bonginoreport--2020-02-24--Dana Loesch Reflects on Her CNN Struggle Session

CNN treated the town hall as if it were a professional wrestling match .
I was once a CNN contributor , and I think highly of many people there , but I had a feeling I was being ambushed .
Excerpted from “ Grace Canceled : How Outrage is Destroying Lives , Ending Debate , and Endangering Democracy , ” by Dana Loesch ( Regnery , 2020 ) .
Out February 25 .
I knew what I was walking into .
I got word on a Tuesday that I was to be in Parkland , Florida , the following evening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ featuring survivors of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School , their families , and area residents .
It was not my choice to go , but members of the National Rifle Association and countless others—most of them parents themselves—were worried about how CNN would depict law-abiding gun owners and wanted someone to represent us .
My flight took off in the middle of a thunderstorm .
The plane bobbed and weaved among the thick gray clouds as it clawed to thirty thousand feet .
I looked out of the window and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my prep : I spent the entire two-and-a-half-hour flight in a deep , uncompromising prayer .
I knew I was going from one storm straight into another , where wounds were fresh and hearts were shattered .
CNN treated the town hall as if it were a professional wrestling match .
I was once a CNN contributor , and I think highly of many people there , but I had a feeling I was being ambushed .
The producers , one of whom I ’ d known for years , were kind and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ genuine worry that I wouldn ’ t appear on the stage .
When we got to the venue , I was led to a private greenroom ( everyone who would be on stage had his own ) .
The producers briefed me on what would happen , and I learned that I would be seated next to Sheriff Scott Israel of Broward County .
So I was to be pitted against a representative of law enforcement officers , who traditionally support the NRA .
I assumed that this sheriff , whom I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He showed up flanked by producers , with a coterie of deputies several paces behind him .
I walked out into the hall and introduced myself , hoping to get a sense of his disposition toward me .
“ Sheriff , my name is Dana Loesch .
I want you to know that I am praying for this community and for your and your deputies ’ guidance , ” I said with complete sincerity .
Israel was taken aback .
Putting out his hand he responded , “ Thank you so much .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no hard feelings at all , none at all.
” “ Yes , ” I replied slowly , somewhat bewildered .
“ I understand we are to be on stage together .
I hope we can have a good discussion .
Nice to meet you , Sheriff.
” “ Oh absolutely , ” he replied .
“ I ’ ll see you up there.
” In that brief meeting , the sheriff had shown me his cards .
He was planning to lay the blame for the Parkland massacre at my feet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take the stage and address the crowded auditorium .
He laid into the NRA and referred to me as the “ NRA lady , ” spending a good twenty minutes electioneering and stirring up a crowd whose emotions were already raw .
This was the opening act .
Meanwhile , Jake Tapper entered my room to say hello .
I ’ ve known Jake for several years and find him to be fairer than most because he , unlike others , makes the effort .
He and I seemed to realize something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t about winning a debate .
It was about simply holding the line .
For me , it was about holding the line for constitutional rights despite being a punching bag for the audience .
For him , it was about holding down a broadcast for an hour .
Jake intimated that there was already no hope of controlling the crowd that had amassed in the arena .
After he left , Jeff Zucker , the president of CNN , stopped by briefly .
He thanked me for being there and returned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The mood backstage was incongruous with the pain being amplified in the arena for ratings .
We watched on the television in the greenroom as the program began .
Senator Marco Rubio was on first with Senator Bill Nelson and Congressman Ted Deutch , who was intent on testing the limits of civility .
Rubio was backed into a corner , inch by inch , before he finally invoked certain long-held truths regarding gun rights .
It was a difficult spot for an elected official .
If he didn ’ t cave in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
If he did , he ’ d be blasted by constituents worried about losing their right of self- defense .
I knew that if Rubio folded it would be harder for me .
He lost control of the room ; Tapper lost control of the audience .
CNN had no control over anything , and that ’ s just how they wanted it .
People were yelling at me before I even walked into the arena .
A production assistant nudged me , my cue to walk to the stage , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without ropes in the middle of the arena .
The booing and hissing followed me all the way down the aisle .
Keeping a pleasant expression on my face , I did not look at the ground or the ceiling but looked everyone in the eye .
I was not afraid , for I had done nothing wrong .
I figured that at some point I would be hit or spat on .
As I approached the rollaway stairs that gave access to the stage , a teenage boy appeared to my right @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I expected , but I didn ’ t expect him to smile .
“ Mrs .
Loesch !
Mrs. Loesch !
” he yelled .
I stopped .
“ Mrs .
Loesch , you have to stop them .
They ’ re talking about banning everything .
They want to ban it all .
You have to say something , to stop it.
” In the few seconds we faced each other I studied his face .
He had kind eyes and a genuinely worried expression .
He wore an air force T-shirt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serve ?
” I asked him .
“ Yes ma ’ am , my brother , ” he said proudly .
I squeezed his hand and walked up the steps .
His was the last friendly face I ’ d see all night .
I did not go in there intending to debate .
I did not intend to make light of the horror of the massacre or to fight with children , some of whom were barely older than my oldest .
Someone needed to be the adult amid the angry activists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the town hall because a few million people across the country asked me to , expected me to , and wanted me to be their voice in the conversation .
I resolved not to shy away from speaking the truth or defending a right .
Many people in that arena were in acute pain .
Just a week earlier some of them had lost a child .
When they spoke , they were desperate to make a point , to say something that would alleviate their pain and contribute to the efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Others , who had not suffered a direct personal loss , were there to inflict as much pain as the law allowed on me or on anyone they held responsible for the attack .
There was no moderation .
I didn ’ t blame Jake—what could he do ?
Controlling the audience and encouraging reasoned discourse were impossible in the circus-like atmosphere the network had deliberately fostered .
I won ’ t hold my tongue here ; I don ’ t care about being a CNN contributor again , and I don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back .
What the executives did that night was wrong .
Tacky and wrong .
Tone-deaf and wrong .
An emotionless approach to understandably impassioned emotions .
Prior to the cameras going live , Sheriff Scott Israel , the Broward County Public Schools superintendent , Robert Runcie , and others were invited to the stage to give impassioned speeches .
Israel electioneered and dodged responsibility , though he well knew , as was later widely reported , that his office had not followed up on numerous calls from the community , even the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to the Florida Sun Sentinel , once begged the Broward Sheriff ’ s Office to confiscate his guns .
Runcie deflected .
The bonfire was ignited before we were even miked .
As the event concluded , I stood to shake Jake ’ s hand and leave .
The arena had burst into shouts of “ Murderer !
” and various expletives .
Jake strode over , surveying the arena , and asked if I had an escort .
“ You probably need to leave here immediately , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jerking the rollaway stairs , my easy exit off the stage , so I slowly made my way toward them , careful not to appear as though I was running from anything .
A woman grabbed my arm as I tried to make my way down the stairs .
Two of our detail ( I later learned that the third had dashed to the front of the stage as a woman had rushed it and climbed over in an attempt to get to me ) linked their arms behind me and physically lifted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the scrum .
They tried to hurry me , but I refused to rush .
It was like the “ Walk of Atonement ” scene from Game of Thrones .
As I had done when I came in , I kept my head up and looked at every face , meeting the eyes of every person who screamed “ Bitch !
” or “ Burn her !
” Backstage we were met by producers , including a friend of mine who used to work for ABC .
There were no words to fill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our waiting car .
“ I ’ m sorry , ” said one .
“ You did really well out there.
” “ This could have , and should have , been handled differently , ” I said in a restrained tone .
We piled into the SUV and headed to the airport to catch the last flight to D.C. , where I was to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference ( CPAC ) after Vice President Pence early the next morning .
Phones that had been on silent began ringing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and emails .
I looked out the window and watched the traffic .
While I ’ d never compare the experience to the anguish of losing a child or hiding in a classroom closet hoping to not be shot , it was a sort of collateral Trauma .

Excerpted from “Grace Canceled: How Outrage is Destroying Lives, Ending Debate, and Endangering Democracy,” by Dana Loesch (Regnery, 2020). Out February 25.
I knew what I was walking into. I got word on a Tuesday that I was to be in Parkland, Florida, the following evening to participate in a CNN-hosted town hall featuring survivors of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, their families, and area residents. It was not my choice to go, but members of the National Rifle Association and countless others—most of them parents themselves—were worried about how CNN would depict law-abiding gun owners and wanted someone to represent us.
My flight took off in the middle of a thunderstorm. The plane bobbed and weaved among the thick gray clouds as it clawed to thirty thousand feet. I looked out of the window and prayed. That was the extent of my prep: I spent the entire two-and-a-half-hour flight in a deep, uncompromising prayer. I knew I was going from one storm straight into another, where wounds were fresh and hearts were shattered.
CNN treated the town hall as if it were a professional wrestling match. I was once a CNN contributor, and I think highly of many people there, but I had a feeling I was being ambushed. The producers, one of whom I’d known for years, were kind and preemptively apologetic. I think there was genuine worry that I wouldn’t appear on the stage. When we got to the venue, I was led to a private greenroom (everyone who would be on stage had his own). The producers briefed me on what would happen, and I learned that I would be seated next to Sheriff Scott Israel of Broward County. So I was to be pitted against a representative of law enforcement officers, who traditionally support the NRA. I assumed that this sheriff, whom I had never met, would be hostile. He showed up flanked by producers, with a coterie of deputies several paces behind him. I walked out into the hall and introduced myself, hoping to get a sense of his disposition toward me.
“Sheriff, my name is Dana Loesch. I want you to know that I am praying for this community and for your and your deputies’ guidance,” I said with complete sincerity.
Israel was taken aback. Putting out his hand he responded, “Thank you so much. Great to meet you. You know, no hard feelings at all, none at all.”
“Yes,” I replied slowly, somewhat bewildered. “I understand we are to be on stage together. I hope we can have a good discussion. Nice to meet you, Sheriff.”
“Oh absolutely,” he replied. “I’ll see you up there.”
In that brief meeting, the sheriff had shown me his cards. He was planning to lay the blame for the Parkland massacre at my feet. Minutes later, CNN allowed him to take the stage and address the crowded auditorium. He laid into the NRA and referred to me as the “NRA lady,” spending a good twenty minutes electioneering and stirring up a crowd whose emotions were already raw. This was the opening act.
Meanwhile, Jake Tapper entered my room to say hello. I’ve known Jake for several years and find him to be fairer than most because he, unlike others, makes the effort. He and I seemed to realize something simultaneously, unspoken: The night wasn’t about winning a debate. It was about simply holding the line. For me, it was about holding the line for constitutional rights despite being a punching bag for the audience. For him, it was about holding down a broadcast for an hour. Jake intimated that there was already no hope of controlling the crowd that had amassed in the arena. After he left, Jeff Zucker, the president of CNN, stopped by briefly. He thanked me for being there and returned to the hallway for more photos. The mood backstage was incongruous with the pain being amplified in the arena for ratings.
We watched on the television in the greenroom as the program began. Senator Marco Rubio was on first with Senator Bill Nelson and Congressman Ted Deutch, who was intent on testing the limits of civility. Rubio was backed into a corner, inch by inch, before he finally invoked certain long-held truths regarding gun rights. It was a difficult spot for an elected official. If he didn’t cave in, he’d be called insensitive. If he did, he’d be blasted by constituents worried about losing their right of self- defense. I knew that if Rubio folded it would be harder for me. He lost control of the room; Tapper lost control of the audience. CNN had no control over anything, and that’s just how they wanted it.
People were yelling at me before I even walked into the arena. A production assistant nudged me, my cue to walk to the stage, which was set up like a boxing ring without ropes in the middle of the arena. The booing and hissing followed me all the way down the aisle.
“Murderer!” screamed one woman.
“Hateful bitch!” screamed a man.
Keeping a pleasant expression on my face, I did not look at the ground or the ceiling but looked everyone in the eye. I was not afraid, for I had done nothing wrong. I figured that at some point I would be hit or spat on.
As I approached the rollaway stairs that gave access to the stage, a teenage boy appeared to my right. I don’t know what I expected, but I didn’t expect him to smile.
“Mrs. Loesch! Mrs. Loesch!” he yelled. I stopped. “Mrs. Loesch, you have to stop them. They’re talking about banning everything. They want to ban it all. You have to say something, to stop it.”
In the few seconds we faced each other I studied his face. He had kind eyes and a genuinely worried expression. He wore an air force T-shirt.
“Does someone in your family serve?” I asked him.
“Yes ma’am, my brother,” he said proudly.
“What is your name?”
“Jalen Martin, ma’am.”
I squeezed his hand and walked up the steps. His was the last friendly face I’d see all night.
I did not go in there intending to debate. I did not intend to make light of the horror of the massacre or to fight with children, some of whom were barely older than my oldest. Someone needed to be the adult amid the angry activists and hungrily exploitative politicians. I participated in the town hall because a few million people across the country asked me to, expected me to, and wanted me to be their voice in the conversation. I resolved not to shy away from speaking the truth or defending a right. Many people in that arena were in acute pain. Just a week earlier some of them had lost a child. When they spoke, they were desperate to make a point, to say something that would alleviate their pain and contribute to the efforts that might address a terrible problem. Others, who had not suffered a direct personal loss, were there to inflict as much pain as the law allowed on me or on anyone they held responsible for the attack.
There was no moderation. I didn’t blame Jake—what could he do? Controlling the audience and encouraging reasoned discourse were impossible in the circus-like atmosphere the network had deliberately fostered. I won’t hold my tongue here; I don’t care about being a CNN contributor again, and I don’t care if they never invite me back. What the executives did that night was wrong. Tacky and wrong. Tone-deaf and wrong. An emotionless approach to understandably impassioned emotions.
Prior to the cameras going live, Sheriff Scott Israel, the Broward County Public Schools superintendent, Robert Runcie, and others were invited to the stage to give impassioned speeches. Israel electioneered and dodged responsibility, though he well knew, as was later widely reported, that his office had not followed up on numerous calls from the community, even the murderer’s own family, who, according to the Florida Sun Sentinel, once begged the Broward Sheriff’s Office to confiscate his guns. Runcie deflected. The bonfire was ignited before we were even miked.
As the event concluded, I stood to shake Jake’s hand and leave. The arena had burst into shouts of “Murderer!” and various expletives. Jake strode over, surveying the arena, and asked if I had an escort.
“You probably need to leave here immediately,” he said, concerned.
I saw some people jerking the rollaway stairs, my easy exit off the stage, so I slowly made my way toward them, careful not to appear as though I was running from anything. A woman grabbed my arm as I tried to make my way down the stairs. Two of our detail (I later learned that the third had dashed to the front of the stage as a woman had rushed it and climbed over in an attempt to get to me) linked their arms behind me and physically lifted me off the stairs and out of the scrum. They tried to hurry me, but I refused to rush. It was like the “Walk of Atonement” scene from Game of Thrones. As I had done when I came in, I kept my head up and looked at every face, meeting the eyes of every person who screamed “Bitch!” or “Burn her!”
Backstage we were met by producers, including a friend of mine who used to work for ABC. There were no words to fill the awkward emptiness as we quickly walked to our waiting car. “I’m sorry,” said one. “You did really well out there.”
“This could have, and should have, been handled differently,” I said in a restrained tone.
We piled into the SUV and headed to the airport to catch the last flight to D.C., where I was to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) after Vice President Pence early the next morning. Phones that had been on silent began ringing and pinging with calls, texts, and emails. I looked out the window and watched the traffic. While I’d never compare the experience to the anguish of losing a child or hiding in a classroom closet hoping to not be shot, it was a sort of collateral Trauma.
Dana Loesch is a nationally syndicated talk radio host of “The Dana Show” with Radio America and a best-selling author.


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--Pharmaceutical Industry Reports First Drug Shortage Related to Coronavirus Outbreak

The Food and Drug Administration said the pharmaceutical industry reported the first shortage of a drug due to the COVID-19 outbreak that has spread to 44 countries in a matter of weeks .
The FDA , which declined to identify the drug , said the shortage is related to a manufacturing site impacted by the outbreak in China .
`` The shortage is due to an issue with manufacturing of an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the drug , '' the agency said in its notice dated Thursday .
`` It is important to note that there are other alternatives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We are working with the manufacturer as well as other manufacturers to mitigate the shortage . ''
The agency has been warning consumers that the impact to the medical supply chain would likely impact their own lives , including potential disruptions to prescription drugs or shortages of critical medical products in the United States .
China , where the outbreak began in late December , is a large supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients used to make several medicines .
China this week began reopening operations for a number of businesses , but travel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to slow down production .
The FDA also said it has been in touch with more than 180 manufacturers of human drugs since Jan. 24 .
The agency is asking them to evaluate their entire supply chain and other components manufactured in China .
`` Also , as part of our efforts , the FDA has identified about 20 other drugs , which solely source their active pharmaceutical ingredients or finished drug products from China , '' the agency said .

The Food and Drug Administration said the pharmaceutical industry reported the first shortage of a drug due to the COVID-19 outbreak that has spread to 44 countries in a matter of weeks.
The FDA, which declined to identify the drug, said the shortage is related to a manufacturing site impacted by the outbreak in China.
"The shortage is due to an issue with manufacturing of an active pharmaceutical ingredient used in the drug," the agency said in its notice dated Thursday. "It is important to note that there are other alternatives that can be used by patients. We are working with the manufacturer as well as other manufacturers to mitigate the shortage."
The agency has been warning consumers that the impact to the medical supply chain would likely impact their own lives, including potential disruptions to prescription drugs or shortages of critical medical products in the United States. China, where the outbreak began in late December, is a large supplier of active pharmaceutical ingredients used to make several medicines.
China this week began reopening operations for a number of businesses, but travel restrictions that are still in place are likely to slow down production.
The FDA also said it has been in touch with more than 180 manufacturers of human drugs since Jan. 24. The agency is asking them to evaluate their entire supply chain and other components manufactured in China.
"Also, as part of our efforts, the FDA has identified about 20 other drugs, which solely source their active pharmaceutical ingredients or finished drug products from China," the agency said.


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--Hillary Clinton To Return – With Podcast

Fresh off her new docuseries , former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is reportedly venturing in a new medium .
Politico reported on Thursday Clinton is launching a new podcast on iHeartMedia in late spring as the Democratic primary contest heats up .
It is unknown what the title of her podcast is or what the focus of the podcast would be .
The Clinton Foundation did not immediately respond to Fox News ' request for comment .
Since she was defeated by President Trump in 2016 , Clinton has been in the spotlight , largely because of book tours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Happened , '' and `` The Book of Gutsy Women , '' co-written with her daughter Chelsea Clinton , as well as the January release of the four-part Hulu series , `` Hillary . ''
HILLARY CLINTON RESPONDS TO UPROAR AFTER BASHING SANDERS : ' I WILL DO WHATEVER I CAN TO SUPPORT THE NOMINEE' The former first lady has also made plenty of headlines in recent weeks over criticisms of her 2016 primary rival Sen. Bernie Sanders , I-Vt. , who is currently the front-runner in the Democratic field .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for not aiding her campaign .
`` He was in Congress for years , '' she said .
`` He had one senator support him .
Nobody likes him , nobody wants to work with him , he got nothing done .
He was a career politician .
It ’ s all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it . ''
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Last month , she suggested she would n't support Sanders in 2020 if he won the nomination , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I thought everyone wanted my authentic , unvarnished views ! ''
Clinton tweeted .
`` But to be serious , the number one priority for our country and world is retiring Trump , and , as I always have , I will do whatever I can to support our nominee . ''
Last fall , Clinton also went after Rep. Tulsi Gabbard , D-Hawaii , suggesting she was being `` groomed '' as a Russian asset to run as an independent in 2020 .
The congresswoman recently filed a $ 50 million defamation @ @ @ @

Fresh off her new docuseries, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is reportedly venturing in a new medium.
Politico reported on Thursday Clinton is launching a new podcast on iHeartMedia in late spring as the Democratic primary contest heats up. It is unknown what the title of her podcast is or what the focus of the podcast would be.
The Clinton Foundation did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment.
Since she was defeated by President Trump in 2016, Clinton has been in the spotlight, largely because of book tours for her election memoir, "What Happened," and "The Book of Gutsy Women," co-written with her daughter Chelsea Clinton, as well as the January release of the four-part Hulu series, "Hillary."
HILLARY CLINTON RESPONDS TO UPROAR AFTER BASHING SANDERS: 'I WILL DO WHATEVER I CAN TO SUPPORT THE NOMINEE'
The former first lady has also made plenty of headlines in recent weeks over criticisms of her 2016 primary rival Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., who is currently the front-runner in the Democratic field. In the documentary, she knocked the democratic socialist for not aiding her campaign.
"He was in Congress for years," she said. "He had one senator support him. Nobody likes him, nobody wants to work with him, he got nothing done. He was a career politician. It’s all just baloney and I feel so bad that people got sucked into it."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Last month, she suggested she wouldn't support Sanders in 2020 if he won the nomination, which she later walked back.
"I thought everyone wanted my authentic, unvarnished views!" Clinton tweeted. "But to be serious, the number one priority for our country and world is retiring Trump, and, as I always have, I will do whatever I can to support our nominee."
Last fall, Clinton also went after Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii, suggesting she was being "groomed" as a Russian asset to run as an independent in 2020. The congresswoman recently filed a $50 million defamation lawsuit against Clinton.


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--Weekly Job Claims Rise More Than Expected, But Remain in Line With Trend

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits increased more than expected last week , but the underlying trend remained consistent with solid labor market conditions .
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 219,000 for the week ended Feb. 22 , the Labor Department said on Thursday .
Data for the prior week was revised to show 1,000 more applications received than previously reported .
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims increasing to 212,000 in the latest week .
The Labor Department said only claims for Alabama were estimated last week .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered a better measure of labor market trends as it irons out week-to-week volatility , rose 500 to 209,750 last week .
Sustained labor market strength suggests the longest economic expansion on record , now in its 11th year , remains on track .
Investors have been rattled by fears that the coronavirus , which has killed more than 2,000 people , mostly in China , and spread to other countries , would undercut global and U.S. economic growth .
Risky assets such as stocks have been sold off in favor of safe-haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their bets on the prospect of more Federal Reserve cuts .
The U.S. central bank cut rates three times last year and has signaled its intention to keep monetary policy on hold at least through 2020 .
The economy created 225,000 jobs in January .
While the unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.6 % last month , that was because more people entered the labor force , a sign of confidence in the labor market .
Thursday 's claims report also showed the number of people receiving benefits after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 1.72 million for the week ended Feb. 15 .
The four-week moving average of the so-called continuing claims rose 5,250 to 1.73 million .
The continuing claims data covered the period during which the government surveyed households for February 's unemployment rate .
The four-week average of continuing claims fell between the January and February household survey weeks , suggesting some improvement in the unemployment rate .

The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits increased more than expected last week, but the underlying trend remained consistent with solid labor market conditions.
Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 219,000 for the week ended Feb. 22, the Labor Department said on Thursday. Data for the prior week was revised to show 1,000 more applications received than previously reported.
Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims increasing to 212,000 in the latest week. The Labor Department said only claims for Alabama were estimated last week.
The four-week moving average of initial claims, considered a better measure of labor market trends as it irons out week-to-week volatility, rose 500 to 209,750 last week.
Sustained labor market strength suggests the longest economic expansion on record, now in its 11th year, remains on track. Investors have been rattled by fears that the coronavirus, which has killed more than 2,000 people, mostly in China, and spread to other countries, would undercut global and U.S. economic growth. Risky assets such as stocks have been sold off in favor of safe-haven government bonds.
Money markets have raised their bets on the prospect of more Federal Reserve cuts. The U.S. central bank cut rates three times last year and has signaled its intention to keep monetary policy on hold at least through 2020.
The economy created 225,000 jobs in January. While the unemployment rate rose one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.6% last month, that was because more people entered the labor force, a sign of confidence in the labor market.
Thursday's claims report also showed the number of people receiving benefits after an initial week of aid fell 9,000 to 1.72 million for the week ended Feb. 15. The four-week moving average of the so-called continuing claims rose 5,250 to 1.73 million.
The continuing claims data covered the period during which the government surveyed households for February's unemployment rate. The four-week average of continuing claims fell between the January and February household survey weeks, suggesting some improvement in the unemployment rate.


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--Pedestrian Deaths Hit 30-Year High in 2019

Pedestrian fatalities in the US reached a 30-year high in 2019 , according to a new study — and the researchers believe smartphones , an increase in SUVs and marijuana legalization are behind the spike .
An estimated 6,590 pedestrians died in car crashes across the country last year , according to the study released Thursday by the non-profit Governors Highway Safety Association — a 5 percent increase from 2018 , and 60 percent spike since the number began to rise in 2009 .
The last time pedestrian deaths were that high was 1988 .
The man behind the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ culprit .
“ For 30 years , pedestrian deaths were declining .
Something changed in 2009 , ” said researcher Richard Retting of the Sam Schwartz Engineering firm , who wrote the study .
“ What happened in 2009 that reversed that trend ?
I don ’ t see any other factor.
” Both pedestrian and driver distraction may be at play , but the extent to which one or the other is a greater problem is not clear , he said .
“ Drivers have gone way beyond just texting , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dashboards .
They ’ re watching movies and baseball games , ” Retting told The Post .
“ We were basically creating an environment where people who are taking their eyes off the road for seconds at a time are traveling hundreds of feet in that time.
” Retting ’ s conclusions are based on preliminary data from the first six months of 2019 , which he extrapolated to make an estimate for the rest of the year .
Among the other possible explanations for the surge in deaths offered by the researchers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ warmer temperatures drawing more pedestrians out after dark , when fatality rates are significantly higher .
The report also suggests “ changing patterns in drug use , including decriminalization of marijuana ” as a possible cause , though provides no evidence .
A whopping 47 percent of the pedestrians deaths occurred in either Florida , Georgia , Arizona , California or Texas — all states whose suburban populations are booming , putting more and more people in areas prone to faster driving .
“ It ’ s a national crisis , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year than the year before is a shame on this country , ” Retting said .
“ We are in crisis mode .
”

Pedestrian fatalities in the US reached a 30-year high in 2019, according to a new study — and the researchers believe smartphones, an increase in SUVs and marijuana legalization are behind the spike.
An estimated 6,590 pedestrians died in car crashes across the country last year, according to the study released Thursday by the non-profit Governors Highway Safety Association — a 5 percent increase from 2018, and 60 percent spike since the number began to rise in 2009.
The last time pedestrian deaths were that high was 1988.
The man behind the report thinks increased smartphone use is the primary culprit.
“For 30 years, pedestrian deaths were declining. Something changed in 2009,” said researcher Richard Retting of the Sam Schwartz Engineering firm, who wrote the study. “What happened in 2009 that reversed that trend? I don’t see any other factor.”
Both pedestrian and driver distraction may be at play, but the extent to which one or the other is a greater problem is not clear, he said.
“Drivers have gone way beyond just texting, but have cellphones mounted on their windows and dashboards. They’re watching movies and baseball games,” Retting told The Post. “We were basically creating an environment where people who are taking their eyes off the road for seconds at a time are traveling hundreds of feet in that time.”
Retting’s conclusions are based on preliminary data from the first six months of 2019, which he extrapolated to make an estimate for the rest of the year.
Among the other possible explanations for the surge in deaths offered by the researchers — the growing popularity of SUVs and warmer temperatures drawing more pedestrians out after dark, when fatality rates are significantly higher.
The report also suggests “changing patterns in drug use, including decriminalization of marijuana” as a possible cause, though provides no evidence.
A whopping 47 percent of the pedestrians deaths occurred in either Florida, Georgia, Arizona, California or Texas — all states whose suburban populations are booming, putting more and more people in areas prone to faster driving.
“It’s a national crisis, and the fact that 300 more deaths occurred last year than the year before is a shame on this country,” Retting said. “We are in crisis mode.”


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--Michael Flynn’s Attorney: We’re Seeking Total Exoneration

Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn ’ s lawyer , Sidney Powell , told Just the News this week that she is seeking total exoneration of her client from the Department of Justice in a case that has dragged on for years .
“ We do n't want a pardon , '' she told the site 's CEO John Solomon for his podcast John Solomon Reports .
`` We want an exoneration . ''
While emphasizing that her client wouldn ’ t dismiss the idea of accepting a pardon , Powell made clear that she and Flynn have set their sights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dismissed in the interest of justice , ” she said .
Flynn , National Security Adviser for a brief time in the early weeks of the Trump presidency , pleaded guilty in 2017 to making false statements to FBI agents about his contacts with Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak in December 2016 , during the presidential transition following Donald Trump 's election .
In January , Powell filed a motion to withdraw Flynn 's plea , which she contends was submitted on the advice of counsel who were “ laboring under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their previous representation of Flynn when he registered as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act .
Earlier this month , Attorney General William Barr appointed Jeff Jensen , U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri , to review the government 's conduct in the Flynn prosecution .
Powell is urging Jensen to demand to see the FBI ’ s original report of its interview with Flynn .
The attorney says the FBI has stonewalled her requests to review the report , known as a 302 , which she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her client .
“ They ’ re required to give us anything that ’ s favorable to the defense , and obviously they haven ’ t given us that for two years , ” said Powell .
“ That alone would require dismissal of the case , for suppression of evidence.
” Powell believes the original 302 was likely altered by Peter Strzok and Lisa Page and is being hidden to cover up “ egregious government misconduct.
” Strzok , former counterespionage chief at the FBI , and former FBI lawyer Page were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-Trump bias revealed in a series of text messages the pair exchanged while deeply involved in the bureau 's investigations into both Hillary Clinton 's private email server and Russian meddling in the 2016 election .
“ You can ’ t look at the altered 302 and the agents ’ notes and not realize that they inserted things in there that weren ’ t there before , ” said Powell , author of Licensed to Lie , a book exposing overzealous federal prosecutors .
Once Jensen is able to review the original 302 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the case couldn ’ t be over within a week .
According to Powell , Flynn , director of the Defense Intelligence Agency under former President Obama , was too great a threat to corrupt government officials for the FBI to allow him to remain in place as a close adviser to President Trump .
His knowledge of “ who the bad actors are , ” combined with an eagerness to clean up a dysfunctional intelligence community , left him with a giant target on his back .
In building a defense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Powell has emphasized that fired former FBI Director James Comey bragged about concocting a scenario in which the FBI surprised Flynn , without his lawyers present , in what she calls a `` pathetic and disgusting '' attempt to ensnare him in a perjury trap .
“ There was a group of about 10 people in the FBI , '' she said , `` who met regularly and schemed and planned in multiple meetings how to catch him off guard , keep him off guard , keep him relaxed , so that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the subject of an interview , much less that he was being investigated , or , you know , warned of his rights.
” Making the case that her client has been not the perpetrator , but rather the victim of multiple crimes committed by government agents , Powell is adamant that the first step toward justice would be for Jensen to expose the facts of the investigation and then dismiss the case against General Flynn .
Anything less , she says , would be “ disgraceful .
”

Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn’s lawyer, Sidney Powell, told Just the News this week that she is seeking total exoneration of her client from the Department of Justice in a case that has dragged on for years.
“We don't want a pardon," she told the site's CEO John Solomon for his podcast John Solomon Reports. "We want an exoneration."
While emphasizing that her client wouldn’t dismiss the idea of accepting a pardon, Powell made clear that she and Flynn have set their sights higher.
“We want this case dismissed in the interest of justice,” she said.
Flynn, National Security Adviser for a brief time in the early weeks of the Trump presidency, pleaded guilty in 2017 to making false statements to FBI agents about his contacts with Russian Ambassador to the U.S. Sergey Kislyak in December 2016, during the presidential transition following Donald Trump's election.
In January, Powell filed a motion to withdraw Flynn's plea, which she contends was submitted on the advice of counsel who were “laboring under a severe conflict of interest” due to their previous representation of Flynn when he registered as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.
Earlier this month, Attorney General William Barr appointed Jeff Jensen, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, to review the government's conduct in the Flynn prosecution.
Powell is urging Jensen to demand to see the FBI’s original report of its interview with Flynn. The attorney says the FBI has stonewalled her requests to review the report, known as a 302, which she believes would serve as exculpatory evidence for her client.
“They’re required to give us anything that’s favorable to the defense, and obviously they haven’t given us that for two years,” said Powell. “That alone would require dismissal of the case, for suppression of evidence.”
Powell believes the original 302 was likely altered by Peter Strzok and Lisa Page and is being hidden to cover up “egregious government misconduct.”
Strzok, former counterespionage chief at the FBI, and former FBI lawyer Page were both removed from the Mueller investigation for anti-Trump bias revealed in a series of text messages the pair exchanged while deeply involved in the bureau's investigations into both Hillary Clinton's private email server and Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
“You can’t look at the altered 302 and the agents’ notes and not realize that they inserted things in there that weren’t there before,” said Powell, author of Licensed to Lie, a book exposing overzealous federal prosecutors.
Once Jensen is able to review the original 302 report, Powell sees no reason why the case couldn’t be over within a week.
According to Powell, Flynn, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency under former President Obama, was too great a threat to corrupt government officials for the FBI to allow him to remain in place as a close adviser to President Trump. His knowledge of “who the bad actors are,” combined with an eagerness to clean up a dysfunctional intelligence community, left him with a giant target on his back.
In building a defense of Flynn in a series of court motions, Powell has emphasized that fired former FBI Director James Comey bragged about concocting a scenario in which the FBI surprised Flynn, without his lawyers present, in what she calls a "pathetic and disgusting" attempt to ensnare him in a perjury trap.
“There was a group of about 10 people in the FBI," she said, "who met regularly and schemed and planned in multiple meetings how to catch him off guard, keep him off guard, keep him relaxed, so that he did not even know he was the subject of an interview, much less that he was being investigated, or, you know, warned of his rights.”
Making the case that her client has been not the perpetrator, but rather the victim of multiple crimes committed by government agents, Powell is adamant that the first step toward justice would be for Jensen to expose the facts of the investigation and then dismiss the case against General Flynn. Anything less, she says, would be “disgraceful.”


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--Fight for FISA Reform Intensifies

Fight for FISA Reform Intensifies

The push for FISA reform is intensifying on Capitol Hill this week as Republicans and Democrats battled behind closed doors Thursday to find solutions that would ensure federal law enforcement , intelligence agencies and the secret court never again abuse the surveillance apparatus that was center of the FBI ’ s malfeasance to spy on the Trump campaign in 2016 .
That reform battle has top Republican lawmakers calling for an amicus representative – a citizen advocate- representing Americans inside the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to oversee the applications being submitted by the FBI to spy on an American citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is no one to advocate on behalf of an American being targeted by the FBI and it is solely at the discretion of the judges of the secret court to ask for a review if they decide it ’ s warranted , lawmakers told SaraACarter.com .
“ We want to put in place a citizen advocate at the court that ’ s what this amicus process is , having an advocate representing the interest of an American citizen that is the target of a FISA warrant , ” Rep. Jim Jordan , ranking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told this reporter .
“ Further there needs to be real penalties for violations .
We also want transcripts of all the proceedings and those transcripts would get declassified at some point in time to be reviewed .
Most importantly , we want the citizen advocate to be there all the time .
We ’ re looking at a pool of people that would be eligible to fill that role .
Currently the court has eight people they can call on if need be to review but we want a bigger pool of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this present time.
” Several congressional sources said Thursday that numerous meetings between senior Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been taking place Thursday behind closed doors in an effort to come to a resolution to FISA reform .
Any reforms to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act would need to include the reforms stressed by Jordan , if the three provisions of the U.S.A. Freedom Act are going to be reauthorized on March 15 .
The three provisions up for reauthorization are the metadata collection under section 215 , roving wiretaps and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , are not the same provisions that were abused by FBI officials in the warrant obtained to spy on short term Trump campaign volunteer Carter Page .
The sections that were responsible for the abuses in the Page FISA warrant come under Title I , and do not expire .
For this reason , House Republicans are fighting to use the renewals as leverage to ensure that Title I is changed .
Many civil libertarians and lawmakers have called for the FISA Court to either be dismantled or completely reformed .
Department of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his 435 page report in December , that the bureau had 17 gross violations in its warrant and three subsequent renewals to spy on Page .
Those violations included withholding exculpatory information , altering documents and basically lying to the court to spy .
Ranking chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Devin Nunes , R-CA , told SaraACarter.com Thursday that major reforms must happen before any reauthorization happens .
“ The FBI abused FISA to spy on a political campaign , and the FISA judges utterly failed to stop it even thought the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happening , ” said Nunes .
“ We need major reforms to FISA that do not rely on the FBI acting in good faith on the FISA judges ’ ability to find and stop malfeasance.
” Rep. Doug Collins , R-Georgia , said this week that “ Democrats are completely ignoring the serious abuse committed against President Trump ’ s campaign in 2016 , regardless of the fact that Inspector General Horowitz ’ s report confirmed that our intelligence community committed an unforgivable offense when the FBI abused its power to unlawfully spy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accountability for those who committed these offenses.
” President Donald Trump is said to be backing a full reform package that includes not just reform to the FISA but to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court , as well , say lawmakers .
Trump ’ s decision to back reforms to the surveillance court in the intelligence bill puts may put him at odds with some of the Senate leadership .
It may also put him up against Attorney General William Barr , who said this week to Republican senators in a closed-door meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Furthermore , Sen. Rand Paul , R-Ky. , said Thursday that Trump will back his proposal for FISA reform .
Those reforms will include reforms to the surveillance court as part of a bill , according to a report from The Hill .
“ The [ Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act ] FISA reforms that I think are very necessary is that FISA warrants shouldn ’ t be issued on Americans and any information gathered by the FISA court shouldn ’ t used against Americans .
It ’ s for foreign intelligence .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think it will get bipartisan support .
I ’ ve talked to the president about it , ” Paul said .
The two major provisions that both the majority of Republicans and Democrats , as well as the intelligence community , want reauthorized are the roving wiretaps and the lone wolf reforms .
The ‘ roving wiretap ’ provision allows spy agencies to get a warrant from the FISA court without identifying the target , and further it allows federal law enforcement the ability to continue to monitor a suspect that may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to evade law enforcement .
The second provision is the “ lone wolf ” provision .
This provision allows the government to get a warrant to monitor a suspect that may not be an agent of a foreign power or linked to terrorism .
It is also a provision the intelligence community and federal law enforcement believe is a necessary tool to monitor suspects that may not belong to any terrorist organization but none-the-less could be a potential national security threat .
However , the most controversial is section 215 of the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of metadata – that is the phone records , time spent on call , and other broad information made between callers .
A number of congressional sources told SaraACarter.com this provision may not be reauthorized .

War on drugs: agents seized enough to kill U.S. population 19 times
The war on drugs being fought on a daily basis at our borders has been able to be quantified with...


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--Christopher Steele Defends Discredited Dossier

British ex-spy Christopher Steele defended his dossier , though a Justice Department watchdog group found flaws in the research and in how the DOJ and the FBI used it .
Arthur Snell , managing director for Steele ’ s company , Orbis Business Intelligence , this week penned a letter to the editor titled “ Trump-Russia Dossier Was Valid , '' published in the United Kingdom ’ s the Sunday Times .
It was in response to an article last month about a newly released analysis by British author Rupert Allason , who goes by the pen name Nigel West @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also a strong possibility that all Steele ’ s material has been fabricated.
” “ Steele and his company , Orbis Business Intelligence , firmly reject this , ” Snell said .
“ We stand by the integrity and quality of our work.
” Snell claimed Steele and others at Orbis “ have been close allies of America for more than three decades ” and that “ this has not been changed by the dossier.
” He claimed Steele reported his salacious and unverified findings to the FBI “ solely to assist ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-operated extensively with serious U.S. investigations on Russian interference in U.S. elections , with the approval of the U.K. authorities , ” Snell wrote .
“ This hardly suggests , as your article contends , that our actions have damaged the UK-US intelligence relationship.
” DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz concluded in December that the FBI ’ s Trump-Russia investigation was flawed .
The watchdog criticized the DOJ and the FBI for 17 “ significant errors and omissions ” related to the surveillance of Carter Page .
Steele was hired by opposition research @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee through Democratic powerhouse attorney Marc Elias and the Perkins Coie law firm .
Perkins Coie was paid more than $ 12 million between 2016 and 2017 for its work .
Fusion GPS was paid $ 50,000 per month from Perkins Coie , and Steele was paid roughly $ 168,000 by Fusion GPS .
Following Horowitz ’ s report , the DOJ told the FISA court it believed the final two Page FISA warrants were “ not valid.
“ The FBI told the court it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ information obtained through the Page FISAs .
The report noted that FBI meetings with Steele ’ s sources “ raised significant questions about the reliability of the Steele election reporting , ” and bureau officials said Steele “ may have some judgment problems.
” The CIA referred to Steele ’ s dossier as “ internet rumor.
” Horowitz said the FBI concluded “ much of the material ” in the dossier “ could not be corroborated ” and added that “ certain allegations were inaccurate or inconsistent ” with evidence gathered by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was corroborated ” was often “ publicly available.
” Steele ’ s dossier alleged there was a “ well-developed conspiracy of co-operation between [ the Trump campaign ] and the Russian leadership.
” Mueller ’ s report stated , “ The investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.
” Allason ’ s nine-page analysis , done at the behest of a yet-unnamed D.C. Republican lawyer , concluded , `` The dossier , as a whole , is profoundly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face value.
” Snell told the Sunday Times , `` You ignore more recent assessments of Steele ’ s work by intelligence professionals such as John Sipher , Chuck Rosenberg , and Anthony Ferrante.
” Sipher , a former CIA officer , wrote in September 2017 that “ the dossier is by no means a useless document ” and “ presents a coherent narrative of collusion.
” He said in 2018 that “ the dossier had a whiff of authenticity ” and that Trump ’ s actions , along with leaks , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the dossier.
” In December , Sipher insisted that “ unverified doesn ’ t mean all wrong.
” Rosenberg , a former senior FBI official , claimed in December 2018 that “ the dossier holds up well over time , and none of it , to our knowledge , has been disproven.
” He appeared on MSNBC and said that “ big parts of it are holding up.
” Ferrante , who worked as a cybersecurity adviser on the National Security Council , left the White House in April 2017 , joining FTI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and the firm was paid $ 4.1 million to try to corroborate the claims about Trump 's ties to Russia in Steele ’ s research .
Ferrante compiled a report filed in federal court in a lawsuit over the dossier 's publication , finding that internet service providers mentioned in the dossier that were owned by Russian entrepreneur Aleksej Gubarev may have been used by Russian agents to support the hack of the DNC in 2016 .
But , unlike Steele 's dossier , Ferrante 's report did not directly link Gubarev @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I have no evidence of them actually sitting behind a keyboard , ” Ferrante said in a deposition .

British ex-spy Christopher Steele defended his dossier, though a Justice Department watchdog group found flaws in the research and in how the DOJ and the FBI used it.
Arthur Snell, managing director for Steele’s company, Orbis Business Intelligence, this week penned a letter to the editor titled “Trump-Russia Dossier Was Valid," published in the United Kingdom’s the Sunday Times. It was in response to an article last month about a newly released analysis by British author Rupert Allason, who goes by the pen name Nigel West, who concluded, "There is also a strong possibility that all Steele’s material has been fabricated.”
“Steele and his company, Orbis Business Intelligence, firmly reject this,” Snell said. “We stand by the integrity and quality of our work.”
Snell claimed Steele and others at Orbis “have been close allies of America for more than three decades” and that “this has not been changed by the dossier.” He claimed Steele reported his salacious and unverified findings to the FBI “solely to assist” the bureau.
“Thereafter Orbis has co-operated extensively with serious U.S. investigations on Russian interference in U.S. elections, with the approval of the U.K. authorities,” Snell wrote. “This hardly suggests, as your article contends, that our actions have damaged the UK-US intelligence relationship.”
DOJ Inspector General Michael Horowitz concluded in December that the FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation was flawed. The watchdog criticized the DOJ and the FBI for 17 “significant errors and omissions” related to the surveillance of Carter Page.
Steele was hired by opposition research firm Fusion GPS, which was funded by the Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee through Democratic powerhouse attorney Marc Elias and the Perkins Coie law firm. Perkins Coie was paid more than $12 million between 2016 and 2017 for its work. Fusion GPS was paid $50,000 per month from Perkins Coie, and Steele was paid roughly $168,000 by Fusion GPS.
Following Horowitz’s report, the DOJ told the FISA court it believed the final two Page FISA warrants were “not valid.“ The FBI told the court it planned to “sequester” all the information obtained through the Page FISAs.
The report noted that FBI meetings with Steele’s sources “raised significant questions about the reliability of the Steele election reporting,” and bureau officials said Steele “may have some judgment problems.” The CIA referred to Steele’s dossier as “internet rumor.”
Horowitz said the FBI concluded “much of the material” in the dossier “could not be corroborated” and added that “certain allegations were inaccurate or inconsistent” with evidence gathered by the FBI and the “limited information that was corroborated” was often “publicly available.”
Steele’s dossier alleged there was a “well-developed conspiracy of co-operation between [the Trump campaign] and the Russian leadership.”
Mueller’s report stated, “The investigation did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.”
Allason’s nine-page analysis, done at the behest of a yet-unnamed D.C. Republican lawyer, concluded, "The dossier, as a whole, is profoundly troubling and cannot be taken at face value.”
Snell told the Sunday Times, "You ignore more recent assessments of Steele’s work by intelligence professionals such as John Sipher, Chuck Rosenberg, and Anthony Ferrante.”
Sipher, a former CIA officer, wrote in September 2017 that “the dossier is by no means a useless document” and “presents a coherent narrative of collusion.” He said in 2018 that “the dossier had a whiff of authenticity” and that Trump’s actions, along with leaks, “have added a bit more credibility to the dossier.” In December, Sipher insisted that “unverified doesn’t mean all wrong.”
Rosenberg, a former senior FBI official, claimed in December 2018 that “the dossier holds up well over time, and none of it, to our knowledge, has been disproven.” He appeared on MSNBC and said that “big parts of it are holding up.”
Ferrante, who worked as a cybersecurity adviser on the National Security Council, left the White House in April 2017, joining FTI Consulting. Ferrante was hired by BuzzFeed, and the firm was paid $4.1 million to try to corroborate the claims about Trump's ties to Russia in Steele’s research.
Ferrante compiled a report filed in federal court in a lawsuit over the dossier's publication, finding that internet service providers mentioned in the dossier that were owned by Russian entrepreneur Aleksej Gubarev may have been used by Russian agents to support the hack of the DNC in 2016. But, unlike Steele's dossier, Ferrante's report did not directly link Gubarev or his executives to the hack.
“I have no evidence of them actually sitting behind a keyboard,” Ferrante said in a deposition.


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--President Trump: Pompeo Will Witness Signing of Taliban Peace Deal

WASHINGTON , D.C. – President Donald Trump said Friday that he 's dispatching Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the signing of an agreement with the Afghan Taliban aimed at beginning a draw down of thousands of U.S. troops and ending America 's 18-year involvement in the war .
Trump said Pompeo would soon , at the president 's direction , witness the signing of an agreement with the Taliban , an event that will see America 's top diplomat stand with leaders of militants , who harbored al-Qaida before the 9/11 attacks and are responsible for the deaths of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He said Defense Secretary Mark Esper also will issue a joint declaration with the government of Afghanistan .
Trump did not say where the deal would be signed , but it 's been previously reported that it would occur Saturday in Doha , Qatar .
The signing comes after a week in which both U.S.-led forces and the Taliban committed to a reduction in violence .
Under the plan being signed , the U.S. is to reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan to 8,600 from about 13,000 .
Much of the plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American troops will withdraw and that the Taliban promise not to let extremists use the country as a staging ground for attacking the U.S. or its allies .
Within 10 to 15 days after the signing , the Taliban and representatives from all sectors of Afghan society , including the government , are to sit down to try to negotiate the framework of a post-war Afghanistan .
Issues on the table include a more permanent cease-fire and the rights of women and minorities .
“ If the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have a powerful path forward to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home , ” Trump said in a statement .
“ These commitments represent an important step to a lasting peace in a new Afghanistan , free from al-Qaeda , ISIS , and any other terrorist group that would seek to bring us harm .
” More than 20 lawmakers recently wrote a letter to Pompeo and Esper asking for assurances that the U.S.-Taliban agreement will not jeopardize U.S. security .
“ I dealt with a lot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CIA , and one thing I learned is that previous actions are a good indicator of future ones , '' said Rep. Will Hurd , R-Texas , who served in Afghanistan as an undercover CIA officer .
“ The war in Afghanistan should come to an end and it ’ s in the Taliban ’ s hands to make this happen .
However , the Taliban has never demonstrated a willingness to be a real partner in peace.
” Taliban leaders told The Associated Press that if everything goes according to plan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Afghanistan in 14 months , but Washington has not confirmed such a timeline .
The agreement also stipulates the release of 5,000 Taliban from Afghan-run jails , but it 's not clear if the Afghan government will agree to that .
The agreement mapping out a plan for peace follows months of negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban that have broken down before .
The Pentagon has said for months that it is poised to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan to 8,600 , but U.S. officials have said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to begin .
“ Nearly 19 years ago , American service members went to Afghanistan to root out the terrorists responsible for the 9/11 attacks , ” Trump said .
“ In that time , we have made great progress in Afghanistan , but at great cost to our brave service members , to the American taxpayers , and to the people of Afghanistan.
” He said that when he first ran for president , he promised voters that he would start bringing troops home and seek an end to the war in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ progress on that promise .
”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump said Friday that he's dispatching Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the signing of an agreement with the Afghan Taliban aimed at beginning a draw down of thousands of U.S. troops and ending America's 18-year involvement in the war.
Trump said Pompeo would soon, at the president's direction, witness the signing of an agreement with the Taliban, an event that will see America's top diplomat stand with leaders of militants, who harbored al-Qaida before the 9/11 attacks and are responsible for the deaths of thousands of American servicemen and women. He said Defense Secretary Mark Esper also will issue a joint declaration with the government of Afghanistan.
Trump did not say where the deal would be signed, but it's been previously reported that it would occur Saturday in Doha, Qatar.
The signing comes after a week in which both U.S.-led forces and the Taliban committed to a reduction in violence. Under the plan being signed, the U.S. is to reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan to 8,600 from about 13,000.
Much of the plan remains vague, except to say that American troops will withdraw and that the Taliban promise not to let extremists use the country as a staging ground for attacking the U.S. or its allies. Within 10 to 15 days after the signing, the Taliban and representatives from all sectors of Afghan society, including the government, are to sit down to try to negotiate the framework of a post-war Afghanistan. Issues on the table include a more permanent cease-fire and the rights of women and minorities.
“If the Taliban and the government of Afghanistan live up to these commitments, we will have a powerful path forward to end the war in Afghanistan and bring our troops home,” Trump said in a statement. “These commitments represent an important step to a lasting peace in a new Afghanistan, free from al-Qaeda, ISIS, and any other terrorist group that would seek to bring us harm. ”
More than 20 lawmakers recently wrote a letter to Pompeo and Esper asking for assurances that the U.S.-Taliban agreement will not jeopardize U.S. security.
“I dealt with a lot of bad guys during my time in the CIA, and one thing I learned is that previous actions are a good indicator of future ones," said Rep. Will Hurd, R-Texas, who served in Afghanistan as an undercover CIA officer. “The war in Afghanistan should come to an end and it’s in the Taliban’s hands to make this happen. However, the Taliban has never demonstrated a willingness to be a real partner in peace.”
Taliban leaders told The Associated Press that if everything goes according to plan, all U.S. soldiers would be out of Afghanistan in 14 months, but Washington has not confirmed such a timeline. The agreement also stipulates the release of 5,000 Taliban from Afghan-run jails, but it's not clear if the Afghan government will agree to that.
The agreement mapping out a plan for peace follows months of negotiations between the U.S. and the Taliban that have broken down before. The Pentagon has said for months that it is poised to reduce the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan to 8,600, but U.S. officials have said it could take months for any troop cuts to begin.
“Nearly 19 years ago, American service members went to Afghanistan to root out the terrorists responsible for the 9/11 attacks,” Trump said. “In that time, we have made great progress in Afghanistan, but at great cost to our brave service members, to the American taxpayers, and to the people of Afghanistan.”
He said that when he first ran for president, he promised voters that he would start bringing troops home and seek an end to the war in Afghanistan. “We are making substantial progress on that promise.”


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--ISIS in Afghanistan Loses Half Their Fighters

The Islamic State ’ s Afghanistan branch has lost more than half its fighters due to Afghan and U.S. airstrikes , and ground operations conducted by Taliban fighters , according to a recent inspector general report .
Officials with U.S .
Forces Afghanistan said it was hard to estimate the number of remaining ISIS fighters in Afghanistan , but U.S. officials claimed in September the terrorist group was capable of fielding between 2,000 and 5,000 fighters , the IG report detailed .
Afghanistan ’ s ISIS offshoot lost its home turf in Nangarhar Province in November , forcing 300 of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forces .
But the terrorist group continues to limp on despite intense military pressure against the group over the last five months .
Despite a reduction in violence agreement hashed out between the Taliban and the U.S. , American warplanes have continued to conduct offensive operations and strikes against the Islamic extremist group .
ISIS is not party to the seven day reduction in violence deal between the U.S. and Taliban , which went into effect Feb. 22 .
The U.S. and the Taliban are expected to sign a long-term peace deal on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan .
Col. Sonny Leggett , a spokesman for U.S .
Forces Afghanistan , tweeted early Thursday morning that airstrikes on Wednesday killed three ISIS fighters in Kunar Province and forced 34 ISIS militants to surrender to Afghan forces in Tswokey district .
On Tuesday , Leggett announced the U.S. had conducted two airstrikes in Kunar Province , Afghanistan , targeting and killing four ISIS fighters .
“ We continue to eliminate ISIS terrorists wherever they hide to protect Afghanistan while honoring US-Afghan-Taliban agreement to reduce the violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials admit ISIS ’ collapse in Nangarhar was also a result of sustained ground operations carried out by America ’ s long-time foe in Afghanistan , the Taliban .
“ Following months of sustained pressure from both the United States and the Taliban , ISIS-K militants in Nangarhar surrendered en masse , ” the IG report details .
In November , Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said ISIS had been “ obliterated ” in Afghanistan .
President Donald Trump touted success of recent operations against the Islamic extremist group during a Thanksgiving Day surprise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailing that U.S. forces were “ wiping ” out ISIS militants “ left and right.
” “ There ’ s almost nothing left in this area .
And al-Qaida , the same thing .
And tremendous progress , ” Trump told U.S. troops during the visit .
“ And we — we ’ ve got them down to very low numbers .
We ’ ll have that totally taken care of in a very short period of time.
” Fears of an ISIS resurgence in Afghanistan has become a major hurdle for U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after nearly 18 years of war .
Continued sustained operations by Taliban , U.S. and Afghan forces may help reduce potential peace spoilers as negotiations are set to head into intra-Afghan talks between the Taliban and Afghan government .
Six days into the reduction in violence trial run there have only been a handful of attacks across the country , according to reports from Tolo News and the New York Times .
The number of attacks carried about by the Taliban appear to be a significant reduction when compared to historical trends .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks carried out everyday across Afghanistan in 2019 , according to data in a recent IG report .
“ We ’ re seeing what we would call a downward trend in violence , which is great for the Afghan people .
It ’ s great for the country of Afghanistan , ” Gen. Scott Miller , the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Tuesday .
On Wednesday , Gen. Miller walked around the streets of Kabul without kit or body armor to greet and talk to Afghans about the peace process .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first reported by the Washington Post .

The Islamic State’s Afghanistan branch has lost more than half its fighters due to Afghan and U.S. airstrikes, and ground operations conducted by Taliban fighters, according to a recent inspector general report.
Officials with U.S. Forces Afghanistan said it was hard to estimate the number of remaining ISIS fighters in Afghanistan, but U.S. officials claimed in September the terrorist group was capable of fielding between 2,000 and 5,000 fighters, the IG report detailed.
Afghanistan’s ISIS offshoot lost its home turf in Nangarhar Province in November, forcing 300 of the jihadi fighters to surrender to Afghan forces.
But the terrorist group continues to limp on despite intense military pressure against the group over the last five months.
RELATED
Despite a reduction in violence agreement hashed out between the Taliban and the U.S., American warplanes have continued to conduct offensive operations and strikes against the Islamic extremist group.
ISIS is not party to the seven day reduction in violence deal between the U.S. and Taliban, which went into effect Feb. 22. The U.S. and the Taliban are expected to sign a long-term peace deal on Feb. 29 that could lead to the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.
Col. Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for U.S. Forces Afghanistan, tweeted early Thursday morning that airstrikes on Wednesday killed three ISIS fighters in Kunar Province and forced 34 ISIS militants to surrender to Afghan forces in Tswokey district.
On Tuesday, Leggett announced the U.S. had conducted two airstrikes in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, targeting and killing four ISIS fighters.
“We continue to eliminate ISIS terrorists wherever they hide to protect Afghanistan while honoring US-Afghan-Taliban agreement to reduce the violence,” Leggett tweeted Tuesday.
U.S. officials admit ISIS’ collapse in Nangarhar was also a result of sustained ground operations carried out by America’s long-time foe in Afghanistan, the Taliban.
“Following months of sustained pressure from both the United States and the Taliban, ISIS-K militants in Nangarhar surrendered en masse,” the IG report details.
In November, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said ISIS had been “obliterated” in Afghanistan.
President Donald Trump touted success of recent operations against the Islamic extremist group during a Thanksgiving Day surprise visit to American troops at Bagram Airfield detailing that U.S. forces were “wiping” out ISIS militants “left and right.”
“There’s almost nothing left in this area. And al-Qaida, the same thing. And tremendous progress,” Trump told U.S. troops during the visit. “And we — we’ve got them down to very low numbers. We’ll have that totally taken care of in a very short period of time.”
Fears of an ISIS resurgence in Afghanistan has become a major hurdle for U.S. troops seeking to withdraw from the region after nearly 18 years of war.
Continued sustained operations by Taliban, U.S. and Afghan forces may help reduce potential peace spoilers as negotiations are set to head into intra-Afghan talks between the Taliban and Afghan government.
Six days into the reduction in violence trial run there have only been a handful of attacks across the country, according to reports from Tolo News and the New York Times. The number of attacks carried about by the Taliban appear to be a significant reduction when compared to historical trends.
There were more than 70 enemy initiated attacks carried out everyday across Afghanistan in 2019, according to data in a recent IG report.
“We’re seeing what we would call a downward trend in violence, which is great for the Afghan people. It’s great for the country of Afghanistan,” Gen. Scott Miller, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan said Tuesday.
On Wednesday, Gen. Miller walked around the streets of Kabul without kit or body armor to greet and talk to Afghans about the peace process.
Miller’s stroll through Kabul was first reported by the Washington Post.
Shawn Snow is the senior reporter for Marine Corps Times and a Marine Corps veteran.


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--Air Force Changes Lyrics to Service Anthem to Make Them Gender Neutral

The U.S. Air Force is changing its song to be gender-neutral as the service grows more diverse and adds more women across its ranks .
Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein made the announcement Thursday during the Air Warfare Symposium in Florida , alongside Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright .
Goldfein said the change applies to the third verse of the U.S. Air Force Song , sometimes known as `` Wild Blue Yonder , '' which is traditionally sung at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and often performed independently of the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which dates back to the Army Air Corps before the Air Force was established as a separate service in 1947 , reflected a different time period and a different team , one that was too `` exclusive '' to reflect today 's reality .
For example , women currently make up about 20 percent of the Air Force .
After many conversations with young men and women , a group of academy cadets fashioned `` a better third verse , '' Goldfein said .
`` Combat does n't discriminate , and neither should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ symposium , reflecting on those the Air Force has lost in war .
Goldfein authorized Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria , the academy 's superintendent , to implement the change effective immediately .
Of those who love the vastness of the sky , To a friend we send a message of the brave who serve on high .
We drink to those who gave their all of old , Then down we roar to score the rainbow 's pot of gold .
A toast to the host of those we boast , the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , `` A toast to the host of the men we boast . ''
In a statement published on the academy 's website , Goldfein said he anticipates pushback from those who see the change as a break from tradition .
`` I respect the views of others who will not agree , '' he said .
`` But I also know with absolute certainty and clarity that these changes are about adding to , not subtracting from , who we are .
Changing the lyrics in no way diminishes the history and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gratitude for their sacrifice and bravery . ''
Goldfein said the Air Force must follow in its sister service academies ' footsteps : The Naval Academy in Annapolis , Maryland , changed its school song in 2004 .
The United States Military Academy in West Point , New York , did so in 2008 .
`` It is time for us to change , '' Goldfein said .
It was not immediately clear if or when other verses , with wording such as , `` At 'em boys , '' `` flying men @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be updated in the future , but Goldfein said it is an important discussion that is ongoing .
Officials did not have additional details by press time .
The news comes as the female applicant pool at the academy continues to grow .
The proportion of female applicants to the Air Force Academy 's class of 2023 will be the highest in the last five years -- 31.2 % , according to statistics recently provided to Military.com .
By comparison , 913 men , or 73.5 % , and 329 women , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019 graduating class .
Other classes have also seen a slight bump : Women make up 28.6 % of the 2020 applicant class ; 29.3 % in 2021 ; and 30.5 % in the 2022 class , according to statistics .
Since becoming chief in 2016 , Goldfein has stressed inclusivity and looked for improvements not just in culture or policy , but day-to-day job performance .
For example , he initiated the creation of task force teams to oversee redesigns of female uniforms , including gear and flight suits , after many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been working for months to provide improved , better-fitting uniforms not only for comfort , but also for safety .
`` The world is changing , the Air Force is changing , '' Wright added Thursday .
-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk @ military.com .
Follow her on Twitter at @ Oriana0214 .
Read more : Top Marine Orders Confederate Paraphernalia to Be Removed from All Bases

The U.S. Air Force is changing its song to be gender-neutral as the service grows more diverse and adds more women across its ranks.
Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein made the announcement Thursday during the Air Warfare Symposium in Florida, alongside Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Kaleth O. Wright.
Goldfein said the change applies to the third verse of the U.S. Air Force Song, sometimes known as "Wild Blue Yonder," which is traditionally sung at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and often performed independently of the other verses.
He said the song, which dates back to the Army Air Corps before the Air Force was established as a separate service in 1947, reflected a different time period and a different team, one that was too "exclusive" to reflect today's reality. For example, women currently make up about 20 percent of the Air Force.
Related: 'Captain Marvel' Effect? Air Force Academy Sees Most Female Applicants in 5 Years
After many conversations with young men and women, a group of academy cadets fashioned "a better third verse," Goldfein said.
"Combat doesn't discriminate, and neither should we," he said at the symposium, reflecting on those the Air Force has lost in war.
Goldfein authorized Lt. Gen. Jay Silveria, the academy's superintendent, to implement the change effective immediately.
Verse III is now:
Here's a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of the brave who serve on high.
We drink to those who gave their all of old,
Then down we roar to score the rainbow's pot of gold.
A toast to the host of those we boast, the U.S. Air Force!
The old version went, "A toast to the host of the men we boast."
In a statement published on the academy's website, Goldfein said he anticipates pushback from those who see the change as a break from tradition.
"I respect the views of others who will not agree," he said. "But I also know with absolute certainty and clarity that these changes are about adding to, not subtracting from, who we are. Changing the lyrics in no way diminishes the history and accomplishments of men or dilutes our eternal gratitude for their sacrifice and bravery."
Goldfein said the Air Force must follow in its sister service academies' footsteps: The Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, changed its school song in 2004. The United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, did so in 2008.
"It is time for us to change," Goldfein said.
It was not immediately clear if or when other verses, with wording such as, "At 'em boys," "flying men" and "minds of men" will be updated in the future, but Goldfein said it is an important discussion that is ongoing. Officials did not have additional details by press time.
The news comes as the female applicant pool at the academy continues to grow.
The proportion of female applicants to the Air Force Academy's class of 2023 will be the highest in the last five years -- 31.2%, according to statistics recently provided to Military.com. By comparison, 913 men, or 73.5%, and 329 women, or 26.5%, made up the 2019 graduating class.
Other classes have also seen a slight bump: Women make up 28.6% of the 2020 applicant class; 29.3% in 2021; and 30.5% in the 2022 class, according to statistics.
Since becoming chief in 2016, Goldfein has stressed inclusivity and looked for improvements not just in culture or policy, but day-to-day job performance.
For example, he initiated the creation of task force teams to oversee redesigns of female uniforms, including gear and flight suits, after many years of ill-fitting equipment.
The service has been working for months to provide improved, better-fitting uniforms not only for comfort, but also for safety.
"The world is changing, the Air Force is changing," Wright added Thursday.
-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.
Read more: Top Marine Orders Confederate Paraphernalia to Be Removed from All Bases


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--World Health Organization: Coronavirus Outbreak Could Reach Every Country

A security man administers sanitiser to a visitor to a state hospital in Lagos , on February 28 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ on Friday reaffirmed its warning that the fast-spreading coronavirus could soon reach most , `` @ @ @ @ @ around the world .
WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told reporters the outbreak was `` getting @ @ @ @ @ organization 's warning that the deadly flu-like virus could spread worldwide .
His comments at @ @ @ @ @ came shortly after Nigeria confirmed sub-Saharan Africa 's first case and two days after Brazil @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 infection .
As of Friday , more than 83,000 cases of the coronavirus had @ @ @ @ @ infections reported in every continent except Antarctica .
The vast majority of those cases has @ @ @ @ @ where the epidemic started at the end of last year .
China 's National Health @ @ @ @ @ 327 people had contracted the virus , with an additional 44 deaths nationwide .
Altogether @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus cases , including 2,788 deaths .

A security man administers sanitiser to a visitor to a state hospital in Lagos, on February 28, 2020.
The World Health Organization on Friday reaffirmed its warning that the fast-spreading coronavirus could soon reach most, "if not all" countries around the world.
WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier told reporters the outbreak was "getting bigger" and reiterated the organization's warning that the deadly flu-like virus could spread worldwide.
His comments at a news conference in Geneva came shortly after Nigeria confirmed sub-Saharan Africa's first case and two days after Brazil reported Latin America's first COVID-19 infection.
As of Friday, more than 83,000 cases of the coronavirus had been confirmed worldwide, with infections reported in every continent except Antarctica.
The vast majority of those cases has been reported in China, where the epidemic started at the end of last year.
China's National Health Commission said Friday an additional 327 people had contracted the virus, with an additional 44 deaths nationwide. Altogether, China has reported 78,824 coronavirus cases, including 2,788 deaths.


bonginoreport--2020-02-28--A Seat in Kentucky Held by Democrats for 33-Years Flipped Red This Week in a Special Election

Preliminary results in House District 99 showed Republican Richard White defeating Democrat Bill Redwine by around 1,000 votes , the Courier-Journal reported .
GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and President Donald Trump celebrated the win on Twitter .
“ BIG WIN in Kentucky House District 99 , ” McDaniel tweeted .
“ It ’ s a district Democrats held for 33 YEARS , where Democrats outnumber Republicans by double digits , and one the Democrat governor carried in 2019 .
But tonight , Republicans flipped the seat !
” TRENDING : Republicans Celebrate After Special Election Flips Kentucky Seat Held by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Big Win – Except in the Fake News , which won ’ t cover it !
” Trump tweeted .
Chairman Mac Brown of the Republican Party of Kentucky also congratulated White on the “ historic victory.
” “ After Democrat Rocky Adkins held this district since the 1980s , Kentucky Republicans can be justly proud of all Richard White and our grassroots team did to flip this seat to GOP control , ” Brown said in a statement .
“ Tonight ’ s groundbreaking results should put Democrats on notice all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders who support President Trump .
Our strong slate of candidates all across the state are well-positioned to even further expand our GOP legislative supermajorities in November.
” RELATED : Joe Biden Admits He Was n't Actually Arrested on His Way To Meet Nelson Mandela Secretary of State Michael Adams announced the unofficial results of the special elections in both House Districts 67 and 99 after the polls closed Tuesday night .
Both House seats have been vacant after the two veteran lawmakers who held them joined Democratic Gov .
Andy Beshear ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In District 67 , Democrat Rachel Roberts defeated Republican Mary Jo Wedding , and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee celebrated the win in a “ Trump district.
” “ In deep-red Kentucky , Roberts defended a seat that broke for Trump in 2016 , ” Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Jessica Post said in a statement .
“ Democrats can and will compete everywhere heading into the 2020 election.
” The House Democratic Caucus leadership also addressed the special election results in both districts in a statement .
“ Congratulations to Rachel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ look forward to her joining our caucus , ” Leader Joni Jenkins , caucus chair Derrick Graham and caucus whip Angie Hatton said .
“ We also want to thank Bill Redwine for running a strong campaign during a special election that was especially tough during these winter months .
With these elections now behind us , our caucus is once again focused on fighting for a vision that benefits all of us and not just some of us , both in the remaining days of the legislative session and in the months @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because Roberts and White will have to run again in November , as the special elections only covered the remainder of the 2020 legislative session .
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism .
Read our editorial standards .

A Kentucky Republican flipped a longtime blue state House seat red in a special election on Tuesday.
Preliminary results in House District 99 showed Republican Richard White defeating Democrat Bill Redwine by around 1,000 votes, the Courier-Journal reported.
GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and President Donald Trump celebrated the win on Twitter.
“BIG WIN in Kentucky House District 99,” McDaniel tweeted. “It’s a district Democrats held for 33 YEARS, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by double digits, and one the Democrat governor carried in 2019. But tonight, Republicans flipped the seat!”
BIG WIN in Kentucky House District 99. It’s a district Democrats held for 33 YEARS, where Democrats outnumber Republicans by double digits, and one the Democrat governor carried in 2019. But tonight, Republicans flipped the seat! — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) February 26, 2020
“Big Story, Big Win – Except in the Fake News, which won’t cover it!” Trump tweeted.
Big Story, Big Win – Except in the Fake News, which won’t cover it! https://t.co/reWPi2hc4v — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 26, 2020
Do you think this Republican victory shows good prospects of victory in November? Yes No
Completing this poll entitles you to The Western Journal news updates free of charge. You may opt out at anytime. You also agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use Yes: 99% (4317 Votes) No: 1% (36 Votes)
Chairman Mac Brown of the Republican Party of Kentucky also congratulated White on the “historic victory.”
“After Democrat Rocky Adkins held this district since the 1980s, Kentucky Republicans can be justly proud of all Richard White and our grassroots team did to flip this seat to GOP control,” Brown said in a statement.
“Tonight’s groundbreaking results should put Democrats on notice all across the state. Kentucky voters want leaders who support President Trump. Our strong slate of candidates all across the state are well-positioned to even further expand our GOP legislative supermajorities in November.”
Congratulations to Richard White on his victory in today’s Special election to become the State Representative for District 99. He defeated his Democratic opponent by approximately 1019 votes to fill the unexpired term of Democrat Rocky Adkins; who vacated the seat. pic.twitter.com/mIWJWynMIW — Rowan Republicans (@RowanGOPParty) February 26, 2020
Secretary of State Michael Adams announced the unofficial results of the special elections in both House Districts 67 and 99 after the polls closed Tuesday night.
Both House seats have been vacant after the two veteran lawmakers who held them joined Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s administration, The Associated Press reported.
In District 67, Democrat Rachel Roberts defeated Republican Mary Jo Wedding, and the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee celebrated the win in a “Trump district.”
“In deep-red Kentucky, Roberts defended a seat that broke for Trump in 2016,” Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Jessica Post said in a statement. “Democrats can and will compete everywhere heading into the 2020 election.”
The House Democratic Caucus leadership also addressed the special election results in both districts in a statement.
“Congratulations to Rachel Roberts on her hard-fought victory and we look forward to her joining our caucus,” Leader Joni Jenkins, caucus chair Derrick Graham and caucus whip Angie Hatton said.
“We also want to thank Bill Redwine for running a strong campaign during a special election that was especially tough during these winter months. With these elections now behind us, our caucus is once again focused on fighting for a vision that benefits all of us and not just some of us, both in the remaining days of the legislative session and in the months ahead.”
Both victories are short term because Roberts and White will have to run again in November, as the special elections only covered the remainder of the 2020 legislative session.
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bonginoreport--2020-02-28--Federal Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Stefan Halper

A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a Russian-British historian ’ s lawsuit against several U.S. newspapers and Stefan Halper , a former Cambridge professor who served as a confidential human source for the FBI during the Trump-Russia probe .
Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled that the statute of limitations had expired for many of the allegations in the defamation lawsuit , which Svetlana Lokhova filed on May 23 , 2019 .
Brinkema also ruled that news articles that Lokhova cited in her lawsuit were not defamatory .
Lokhova accused Halper of conspiring with The Wall Street Journal , Washington Post , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statements “ as part of a nefarious effort to smear General [ Michael ] Flynn and fuel and further the now debunked and dead narrative that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.
” She alleged that Halper was behind leaks to the newspapers about an event that Flynn attended at Cambridge on Feb. 28 , 2014 , when he was director of the Defense Intelligence Agency ( DIA ) .
Lokhova , who studies Soviet-era espionage , attended the event along with about a dozen other Cambridge academic and DIA officials .
Beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in British and U.S. media outlets suggesting without evidence that Lokhova and Flynn had improper contact during the Cambridge event , which Halper co-convened with Sir Richard Dearlove , the former head of MI6 .
The Wall Street Journal published a story on March 18 , 2017 that suggested that Flynn had improperly failed to disclose his interactions at the 2014 event with Lokhova , a British citizen who was born in Russia .
( RELATED : British University Deserves More Scrutiny Over Stefan Halper Ties , Researcher Says ) Lokhova has argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ false innuendo that she and Flynn were having an affair , or that she was a Russian spy .
She has vehemently denied both allegations .
The Times and Post published stories about Halper in May 2018 , identifying him as a longtime FBI source who provided information to the bureau as part of its investigation of the Trump campaign .
The Daily Caller News Foundation reported on March 25 , 2018 that Halper met in 2016 with three Trump campaign advisers , Carter Page , Sam Clovis and George Papadopoulos .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detailing FBI surveillance of Page does not identify Halper by name , but he matches up exactly with “ Source 2 ” discussed at length in the report .
Brinkema dismissed Lokhova ’ s lawsuit before it reached the discovery stage .
Brinkema declined Halper ’ s request for sanctions against Lokhova and her lawyer , Stephen Biss , but she was highly critical of the attorney .
“ The allegations of improper behavior by Biss are undoubtedly more severe than those by Lokhova , and should Biss file further inappropriate pleadings or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these defendants , sanctions might well be justified , ” Brinkema said .
Lokhova says that she plans to appeal the decision .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact licensing @ dailycallernewsfoundation.org .

A federal judge on Thursday dismissed a Russian-British historian’s lawsuit against several U.S. newspapers and Stefan Halper, a former Cambridge professor who served as a confidential human source for the FBI during the Trump-Russia probe.
Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled that the statute of limitations had expired for many of the allegations in the defamation lawsuit, which Svetlana Lokhova filed on May 23, 2019. Brinkema also ruled that news articles that Lokhova cited in her lawsuit were not defamatory.
Lokhova accused Halper of conspiring with The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and New York Times to leak false statements “as part of a nefarious effort to smear General [Michael] Flynn and fuel and further the now debunked and dead narrative that the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.”
She alleged that Halper was behind leaks to the newspapers about an event that Flynn attended at Cambridge on Feb. 28, 2014, when he was director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Lokhova, who studies Soviet-era espionage, attended the event along with about a dozen other Cambridge academic and DIA officials.
Beginning in February 2017, stories began appearing in British and U.S. media outlets suggesting without evidence that Lokhova and Flynn had improper contact during the Cambridge event, which Halper co-convened with Sir Richard Dearlove, the former head of MI6.
The Wall Street Journal published a story on March 18, 2017 that suggested that Flynn had improperly failed to disclose his interactions at the 2014 event with Lokhova, a British citizen who was born in Russia. (RELATED: British University Deserves More Scrutiny Over Stefan Halper Ties, Researcher Says)
Lokhova has argued that the story and several others created false innuendo that she and Flynn were having an affair, or that she was a Russian spy. She has vehemently denied both allegations.
The Times and Post published stories about Halper in May 2018, identifying him as a longtime FBI source who provided information to the bureau as part of its investigation of the Trump campaign.
The Daily Caller News Foundation reported on March 25, 2018 that Halper met in 2016 with three Trump campaign advisers, Carter Page, Sam Clovis and George Papadopoulos.
A Justice Department inspector general’s report detailing FBI surveillance of Page does not identify Halper by name, but he matches up exactly with “Source 2” discussed at length in the report.
Brinkema dismissed Lokhova’s lawsuit before it reached the discovery stage.
Brinkema declined Halper’s request for sanctions against Lokhova and her lawyer, Stephen Biss, but she was highly critical of the attorney.
“The allegations of improper behavior by Biss are undoubtedly more severe than those by Lokhova, and should Biss file further inappropriate pleadings or pursue frivolous post-judgment litigation against any of these defendants, sanctions might well be justified,” Brinkema said.
Lokhova says that she plans to appeal the decision.
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.