lifetime while each deportation costs just $10,900. This indicates that taxpayers would save about $622 billion over a lifetime if every illegal alien was deported.
John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News. Follow him on Twitter at @JxhnBinder.


bonginoreport--2020-12-27--“I Love All Of You” – Rush Limbaugh Signs Off for 2020 With Emotional Message

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh choked up on air Wednesday delivering a heartfelt message to his listeners in his last broadcast of 2020 .
Limbaugh , who was diagnosed with lung cancer in February , explained how he likes to reflect at Christmas on what he is thankful for .
`` My point in all of this today is gratitude .
My point in all of this is to say thanks and tell everybody involved how much I love you from the bottom of a sizable and growing and still-beating heart , '' Limbaugh said .
Limbaugh explained that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and said how thankful he was to be able to do his show .
`` I wasn ’ t expected to be alive today .
I wasn ’ t expected to make it to October , and then to November , and then to December , '' Limbaugh explained .
`` And yet , here I am , and today , got some problems , but I ’ m feeling pretty good today , '' he continued .
`` I wish there was a way to say it other than thank you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Limbaugh went on to critique Biden 's message of panic and doom when he said America 's worst days of the coronavirus are ahead of us .
Limbaugh said it was a bleak message .
`` What a bleak way of looking at things .
It ’ s never time to panic , folks .
There ’ s never , ever going to be time to give up on our country , '' Limbaugh said .

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh choked up on air Wednesday delivering a heartfelt message to his listeners in his last broadcast of 2020.
Limbaugh, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in February, explained how he likes to reflect at Christmas on what he is thankful for.
"My point in all of this today is gratitude. My point in all of this is to say thanks and tell everybody involved how much I love you from the bottom of a sizable and growing and still-beating heart," Limbaugh said.
Limbaugh explained that he was not expected to live beyond October, and said how thankful he was to be able to do his show.
"I wasn’t expected to be alive today. I wasn’t expected to make it to October, and then to November, and then to December," Limbaugh explained.
"And yet, here I am, and today, got some problems, but I’m feeling pretty good today," he continued. "I wish there was a way to say it other than thank you. Your're just the best."
Limbaugh went on to critique Biden's message of panic and doom when he said America's worst days of the coronavirus are ahead of us. Limbaugh said it was a bleak message.
"What a bleak way of looking at things. It’s never time to panic, folks. There’s never, ever going to be time to give up on our country," Limbaugh said.