bonginoreport--2020-04-16--Small Business Relief Program Runs Out of Money After Democrats Block Additional Funding

The Small Business Administration 's rescue loan program hit its $ 349 billion limit on Thursday and is now out of money as the nation 's top Republicans and Democrats struggle to agree on how to restore its funds .
The SBA website reads that it is `` unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding .
Similarly , we are unable to enroll new PPP lenders at this time . ''
The announcement from the SBA on Thursday comes as scores of small American business owners work to deal with the fallout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some states to shutter the vast majority of commerce .
The first-come , first-served Paycheck Protection Program of $ 349 billion , approved by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in March , had promised to assuage some of the financial burden for the nation 's smallest business owners .
Signs that the program was reaching critical capacity first came on Wednesday , when the SBA said the aid may be nearing a ceiling for loan commitments , with more than 1.3 million loans given approval at a value of more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , $ 315 billion had been approved , a person familiar with the situation told CNBC .
Staffers for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are expected to continue talks with the Treasury Department on Thursday , a senior Democratic aide told CNBC .
Those discussions will follow a similar one Wednesday afternoon as the nation 's top Democrats and Republicans seek to hash out the new funding just a few weeks after Congress passed the historic $ 2.2 trillion coronavirus relief spending package .
Though lawmakers appear close @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pace at which U.S. small businesses exhausted the initial $ 349 billion program likely speaks to the extent and severity state-imposed business closures are having on restaurants , gas stations and other mom and pop retailers across the country .
`` Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy , employing 47 % of all workers .
In high-cost cities , the median small business has only enough cash to cover 2-3 weeks of expenses , '' wrote Ron Temple , head of U.S. equity at Lazard Asset Management .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recognize the unprecedented stress on small business and their employees from this crisis , and pass incremental funding as an urgent priority , '' he added .
Senate Democrats last week blocked a move by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , R-Ky. , to push through an additional $ 250 billion for the program .
Republicans then later rejected Democrats ' proposal that sought $ 250 billion in funds to small businesses , hospitals , states and food assistance programs .
A historic drop in retail sales in March , a 5 million jump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released this week have all suggested the U.S. economy is likely already in a deep recession .
Job losses in the food services and lodging industries , in particular , have led the U.S. economy to erase nearly all the job gains accrued in the last 11 years .
Subscribe to CNBC PRO for exclusive insights and analysis , and live business day programming from around the world .

A worker for United Parcel Service Inc. (UPS) makes deliveries on a street with closed stores in the Borough Park neighborhood in the Brooklyn, New York, April 7, 2020. Stephanie Keith | Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Small Business Administration's rescue loan program hit its $349 billion limit on Thursday and is now out of money as the nation's top Republicans and Democrats struggle to agree on how to restore its funds. The SBA website reads that it is "unable to accept new applications for the Paycheck Protection Program based on available appropriations funding. Similarly, we are unable to enroll new PPP lenders at this time." The announcement from the SBA on Thursday comes as scores of small American business owners work to deal with the fallout of the coronavirus and the move by some states to shutter the vast majority of commerce.
watch now
The first-come, first-served Paycheck Protection Program of $349 billion, approved by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump in March, had promised to assuage some of the financial burden for the nation's smallest business owners. Signs that the program was reaching critical capacity first came on Wednesday, when the SBA said the aid may be nearing a ceiling for loan commitments, with more than 1.3 million loans given approval at a value of more than $296 billion. By Wednesday evening, $315 billion had been approved, a person familiar with the situation told CNBC. Staffers for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi are expected to continue talks with the Treasury Department on Thursday, a senior Democratic aide told CNBC. Those discussions will follow a similar one Wednesday afternoon as the nation's top Democrats and Republicans seek to hash out the new funding just a few weeks after Congress passed the historic $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief spending package. Though lawmakers appear close to extending funds for the programs, the pace at which U.S. small businesses exhausted the initial $349 billion program likely speaks to the extent and severity state-imposed business closures are having on restaurants, gas stations and other mom and pop retailers across the country.
watch now
"Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, employing 47% of all workers. In high-cost cities, the median small business has only enough cash to cover 2-3 weeks of expenses," wrote Ron Temple, head of U.S. equity at Lazard Asset Management. "It's critical for both parties to recognize the unprecedented stress on small business and their employees from this crisis, and pass incremental funding as an urgent priority," he added. Senate Democrats last week blocked a move by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to push through an additional $250 billion for the program. Republicans then later rejected Democrats' proposal that sought $250 billion in funds to small businesses, hospitals, states and food assistance programs. A historic drop in retail sales in March, a 5 million jump in jobless claims and weaker manufacturing data released this week have all suggested the U.S. economy is likely already in a deep recession. Job losses in the food services and lodging industries, in particular, have led the U.S. economy to erase nearly all the job gains accrued in the last 11 years. — CNBC's Lauren Hirsch contributed reporting. Subscribe to CNBC PRO for exclusive insights and analysis, and live business day programming from around the world.


bonginoreport--2020-04-16--Ilhan Omar’s Campaign Committee Pays Nearly 300k to Husband’s Firm

No member of the so-called “ Squad ” is a stranger to controversy , but Ilhan Omar continues taking it to the next level .
Just last month Omar announced her marriage to Tim Mynett on Instagram after denying that the two had a relationship for months .
Mynett ’ s prior wife alleged in court papers that he walked out on their marriage after admitting to having an affair with Omar , which Omar denied .
Omar filed for divorce from her prior husband Ahmed Hirsi less than two months before the affair allegations were brought to light .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Omar ’ s campaign committees paid Mynett ’ s firm E Street Group $ 215,000 , more than half of total disbursements over that time period ( most of which was after her campaign was over ) .
In total , E Street Group received $ 525,000 from Omar ’ s campaign , or forty percent of her campaign ’ s overall spending .
Had the two been married at the time , that would ’ ve immediately raised red flags ( and still could now ) .
Omar had previously been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board found she illegally used campaign funds in 2016 and 2017 .
She was also fined $ 500 .
The violating payments included reimbursements for personal travel expenses , in addition to hiring a law firm for services related to an inquiry into her personal tax returns .
Soon-after she was hit with an FEC complaint in late August for allegedly using her campaign to illegally reimburse the travel expenses of Mynett .
The complaint was filed one day after Mynett ’ s wife alleged the affair .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not itemized , which is required .
And now , there ’ s more !
According to the Washington Free Beacon : Omar ’ s new committee filings , posted Wednesday afternoon , show that during the first three months of the year , the campaign paid $ 292,905 to the E Street Group he cash , which reportedly went toward an array of services that included fundraising and advertisements , accounted for over 40 percent of the campaign ’ s $ 674,892 in disbursements .
Omar raised $ 456,374 during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the “ Squad ” has been investigated for campaign finance abuses .
I think Ilhan may be worth another look .

No member of the so-called “Squad” is a stranger to controversy, but Ilhan Omar continues taking it to the next level.
Just last month Omar announced her marriage to Tim Mynett on Instagram after denying that the two had a relationship for months. Mynett’s prior wife alleged in court papers that he walked out on their marriage after admitting to having an affair with Omar, which Omar denied. Omar filed for divorce from her prior husband Ahmed Hirsi less than two months before the affair allegations were brought to light.
Between October and December of last year, Omar’s campaign committees paid Mynett’s firm E Street Group $215,000, more than half of total disbursements over that time period (most of which was after her campaign was over). In total, E Street Group received $525,000 from Omar’s campaign, or forty percent of her campaign’s overall spending.
Had the two been married at the time, that would’ve immediately raised red flags (and still could now). Omar had previously been ordered to reimburse her campaign $3,500 after the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board found she illegally used campaign funds in 2016 and 2017. She was also fined $500. The violating payments included reimbursements for personal travel expenses, in addition to hiring a law firm for services related to an inquiry into her personal tax returns.
Soon-after she was hit with an FEC complaint in late August for allegedly using her campaign to illegally reimburse the travel expenses of Mynett. The complaint was filed one day after Mynett’s wife alleged the affair. Travel expenses totaled over $21,000 and were not itemized, which is required.
And now, there’s more!
According to the Washington Free Beacon:
Omar’s new committee filings, posted Wednesday afternoon, show that during the first three months of the year, the campaign paid $292,905 to the E Street Group he cash, which reportedly went toward an array of services that included fundraising and advertisements, accounted for over 40 percent of the campaign’s $674,892 in disbursements. Omar raised $456,374 during the quarter.
As of writing, 75% of the “Squad” has been investigated for campaign finance abuses. I think Ilhan may be worth another look.


bonginoreport--2020-04-16--Yet Another New Gang Joins Mexico’s Drug War

MONTERREY , Nuevo Leon – An independent drug distribution gang grew in recent months to openly challenge one of Mexico ’ s most violent cartels for control of this border state ’ s largest city .
Breitbart Texas exclusively learned the intricate details of their operations and the identity of its current leader .
Known as “ Los Billy ’ s , ” the gang gained prominence in late 2019 as many independent methamphetamine distributors in the Monterrey area joined their ranks .
The rush to an alliance came after the Cartel Del Noreste ( CDN ) faction of Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nuevo Leon .
Using a join-or-die strategy , the CDN began killing hundreds of rivals throughout the metro area .
The tactic has drawn so much attention that Nuevo Leon officials are naming the CDN responsible for more than 80 percent of the murders in Monterrey alone .
According to law enforcement intelligence obtained by Breitbart Texas from U.S. officials in Nuevo Leon , most of the independent drug distributors refused to work with the CDN due to the cartel ’ s ruthless nature and zero-sum practices , which tend to affect profit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ street dealers formed alliances to fight the CDN .
Breitbart Texas reported exclusively in June about a gang led by “ El Totoy , ” who was challenging Los Zetas in Monterrey .
Since then , El Totoy ’ s men have allied with Los Billy ’ s to grow their numbers , weapons , and turf .
Through various interviews with U.S. law enforcement agencies operating in Mexico , Breitbart Texas learned the identity of the leader of Los Billy ’ s , Saul “ El Chaparro or Tumbado ” Salinas Gonzalez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Texas , where he claims to be a legitimate businessman .
However , agents with Nuevo Leon ’ s State Investigation ’ s Agency have already raided 30 different drugstores belonging to Los Billy ’ s which are directly answerable to Salinas .
Authorities in Nuevo Leon recently arrested Salinas and his girlfriend , Ana Luisa Garcia Duque , in the suburb of Santa Catarina .
The couple were driving a white BMW sedan with license plates from the state of Morelos , PYX-19-67 .
Officials released the couple soon after the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Law enforcement sources revealed to Breitbart Texas that members of Los Billy ’ s are being investigated for the murder of one of their former members .
Breitbart Texas reported in February on the murder of Rodolfo “ El Rodo ” Hinojosa , the leader of a drug distribution cell who also gained notoriety as an underground rapper .
Initially , Nuevo Leon investigators believed the CDN were behind the murder , however , new evidence points to a rift within Los Billy ’ s where El Rodo left the organization after threatening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Salinas in the U.S. or Mexico could lead his current second-in-command to rise , a man known only as “ Tony Montana.
” Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist with Breitbart Texas .
He co-founded Breitbart Texas ’ Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and senior Breitbart management .
You can follow him on Twitter and on Facebook .
He can be contacted at Iortiz @ breitbart.com .
Brandon Darby is the managing director and editor-in-chief of Breitbart Texas .
He co-founded Breitbart Texas ’ Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Twitter and Facebook .
He can be contacted at bdarby @ breitbart.com .
Tony Aranda from Breitbart Texas ’ Cartel Chronicles project contributed to this report

MONTERREY, Nuevo Leon – An independent drug distribution gang grew in recent months to openly challenge one of Mexico’s most violent cartels for control of this border state’s largest city. Breitbart Texas exclusively learned the intricate details of their operations and the identity of its current leader.
Known as “Los Billy’s,” the gang gained prominence in late 2019 as many independent methamphetamine distributors in the Monterrey area joined their ranks. The rush to an alliance came after the Cartel Del Noreste (CDN) faction of Los Zetas began a bloodthirsty turf push in Nuevo Leon. Using a join-or-die strategy, the CDN began killing hundreds of rivals throughout the metro area. The tactic has drawn so much attention that Nuevo Leon officials are naming the CDN responsible for more than 80 percent of the murders in Monterrey alone.
According to law enforcement intelligence obtained by Breitbart Texas from U.S. officials in Nuevo Leon, most of the independent drug distributors refused to work with the CDN due to the cartel’s ruthless nature and zero-sum practices, which tend to affect profit margins. Through sheer necessity, some street dealers formed alliances to fight the CDN.
Breitbart Texas reported exclusively in June about a gang led by “El Totoy,” who was challenging Los Zetas in Monterrey. Since then, El Totoy’s men have allied with Los Billy’s to grow their numbers, weapons, and turf.
Through various interviews with U.S. law enforcement agencies operating in Mexico, Breitbart Texas learned the identity of the leader of Los Billy’s, Saul “El Chaparro or Tumbado” Salinas Gonzalez. Authorities monitored Salinas’ repeat travels to Texas, where he claims to be a legitimate businessman. However, agents with Nuevo Leon’s State Investigation’s Agency have already raided 30 different drugstores belonging to Los Billy’s which are directly answerable to Salinas.
Authorities in Nuevo Leon recently arrested Salinas and his girlfriend, Ana Luisa Garcia Duque, in the suburb of Santa Catarina. The couple were driving a white BMW sedan with license plates from the state of Morelos, PYX-19-67. Officials released the couple soon after the raid due to lack of evidence.
Law enforcement sources revealed to Breitbart Texas that members of Los Billy’s are being investigated for the murder of one of their former members. Breitbart Texas reported in February on the murder of Rodolfo “El Rodo” Hinojosa, the leader of a drug distribution cell who also gained notoriety as an underground rapper. Initially, Nuevo Leon investigators believed the CDN were behind the murder, however, new evidence points to a rift within Los Billy’s where El Rodo left the organization after threatening a hostile takeover.
A future arrest of Salinas in the U.S. or Mexico could lead his current second-in-command to rise, a man known only as “Tony Montana.”
Ildefonso Ortiz is an award-winning journalist with Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and senior Breitbart management. You can follow him on Twitter and on Facebook. He can be contacted at Iortiz@breitbart.com.
Brandon Darby is the managing director and editor-in-chief of Breitbart Texas. He co-founded Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project with Ildefonso Ortiz and senior Breitbart management. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He can be contacted at bdarby@breitbart.com.
Tony Aranda from Breitbart Texas’ Cartel Chronicles project contributed to this report


bonginoreport--2020-04-16--WaPo Writer Who Excoriated Brett Kavanaugh No Longer “Believing All Women”

Ruth Marcus is a columnist for the Washington Post who wrote a book about the Kavanaugh confirmation .
Her book concluded that Christine Blasey Ford was telling the truth and that , therefore , Justice Kavanaugh ’ s name would always have an asterisk next to it .
Wednesday the Post published a piece in which Marcus weighed the evidence for Tara Reade ’ s claim against Joe Biden .
You ’ ll be shocked to learn that she doesn ’ t believe Tara Reade is telling the truth , though she admits her claims could be true .
Marcus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four parts : Contemporaneous evidence , evidence predating the current allegation , credibility , and pattern evidence .
Let ’ s look at those in order .
Contemporaneous evidence shows that someone told the same story back when the incident happened .
As it stands now , Tara Reade ’ s story is backed by contemporaneous evidence where Dr. Ford ’ s was not .
But notice how Marcus dismisses Ford ’ s lack of contemporaneous evidence as “ no surprise.
” What Marcus is doing here is using Ford ’ s later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the time .
But the fact that , many decades later , she can rationalize her own silence doesn ’ t mean it ’ s “ no surprise ” she didn ’ t tell anyone .
Leigh Corfman was a teenage high school student when Roy Moore allegedly asked her on a date , drove her to his home , convinced her to strip down to her underwear before driving her home .
Corfman told friends about the incident , even mentioning the name of the man involved to one friend at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told people about the incident gives her story credibility .
The fact that Ford didn ’ t tell anyone means her story lacks credibility , no matter her excuse for that silence years later .
And the fact that the people she claimed were in the room didn ’ t remember the party in question is also a problem for her credibility .
Why couldn ’ t Leland Keyser , a friend who obviously wanted to believe Ford ’ s story , back up her account about the party .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t remember , it ’ s the entire setting ?
No part of Ford ’ s recollection of that night was backed up .
Marcus simply ignores this completely .
The next bit of evidence Marcus looks at is what Reade/Ford told people later , closer to the time the story became public .
Both Ford and Reade claim they told a therapist about the incident , but Reade hasn ’ t released the therapists notes and Ford did .
Also , Reade told a different story last year that didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I agree that Reade ’ s shifting story is a problem for her credibility .
And if it weren ’ t for the contemporaneous confirmation from her friend , this would probably be the point at which I would conclude her story lacked consistency and credibility .
However , it ’ s not true that Ford ’ s story never changed .
The therapist notes she released did not tell the same story she told to the world .
She blamed the difference on a mistake by the therapist .
Here ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the notes : Ford ’ s story , which she hadn ’ t told for 30 years , appears to have changed .
There was also some confusion about the number of people at the party .
But once again , Ford has a belated explanation for that , so we ’ re just supposed to overlook the fact that the therapist notes don ’ t quite tell the same story .
Here is where Marcus tries to make up for a lack of evidence elsewhere by suggesting Ford had loads of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emphasis added ] .
Two points .
First , in the very sentence Marcus denies that Ford had an ideological motive , she points out that Ford was concerned about the ideology of the nominee .
But of course , she frames this as something in Ford ’ s favor .
She was worried the next nominee could be worse !
Well , maybe she was also worried the current nominee , Kavanaugh , was bad enough .
That ’ s what Ford ’ s own lawyer would later imply when she told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he takes a scalpel to Roe v. Wade , we will know who he is , we know his character , and we know what motivates him , and that is important ; it is important that we know , and that is part of what motivated Christine.
” Marcus never mentions this statement , probably because it undercuts her argument .
Meanwhile , she takes the fact that Tara Reade previously supported Bernie Sanders as possible evidence that she is lying to damage Biden ’ s campaign .
Is that possible ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ford wanted to keep a pro-life judge off the Supreme Court .
Of course .
Marcus can acknowledge the former possibility but not the latter .
The idea here is that Kavanaugh had a pattern of behavior that fits the allegations but Biden does not : So the “ pattern of behavior ” in Kavanaugh ’ s case relies on two other allegations .
Marcus doesn ’ t even mention their names .
One of those allegations , involving gang rape at parties , was completely unreliable .
NBC interviewed Julie Swetnick and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t corroborated by anyone .
NBC later clarified that the “ corroborating witness ” provided by Michael Avenatti said Avenatti had twisted her words .
Pointing to this claim to establish a pattern of behavior is absurd .
That ’ s probably why Marcus doesn ’ t mention Swetnick by name .
The other allegation , from Deborah Ramirez , came after Ramirez herself said she couldn ’ t remember if the person involved ( in exposing himself at a party ) was Kavanaugh .
She even told Ronan Farrow she wasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ above , no one could back up any of the details made by Ford .
So the pattern of abuse by Kavanaugh is pretty thin .
As for the pattern by Biden , there clearly is one of him touching women in ways that make them uncomfortable .
We ’ ve all seen the videos so there ’ s no room to doubt it .
I agree that what Reade describes goes well beyond that pattern .
So the evidence that he would do this is also pretty thin ( on this basis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Marcus hasn ’ t really looked at the evidence fairly and evenhandedly .
If she had , she ’ d have to admit that neither story is completely solid but that Tara Reade ’ s story has at least as much credibility as Ford ’ s did .
Given that fact , it looks to a lot of us that the reason Reade isn ’ t getting much support has less to do with the evidence at hand and more to do with politics .
Update : A flashback courtesy of Stephen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marcus treated Kavanaugh at the time .
So is there no benefit of the doubt for Biden with the White House on the line ?
Update : From Rose McGowan , responding to an article in The Nation : “ Make no mistake the slander of the brave Tara Reade is because she ’ s not a Liberal feminist ’ s idea of what Joe Biden would want to touch .
”

Ruth Marcus is a columnist for the Washington Post who wrote a book about the Kavanaugh confirmation. Her book concluded that Christine Blasey Ford was telling the truth and that, therefore, Justice Kavanaugh’s name would always have an asterisk next to it. Wednesday the Post published a piece in which Marcus weighed the evidence for Tara Reade’s claim against Joe Biden. You’ll be shocked to learn that she doesn’t believe Tara Reade is telling the truth, though she admits her claims could be true.
This column represents a good-faith effort to grapple with the seriousness of, and flaws in, the Reade allegations. My conclusion is that while Ford’s allegations are on balance stronger, those who took Ford’s complaints seriously cannot simply dismiss Reade’s claims out of hand. I don’t think what Reade claimed happened, yet the evidence is murky.
Marcus breaks her analysis of the evidence into four parts: Contemporaneous evidence, evidence predating the current allegation, credibility, and pattern evidence. Let’s look at those in order.
Contemporaneous evidence
Contemporaneous evidence shows that someone told the same story back when the incident happened. As it stands now, Tara Reade’s story is backed by contemporaneous evidence where Dr. Ford’s was not. But notice how Marcus dismisses Ford’s lack of contemporaneous evidence as “no surprise.”
Bottom line: the contemporaneous evidence is inconclusive but stronger than that in the Kavanaugh case. That comes as no surprise; in fact, Ford said she took pains not to let family and friends know about the alleged assault.
What Marcus is doing here is using Ford’s later justification for not telling anyone her story at the time. But the fact that, many decades later, she can rationalize her own silence doesn’t mean it’s “no surprise” she didn’t tell anyone.
Leigh Corfman was a teenage high school student when Roy Moore allegedly asked her on a date, drove her to his home, convinced her to strip down to her underwear before driving her home. Corfman told friends about the incident, even mentioning the name of the man involved to one friend at the time. The fact that she told people about the incident gives her story credibility. The fact that Ford didn’t tell anyone means her story lacks credibility, no matter her excuse for that silence years later.
And the fact that the people she claimed were in the room didn’t remember the party in question is also a problem for her credibility. Why couldn’t Leland Keyser, a friend who obviously wanted to believe Ford’s story, back up her account about the party. It’s not just the assault Keyser doesn’t remember, it’s the entire setting? No part of Ford’s recollection of that night was backed up. Marcus simply ignores this completely.
Evidence predating current allegation
The next bit of evidence Marcus looks at is what Reade/Ford told people later, closer to the time the story became public. Both Ford and Reade claim they told a therapist about the incident, but Reade hasn’t released the therapists notes and Ford did. Also, Reade told a different story last year that didn’t mention sexual assault, just unwanted touching:
Bottom line: Reade’s shifting account introduces a confusing element. If Biden did what she now alleges, why did she not say this a year ago? Reade says she did not feel comfortable telling her full story then, but she seems to have offered no clue that there was more to her story. Ford had similarly shared her account about Kavanaugh with friends, family and therapists; however, by contrast with Reade, her story did not change over time.
I agree that Reade’s shifting story is a problem for her credibility. And if it weren’t for the contemporaneous confirmation from her friend, this would probably be the point at which I would conclude her story lacked consistency and credibility. However, it’s not true that Ford’s story never changed. The therapist notes she released did not tell the same story she told to the world. She blamed the difference on a mistake by the therapist. Here’s the Washington Post’s description of the notes:
Ford said she told no one of the incident in any detail until 2012, when she was in couples therapy with her husband. The therapist’s notes, portions of which were provided by Ford and reviewed by The Washington Post, do not mention Kavanaugh’s name but say she reported that she was attacked by students “from an elitist boys’ school” who went on to become “highly respected and high-ranking members of society in Washington.” The notes say four boys were involved, a discrepancy Ford says was an error on the therapist’s part. Ford said there were four boys at the party but only two in the room.
Ford’s story, which she hadn’t told for 30 years, appears to have changed. There was also some confusion about the number of people at the party. But once again, Ford has a belated explanation for that, so we’re just supposed to overlook the fact that the therapist notes don’t quite tell the same story.
Credibility
Here is where Marcus tries to make up for a lack of evidence elsewhere by suggesting Ford had loads of credibility and no reason to lie [emphasis added].
Reade presents a confounding figure — to me, much more so than Ford, although I have the advantage of not only having watched Ford’s testimony but also having interviewed her over many hours. One fundamental difference involves the matter of motive. Ford came forward only reluctantly, and without evident ideological motivation; she told me that she worried, actually, that if Kavanaugh were forced to withdraw, a more conservative nominee might take his place. Reade supported Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’s (I) presidential bid, and the fact that she went public with her allegations just as Biden was on the verge of cementing the Democratic nomination raises the possibility of political motivation, although Reade denies this.
Two points. First, in the very sentence Marcus denies that Ford had an ideological motive, she points out that Ford was concerned about the ideology of the nominee. But of course, she frames this as something in Ford’s favor. She was worried the next nominee could be worse! Well, maybe she was also worried the current nominee, Kavanaugh, was bad enough. That’s what Ford’s own lawyer would later imply when she told a feminist legal conference, “When he takes a scalpel to Roe v. Wade, we will know who he is, we know his character, and we know what motivates him, and that is important; it is important that we know, and that is part of what motivated Christine.”
Marcus never mentions this statement, probably because it undercuts her argument. Meanwhile, she takes the fact that Tara Reade previously supported Bernie Sanders as possible evidence that she is lying to damage Biden’s campaign. Is that possible? Of course. Is it possible Dr. Ford wanted to keep a pro-life judge off the Supreme Court. Of course. Marcus can acknowledge the former possibility but not the latter.
Pattern evidence
The idea here is that Kavanaugh had a pattern of behavior that fits the allegations but Biden does not:
Bottom line: The Kavanaugh chapter produced evidence, albeit inconclusive, of other incidents, when he was young, of problematic behavior toward women. The absence of a pattern in Biden’s case does not disprove Reade’s allegations. Still, it seems unlikely that behavior this egregious would be a one-time incident.
So the “pattern of behavior” in Kavanaugh’s case relies on two other allegations. Marcus doesn’t even mention their names. One of those allegations, involving gang rape at parties, was completely unreliable. NBC interviewed Julie Swetnick and found that her story changed and wasn’t corroborated by anyone. NBC later clarified that the “corroborating witness” provided by Michael Avenatti said Avenatti had twisted her words. Pointing to this claim to establish a pattern of behavior is absurd. That’s probably why Marcus doesn’t mention Swetnick by name.
The other allegation, from Deborah Ramirez, came after Ramirez herself said she couldn’t remember if the person involved (in exposing himself at a party) was Kavanaugh. She even told Ronan Farrow she wasn’t sure. And as discussed above, no one could back up any of the details made by Ford. So the pattern of abuse by Kavanaugh is pretty thin.
As for the pattern by Biden, there clearly is one of him touching women in ways that make them uncomfortable. We’ve all seen the videos so there’s no room to doubt it. I agree that what Reade describes goes well beyond that pattern. So the evidence that he would do this is also pretty thin (on this basis alone).
My bottom line is that Marcus hasn’t really looked at the evidence fairly and evenhandedly. If she had, she’d have to admit that neither story is completely solid but that Tara Reade’s story has at least as much credibility as Ford’s did. Given that fact, it looks to a lot of us that the reason Reade isn’t getting much support has less to do with the evidence at hand and more to do with politics.
Update: A flashback courtesy of Stephen Miller. Here’s how Ruth Marcus treated Kavanaugh at the time. So is there no benefit of the doubt for Biden with the White House on the line?
When Blasey Ford came forward it was no I’m sorry you don’t get the benefit of the doubt, you must step down. These people have killed MeToo, and laughably so. pic.twitter.com/fl3anJbTap — Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) April 16, 2020
Update: From Rose McGowan, responding to an article in The Nation: “Make no mistake the slander of the brave Tara Reade is because she’s not a Liberal feminist’s idea of what Joe Biden would want to touch.”


bonginoreport--2020-04-17--Michigan Governor Says She’s “Hopeful” About Starting to Reopen State by May 1st Amid Backlash

Michigan Gov .
Gretchen Whitmer said she was hopeful her state ’ s economy could begin to reopen at the beginning of May as she faces intense criticism for her strict stay-at-home order meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus .
“ I am hopeful that come May 1 , we will make some steps forward , ” the Democrat said during a town hall event Friday , Reuters .
Whitmer added that she acknowledged Michiganders are “ desperate to get back to work ” and no solution is without risk .
Thousands of protesters around the state Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to protest Whitmer ’ s stay-at-home order to demonstrate against restrictions they argue are too strict and endanger their economic future .
`` There is no reason why she ca n't be looking at some safe ways to be opening up businesses .
Instead of talking about what 's essential and nonessential , let 's talk about what 's safe and not safe , '' said Meshawn Maddock , a spokeswoman for the Michigan Conservative Coalition .
`` Safe businesses and safe workers need to get back to work . ''
Several sheriffs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of Whitmer 's executive orders .
`` We write today to inform the public for our respective counties of our opposition to some of Governor Whitmer 's executive orders .
While we understand her desire to protect the public , we question some restrictions that she has imposed as overstepping her executive authority , '' a letter signed by each sheriff read .

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she was hopeful her state’s economy could begin to reopen at the beginning of May as she faces intense criticism for her strict stay-at-home order meant to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
“I am hopeful that come May 1, we will make some steps forward,” the Democrat said during a town hall event Friday, according to Reuters.
Whitmer added that she acknowledged Michiganders are “desperate to get back to work” and no solution is without risk.
Thousands of protesters showed up around the state Capitol in Lansing, Michigan, this week to protest Whitmer’s stay-at-home order to demonstrate against restrictions they argue are too strict and endanger their economic future.
[Click here for complete coronavirus coverage]
"There is no reason why she can't be looking at some safe ways to be opening up businesses. Instead of talking about what's essential and nonessential, let's talk about what's safe and not safe," said Meshawn Maddock, a spokeswoman for the Michigan Conservative Coalition. "Safe businesses and safe workers need to get back to work."
Several sheriffs in Michigan announced they would refuse to enforce some of Whitmer's executive orders.
"We write today to inform the public for our respective counties of our opposition to some of Governor Whitmer's executive orders. While we understand her desire to protect the public, we question some restrictions that she has imposed as overstepping her executive authority," a letter signed by each sheriff read.


bonginoreport--2020-04-17--CCP Journo Who Lied to Trump Faces $16k Fine

The Chinese Communist Party-employed journalist who lied about where he was from during a press conference with President Trump could now face $ 16,000 in fines .
The National Pulse exposed Ching-Yi Chang on April 9th , after he told President Trump he was from Taiwan .
In truth , he works for Dragon Television , owned in turn by Shanghai Media Group , one of the largest state-owned media groups in China .
Now , according to Taiwan ’ s Liberty Times , Ching-Yi could be facing punitive action from Taiwan .
Journalist William Yang reports : “ So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for # China ‘ s state-run Dragon Television in the US told @ realDonaldTrump that he is from Taiwan when the president asked him where he is from during a presser at the White House .
“ His response drew heavy criticism from both # Taiwan and # China , as people from both sides accused him of misleading Trump and the public .
“ An unexpected twist of the event is that # Taiwan ‘ s Mainland Affairs Council , the official government agency in charge of cross-Strait affairs , came out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still a Taiwanese citizen , his employment by Dragon TV has violated the law that governs the relationship between # Taiwan and # China , in which Taiwanese nationals are prohibited from working for any companies run by the Chinese Communist Party .
“ Since Dragon TV is an affiliation of the CCP , Chang has violated the relevant clause in the law , and the Mainland Affairs Council will now seek to penalize Chang for violating the law .
According to the law , Chang could be fined between 100,000 to 500,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pulse expose of CCP-propagandist Youyou Wang who also lied to the U.S. President during a press briefing , claiming her news outlet was privately owned .
Youyou works for Phoenix Satellite Holdings , owned by Liu Changle ( 37.1 % of shares ) .
Changle is a “ former PLA propaganda official who is close to senior Chinese government leaders ” .
Changle previously worked as a propaganda officer for China National Radio ( then known as the Central People ’ s Broadcasting Station ) .
A further 20 percent of the company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in turn owned by China Mobile Hong Kong , which itself is owned by the Chinese government-owned China Mobile .
Eight more percent of the company is owned by China Wise Investment Ltd , owned by the Bank of China .
This means at least 65 percent of the company is owned by the government of China .

The Chinese Communist Party-employed journalist who lied about where he was from during a press conference with President Trump could now face $16,000 in fines.
The National Pulse exposed Ching-Yi Chang on April 9th, after he told President Trump he was from Taiwan. In truth, he works for Dragon Television, owned in turn by Shanghai Media Group, one of the largest state-owned media groups in China.
Now, according to Taiwan’s Liberty Times, Ching-Yi could be facing punitive action from Taiwan.
Journalist William Yang reports: “So last week, a Taiwanese journalist working for #China‘s state-run Dragon Television in the US told @realDonaldTrump that he is from Taiwan when the president asked him where he is from during a presser at the White House.
https://twitter.com/RaheemKassam/status/1248277103428210689
“His response drew heavy criticism from both #Taiwan and #China, as people from both sides accused him of misleading Trump and the public.
“An unexpected twist of the event is that #Taiwan‘s Mainland Affairs Council, the official government agency in charge of cross-Strait affairs, came out today to say that since Chang is still a Taiwanese citizen, his employment by Dragon TV has violated the law that governs the relationship between #Taiwan and #China, in which Taiwanese nationals are prohibited from working for any companies run by the Chinese Communist Party.
“Since Dragon TV is an affiliation of the CCP, Chang has violated the relevant clause in the law, and the Mainland Affairs Council will now seek to penalize Chang for violating the law. According to the law, Chang could be fined between 100,000 to 500,000 NTD.”
That’s up to $16,000 USD.
The news followed the National Pulse expose of CCP-propagandist Youyou Wang who also lied to the U.S. President during a press briefing, claiming her news outlet was privately owned.
Youyou works for Phoenix Satellite Holdings, owned by Liu Changle (37.1% of shares). Changle is a “former PLA propaganda official who is close to senior Chinese government leaders”.
Changle previously worked as a propaganda officer for China National Radio (then known as the Central People’s Broadcasting Station).
A further 20 percent of the company is owned by Extra Step Investments Limited, in turn owned by China Mobile Hong Kong, which itself is owned by the Chinese government-owned China Mobile.
Eight more percent of the company is owned by China Wise Investment Ltd, owned by the Bank of China.
This means at least 65 percent of the company is owned by the government of China.


bonginoreport--2020-04-17--Joe Biden in 2011 Op-Ed: China’s Rise Isn’t Our Demise

Former Vice President Joe Biden claimed in an for the New York Times : “ China ’ s Rise Isn ’ t Our Demise.
” Now , with nearly 23,000 Americans dead following the attempted Chinese Communist Party cover-up of the coronavirus , it ’ s time to look back at the would-be president ’ s claim .
In the 2011 op-ed , Biden wrote : “ I remain convinced that a successful China can make our country more prosperous , not less , ” and concluded , “ Some may warn of America ’ s demise , but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let me reassure you : based on my time in China , neither are the Chinese.
” Over the decade prior to that claim – 2001 to 2011 – the United States lost 2.7 million jobs to China , partly because of Chinese currency manipulation .
Courted by cheap labor and low production costs , U.S. CEOs – like heads of the auto industry – increasingly moved their manufacturing companies overseas .
By 2010 , China passed the United States as the world ’ s top car market .
The gradual dominance of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ property theft .
In 2019 , one in five U.S. corporations reported that China ’ s companies had stolen their intellectual property within the last year .
This year , the FBI finally named China as “ the biggest law enforcement threat to the United States.
” According to bureau director Christopher Wray , “ The FBI has about 1,000 investigations involving China ’ s attempted theft of US-based technology in all 56 of our field offices and spanning just about every industry sector.
” William Evanina , director of the U.S. National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese theft as it pertains to American trade secrets cost the United States “ anywhere from $ 300bn to $ 600bn ” every year .
While American workers saw their wages plummet and their jobs shipped overseas to China , Wall Street corporatists prospered .
Take the former Vice President ’ s son , Hunter Biden .
Hunter is one of nine directors at BHR partners , a firm controlled by Chinese government-owned entities .
According to reports , “ over the past roughly six years , [ BHR Partners ] has channeled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of its financial backers into automotive , energy , mining and technology deals.
” In 2015 , BHR joined a $ 600 million takeover of Henniges Automotive , a Michigan-based automotive industry company , and secured a 49 percent stake as a result of the deal .
Despite the Chinese blow to American industry at the expense of working-class people , Vice President Joe Biden continued to applaud government-led Chinese manufacturing .
At the Export Import Bank conference in Washington in April of 2013 , Biden said : “ We have to update @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We have to do it in a way that maximize benefits for everyone , because obviously , it ’ s overwhelmingly in our interest , this is not a zero-sum game , it ’ s overwhelmingly in our interest that China prosper.
” In his keynote address at the Department of Justice ’ s China Initiative Conference in 2018 , Barr said : “ For China , success is a zero-sum game.
” He then announced the Justice Department ’ s China Initiative , “ to confront China ’ s malign behaviors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the People ’ s Republic of China “ employs a multi-pronged approach : engaging in cyber intrusions , co-opting private sector insiders through its intelligence services , and using non-traditional collectors , such as graduate students participating in university research projects.
” The same year Vice President Joe Biden penned his “ China ’ s Rise Isn ’ t Our Demise ” opinion piece for the NYT , Donald Trump – a private citizen at the time – tweeted : “ Why do we continue to sit idly by while China steals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China is an enemy , not a friend.
” The novel coronavirus has made it clear that Biden ’ s history of praise for Chinese Communist Party certainly does not stand the test of time .

Biden Said ‘China’s Rise Isn’t Our Demise’… Now 23,000 Americans Are Dead.
Former Vice President Joe Biden claimed in an op-ed for the New York Times: “China’s Rise Isn’t Our Demise.”
Now, with nearly 23,000 Americans dead following the attempted Chinese Communist Party cover-up of the coronavirus, it’s time to look back at the would-be president’s claim.
In the 2011 op-ed, Biden wrote: “I remain convinced that a successful China can make our country more prosperous, not less,” and concluded, “Some may warn of America’s demise, but I’m not among them. And let me reassure you: based on my time in China, neither are the Chinese.”
Over the decade prior to that claim – 2001 to 2011 – the United States lost 2.7 million jobs to China, partly because of Chinese currency manipulation.
Courted by cheap labor and low production costs, U.S. CEOs – like heads of the auto industry – increasingly moved their manufacturing companies overseas. By 2010, China passed the United States as the world’s top car market.
The gradual dominance of American industry also benefitted from routine intellectual property theft.
In 2019, one in five U.S. corporations reported that China’s companies had stolen their intellectual property within the last year.
This year, the FBI finally named China as “the biggest law enforcement threat to the United States.”
According to bureau director Christopher Wray, “The FBI has about 1,000 investigations involving China’s attempted theft of US-based technology in all 56 of our field offices and spanning just about every industry sector.”
William Evanina, director of the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center, believes that Chinese theft as it pertains to American trade secrets cost the United States “anywhere from $300bn to $600bn” every year.
While American workers saw their wages plummet and their jobs shipped overseas to China, Wall Street corporatists prospered.
Take the former Vice President’s son, Hunter Biden. Hunter is one of nine directors at BHR partners, a firm controlled by Chinese government-owned entities.
According to reports, “over the past roughly six years, [BHR Partners] has channeled $2.5 billion or more on behalf of its financial backers into automotive, energy, mining and technology deals.” In 2015, BHR joined a $600 million takeover of Henniges Automotive, a Michigan-based automotive industry company, and secured a 49 percent stake as a result of the deal.
Despite the Chinese blow to American industry at the expense of working-class people, Vice President Joe Biden continued to applaud government-led Chinese manufacturing.
At the Export Import Bank conference in Washington in April of 2013, Biden said: “We have to update the global rules of the road. We have to do it in a way that maximize benefits for everyone, because obviously, it’s overwhelmingly in our interest, this is not a zero-sum game, it’s overwhelmingly in our interest that China prosper.”
U.S. Attorney General William Barr disagrees.
In his keynote address at the Department of Justice’s China Initiative Conference in 2018, Barr said: “For China, success is a zero-sum game.”
He then announced the Justice Department’s China Initiative, “to confront China’s malign behaviors and protect U.S. technology.”
According to Barr, the People’s Republic of China “employs a multi-pronged approach: engaging in cyber intrusions, co-opting private sector insiders through its intelligence services, and using non-traditional collectors, such as graduate students participating in university research projects.”
The same year Vice President Joe Biden penned his “China’s Rise Isn’t Our Demise” opinion piece for the NYT, Donald Trump – a private citizen at the time – tweeted: “Why do we continue to sit idly by while China steals our national security and corporate secrets? China is an enemy, not a friend.”
The novel coronavirus has made it clear that Biden’s history of praise for Chinese Communist Party certainly does not stand the test of time.


bonginoreport--2020-04-17--New York Extends Shutdown Until Mid-May

New York Extends Shutdown Until Mid-May

As coronavirus trends in New York slowly improve , the state ’ s shutdown will be in place until at least May 15 , Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday .
Any lifting of restrictions beyond that will depend on the progress made .
“ I don ’ t want to project beyond that period , ” Cuomo said at his daily news conference .
“ Tell me what our infection rate spread is .
Tell me what the hospitalization rate is and then the experts will tell us the best course of conduct based on that data , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ political decisions , no emotional decisions .
Data and science , we ’ re talking about human lives here.
” The statewide PAUSE order , which closed nonessential businesses and schools , was announced on March 20 and went into effect on March 22 .
The governor ’ s previous extension to the order was enacted in early April and pushed shutdowns until April 29 , at least .
At the time , he noted that the state would re-evaluate the measure after a two-week period .
The order was extended amid continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus .
Hospitalizations are down , ICU admissions are down and intubations are down across the state , according to the governor .
A total of 606 people died across the state on Wednesday , the lowest level in 10 days .
The state ’ s single-day death count peaked last week as 799 New Yorkers died on April 8 .
As recently as Tuesday , the measure stood at 752 .
The extended shutdown order comes as the state grapples with the growing economic impact of closures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2021 .
The $ 83.9 billion plan is $ 6.3 billion below the $ 95.3 billion budget the mayor proposed in January and includes “ over $ 2 billion in very tough budget cuts , ” de Blasio said .
Also see : NYC mayor pledges $ 170 million to feed the city ’ s hungry The city is also predicting a loss of $ 7.4 billion in tax revenue over the current fiscal year and next .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ presenting today was built for this moment in history and a moment unlike any other , ” the mayor said .
The proposal focuses on four things : health , safety , food and shelter .
“ If we don ’ t have the resources to ensure people ’ s health and safety , their housing , their food , this becomes a very different city , ” de Blasio said .
“ We have to make sure those basics are there for people .
So , where we can cut , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protecting New Yorkers , we will not cut that.
” Some of the proposed budget cuts include : • Delayed installation of air conditioners in every city school : $ 9.9 million • Funding reduction for Vision Zero public awareness campaign , protected bike lanes , and markings and other materials : $ 10 million The mayor again called upon the federal government to assist the city .
“ They have the ability to provide the resources in a way that no one else , no organization , nothing else on earth can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can , and now it ’ s their hour of decision.
” “ There ’ s been $ 2.2 trillion in stimulus funding so far— $ 2.2 trillion—of which only $ 1.4 billion has been indirect aid to New York City , ” he said .
“ The airline industry got $ 58 billion , so corporate bailouts , huge .
But a bailout for the place that needs it most has been minimal.
” Also see : New York hospitals face another COVID-19 equipment shortage : Dialysis machines Face Masks : Following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face mask directive that all New Yorkers wear face masks in public , Cuomo elucidated that masks must be worn by all riders and operators on public transport and by drivers of ride-sharing services such as Lyft .
LYFT , The guidance goes into effect Friday .
Ventilators : The governor pledged to send 100 ventilators to New Jersey .
“ The wave hasn ’ t crested in New Jersey.
” Cuomo said .
“ They ’ re our neighbors ; anything we can do to help , I ’ ve told Governor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask .
”

As coronavirus trends in New York slowly improve, the state’s shutdown will be in place until at least May 15, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday.
Any lifting of restrictions beyond that will depend on the progress made. “I don’t want to project beyond that period,” Cuomo said at his daily news conference.
“Tell me what our infection rate spread is. Tell me what the hospitalization rate is and then the experts will tell us the best course of conduct based on that data,” the governor said. “No political decisions, no emotional decisions. Data and science, we’re talking about human lives here.”
The statewide PAUSE order, which closed nonessential businesses and schools, was announced on March 20 and went into effect on March 22.
The governor’s previous extension to the order was enacted in early April and pushed shutdowns until April 29, at least. At the time, he noted that the state would re-evaluate the measure after a two-week period.
The order was extended amid continuing evidence that the measures are helping control the spread of the virus. Hospitalizations are down, ICU admissions are down and intubations are down across the state, according to the governor.
A total of 606 people died across the state on Wednesday, the lowest level in 10 days.
The state’s single-day death count peaked last week as 799 New Yorkers died on April 8. As recently as Tuesday, the measure stood at 752.
The extended shutdown order comes as the state grapples with the growing economic impact of closures.
Hours before Cuomo announced the extension, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed the proposed budget for the fiscal year 2021. The $83.9 billion plan is $6.3 billion below the $95.3 billion budget the mayor proposed in January and includes “over $2 billion in very tough budget cuts,” de Blasio said.
Also see: NYC mayor pledges $170 million to feed the city’s hungry
The city is also predicting a loss of $7.4 billion in tax revenue over the current fiscal year and next.
“The executive budget I’m presenting today was built for this moment in history and a moment unlike any other,” the mayor said. The proposal focuses on four things: health, safety, food and shelter.
“If we don’t have the resources to ensure people’s health and safety, their housing, their food, this becomes a very different city,” de Blasio said. “We have to make sure those basics are there for people. So, where we can cut, we will. But when it comes to protecting New Yorkers, we will not cut that.”
Some of the proposed budget cuts include:
Closure of outdoor pools this summer: $12 million
Cancellation of 2020 Summer Youth Employment Program: $124 million
Slowing the expansion of 3-K: $43.8 million
Delayed installation of air conditioners in every city school: $9.9 million
Funding reduction for Vision Zero public awareness campaign, protected bike lanes, and markings and other materials: $10 million
Suspension of curbside compost pickup: $21 million
The mayor again called upon the federal government to assist the city. “They have the ability to provide the resources in a way that no one else, no organization, nothing else on earth can help us the way the federal government can, and now it’s their hour of decision.”
“There’s been $2.2 trillion in stimulus funding so far—$2.2 trillion—of which only $1.4 billion has been indirect aid to New York City,” he said. “The airline industry got $58 billion, so corporate bailouts, huge. But a bailout for the place that needs it most has been minimal.”
Also see: New York hospitals face another COVID-19 equipment shortage: Dialysis machines
Other New York coronavirus developments Thursday:
Face Masks: Following up from Wednesday’s newly announced face mask directive that all New Yorkers wear face masks in public, Cuomo elucidated that masks must be worn by all riders and operators on public transport and by drivers of ride-sharing services such as Lyft. LYFT, +3.78% The guidance goes into effect Friday.
Ventilators: The governor pledged to send 100 ventilators to New Jersey. “The wave hasn’t crested in New Jersey.” Cuomo said. “They’re our neighbors; anything we can do to help, I’ve told Governor Murphy all he has to do is ask.”


bonginoreport--2020-04-17--Plurality Say Media Failed to Provide Clear View of Coronavirus Dangers

Sixty-seven percent of Democrats give the national media good marks for their handling of coronavirus coverage , while 55 % of Republicans think the media overhyped the danger and created a panic , according to the Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen .
`` These results reflect a fairly typical partisan divide on the media , '' Rasmussen said .
`` For many Republicans – probably most – that national media or mainstream media is viewed as liberal media .
They dismiss it in the same way that most Democrats dismiss conservative media outlets as partisan and biased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 are evenly divided as to whether the media overhyped the danger .
However , older voters give the media somewhat better marks .
`` It is also interesting to note the generational differences , '' he said .
`` This obviously runs counter to the partisan leanings mentioned earlier .
After all , younger voters are more likely to lean left in the political realm .
`` While it 's impossible to say for certain , it is likely that younger voters feel the impact of the lockdown more harshly since they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about .
Additionally , younger workers are more likely to feel the pain of income loss .
At the same time , younger voters are less at risk from the coronavirus than their grandparents .
This combination may – may – lead them to think the media response has overhyped the situation . ''
Data from sources like the Pew Research Center show Trump supporters and Republicans have a deep distrust of the national media .
Research by Tom Patterson , a Harvard University Kennedy School of Government professor of government and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mainstream media coverage of Trump was negative during his first 100 days in office , what Patterson called an unprecedented figure .
On Monday , the White House cited a recent Gallup poll finding 55 % of Americans disapprove of the media ’ s coronavirus coverage , while just 38 % disapproving of the president 's handling of the virus .
All respondents in the Just the News survey were asked : `` Did the national news media create a panic by overhyping the coronavirus or did they serve the public by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
Respondents replied as below : The national survey of 1,200 registered voters was conducted April 9-11 , 2020 by Rasmussen , a polling veteran .
Margin of sampling error : +/- 2.8 % for full sample .
To see the full demographic cross-tabulations for this polling question , click below :

Sixty-seven percent of Democrats give the national media good marks for their handling of coronavirus coverage, while 55% of Republicans think the media overhyped the danger and created a panic, according to the Just the News Daily Poll with Scott Rasmussen.
"These results reflect a fairly typical partisan divide on the media," Rasmussen said. "For many Republicans – probably most – that national media or mainstream media is viewed as liberal media. They dismiss it in the same way that most Democrats dismiss conservative media outlets as partisan and biased."
Rasmussen noted that voters under 35 are evenly divided as to whether the media overhyped the danger. However, older voters give the media somewhat better marks.
"It is also interesting to note the generational differences," he said. "This obviously runs counter to the partisan leanings mentioned earlier. After all, younger voters are more likely to lean left in the political realm.
"While it's impossible to say for certain, it is likely that younger voters feel the impact of the lockdown more harshly since they are more likely to be out and about. Additionally, younger workers are more likely to feel the pain of income loss. At the same time, younger voters are less at risk from the coronavirus than their grandparents. This combination may – may – lead them to think the media response has overhyped the situation."
Data from sources like the Pew Research Center show Trump supporters and Republicans have a deep distrust of the national media. Research by Tom Patterson, a Harvard University Kennedy School of Government professor of government and the press, shows at least 80% of mainstream media coverage of Trump was negative during his first 100 days in office, what Patterson called an unprecedented figure.
On Monday, the White House cited a recent Gallup poll finding 55% of Americans disapprove of the media’s coronavirus coverage, while just 38% disapproving of the president's handling of the virus.
All respondents in the Just the News survey were asked: "Did the national news media create a panic by overhyping the coronavirus or did they serve the public by providing a clear view of the dangers?" Respondents replied as below:
36% Overhyped the coronavirus
49% Provided a clear view of the dangers
15% Not Sure
The national survey of 1,200 registered voters was conducted April 9-11, 2020 by Rasmussen, a polling veteran. Margin of sampling error: +/- 2.8% for full sample.
To see the full demographic cross-tabulations for this polling question, click below:


bonginoreport--2020-04-17--Pelosi Plays Politics With Small Business Relief Funds

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she 's willing to fund the depleted Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses during the coronavirus but remained steadfast that Democrats want `` other money '' in the legislation .
`` I got a call last Tuesday from the secretary of the Treasury saying , ' I need a quarter of a trillion dollars in 48 hours.
’ Really ?
We need resources for other things as well .
It is not that we do not share the value of small business , we do .
We have been their champions , ” Pelosi said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday .
“ But in order for them to succeed , people have to be well .
People need to be safe and we need to have the state and local [ funding ] , ” she also said .
Pelosi continued , “ We ’ re willing to give them that money but we also need the other money .
The question is not why are we not just saying let 's just do that and forget about hospitals , state and local .
The question is of the Republicans , why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The $ 2.2 .
trillion CARES Act provided $ 150 billion in assistance for state governments and $ 100 billion for hospitals .
Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer have proposed passing an additional $ 500 billion that would include $ 250 billion for the for the Paycheck Protection Program as well as increased federal funding for food stamps , state governments and hospitals .
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy are seeking passage of a “ clean ” bill that includes $ 250 billion for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forgivable loans to businesses to prevent layoffs .
It has reportedly run out of funds .
Senate Democrats had blocked the clean bill from being passed in the Senate through unanimous consent , which would not have required every senator to vote in-person during coronavirus .
“ I can not understand , after watching another 5 million get unemployed , how Speaker Pelosi continues to say no .
It ’ s just unheard of , ” McCarthy said on Thursday during a press call with reporters .
“ All it simply takes is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t know what more that it takes .
You ’ ve got 5 million reasons today . ''

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she's willing to fund the depleted Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses during the coronavirus but remained steadfast that Democrats want "other money" in the legislation.
"I got a call last Tuesday from the secretary of the Treasury saying, 'I need a quarter of a trillion dollars in 48 hours.’ Really? We need resources for other things as well. It is not that we do not share the value of small business, we do. We have been their champions,” Pelosi said on a conference call with reporters on Thursday.
“But in order for them to succeed, people have to be well. People need to be safe and we need to have the state and local [funding],” she also said.
Pelosi continued, “We’re willing to give them that money but we also need the other money. The question is not why are we not just saying let's just do that and forget about hospitals, state and local. The question is of the Republicans, why are you ignoring your state?”
The $2.2. trillion CARES Act provided $150 billion in assistance for state governments and $100 billion for hospitals.
Pelosi and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer have proposed passing an additional $500 billion that would include $250 billion for the for the Paycheck Protection Program as well as increased federal funding for food stamps, state governments and hospitals.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy are seeking passage of a “clean” bill that includes $250 billion for the small business paycheck program, which provides forgivable loans to businesses to prevent layoffs. It has reportedly run out of funds. Senate Democrats had blocked the clean bill from being passed in the Senate through unanimous consent, which would not have required every senator to vote in-person during coronavirus.
“I cannot understand, after watching another 5 million get unemployed, how Speaker Pelosi continues to say no. It’s just unheard of,” McCarthy said on Thursday during a press call with reporters. “All it simply takes is the Democrats to say yes. I don’t know what more that it takes. You’ve got 5 million reasons today."


bonginoreport--2020-04-17--BBC Broadcasts the Islamic Call To Prayer for the First Time

What could possibly go wrong ?
Global Village Space reported Wednesday that “ in a first , BBC begins the broadcast of Muslim prayers on its network as mosques shut down across Britain , part of the extensive measures against coronavirus.
” In today ’ s Britain , it is extraordinarily unlikely that the BBC will stop broadcasting the adhan , the Islamic call to prayer , once the coronavirus pandemic is over .
A cultural line has been crossed .
And the implications of this , beyond the expected hosannas from the usual proponents of globalism and multiculturalism , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Space , “ different imams lead the 5:50 am broadcasts every week on Friday from 14 local radio stations of BBC .
The imam recites verses from the Holy Quran and quotes of Holy Prophet before delivering the sermon and leading the listeners in prayers .
The program is titled , ‘ Islamic Reflections ’ .
The arrangements have been made to facilitate the Muslim community to the run-up to the month of Ramadan till the end of April.
” The BBC is no doubt thrilled to do this , as it demonstrates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is , and how welcoming British society is .
Chris Burns , the head of BBC Local Radio , was dead chuffed , saying : “ Local radio is all about connecting communities , and we hope these weekly reflections will go some way to helping Muslims feel a sense of community while they are isolating.
” BBC CWR presenter Phil Upton added : “ Ramadan is just a few weeks away and I appreciate that for many that ’ s a big void to fill with as many as one and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the evening , in Ramadan month , spent in your local mosque .
With many local mosques being closed because of the coronavirus outbreak there ’ s an overwhelming sadness with the loss of your spiritual connection that can be gained from congregational prayers , so we are trying to fill the void in some small way with Islamic reflections.
” Well , that ’ s wonderful , but when the BBC broadcasts the Islamic call to prayer , what exactly is it broadcasting ?
The adhan , prayed in Arabic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Allahu akbar ) ; intoned four times .
I testify that there is no God but Allah ( Ashhadu anna la ila ill Allah ) ; intoned twice .
I testify that Mohammed is Allah ’ s Prophet ( Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah ) ; intoned twice .
Come to prayer ( Hayya alas salah ) ; intoned twice .
Come to security/salvation ( Hayya alal falah ) ; intoned twice .
Allah is greater ( Allahu akbar ) ; intoned twice .
There is no God but Allah ( La @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dr. Gavin Ashenden , former Chaplain to the British Queen , who resigned his position in protest against a Qur ’ an reading in a Scottish church , observed that “ the Muslim call to prayer is a dramatic piece of Islamic triumphalism .
It proclaims Islam ’ s superiority over all other religions , and in so doing casts Jesus in the role of a charlatan and a liar .
The Muslim god , Allah , is unknowable and has no son .
Jesus was , therefore , a fraud in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Is the BBC , the government-funded broadcasting agency of an ostensibly Christian land , really wise to broadcast a declaration of the superiority of another faith , one that directs its adherents to make war against Christians and subjugate them as inferiors under the hegemony of believers ( cf .
Qur ’ an 9:29 ) ?
Is the BBC wise to broadcast the cry “ Allahu akbar , ” beloved of jihad terrorists the world over ?
Chief 9/11 hijacker Mohammed Atta wrote this in his letter to himself before carrying out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confrontation begins , strike like champions who do not want to go back to this world .
Shout , ‘ Allahu Akbar , ’ because this strikes fear in the hearts of the non-believers.
” This is why the Fort Hood jihad killer , Nidal Malik Hasan , shouted it as he shot thirteen Americans in November 2009 , and why so many other jihadis have used it essentially as an announcement that non-Muslims are about to die .
But in Britain today , any such concerns will be dismissed out of hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the British government , are no doubt certain that Muslim communities in the country will be grateful that the BBC is broadcasting Islamic prayers , and will redouble their efforts to become loyal , productive British citizens , marching together with non-Muslims in Britain into the glorious multicultural future .
That ’ s the way it will work out .
Isn ’ t it ?
No Muslims will take seriously the adhan ’ s declarations of Islamic superiority and heed the Qur ’ an ’ s calls to wage war against unbelievers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ today , such an idea is inconceivable !
Robert Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch and a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center .
He is author of 19 books , including the New York Times bestsellers The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam ( and the Crusades ) and The Truth About Muhammad .
His latest book is The Palestinian Delusion : The Catastrophic History of the Middle East Peace Process .
Follow him on Twitter here .
Like him on Facebook here .

Global Village Space reported Wednesday that “in a first, BBC begins the broadcast of Muslim prayers on its network as mosques shut down across Britain, part of the extensive measures against coronavirus.” In today’s Britain, it is extraordinarily unlikely that the BBC will stop broadcasting the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, once the coronavirus pandemic is over. A cultural line has been crossed. And the implications of this, beyond the expected hosannas from the usual proponents of globalism and multiculturalism, are ominous.
According to Global Village Space, “different imams lead the 5:50 am broadcasts every week on Friday from 14 local radio stations of BBC. The imam recites verses from the Holy Quran and quotes of Holy Prophet before delivering the sermon and leading the listeners in prayers. The program is titled, ‘Islamic Reflections’. The arrangements have been made to facilitate the Muslim community to the run-up to the month of Ramadan till the end of April.”
The BBC is no doubt thrilled to do this, as it demonstrates how “inclusive” the mega- network is, and how welcoming British society is. Chris Burns, the head of BBC Local Radio, was dead chuffed, saying: “Local radio is all about connecting communities, and we hope these weekly reflections will go some way to helping Muslims feel a sense of community while they are isolating.”
BBC CWR presenter Phil Upton added: “Ramadan is just a few weeks away and I appreciate that for many that’s a big void to fill with as many as one and a half hours of your day, especially in the evening, in Ramadan month, spent in your local mosque. With many local mosques being closed because of the coronavirus outbreak there’s an overwhelming sadness with the loss of your spiritual connection that can be gained from congregational prayers, so we are trying to fill the void in some small way with Islamic reflections.”
Well, that’s wonderful, but when the BBC broadcasts the Islamic call to prayer, what exactly is it broadcasting? The adhan, prayed in Arabic, goes like this:
Allah is greater (Allahu akbar); intoned four times.
I testify that there is no God but Allah (Ashhadu anna la ila ill Allah); intoned twice.
I testify that Mohammed is Allah’s Prophet (Ashhadu anna Muhammadan rasul Allah); intoned twice.
Come to prayer (Hayya alas salah); intoned twice.
Come to security/salvation (Hayya alal falah); intoned twice.
Allah is greater (Allahu akbar); intoned twice.
There is no God but Allah (La ilah ill Allah); intoned once.
Dr. Gavin Ashenden, former Chaplain to the British Queen, who resigned his position in protest against a Qur’an reading in a Scottish church, observed that “the Muslim call to prayer is a dramatic piece of Islamic triumphalism. It proclaims Islam’s superiority over all other religions, and in so doing casts Jesus in the role of a charlatan and a liar. The Muslim god, Allah, is unknowable and has no son. Jesus was, therefore, a fraud in claiming He and the Father are one.”
Is the BBC, the government-funded broadcasting agency of an ostensibly Christian land, really wise to broadcast a declaration of the superiority of another faith, one that directs its adherents to make war against Christians and subjugate them as inferiors under the hegemony of believers (cf. Qur’an 9:29)?
Is the BBC wise to broadcast the cry “Allahu akbar,” beloved of jihad terrorists the world over? Chief 9/11 hijacker Mohammed Atta wrote this in his letter to himself before carrying out his jihad mission: “When the confrontation begins, strike like champions who do not want to go back to this world. Shout, ‘Allahu Akbar,’ because this strikes fear in the hearts of the non-believers.” This is why the Fort Hood jihad killer, Nidal Malik Hasan, shouted it as he shot thirteen Americans in November 2009, and why so many other jihadis have used it essentially as an announcement that non-Muslims are about to die.
But in Britain today, any such concerns will be dismissed out of hand as “Islamophobic.” BBC officials, and the British government, are no doubt certain that Muslim communities in the country will be grateful that the BBC is broadcasting Islamic prayers, and will redouble their efforts to become loyal, productive British citizens, marching together with non-Muslims in Britain into the glorious multicultural future. That’s the way it will work out. Isn’t it? No Muslims will take seriously the adhan’s declarations of Islamic superiority and heed the Qur’an’s calls to wage war against unbelievers. Will they? In multiculti Britain today, such an idea is inconceivable!
Robert Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch and a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center. He is author of 19 books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) and The Truth About Muhammad. His latest book is The Palestinian Delusion: The Catastrophic History of the Middle East Peace Process. Follow him on Twitter here. Like him on Facebook here.
Photo from tOrange


bonginoreport--2020-04-18--Sec. Pompeo: China Not Letting Scientists Into Wuhan Lab

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during an interview on Friday that the Chinese Communist Party ( CCP ) is not letting scientists from around the world enter the Wuhan Institute of Virology , which U.S. government officials have “ increasing confidence ” as being the location where the coronavirus outbreak may have originated .
“ The sources believe the initial transmission of the virus – a naturally occurring strain that was being studied there – was bat-to-human and that ‘ patient zero ’ worked at the laboratory , then went into the population in Wuhan , ” Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ suppressed data and changed data , the sources tell Fox News .
Samples were destroyed , contaminated areas scrubbed , some early reports erased , and academic articles stifled.
” Pompeo joined radio host Hugh Hewitt on Friday to discuss the latest reporting from Fox News and The Washington Post , which reported this week that State Department cables from 2018 sounded the alarm on the lab in Wuhan over safety concerns .
“ Yesterday , there was a long press conference in Beijing .
The foreign ministry spokesperson , their senior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories that Wuhan virus originated in a Wuhan lab , ” Hewitt said .
“ And they rejected the story that an underground nuclear test in violation of the nuclear test ban , had occurred .
Do you reject the Chinese spokesperson ’ s rejection of both charges ?
” “ I don ’ t want to comment on the second one , but with respect to the first one , we don ’ t know the answer to the question about the precise origination point , ” Pompeo said .
“ But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the first sightings of this occurred within miles of the Wuhan Institute of Virology .
We know that this , the history of the facility , first VSL-4 lab where there ’ s high-end virus research being conducted took place at that site.
” “ We know that the Chinese Communist Party , when it began to evaluate what to do inside of Wuhan , considered whether the WIV was in fact the place where this came from , ” Pompeo continued .
“ And most importantly , we know that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s scientists to go into that laboratory to evaluate what took place there , what ’ s happening there , what ’ s happening there even as we speak , Hugh , even as we ’ re on the show this morning .
We still have not had Western access to that facility so that we can properly evaluate what really has taken off all across the world and how that began.
” “ Those are facts , and those are important facts , ” Pompeo added .
“ And the Chinese Communist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a responsibility to the world to take those facts and take them to their logical conclusion and find out these answers , these important answers .
These aren ’ t political .
This is about science and health , and we need to get to the bottom of it.
” A separate report this week from the Associated Press revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping knew on January 14 , the same day that they told the World Health Organization that there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission , that the outbreak was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” and that “ the risk of transmission and spread ” was “ high .
”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during an interview on Friday that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is not letting scientists from around the world enter the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which U.S. government officials have “increasing confidence” as being the location where the coronavirus outbreak may have originated.
“The sources believe the initial transmission of the virus – a naturally occurring strain that was being studied there – was bat-to-human and that ‘patient zero’ worked at the laboratory, then went into the population in Wuhan,” Fox News reported. “China ‘100 percent’ suppressed data and changed data, the sources tell Fox News. Samples were destroyed, contaminated areas scrubbed, some early reports erased, and academic articles stifled.”
Pompeo joined radio host Hugh Hewitt on Friday to discuss the latest reporting from Fox News and The Washington Post, which reported this week that State Department cables from 2018 sounded the alarm on the lab in Wuhan over safety concerns.
“Yesterday, there was a long press conference in Beijing. The foreign ministry spokesperson, their senior spokesperson, rejected American journalism’s stories that Wuhan virus originated in a Wuhan lab,” Hewitt said. “And they rejected the story that an underground nuclear test in violation of the nuclear test ban, had occurred. Do you reject the Chinese spokesperson’s rejection of both charges?”
“I don’t want to comment on the second one, but with respect to the first one, we don’t know the answer to the question about the precise origination point,” Pompeo said. “But we do know this: We know that the first sightings of this occurred within miles of the Wuhan Institute of Virology. We know that this, the history of the facility, first VSL-4 lab where there’s high-end virus research being conducted took place at that site.”
“We know that the Chinese Communist Party, when it began to evaluate what to do inside of Wuhan, considered whether the WIV was in fact the place where this came from,” Pompeo continued. “And most importantly, we know that they’ve not permitted the world’s scientists to go into that laboratory to evaluate what took place there, what’s happening there, what’s happening there even as we speak, Hugh, even as we’re on the show this morning. We still have not had Western access to that facility so that we can properly evaluate what really has taken off all across the world and how that began.”
“Those are facts, and those are important facts,” Pompeo added. “And the Chinese Communist Party and the World Health Organization have a responsibility to the world to take those facts and take them to their logical conclusion and find out these answers, these important answers. These aren’t political. This is about science and health, and we need to get to the bottom of it.”
A separate report this week from the Associated Press revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping knew on January 14, the same day that they told the World Health Organization that there was no evidence of human-to-human transmission, that the outbreak was a “severe” “epidemic,” and that “the risk of transmission and spread” was “high.”


bonginoreport--2020-04-18--FBI Official Withheld Negative Information About Christopher Steele

Bill Priestap , the FBI ’ s former chief of counterintelligence , told Justice Department investigators he agreed not to disclose information he learned about Christopher Steele as a precondition for a meeting with British government officials regarding the former MI6 officer , according to recently declassified information .
Priestap and his deputy , Peter Strzok , traveled to the United Kingdom in November and December 2016 to assess the reliability of Steele , a former MI6 officer whose dossier the FBI used for its investigation into the Trump campaign .
Priestap and Strzok received mixed reviews about Steele from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Justice Department inspector general ’ s report on the FBI ’ s probe .
Some vouched for Steele ’ s honesty and integrity , but several others questioned his judgement and “ lack of self-awareness.
” Some colleagues described Steele as “ smart , ” and a “ person of integrity , ” their notes said .
( RELATED : FBI Received Evidence Of Russian Disinformation In Steele Dossier ) “ [ I ] f he reported it , he believed it , ” one contact said .
But their notes also reflected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ d ] emonstrates lack of self-awareness , poor judgment , ” was “ underpinned by poor judgment , ” and “ [ r ] eporting in good faith , but not clear what he would have done to validate , ” one source said .
Priestap and Strzok embarked on the fact-finding mission weeks after the FBI had already used Steele ’ s anti-Trump dossier to obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ( FISA ) order against Carter Page .
They shared those assessments with the FBI team conducting the Trump probe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Steele ’ s so-called Delta file , which the FBI maintains for its confidential sources .
Because the information was not in Steele ’ s file , it was not used to assess Steele ’ s validity as an FBI source for the Trump investigation .
The FBI also did not share the information in three additional applications for FISA orders against Page .
Priestap was asked during an interview with the IG why the negative Steele information was not included in his file , or disclosed to the FISA Court .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ made a commitment ” to Steele ’ s former employer , “ not to document the former employer ’ s views on Steele as a condition for obtaining the information ” on the retired spy .
The IG report provides a damning assessment of Steele ’ s dossier .
Released on Dec. 9 , 2019 , the report said Steele ’ s primary source for the dossier disputed many of the characterizations in the salacious document .
According to footnotes from the report released April 10 , the FBI received evidence in early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fed disinformation to Steele that ended up in the dossier .
Footnotes declassified this week said the U.S. intelligence community produced a report in June 2017 that said two Russian intelligence operatives knew in early July 2016 that Steele was investigating Trump .
The Kremlin ’ s awareness of Steele ’ s activities might have made him a vulnerable target for a possible disinformation campaign .
Priestap , who retired from the FBI in 2018 , did not respond to an email seeking comment .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

Bill Priestap, the FBI’s former chief of counterintelligence, told Justice Department investigators he agreed not to disclose information he learned about Christopher Steele as a precondition for a meeting with British government officials regarding the former MI6 officer, according to recently declassified information.
Priestap and his deputy, Peter Strzok, traveled to the United Kingdom in November and December 2016 to assess the reliability of Steele, a former MI6 officer whose dossier the FBI used for its investigation into the Trump campaign.
Priestap and Strzok received mixed reviews about Steele from his former colleagues, according to a Justice Department inspector general’s report on the FBI’s probe.
Some vouched for Steele’s honesty and integrity, but several others questioned his judgement and “lack of self-awareness.” Some colleagues described Steele as “smart,” and a “person of integrity,” their notes said. (RELATED: FBI Received Evidence Of Russian Disinformation In Steele Dossier)
“[I]f he reported it, he believed it,” one contact said.
But their notes also reflected negative reviews on Steele. He “[d]emonstrates lack of self-awareness, poor judgment,” was “underpinned by poor judgment,” and “[r]eporting in good faith, but not clear what he would have done to validate,” one source said.
Priestap and Strzok embarked on the fact-finding mission weeks after the FBI had already used Steele’s anti-Trump dossier to obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) order against Carter Page.
They shared those assessments with the FBI team conducting the Trump probe, but did not include the information in Steele’s so-called Delta file, which the FBI maintains for its confidential sources.
Because the information was not in Steele’s file, it was not used to assess Steele’s validity as an FBI source for the Trump investigation. The FBI also did not share the information in three additional applications for FISA orders against Page.
Priestap was asked during an interview with the IG why the negative Steele information was not included in his file, or disclosed to the FISA Court.
He said that he “may have made a commitment” to Steele’s former employer, “not to document the former employer’s views on Steele as a condition for obtaining the information” on the retired spy.
The IG report provides a damning assessment of Steele’s dossier.
Released on Dec. 9, 2019, the report said Steele’s primary source for the dossier disputed many of the characterizations in the salacious document.
According to footnotes from the report released April 10, the FBI received evidence in early 2017 that Russian intelligence operatives might have fed disinformation to Steele that ended up in the dossier.
Footnotes declassified this week said the U.S. intelligence community produced a report in June 2017 that said two Russian intelligence operatives knew in early July 2016 that Steele was investigating Trump. The Kremlin’s awareness of Steele’s activities might have made him a vulnerable target for a possible disinformation campaign.
Priestap, who retired from the FBI in 2018, did not respond to an email seeking comment.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


bonginoreport--2020-04-18--Trump to Deliver Commencement Address at West Point

President Trump announced that he will deliver the U.S. Military Academy commencement speech next month as both he and his campaign express hope that he can resume campaign rallies ahead of the November election .
The president has left Washington only once during the past month as he took charge of the coronavirus crisis .
His guidelines on social distancing urge people to avoid all but essential travel .
But on Friday , a day after unveiling a road map for states to begin lifting restrictions , he announced he will travel to West Point for the May 23 ceremony @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have distancing , '' he said .
`` They ’ ll have some big distance , so it will be very different than it ever looked . ''
“ Do I like the look ?
No , I don ’ t , '' he added .
`` And eventually , next year , they ’ ll have a commencement like it ’ s been . ''
His only previous trip was to Norfolk , Virginia , to see off the USNS Comfort , a hospital ship bound for New York .
It comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel .
On Saturday , he will deliver the commencement address at the Air Force Academy in Colorado .
The COVID-19 pandemic and its social distancing requirements have halted campaigning for the election , leaving presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden livestreaming from his basement and robbing Trump of the rallies that in 2016 were one of his biggest electoral weapons .
The president ’ s guidance urges the public to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people to limit the spread of a virus that has claimed more than 36,000 victims across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump expressed excitement about the return of rallies .
“ It ’ s great for the country , ” he said .
“ It ’ s great spirit … For me , it ’ s a tremendous way of getting the word out.
” There is a long way to go before mass events can begin .
The president ’ s own guidelines recommend that groups of more than 50 people will only be allowed after states have successfully completely one phase of the recovery program , and even then , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance from each other .
Some experts think mass events will not be possible until next year , and major league sports are already working on contingency plans to start their seasons in empty stadiums .
But the president said he expected the rallies to be a feature of the campaign again .
“ I hope we ’ re going to have rallies , ” he said .
“ I think they ’ re going to be bigger than ever.
” Earlier in the day , his campaign said the rallies would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those rallies , '' campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told ABC News .
`` Never fear , the president is certain that we 're going to be back out there speaking directly to the American people . ''

President Trump announced that he will deliver the U.S. Military Academy commencement speech next month as both he and his campaign express hope that he can resume campaign rallies ahead of the November election.
The president has left Washington only once during the past month as he took charge of the coronavirus crisis.
His guidelines on social distancing urge people to avoid all but essential travel.
But on Friday, a day after unveiling a road map for states to begin lifting restrictions, he announced he will travel to West Point for the May 23 ceremony.
"I understand they’ll have distancing," he said. "They’ll have some big distance, so it will be very different than it ever looked."
“Do I like the look? No, I don’t," he added. "And eventually, next year, they’ll have a commencement like it’s been."
His only previous trip was to Norfolk, Virginia, to see off the USNS Comfort, a hospital ship bound for New York.
It comes as Vice President Mike Pence also resumes travel. On Saturday, he will deliver the commencement address at the Air Force Academy in Colorado.
The COVID-19 pandemic and its social distancing requirements have halted campaigning for the election, leaving presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden livestreaming from his basement and robbing Trump of the rallies that in 2016 were one of his biggest electoral weapons.
The president’s guidance urges the public to avoid gatherings of 10 or more people to limit the spread of a virus that has claimed more than 36,000 victims across the country.
During his Friday coronavirus briefing, Trump expressed excitement about the return of rallies.
“It’s great for the country,” he said. “It’s great spirit … For me, it’s a tremendous way of getting the word out.”
There is a long way to go before mass events can begin. The president’s own guidelines recommend that groups of more than 50 people will only be allowed after states have successfully completely one phase of the recovery program, and even then, they must ensure that participants can keep their distance from each other.
Some experts think mass events will not be possible until next year, and major league sports are already working on contingency plans to start their seasons in empty stadiums.
But the president said he expected the rallies to be a feature of the campaign again.
“I hope we’re going to have rallies,” he said. “I think they’re going to be bigger than ever.”
Earlier in the day, his campaign said the rallies would be returning.
"We will get back to those rallies," campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh told ABC News. "Never fear, the president is certain that we're going to be back out there speaking directly to the American people."