bonginoreport--2020-06-09--Thursday Presents a Historic Opportunity for Trump on Iraq

President Trump has long railed against “ endless wars , ” but for much of his presidency the opportunity to move Iraq toward stability has not presented itself , thwarted by a meddlesome Iran , an ISIS insurgency , economic crisis and populist protests demanding reform .
But starting this week , his administration faces a significant opportunity with the strategic dialogue opening Thursday in Baghdad , which will allow U.S. officials to directly engage with Iraq ’ s new prime minister , Mustafa al-Kadhimi Iraq has lacked a leader like al-Kadhimi for a long time .
A journalist-turned-Cabinet-secretary , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Iraq ’ s intelligence chief during the war on ISIS while delicately balancing a relationship of respect with the Shia Muslims in his country aligned with Iran .
The window of opportunity for al-Kadhimi to succeed is real , but narrow .
The coalition forces led by U.S. troops substantially disabled ISIS , although the elements of the group have begun reconstituting in the country ’ s northwest region .
An American drone strike in January took out Iran ’ s chief military strategist , Gen. Qasem Soleimani , the architect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Oil prices have stabilized and ticked up , giving a needed boost to Iraq ’ s main economic engine .
And COVID-19 has distracted the entire region , including Iraq and hard-hit Iran , creating a moment of pause in the usual chaos and tension .
Al-Kadhimi has maximized the opportunity , unveiling a reform agenda to end corruption and security abuses and opening a dialogue with protesters and insurgents who have fueled sectarian violence .
But for al-Khadhimi to succeed long-term in his mission to return Iraq to an autonomous and stable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ significant show of support from the United States , from money to continued short-term military presence and flexibility with Iran .
Al-Kadhimi and Iraqi President Barham Salih are trying to make Iraq sovereign and secure again , and want strong ties with Washington .
But they also don ’ t want to provoke a fight with Iran .
Ahead of Thursday ’ s meetings , the Trump administration has signaled it is ready to engage .
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed a waiver to the Iran sanctions in early May , allowing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its neighbor .
And President Trump , without much fanfare , in late May extended the emergency executive order 13303 , which started the Iraq War under George W. Bush in 2003 , for another year to authorize U.S. military presence in the country .
But those early gestures must be followed by concrete steps if Trump wants to achieve the sort of stability that will allow him to deliver on his promise to withdraw troops from Iraq .
First off , Iraq needs money .
Al-Kadhimi found the Iraqi treasury mostly empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in oil prices and COVID-19 worsened an already dire economic situation .
The first injection is the most logical : The U.S. can increase security assistance and cooperation and signal , as Trump did by renewing the executive order , that the 5,000 remaining U.S. troops aren ’ t abandoning Iraq quickly .
Even if Trump is tempted to announce before the U.S. election a timetable for a U.S. troop withdrawal , as he has done in Afghanistan , there should be no ambiguity about the U.S. commitment to training and support operations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Pentagon has requested $ 645 million in FY 2021 for security assistance to Iraq through the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund ( CTEF ) , a decline of $ 200 million over the past two years .
The battle against ISIS has been a success , the Pentagon classifying it as a ‘ low level insurgency.
’ But the terrorist group is nonetheless making a comeback in northwestern Iraq .
This assistance , and cooperation , matters more than ever .
Perhaps an outcome of this week ’ s strategic meeting could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iraq needs to continue to strengthen Iraq ’ s capacity for security , air support , and intelligence sharing to eventually reach autonomy .
Another opportunity on the economic front is resurrecting oil production in the semi-autonomous region controlled by the Kurdish Regional Government , which possesses some of Iraq ’ s highest grade and most lucrative crude .
In 2014 , the Obama administration launched an initiative to have U.S. oil giants help the Kurds drill and send oil to Iraq ’ s oil ministry for sale on the open market , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by both ISIS insurgents and Iran-backed rebels .
There ’ s a unique opportunity to create a grand bargain between the KRG and Iraqi to get that oil flowing again , and fattening the lean treasury coffers of the state with a self-reliant flow of cash that is not U.S. tax dollars .
A third challenge comes from Iran .
Iraq is Iran ’ s front yard .
Tehran 's paramilitary proxies in Iraq escalated attacks against U.S. personnel starting last December , killing and injuring Americans , and convening a mob to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iran crossed a line in Iraq , and Trump powerfully struck back .
The U.S. killed Iran ’ s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandis , Iran ’ s man in Iraq , in January .
Tehran appears to have gotten the message , at least for now .
But Iraq needs to reclaim its own territory , without posing an overt threat to Iran .
Iraq wants good ties with Iran , but less of the heavy hand .
Trump can help here by intensified security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other means to consolidate military authority in Iraq ’ s Ministry of Defense , while professionalizing its Ministry of Interior to deal with internal security .
A fourth option comes from America ’ s partners in the Gulf , especially Saudi Arabia , Kuwait , and the UAE , who have the resources and marketplace to forge strong economic ties with Baghdad .
Iraq Finance Minister Ali Allawi was in the Gulf recently to discuss investment and infrastructure projects , and seek billions of dollars on debt relief from Kuwait .
Money is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from low oil prices and COVID-19 .
But these countries have a stake in Iraq ’ s stability , and have the ability to create an economic counterweight to Iran Ret .
Brig .
Gen. Robert S. Spaulding , who authored Trump ’ s well-received National Security Strategy in late 2017 , said the administration must find the right mix of strengthening security through regional allies and growing the natural oil economy inside Iraq .
`` To the extent that we are involved , we ought to be much more involved economically , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring that oil to market , ” Spalding told Just the News .
Trump ’ s negotiating strategy enunciated in the book `` Trump : The Art of the Deal '' rests on knowing what a deal partner most wants and most fears .
Iraq wants to become autonomous and stable so it can free U.S. troops from 17 years of continuous combat .
And its fears slipping back into the chaotic violence that has marred much of the last decade .
Trump , experts believe , has the ability to push that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week ’ s dialogue in Baghdad needs big ideas and execution and not small ball .
Al-Khadimi is a short-lived opportunity for long-term stability .
The payoff , in terms of U.S. blood and treasure , could be enormous if there is a chance for success .
And that ’ s why most Americas tired of rioting and pandemic ought to cast a watchful eye on what happens in Baghdad later this week .

President Trump has long railed against “endless wars,” but for much of his presidency the opportunity to move Iraq toward stability has not presented itself, thwarted by a meddlesome Iran, an ISIS insurgency, economic crisis and populist protests demanding reform.
But starting this week, his administration faces a significant opportunity with the strategic dialogue opening Thursday in Baghdad, which will allow U.S. officials to directly engage with Iraq’s new prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi
Iraq has lacked a leader like al-Kadhimi for a long time. A journalist-turned-Cabinet-secretary, al-Kadhimi proved his mettle to the West as Iraq’s intelligence chief during the war on ISIS while delicately balancing a relationship of respect with the Shia Muslims in his country aligned with Iran.
The window of opportunity for al-Kadhimi to succeed is real, but narrow. The coalition forces led by U.S. troops substantially disabled ISIS, although the elements of the group have begun reconstituting in the country’s northwest region.
An American drone strike in January took out Iran’s chief military strategist, Gen. Qasem Soleimani, the architect of the IED-infused insurgency against American soldiers.
Oil prices have stabilized and ticked up, giving a needed boost to Iraq’s main economic engine.
And COVID-19 has distracted the entire region, including Iraq and hard-hit Iran, creating a moment of pause in the usual chaos and tension.
Al-Kadhimi has maximized the opportunity, unveiling a reform agenda to end corruption and security abuses and opening a dialogue with protesters and insurgents who have fueled sectarian violence.
But for al-Khadhimi to succeed long-term in his mission to return Iraq to an autonomous and stable nation state, he will need a significant show of support from the United States, from money to continued short-term military presence and flexibility with Iran.
Al-Kadhimi and Iraqi President Barham Salih are trying to make Iraq sovereign and secure again, and want strong ties with Washington. But they also don’t want to provoke a fight with Iran.
Ahead of Thursday’s meetings, the Trump administration has signaled it is ready to engage.
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo signed a waiver to the Iran sanctions in early May, allowing Iraq to buy much needed power from its neighbor. And President Trump, without much fanfare, in late May extended the emergency executive order 13303, which started the Iraq War under George W. Bush in 2003, for another year to authorize U.S. military presence in the country.
But those early gestures must be followed by concrete steps if Trump wants to achieve the sort of stability that will allow him to deliver on his promise to withdraw troops from Iraq.
First off, Iraq needs money. Al-Kadhimi found the Iraqi treasury mostly empty when he took over. The fall in oil prices and COVID-19 worsened an already dire economic situation.
The first injection is the most logical: The U.S. can increase security assistance and cooperation and signal, as Trump did by renewing the executive order, that the 5,000 remaining U.S. troops aren’t abandoning Iraq quickly.
Even if Trump is tempted to announce before the U.S. election a timetable for a U.S. troop withdrawal, as he has done in Afghanistan, there should be no ambiguity about the U.S. commitment to training and support operations, as well as intelligence operations.
The Pentagon has requested $645 million in FY 2021 for security assistance to Iraq through the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund (CTEF), a decline of $200 million over the past two years. The battle against ISIS has been a success, the Pentagon classifying it as a ‘low level insurgency.’ But the terrorist group is nonetheless making a comeback in northwestern Iraq.
This assistance, and cooperation, matters more than ever. Perhaps an outcome of this week’s strategic meeting could be a hard look at what more Iraq needs to continue to strengthen Iraq’s capacity for security, air support, and intelligence sharing to eventually reach autonomy.
Another opportunity on the economic front is resurrecting oil production in the semi-autonomous region controlled by the Kurdish Regional Government, which possesses some of Iraq’s highest grade and most lucrative crude.
In 2014, the Obama administration launched an initiative to have U.S. oil giants help the Kurds drill and send oil to Iraq’s oil ministry for sale on the open market, but the program became paralyzed by violence by both ISIS insurgents and Iran-backed rebels.
There’s a unique opportunity to create a grand bargain between the KRG and Iraqi to get that oil flowing again, and fattening the lean treasury coffers of the state with a self-reliant flow of cash that is not U.S. tax dollars.
A third challenge comes from Iran. Iraq is Iran’s front yard. Tehran's paramilitary proxies in Iraq escalated attacks against U.S. personnel starting last December, killing and injuring Americans, and convening a mob to threaten the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.
Iran crossed a line in Iraq, and Trump powerfully struck back. The U.S. killed Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi Al-Mohandis, Iran’s man in Iraq, in January. Tehran appears to have gotten the message, at least for now.
But Iraq needs to reclaim its own territory, without posing an overt threat to Iran. Iraq wants good ties with Iran, but less of the heavy hand.
Trump can help here by intensified security cooperation and reform in border security and other means to consolidate military authority in Iraq’s Ministry of Defense, while professionalizing its Ministry of Interior to deal with internal security.
A fourth option comes from America’s partners in the Gulf, especially Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE, who have the resources and marketplace to forge strong economic ties with Baghdad.
Iraq Finance Minister Ali Allawi was in the Gulf recently to discuss investment and infrastructure projects, and seek billions of dollars on debt relief from Kuwait. Money is tight in the Gulf, also reeling from low oil prices and COVID-19. But these countries have a stake in Iraq’s stability, and have the ability to create an economic counterweight to Iran
Ret. Brig. Gen. Robert S. Spaulding, who authored Trump’s well-received National Security Strategy in late 2017, said the administration must find the right mix of strengthening security through regional allies and growing the natural oil economy inside Iraq.
"To the extent that we are involved, we ought to be much more involved economically, in terms of working with them to bring that oil to market,” Spalding told Just the News.
Trump’s negotiating strategy enunciated in the book "Trump: The Art of the Deal" rests on knowing what a deal partner most wants and most fears.
Iraq wants to become autonomous and stable so it can free U.S. troops from 17 years of continuous combat. And its fears slipping back into the chaotic violence that has marred much of the last decade.
Trump, experts believe, has the ability to push that vision forward. But it means this week’s dialogue in Baghdad needs big ideas and execution and not small ball. Al-Khadimi is a short-lived opportunity for long-term stability.
The payoff, in terms of U.S. blood and treasure, could be enormous if there is a chance for success.
And that’s why most Americas tired of rioting and pandemic ought to cast a watchful eye on what happens in Baghdad later this week.


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--Condoleezza Rice Schools  America’s Enemies After They Use George Floyd’s Death for Propaganda

Former Secretary of States Condoleezza Rice ripped Russia , Iran , and China during a CBS News interview on Sunday for trying to use the death of George Floyd to create propaganda .
During the interview with host Margaret Brennan , Rice also noted that there was “ no excuse for the criminality and for the looting ” that have hit America ’ s inner cities during the violent riots over the last couple of weeks .
“ Madam Secretary , you know , some of America ’ s adversaries , Russia , Iran , China , they are using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Floyd and what is happening in the streets of American cities right now in their own state propaganda , ” Brennan said .
“ Do you see this racial divide as a national security threat to us ?
” “ Well , I ’ ve always thought that America ’ s greatest strength is that we are a country where you can come from humble circumstances and do great things , and where , despite our painful history , we ’ ve worked harder and harder every day , brick by brick , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all of us , ” Rice responded .
“ And I would say to those , particularly in places like China and Russia and Iran , who may want to use this for propaganda , let ’ s not be absurd.
” “ This is not Tiananmen Square where you ’ ve mowed down people who disagreed with the government , ” Rice continued .
“ This is not the invasion of Crimea where you took land from your neighbor .
This is not the Green Revolution in Iran where you killed people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the theocratic government.
” “ And I would even say to our friends abroad , in places like Europe , where I ’ m seeing demonstrations in support of what is happening here , thank you for your support , but please look in the mirror , ” Rice continued .
“ Please ask yourself , in countries in Europe and countries all across the world , what are you doing about racial and ethnic inequality in your own circumstances ?
America has gotten better because we have been willing to confront @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to confront our problems again .
We ’ re confronting them now.
” “ But I really don ’ t need to be lectured by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping about peaceful protest when they have themselves used their own force just because people wanted to criticize the government , ” Rice concluded .
“ That is not what is happening here.
” MARGARET BRENNAN : We turn now to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice .
She joins us from Stanford , California .
Great to have you back with us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : It ’ s a pleasure to be with you .
MARGARET BRENNAN : You ’ ve written that there- there seems to be something different about this moment .
What do you think is different ?
RICE : Well , I think what ’ s different is that this , as I said recently , people are a little bit sick and tired of being sick and tired , to quote the great civil rights leader , Fannie Lou Hamer .
And I think that is leading people of various backgrounds , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how can we really make the outcome different this time ?
And it ’ s leading people to look at questions about our criminal justice system , about the justice of our institutions .
But more importantly , it ’ s looking- having us look in the mirror at questions about race .
It ’ s a very , very deep and abiding wound in an America that was born with a birth defect of slavery .
And I ’ m really hoping that this time , we ’ ll have really honest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Conversations that are deep but honest conversations about what we ’ ve been through and who we want to be .
MARGARET BRENNAN : You wrote in an opinion piece recently that , “ protests will take our country only so far and if we are to make progress , let us vow to check the language of recrimination at the door.
” What do you mean by that ?
RICE : We have a very painful history .
Europeans and Africans came to this country together .
Africans came in chains @ @ @ @ @ @ @ percent European .
My great-great-grandfather was my great-grandmother ’ s slave owner .
That ’ s a very hard truth .
But it is the truth of the past .
We now have to talk about how to move forward .
And when I talk to people of different colors , particularly my white friends , my white colleagues , I don ’ t want it to be in the language of recrimination .
I want to be in the language of how do we move forward .
I think we each have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a collective responsibility , yes , but it ’ s an individual responsibility to ask what am I going to do specifically ?
What am I going to do to help heal these wounds and to move our country forward ?
Because race is still very much a factor in everyday life in America .
MARGARET BRENNAN : You said for you personally answering the question of “ what do I do , ” you focused on education .
MARGARET BRENNAN : Is- is- why ?
Why do you think that is so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s my background , I come from a family of educators .
I come from a family where my grandfather managed as- as a sharecropper ’ s son to get educated in Alabama in the 1920s .
Education was always for us a way to break through the barriers of prejudice , to make sure that my parents used to say , make sure that you have all of the armor you need to move forward .
And I know that an education is not a- a shield against prejudice , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And when I look at what has happened , particularly the poor kids and minority kids in our country , they really don ’ t have that shot at a high-quality education .
I can honestly now look at your zip code and tell whether you ’ re gon na get a good education .
And so I think if we can focus on specific things that we can do to make sure that those kids have a chance , that their parents have choices .
MARGARET , if- if anything , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it has exposed even deeper inequalities in our society .
Just imagine being a child who ’ s trying to learn- to learn at home and the parents don ’ t speak English , the parents don ’ t have an educational background of their own .
And contrast that with the kid whose parents are well-educated and who can read to them .
We ’ ve got a lot of work to do around inequality .
And I ’ ve just always believed that education is our most important intervention against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when we look at race and poverty , which is a particularly tough witch ’ s brew .
MARGARET BRENNAN : And to your point about the pandemic , I mean , it seems to be widening the existing divide .
Just looking at the data , the jobless rate in this country for the black community ticked up in May to 17 percent and black women in particular are bearing the brunt of that .
Where do you see the policy solutions coming from right now ?
Is anyone offering anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the things that ’ s happened is that this crisis has exacerbated problems that were there already , and we now have to ask ourselves , are we just going to say , well , my goodness , look at what we ’ ve seen , are we really going to act ?
And I think there are a couple of specific things .
We know that in this crisis , if you can work from home , if you are capable of being on the Internet , then you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not unemployed .
Knowledge workers are doing better .
So let ’ s talk about higher skills levels for everybody .
But I also think there ’ s something very specific we could do .
Let ’ s say every American is going to have broadband .
Every American is going to have access to a reliable Internet .
And that means people in rural areas .
That means people in- in schools that are not well-endowed .
I ’ d love to see us have a national project about access to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the broadband in the way that we ’ ve had access , for instance , to the highway at another time in our history .
MARGARET BRENNAN : Well , that ’ s quite a to do list for Congress if they were to agree to take it up .
If you were advising this particular president , what would you be telling him to do at this moment ?
RICE : I would ask the president to first and foremost speak in the language of unity , the language of empathy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ any president , with this president , but you have to speak to every American , not just to those who might agree with you .
And you have to speak about the deep wounds that we have and that we ’ re going to overcome them .
I ’ ve heard the president talk about the resilience of Americans .
I ’ d love to hear more of that .
And I ’ m not advising the president .
But , you know , unfortunately , Twitter and tweeting are- are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex messages .
When the president speaks , it needs to be from a place of- of thoughtfulness , from a place of having really honed the message so that it reaches all Americans .
And by the way , not just the president .
I would love to hear this from our leaders in Congress on both sides of the aisle .
I would love to hear from mayors and from governors and from others .
Leaders at this particular point need to do everything that they can to overcome , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You are speaking like the diplomat that you have been , Secretary Rice , because I know when we spoke last year , you said that this president doesn ’ t recognize how raw race is as a factor in America .
And just in the past few weeks , he has mourned George Floyd ’ s death but he ’ s used language like “ when the looting starts , the shooting starts.
” He said his supporters love “ the black people.
” When you hear phrases like that , how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you just dismiss it because it ’ s President Trump ?
RICE : Well , no .
The president , obviously , the shooting and looting , he said that he didn ’ t know that historical context .
And so I would say think about the historical context before you say something , because it is a deep wound .
And the presidency is special in that regard .
People look to the Oval Office as we ’ ve looked to the Oval Office throughout our history for- for messages , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president has used some language that I ’ m really very , very much admire , like the resilience of the American people .
Just be careful about those messages .
I ’ m not advising the president , but if I were , I would say let ’ s put tweeting aside for a little bit and- and talk to us , have a conversation with us .
And I think we need that .
And I think he can do it .
MARGARET BRENNAN : Retired General Jim Mattis said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interpretation unintentional .
In fact , he said , “ Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people .
He does not even pretend to try .
Instead , he tries to divide us.
” Do you believe that it ’ s intentional ?
Do you agree with Mattis ?
RICE : Well , look , I have enormous respect for Jim Mattis .
And he ’ s a man of great integrity .
He ’ s a patriot .
He ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something that he needed to speak to .
What I want to speak to is the future and what we do here over the next several months .
We are having protests that need to be peaceful , but we ’ ve always moved ahead in part by protest .
There ’ s no ex- excuse for the criminality and for the looting and for those outside influences that Governor Cuomo referred to- to- to come in from across state lines .
That ’ s not what- who we are and what we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as somebody who grew up in Birmingham , Alabama , Jim Crow Alabama , when if a black man was shot by a policeman , it wouldn ’ t have even been a footnote in the newspaper , I ’ m really grateful to people who are going out now and saying , no , that is not acceptable .
I ’ m grateful to those people who are thinking about how to support good police , who are thinking about how to support all of those people who put their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us , but also to say to those who do not have our best interests at heart , who don ’ t undertake that obligation to protect and defend without regard to color , enough .
We won ’ t put up with that either .
And so this is a time for every American to speak to our unity , but to also be very cognizant of how we describe our differences , how we address our differences , and especially how we address one another with empathy .
MARGARET BRENNAN : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are expressing their opposition .
Is there any circumstance in which you think it would be acceptable in these days to use what the president said to governors he would use , which was the Insurrection Act , to send active duty military into American cities ?
RICE : Well , I would absolutely advise against it , particularly at this time .
Look , the founding fathers were very smart about this .
Thomas Jefferson talked about the citizen soldier , and the embodiment of the citizen soldier these days is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come from these communities .
They are of these communities .
They are trained in everything from dealing with natural disasters to dealing with issues like crowd control .
And when the local police can ’ t handle it , the National Guard ’ s the right- the right answer .
Our military isn ’ t trained to do this .
Our military is trained for the battlefield .
And this isn ’ t a battlefield in that sense .
Now , I- I understand that- and my , personally , the violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business people who have now watched literally their life ’ s work go up in smoke , that has to be dealt with .
But I fundamentally believe that the National Guard , when it ’ s needed , local law enforcement to the degree that it can , is the way to do this .
And I would really advise against the Insurrection Act .
I- I understand that President George H.W .
Bush did so in the Rodney King affair back in Los Angeles .
But that was at the request– @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California– RICE : –of- of California .
So I would- let ’ s- let ’ s use the instruments that by our tradition , by the wisdom of our founding fathers , were given to us , citizen soldiers who can police their own .
MARGARET BRENNAN : Madam Secretary , you know , some of America ’ s adversaries , Russia , Iran , China , they are using the images of what happened to Mr. Floyd and what is happening in the streets of American cities right now in their own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racial divide as a national security threat to us ?
RICE : Well , I ’ ve always thought that America ’ s greatest strength is that we are a country where you can come from humble circumstances and do great things , and where , despite our painful history , we ’ ve worked harder and harder every day , brick by brick , to build a more perfect union for all of us .
And I would say to those , particularly in places like China and Russia and Iran , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ propaganda , let ’ s not be absurd .
This is not Tiananmen Square where you ’ ve mowed down people who disagreed with the government .
This is not the invasion of Crimea where you took land from your neighbor .
This is not the Green Revolution in Iran where you killed people wantonly because they wouldn ’ t agree with the theocratic government .
And I would even say to our friends abroad , in places like Europe , where I ’ m seeing demonstrations in support of what is happening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but please look in the mirror .
Please ask yourself , in countries in Europe and countries all across the world , what are you doing about racial and ethnic inequality in your own circumstances ?
America has gotten better because we have been willing to confront our problems .
And we ’ re going to confront our problems again .
We ’ re confronting them now .
And I think we will move forward this time .
But I- I really don ’ t need to be lectured by Vladimir Putin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have themselves used their own force just because people wanted to criticize the government .
That is not is what- that is not what is happening here .
MARGARET BRENNAN : Noted .
Madam Secretary , you did not support President Trump in 2016 .
Seeing what you ’ ve seen , will you support him in 2020 ?
RICE : As I ’ ve often said , when I ’ m ready to speak about American politics , I ’ ll come back to you .
And I ’ ll- you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when I want to speak about American politics .
Right now , what I want to speak to is my fellow Americans and to understand the deep divisions that we have , to understand what it is to be black .
I know what it ’ s like to be met with a look of dismissiveness or the like .
So I- I want to focus on that right now .
And I want to say one other thing .
You asked about the military earlier .
Let ’ s remember , too @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come from different backgrounds .
They come from different races .
They ’ re united in a common cause .
But this is hard for them , too .
And I know that their commanders are aware of the painful conversations that need to be- need to take place even within our military .
But one great thing is when we unite for a common cause , as they often do , it helps us to overcome those differences .
MARGARET BRENNAN : Madam Secretary , thank you for your reflections and your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RICE : It ’ s a pleasure being with you .
God bless .
MARGARET BRENNAN : We ’ ll be right back with a lot more FACE THE NATION , so stay with us .

Former Secretary of States Condoleezza Rice ripped Russia, Iran, and China during a CBS News interview on Sunday for trying to use the death of George Floyd to create propaganda.
During the interview with host Margaret Brennan, Rice also noted that there was “no excuse for the criminality and for the looting” that have hit America’s inner cities during the violent riots over the last couple of weeks.
“Madam Secretary, you know, some of America’s adversaries, Russia, Iran, China, they are using the images of what happened to Mr. Floyd and what is happening in the streets of American cities right now in their own state propaganda,” Brennan said. “Do you see this racial divide as a national security threat to us?”
“Well, I’ve always thought that America’s greatest strength is that we are a country where you can come from humble circumstances and do great things, and where, despite our painful history, we’ve worked harder and harder every day, brick by brick, to build a more perfect union for all of us,” Rice responded. “And I would say to those, particularly in places like China and Russia and Iran, who may want to use this for propaganda, let’s not be absurd.”
“This is not Tiananmen Square where you’ve mowed down people who disagreed with the government,” Rice continued. “This is not the invasion of Crimea where you took land from your neighbor. This is not the Green Revolution in Iran where you killed people wantonly because they wouldn’t agree with the theocratic government.”
“And I would even say to our friends abroad, in places like Europe, where I’m seeing demonstrations in support of what is happening here, thank you for your support, but please look in the mirror,” Rice continued. “Please ask yourself, in countries in Europe and countries all across the world, what are you doing about racial and ethnic inequality in your own circumstances? America has gotten better because we have been willing to confront our problems. And we’re going to confront our problems again. We’re confronting them now.”
“But I really don’t need to be lectured by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping about peaceful protest when they have themselves used their own force just because people wanted to criticize the government,” Rice concluded. “That is not what is happening here.”
WATCH:
TRANSCRIPT:
MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. She joins us from Stanford, California. Great to have you back with us.
FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE CONDOLEEZZA RICE: It’s a pleasure to be with you.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You’ve written that there- there seems to be something different about this moment. What do you think is different?
RICE: Well, I think what’s different is that this, as I said recently, people are a little bit sick and tired of being sick and tired, to quote the great civil rights leader, Fannie Lou Hamer. And I think that is leading people of various backgrounds, different colors, different experiences to say how can we really make the outcome different this time? And it’s leading people to look at questions about our criminal justice system, about the justice of our institutions. But more importantly, it’s looking- having us look in the mirror at questions about race. It’s a very, very deep and abiding wound in an America that was born with a birth defect of slavery. And I’m really hoping that this time, we’ll have really honest conversations, conversations that are not judgmental. Conversations that are deep but honest conversations about what we’ve been through and who we want to be.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You wrote in an opinion piece recently that, “protests will take our country only so far and if we are to make progress, let us vow to check the language of recrimination at the door.” What do you mean by that?
RICE: We have a very painful history. Europeans and Africans came to this country together. Africans came in chains. My- you- my DNA is 40 percent European. My great-great-grandfather was my great-grandmother’s slave owner. That’s a very hard truth. But it is the truth of the past. We now have to talk about how to move forward. And when I talk to people of different colors, particularly my white friends, my white colleagues, I don’t want it to be in the language of recrimination. I want to be in the language of how do we move forward. I think we each have an individual responsibility. It’s a collective responsibility, yes, but it’s an individual responsibility to ask what am I going to do specifically? What am I going to do to help heal these wounds and to move our country forward? Because race is still very much a factor in everyday life in America.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You said for you personally answering the question of “what do I do,” you focused on education.
RICE: Yes.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Is- is- why? Why do you think that is so key?
RICE: Well, partly it’s my background, I come from a family of educators. I come from a family where my grandfather managed as- as a sharecropper’s son to get educated in Alabama in the 1920s. Education was always for us a way to break through the barriers of prejudice, to make sure that my parents used to say, make sure that you have all of the armor you need to move forward. And I know that an education is not a- a shield against prejudice, but it gives people a fighting chance. And when I look at what has happened, particularly the poor kids and minority kids in our country, they really don’t have that shot at a high-quality education. I can honestly now look at your zip code and tell whether you’re gonna get a good education. And so I think if we can focus on specific things that we can do to make sure that those kids have a chance, that their parents have choices.
MARGARET, if- if anything, if you look at this COVID-19 crisis, it has exposed even deeper inequalities in our society. Just imagine being a child who’s trying to learn- to learn at home and the parents don’t speak English, the parents don’t have an educational background of their own. And contrast that with the kid whose parents are well-educated and who can read to them. We’ve got a lot of work to do around inequality. And I’ve just always believed that education is our most important intervention against the scourge of inequality, and particularly, when we look at race and poverty, which is a particularly tough witch’s brew.
MARGARET BRENNAN: And to your point about the pandemic, I mean, it seems to be widening the existing divide. Just looking at the data, the jobless rate in this country for the black community ticked up in May to 17 percent and black women in particular are bearing the brunt of that. Where do you see the policy solutions coming from right now? Is anyone offering anything of meaning?
RICE: Well, one of the things that’s happened is that this crisis has exacerbated problems that were there already, and we now have to ask ourselves, are we just going to say, well, my goodness, look at what we’ve seen, are we really going to act? And I think there are a couple of specific things. We know that in this crisis, if you can work from home, if you are capable of being on the Internet, then you can continue to work. You’re not unemployed. Knowledge workers are doing better. So let’s talk about higher skills levels for everybody. But I also think there’s something very specific we could do. Let’s say every American is going to have broadband. Every American is going to have access to a reliable Internet. And that means people in rural areas. That means people in- in schools that are not well-endowed. I’d love to see us have a national project about access to the Internet, access to the broad- to the broadband in the way that we’ve had access, for instance, to the highway at another time in our history.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Well, that’s quite a to do list for Congress if they were to agree to take it up. If you were advising this particular president, what would you be telling him to do at this moment?
RICE: I would ask the president to first and foremost speak in the language of unity, the language of empathy. Not everyone is going to agree with any president, with this president, but you have to speak to every American, not just to those who might agree with you. And you have to speak about the deep wounds that we have and that we’re going to overcome them. I’ve heard the president talk about the resilience of Americans. I’d love to hear more of that. And I’m not advising the president. But, you know, unfortunately, Twitter and tweeting are- are not great ways for complex thoughts, for complex messages. When the president speaks, it needs to be from a place of- of thoughtfulness, from a place of having really honed the message so that it reaches all Americans. And by the way, not just the president. I would love to hear this from our leaders in Congress on both sides of the aisle. I would love to hear from mayors and from governors and from others. Leaders at this particular point need to do everything that they can to overcome, not intensify our divisions.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You are speaking like the diplomat that you have been, Secretary Rice, because I know when we spoke last year, you said that this president doesn’t recognize how raw race is as a factor in America. And just in the past few weeks, he has mourned George Floyd’s death but he’s used language like “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” He said his supporters love “the black people.” When you hear phrases like that, how does that land with you? Do you just dismiss it because it’s President Trump?
RICE: Well, no. The president, obviously, the shooting and looting, he said that he didn’t know that historical context. And so I would say think about the historical context before you say something, because it is a deep wound. And the presidency is special in that regard. People look to the Oval Office as we’ve looked to the Oval Office throughout our history for- for messages, for signals. And as I said, the president has used some language that I’m really very, very much admire, like the resilience of the American people. Just be careful about those messages. I’m not advising the president, but if I were, I would say let’s put tweeting aside for a little bit and- and talk to us, have a conversation with us. And I think we need that. And I think he can do it.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Retired General Jim Mattis said that it wasn’t in his interpretation unintentional. In fact, he said, “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people. He does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us.” Do you believe that it’s intentional? Do you agree with Mattis?
RICE: Well, look, I have enormous respect for Jim Mattis. And he’s a man of great integrity. He’s a patriot. He’s my friend. And he spoke to something that he needed to speak to. What I want to speak to is the future and what we do here over the next several months. We are having protests that need to be peaceful, but we’ve always moved ahead in part by protest. There’s no ex- excuse for the criminality and for the looting and for those outside influences that Governor Cuomo referred to- to- to come in from across state lines. That’s not what- who we are and what we are. But I will tell you, as somebody who grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, Jim Crow Alabama, when if a black man was shot by a policeman, it wouldn’t have even been a footnote in the newspaper, I’m really grateful to people who are going out now and saying, no, that is not acceptable. I’m grateful to those people who are thinking about how to support good police, who are thinking about how to support all of those people who put their lives on the line every day to protect us, but also to say to those who do not have our best interests at heart, who don’t undertake that obligation to protect and defend without regard to color, enough. We won’t put up with that either. And so this is a time for every American to speak to our unity, but to also be very cognizant of how we describe our differences, how we address our differences, and especially how we address one another with empathy.
MARGARET BRENNAN: You said you were grateful to those who are expressing their opposition. Is there any circumstance in which you think it would be acceptable in these days to use what the president said to governors he would use, which was the Insurrection Act, to send active duty military into American cities?
RICE: Well, I would absolutely advise against it, particularly at this time. Look, the founding fathers were very smart about this. Thomas Jefferson talked about the citizen soldier, and the embodiment of the citizen soldier these days is the National Guard and Reserve. They come from these communities. They are of these communities. They are trained in everything from dealing with natural disasters to dealing with issues like crowd control. And when the local police can’t handle it, the National Guard’s the right- the right answer. Our military isn’t trained to do this. Our military is trained for the battlefield. And this isn’t a battlefield in that sense. Now, I- I understand that- and my, personally, the violence and the ugliness and the livelihoods of business people who have now watched literally their life’s work go up in smoke, that has to be dealt with. But I fundamentally believe that the National Guard, when it’s needed, local law enforcement to the degree that it can, is the way to do this. And I would really advise against the Insurrection Act. I- I understand that President George H.W. Bush did so in the Rodney King affair back in Los Angeles. But that was at the request–
MARGARET BRENNAN: At the request of California–
RICE: –of- of California. So I would- let’s- let’s use the instruments that by our tradition, by the wisdom of our founding fathers, were given to us, citizen soldiers who can police their own.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Madam Secretary, you know, some of America’s adversaries, Russia, Iran, China, they are using the images of what happened to Mr. Floyd and what is happening in the streets of American cities right now in their own state propaganda. Do you see this racial divide as a national security threat to us?
RICE: Well, I’ve always thought that America’s greatest strength is that we are a country where you can come from humble circumstances and do great things, and where, despite our painful history, we’ve worked harder and harder every day, brick by brick, to build a more perfect union for all of us. And I would say to those, particularly in places like China and Russia and Iran, who may want to use this for propaganda, let’s not be absurd. This is not Tiananmen Square where you’ve mowed down people who disagreed with the government. This is not the invasion of Crimea where you took land from your neighbor. This is not the Green Revolution in Iran where you killed people wantonly because they wouldn’t agree with the theocratic government. And I would even say to our friends abroad, in places like Europe, where I’m seeing demonstrations in support of what is happening here, thank you for your support, but please look in the mirror. Please ask yourself, in countries in Europe and countries all across the world, what are you doing about racial and ethnic inequality in your own circumstances?America has gotten better because we have been willing to confront our problems. And we’re going to confront our problems again. We’re confronting them now. And I think we will move forward this time. But I- I really don’t need to be lectured by Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping about peaceful protest when they have themselves used their own force just because people wanted to criticize the government. That is not is what- that is not what is happening here.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Noted. Madam Secretary, you did not support President Trump in 2016. Seeing what you’ve seen, will you support him in 2020?
RICE: As I’ve often said, when I’m ready to speak about American politics, I’ll come back to you. And I’ll- you’ll be the first to know when I want to speak about American politics. Right now, what I want to speak to is my fellow Americans and to understand the deep divisions that we have, to understand what it is to be black. I know what it’s like to be met with a look of dismissiveness or the like. So I- I want to focus on that right now. And I want to say one other thing. You asked about the military earlier. Let’s remember, too, that our people in uniform also come from different backgrounds. They come from different races. They’re united in a common cause. But this is hard for them, too. And I know that their commanders are aware of the painful conversations that need to be- need to take place even within our military. But one great thing is when we unite for a common cause, as they often do, it helps us to overcome those differences.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Madam Secretary, thank you for your reflections and your time today. We’ll be–
RICE: It’s a pleasure being with you. God bless.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We’ll be right back with a lot more FACE THE NATION, so stay with us.


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--Ohio Animal Hospital Is Giving Free Care to Police Horses Injured During Riots

An animal hospital in Ohio that specializes in animal eye care has said it would provide free services to police horses injured during the riots and protests in the state and nearby Lexington , Kentucky .
The Animal Eye Institute posted on Facebook last week that it was not trying “ to get political , ” but wanted to help any injured police horses .
“ We aren ’ t in any way going to get political here , but if any police horses have eye injuries from protests from Columbus down to Lexington , we will treat them for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Just call the office or send us an email .
The big gentle giants don ’ t deserve to be hurt.
” WJW reported that protesters threw objects at mounted officers in Columbus over the weekend , though it is unclear if any animals were hurt .
The Animal Eye Institute said it would treat for free animals from Columbus to Lexington , Kentucky .
Protests have erupted across the country in response to the police-involved death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd , who died after an officer held his knee to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
Protests in many cities have turned into violent riots as police officers have been attacked ( as well as fellow protesters ) , buildings and cars have been burned , and businesses have been looted .
WJW reported that protests in Cincinnati and Columbus turned violent .
Ohio Gov .
Mike DeWine ( R ) activated the National Guard on May 31 to help stop the violence , as many demonstrators “ chose to throw objects at police , break and vandalize city property , set fires to buildings and vehicles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Andrew Ginther instituted a curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. but exempted : • Individuals traveling directly to and from work ; “ I understand the anger and frustration that has led to these protests – and I share them .
Racism , discrimination and injustice have led us to this moment .
I want to assure our residents we are making real change and are committed to confronting racism where we see it , ” Ginther said in a press release .
“ But at this moment some people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not on creating positive change in our community and threaten to drown out the voice of demanding justice and our collective safety.
” In Lexington , the protests didn ’ t appear to get violent .
When one protester knocked over a trash can , another with a megaphone told them to pick it up .
The Cincinnati protests have also turned violent , with rioters throwing bottles and rocks at police , starting fires , and vandalizing businesses .
“ Nationwide more than 1,400 people in 17 U.S. cities have been arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Daily Wire , headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro , is a leading provider of conservative news , cutting through the mainstream media ’ s rhetoric to provide readers the most important , relevant , and engaging stories of the day .
Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member .

An animal hospital in Ohio that specializes in animal eye care has said it would provide free services to police horses injured during the riots and protests in the state and nearby Lexington, Kentucky.
The Animal Eye Institute posted on Facebook last week that it was not trying “to get political,” but wanted to help any injured police horses.
“We aren’t in any way going to get political here, but if any police horses have eye injuries from protests from Columbus down to Lexington, we will treat them for free,” the hospital wrote. “Just call the office or send us an email. The big gentle giants don’t deserve to be hurt.”
WJW reported that protesters threw objects at mounted officers in Columbus over the weekend, though it is unclear if any animals were hurt. The Animal Eye Institute said it would treat for free animals from Columbus to Lexington, Kentucky.
Protests have erupted across the country in response to the police-involved death of Minneapolis resident George Floyd, who died after an officer held his knee to Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes. Protests in many cities have turned into violent riots as police officers have been attacked (as well as fellow protesters), buildings and cars have been burned, and businesses have been looted.
WJW reported that protests in Cincinnati and Columbus turned violent. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) activated the National Guard on May 31 to help stop the violence, as many demonstrators “chose to throw objects at police, break and vandalize city property, set fires to buildings and vehicles, and broke into businesses.”
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther instituted a curfew between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. but exempted:
Law enforcement, fire and medical personnel;
Members of the news media;
Individuals traveling directly to and from work;
Individuals seeking care, fleeing dangerous circumstances or experiencing homelessness.
“I understand the anger and frustration that has led to these protests – and I share them. Racism, discrimination and injustice have led us to this moment. I want to assure our residents we are making real change and are committed to confronting racism where we see it,” Ginther said in a press release. “But at this moment some people are intent on causing chaos and destruction, not on creating positive change in our community and threaten to drown out the voice of demanding justice and our collective safety.”
In Lexington, the protests didn’t appear to get violent. When one protester knocked over a trash can, another with a megaphone told them to pick it up.
The Cincinnati protests have also turned violent, with rioters throwing bottles and rocks at police, starting fires, and vandalizing businesses.
“Nationwide more than 1,400 people in 17 U.S. cities have been arrested since Thursday,” WJW reported.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member.


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--Editor of Newspaper That Ran Article Headlined “Buildings Matter, Too” Forced to Resign

Newspaper ran article titled , 'Buildings Matter , Too . '
The top editor was just forced to resign .
@ @ @ @ @ for 20 years

The top editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Stan Wischnowski, was forced to resign over the weekend over outrage stemming from an article that declared, "Buildings Matter, Too."
In the shadow of George Floyd's tragic death two weeks ago, violence and looting have plagued cities nationwide. Thousands of businesses have been looted, set on fire, and completely destroyed by agitators exploiting racial tensions.
Last Tuesday, the Inquirer published a column highlighting the heartbreaking impact of the violence. The column was titled, "Buildings Matter, Too."
The headline generated immediate backlash, forcing the newspaper's leadership to issue an apology.
"The Philadelphia Inquirer published a headline in Tuesday's edition that was deeply offensive. We should not have printed it," the editors said. "We're sorry, and regret that we did. We also know that an apology on its own is not sufficient."
"The headline accompanied a story on the future of Philadelphia's buildings and civic infrastructure in the aftermath of this week's protests," the apology continued. "The headline offensively riffed on the Black Lives Matter movement, and suggested an equivalence between the loss of buildings and the lives of black Americans. That is unacceptable."
Unfortunately, the apology was not enough, and by Saturday the Inquirer announced that Wischnowski — the paper's executive editor and senior vice president — had resigned.
From the Inquirer:
In a statement Saturday afternoon, publisher Lisa Hughes said that Wischnowski "has decided to step down as senior vice president and executive editor." She thanked him for his 20 years working at the paper and serving as executive editor.
Wischnowski worked at the Inquirer 20 years. He will formally leave the newspaper at the end of business on Friday. His successor was not immediately announced.
Wischnowski is not the only major newspaper editor who was forced out of a job over a controversial article in recent days.
James Bennet, the editor of the New York Times editorial page, was also forced to resign over the weekend following controversy stemming from the newspaper publishing an op-ed from Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--Black Actor Met With Backlash After Warning Against “Black Supremacy”

On Sunday , former professional football player-turned-successful actor Terry Crews warned against “ black supremacy , ” emphasizing the need for black and white people to work together and that “ equality is the truth.
” “ Defeating White supremacy without White people creates Black supremacy , ” he wrote via Twitter .
“ Equality is the truth.
” “ Like it or not , ” he added , “ we are all in this together.
” Crews ’ comments come at the height of the “ Black Lives Matter ” movement , an activist group that calls for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defunding of police nationally .
The group is years old but recently picked up steam following the death of George Floyd , who died last month after a police officer had his knee on the 46-year-old ’ s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds during an arrest , as shown in viral video footage .
The officer at the center of the arrest has since been charged with second-degree murder .
The comments quickly went viral , garnering over 140,000 likes , 22,000 retweets , and 21,000 comments by Tuesday morning .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ co-star Tyler James Williams responded to the post , accusing Crews of hurting the BLM cause and black people .
“ Terry , brother , I know your heart and you know I have love for you and always will , ” Williams wrote .
“ No one is calling [ for ] black supremacy [ and ] the narrative that we are hurts our cause [ and ] our people .
We ’ re just vigorously vetting our ‘ allies ’ because time [ and ] time again they have failed us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Tyler .
I was not saying Black supremacy exists , because it doesn ’ t .
I am saying if both Black and Whites don ’ t continue to work together– bad attitudes and resentments can create a dangerous self-righteousness , ” Crews responded .
“ That ’ s all.
” Activist and author Kevin Powell bashed Crews for the tweet , and condescendingly told him to “ please read books.
” “ This makes absolutely no sense , makes every Black self-hating assumption that Black folks would actually try to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when there is no proof in history of any such behavior even remotely close to White supremacist behavior , ” posted Powell .
“ Please read books , sir.
” “ That ’ s not what I ’ m saying Kevin .
At all , ” Crews retorted , later noting online that he ’ s come to understand anything he says will get “ twisted.
” “ Black supremacy ?
We represent 13 % of US population , hold no institutional power [ and ] gaslight our coworkers , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ We got 99 problems and your math isn ’ t the only 1 .
# StrongerTogether.
” Crews is not as publicly political as most Hollywood celebrities , who nearly all lean far-left .
In 2016 , for example , Crews posted a message clarifying that he does not affiliate with any political party , maintaining that our issues can ’ t be solved by government .
“ I am NOT Anti-Trump , Pro-Hillary , Anti-Bernie , Pro-Trump , Anti-Hillary , Pro-Bernie , or AntiPro-any write in candidate , regardless of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he posted at the time .
“ I firmly believe NO government can solve my problems , and I choose no political affiliation because I like THINKING FOR MYSELF.
” The Daily Wire , headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro , is a leading provider of conservative news , cutting through the mainstream media ’ s rhetoric to provide readers the most important , relevant , and engaging stories of the day .
Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member .

On Sunday, former professional football player-turned-successful actor Terry Crews warned against “black supremacy,” emphasizing the need for black and white people to work together and that “equality is the truth.”
“Defeating White supremacy without White people creates Black supremacy,” he wrote via Twitter. “Equality is the truth.”
“Like it or not,” he added, “we are all in this together.”
Defeating White supremacy without White people creates Black supremacy. Equality is the truth. Like it or not, we are all in this together. — terry crews (@terrycrews) June 7, 2020
Crews’ comments come at the height of the “Black Lives Matter” movement, an activist group that calls for the disruption of the nuclear family and the defunding of police nationally. The group is years old but recently picked up steam following the death of George Floyd, who died last month after a police officer had his knee on the 46-year-old’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds during an arrest, as shown in viral video footage. The officer at the center of the arrest has since been charged with second-degree murder.
The comments quickly went viral, garnering over 140,000 likes, 22,000 retweets, and 21,000 comments by Tuesday morning.
Crews’ “Everybody Hates Chris” co-star Tyler James Williams responded to the post, accusing Crews of hurting the BLM cause and black people.
“Terry, brother, I know your heart and you know I have love for you and always will,” Williams wrote. “No one is calling [for] black supremacy [and] the narrative that we are hurts our cause [and] our people. We’re just vigorously vetting our ‘allies’ because time [and] time again they have failed us in the past.”
“I understand, Tyler. I was not saying Black supremacy exists, because it doesn’t. I am saying if both Black and Whites don’t continue to work together– bad attitudes and resentments can create a dangerous self-righteousness,” Crews responded. “That’s all.”
I understand, Tyler. I was not saying Black supremacy exists, because it doesn't. I am saying if both Black and Whites don't continue to work together– bad attitudes and resentments can create a dangerous self-righteousness. That's all. https://t.co/YLWGnpj8fl — terry crews (@terrycrews) June 8, 2020
Activist and author Kevin Powell bashed Crews for the tweet, and condescendingly told him to “please read books.”
“This makes absolutely no sense, makes every Black self-hating assumption that Black folks would actually try to do harm to White people in major ways, when there is no proof in history of any such behavior even remotely close to White supremacist behavior,” posted Powell. “Please read books, sir.”
This makes absolutely no sense, makes very Black self-hating assumption that Black folks would actually try to do harm to White people in major ways, when there is no proof in history of any such behavior even remotely close to White supremacist behavior. Please read books, sir. — Kevin Powell (@kevin_powell) June 8, 2020
“That’s not what I’m saying Kevin. At all,” Crews retorted, later noting online that he’s come to understand anything he says will get “twisted.”
That's not what I'm saying Kevin. At all. https://t.co/RTaz9YInZ3 — terry crews (@terrycrews) June 8, 2020
“Black supremacy? We represent 13% of US population, hold no institutional power [and] gaslight our coworkers,” said “American Gods” actor Orlando Jones. “We got 99 problems and your math isn’t the only 1. #StrongerTogether.”
Black supremacy? We represent 13% of US population, hold no institutional power & gaslight our coworkers. We got 99 problems and your math isn't the only 1. #StrongerTogether https://t.co/cprFHDQMVJ — Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) June 8, 2020
Crews is not as publicly political as most Hollywood celebrities, who nearly all lean far-left. In 2016, for example, Crews posted a message clarifying that he does not affiliate with any political party, maintaining that our issues can’t be solved by government.
“I am NOT Anti-Trump, Pro-Hillary, Anti-Bernie, Pro-Trump, Anti-Hillary, Pro-Bernie, or AntiPro-any write in candidate, regardless of what you read on the Internet,” he posted at the time. “I firmly believe NO government can solve my problems, and I choose no political affiliation because I like THINKING FOR MYSELF.”
“I am PRO-CAMACHO,” he joked. “Love, Terry Crews.”
I am NOT Anti-Trump, Pro-Hillary, Anti-Bernie, Pro-Trump, Anti-Hillary, Pro-Bernie, or AntiPro-any write in candidate,… Posted by Terry Crews on Sunday, June 5, 2016
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member.


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--A Misleading Giveaway Leads to Lawsuit Against Reese Witherspoon’s Company

America ’ s sweetheart , Reese Witherspoon , isn ’ t known for controversies , so it was surprising to learn that she and her clothing company , Draper James , are being sued for misleading our nation ’ s teachers .
In April , the 44-year-old “ Little Fires Everywhere ” actress announced she was offering a free dress for teachers around the country struggling during the coronavirus pandemic , Fox News reported .
Witherspoon quickly found herself on the receiving end of a backlash when teachers realized she was only giving away a very limited number of dresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a class-action lawsuit from three women who claim she benefited from the giveaway even though teachers did not , TMZ reported .
The clothing company made their offer on Instagram , writing “ Dear Teachers : We want to say thank you .
During quarantine we see you working harder than ever to educate our children .
To show our gratitude , Draper James would like to give teachers a free dress.
” “ To apply , complete the form at the link in bio before this Sunday , April 5th , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while supplies last – winners will be notified on Tuesday , April 7th , ) ” the post continued .
The offer clearly stated that it was only valid “ while supplies last , ” but the lawsuit states that it wasn ’ t clear there were only 250 dresses available in the giveaway .
Meanwhile , teachers were required to provide personal information to enter the giveaway , including their education employment ID info .
“ The women suing point out that the total cost of the 250 dresses to be given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ estimated paltry $ 12,500 in actual cost ’ to Reese and her company … ‘ at a time when other individuals of [ Reese ] Witherspoon ’ s renown were offering millions of dollars to COVID-19 victims , ’ ” TMZ reported .
The lawsuit also alleged that Witherspoon benefitted from increased publicity due to the miniscule giveaway with mentions on “ Today ” and “ Good Morning America.
” Theane Evangelis , attorney for Draper James , told TMZ that the lawsuit was frivolous .
“ Draper James looks forward to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions made by teachers during this time of need , and to being vindicated in court.
” “ Draper James looks forward to defending this case , to continuing its efforts to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions made by teachers during this time of need , and to being vindicated in court , ” she continued .
Marissa Cooley , Draper James ’ senior vice president for marketing and creative departments , previously discussed the shortage of dresses with The New York Times .
“ We felt like we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anticipate the volume of the response .
We were really overwhelmed .
It was way more volume than the company had ever seen .
We expected the single-digit thousands , ” she told the outlet .
The Times also reported that the application form “ crashed ” almost immediately and that nearly 1 million applications were received , meaning teachers had a tiny chance of actually receiving a dress .
The Daily Wire , headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro , is a leading provider of conservative news , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rhetoric to provide readers the most important , relevant , and engaging stories of the day .
Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member .

America’s sweetheart, Reese Witherspoon, isn’t known for controversies, so it was surprising to learn that she and her clothing company, Draper James, are being sued for misleading our nation’s teachers.
In April, the 44-year-old “Little Fires Everywhere” actress announced she was offering a free dress for teachers around the country struggling during the coronavirus pandemic, Fox News reported. Witherspoon quickly found herself on the receiving end of a backlash when teachers realized she was only giving away a very limited number of dresses.
Now she’s being hit with a class-action lawsuit from three women who claim she benefited from the giveaway even though teachers did not, TMZ reported.
The clothing company made their offer on Instagram, writing “Dear Teachers: We want to say thank you. During quarantine we see you working harder than ever to educate our children. To show our gratitude, Draper James would like to give teachers a free dress.”
“To apply, complete the form at the link in bio before this Sunday, April 5th, 11:59 PM ET. (Offer valid while supplies last – winners will be notified on Tuesday, April 7th,)” the post continued.
The offer clearly stated that it was only valid “while supplies last,” but the lawsuit states that it wasn’t clear there were only 250 dresses available in the giveaway. Meanwhile, teachers were required to provide personal information to enter the giveaway, including their education employment ID info.
“The women suing point out that the total cost of the 250 dresses to be given away would only come out to an ‘estimated paltry $12,500 in actual cost’ to Reese and her company … ‘at a time when other individuals of [Reese] Witherspoon’s renown were offering millions of dollars to COVID-19 victims,’” TMZ reported.
The lawsuit also alleged that Witherspoon benefitted from increased publicity due to the miniscule giveaway with mentions on “Today” and “Good Morning America.”
Theane Evangelis, attorney for Draper James, told TMZ that the lawsuit was frivolous.
“Draper James looks forward to defending this case, to continuing its efforts to acknowledge the extraordinary contributions made by teachers during this time of need, and to being vindicated in court,” she continued.
Marissa Cooley, Draper James’ senior vice president for marketing and creative departments, previously discussed the shortage of dresses with The New York Times.
“We felt like we moved too quickly and didn’t anticipate the volume of the response. We were really overwhelmed. It was way more volume than the company had ever seen. We expected the single-digit thousands,” she told the outlet.
The Times also reported that the application form “crashed” almost immediately and that nearly 1 million applications were received, meaning teachers had a tiny chance of actually receiving a dress.
The Daily Wire, headed by bestselling author and popular podcast host Ben Shapiro, is a leading provider of conservative news, cutting through the mainstream media’s rhetoric to provide readers the most important, relevant, and engaging stories of the day. Get inside access to The Daily Wire by becoming a member.


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--After Decade-Long Search, Treasure Chest With Millions of Dollars Found

New Mexican art dealer Forrest Fern confirmed Sunday that a 10-year search for $ 2 million worth of treasure was over .
Fern had hidden a 13th-century Romanesque bronze chest , full of gold and jewels , in the Rocky Mountains sometime between 2009 and 2010 .
Though Fern , now 89 , did not specify where exactly the treasure was found , it was reportedly discovered in either New Mexico , Colorado , Wyoming or Montana .
`` It was under a canopy of stars in the lush , forested vegetation of the Rocky Mountains and had not moved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 10 years ago , '' Fern wrote .
In a memoir he wrote , Fern left treasure hunters a series of nine clues to help lead them toward the treasure .
The goal of the hunt , according to Fern , was to inspire people to get outside and explore nature .
During the decade-long search , several people perished while searching for the hidden treasure .
In 2017 , the state of New Mexico urged its residents to stop looking for the chest after someone died during a search .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who participated in the search and hope they will continue to be drawn by the promise of other discoveries , '' continued Fern 's statement .

New Mexican art dealer Forrest Fern confirmed Sunday that a 10-year search for $2 million worth of treasure was over. Fern had hidden a 13th-century Romanesque bronze chest, full of gold and jewels, in the Rocky Mountains sometime between 2009 and 2010.
Though Fern, now 89, did not specify where exactly the treasure was found, it was reportedly discovered in either New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana.
"It was under a canopy of stars in the lush, forested vegetation of the Rocky Mountains and had not moved from the spot where I hit it more than 10 years ago," Fern wrote.
In a memoir he wrote, Fern left treasure hunters a series of nine clues to help lead them toward the treasure. The goal of the hunt, according to Fern, was to inspire people to get outside and explore nature.
During the decade-long search, several people perished while searching for the hidden treasure. In 2017, the state of New Mexico urged its residents to stop looking for the chest after someone died during a search.
"I congratulate the thousands of people who participated in the search and hope they will continue to be drawn by the promise of other discoveries," continued Fern's statement.


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--As He Waits for MLB’s 2020 Season, Yankees Prospect Picks Up Side Job

With baseball on hold , New York Yankees pitching prospect T.J. Sikkema is delivering food and groceries instead of fastballs and sliders .
The Yankees selected Sikkema in the first round of last year ’ s amateur draft .
The coronavirus pandemic has effectively shut down Major League Baseball and will likely cancel any kind of Minor League Baseball this season .
Because of that , Sikkema and his girlfriend are back in Iowa and have taken up DoorDash as a way to make some cash .
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXBUSINESS.COM “ That ’ s my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Des Moines Register on Monday .
The Yankees drafted Sikkema with the No .
36 pick , which has a slot value of $ 1.95 million .
He appeared in four games last season for the team 's Class A Short Season affiliate , the Staten Island Yankees , of the New York-Penn League .
He had a 0.84 ERA with 13 strikeouts .
He told the newspaper he had high hopes for 2020 .
“ I think it was going to be pretty big , ” Sikkema said .
“ It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year in pro ball .
So , I think I had a lot to prove.
” Instead of training with his teammates or starting his season in the minors , Sikkema is working out in Iowa and drive for DoorDash .
He told the Des Moines Register he was working with his girlfriend .
“ It 's pretty good money , ” he said .
“ We 're making anywhere from $ 15 to $ 25 an hour.
” GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE Sikkema added ; “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stressful just trying to figure out the whole directions thing and how it 's the best way to do that .
But now that we have it figured out , it 's actually pretty fun .
”

With baseball on hold, New York Yankees pitching prospect T.J. Sikkema is delivering food and groceries instead of fastballs and sliders.
The Yankees selected Sikkema in the first round of last year’s amateur draft. The coronavirus pandemic has effectively shut down Major League Baseball and will likely cancel any kind of Minor League Baseball this season. Because of that, Sikkema and his girlfriend are back in Iowa and have taken up DoorDash as a way to make some cash.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXBUSINESS.COM
“That’s my job right now,” he told the Des Moines Register on Monday.
The Yankees drafted Sikkema with the No. 36 pick, which has a slot value of $1.95 million. He appeared in four games last season for the team's Class A Short Season affiliate, the Staten Island Yankees, of the New York-Penn League. He had a 0.84 ERA with 13 strikeouts. He told the newspaper he had high hopes for 2020.
“I think it was going to be pretty big,” Sikkema said. “It was going to be my first full year in pro ball. So, I think I had a lot to prove.”
METS BIDDERS INCLUDE 76ERS, DEVILS OWNERSHIP GROUP: REPORT
Instead of training with his teammates or starting his season in the minors, Sikkema is working out in Iowa and drive for DoorDash. He told the Des Moines Register he was working with his girlfriend.
“It's pretty good money,” he said. “We're making anywhere from $15 to $25 an hour.”
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Sikkema added; “The first couple of times were a little stressful just trying to figure out the whole directions thing and how it's the best way to do that. But now that we have it figured out, it's actually pretty fun.”


bonginoreport--2020-06-09--Shannon Sharpe Wanted Drew Brees to Be “One of Us”

Days after facing severe backlash over comments he made condemning kneeling during the national anthem , New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees Sunday reached out to FS1 ’ s Shannon Sharpe , following Sharpe ’ s own scathing criticism of Brees and his comments .
In response to the killing of George Floyd – an unarmed black man who died in police custody on May 25 in Minneapolis , Minnesota – protests and demonstrations have swept the nation and the globe , and hundreds of professional athletes have issued responses on social media and joined in the movement .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview with Yahoo Finance , Brees was asked how he believes the NFL should respond during the upcoming season if players choose to kneel during the national anthem , a method of peacefully protesting police brutality that was popularized by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016 .
“ I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country .
Let me just tell you what I see or what I feel when the national anthem is played , and when I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States : I envision my two grandfathers , who fought for this country during World War II – one in the Army and one in the Marine Corps , both risking their lives to protect our country and to try to make our country and this world a better place .
“ So every time I stand with my hand over my heart , looking at that flag and singing the national anthem , that ’ s what I think about .
And in many cases , it brings me to tears , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ … Is everything right with our country right now ?
No , it ’ s not .
We still have a long way to go .
But I think what you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart , is it shows unity .
It shows that we are all in this together .
We can all do better and we are all part of the solution.
” The backlash over Brees ’ comments was harsh and immediate , including from Sharpe on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extreme disappointment with Brees ’ stance .
“ What ’ s made the black fight so hard is people like Drew Brees .
Because if you can ’ t get a guy that grew up with blacks in the locker room – from peewee to high school to college to the NFL – to understand the black man ’ s plight , who will ?
… I can ’ t believe you , Drew … Blacks fought in World War II , alongside your grandfathers , and did not have the freedom that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came home , although they had sacrificed the exact same thing as his grandfathers did.
” The morning after his comments came to light and the backlash rolled in , Brees issued an apology on Instagram .
“ In an attempt to talk about respect , unity , and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem , I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country.
” He followed up with a video apology later in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not much that I can say that would make things any better right now , but I just want you to see in my eyes how sorry I am for the comments that I made yesterday .
I know that it hurt many people.
” Still , Sharpe was reticent to accept any apology from Brees , and suggested that the quarterback should retire .
“ He issued an apology , but it ’ s meaningless , because the guys know that he spoke his heart the very first time around .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s gon na do , but he probably should just go ahead and retire now .
It will never be the same.
” However , the tone began to shift on Saturday , when Brees reached out to Sharpe via text and asked could the two speak over the phone on Sunday .
Sharpe obliged and on Monday ’ s show , he shared the details of his call with Brees , which began with Brees once again apologizing for his comments before Sharpe candidly expressed his emotions .
“ I said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You tell me what you ’ re thinking and then I ’ m gon na tell you what I ’ m thinking and why I reacted the way I reacted.
’ And [ Drew ] said , ‘ First of all , I wan na apologize .
I wan na say that I ’ m sorry , not only just to you but to the entire black community .
… I can understand … the feelings that you guys felt , because it does come off that I lack compassion , that I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And that ’ s not my heart.
’ He said , ‘ If anything , if you know me … I think you ’ d know that I have a good heart and I ’ ve immersed myself in New Orleans since I arrived here … For 15 years , I ’ ve been a pillar in the community .
I don ’ t want one bad mistake to ruin everything that I ’ ve built . '
” After Brees apologized to Sharpe and explained his newfound understanding , Sharpe shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , telling the longtime Saints quarterback that he was shocked the comments came from him .
“ [ I said ] , ‘ The freedom and the pride that you feel when you stand for that flag , everybody does not feel that same sense of pride because they haven ’ t been afforded some of the same opportunities that you and some of your ancestors have been afforded.
’ … ‘ Other quarterbacks could have said exactly what you said and everybody would have been upset , but they would have said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given you , in New Orleans , what you ’ ve done in the community … Why you think your teammates lashed out at you like that ?
Because they couldn ’ t believe that came from you . '
” Much of Sharpe ’ s shock and dismay regarding Brees ’ comments is a result of Brees ’ standing in the New Orleans community , a community that is nearly 60 % black .
Brees arrived in New Orleans in 2006 , one year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Superdome , their home stadium .
Since his arrival , Brees has become instrumental in the community , mainly due to his efforts in helping rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina .
In 2006 , he was co-recipient of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his relief efforts , and in 2010 , the same year he led the Saints to their first-ever Super Bowl title , Brees was named Sports Illustrated ’ s Sportsman of the Year , “ for not only leading the New Orleans Saints to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ franchise ’ s history , but also for helping lead the city of New Orleans ’ rebirth after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina.
” Said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell of Brees in 2010 , upon receiving the SI Sportsman of the Year honor , “ He symbolizes the people of New Orleans in many , many ways .
Drew believes in that community .
He believes in doing what ’ s right .
He ’ s one of the most genuine people I ’ ve ever met.
” Brees and his wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation in New Orleans and San Diego – Brees played for the San Diego Chargers from 2001-05 – which has raised over $ 6 million in an effort to “ [ advance ] research in the fight against cancer and providing care , education and opportunities for children in need.
” Most recently , Brees and his wife donated $ 5 million to the state of Louisiana in order to support families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards thanked the Brees family on behalf of the state .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ history of supporting the New Orleans community , coupled with Brees ’ apology during their Sunday conversation , Sharpe said on Monday that he feels better about the situation and that he believes Brees deserves a second chance .
“ After talking to him , I could feel the pain … I don ’ t believe him saying what he said should be the end of Drew Brees .
I believe he deserves another opportunity for redemption because he ’ s been too good in that community to let this one slip up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brees ’ wife also issued an apology on behalf of her family via the Brees Dream Foundation Instagram on Saturday .
However , despite the positive conversation between Sharpe and Brees , Skip Bayless is still unsure whether Brees can mend the bridges that seemed to be burnt between the quarterback and his teammates less than a week ago .
“ Not one or two , but all of the black , star teammates of Drew Brees condemned what he had said and it was scathing on all parts … What it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insensitivity , where you just live in your own world … He ’ s insensitive to it because he ’ s just fine in the world he lives in .
But the world a majority of his teammates live in is an extremely different world.
” Since his comments this past Wednesday , Brees has taken ownership for how they were received and apologized at every turn , so much so that one of his harshest critics , teammate and superstar wide receiver Michael Thomas , posted this tweet on Saturday .
Time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the locker room go from here , but you know what they say : once you hit rock bottom , the only way to go is up .

National Football League Clearing the Air Updated Jul. 17, 2020 4:39 p.m. ET share facebook twitter reddit link
Days after facing severe backlash over comments he made condemning kneeling during the national anthem, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees Sunday reached out to FS1's Shannon Sharpe.
Their conversation, which Shannon described on Monday's Undisputed, came after Sharpe's own scathing criticism of Brees and his comments.
In response to the killing of George Floyd – an unarmed black man who died in police custody on May 25 in Minneapolis, Minnesota – protests and demonstrations have swept the nation and the globe, and hundreds of professional athletes have issued responses on social media and joined in the movement.
But on Wednesday of last week, in an interview with Yahoo Finance, Brees was asked how he believes the NFL should respond during the upcoming season if players choose to kneel during the national anthem, a method of peacefully protesting police brutality that was popularized by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016.
ADVERTISEMENT
Said Brees:
“I will never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America or our country. Let me just tell you what I see or what I feel when the national anthem is played, and when I look at the flag of the United States: I envision my two grandfathers, who fought for this country during World War II – one in the Army and one in the Marine Corps, both risking their lives to protect our country and to try to make our country and this world a better place.
“So every time I stand with my hand over my heart, looking at that flag and singing the national anthem, that’s what I think about. And in many cases, it brings me to tears, thinking about all that has been sacrificed … Is everything right with our country right now? No, it’s not. We still have a long way to go. But I think what you do by standing there and showing respect to the flag with your hand over your heart, is it shows unity. It shows that we are all in this together. We can all do better and we are all part of the solution.”
The backlash over Brees' comments was harsh and immediate, including from Sharpe on Thursday's Undisputed, where he expressed extreme disappointment with Brees' stance.
"What's made the black fight so hard is people like Drew Brees. Because if you can't get a guy that grew up with blacks in the locker room – from peewee to high school to college to the NFL – to understand the black man's plight, who will? ... I can't believe you, Drew ... Blacks fought in World War II, alongside your grandfathers, and did not have the freedom that [your grandfathers had] when they came home, although they had sacrificed the exact same thing as his grandfathers did."
The morning after his comments came to light and the backlash rolled in, Brees issued an apology on Instagram.
"In an attempt to talk about respect, unity, and solidarity centered around the American flag and the national anthem, I made comments that were insensitive and completely missed the mark on the issues we are facing right now as a country."
He followed up with a video apology later in the day.
"I know there's not much that I can say that would make things any better right now, but I just want you to see in my eyes how sorry I am for the comments that I made yesterday. I know that it hurt many people."
Still, Sharpe was reticent to accept any apology from Brees, and suggested that the quarterback should retire.
"He issued an apology, but it's meaningless, because the guys know that he spoke his heart the very first time around. I don't know what Drew's gonna do, but he probably should just go ahead and retire now. It will never be the same."
However, the tone began to shift on Saturday, when Brees reached out to Sharpe via text and asked could the two speak over the phone on Sunday.
Sharpe obliged and on Monday's show, he shared the details of his call with Brees, which began with Brees once again apologizing for his comments before Sharpe candidly expressed his emotions.
"I said, 'The floor is yours. You tell me what you're thinking and then I'm gonna tell you what I'm thinking and why I reacted the way I reacted.' And [Drew] said, 'First of all, I wanna apologize. I wanna say that I'm sorry, not only just to you but to the entire black community. ... I can understand ... the feelings that you guys felt, because it does come off that I lack compassion, that I lack empathy, that I lack understanding. And that's not my heart.' He said, 'If anything, if you know me ... I think you'd know that I have a good heart and I've immersed myself in New Orleans since I arrived here ... For 15 years, I've been a pillar in the community. I don't want one bad mistake to ruin everything that I've built.'"
After Brees apologized to Sharpe and explained his newfound understanding, Sharpe shared with Brees his feelings on the matter, telling the longtime Saints quarterback that he was shocked the comments came from him.
"[I said], 'The freedom and the pride that you feel when you stand for that flag, everybody does not feel that same sense of pride because they haven't been afforded some of the same opportunities that you and some of your ancestors have been afforded.' ... 'Other quarterbacks could have said exactly what you said and everybody would have been upset, but they would have said they expected that from him. But given you, in New Orleans, what you've done in the community ... Why you think your teammates lashed out at you like that? Because they couldn't believe that came from you.'"
Much of Sharpe's shock and dismay regarding Brees' comments is a result of Brees' standing in the New Orleans community, a community that is nearly 60% black.
Brees arrived in New Orleans in 2006, one year after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city of New Orleans and displaced the Saints from the Superdome, their home stadium.
Since his arrival, Brees has become instrumental in the community, mainly due to his efforts in helping rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
In 2006, he was co-recipient of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award for his relief efforts, and in 2010, the same year he led the Saints to their first-ever Super Bowl title, Brees was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, "for not only leading the New Orleans Saints to the first Super Bowl title in the franchise's history, but also for helping lead the city of New Orleans' rebirth after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina."
Said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell of Brees in 2010, upon receiving the SI Sportsman of the Year honor, "He symbolizes the people of New Orleans in many, many ways. Drew believes in that community. He believes in doing what's right. He's one of the most genuine people I've ever met.''
Brees and his wife, Brittany, also established the Brees Dream Foundation in New Orleans and San Diego – Brees played for the San Diego Chargers from 2001-05 – which has raised over $6 million in an effort to "[advance] research in the fight against cancer and providing care, education and opportunities for children in need."
Most recently, Brees and his wife donated $5 million to the state of Louisiana in order to support families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards thanked the Brees family on behalf of the state.
Given Brees and his family's history of supporting the New Orleans community, coupled with Brees' apology during their Sunday conversation, Sharpe said on Monday that he feels better about the situation and that he believes Brees deserves a second chance.
"After talking to him, I could feel the pain ... I don't believe him saying what he said should be the end of Drew Brees. I believe he deserves another opportunity for redemption because he's been too good in that community to let this one slip up undo 15 years of great service."
Brees' wife also issued an apology on behalf of her family via the Brees Dream Foundation Instagram on Saturday.
However, despite the positive conversation between Sharpe and Brees, Skip Bayless is still unsure whether Brees can mend the bridges that seemed to be burnt between the quarterback and his teammates less than a week ago.
"Not one or two, but all of the black, star teammates of Drew Brees condemned what he had said and it was scathing on all parts ... What it is to me is this elite, white insensitivity, where you just live in your own world ... He's insensitive to it because he's just fine in the world he lives in. But the world a majority of his teammates live in is an extremely different world."
Since his comments this past Wednesday, Brees has taken ownership for how they were received and apologized at every turn, so much so that one of his harshest critics, teammate and superstar wide receiver Michael Thomas, posted this tweet on Saturday.
Time will tell where Brees' relationships in the locker room go from here, but you know what they say: once you hit rock bottom, the only way to go is up.
share